I used white grout with an additive (can't remember what it was called) to reduce grout staining-so far no stains. I also chose a machine made tile to reduce the grout line size because I preferred a more monochromatic look. Here is the link. Here is a link that might be useful: White subway white grout

I have an antique white paint on the walls which have a warm almost yellow hue to them for warmth and to tie in with the counters. I was thinking gray because I like the look without grout (shadowed) which appears gray. Also my home is old so I like the idea of having some of the materials appear original if possible. The sanded grout from TEC says it is ok for 1/16 on the back if the bag?? My concern is the glaze on the surface of the tile. I'd hard to mess if up now that its stuck to my wall! My appliances are SS and the counters do have gray in them as well, which is very hard to see in thick picture, sorry. Is there any benefits to choosing sanded or unsanded vs the other if both are ok? I always thought unsanded for less than 1/8 too, but the manufacturer disagrees.

I am going to take pictures and upload them later today - headed over there right now - but my builder is suggesting using the 3x6 bullnose on the long edge and running it perpendicular. I know that is how this is usually done in a bathroom but what about a backsplash? Our counters are L shaped with the fridge at one end so this is only an issue at one end (the open one). The other option would be to use another one of their options for trimming it out on the end, like a molding of some sort, but I don't know that they would have one that would work. Any thoughts? Do people usually just run one edge of perpendicular bullnose? I guess theoretically that could be cut down to a super skinny bullnose but that may look even worse. Or a pencil liner???? I am at a loss. Here is a link that might be useful: Cappricio trims and moldings

Quick update for anyone who might care or finds themselves in a similar situation... I ordered some more matte finish tiles to play with and while playing I thought I would grab some of the leftover tiles I already have and try it with the grout I had bought at Lowe’s which was Mapei Flexcolor CQ in pearl gray. Well needless to say the crackle issue did not appear at all. So I’m assuming it was the unsanded grout that was recommended to me when I ordered the tile that was the problem? The Mapei grout that I used does not specify sanded or unsanded but there are no visible lines after grouting with it.