Backs plashes are difficult because they are basically design decisions vs building decisions and while most of us are good at picking and figuring, pre-visualizing is tougher. Even some KDs aren't especially good at doing a back splash so don't beat yourself up. Tile design can be very challenging -- if the store will help out with it that's always a bonus. Some will for a nominal or no fee. They'll do the design and sometimes even help find an installer. . When it gets tough, instead of getting lost in tile world I think it might be easier to find a photo of a backsplash you love, or even of a tile object you love. If you post it folks here can give suggestions about how it will work in the kitchen and whether it will produce the result. Then it can be used as the basis for the splash (take it along while shopping). Here's an extensive list of tile sources which can help with some of the pre-shopping. http://www.atticmag.com/shopping/tile.html My backsplash basically sets the style of the kitchen. It runs from countertop to ceiling on 2 walls -- so it's the opposite of the 4" micro-splash. I began with the tile and picked around it (not typical). My inspiration was ceramic tile stoves. I drew out a scale "cartoon" of the splash and colored it in and taped it up to see how it would look. Tile has repetitive pattern so it always draws the eye. The cartoon was a bit of work but very helpful as it covered nearly a 2' x 3' section (paper taped together).

Alabamamommy - It was a long and more complicated process than I expected. I expected picking stone counters would be difficult, paint colors are always a challenge but hardware? One thing to keep in mind that if you pick a standard size - I think that 3.5" or 4" center to center are common measurements - you can always change them (especially if you have not spent a fortune.) I definitely recommend going to a local hardware store and picking up a few - different finishes, different styles - to start to narrow down what you are attracted to. We also put the samples on the doors (we used that adhesive tacky putty but the tape mentioned above may work better.) You may get lucky and find one you love, but if not you will have a better idea of the style or finish that works for you. Then you can order samples - from one of the online knob sites, a local restoration hardware (they don't charge you shipping if you order from the store - I even ordered on the phone via the store so I didn't even have to go to the mall :) or other store that carries hardware. We have a great local hardware store that carries all kinds, BUT each manufacturer charges shipping so it stinks for samples (versus the online consolidators that will charge you one fee even if you order from different manufacturers.) I also found some online stores that specialized in more period hardware, even some more simple (www.whitechaple-ltd.com, wwww.houseofantiquehardware.com and www.horton-brasses.com.) The surprising thing was to me some handles looked good in some finishes but not in others. Additionally, finishes look different for each manufacturer - some lacquer, some don't, some times there is a "grain" on a brushed knob or pull that goes in a certain direction. Some knobs have an orientation. OK - maybe I have freaked you out more at this point. I surprised myself in the process - I originally wanted a silver color but not polished (actually loved the pewter but everything was either rustic or super expensive.) BUT - I ended up with polished nickle because it really complimented my natural birch cabinets AND I used ORB on my white island and cabinets AND used glass knobs and satin nickle on my desk/hutch. Oh yeah AND two different handle styles AND knobs. I also wanted something that was a little old (we have a turn of the century house) at the same time contemporary. I went with Restoration hardware bistro pulls - but almost went with the House of Antique Hardware's "Classic Early 20th Century Pull" (and don't even look at Sun Valley bronze unless you have an "unlimited budge" - they are beautiful :) Regarding you kitchen - I love ORB with white, but you have to decide do you want hardware to stand out as ORB does with your walnut accents. I became attached to PN because it actually reflects what is there and therefore doesn't stand out as much as an ORB but give a lightness and glow that I didn't expect. Chrome is "cooler" looking than PN to me. Satin nickle (stainless has a similar look but is more expensive) would be more "modern" and does look really nice on the white as well. There is also antique brass (sort of a dulled almost browned brass - not shiny) that would give you more of a classic feel and may be a nice compliment to walnut but based on what I read this may not be your cup of tea (I have just warmed to it recently.) Obviously I still have some hardware baggage based on my long post - I wish you luck and hope that some of this helps.

BM London Fog. It looks great against our white cabinets and our quartz is VERY close to your color from what I can tell. The London Fog matches the background tone of the quartz nicely and the white cabinets give it a fresh, clean, updated look. Not the best picture because our deck outside casts a pink tone to our wall, but you can see the quartz, wall color and white door in this pic to see how they work together. Here is a better picture of the wall color over by the ovens and up against the cabinetry. It looks darker here than it typically does in the light of day.

Do you love the ref? Then keep it. Stainless is just another color. I don't think this is so horrible. I see many white kitchens with white farm sinks that aren't the same or trim on the windows that is a different shade of white or even different whites on the ceilings. This appears to be tucked away a little and not in the center of the room. Maybe if you post some pictures from further away so we can see it in the full space... I for one don't like stainless appliances - I have black and love them!!