Here are some ideas to either add or cross out :) I LOOOVE your first pic, exactly what I like too, lots of contrast with warmth and b/w/natural tones combo.

I like all of those. None jump out at me and say 'I’m super cool ad unique' but I think I could live with any of them.

Fireclay has a collection of handprinted black and white tile. Here are a few.

Ann Sacks Beau Monde tile is a collection of stone mosaic. I believe you can mix and match different stones to get something in a black and white pattern. Here are a few.

I love the more simple ones! But OUCH! Expensive :(

Just throwing this out there. A lot of companies are selling fabric textured tiles. I pulled this quick from Heritage Tile as an example but I think there's a fair range of choices.

The fabric texture is very interesting! I will have to think about that. I completely fits the look I am after.

Here's an 2014 post from Remodelista showing the Commune Collection at Exquisite Surfaces.

Remodelista post

Here's the link to the collection at Exquisite Surfaces. Sorry, spelled it wrong in the link text. You can go there directly, obviously.

Commune Design Tiles at Exquidite Surfaces

Here's a photo of tiles from just one part of the collection. The others are even stronger graphics. I didn't download any of the catalogues to look at pricing but it wasn't bad in 2014.

Enlarge the picture of this one; it looks like wood.

https://www.flooranddecor.com/porcelain-ceramic-decoratives/art-grille-matte-ceramic-tile-100427228.html#prefn1=color&prefv1=Beige&start=28

Barncatz, I love, love, love the Navajo python! Now to find the cost and if I can get it.

I hadn’t thought about a wood look tile, but now that some are suggesting it, I think it totally fits. Definitely need to consider it.

Oh good! Zuni python? I loved them all. I found another one on sale from tilebar for 10.00 sq foot; thought it was perfect, but then realized they were 17" x 17".

Please keep us updated. Love the direction you're headed.

This one.

http://xsurfaces.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-uzVBRDkARIsALkZAdlFeOc9fSBBUR_BSLlDC8_arEXd1Uq7ntECehoN55b2e3_OSXFlpH8aApOtEALw_wcB#/collection?category=4-Tile&collection=149-Commune&selection=333-Navajo

What’s your tile budget in $/sf?

I only need to cover about 22sf. I’d like to keep material costs at $400.

Here's wood-look floor tile used as a backsplash. I like it but don't think it would work with your butcher block, at least not in white.

Florim USA Charleston White Wood Look Porcelain Flooring Wall Tile · More Info

Karen, it's gorgeous. I also agree with mayflowers ^^. And I really hope the Navaho Python works.

While you're checking it out, here's another one. I have a sample of this for my mudroom floor. It's from Tilebar and only $7.65 sq/ft.

I think a shiny black subway tile with an off white grout would be awesome. Maybe stacked.

I also love those Commune Design Tiles.

Barncatz, that one is fun. I think it has a midcentury mod feel to it. I have a thing for geometry, so it definitely appeals to me. I need a tile for my entry floor too, so I may be able to work a couple of these options in. I was thinking of using of these for the entry.

I rarely (if ever) see anyone mention Red Tile Works (they are in Nashville) but they have some interesting and 'different' options. https://www.redrocktileworks.com/

Wow! How cool are these! Thanks for sharing. I just love seeing these unique tiles. I wonder if this is the tile shop that was featured on Masters of Flip?

Argh. The Navajo python is $25psf. It’s sold in boxes of 12. I need 4 boxes, which is $500, so it’s over my budget :(

Thoughts on this one? I think the terra cotta brings in the warm natural tones in addition to the black and white.

Hi Karen,

Is that one Merola? How are the reviews? I think you should buy one, make some colored photo copies of it, and tape those up. Think about where any cuts would fall on the tile face; you may end up buying more than you expect to get the stars placed well on the wall.

I think a tile that has some tonal variation and no pattern might also be a possibility.

Barncarz, that is a fabulous idea!

Look at Cle Tiles, their Zellige line.

Ha! I was just looking at those terra cotta tiles last night!

