I like #2 of those choices. The soft gray echoes the watercolor feel of the quartzite. The dark gray looks just a tad too dark. I don't care for the geometric and would not want to clean those groves behind a stove.

I like #2, with no pattern over stove.

I knew u guys would come through with good advice!

Next question: Should I tile up to ceiling over the kitchen sink or take just to the level of bottom of cabinet?

#2 all the way up

I usually like it part way up the window but can we see a pic of the entire kitchen to be sure?

Here are a few other views of kitchen :

Walls are antique white. # 2 is Italian Essenze rixi

mandorla with crackle. It's hard to determine undertone of #2 even after putting on background of white paper. Could be cream or gray, but mandorla translates to almond in English. # 1 is a definite gray (Essenze Argentina) . I like the size of # 1 and #2 which is 2.5x5.

# 3 is Sonoma stellar metro gray. Comes in 2x4 or 2x 6. This is more expensive at $27 sq ft plus shipping. Essenze (#1 and #2) is 12 sq ft/ no shipping cost.

# 4 is Vintage studio mountain mist in 3x6, plain glossy. Inexpensive tile.

Any other opinions on which tile or placement of tiles , including grout color?

I Was thinking white grout color for all choices .Thank u so much!..

I really can't tell much difference between the whites. Do the elimination test. Pick your favorite between two tiles until you get down to the last two and then pick your favorite.

I would bring the tile up to the middle of the middle pane of glass. I really don't understand tiling above a window. I like some paint to show. So consider which tile you like with your paint. If that's Sherwin Williams Antique White, the slight yellow undertone does look nice with gray. I have that paint in my stairwell and a second floor sitting area.

Guess I'll be the odd man out here. Even though I'm not the biggest fan of gray, I like #1. I like the shadings of color on it, and I think it gives a little contrast to the cabinets and counter that the others do not, and helps bring out the veining in the countertop. Depends on if you like a more monochromatic look or not. I kind of like the accent also, although I would like it in a pattern that made sense, like the block of 4 shown in gray, but that may not be the correct size to put in your space above the stove. And as someone else mentioned, do you want to clean splatter out of the grooves? The kitchen looks lovely, and am looking forward to your pictures of it finishes.

Thank you mayflowers and annac54. The # 1 tile does indeed show shading on the borders which is nice. This was our initial pick but I can't decide if I want some contrast or a monochromatic look . I decided against the accent tile. So It is between the first and second sample right now. Argghh!

Try Sonoma Penthouse for a gray. I don't think it's as dark as #1. If that's too dark, try Glacier. I think #2 is too light for a gray.

I like #4 for a white. You can use a light gray grout.

Thank you, I will try to pick up a sample of penthouse. Do installed backsplashes generally look slightly darker than an individual sample due to shadow and it being a larger area than a sample?

Here's tile samples photographed on a GWers countertop. Her samples were in crackle.

Penthouse:

Thank you mayflower!

Oh, I like the penthouse tile. After you pick the tile, you will probably want to do some sample boards to figure out the grout color. The color you pick will determine how much the tile pattern shows up and gets along with your countertop. Be sure to let them dry overnight, as the grout lightens up as it dries.

Please don't think of 'rain on your parade' but...... subway is everywhere and in 2 years it will look dated. Color will be the new mouse trap without any range accent.

I almost pulled the trigger on #2, but then saw bossy gray from sonoma tile. It is perfect. So now I need to order and wait 2 to 3 months for it to come in! It is mor expensive than # 2 but DH said " get what you want!" . Such a great husband.

I don't agree that subways will be dated. Subway tiles have been around for YEARS. They are a classic look that will hold up longer than 2 more years.

I also think that subway won't go out. It is a classic. I like your kitchen a lot and the direction you are going!