I know people do this all the time and have no problem with it, but using real marble in the backsplash is just going to make your beautiful counters look fake. I think color is a great idea. Search for images that you have seen and liked - do a google search for white cabinets and your counters and see what's out there that makes you weak in the knees!

Great advice! And I did do a search and found some ones I love, but problem is even though I dig deep, I can't find the brand/name! Drives me crazy.

Well, why not post them here. We are great at finding tile. Post images of your space too, and if you can give us an idea of your tile budget in $/SF that would be very helpful.

My builder said I need about 60 sq.ft. of tile - seems like a lot - and I'm need to look up what he's charging to install it. So I think I'd like to stay around $20ish. Here are some that I like:

My counters are Aurea Paragon - which is so new I can't find one picture on the web in real life of it to share.

At least two of those tiles look like crackle tiles by Encore Ceramics - they are very popular on this site, and generally sell for $35/SF, so they're out of budget. You can absolutely find something similar to that taupe-y grey in the middle. I love Fireclay Tile and they have an Express Series of glazes that begin at $15/SF for 3"x6" subway tiles and a few other shapes. Included among those glazes are two of my favorites, French Linen, and Gardenia (below). Take a look, they're really all beautiful. I was reminded recently that there are shipping charges associated with these tiles, so keep that in mind.

I have a few samples here - problem is I love the look of varying color - like darker on the ends - not sure if getting that is out of my budget. Yes the middle one is my favorite so far.

What samples do you have?

If you like the color variation in the glaze, you can search for that in the Fireclay Search Tool, or you can mix two similar tiles and create variation on your own. All handmade tiles are going to have some of that variation. If you like the crazing, the cracked glaze, you can wait fifty years for your glaze to crack, or go over budget. It's hard to find a crazed tile in the $15-35 price range, but it's doable.

Jenny- your inspiration photos look like my tiles, which are Fireclay crackle. A bit more than your budget, but not by much.

Excellent tile. Handmade, unique and gives a gorgeous melange from each tile being one of a kind.

https://www.fireclaytile.com/

Jenny - Can you post pictures of the space?

mihilene - I really like both your pre and post grout pictures! Great tile variation. Edited to add that the windows add such interest!

Your second pic is Encore Silver Crackle. You can get that color in their Quick Shipment Collection in 2"x 6" or 3" by 8" field tiles. The Quick Ship is less expensive than than the other colors in the Crackle Collection. I have Encore Silver - there is variation in the glaze movement & variation in the color range. I ordered a couple extra square feet so I could have more of the silvery tiles & less of the taupey ones.

Different lighting:

Here's an old GW thread about many other manufacturers of hand glazed tile.

Hand Glazed Tile

These are very pretty-the screen image doesn't even come close to describe it. The variation is pretty amazing yet subtle. They have matte and gloss. These are around 30$ per sq f (in subway shape)-but they give 30% contractor discount, so you'll get them in 20 plus range.

60 feet is A LOT though..will still be thousands of dollars. And shipping, yes.

http://www.annsacks.com/products/tile-stone-mosaic/stoneware-elements-field-tile-made-by-ann-sacks#/stoneware-elements-rectangle-field

significantly cheaper collection, less choice, less variation..yet still great quality, very nice tile. they have a crackled one or two there. You get 30% off as well.

http://www.annsacks.com/products/tile-stone-mosaic/davenport-field-tile#/davenport-rectangle-field

almost all the rest of their ceramics are much higher price range..They also don't make everything themselves-they sell many collections by others too.

Walker Zanger Grammercy Park Pipesmoke

Crestedge · More Info

Jeffrey Court Enchanted Shadow 3"x12"

45th Symphony Designer's Showhouse Kitchen · More Info

Gulfstream Glossy 2"x6"

Greenhaven Road Rye NY Shingle Style · More Info

Greenhaven Road Rye NY Shingle Style · More Info

Very beautiful, Walker Zanger..love them too(well I love many lol)..now couldn't find the price info?

