anap2400 - We went with a sonoma tile. I think it is stellar penthouse crackle in a 3x9. Here are the pictures. My inclination would have been more contrast with the countertop/tile, but the decorator convinced me that I wanted contrast with the upper cabinets and the tile and I think she was right. You really see the backsplash tile when looking from across the room -- you don't see it when you are looking at the countertop (like in the 2nd) picture.

Original Poster Update I've finally made a decision on cashmere carrara quartz countertop (MSI) and Masia Gris Claro tiles. I'm hesitant about the cashmere carrara because the photos I have seen vary so much and the sample is so small... If anyone has some real-life photos of the cashmere carrara countertop, I'd really love to see them. They are coming to do the templates in two days so I'd still have time to change my mind. Thanks!

lmao. what Jan said! Although, I had to help out my guys who did my herringbone wood floor. it's the starting point where everyone gets messed up. after that, it's simple. Look up how to properly start a herringbone layout and read it. you need to use a speed square at the end of your tile in order to get the proper middle starting point. much easier to illustrate than trying to write it out here. This is how I showed my guys how to start it. see the blue tape w/the two lines? you have to start on the middle after you mark your corner. that's the only way you will get perfect even cuts on both ends. this is how most do it, and it's not correct IF you want perfectly symmetrical left/right borders. All he's done is set the corner of the tile on the line. doing it like this will leave you w/one side smaller than the other: see how the sides of the window don't match? this is what you don't want. your tile guy should be doing a dry layout in order to determine where he starts so he doesn't get this look or these tiny triangles. Again,,,see how the ends don't match below? the right has longer tiles than the left edge. that's because of the way he started his first tile. And don't do these vertical tiles for your edging. get proper bullnose tiles, pencil liner or a Schluter edge. This is a layout board of my herringbone for my shower. took a few hours in order to get this almost perfect. since this was an odd size, and the tiles were even at 3x12, it couldn't be perfect. the right bottom corner triangle is the only portion that doesn't match. luckily, it's not readily visible! Even the subway tiles are perfectly matched. this layout took hours to get exact, even around the niche. 2x6your 3x9 will be 1/3 larger. 3x9 is a good size for a backsplash. this is a regular 3x6. again, a 3x9 will give you 1/3 longer.

I just finished a budget friendly kitchen update (No backsplash as of yet). I had very similar oak cabinets that I purchase new door fronts and drawer fronts, removed the cabinet above the stove, and added a pantry hutch style cabinet. I painted all the frames and doors/drawers myself, husband installed all the doors, hardwares, and new cabinets. It turned out awesome and IMO (doesnt look like a do it yourself project) and neighbors, friends, and family agree (maybe biased IDK). SO depending on your budget, there is nothing wrong with using your existing cabinets if they are in good condition and the layout is functional. My kitchen does not appear to be as large as yours, however, with new cabinet doors/fronts, hardware, new 6' long by 70" height pantry hutch, sink, faucet, quartz counters I spent just shy of $9,000. My doors/fronts and new cabinets were from a custom cabinet maker, which by the way, was less then stock cabinets of similar style at a box store. This is not my dream kitchen, but the kitchen that fit in the existing space in a nice home that I plan on selling and custom building in the next 4 to 5 yrs. If you think you may want to go this route and would like information on paint used, I'd be happy to share more info. If budget is not a concern and you want a different layout... Start fresh