I would do a simple white subway that matches the white color of your cabinets.

Definitely not the Carrara.

^^^ What @chispa said!

^Agree. Nice if it will blend with both counters and cabinets. The Carrara appears very off in your pix.

You already chose well with behind the cook top continue that. Your veining is a tish busier than I would want in a back splash but given all the grout lines you are getting with tile stick to your counter top for all your back splash but put it only where it's needed. It's looks great so far.

Stone on stone (a look I like to call Stonhenge) is a very heavy look. Some people like it. I really prefer a beautiful glazed ceramic tile over a stone counter top. You do you, but the marble you’ve chosen has a very specific look installed and it’s too busy not to compete with your counters. If you really want a marble backsplash, consider Thassos marble. I would choose 1 or 2 over 3, but as you’ve gone to the effort to get some pricey curves into that space, I would probably choose an ogee drop or something similar over a subway tile. This is Fireclay Tile in Frost matte.

Where IS the rest of the kitchen, please?

Pictures?

For the very small amount of material and for continuity- the counter top material should be beneath the glass door cabinets. Anything else will simply be further distraction as are the muntins in the glass doors.

You only need one star and an understudy on that range wall, repeat the counter at those spots. There was no reason to omit this....new receptacles please, and toggle to sayonara: ) if you do it. Cut right in,

As to the rest? Show the rest, please?

What's in the Corner upper right on the other perimeter?? A cabinet box minus its door?

IMO best and timeless is the same as the counter for backsplash is best. I agree to change out those receptacles to all one color and as Jan showed The lights above the island are in need of lights that light the island not the ceiling and there are 100s for a lot less than $2800 too

Beautiful kitchen, and I love your floors!

I would use a white rectangular porcelain or ceramic tile that works with both your cabinets and counter top. It's difficult to see which white works best when viewing them on a computer monitor. You need to select one in person from current stock while in your room with your light to make sure the color works. Computer monitors are notoriously bad at rendering nuances of color, and we all see something slightly different. But definitely not marble.

As for your pendant choice, I don't find the one you are considering particularly classic or timeless. The triangular shape is a bit odd, and I think using a light metal like nickel isn't going to give you any contrast. I would also rather see a linear fixture, something with a shade, to cut down on glare. Here are a couple from the Visual Comfort site:

Please take these pics with your under cabinet lights on. Too hard to tell in the shadows what color subway tile works best. And, post pics of your other walls as well.

Don't use marble tiles. They will clash with your beautiful counters.

I would repeat what is behind the cooktop for backsplash for a classic and timeless look. Even if it's just a 4-5" riser backsplash. For pendants, suggest you stay away from clear glass (unless you like cleaning regularly), and get the down light style, keep pendants simple so the glass cabinetry is complemented rather than competing.

Off topic ....? Yeah

I think AI has invaded contributed commentary, which can make it appear rather "spammy" ....... "Mustard"?

If the counters are more understated, ............ something with texture (like stacked slate or textured porcelain) or colour (deep teal, muted mustard) to add personality. .......

Sorry, just noting it seems to be happening, a lot: )

Here are photos of the side of the kitchen as @JAN MOYER asked to see. The wall opposite the range top is open to the family room.

I originally wanted to continue the stone on the counter tops for the backsplash around the kitchen, but fabricator said that would not be possible without removing upper cabinets, so thats why we need to go the tile route.

The subway tile has been my choice in the ivory option as it matches the cabinet color while the white might be too stark. Others though were voting for the marble, so thats why I am here asking thoughts.

@Diana Bier Interiors, LLC Your linear suggestion is interesting. We dont want to have to move the electrical though.

The AI generated comments are just SO obvious, I pass over them.

False! Lazy fabricator?

"I originally wanted to continue the stone on the counter tops for the backsplash around the kitchen, but fabricator said that would not be possible without removing upper cabinets, so that's why we need to go the tile route.

