We have a glass tile backsplash; a mix of glossy and matte strips. We don't find it difficult to clean or keep looking good. I rarely need to wipe the splash, except for over the range. I usually use a microfiber or paper towel and whatever spray I happen to be using at the time (alcohol-water mixture, Perfect Kitchen or Perfect Glass...). It takes more work to clean the tile (and white grout) just above the back vent/trim on our gas range, which it likely would with any light-colored tile. When I roast a chicken for example, using high heat and convection fan, I usually need to clean the splash over the range (I'm guessing vented cooking grease and/or high heat causes the discoloration we see). I've used Oxyclean, STT's HD-Clean, Dawn Power Dissolver, and even BKF, without harming the tile (no scratches). Of course, you might want to test any cleaning products on sample or leftover tile if you're unsure if it will cause any damage. I personally think it's very low-maintenance and love the look!

rhome - I agree the dark counters would have been cold and warm but to me, more or less a black color is more neutral, and I was also borrowing the idea from a magazine. Why exactly that black and the beige worked in my inspiration picture is beyond me - I just know that it worked. That picture also showed a kitchen w/ white cabinets and it worked beautifully, but again I can't say why. Probably cause there's a hint of peach or pink that makes it less than just a really dull beige - and then also because the beige went so nicely w/ the floors. Yes I like contrast and I definitely would have had it w/ the black/dark grey counters but I was really trying to move away from something that's not only so ubiquitous these days and yes so potentially dreary in our small, dark, North-facing kitchen. I too like grey and beige together, which is along the lines of liking tan with black. And it's funny cause you know how right now tan and grey is going together more like in interior furniture. As for my instincts, I don't know...I think it's more of a hit & miss thing. I think when I hit it I really hit it but when I miss it, well it's just too often or random for me to be able to gamble considering I won't have the money to rip it all out and start over. Don't even really have the money to be doing this in the first place! :-o It's not deficit spending per se, and half the money's going to pay off the one and only credit card we have, but the money could have gone to pay something more off such as car, or savings toward kids school, etc. (having some guilt there). Re. not having enough faith in my instincts, I agree there too...I just haven't had the opportunity to remodel before (the most I've ever really done is choose paint colors, curtains, rugs, throw pillows and furniture)! I think the bottom line is that black w/ tan works REALLY well - thanks to that magazine picture pointing this out ;) but grey and beige is just a lot more questionable. Here's the clincher, which happens to be what I want to say in response to mondragon: mondragon - What's funny is that I totally agree w/ you that it works in a more modern looking way. I think in a modern kitchen, the stainless steel and beige tiles would look pretty cool. Almost retro-modern, since pink was such a '50's color. Problem is I'm trying to make the kitchen look more 1913 (trying to make the stainless *work* as period, due to its surroundings and the fact that they did have zinc countertops e.g. in pantries back then). So I guess the final question is that while it can look good in a modern kitchen - and that's I guess where I guess my instincts may be okay - can it work in an older looking kitchen (regardless of the fact that marble definitely can)? Something tells me the farm sink, gooseneck faucet and pendant light might tie it all together (and the original cupboards) but once again - not sure. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond, and I'm sorry to always be writing so much! I hate that about me but just can't seem to help myself when it comes to something so important to me! Can you imagine having 3 small, messy boys, one big messy husband, and no dishwasher or disposal or undermounted sink to make life dramatically better?! ;) And now I'm thinking of upgrading from a very standard fridge made in 1990 that has 18.2 cu. ft., to something much bigger! Just being able to keep big gallons of milk in the door will be a massive improvement!

I will spare you the long version but here is some important notes. This has taken a turn for the worst. After doing research on all the work that has been done so far a few things came up that need to be completely redone. First, they installed tile directly to purple board with no waterproofing membrane. They only used redgaurd for the shower floor and on the seat, but also built the seat out of regular plywood. So all the tile need to come out and be replaced after redgaurd goes up everywhere. Secondly, the wall 1 foot above the kneewall on the right hand side sloped inwards aggressively. If this section is mudded and feathered to level we can retile all the way back up and it will be flush and true. Other issue we saw was that they installed 1/4" wonderboard to the 3/4" existing plant subfloor only to support porcelain tile yet to be installed. They used a mortar bed to adhere the wonderboard to the planks and now Im not sure the best way to increase support for the tile without doing plywood and then like kerdi on top. Its going to create some really high tile and interfere with bedroom to bathroom threshold. As of right now I had the owner come out, gave him all the info, photos and tech sheets of everything done incorrectly and told him I will not accept anything other than a tile tear down fix and retile. Thinking hes figuring out how much we're both into the project so that we can settle up and part ways. This all was on top of some seriously f*ed up finishing work that I had to hire an outside company come to fix costing my an additional 1,000. A lot of lying as well but I will spare those details. Thanks for the help everyone.

I love traditional subways, but you do see it everywhere right now. Here's a few examples of subway tile in more unusual patterns: Love this variation on herringbone- Bathroom pic, but love the two sizes of subway together- Skinny subway, regular and herringbone- I'm not a big fan of the "W' s" in regular herringbone, but think it's cool vertically like this- Another bathroom pic, but love this green basketweave with black accents-