Wow! Those are gorgeous quartzites.

I'd pick one of the colors from the island and use it in some understated way - perhaps one of Rixi tile colors like Mandorla or Reef in their subway version.

That island top is stunning!

Wow! Both are stunning especially the island! I could see why you would not want to compete with them. How about a simple lt. grey subway tile?

Thank you so much! The island makes me happy every day, but the problem is, I don't want to even touch it now, let alone cook on it. HA!

I am not a *huge* fan of subway tile, simply because I feel like I see it everywhere. Would it look *too* plain?

I don't think subway tile would look too plain. In fact, I think you need something that won't take the attention away from or compete with the quartzite. You could do something other than the common 3x6 subway tiles. Maybe a 2x8.

I think a glass tile would be beautiful with that. Maybe a stick tile that picks up all the beautiful colors of your island. Check out the one Piaa has on her blog...

Here is a link that might be useful: Piaa's backsplash choices

agree with jb1176 "I'd pick one of the colors from the island and use it in some understated way - perhaps one of Rixi tile colors like Mandorla or Reef in their subway version." I'd add that I would chose a color that is in both the island and the floor tile.

I don't think subways would be right for this space. Subways convey a certain feeling -- classic, traditional. And that quartzite is much to Look At Me! for such a stereotypical look.

I agree with the 'quiet tile' school of thought, and would suggest a simple handmade-ish 4 x 4 ceramic in a luscious matte glaze set on the diagonal. Maybe a 1/2 round for definition, but keep it simple. (And on the 4x4's, I'm not talking about the cheapies you can get at the home improvement store. They're fine in some places, but not here -- you need a bit more complexity.)

That island is a stunner! Gorgeous!

What would you think of a solid surface backsplash? Like glass (or a glass alternative), stainless, or copper to pick up the warms tones in the room.

I agree that you don't want anything that would compete with the counters.

Here is a link that might be useful: example of a glass alternative backsplash

I have NEVER seen anything like that island countertop and I am absolutlely in love with it. It's phenomenal! I think a large format simple glass tile would look spectacular. Maybe with a liner of another color glass that would pick up the caramel veining/color of your cabs. So many choices! Look here at Intercermaic Glass: The lycee color in a large format maybe 4x8 or even larger. This is their Glassplash matte line:

For even more BLING check out this regalia line. It may be tooo much for the wall:

I do not see subways or ceramic in this setting. I think your quartzite screams for glass.

I'm speechless (okay virtually speechless). That island literally takes my breath away. Love it. I can understand that you're afraid to so much as touch it let alone cook on it!

Glass, glass, glass. I love the examples remodelfla has posted. Large pieces of back-painted sand blasted glass would look great as well.

Ooh I think that glass would look fantastic!

Thanks to everyone for the kind comments! When I first saw the small sample in the granite showroom, I just about fell over. I was so used to seeing more uniform granite at places like Home Depot, etc. This particular supplier had so many interesting/unique granites/quartzites that I wish I could have several kitchens! Haha!

sweeby: I agree with your thoughts on the subway... I am not so sure that particular look would be right.... "I don't think subways would be right for this space. Subways convey a certain feeling -- classic, traditional."

prill and sochi: I was thinking about glass... I do like the "stick tile"... very interesting. I think that would be better than the small squares, which I always think look cool, but maybe a little too modern/busy?

chicagoans: hometown! that's where I am from as well. We actually got the quartzite from a supplier in Skokie! anyway, while I think the solid surface looks cool... I think I might still want tile.

remodelfa: Those regalia tiles are so neat!! However, would probably have to be used sparingly... HM!

We were also thinking about using slate tiles for the backsplash ... maybe something with some glass mixed it randomly?? I keep seeing this mixed material look around...

I've got a suggestion: Honed slate backsplash (it's actually honed quartzite). I ran across it by elon tile (golden sand) and akdo (desert sand) -- it's on my short list but I may be moving on towards sand. But the colors should go well with your quartzite - lots of the gold, blue, grey, cream, even lilac tones.

Here's the elon:

Here's the AKDO:

Also the AKDO has some other mosaic patterns/designs.

Just a suggestion -- maybe my hours of tile searching can benefit someone else!

Sorry for the double post! got an error on submit and thought it didn't go through the first time.

Plain large-format glass would be stunning --
Simple, and exactly the right 'bling factor' --

Wow! very cool looking. I'm sure once the backsplash is up it will look even more amazing. I think you need to go with a glass backsplash, something very simple. I was at the tile store today and saw the 2x8 glass tiles they are so nice and it would look great. Here's another option.

http://www.glasstilestore.com/PhotoDetails.asp?ShowDesc=N&PhotoNumber=5&ProductCode=TAOICICLES

Oh wow ... these are very pretty rufinorox

{{!gwi}}

Thanks!

petepie1: The colors of the elon are pretty... the tiles themselves might be a little smallish, though.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Please keep them coming!

What about something like this?

{{!gwi}}

I am almost wondering if we could replace some of the slate pieces with some long, thin glass "sticks"...

We have always liked the mission/prairie-style look, and this horizontal thin/thick tile pattern kind of speaks to me...

The glass tile would be beautiful with the quartzite!

I like the glass tiles too!

Thumbs down on the thick/thin-stack. It would be fine, fantastic even, if your island were more like the perimeter counter. But it's not, and it's important to keep the backsplash fairly quiet.

A simple, matte glass tile that picks up a color from your island is my vote.

You can always indulge your Mission cravings in another room. I see a thick-thin master bath wall in your future...

Your countertops are the focal point. They speak for themselves. They don't need any help. You have a stone backsplash along the countertop. Adding a little something else going up the wall isn't necessary. Too much, imo. OK, maybe a solid piece of [backed?] glass? Honestly, it looks great as is--without a backsplash. Simple and beautiful.

Redhead--I don't think the OP has any sort of stone backsplash along the countertop. I think what you are seeing is just the torn drywall from removing an old countertop that had a 4" built-in backsplash (I think ?). I can see how it looks like a short stone backsplash, though. I had to look twice.

basianov - glad you liked the glass tile. I think you need something without any color... your countertops say it all, but I think the glass would give the bare wall a nice look.

let us know what you decide on.

that island stone is so awesome. I think it's going to rule all your future kitchen decisions!

do you like the gray/blue you have on the walls now? that seems to be an important color in the island stone, too, and maybe you can play off that with a large format rectangular tile set in a stacked pattern (not subway). If you used 4x4 I'd go straight and not diagonal, I think you want to keep the attention on the island.

Oops. Thx browneyed, you're absolutely correct. Yep, guess there is something needed there, hehe. Keep it simple, one color would be my advice. But then I'm blind anyway so don't listen to me... ;-)

OK guys... picture this. My neighbor is a KD and he actually suggested that we go with the slate backsplash. I picked up a sample of it. It doesn't look as busy as you'd think:

I almost feel like it helps create some depth in the kitchen by creating a backdrop for the island... if that makes any sense?! I feel like a monochrome backsplash would cause the island to stick out completely, with no anchor whatsoever?

Anyway, he also suggested that we run one strong metal liner through the slate...

Something like this:

I am really liking the idea of the strong silver accent cutting through the muted colors of the slate. I think it's kind of different!

Only problem is... can you believe each one of those silver liners costs freaking $19. Yes, that is apiece. :-p

The company is called Metal Border Italia