I think we might have the same tile as epressler. Our kitchen is posted in your other thread on subway tile. We looked at a lot of different types of tile. I really love glass tile, but as our space has a more traditional look, DH and I decided on the marble. With a more contemporary look, I probably would have found a way to use some glass. That being said, you need to do what makes YOU happy. We didn't choose the backsplash tile till after the countertops were in, and I'm glad we didn't buy what we thought would work before we saw the stone in place. It would not have been the right choice. You can check out pictures at Houzz to maybe get a better feel for how your choices might look in kitchens with similar cabinets/counters. You can search for "backsplash", "glass backsplash" etc. Another thing you can do is take pictures of your kitchen and photoshop different backsplashes into it. I can understand wanting to be done with it. We're coming up on a year for (what turned out to be not-so-simple) "facelift". However, I'm glad we didn't choose something in haste just to be finished.

You know how Patti's slate has squares set horizontally at the bottom then a line and then has the offset going above? Because I do have such a small kitchen I'm thinking I would just keep the backsplash to the height of the horizontal line of squares-- although it would go up rather high behind the cooktop. That first line looks to me to be appx 4 x 4? For the height behind the cooktop, maybe there could be a rounded top instead of a squared top-- so a strong vertical element but still not too much backsplash? I fear too much backsplash will take away from the openness I really crave. i'm actually thinking just the opposite. i think you should go all the way up the wall to the ceiling, and that will make the space actually feel bigger and more open. but only if you use a really simple tile--something with almost zero texture, color variation, or embellishment. like white subways. ditto to what bluekitobs said above--they won't compete with your shaw's sink. here's a pic of my last kitchen with white handmade subways and a shaw's: oh, and don't worry about the misspelling!

Travertine can range in price a lot. I loved how neutral and natural it was. Mine is ivory - they have light to dark colors available. I have seen some very budget friendly sales at the big box stores. Any natural stone will need to be sealed. I do that on my floors and counters 2x a year. Please know that sealing takes exactly the same amount of time and effort that cleaning your counter or floors takes. You wipe it on, let it sit a minute, then thoroughly wipe it off. That's it. I have had absolutely NO staining with my marble. We eat at the island every day for most meals. I have 5 teenagers and they frequently have many friends over. There is some etching, but honestly, you have to turn your head to the side and lay it flat on the surface to find them. On the perimeter we put Cambrian Black Antique Granite. LOVE IT!!

Quick summary: I love my marble. If I could have fallen in love with some other material (still affordable) that requires less babying/maintenance, then I would have jumped on it. These years of waiting for patina is not fun nor easy. Just know that lots of things can happen, and may happen... --- Have you read my many posts with real feedback regarding my marble trial and tribulations? Amanda's thread crying about a marble stain, which has faded I truly wanted stainless steel countertop and integrated backsplash and sink, but DH wouldn't go for it. He thinks it looks too commercial, like a school cafeteria. I think I'm realistic, knowing how untidy and abusive cooks that we are. Like right now, my entire countertop is covered w/ stuff: - composter - meat defrosting/soaking in bowl - trivet/baking sheet from last night's dinner - big old bowl of fruit, w/ the plantains begging to be cooked - crockpot base that didn't get put away - aluminum foil and saran wrap from making/packing this morning's lunches Gone are the first 1.5years of feverishly clearing off my countertop, making sure there's no drip that could stain or etch, etc. -- I don't like grout/seams, so we had to get the marble slab. We already had chosen marble for the countertop, so I couldn't go with another material for backsplash. --- Good: - a backsplash is not as large real estate as countertop, so less impact/etching/potential stains/chips - not in direct light, but you may have lighting from the hood and under cabinet lighting "marble pictures that make my heart sing" - like I said, just be prepared for what may happen... -- Good luck, Amanda