I would get a different fabricator, asap.

I would still get the muntins out of the glass and the cabinet with no door? It needs a door: or real float shelves, which don't suit the style of the kitchen, honestly.

Moving an electrical box is really not a big deal. I bet an electrician could do it very quickly. Then have the ceiling repaired and painted, and you're done.

@JAN MOYER Since the countertops are already installed and I am unlikely able to get more of the same stone to continue the backsplash, the tile route is the path we will need to go down. Also, that open cabinet front sits further back than the surrounding so not easy to enclose it.

@Diana Bier Interiors, LLC I dont think i have it in me to coordinate the different trades to move to a linear light. I have always been drawn to lantern style pendants, so thinking thats the path we will stick with. This has been a kitchen I have admired and pulled some inspo from.

The simplest subway: ) even a classic 3 x 6, no bevels, no crackles. Drag home the samples stand them UP. Nothing beats the in person view, and I wouldn't crowd source it here.

Subway tile has been my gut, but others were pushing me in other directions and made me question. Thanks everyone!

Get pencil thin groutlines in a very light grey or the same color as the tile. I like daltile subway tiles. Different company’s whites will be different to search to find one that best matches your cabinets

Love kitchen. I kind of dig the doorless open corner shelves. Great display space. (That I’d never want to clean!)

No more white in there. You need some COLOR. If not a color, at least a grey that coordinates with the counters and acts as a foil to all that white and light grey.

If you want very narrow grout lines, you need to get rectified tile. Always verify the manufacturer's recommendation for grout lines before you purchase tile.

Maybe narrow down to two and purchase a box of each (if they can be returned), tape the backs and stack in both areas. That will help you decide (either or neither). I loved our backsplash based on a sample but hated as tiles were added at installation (ended up replacing).

" No more white....." Why?

She clearly stated the kitchen she admires, is right down here.....spell classic?

What is the universally nutty hand wring over grout? What exactly is "splish splash takin a bath" all over the walls?!

Wipe up the splashes in the moment, and they're G.O.N.E.

Wth is everyone cooking? !!

.

"What is the universally nutty hand wring over grout? What exactly is "splish splash takin a bath" all over the walls?!

Wipe up the splashes in the moment, and they're G.O.N.E.

Wth is everyone cooking? !!"

Jan, you continue to crack me up!

I have a brick backsplash behind my cooktop and most of the Houzz comments on that are in the vein of "nightmare to clean." I'll say it's the second time we have had brick over the cooktop, and it's absolutely fine. Any exuberant cooking is done on the front burners with the vent on, and anything on the back burner is set so low that nothing splashes. Much ado about nothing.

Here it is after 11 years of use:

Looks pretty much the same as the day it was installed.

I didn't read everything here; but here's my two cents. Subway tile are fine, your selections are a little meh for the beautiful kitchen. Match the counter instead of the cabinet color as the tiles will always hit that. Go to a good tile showroom in your area and look for nicer subway tiles.

On a side note, please consider updating your electrical switches and plugs. Leviton Decora is a lovely upgrade for very little cost.

I've used Elyse Edwards "Tongue in Chic a few times, Has a nice handmade look, 2.5 " x 10"

Has several whites, from "You Don't Snow Me" to "Dont Be a Shell out, and " I think I'll Bisque It"

It's here........with palest gray grout.

( has a pencil liner match, which is handy , vs bull nose or (Schluter which I doubt you want)

Kitchen redo with butler · More Info

Here with field match grout, Taj Mahal counter tops.Not great pics, never had The Moment....

Might be able to finger spread on the phone .

A decent dedicated tile venue near you might have samples

Interior Design Work · More Info

Interior Design Work · More Info

I would have used a 6" piece of your countertop around the rest of the walls in your kitchen. However, if you can't find material that matches your current slab, then I'd try to find a "subway tile" (one that isn't a true subway tile = 3x6) that works with you countertop and cabinets.

