Here's another type of metal tile I was looking at yesterday. I really like the look on my computer monitor, but the true test would be seeing it in person. Also, at $8.45/tile it's definitely pricey. I like the metal tiles pictured in the link you provided, although the jewel inlays, while pretty, are a bit too bright for my taste. Here is a link that might be useful: Patina Tile

The stainless would probably be easier to keep clean, but the tile might look nicer, depending on your personal preference. Right now we have a piece of sheet metal behind our rangetop, but it's temporary. I have 4x8 slate pieces to put up permanently. I will likely miss the ease of cleaning the sheet metal, and considered keeping it (replacing it with stainless), but even though I'm terminally practical, I just can't get myself to like the colder look. The stone is an important part of the overall look and feel I want for the room. Your subways would be easier to clean than my uneven slate. Have you looked at various kitchens, seeing it done both ways, to see which you prefer? Check out the Finished Kitchens Blog slideshow and/or the backsplash slideshow linked on the Finished Kitchens Blog page...I'm sure you'll see both options there. Here is a link that might be useful: Finished Kitchens Blog

We are in the process of installing that exact look, only we went with a local tile shop and got it a few dollars cheaper per sq ft and it is a superior quality product then what we saw at home depot. It came with a protective film over the front of the tile to protect it while installing it. We are having trouble with the black grout we got going light gray an we don't know how to fix it yet. Laying the tile went perfectly though. One thing we did that saved a lot of trouble was we bought a sheet of the 2x2" SS tiles to fill in the edges instead of having to cut half tiles. We only had to actually cut a handful of tiles for the inside corner of the backsplash and for a few electrical outlets, but all of these cuts will be covered by outlet covers and by the next row of tiles in the case of the corner. It looks awesome (except for our grout problems)

Agreed about figuring out the use of shelves and counters first. We did 19" above the counter to clear our stand mixer with some room to spare (so I could pick it up and move it) and used the IKEA Ekby shelf brackets in the 11" size, which worked well for us (coffee supplies, mugs, etc. live up there). They also make a 7" size. I really like the Ekby brackets, too---very easy to work with. We got our own wood instead of using the IKEA shelves because we wanted it to be longer than their options allowed, and that worked out really well. Our local lumber yard found fir steps (intended to be the top part of a porch step) that were exactly the right thickness and cut the rounded edges off to make them the right depth---it worked perfectly! It's nice to know in advance where you want them so you can put the brackets in before the wall goes up, but we didn't do that and it worked out fine. You just need to know where the studs are.