Tough one! I do love seeing something different than all the white subway tile. Although white is safe/traditional and also looks nice.. But the pop of blue looks great. My first thought was, your counters aren't that busy so you could certainly pull off the blue penny round.. Then I saw it installed and it does look rather busy...

I love the pop of color but maybe not penny round. I should mention, I put penny round in my powder room and regret it sometimes. It's a lot of grout...

I forgot to mention, if penny round isn't installed PERFECTLY then it's very easy to spot the seams... Here's an older bathroom post-

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2329183/seams-on-penny-rounds

I love it and think it would be perfect for your backsplash. Color is good.

I've seen blue tile with marble-look quartz in photos and I don't like the combination. Marble is elegant and timeless where blue tile is kind of fun, casual, and contemporary. That penny round reads "pool" to me. Even if you were to use a blue subway tile, I'd use a solid white quartz. I don't think you can go wrong with a white or light gray tile with marble.

Although I love the idea of color, I fear the size and shape are an issue. Experiment with different shapes and shades.

Wondering if you might be happier with something with less grout? The pennies are so small that the grout becomes as much of a focal point as the tile does. There won't be any grout fading into the background there.

The tile also appears very organic to me and the counter as the opposite. I think I'm having the same feeling mayflowers is talking about the feel not matching.

Young House Love did a pale green/gray penny round in a kitchen (white cabinets and counters). I always liked the way it came out. You don't necessarily need a lot of dramatic color to make a statement if you are concerned out the blue.

http://www.younghouselove.com/2012/01/how-to-install-penny-tile-and-lots-of-it/

I always am drawn to penny rounds, but I can always see the seams. It would drive me crazy. I do like the pic above, but I see the seams.

I love the idea of adding color, and I actually really like pennyrounds, but I'm wondering whether you've considered using blue subway tiles. They can be gorgeous with quartz.

I really like a lot of the tile that is currently for "pools" -simply fabulous colors- these pennies do come across that way.

Your countertop is not too busy from what I can see so you can get away with a "busier" backsplash and a more colorful one. Not everything needs to be white on white or gray on gray. :)

If you match the grout to the outer edge of the tiles, I think it will look stunning.

Thank you all for the comments and opinions. I sensed it may not be the perfect match but others have been telling us it'll be too white otherwise. We were drawn to the penny round immediately since it's colorful and different (for our area). It would definitely bug me to see the seams. Overall, the house will be transitional with greige walls and navy blue accents.

I really like the first blue tile eam44 posted. I'm very open to a subway tile in a color or a light neutral besides white.

There's a thread on here from 2015 called Viatera Minuet. Several people used mosaic or busy backsplashes. Go look and see how you like them. It should come up on a search.

What is your tile budget in $/SF?

Is this the thread?

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2669122/viatera-minuet

Another similar thread...

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/lg-minuet-counters-with-marble-backsplash-dsvw-vd~3320563

It appears the counters have more movement and may compete with a busy backsplash like the blue penny round. What about a white subway tile in a herringbone pattern? Or should we stick with a more traditional layout?

eam44-I think under $20 would be ideal. We aren't bound to that though.

I love Fireclay Tile. It's all handmade and the glazes are gorgeous. Samples are five for $5 with additional samples for $2 a piece.

Their Foundations line is $15/SF for 3" X 6" subways and several other sizes. Both Moonshine and Nickel have blue tones, and are very pretty.

one of the grey blues I love with a passion is called Nautical. It's over budget at $28/SF. Here it is installed.

And here is Loch Ness installed ove a counter similar to yours. A little dark, but very pretty.

I love the blue color but I personally don't like penny round tile. Seeing the seams would bother me. That much grout is a negative, I want to see the beautiful tile not that grout. I agree look at some of the blue subways.

Yes, that's the thread. Very busy with small tile. The dark gray subway one person used seems a little off in undertone too. Was herringbone your first love but you switched to blue when friends said the kitchen would be too white?

Eam, don't you think Moonshine and Nickel might read baby blue? There's also Oyster Shell, which has a slight blue-green undertone.

Have you seen Penny Rounds in person? I always loved them and wanted to use them in a space until I found myself in a bathroom that used them. Gave me vertigo so badly I couldn't wait to get out of there. I have no idea why they affect me that way but they do.

All along we planned for a white backsplash. While out browsing for tile one day, I ran across a blue/green penny round on a sample board and really liked it. When we went to another tile store we found this one. We considered a white quartz but ruled that out. I think the opinions of some friends/family are causing us to question our decision. There will be plenty of color in other things in the room.

I really like the blue backsplashes but it may just not be right for this kitchen. We'll keep looking and wait for the counter to go in before making a decision. Thank you all.