I had the same thoughts before reading everyone else's posts...The 3 x 6 is more 'standard' and traditional, while the 4x8 would be a little more unique and bring a modern or industrial twist or zing to your kitchen...which I can like with traditional elements. Depends on what you want it to do. And Plllog does have a point about smaller tiles fitting in around things better, but I wouldn't necessarily let that decide it for me. Will one fit in the spaces using whole tiles, while the other will require cutting all the way along? (Remember to figure in grout lines) Even if I liked one better, if the other fit in whole, THAT could sway me to change my mind.

I feel your pain. I too am fighting the fear of the white subways looking plain and flat and I keep looking for something else. But in my space I keep coming back to just subways (2x8 matte to be exact). I love that black subway in your picture, I saw that in ___ magazine. Something about the texture is really cool, but I couldn't figure out the manufacturer of it. But, I think in your space the black will look too dark, you have dark cabinets and dark counters. What about a gray? Just watch the contrast against the hood--it could disappear. If you are worried about the subways looking flat, could you go with a subway that is beveled? Sometimes that 3 dimensional look is enough to give you a pop. I found one I really liked, had a slight gray undertone to it, would go great in my space--except I can't bring myself to do glossy tiles with my undercabinet lights and shiny granite. I really need matte (I think). The tile I found was only around $7 or $8 sq foot. The beveled edges weren't really beveled, more like a soft bevel. Marble subways would look nice, and really tie everything together. I have no information on this, but is marble hard to use behind the range? Is it hard to clean, etc? I see lots of people using it, but I can only imagine a pot of sauce bubbling and splashing on it--but that's my house! Good luck, just remember that you are not alone in the backsplash struggle.

ellendi- if I don't show off, who's going to do it for me? I gotta do it when I can ;) On Topic now, jnh004, I got the tile at "The Tile Shop". I wanted something with a little more life to it, than a cream or off white ceramic. My soapstone is in the background so I made my backsplash with a little more oomph, but still subtle. The tile is called Lansdale Carrara. This is my take on this selection, that it is the impure pieces from whiter stone that can't be used in larger slabs. I could be wrong, but the carrara I see on this site is always white and there is no white in my stuff. Lots of tans, grays, almost greens, and off whites. I think for your granite a more neutral stone or ceramic would work better. Its fun to search and examine what will work. My moto is that if it doesn't "sing" when I look at it, I move on to something else. Of course sometimes you have to move on anyway, but give it your best effort before you make that decision.

I'm not sure how I came across this post, I think it was displayed on the right side and I clicked on it being intrigued by the tile making. I was at one time interested in working with papercrete and hypertufa. But after enlisting my brother, who wasn't as enthusiastic, and my niece, who poured cement down my laundry room sink, which original to the house had lasted 70 years, and ruining three blenders, my interest waned. True to form, if I come upon difficulty in a project, I think of it as a sign for me not to continue. And really, after all these years of trying various crafts that result in crap, I should know better. I also should have known better than to ask my brother, who always says it can't be done to any of my unique design ideas. And I should have known better than to ask my niece, who once stayed up all night before having to drive to LA for an art show, cutting mat after mat after measuring once, twice, sometimes ten times, but always coming out with the wrong size. I think we both have math dyslexia. I should video us trying anything crafty to see where we go wrong. I think both of us having ADHD might have something to do with it. Sorry for the backstory and run on sentences. So, I just wanted to see if you continued with your venture. And to say sorry for whatever tragedy occurred to cause you to have to move to Florida. Not that there is anything wrong with Florida, but it isn't Panama. Which is one of my favorite places in the western hemisphere. I hope no one is upset that I brought up a seven year old post.