So what you're saying is that you don't want a plain boring white rectangle offset tile, which is wise since everything else in your room is white. There are SO many choices in many different shapes, textures and colors. You can be creative with pattern--stacked, offset, herringbone. You can do square offset, arabesque, fishtail, in a dizzying array of colors and textures. Texture is a great way to add interest, I like glossy glazed brick, zelig or crackle tile. Try to find hand-made tiles which are much more interesting than the mass-produced ones in the big box stores. Go to a good tile showroom and bring home samples--these stores usually have talented designers on staff who can help you select something you love! And definitely do not rush. You can cook in a kitchen with no backsplash for as long as it takes for you to find your preferred tile. Here are some of my favorites: Zelig tile: Gray-green mottled color: Close up of zelig tile dark navy or black fishtail: Green glossy with accent on top: Another green with varying color: Square and rectangular white tile in an interesting pattern: Bright green glossy: Gray rectangle with smaller rectangles in niche: Gray rectangles with black liner: Large turquoise arabesque: gray crackle with black and beaded liner:

Is this a Daltile Quartz? I am considering it myself with white cabinets. What did you decide to do?

It looks like a water jet diamond mosaic marble tile, something similar to the tile below, but it’s not the same marble. I’m not sure what stone is in your image, possibly Calacatta Gold.

It looks much brighter now. Are you going to add hardware to the cabinets? Any changes to lighting? I keep frequently used items on my counter: cutting boards, knife block, tea kettle on the stove. Do you use a coffee maker? You don't have a huge amount of space so I'd only keep the essentials on the counter if possible.