Of course it needs a backsplash. But I don't think it needs more herringbone. It doesn't have enough height to pull a pattern off well. Instead, think of a jewel box and choose something unexpected, like stainless steel tile, or a intensely red iridescent glass tile---something unpatterned, but visually stunning.

Is that wood going across the top front just trim or is that a slide-up door?

Either way, it seems to me like a backsplash of some kind is in order there, but I agree that it doesn't have to be the same as the rest. Though your herringbone is awfully nice and I think it would look fine there.

Hollysprings, making a statement with the space is something to think about. Thats what I love about GW, something unexpected gets presented to the post. With your concept of the "jewel box" in mind, I will ponder my options for this space.

Dee850, That piece of wood is a piece of cherry that I had my carpenter put up to shield the LED that will go there. I may paint it or put it's plan wood "twin" (painted) up there instead. I think it looks sort of out of place as it is, but that feature can wait.

I have left over tile that I could use. I visualize this area being used as an additional counter area to hold hors d'oeuvres during get togethers. I have hardly any counter space so this nook is a bonus. Other wise it will be holding tissues, phones, other smallish stuff.

I never say this because I love backsplashes but in your case I think I'd use that area for a pop of paint color. Maybe pick up the green in the pics above. And not a wimpy color... something saturated.

Remodelfla, thanks, paint's not a bad idea and a lot easier than tiling. I'm not sure if the framed pics are going to stay or not. I got them on sale REAL cheap (wanted the frames). As I look at the posted pic above, the space is calling out for something to help it out of the doldrums. I'm not happy with the space below the nook either. Tried to trim it out with casing but that looked too imposing. But overall, this area is a marked improvement to what was there before the remodel.

If you use it primarily for serving, I'd put a mirror back there. If it is mostly for tissues and the phone, I'd use one of the medium colors in your tile as a paint color back there because no one needs to see the back of the phone or tissue box.
It could be a great place for a fruit bowl and/or decorative functional items such as a pretty canister set, with which you could use the mirror idea after all....

Dianalo, that is an interesting idea - the mirror. It could make the small room look bigger too :)

I love the idea of paint in a beautiful saturated color, not too dark though or the space will become a dark hole. BTW, I love your herringbone BS! Do you have any accent colors in your kitchen now or planned?

flwrs' thanks for your ideas and complement. I have some accents of a deep purple in my utensil holder, orange in a woodblock print of oriels , & periwinkle in a display plate. Actually I think I have every color, but in bits. My space is very small so these accents are small as well. Everyone has mentioned saturated color either in tile or paint. I am glad to hear these ideas, so much different than what I had in mind. The new ideas makes this so much fun to think about.