The dark counters you'd planned to use with the tile would have also been 'cold and warm right up next to each other.' I don't see a problem with what you're planning...If anything, I'd question the beige tiles with the white cabinets more than with the stainless. (Not saying you should rethink that, I'm just saying it might usually be a bigger concern.) The only other hesitation I might have is if you're wanting more contrast, which you would have had with the darker counters. Personally, with your tighter space, I think the contrast might have been a bit much...and prefer the path you're on now.

I have a lot of beige in my backsplash behind my stainless counters. There is also some gray and tiny bits of other color, but I like the combination of any gray (including that of the stainless) with a golden tan or beige. I agree that marble is classic, but I think ceramic like you're planning is even more classic for wall use...and I do think it will be homier/warmer. You have good instincts, just not the faith in them I think you could have. :-)

To my eye I think it would work - I looked at the picture of your current kitchen and tried to imagine SS with those tiles and it felt really dated - but the Walter Zangers are more modern (as in they have a more "handmade" look) and I think that will offset the cold steel well.

rhome - I agree the dark counters would have been cold and warm but to me, more or less a black color is more neutral, and I was also borrowing the idea from a magazine. Why exactly that black and the beige worked in my inspiration picture is beyond me - I just know that it worked. That picture also showed a kitchen w/ white cabinets and it worked beautifully, but again I can't say why. Probably cause there's a hint of peach or pink that makes it less than just a really dull beige - and then also because the beige went so nicely w/ the floors. Yes I like contrast and I definitely would have had it w/ the black/dark grey counters but I was really trying to move away from something that's not only so ubiquitous these days and yes so potentially dreary in our small, dark, North-facing kitchen.

I too like grey and beige together, which is along the lines of liking tan with black. And it's funny cause you know how right now tan and grey is going together more like in interior furniture.

As for my instincts, I don't know...I think it's more of a hit & miss thing. I think when I hit it I really hit it but when I miss it, well it's just too often or random for me to be able to gamble considering I won't have the money to rip it all out and start over. Don't even really have the money to be doing this in the first place! :-o It's not deficit spending per se, and half the money's going to pay off the one and only credit card we have, but the money could have gone to pay something more off such as car, or savings toward kids school, etc. (having some guilt there). Re. not having enough faith in my instincts, I agree there too...I just haven't had the opportunity to remodel before (the most I've ever really done is choose paint colors, curtains, rugs, throw pillows and furniture)!

I think the bottom line is that black w/ tan works REALLY well - thanks to that magazine picture pointing this out ;) but grey and beige is just a lot more questionable. Here's the clincher, which happens to be what I want to say in response to mondragon:

mondragon - What's funny is that I totally agree w/ you that it works in a more modern looking way. I think in a modern kitchen, the stainless steel and beige tiles would look pretty cool. Almost retro-modern, since pink was such a '50's color. Problem is I'm trying to make the kitchen look more 1913 (trying to make the stainless *work* as period, due to its surroundings and the fact that they did have zinc countertops e.g. in pantries back then).

So I guess the final question is that while it can look good in a modern kitchen - and that's I guess where I guess my instincts may be okay - can it work in an older looking kitchen (regardless of the fact that marble definitely can)? Something tells me the farm sink, gooseneck faucet and pendant light might tie it all together (and the original cupboards) but once again - not sure.

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond, and I'm sorry to always be writing so much! I hate that about me but just can't seem to help myself when it comes to something so important to me! Can you imagine having 3 small, messy boys, one big messy husband, and no dishwasher or disposal or undermounted sink to make life dramatically better?! ;) And now I'm thinking of upgrading from a very standard fridge made in 1990 that has 18.2 cu. ft., to something much bigger! Just being able to keep big gallons of milk in the door will be a massive improvement!

I think it'll work, but what I think you ought to do is plan on it but don't commit to that backsplash until your counter and cabinets are in. Then you can pull in your sample boards and your crayons and be sure. No need to rush on the 'splash! (but you should do it a little faster than me. teehee.)

I went back and looked at your pics. GREAT house!

In general, I thing you've got enough "period" to support pretty much anything you want to do with the backsplash. You're putting in a stainless DW, no? I think you might need another more modern touch to balance that out.
And even though the tiles are what we consider modern, they're artsy/craftsy in a way that's difficult to put on a timeline.

I think you also need some *pretty* in there, otherwise it's going to look like a space that only servants go into.

You could also run the stainless up the wall:

And just paint above it, which makes the tile issue go away.

fori - brilliant. Why not wait? Thank you! :)

mondgragon - thanks for the compliments on that which would be an incredible house if I had a hundred thousand to put into it! ;) But yes it's got some great original details. Why did you think I needed another more modern touch to balance out things? I'm not trying to have anything modern on purpose. The stainless counter is more along the lines of pretending it's 1913 zinc, even though it's clearly not zinc. It will have a farm sink and tall gooseneck faucet and then period-appropriate subway tile at least in size/dimension, along w/ an appropriate pendant light above the sink I"m thinking. As for whether or not to have the dishwasher be stainless, I'm not sure. I've always wanted stainless appliances but my concern is that in having a stainless countertop, I may have to have all-white appliances to keep from over-killing the stainless. Black feels to dark for the small dark room and other color options besides white/black/stainless are too expensive or not otherwise what I'm looking for in an appliance.

Also, you wrote that tiles are are what we consider modern. Do you mean by not being white, or by the beige color being coupled w/ a stainless counter? To me, subway tiles that are modern are made of glass as opposed to ceramic or marble - or subway tiles that are huge in size or something not so typical.

Lastly, what do you mean by something pretty? You mean a splash of color or a nice pendant light or throw rug or something? With wood floors it's got some warmth and w/ somewhat ornate original cabinets (although white) it's got a bit of "frills"...so I assume you mean more color?

I'm thinking I'm not going to run stainless up the wall just cause I don't think it looks more modern that way. That said, I like the idea of getting to change paint colors back there every few years - but I'd rather have some sort of classic looking subway tile to help draw the stainless counter back into time more. ;)

Thank you!

I see the subways as a classic, timeless thing, and even the off-white, beige color helps that old-timey look, I think. When I envisioned it in my head, it gives me the impression I think you're after. But maybe it's good that different people have different takes on it, since both views (modern vs classic) are positive anyway. It could mean that if you want to sell, a potential buyer could see their own vision in it and take the kitchen in a direction that pleases them.

It's gonna be great.

When I did my period kitchen, the stainless was for a German silver vibe--I was inspired by the giant island in the Edsel & Eleanor Ford house. But zinc is OK too! (By the way, have you considered zinc?)

I think that since kitchens are workspaces, with appliances, that it doesn't make sense to try to be totally period because it's not possible. To me it makes sense to go for a general look to fit in, but - like with the dishwasher - you're not going to leave it out just to be period-correct.

You don't put in anything that's less functional than what is available now, and you don't leave anything out just because they didn't have it back then.

I said the tiles are "modern" because they're currently being used. So even though they're a classic, artsy-craftsy style, they don't look outdated.

As for pretty - kitchens back then were workspaces for overburdened wives and/or servants. You're going for a similar look, but wouldn't it be nice that when someone looks into your kitchen from the the dining room they think about how it is in the period style of your house but also.... something pretty? Backsplashes are a place to do that.