I see I cross posted with a couple of other people doing mock ups. Jodi's right, the shadows make it look like a patchwork quilt and like I said, the lack of variation in the tile makes it difficult. Also, lighting is a factor. I try to flip the tile and work it in to give it more of a random pattern sometimes. I assumed these are 12x12 sheets of tile and scaled them all the same. Still not to scale in your kitchen, but figuring the normal space between countertop and cabinets is 18", I have two tile sheets (24") in that space. So they are smaller than they would really be. Didn't think about that while I was actually doing the mock-ups! DUH! LOL! Anyway, I'll let others take over for a while if they want to. Robin

Most who get stainless counters opt for the integral backsplash of at least the 2". Many opt for the 6". Putting beadboard above that should be fine, but I wouldn't forgo the integral backsplash with stainless at all. It's functional.

Thanks prill...I'm leaning towards only doing tile in area to the left of the casing...then in the window area just doing paint and the casing down to the counter. I guess I'll just have to be more dilligent with cleaning. The Reef was the first tile that spoke to me...I really thought I was going to go for a more solid blue, but reef is so much softer....it allows me to play up the color of the walls more...not that I have a lot of walls...And, I found out that my designer can get it for about 12.50/sf where I was quoted around $15/sf.

Haha, you're all right, Ladies! The photos are beautiful and really give me an idea of how mine would look. I found another pic that had the ivory tiles with ivory cabinets like mine but it just looked bland, although her countertop was along the same ivory color scheme, where mine are dark. Also, her hardware was light and blended with the cabinets. Mine are black. But I'm sure she loved it and that's what matters. I love the clean look of the shiny tiles. I don't have enough natural light in my kitchen and the backsplash I'm replacing was matte and didn't reflect light from the undercabinet lighting. Here's a big piece of the puzzle of my dilemma that I didn't go into. My kitchen is open to my den. The wall directly across from the kitchen is old chicago brick and is visible from all points of the room. I have to take that into consideration while choosing my backsplash so that I don't have too many designs going on at the same time. The brick pattern of the subway is perfect to complement the brick wall. How would it look if I picked some of the darker colors of the old chicago for the grout? That would break up the monotony of being one solid color. My dear hubby says get whatever I want. Maybe he was thinking of those extra power tools, the four-wheeler, and the boat at the time! lol. I'm just not sure I know what I want. Thanks for all your ideas and help!