Thank you pllog! According to my admittedly limited research, white subway tiles were primarily what was used during 1913 (not colored tiles just yet), or else white or cream-colored wainscoting. I know the colorful tile was used on fireplace faces though, as is the case on ours - but I think the whole sterile kitchen and bathroom look was going on in 1913 (?). I know my house originally had it cause not only is 2x6 white subway tile in the original bathroom upstairs, but the previous owners, who I am friends with, remember it having been in the house at one time. The previous owner now in her 80's moved in with her parents in the '40's when she was a teenager. There was only one family that lived in the house before them, which is kind of neat to know. I'd love to find out more about them someday if possible. All that said, if I had the time further to obsess (I'm already taking LOADS of time away from my kids to obsess over every detail that I am already!), and the eye/confidence/creativity, or a designer, and the money, I'd do something much more fun and much more "me" in a NY heartbeat. But alas, I don't. Maybe someday. The following cut/paste link is to absolutely inspiring backsplashes, which you'd probably love: http://finishedbacksplashes2.blogspot.com/ It would be impossible for me to do if the tile were to get up to $100/SF. How did you come up w/ that calculation? Oh dear - I'd better do the math again! I was told that by going to a fabricator with big machinery, it wouldn't take that long at all for a back splash my size - but that was just one person who said that; he could have been wrong. One consideration for a backup plan for me has been white or off-white minibrick. I think with a non-matching grout - e.g. a noncommittal but darker sand color (sand having both tan and grey in it?), all those little lines would be more interesting w/ the stainless than the bigger subway tile (or, maybe that would also be the case w/ standard 2x6 tile w/ darker grout?). I wish I could find the link I've lost to ceramic minibrick (if that's the word for it) that's attractive to me. I imagine they didn't have that size in 1913 though (does anyone know?) but it's still a nice classic look. If I find it on my other computer I'll post it! I've looked at Thassos which does seem too white. The in-person samples of calcutta are too grey from a distance (I don't want it to match my stainless counter so precisely) but yes I have time to keep looking. I also still pine for the Walker Zanger lightly crackled and glazed 2x6 tile I was all excited about when I thought I would do a honed black counter. haven't ruled that out completely, but it's $25/SF. Thanks!

You can remove it. You might just have to do some patching. We just removed all of the tiles on our fireplace and it took a great deal of the drywall with it. We just cut out some drywall and placed in the spots that needed it and then bought those patches they sell at Home Depot or Lowes. You can just throw those up and then put a spackle type product on top and then you can add the backsplash. My boyfriend and I did it all in a matter of hours. Not too terrible.

Thank you both so much! These both help me to decide that Biscuit it is! Rhome410 - Following your link to the other photos was especially helpful because I was also afraid I would lose some of the shine that I think is so pretty with a whiter white subway (if that makes sense), but not so! Weedyacres, the shot of your whole kitchen helped me to see that once I paint my cabinets to match it's going to look great! Thank you both so much! Now I have 1 more question....Rhonme410, It looks like your has a slightly grey grout to enhance the tile but I'm afraid doing that will compete too much with our granite so looking to match the tile as best as I can which is what it looks like you did Weedyacres. Can you tell me what grout color you chose & brand?

Thank you Sina. Although I dislike grout or cleaning it, I’m hesitant to go with the LG full slab because, although it is the more practical route for me, it feels like a very safe (and boring ??) route. I’m not trying to be super trendy but a part of me feels it should have a little more pizzaz by adding that herringbone pattern......ahhhh. Bouncing back and forth. It doesn’t help that I haven’t seen many pictures of people using LG as a backsplash...maybe it’s not a popular decision for a reason?!?? Sorry! I’m just thinking out loud.....