Your island lights appear to be pretty warm - they throw a yellow cast on your cabinets. It would be nice to see your counters + cabinets with a more neutral light.

Questions for you:

1. What color stain did you use on your hardwood floors?

2. Do you need to protect the sides of the countertop cabinets that are located close on both sides of your cooktop? It seems like the sides of the two cabinets will receive a fair amount of splatter.

Tile 1 has the matching undertone according to what I see and should look lovely.

My comment about groutlines was not regarding cleaning, it was an aesthetic note. Darker and wider groutlines are more graphic and show the outline of the tiles. Pencil thin lines with lighter grout are less pronounced, more subtle. They will read better in this classic kitchen.

You're correct, Kendrah, but the size of the grout lines is dictated by the type of tile. You can't use pencil thin grout lines on every kind of tile. Anything handmade or with wavy/uneven edges call for wider grout lines. So depending on the look you want, you need to get the appropriate type of tile.

You need to install your lighting, with bulbs that throw off white light (not yellow) and THEN you can assess the backsplash tiles. The right white tile, which allows for thin grout lines, will be hard enough to find so I would be open to any shape (square or rectangular) that has the best match to your countertop.

This decision can also be held off (even for a year) until the exact, perfect tile appears. I got “decision fatigue” when I remodeled one house (had to do more than the kitchen) and so I lived with a painted backsplash until I had the energy and enthusiasm for tile shopping.

@JAN MOYER

“I wouldn't crowd source it here.”

Where exactly do you think you are?

It would take me about 30 minutes max in a dedicated tile store to find a tile for this kitchen.

Ninety percent of ( any of them ) white subway is going to allow narrow grout spacing. MORE important is the right white, and a size you like.

Monitors differ, but I don't see the much dreaded yellow, omg I guiltily still hoard incandescent light bulbs thing?!

I do see !! and it makes me nuts...

^ Paint the interior white, have GLASS corner shelves cut to fit.

Find decorative, cohesive whatever, to display.

Back to tile?

There must be 50 thousand crowd sourcing backsplash threads here on Houzz, and 49,000 are hand wring insanity of some of them taking OVER a year to install as we agonize in Chloe shades of whatever!

Not one bit of this would be an issue, had the BEST thing happened at the get go......the stone as back splash : ) everywhere.

lol......So?

Liar liar pants on fire, lazy fabricator. A thousand lashes with a wet noodle.

@dani_m08

1. The floors are duraseal Jacobean.

2. Theres no protection on these cabinets. The cabinets in the kitchen are 20 plus years old and this is the original finish. The prior owner was an avid cook and there are still no damage/stains to these cabinets.

@JAN MOYER I agree the open cabinet is not my favorite. We are working with the cabinets from the prior owner. The inside of the space is the same color as the cabinets, but the shadows make it appear darker. I plan to style the area out with different items once I get the chance. That seems to be the easiest solution for the moment.

Wow 20 years old!!!! Whoever did that kitchen did a fabulous job--quality materials and workmanship are timeless.

Lovely kitchen! agree that a simple white tile (dare i say boring even?) would be great - lots of pretty things to look at in the kitchen so I think the backsplash should be a supporting player

The backsplash is the LEAST important element in that kitchen.

Simple doesn't mean boring........it's what it says. Simple. This isn't like the shaker/gray/icy cool/builder basic/done one billion times .....kitchen. The one needing nine stand up cutting boards, cookie jars, word sayings, EAT! and crud lugged home to make it mildly inviting or interesting!

It's what we often talk about - an outside the "trend/ limit" concept. Just a great, warm, inviting and yesssssss a somewhat traditional kitchen with a good layout and white.! Odd isn't it, that you don't have to ditch a good kitchen for white oak, Shaker.....slab.....or whatever the darling of the moment may be.

Go get yourself a nice non boring simple splash: )

Beautiful kitchen. Keep it simple😁