When we were shopping for backsplash tile we were told 4x4 was standard for a backsplash - which I thought was giant. We didn't look at anything bigger than 2 inches tall. We are doing a small kitchen so I thought the scale of things should be small - we kept cab doors on the uppers in the main L all under 15 in width for the same reason. All that to say I'm not sure what the size of your kitchen is but I think the scale of the tile looks good (and I like the combo). I'm helping my Mom do her kitchen and she had the same concern about small tile and the grout and the sales person (bless her - though she refused to show us any of the unglazed tile I wanted to see - she said it was unsuitable for a backsplash) told her that with the new grouts she shouldn't worry that they clean up very easy and resist staining - without needing to be sealed. I like a bit more backsplash but that is very personal. I like the shorter one along the window combined with your paint (which is a gorgeous colour) but might consider a full backsplash for the run behind the stove - particularly if the run behind the stove ends in a corner on the other side and you don't have to do any edging. You have done a great job so I would trust your judgement (though like you I find it helpful to have a bit of feedback first). Good luck!

I have a similar question five years later: Is the 4" matching back splash now out of style? And how long will it stay out of style? Doubt that it would be possible to get a full matching back splash 14 years after the home was built. I am considering removing the 4" back splash and going with a complementary tile or, perhaps, a colorful wallpaper. Thoughts as to how long the short back spash will stay out of style? (I'm old enough to remember bell bottoms - the first time they were in style.)

Agreeing with others, but want to add. Not only is backsplash choice last, but it also should not be chosen until after everything else is installed. Everything looks entirely different after it is installed, and if you choose your backsplash before that, you will make a mistake. Don't worry about not having your GC still available for the backsplash after everything else is installed. You will actually get a better backsplash installation if you hire a tile installer yourself. Remove the backsplash from the GC's scope of work, and hire someone yourself later to install it.

Thanks all. I ended up tiling around the window, but stopping underneath the top shelf and at the same level on the other side so that it was symmetrical and framed the window. I felt tiling above the cabinets would have been too much and I even changed the design from herringbone to this stacked soldier pattern last minute because I thought it might have been too busy with my Taj Mahal countertops, which should be the star. The tile is from Emil Group and is called Totallook Blanco Matte and Blanco Lux. Just google and I'm sure you can find a store near you. I chose to do 75% matte and 25% glossy for a bit of pop, but not too much. Way too many decisions every day!!!