stacked stone would be too rustic for your described elements. Marble would most likely be too white and too grey with the creamy cabinets unless you had bright white woodwork in the room. Subway, eh. B-O-R-I-N-G How about something unexpected and colorufl to go with your yellows and greens?

{{!gwi}}

Not sure if this appeals to you, but we used a silvery slate in a large subway pattern (4 x 12s) with stainless steel directly behind the stovetop. We have similar cabinets (although ours look more yellowy-cream than what you describe) with soapstone counters and we have a lighter tile floor. We love the larger tile look but agree the choices are overwhelming. Maybe wait until everything is in and then narrow down your choices. HTH

Heath has a dimensional collection that would give you some of the texture and relief of a stacked stone without the rusticity of it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Heath Dimensional Collection

Thanks all.

The stone with the metal hood picture is what my wife was considering. That or just a bit thinner in the "stacking". She basically wanted a 3D effect to break up all the smooth surfaces. The cabinets are flat panel with bead details, so there are a lot of those.

We aren't playing up the green in the SS much. We already have some really bold colors in the room (Cherry Le Crueset pots, blue tablecloth, yellow walls, big Pates Baroni poster).

And I agree that too much stone would seem too rustic. We were looking for a french / country / whimsical kind of feel. If you've ever been to Circo in New York or Las Vegas -- that kind of thing with a home-cook twist. It's going to be a tough style to pull off, but so far things seem good and coming together. I just don't want to ruin it in the end with the wrong backsplash.

Thanks again.
Anthony

i'm really groovin' on some of the colorful B/S posted by LWO and boxer. Anyway, how about something like this available by Stone and Pewter Accents. It's their Falling Water stone. I thought of it immediately when you referenced exactly the look you want. It comes in a variety of tones. I'm posting the 2 I get the feel you want. Below is the link for all the options.
Desert Gold:

Here is a link that might be useful: stone and pewter accent falling water

Sounds crazy but I'd eschew the stone entirely (overdone and not the right texture) and go with a deep red in glass tile or sheet glass:

Here is what I did with my cherry cabs, soapstone counters. The space is very small. I set the herringbone tile myself. I kind of liked the idea of the inverse of the soapstone too.