Subway tile is getting to be like the 4 1/4 wall tile used to be-- your basic tile backsplash. HOWEVER-- nothing says you have to do the standard brick joint pattern! You can frame the different sections with a one tile border, and then do something like a herringbone or basketweave inside the border. This is a shower (obviously) but it shows subway tile in a herringbone pattern. It completely changes the look of it. IT would change even more if you were to use a subtle contracting color grout with it, as well. Say, something like a light gray with white subways. Here's the herringbone:

Agree if you have white counter tops you have to be careful of the color of the backsplash.

Very ironic ... I am also thinking about doing an "arabesque" tile in my new modern kitchen (also my "last" decision yet to be made). And my husband also thinks that square/linear is a better way to go.

I love the beveled/dimensional one offered by Mission Stone & Tile, and supposedly they are adding more styles to their line this month, but I haven't seen them yet.

http://store.missionstonetile.com/Arabesque-Wall-Tile-Glass-Ceramic-Stone-s/266.htm?gclid=CL2G7bye-LkCFQqe4AodwFgAPw

Thanks, everyone! As far as colors, the photo doesn't show the "real-life" color very well. Tiles are warm gray, like BM Revere Pewter. The "veining" in counters read gray with brown specs, not really cream at all. (see below). I think tile color compliments the counters nicely. My real concern was the shape being too strange. It is very similar to the arabesque, but less detailed edges. Husband is now okay with anything, which is nice for me. Hopefully he will like the end product!

If you have your heart set on it, then do it, then enjoy it.

I think it will look beautiful and that you really want this .. go for it!

Great tile for the backsplash! Let us know if we can help you with any of your kitchen cabinets!

Great to see a post where almost everyone loves what you want to do! I don't see any need for caution -- your plan looks delicious -- but I noticed someone suggested buying a few, putting them on a board, and propping them up in the kitchen for a while. Great idea to live with a large sample where you will install it -- but except for paint, you shouldn't have to pay to do this, At least where I live, the tile stores will check out their sample boards for several days so you can see them in your own light and against other things they will be living with. Ditto for flooring and my favorite fabric store, which almost insisted I do this -- with samples nearly a yard square. No charge -- unless you don't return it.
Have fun -- and trust your taste -- you are right on target!

Thanks for the confidence boost! I did have a whole tile board at home for awhile, except it was the French blue color. Every time I looked at it I did love it. Hopefully I will love the gray just as much. Good to know about the fabric store.

catieb, got it right, it will "make" the kitchen. In my girlfriend's kitchen it's the same thing.

I moved into an apartment and didn't change a thing in the kitchen. The white tile is on a diagonal and I think it looks fine.

any photos yet of your new backsplash rrwahle?

rrwahle...I am also remodeling the kitchen as well as baths and other rooms. It's easy to second guess yourself, third guess, fourth guess, until you can't sleep anymore. Because I picked dark gray cabinets in the kitchen, I am not painting the walls gray but am using gray on walls in other rooms. BM Revere Pewter is a great looking gray. In the kitchen, I am using a calm countertop called Silestone, Lyra which has a white base with soft, muted black and gray swirls. It looks like marble but is quartz. My point is that I am adding "bold" and color with a large picture/print with some gray and black but also with yellows, purple and sage green. I am going to fill the wall between the end of the cabinet to a window with this picture. If you want calm, monochromatic color, go for it! Or, if you want to add color, you can do it with a picture, a vase and colorful dried flowers, a colorful tea pot on your stove and so many other ways. It's your home, do what you want and ENJOY!

No photos yet..just got our start date of early November. Will post in December. Thanks for all the help and ideas everyone!

I will also post in Dec. Good luck!

LOVE THIS TILE.....everybody & their brother is doing subway tile. Beautiful choice that will go will many different looks.

Was worried with first picture...your second pic allays those fears. Can't wait to see finished product.

I put that exact tile in my main bath in the first house I built in 1977, so it doesn't work for me for that reason, and I think it's too busy. I'd prefer a subway tile with dark grout that you won't have too much trouble scrubbing on a vertical surface. M

Project Complete! We love the backsplash. Thanks to everyone for their help!

Love it!!! Looks beautiful!

Thank you for posting, it looks great! I love your backsplash too.

Looks great., did you go white or cream tile?

bevballew-the tile is called "Fog-Gloss" it is a light gray.

The fog color is perfect - brings a little softness and subtly while maintaining the clean, monochrome, neutral pallet.

Beautiful!

What a great choice!

gorgeous

I vote yes to style of tiles.

Rrwalhe, what grout color did you use? Thanks.

54 comments. And one year later. What did you choose?? How dud it all turn out?? Pls post photos.

lizzieplace, we went with a white grout.

makennac, We went with samples shown above. I will post photos. We love how it all turned out, thanks for checking.

FINAL PROJECT PHOTOS

one more photo of the other wall

Love!

I like it. A lot. And I'm surprised that I like it... I find that tile too 70s Boho for my taste. I love Boho! But not in something as permanent as tile, or as prominent as a backsplash. And I would have steered clear of the white grout bc of the maintenance. But you proved me wrong. Your design works. And you brought everything together like the brilliant conductor of a philharmonic. Great job! And thank you for closing the loop on this. M

Thank you rrwahle! Is that a blanco sink and ventahood hood?

Thanks makennac! Lizzieplace, yes a Blanco sink, hood is a Broan. LOVE the Blanco Silgranit sink in Metallic Gray! It is awesome. Doesn't scratch or look dirty.

Thanks rrwahle! Now you are making me want to change my sink color :/ we were choosing between the metallic gray and truffle, and chose the latter in the end. We haven't seen it installed yet, so hopefully it will be as pretty as yours! Thanks for all the info. Came across your post as I was searching for pictures on the julia Mosaic. We have the same backsplash, including color!

I love it!

Lizziplace, I'm sure the truffle will look great. Good to know someone else picked out that tile too! Would love to see pictures!

This is a good choice. Since your kitchen is very neutral it would be nice to add some pizzazz through an interesting texture. Don't play it safe, be bold!

Love it all- great choices all around in your new kitchen!

Arabesque is timeless; it's fluid and classic and has been used for centuries. It can be too strong if there are other elements (heavily veined stone) in competition for attention, particularly if it has colour variation of its own, but this is a perfect example of a great installation.

Love the tile...would just prefer some color given the rest of your choices.

rrwahle, your kitchen looks absolutely gorgeous! i love the backsplash. we had the same dilemma and decided to buy the "fog gloss" walker zanger tiles in the cocoon shape. they haven't been installed yet so i was wondering if you know the exact color and manufacturer of your grout. is it Mapei? also, which trim did you use along the right edge where the wall ends? is it the bullnose, quarter round, etc.? we have the same situation and forgot to account for it so we need to buy a few pieces. thank you so much!

Sheeragross, the grout is TEC Power Grout 550 in white. It has epoxy in it, so should not need sealing. Was a little difficult for tile installer, as he had not used it before. For the trim, we used the Stick Liner 1/2" x 8-1/2" pieces. Good luck!

Beautiful job - love your choices!!

rrwhale what is your floor tile brand, color, and name and where did you purchase it?

Gorgeous!!! Found your kitchen because I have been looking at the Cocoon version of this tile. This was helpful, thank you!