Looking at these samples, it's my preference that "random" be in smaller formats. The patterns in larger tiles that best fit my aesthetic sense are the ones that have a pattern that I can say in words somehow: "each row moves X farther to the left", or something like that. It would seem that to me generally the larger the tile in these samples, the less formal and more in-your-face the wall becomes. The tiles in the nearly-same colorways are less aggressive and stay more in the background. But that's also true of tile in general--there is aggressive color and there is gentle color. At one time I had my heart set on a set of 4" square tiles from HD: off-red, off-green, light blue, golden yellow, and maybe a couple more. (Colors in last year's stock.) I wanted to do a pattern in these of some kind. But then, this was only to be under-cab for two sides of the room and behind the range, one of the decor ideas I enjoyed and then abandoned while waiting impatiently for months of construction to end. You see this kind of effect occasionally and it's always marked "not for the faint of heart." I had samples here and I arranged and rearranged them, but usually came back to a single line and not a whole wall of the multi-pattern. There's a great wall of strong assorted colors in square tiles in the Modest and Quirky thread that many posters really love. Wish you well. Let us see your finished wall?

secondhalf, my kitchen is small and G-shaped, so it's difficult to get a very panoramic shot. My cabinets are BM Cloud White and subways are Sonoma creamy crackle. Side by side the tiles are darker, but in reality they conspire to look the same. I had wanted a darker, more gold/yellow tile for a bit of contrast, but the GW posters talked me out of it. I still wonder if a different tile would have been better, but if you're after calm and non-diva, this color combination is for you. Crackle is more subtle in large amounts. In fact, I have to get pretty close to even see the crackles, however, I think it gives the tile a little more life to it.

there are lots here with dark counters; you may find some if you search on "subway". Here is a link to mine, but I used bisque (beveled), not pure white. Here is a link that might be useful:

Thanks for all the feedback! For those of you who just have the bare painted wall, what do you have at the joint between the counter and the wall? I guess that might be the only concern I have with no backsplash at all. Also, can I install beadboard/wainscot after everything else, or should it go in before the cabs and counters? One of the reasons that I don't want anything "shiny" i.e. most tile, is I am going for a very matte look overall in the kitchen. Soapstone is matte, the hardware and faucet is matte, the floors (salvaged wood) will be satin, and the cabinets will be either milkpaint (super matte!) or eggshell regular paint. I call my look English-Southern-farmhouse-with a twist of -industrial and Belgian. Small space too-kitchen is opening up to dining room, and each room will be approximately 10x15. I am trying to have the kitchen look more like a room in the rest of my house, so maybe crossing tile off the list entirely is probably the way to go. So for the ramble!