I love the kitchen the way it is, so I would tend toward the Heath, only in a white, to add texture without color.

For the fireplace I would consider a band of the same wood as the cabinetry acting as a mantle shelf and maybe facing the hearth shelf. I would have to try different mock-up scales of that. If it were monolithic I would just sheath it in tile, maybe the slate, but I think it is too complex for that.

have you thought of stainless with a pattern or texture. I kind of like the neutrality of the space, you have enough white....stainless would play off the wood island better than a pale color, and I wouldn't do a bold/strong color for your serene environment.Maybe a really highly textured white-Ann Sacks??[is that where those types come from?]

I agree with Palimpest.
Simple with a hint of texture but not taking away from
your beautiful kitchen.

For the fireplace a simple wood mantle shelf that matches
the trim in the house.

~boxer

If the blue slate tile borders on your kitchen floor then I might consider a mosaic with a light blue element. Perhaps a mix of blue and white, soft pastel blue. If you decide to go with a smaller tile that is.

I'm partial to the Heath example in the squished hexagon shape. I think adding a little color, while staying in the natural tones as opposed to neons, would looks great in your space.

OT -- but midwifekim, I remember you posting about using Monocoat on your kitchen floor. May I ask how you are liking it after a year? I would like to finish ours with it too but I haven't found local installers who have any experience with it, and where I have used it myself was on a staircase, not a floor that gets wet.

Your kitchen is so beautiful and calm!

I love the heath (in the green)and it's pop of color. If you want muted...go for the ocean side mosaic which is beautiful.

My advice will cost you!

With the rest of the materials in the house, 3D heath is what you need. Maybe in white, because the 3D says so much, you don't want to drown it in bold color.

Thanks for all of your praise and suggestions. I am also used to the painted white wall, and as the house is now full of our "personality", it doesn't seem so bland.

herbflavor- Thx. We thought of stainless, and also of back-painted glass, but we have tried to warm up our modern home with natural wood and stone and worry that these very sleek options take us back to cooler again.

palimpsest- thanks for the fireplace suggestion! We tried to save an old redwood joist from the house for the mantel, but it sat outside through a rainy season and got termites! Using some vertical grain fir (windows and railing) is a great, cheap option!

northcarolina- We have a little throw rug that catches most of the drips from the sink to fridge to stove. When we wipe up spills there is no problem. The floor shows no wear. We clean it weekly with ECOVER floor soap, not very diluted. It's almost like re-oiling it. In two places we had a dog vomit and a visiting mini dog pee that went unnoticed. there is a watermark from both. But our floor has a lot of character- so I don't notice it anymore.

Fireclay chartreuse! The hand made look is warmer. Otherwise, the Heath in chartreuse would be my choice. Your home is beautiful. I think a bold color on the backsplash would be just the thing to complement your art.
Renee

I like the stainless - keeps it consistent.

Thanks for the floor update! Dogs and "patina" -- yep, that sounds about right for our house too.

(Sorry I have no bright ideas about your backsplash but I am sure whatever you choose will look terrific. You have a great eye!)