I love the Adama line from http://tabarkastudio.com/tile-collections/rue-des-rosiers/

How about a glass subway tile in a color? Here is one example

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/qma-margate-nj-new-custom-beach-block-residence-beach-style-kitchen-philadelphia-phvw-vp~3380440[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/qma-margate-nj-new-custom-beach-block-residence-beach-style-kitchen-philadelphia-phvw-vp~3380440)[https://www.houzz.com/photos/beach-house-renovation-beach-style-kitchen-providence-phvw-vp~4632356[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/beach-house-renovation-beach-style-kitchen-providence-phvw-vp~4632356)

Oh wow! Thank you so much for those! I have no idea how you did that, but that is cool! You might have the tile just a bit big, but your scale is real close.

Oldbat, could you please photoshop a black tile in for Karen? Or maybe a black in a shape? My first thought was a black matte tile. Simple and dramatic and it reminds me of her inspiration pic. Plus with a plain tile she won't get tired of it as quickly.

The matte glaze and subtle dimension were what I liked about those first tiles I posted from Exquisite Surfaces. I think the white tiles in that photo with the carved out diagonal line that reveals the red clay body look like Karen's inspiration photo (which looks like our bedroom, :) ). I think they could be worked into a gorgeous pattern.

Im really drawn to the matte finish too. Now I am thinking about about white matte tile with a shape, maybe diamond? With a gray grout. Then adding wood decor items like wooden canisters and a beautiful wood cutting board. Or something like this but with black, white and gray.

Have you gone tile-shopping yet? There is no substitute for being in a well-stocked tile store and holding the tile in your hands. Even I, who has been tile-obsessed for the past five years and who has looked at thousands of tile photos, find a different perspective in the store than when I look at photos online.

Yes. Been shopping. Home improvement stores to designer showrooms. Even had a decorator to my house twice to bring in samples.

mayflowers is right on. Go shopping & bring home a handful of samples.

Those Moroccan (Cle) tiles.....

Appartement vintage à Montreuil · More Info

Appartement vintage à Montreuil · More Info

Could you post a photo of the rest of the kitchen? It's a pretty modest traditional style kitchen from what I can see from that one photo. That wall will not be your focal point.

I would not choose black tile for your space, especially not handmade, irregular, shiny tile. I also wouldn’t let a tile that I love go because its total materials cost is $100 over budget. The time you’re spending looking for other options is worth at least that much!

Dont get me wrong, there are plenty of reasons not to use that tile, but if it’s the $100 that’s turned you off you should reconsider. I do like the Merola tile a lot.

Stylistically your choices are pretty far afield. Your inspiration image is sort of “Out of Africa” meets Bombay Company. Just choosing a tile that is either black, white, or both isn’t going to get you that feel. Some of the options you’re considering lack that earthiness of the woven basket, table, rug, and that pillow that is some sort of hide. You might consider bringing an earthy color or texture to the tile. It’s also a good thing to keep scale in mind. You have very little space for tile once the microhood is installed.

Here is a picture of the whole kitchen. The pendant lights haven’t been installed yet, among other things that still need finished.

Eam44, you captured my ideas perfectly. I really am looking for something with an earthy feel. I like the bottom 2 pictures you posted. I like the funky shape of the white tiles, but. Don’t like the shininess. I like the earthy tones of the bottom one, but it doesn’t have funkiness I am after. I am going to look for something with those colors though.

Karen - What did you end up choosing? cp - sorry, somehow I missed your request :)

Nothing yet. Still looking. But something like this is in the lead.

finally got it installed this week.

Gorgeous! Unique choice. So this is Mercury Mosaics handpainted tile? I'm curious, as I'm also looking for backsplash tile, if you were able to keep your materials cost within your $400 budget for 22 square feet as hoped?

Awww well, it was soooo worth it1 Thanks for the input.

wow that is so very cool!

Karen, thanks for posting. It's gorgeous! I may be biased because I also used three shades of Mercury Mosaics tile - 2 x 6 installed in a square herringbone. I never tire of looking at my tile and I'm sure you'll love yours just as much.