Large format tile like crystal acido from Porcelanosa (13" x40")?

Thanks! I really love your entire kitchen!

The cabinets are identical in design to the ones we have ordered but the color may be a bit more brown. Our hardware will be large brushed nickel pulls.

I like the glass back splash a lot too. Is the tile clear? In the photos, it appears to have a gray or bluish cast to it?

Hi Irish Eyes, it sounds like the new cabinets you have on order are very similar to the ones we are hoping to install at the end of next week!

The picture of the kitchen posted by Davidtay is pretty, in part because there is nothing at all on the countertops. We could not make that work in our kitchen. It's also pretty because of the undercabinet lights -- are you planning to use those as well?

About your new layout... you wrote that the built-in pantry will be replaced by uppers and lowers to give you more counter space. Is that the white folding doors to the right of the sink? I might consider relocating the refrigerator there instead, if it can be recessed so it does not block the hallway. Then you could get more counterspace by the stove (and maybe recenter the stove on that wall.) That looks to me like a more cramped space right now than around the sink.

But! Back to backsplash ideas. You want something stylish that will make the room look larger. Have you considered white subway tiles, in a large format? I think the combination of a light-colored tile, in a rectangular format, without many grout lines, would help brighten up the area behind the stove.

DalTile's Colour Scheme line allows for made-to-order 6x12 subways.

More dramatic might be Arizona Tile's MC Series porcelain tile in the Crema Marfil colorway -- it comes in 3x12.

Or you could do a crackle glass 3x6, with a punch of color, like the one below. That would look great with undercabinet lighting, I think!

Here is a link that might be useful: Aquamarine subways from Glass Tile Oasis

Thanks for your reply and ideas Eastbaymom! Wow, you are so close to having a new kitchen- I bet you are so excited! We just got word that our cabinets will be delivered next week but the contractor who is installing them is backed up so we are looking at the beginning of July for our install.

Yes, we are having under cabinet lighting installed. Your idea of moving the fridge is something we have debated over...and over and over. To put the fridge where you are suggesting (where the current pantry is and yes, it is the small white door on the sink run) would mean that the door way into the dining room would need to be moved out. DH didn't like this design either. There has been a lot of compromising with this final decision/layout due to budget and differing ideas. I personally feel like the fridge looks so oversized and obnoxious where it is currently located. Since the cabinets have been ordered, I don't think we will be changing the location of the appliances. I appreciate your idea and actually really like it however it has been vetoed. I'm considering a counter depth fridge when we replace the current one.

I have looked at all 3 of your ideas concerning the backsplash. I am considering subways, especially in something light and possibly glass. I think that something larger is a good idea too. My thought is that I should probably determine the counter selection prior to the backsplash although I really like the crackle subway link you included.

This is what our cabinets will look like. What are your counter and backsplash selections? Thanks again for the ideas!
{{!gwi}}

I understand about the layout stuff. We decided not to close off a door into the kitchen, even though it would have allowed us to move the fridge. It is pricey!

Our cabinets will be a nutmeg stain on cherry wood (link below). Our counter is Caesarstone quartz in the buttermilk color, and our backsplash will be Arizona tile's seagrass, mostly in 2x4 brick pattern. Sadly, they don't have larger sizes in the rectangular shape. I'm still playing with the backsplash design.

We are painting the ceiling and walls this weekend (DIY) before the contractor comes back to do the cabinet install and the fabricator comes to template for the countertop.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bellmont Whistler door style