Thanks avidinternet and others for your posts. I spent many hours over the last days staring and thinking. Thanks for the support that most of the options would work. The recommendation to keep to three colors has been very helpful. I was trying paint colors with slight yellow and green tones and feeling that they were not quite right. Now I realize that the real color focus is the birch cabinets (duh..) So, based on reading this post and many others, I went back to my inspirational photos (so GW :) The backsplashes sometimes introduce a new color, but work when they also pick up on at least one, often two of the main colors of the rest of the kitchen. For example, painted white and natural red birch cabinets with black countertops and a sparkly mosaic backsplash that picks up the cabinet tone, is reflective like the white and brings in a green, which is then used for a wall color. My challenge is with two different counters (though both are gray) I have to careful, especially with the movement of the island (the head cheese comment made me laugh :) Color wise, I am leaning towards BM Revere Pewter for the walls, more of a light gray/putty with a very slight green undertone but not a "color" like the others. Backsplash wise, it is either some calcatta (mosaic - hand cut or not, mini-brick or 2x4 brick) but need to determine if more white like the Statuary Calcutta, more color (Calcatta Tia) or in between (Calcatta Med brick.) I still have a soft spot for the Sand Chelsea art glass and love the triangle glass mosaic, but (1) I fear is is less "natural" then everything else I have chosen and (2) it is ridiculously priced. I have included a link to the same backsplash album, but the last two photos show the paint colors and tile colors options I am leaning toward (colorful Calcatta Tia and less colorful Calcatta), not necessarily the format of tile (yes, I think the flat octagons are too much, but I love that tile :) I did not have a sample of the more white calcatta staturario. Does anyone have thoughts on polishes versus honed on the walls? The Pietra countertops are honed and the Super White island is polished (for now, though we may change.) Thanks again for the direction, any other input appreciated. Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen Backsplash Options with Paint colors at end

you could go as high as you like. some take it up to the mirror, some stop short, some go all the way up. just depends on your design. if your tile comes in some type of liner, edging or bevel, you finish the top w/that. or you could use a Schluter edging strip,,,or the finishing could smooth the top and run a caulking bead. without seeing the tile it's hard to say. some examples. this last one is my own. since I was doing wall mount faucets, I chose to continue my countertop up about 10" or so for my splash. Plus, I had so much going on elsewhere w/the tile, I didn't want additional busy looking tile at the sink w/this counter. He used a thinner depth on it than was on the edging.

I think we are moving in the direction to do the island, perimeter counters and backs splash (all the way up the wall) in the same White Santorini Quartzite. Any feedback on this? Im sensitive to adding too many different materials into the mix. Is this too much of one thing?

We had a beadboard backsplash in our last kitchen. I found the cleaning of the little ridges and the grooves (!!), especially behind the sink, to be tedious beyond belief. A 6" soapstone backsplash would be my vote, followed by tile to the counter. If you search English kitchens, many still use the small backsplash formed from the counter material and may provide you with more visuals for your decision. Good luck!