Frosted white glass. For me, I'd go all subway, but if you want the rectangle over range, frosted white glass. Easy!
Lisa

BKW - I know how you feel about backsplash questions - I'm putting off the dreaded topic myself! I don't feel qualified to give an opinion really, but I think I've already said I like the harlequins, and I think a glass liner would look gorgeous and add just a little something extra than plain white. I think your kitchen can handle that and not look too busy at all. (but what do I know - I can't even come up with a starting point for my backsplash!)

Where do you shop for your BS tile? I found a great store in Lancaster that has beautiful stuff if you're interested.

Do you have a stainless hood and range? How about a stainless liner? Could they cut and polish four thin pieces of Bianco Antico Granite to the right size?

I like to reduce the number of materials myself, so the glaas, IMO is one more material that doesn't relate to something else directly. I suggested the other two because each would relate the backsplash to something else directly.

we bagged the liner based on the location of the outlets - it just seemed either too low or it went right through the outlets. We just did the design without a liner. I am hoping it looks clean and opens up the space.

(But I should add my mother has already commented that it won't look finished without the liner... you can't please all the people!)

I don't see a matching 2" chair rail as being 'too too' --
Have you actually tried it to see?

I am thinking all subways will be much easier....

palimpsest-as much as I like the idea of having more Bianco Antico in the room or using the stainless, I think I don't want to have the pencil used as a highlight to "feature" the harlequins. (I forgot to mention there is a potfiller over the range) I am more looking to have the same color flow across the backsplash, but just have the pattern change. The glass would tie in with my crystal knobs and chaneliers in there.

tsherman: we aren't running the liner around the room, this is just for defining the space for the harlequins above the range.

Squigs, as if I haven't been tortured enough--go ahead give me the name of the tile place! Although I have to say I have found this tile at the lowest price I've seen so far. Plus, in Delaware--no tax!

If you want to keep a thin border, why not take the 2x8 tiles and cut them into strips of whatever thickness, and use them for your border?

You know Bill, I like you. That's what I was thinking. But I just needed to hear it from someone.

You-da-man

But let me ask you this--which way would the cut size face? Or do we "buff" it to look like it wasn't cut? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Would the corners be mitered?

btw remember you suggested I try Home Depot for their price? It was the highest price I got. Somewhere around $13 sq foot for the 2x8s--I found them for $7.49 yesterday at a store that the local Daltile direct sales showroom recommended.

Thanks for your help!

One more question Bill--

I know about the bullnose pieces for the sides, but do people use those along the top, where the backsplash hits the cabinet? Does it look more finished? We will have a couple of places where the run will "pop" out from under the cabinet, for example when it finishes at the window, and also when it "travels" over to the area behind the range.

The photos below are the two places I'm talking about, the white paper is my "tile".

What kind of faucet do you have? that's pretty. I loved that tile that was posted the other day by someone for your inset - can't remember the name. I guess you voted it down. Kind of wavy edged lines. Great description, eh?

prill-the faucet is Danze Opulence pull down.

I'm not sure what wavy tile you are talking about. If you happen to remember, put a link to it up. The backsplash is the hardest decision for me--I guess because it is the final BIG decision to be made. I was even looking at honed marble subway tile yesterday, in China White. No gray veining, but I'm thinking that it is too cost prohibitive and really, my granite is the star of the kitchen.

I found it first try. It's the one suggested by megpie77. Your kitchen is so beautiful. I know you'll pick the right one. I can't tell you how many samples I sent for and tiles I looked at for my BS. Now that's it's up, I wish I had picked something with a little more pop... but oh well, it is what it is.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0114070328413.html

okay, if you want to torture yourself, look at this:

http://www.indoorcity.com/

I can't really say anything about prices because I haven't gotten that far yet, but I can tell you they have a LOT to look at in their showroom!

Oh yeah!!! I never got a response from them! Thanks for the reminder. I'll need to follow up.

Your kitchen is so beautiful. I can't wait to see it finished.
I agree with Bill about cutting the tiles into strips and using those as your liner. I too thought glass might work because of your chandy and then I remembered...I brought home some WZ white glass, not matte though, and the gal helping me said it was a true white. It looked so ice blue cold in my kitchen-just a word of caution. I don't think the matte would go with your knobs and chandy. I was also thinking about your countertop as a pencil liner but I see what you mean about not wanting to make it highlight the harlequins. I hope Bill comes back to help you with info on cutting the tiles.
Prill-aren't those tiles fun? The pattern is arabesque. Unfortunately they don't come in matte (I don't think). I wonder if something like those will get dated quickly. I can't figure out if they look retro or old world. My mom thinks they look old-plain old. But she's a simple lady-with great taste might I add. I think the subway tile in your kitchen was a great choice! They are very pretty.

megpie77 - I don't think those look old at all, or that I would get tired of them. I just looked at the website - I got some penny tile samples from them. They were very nice and easy to deal with. They sent me a bunch of stuff, some colors I didn't even ask for.

I agree with you, I think glossy would look nice with all the other surfaces in bee's kichen.

But let me ask you this--which way would the cut size face? Or do we "buff" it to look like it wasn't cut? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Would the corners be mitered?

Being that the field tile will be cut into the design, and the rhomboids would be full tiles, I'd think you want to keep the cut edge out toward the field.

I know about the bullnose pieces for the sides, but do people use those along the top, where the backsplash hits the cabinet? Does it look more finished?

You SHOULD just about have full tile under your cabinets. There should be just about 18" between countertop and bottom of the upper cabinets. In fact, I'd measure and lay some tiles out dry jut to make sure you wouldn't end up with a gap at the top. Either way, though, Just use field tile at the top. Where it goes up by the hood, you ca just continue the field. If you have other places where it'll be open on top, you can simply add a piece of bullnose to the top of the field tile, so that the bullnose extends up past the bottom of the upper cabinets, as shown in the following picture: