I definitely think you should frame out an area above the range--with the arched hood, it will look really nice. Can you do it as an arch that mirrors the hood?

My .02 cents is that I like the third one. I assume it's the pipesmoke one. I think it draws out the warm tones in the island counter top and is less stark that the two whiter options.

I vote for the beige-y one (far right of first pic). It's perfect! I think it will tie your island countertop into the rest of the kitchen. Your kitchen is incredible!

I don't know which it is but I like the crackle in the third pic.

Kinda likin' the pipe smoke, too, for the depth and the connection with the island granite. I think framing the white might brighten it up a bit if you're afraid it will be too dreary.

Like those above, I like the pipe smoke, I think that it picks up the tones in your island -- but I'm for framing above the ranges as well. Gorgeous kitchen, BTW!

My favorite is the smaller white crackle. My second choice would be the larger white one. I like these both since the lighter color contrasts with your paint the best, compliments the cabinetry without taking away from it and shows off the color in the island stone. I would choose the greyish one last since it blends with the wall color so much. Between the two white tiles, I would have a very difficult time choosing one; I would go with both in a pinwheel pattern. Pinwheel works well on walls and your tile sizes are just right to really show the pattern off. If that is too busy for your taste, I would include the white crackle for sure; it has so much character.

I vote for the white crackle one. I'm thinking about using that one myself. Which brand is that? Also, I like the idea of a herringbone design over the stove. I just purchased a book on Amazon.com called "All New Kitchen Idea Book." there is a photo of a black and white kitchen with white subways and a white herringbone designed framed out over the stove. It is gorgeous!

If you are going to shell out the bucks, I think the crackle justifies the expense. Very pretty detail.

Yay! This is great, thank you! Just to clarify, the tiles are from left to right: Horus Art Bianco Antico, Walker Zanger Gramercy Park Heirloom White and WZ Gramercy Park Pipe Smoke. They all are crackle tiles (for some reason the WZ heirloom white doesn't look very "crackly" in the picture.

So far I am maybe thinking to do the combination with the WZ white framed above the range (yes, with a curve to mimic the hood, bethohio3!) and the pipe smoke everywhere else. I do worry that the pipe smoke just by itself will be a bit dreary (rhome)--and blend in with the surrounding wall color too much (cienza).

As an aside, Sabjimata, I love your .23 cent tile in your kitchen! I am using that in my mudroom and master bath!

marm -- check out jdechris's pattern above the range. Really simple but elegant, gives you an idea of what you could do -- could easily be arched.

Here is a link that might be useful:

I love the Walker Zanger tiles. I have samples of the 2x6 and they are gorgeous.I would do the white everywhere,except over the range I'd put the pipe smoke. This picture came to mind when I saw your tile choices.I think the pipe smoke will bring out the island color nicely, but all over could be a little heavy.I would defintely arch it over the range too.

Good luck!

Thanks for the pics, rjr220 and positano! I think you might be right, positano. Switching the 2 colors might make the most sense. Especially since the kitchen is on the north side of the house and won't have tons of light.

Thank you all for the great input!

I’d love to see pictures. I’m considering the pipe smoke in a herringbone pattern.