I had originally given someone leftover pieces of cherry wood from the beadboard on the hutch so he could build a frame for the tile. That never happened and the wood is long gone. So even if I bought more I'd still have to find someone to build a frame. I guess I need to visit a real frame store. Michaels' didn't have anything that would work. I don't have a camera right now and the best explanation I can give is to picture a heavy piece of cardboard cut into a frame shape and placed around any tile. It will look like it's "stuck on top of the surrounding tile" to some extent and that's also why I need a frame as thin as possible ... to minimize that effect.

Nice! If you can't contact the designer of the kitchen in the photo, you could probably make your own mix. Try Fireclay for the colors (free samples online, but if you're in the bay area, go to a showroom).

Jules, it is OK, even great, to step out there and make a statement with your backsplash. So tired of the "keep it safe subway tile thing" (although it is right for those who NEED it and in certain period homes). A backsplash can always be changed in years ahead. Our opinion is that there will be A LOT of subway tile backsplashes being replaced by homeowners of the future. Love your spirit. Don't be your neighbors. Go for it if you love it.

go w/your herringbone design. it will be fine. choose the thinner, longer tile like a 2x8, 3x9, 2x10 size. like this size. Cle basica farmhouse tile you could do a layout like this. a vertical stack, offset: The smaller mosaics will be too much. you already have the floor. pick something a bit larger for the wall. Although, this super smaller herringbone w/the matching white grout could work. It's Bedrosians this is a 2x8 chevron. these are big enough. Tilebar, Nabi harlequin chevron in 3 diff finishes of white marble Cloe tile