A or B but I can’t tell the colors apart on the screwn

A for me based on your photos.

Thanks I added another picture that has all 3 together.

Not what you asked, but not sure I'd do the herringbone pattern with that counter. The stone already has a ton of movement to it. Can you get more of the same material and so a solid surface backsplash?

I would choose B . I think the glass option gets "lost" w the interest so much at counter. Glass is a muted look , and sleek simple modern sometimes needs that. In your case the creamier ceramic is enhanced by and enhances the cabinets and vanilla tone in the stone. GoodLuck.

probably doing standard subway design. 2x8 or 3x9, depending on the one we choose. Not enough of the slab left to do a backsplash with it.

The counter is the star. I would not use a backsplash tile, at all.

The backsplash is in most cases unnecessary, and is mostly for decorative purposes.

In your case, you do not need any additional texture and/or additional visual interest, with the counter that you have. And just about any backsplash tile is imo going to be too much. And that includes a simple subway tile - which imo will not add anything, and will also look out of place with that counter.

MAYBE a solid sheet of gold/brass or silver metal - or back painted glass - if you feel like you really want, and or need, something there - either on the entire backsplash, or just behind the range/cooktop. But you could really just paint the entire backsplash wall area in an eggshell finish paint, which makes it cleanable/ wipeable.

I second Hallett & Co.’s comment above.

I would be hesitant to install glass tiles. There have been quite a few people on Houzz who have been disappointed re: the way the glass tile looked once installed (compared to how they looked before being installed).

Once the glass is installed, the amount of light that is able to pass through the tile is drastically reduced = looks darker (plus, it can also change color - for example, MANY white glass tiles wind up with a blueish or greenish tint after being installed).

It really depends upon the quality of the glass tile. If the tile is made with a more expensive type of glass (I’m blanking on the specific name right now), it won’t have the typical green tint that you will see on along side of glass (even though the glass appears clear through the front). You most often notice the slight green tint when looking at shower glass - especially when used around a shower that has white tiles on the walls (or marble tiles with whiter backgrounds).

Also, the more expensive glass tile will have color throughout the glass vs. being simply painted on the back side of the tile. If there are any “voids” in the thinset under the tile, they will be noticeable from the front = you need a true tile professional installing the tile instead of a handyman or someone with less experience.

I also feel like glass tile backsplashes were very popular several years ago - and might look a bit ”dated” in a 2024 kitchen.

I really like tile installed in a herringbone pattern - but not with your busy countertops - eliminating that pattern installation is a smart decision.

It looks like the first tile has quite a bit of variation in color between tiles. Obviously, I can’t tell if the 3 x 9 tiles will vary in color due to only having one tile in the photos. The first tile looks like it might be similar to Bedrosian Cloe White tile (which is a v4 variation = the highest level).

Are you able to find out the actual names + colors of the exact tiles (for example, Bedrosian Cloe White or Riad Snow)? That would be more helpful than simply posting photos of them. Colors will look different depending upon someone’s screen - if you have the specifics of the tiles, someone may be personally familiar with the tile = have a better understanding of what the tile looks like in person.

B. It matches the color in both the countertop and the cabinets

i'm limited to Lowe's and Home Depot in small town. All of these are from Lowe's.

This is the A tile. I would get this, not the small herringbone pattern.

STAINMASTER Zellige-style White 2-in x 8-in Glossy Porcelain Subway Wall Tile Item #5338267 | Model #SM52RCT28MBGLLW

This is B tile:

Boutique Ceramic French Canvas 3-in x 9-in Glazed Ceramic Subway Wall Tile Item #5472526 | Model #LW2303101

It looks identical to the Stainmaster beige version. That one is only available in 5 x 5 though. The Boutique one is 3x 9.

Boutique Zellige Beige 5-in x 5-in Glazed Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile

Item #1098795 | Model #LW22080202

I'm good with removing the glass tile from the running.

I would pull one of the lightest cream colors in the stone and paint the backsplash and the rest of the walls in that color. IMO, the gray wall color isn't doing that beautiful stone any favors.

Wall color is sea salt, that is the only painted wall. Small kitchen and its all cabinets.

“But you could really just paint the entire backsplash wall area in an eggshell finish paint…”

That would work for me, especially if the area for a backsplash is minimal. As already mentioned, your counters have plenty of pattern that grab focus.

Based on my computer B looks the best - not too white or too gray. Has a little warmth.

@chloebud, you actually do need a backsplash to protect your lower cabinets. Paint will not do it. If you want to know why, use the search box.

@Rebecca Randall, of these three, B looks best, but you might want to keep looking. With a dominant counter you generally try to match your tile color to your cabinets, or to the prevailing color of the counter material. I’m not really sure any of these does either. Have you tried an off white that matches your cabinet color?

I agree B looks best when they are side by side

My cabinets are SW Albaster. White tiles make them look yellow. Beige is the best I’ve found so far, but still beings out a yellow tone.

The one on the right looks pretty good, but, again, just judging from my screen. The left one looks way too gray, and I also see a touch of gray in the center tile.

Here is an example of a warm white that can work. This is Calcite from Fireclay Tile that is described as a white with beige undertones. Keep looking, and maybe take a cabinet door with you.

^Looks good!

“A backsplash is needed to protect lower cabinets”... ???

I‘ve never heard of that. But for anyone for whom that is the case - a backsplash really won’t help.

https://www.homesandgardens.com/kitchens/kitchens-without-backsplashes

“I‘ve never heard of that.”

freedom, it was a new one for me, too.

get some samples from bedrosians. they have the Zenia in Milky Way, or these two other darker colors

https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/list/?criteria=zenia

Zagora tile is also nice. look at the photos at the bottom of the page in the gallery

https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/list/?criteria=zagora

comes in a subway too

they have this herringbone tile too

https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/detail/90-mosaic/

Beth, how about this one. it cones in 2 x 6 and 2.5 x 12

https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/detail/celine-ceramic/?itemNo=100003431&moq=true&nbt=nb:adwords:g:20425540544:160585663428:668442886781&nb_adtype=pla_with_promotion&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=pla-294505072980&nb_mi=125657189&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=100003111&nb_ppi=294505072980&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=20425540544&utm_content=160585663428&utm_term=&gadid=668442886781&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADDMho0JX8JLSlleoKzdo51UTgGj1&gclid=CjwKCAjwhvi0BhA4EiwAX25ujy86X1Ci8T0uILigMTbe_PRUBLIDRoLdxtvFJ7M7RQyZ8ni_bLBIKRoCOAMQAvD_BwE

Hi there,

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Just heard one designer listing what's OUT in kitchens and "busy back splash" was on the list. Sorry but they even listed herringbone specifically. You might want to go back to the drawing board. Something solid that won't compete with your countertops perhaps.

Is there not enough counter material to use for a 3-4 inch backsplash? For a small space this could give a more finished aesthetic.

You can order many of the Bedrosian tiles through Home Depot. Returns are easy. We ordered a box to get a feel for the tile before making the final order.