I, like the one on the left. It pick's up both the cabinet's color and the granite.

Same thoughts as shar-az. Does the floor have the slight cream tone in the gray that I see in the photo? If so, definitely the left tile.

I'm so sorry about your mother. Glad you're back with us.

The onyx is softer, warmer, blends in more. The marble is sharper, brighter and snappier.

I think it's not really about one better than the other, rather which look you want to achieve.

I think the one on the left relates to the cabinets and granite.

I'm reading (probably the monitor) goldy tones in the onyx and blue tones in the carerra. I like the onyx better.

Go with the one on the left. The one on the right has a blue-ish cast that doesn't work at all. (Could be my monitor.) The one on the left is a no-brainer, soo obvious, but only because it's not my kitchen, not my money and not my decision. In your shoes, I'd be agonizing, too.

Isn't this forum great? Instant, unbiased, free advice!

I'm sorry for your loss.

I like the onyx, too, but what Pllog says also applies.

Cj

The one on the left looks like a match to your floor tile--if that's what you're looking for. I think it will be a nice, soft look. Is that what you want?

What kind of subway tile were you hoping to use--shiny or matte? Any particular color you were hoping for? There are so many tile colors out there that it seems like we could help you find a color that would go with your floor. I just hate for you to "settle" for something that doesn't excite you for your BS. :)

Thank you to you all for your kinds words! I don't care how old we are we are never ready to lose our Mother!

flwrs n co, I really wanted something that would look good, but take a backseat to the granite I've waited years for. I just love the look of subway tiles, but most all I've seen have wood floors. I don't want my kitchen to look like a tile store! Does that make sense?

The white onyx was my favorite, so thank you for the validation. It is so easy to start second guessing ourselves when we know we have to live with for a long time.

The onyx wins by a landslide, lol.... If you could go with a larger format. Have you considered 2 x 4s? I think that would work better for you, but this is fine.
I am sorry about your mom and hope this is a pleasant diversion for you ;)

I'm so sorry about the loss of your Mom. You are so right; no matter what our age or the circumstance; losing a parent is always so difficult.

Amazon has white onyx subway in both a 2x4 and 3x6. The 3x6 seems "goldier" in the pics. Here's both:

2x4

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.
~From a headstone in Ireland

I am glad you are back but very sorry for your loss. I hope
that working on the last little details of your beautiful
kitchen helps you get through the sad moments.
I vote for the left tile, it seems to be warmer and work
great with the wood cabinetry.
~boxer

I'm sorry about your Mother, it's very hard to lose a parent.

I would go with the color on the left.

However (and I know you didn't ask so forgive me) I don't think the small tiles are the right scale for the space you have. I think a larger tile would work better (2x4 or subway) and flow better in your space.

crafterbeth may have a point and it isn't about the scale so much as it might be about the shape. Your floor tiles are square and now your looking at a square for your wall. What about a fingerjoint sized tile - either 1 x 4 or 1 x 6. That size might help to elongate the floor tile in your eye. A 2x4 might also accomplish the same thing.

I understand what you are saying about the scale of the tile and in theory it makes sense. However, all of the larger tiles I've had in the kitchen (and there have been many!) make the room look like a tile store. As I said I had thought I really wanted a subway tile, but they just don't work when I get them in the space. It's that darn 8x8 floor tile that it seems to fight with. Unfortunately the floor tile isn't going anywhere. Most kitchens I've seen (and like) that have floor tile and a tile backsplash the floor tiles are much larger than mine. I want my backsplash to be very soft & subtle. Does any of this make sense??

Losing a mother makes TKO seem so trivial, so sorry for your loss.

I am a sucker for marble, but agree with others that the onyx is warmer, more complimentary to the rest of your kitchen, and doesn't fight with your floor.

i'm so sorry about your mom. it's never easy.

i prefer the onyx -seems to work well with the floor. the marble is much cooler. i think the size of the mosaics work well also. looking good!

I'm going to say the same things as everyone else said. I'm very sorry to hear about your mother. I hope your heart is beginning the healing process.

I like the onyx, but wonder about a bigger size. I know you've tried it, but it seems like it SHOULD work. I know that things in theory don't always work out IRL. Good luck!

Also sorry to hear about your mom passing :-(

I like the warmer tile (left) as it pulls together the cabinets and floors. The right one also makes the floor more of a factor as my eye searched for a match to the tile.

However, I also think you should look at the mini brick. I dont know if it will but I wonder if the square tile and square floors will make it appear as a lot of squares. But then again, that might make it blend better, I have no idea actually but I'd look for it online first to see if you like square and square together.

I was inspired by Vickyw's kitchen. Although my kitchen is not as grand in scale as hers, she does have a tile floor, dark counters and the 1x1 botticino mosaic tile looks very classic.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vickyw's kitchen

Oh yeah, hers does look great. Hard not to love that kitchen! So is yours the same size tile? It seemed like hers is a smaller mosaic but I didn't read the details. Could be the grouting. If it will look like that I think it will look great! Ignore my earlier comment!

Actually it appears hers is a 5/8" x 5/8". Perhaps I should look into that size? The tumbled onyx is not available in as many sizes as polished.

I am joining the chorus saying the browner ones are better.

Just in case you needed an extra vote.

I like the tone of the one on the left. I first thought the square small size wasn't as good a fit as rectangular larger format tiles but you later posted that you have tried that. I like the ones with photos pasted in this past Kitchen Forum post

Here is a link that might be useful: post with light color subway/brick backsplashes