Although it looks intricate as hell, the herringbone is very simply, a brick joint pattern with every other tile turned on its side. Look at the pattern for a minute. You'll see that first the horizontal tiles look like steps, with each step being exactly a 1/2 tile advanced from the last. Then comes the vertical tiles doing the same thing. Then back to the horizontal tiles, and so on. Once you get going with it, it's really not as complicated as it looks. The only disadvantage is that your grout joint is predetermined by the tile size. If you lay two tiles longways side by side right next to a single tile cappling the ends of the two tiles, move the first two so their long edge is flush with either end of the capping tile. Whatever you have for a joint between the two tiles is what you're going to use for a grout joint throughout the floor. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Ok, we're talking about you finding a solution for 2 years. You already have the tile, you like it on the wall with your fireplace, and the same color paint is next to it there. Your main goal is function and sellability. I think that tile will do the job for you, even if there are other ideas that might be good options. This is the one you've already paid for, and that's a big consideration in a two year forecast. I would say use the tile and enjoy the ease of wiping down your backsplash. It sounds like in your house, a tile backsplash will be an upgrade in selling, and it obviously matches everything. I agree that the amount of space you have between your counter and upper cabinets should determine if a running bond works in the situation or not. I prefer the running bond, but if there's not room for it, do the diagonal. It will visually raise the height between the two cabinets. Don't worry! The tile will be functional and sellable. Like you said, when you live in a more permanent home, you can make a more permanent choice rather than one based on resale.

oh, thank you! the tile was in stock so it was just about a week to come from their warehouse to the tile store where I picked it up. I had the tiles butted right up to each other so the grout lines are as small as can be, maybe 1/8". I think I used TEC Birch for the grout... was going for a bit of a cream/gray combo to pull in the cream steaks in the counters/tile and gray in the stainless appliances. It is a fairly glossy tile with a crackle finish. I will post some closer up pics below:

kudzu9: I plan to use the 7" black hex tile with a grey grout, and 3"x 6" white subway tile with a white grout. Overall, my bathroom is on a much smaller scale than the inspiration. I won't have the black trimmed glass shower enclosure or the fabulous sink. I plan to paint my door black, and have acacia wood accents. Cabot and Rowe: I did read about the 50% offset problem and would ask that the tiles just be staggered at a 33% offset if I went with the running bond. What made me turn to houzz for answers is that I was worried that I might choose something too particular to my taste. Most people I know seem to always choose the running bond pattern, so it was making me second guess myself. If the hive mind of houzz says stacked, then stacked it is!