While "Jack-O-Lantern orange" might not be appropriate for the new bath, if you like the orange family there's absolutely no reason you couldn't have an orange if you wanted to. If your white marble has a blue tone they'll both "pop" each other, since orange and blue are opposites on the color wheel. I like the idea of the apricot, although a Creamsicle or cantaloupe color - a diluted, softened version of the Jack-O-Lantern orange - would go beautifully with the black and white too. And no, there is no reason why there would be much of a problem at all with a green hallway and an orange bathroom: think of all the plants with orange flowers and green foliage out there, and how wonderful that looks! Mother Nature never goes wrong with Her color combinations. If you do decide to go with gray-blue, Eddie Bauer "Slate" from Lowes is a great color - it has enough gray in it to keep it from going "baby blue" but OTOH it has enough blue to keep it from being too somber. It's more of a midtone so it doesn't wash-out, and it goes very nicely with black and white. But I agree it's a bit safe, and it does sound like you prefer the warmer colors, so go with what makes your heart go pitter-pat.

FYI, here are some of my inspiration photos. I love the red accents in this first one (my compliments to SoonerMagic--I hope it's OK that I'm re-posting this) but I'm just not sure if white subway tile might be too stark in our kitchen. Our cabs are white rather than off-white, there's no window above the sink and there won't be much painted wall showing. If we went with this color scheme we'd probably do something like BM Bennington Gray on the walls. Not certain if we'd use the contrasting grout or go with something whiter. I like how the beige-y backsplash in this 2nd photo adds a little more color to the room. Was thinking a subway tile in this shade might still work nicely with red accents (with paint in a similar beige shade): A third option would be to do a grayish paint (BM Gray Owl?) and go with a subway tile in carrara marble something like the one below (sorry--I'm not sure whose pic this is). The problem is I'm not sure that would coordinate well with the red in our dining room. It's also a cooler color scheme than I'd originally planned. Any thoughts? Our floors are hardwood, by the way--similar to the color in pic #2 or just a touch lighter. Thanks again for all the input!

Wow. Thanks everyone! I am in a bit of trouble I think because the cabinet color is DONE - he is already spraying the White Dove - which is a warm white but that is good - there will be so much cabinet on view in my small kitchen and I don't want it to be cool - too sterile. The backsplash is ordered and paid for but I don't think it is in yet - could probably stop it. The question posed is dead on - what is my first love? I thought it was the white countertops but I am becoming obsessed with those long (2X9) Carrerra tiles. It is different and little updated from the same old thing. We live in a historic part of LA and the renovated houses in our area all pretty much have the same kitchen- very traditional - marble or granite counters with white or colored backsplash. I was jazzed to do something a bit different. My style with this house has been about using traditional materials but with an unexpected element. The tiles are perfect in that sense - and will elongate the small boxy kitchen a bit - and I have planned to do one whole wall in tile (the one with my hood). Clearly I can't have a counter that fights the wall... I chose the Carrerra for backsplash because I want the blue/grey tones so - while I love the Calcutta as a solution - I'm not sure it is the look I want. Perhaps I should go back to the tile store and look again. Oh, I really need to get back to my former life. This is such a nightmare!!! I so want the Blizzard to be OK - I went back to look at Ceasarstone samples today - it just looks too warm to me with the Carrera...my designer said it is same as mixing carrera top with white subway but I disagree because there are so many colors of subway. I could MAYBE do the concrete ceasarstone color but then am I in trouble with the cabinets? UGH!! My designer is saying let the tile come in and then we can pick the right countertop - but am I already dead in the water with warm cabinets and cool backsplash?

^Nice examples, although the reflective wall tile above does not suit the space, IMO. Gotcha Alice, but it could perhaps be regrouted if you like the color. Otherwise, I think either marble would look fine, depends on whether you prefer grays or a little earthier tones in the mix. The Dal is something I have in a bath and being not a stark white, is compatible with most materials, such as the original white hex with medium gray grout. Highly recommend that grout choice, it blends well and will not be a maintenance issue. I like the look of black hex also and almost used it for an ongoing reno. I didn't price marble, so not sure about price differences.