Have a look at Sonoma Tilemakers Stellar line. Lots of colors, including crackles. I have Creamy Crackle and the crackling is subtle. You have to get up really close to see it, but it lends interest. I bought mine in 2012 and it was approx. $12/sf. It might be slightly more now, but still within your budget.

oh i remember that line! I was into Dulce de Leche I think..but there are so many nice ones..

i think it's more expensive now, yes, also there was a very long wait on these when we were inquiring-8 weeks or so? well many of handmade tiles take a long time to be made, shipped, delivered..summer is an extremely busy time though(we were inquiring in summer, about these specific tiles)-maybe it's shorter in winter..

also we really had to wrap up the remodel..and we needed tile for a final inspection(not a backsplash).

in the very beginning, we waited for 6 weeks, 8 weeks, whatever it took.

I actually have a sample of Sonoma in Lychhee crackle and it's my first choice right now! Except it's $28 sf. :(

Have you seen the waterworks pumice tile? really pretty but I don't know the pricing info

Our Projects: Kitchens · More Info

At some point we all have to face the chasm between what we want and what we can afford. You either break the budget, or (and I've gotten good at this) change your mind. Remember, it's not that long ago you were going to use white subway tile. Now you want a beige crackle tile. How about a pretty, hand-made, beige tile instead? This is Sonoma Tile's Lychee:

Just prioritize your needs, financial, glaze color and variation, handmade vs. machine made, and crazing. You can find crazed tile at Home Depot and Lowes as well, for $8-10/SF. Who says you need handmade tile? Daltile makes one of these, and they make fantastic tile. If you decide you need an affordable crackle tile, you'll be able to find one there, with a little less choice in glaze color, but still, it's an option to consider if crackle is what makes your heart sing.

another thought..we have a boutique chain of stores here (family owned) that offer many lines of most tiles mentioned here, and many more...the Mecca of great tiles..the difference-they do provide you with 30% off designer/contractor discount, on any tile...so it's worth buying through them, as they have hundreds of samples, the service is impeccable, and the said discount helps.

Maybe you have similar, dedicated mostly to very fine tiles, stores where you live at?

"Who says you need handmade tile?"-that's a very existential question...)))

Okay, I think I narrowed it down! I decided to go with a 3 x 6 subway tile size with and arabesque tile above the cook top/range. I'm debating between the marble (although my counter is quartz - so I hope that would look okay), and the hand glazed tiles crackle tiles by Pratt & Larson Ceramics. What do you think?

Pratt & Larson..(afraid to think of the price-but then mine is a mosaic..from when I was young and naive just starting remodeling..) but what is arabesque tile/ It's different right? First one is marble, second ceramics? The ceramic one looks a bit different on my screen...in comparison to the subway..looks like a warm white while 3 by 6 s are cooler light gray..with a bit of blue in it. My monitor? Or they are that different?

If they are different-I'd either look for the same, or go without arabesque..changing shape is enough a statement..if changing both shape and color-can be done but it's probably not what you're going for..in terms of style

Marble looks nice, but I wouldn't put real stone next to the artificial one

The arabesque is the shape of tile - but I neglected to say they would be the same color/glaze, that's just all they had for me to take home as a sample. It's $38 sf.

Marble bs with faux marble counters is not my favorite look, but people do it all the time.

Look at the tile vertically, against your counters in your own light to get the best feel for how it will look. Don't forget to post a reveal!

ah, got it

(I meant "what color is the arabesque?" sorry had a crazy day, so i start omitting words lol

If u want crackle, there is a line I found that is very inexpensive but has limited color options. It's called Highland Park. I think it is like $8 to $10 sq ft and they have that arabesque shape

Jenny, what tile did you decide on - I'd love to see a reveal.

Also does anyone have a price point on the Pratt and Larson tile and what colors are in the photo?

Does anyone know how much color variation (within a color) there is for Sonoma Stellar crackle tile? I have a sample (ecru) and was told there is variation among pieces, but the two sample pieces I was shown don't vary much, so I can't tell... I do want variation.

@romy718 you seem to be great at knowing tile backsplashes. Do you happen to know this? I can't find any info anywhere!

That could be Encore Truffle Crackle Glaze.

I'm very late to this party, but I'm looking for a pix of Sonoma Lychee tile (part of their Stellar collection.) Are any of the pix posted here Lychee? For instance, one of the first three at the top? Thanks!