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Ahhh, who could tire of such beautiful pictures.

I would stick with your original plan of the framed mosaics. It just feels right for your space. The frame gives it a bit of definition but the moaics keep it classy and casual. Then you can dress it up with accessories if you choose.

Calacatta mosaics have always been a fave of mine. Glad to see them so beautifully displayed.

I would consider going with larger square marble (4x4?) tiles on the diagonal in the frame. For such a large space, with large border I think you might want something visually heavier there. The field of mosaics are nice where you have them, and would likely be fine in this space too, but you might want to consider tying to the gorgeous island with something a little less pixelated.

I agree with brickton above. I would also set out the border so that it is not flush with the 4 by4s. Perhaps you could also line the 4 by 4is with a row or two of the backsplash material and then the border in the leftover marble. It would be divine! Can you get marble barnes or chairrail borders to enclose it all versus the leftover marble? Or look at marble pencils around the barnes as well. Good luck, it is a gorgeous kitchen.

I see a herringbone or brick pattern in the frame there. Something in just a little different size and shape.

It's a tie! Thank you malhgold and daisychain! So, I have the remnants and they are cut for the frame. Eventhough I paid for materials separately, the installer took a few boxes of the squares, leaving only enough for the inside of the frame.
I do really like the idea of doing all squares too, keeping it simpler. I don't want to lose my option just because the installer made off with my extra mosaic sheets. Maybe I'll ask DH to be the tie breaker on the frame vs no-frame. Without the frame, I'll have to try to buy more squares or rescue more of my materials, getting our slabs and remnants back was such a hassle!
Thank you again for weighing in on this!

This may not be to your taste, but I think it would be lovely to put a slab of marble back there (matching your island).

Thank you Brickton, Peytonrd, Steff_1 and Pricklypearcactus! You all have my wheels turning...
Sounds like the main point is that I need to think about using a larger format marble there to relate everything to the island. The frame is large enough to satisfy that and I love the idea of using the mosaic as an inside border and the 4x4s, wonderful idea! Pricklypearcactus, I so, so wish I had enough to just throw a slab back there and be done with it!
Thank you again!

I wanted to throw in that I also would consider doing the 3x6 marble in a herringbone as steph suggested. I love that look in both small scale and large scale. You can pickup a square foot of grecian white marble (which is quite nice, though not as lovely as your island) at HD in either size for like $5 if you want to mock something up.

Hi Rookie, could you give me the dimensions of your island? I was a little worried about putting asink in my island but yours looks pretty close to the size of mine. Thanks and your kitchen looks beautiful.

Hope you were able to get your rems back!

Hi Kellykath,
Thanks for the compliment! The island is 4x6. The sink is small but deep so it will still be useful. I had a doublesided, regular depth sink cut in half to get the depth.
Thanks Sandbox, I was able to get most of the remnants last night. I'm still owed a vanity top, tub deck,niche shelves for a shower...ugh. What a mess!

Love your kitchen! What cabinets did you use? What color is your paint? Thanks!

Dianelouise,
Thanks for the kind words! The cabinets are Candlelight cabs in Victorian White. The paint is Sherwin Williams dried thyme, lightened about one shade.

If you don't have enough for a full slab, another possibility might be to "frame" whatever slab you have with the mosaic and have the center be the slab rather than using the slab as a border. Just another idea (and obviously dependent upon enough remaining marble).

Rookie,

I'm going to go another way. I am one of those people who are just not fond of the "over the stove" focal points. To me they just feel very contrived. I LOVE your beautiful kitchen and even made a point of calling in the DH to see your backsplash. I would love to see you just contine that along the back of the stove or do a very, very minimal switch up in that area (think replacing say 4 tiles with a slightly darker color or something at the corners).

I'm sure whatever you do will be lovely!

Rookie_2010,
I love your kitchen, I know I have bookmarked pics of your kitchen but can't find them. What is your black countertop material? Soapstone or honed granite?

Thanks Pricklypearcactus, I really, really appreciate the time you're taking to help me with my latest dilemma! I don't have enough to do a solid piece in the middle although it is a great idea.... I have the sides of the frame propped in place. I'm not sure what I think about it yet. I really do love the squares so it would be a safe bet on my part to just forget the frame and go for more squares as Morgne suggested (thanks!). The distributor who supplied the squares doesn't typically sell to consumers or independent installers. I called them with my sob story this morning and expect them to let me know tomorrow if they'll make an exception for me based on the circumstances. So, I guess I have to make up my mind tomorrow. I have enough to do inside the frame, I guess it boils down to how much more the squares will set me back financially.
DH likes either one, or more likely, can't pick which of the white marble applications is the lesser of the evils :) I appreciate everyone's feedback. This is my first "real" kitchen and first experience designing anything. My current home has busted wood-look formica, no dishwasher and linoleum floors, lol. I shot for the stars on this one and rely very, very heavily on this forum!

Susieliz,
Thanks for the compliment! As for the countertop, tricked ya'! It's leathered cambrian granite, sometimes referred to as antiqued granite. My hubby couldn't handle both marble and soapstone in one kitchen, both freaked him out. He's a granite guy.