I must have missed these responses earlier, my apologies. Linelle - yes, I went with the went subways. I finished the tiling job yesterday and as of tonight, they will be ready for grouting. I haven't made my final decision, so I might not grout until later in the week. Will post my sample boards later Florantha - thank you for the thoughtful post. Cabs are off-white color and the trimwork molding is a bright, shiny white. I love how they are not the same. The sink is stainless and the paint is a grayish color. While I like my granite, I specifically do not like taupe for some reason (maybe too many years of living in apartments), so I wanted to play up the gray color that existed ever so slightly in the granite to de-emphasize the tan/brown in the granite. I had a budget constraint because of the construction required on this home, as well as other projects we still needed to do (attic insulation, install a fence, and new porch and sidewalk outside). We bought it for $168K and tried to stay around the 10% rule on the kitchen remodel. Of course, it ended up being just under $21K after all the construction (e,g, soffit removal, removing a door to add loads more linear feet of cabinets), new electrical wiring (suprising we didn't have a fire with as many things, including the fridge, on the same circuit), and flooring issues. As much as I would have loved to do a more expensive tile, I couldn't justify the cost at this time, especially considering the modest neighborhood we live in. White subway tiles were ultimately installed and even the darker shadow lines that exists in its pre-grouted state. I have sample boards and am leaning towards Mapei Silver right now. So I am thinking something along those lines, but am planning to do a sample board of the tans and chocolates later today to see if I prefer that too. I do agree that there needs to be something to break up the galley style as it is long stretches of walls and items. But I have to tell you, if you saw the before pictures of how crammed and inefficient (e.g. I had 5 actual cabinets that I could use), you'd see what a welcome joy the kitchen is. It feels so much larger and we love it. It is the place where I want to spend all my time. I understand it might be boring in some people's eyes, but it makes me happy and calm. I love cooking and prepping there. I plan to add in open shelves around to be able to add some dimensiosn and notice. Just haven't gotten around to building them yet.

Everyone has different tastes, so my choices will reflect mine, like teacher's reflect his. You need to figure out what you like. It can help to look at your choices on a sort of a mood board, then I think you should spend some time on houzz. Search for espresso cabinets and look at the images that come up with similar counter surfaces to yours. Just browse for a while and stop when you find an image that is beautiful to you. And it'll give you a chance to come up with a budget in $/sf. Without a budget, looking for tile is a waste of time. Here are your materials: Silestone Minerva Cream SW Jerset Cream Espresso Cabinets I really think honey onyx and shell tiles would look pretty with your colors. The tiles below are possibilities I would consider. Good luck! shell tile mosaic, around $30/sf honey onyx and Thassos marble mosaic, around $50 for a 13" x 13" sheet of tile honey onyx and Thassos marble diamonds, around $30/sf honey onyx hexagons, around $16 for a 10" x 11" sheet ceramic diamonds, $44 for a 10" x 11" sheet

Hi, I have the same combo of light cherry and soapstone. My kitchen is rather traditional. I am going with a light whitish tan 2x3 marble mosaic without any veining. My floor is too busy for any visual texture in the back splash. I have included a picture of two samples on the soapstone counter. While I LOVED the glass, I thought it was too contemporary for my kitchen. When I had the small marble taped to the wall for a few days I noted that I smiled whenever I walked into the room. So that is why I chose the marble. I have a small room and I think the small size looks fine. here are closer pics of the two tiles, the stone a smaller 2x3 (or 4?)... ... the glass a typical 3x6. I have yet to install mine. Good luck!

Of these two options, I like the lighter one too BUT, BUT, BUT and you didn't ask for this, I think long narrow glass tiles might be too trendy for your kitchen. Are you totally opposed to 3x6 matte or crackle tile that so many people are doing (yes, I know, also trendy but they are a better match for a more traditional cabinet style and color.) Or doing something with a unique shape but all one color - maybe grey? As the photoshop renders show, this backsplash will be very, very busy. All this IMHO. I don't want to hurt feelings. Perhaps I am just being too influenced by a designer's color blog that I have be devouring lately. She posted about this exact thing (linked below) and also a great one about the undertones of beige - which are either yellow, pink or green - that is what Marcolo was getting at, not just are the related beiges. http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-everyone-should-know-about-beige.html (I might add, the photo used in this blog post is none other than GW's very own Beekeeperswife's kitchen.) Here is a link that might be useful: Trendy backsplash advice from designer Maria Killam