I'm shopping for subway tile now and this thread was very helpful- thanks to all! Let me apologize in advance for the following ramble... if there's anyone else doing a remodel with subway tile perhaps this will be of interest. Mine is actually for a bathroom but the color discussion in this thread is so relevant, I hope it is still on topic enough. Now to decide not only whether it's Home Depot gloss white (US Ceramic, I think... though since we started shopping I think they are transitioning to selling a cheap version of Daltile only instead - which is fine that might work for us too. They no longer carry the US Ceramic we originally sampled in the store by us... though they do online). So... HD US Cermic Gloss white vs. Arctic White Daltile vs. Arctic White Matte Daltile vs. their slightly offwhite version. This is for a bathroom, pretty much floor to ceiling on 3 walls, with polished stainless steel and chrome fixtures, and ikea plain white cabinets (Applad doors - not quire as white and shiny as their ulta-mod Abstrakt). The Daltile HD option is a good one because it is 1/3 inch deep, which means it will match the depth of the carrera marble accent tiles we are thinking of using. It's actually hard to find anything but really common/cheap (and cold/too modern even for us) glass tile to match the 1/4 inch depth of the cheapest US Ceramic 22cent tiles that we thought we would use. I welcome any opinions/thoughts/advice/experiences... Has anyone used matte subway tiles? How do they compare in looks overall to gloss? To be honest I thought the matte finish might make it look LESS cold and sterile. My dad (the tile guy) thinks using subway tile and chrome is going to make my bathroom look like a gas station... I think the marble accent tiles (3x6 carrera hampton pillow top from TileShop is what we're leaning towards) will warm it up just enough. They are just a little visual interest for a border band around the middle of the wall all around the room. Also, the accents in the room are teak wood - the shower drain grill which is the length of the shower pan floor, the shower seat, and probably the shower mat and waste bin, etc. etc. Which also warms it up! Finally, I will be installing a crystal light fixture on the wall facing you when you walk in, to warm up the light in the room, provide some sparkling and "shadow interest". I am hoping the white tile, polished finishes, marble, crystal and teak will all harmonize well! I also hope putting marble and crystal accents in our second bathroom in our 50s postwar suburban bungalow won't be too high-minded an d out of keeping with the house... We are trying to be subtle and keep things in line. The rest of the basement model uses harmonizing and quality finishes... the upstairs has basic nice elements, hardwood floors, quality furnishings --transitional style-- but nothing as high quality as the work we are doing ourselves in the basement. Hopefully the handsome but mundane subway tile will bring down the tone enough to make it in keeping with rest of the house :)... Nicole Nicole

Your kitchen is very open and inviting. It all blends together nicely. I like your countertop with your cabinets and BS. The glass cabinets are lovely. I'd like to ask if the muntin are in the glass cabinets line up well with the shelves? It appears so in your case. How are the muntins attached to the glass? Thank you very much and thanks for posting.

Hi eam44, I've looked at hundreds upon hundreds of white kitchen cabinets. And very few of them have non-white backsplashes. So, I guess I was hoping to find some inspiration images through this post. We are building our home, so we have to pick our options or upgrade to options not provided by the builder. I don't want to spend a lot on tiles b/c we've pretty much upgraded everything else in the kitchen and just want the tiles to accent, but not stand out, so as to not compete against our 90" x 60" walnut island countertop. So, I'm looking for tiles to add warmth, but not add attention. Oh, but there are so many beautiful tiles at glasstileoasis.... Thanks.

I'm with Daisychain - just say no to 3 stones in one kitchen. Alaska White is a beautiful granite. It will be the star. Both of the backsplash tiles you pictured would be wrong. The one on the right because it is busy, and also a dated look. The one on the left cause it would be stone #3 in your kitchen, and because its veining going in different directions with each tile will not go with your granite. I recommend a quiet cream subway backsplash. Not only will go, but also is a classic. Not everything in your kitchen needs to be splashy and statement-y. Keep that in mind with all your choices.