I think the gray grout would like nice with the white subway tile and the gray colored walls. Here are some other pics with similar styles. [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by seattle architect Paul Moon Design [contemporary kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by boston architect LDa Architecture & Interiors [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by san francisco interior designer Amoroso Design [kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen-ideas-phbr0-bp~t_709) by chicago general contractor Oakley Home Builders And I found KA's kitchen where you can get an idea of extending the backsplash to the peninsula (KA hope you don't mind me posting this!)

Thank you pllog! According to my admittedly limited research, white subway tiles were primarily what was used during 1913 (not colored tiles just yet), or else white or cream-colored wainscoting. I know the colorful tile was used on fireplace faces though, as is the case on ours - but I think the whole sterile kitchen and bathroom look was going on in 1913 (?). I know my house originally had it cause not only is 2x6 white subway tile in the original bathroom upstairs, but the previous owners, who I am friends with, remember it having been in the house at one time. The previous owner now in her 80's moved in with her parents in the '40's when she was a teenager. There was only one family that lived in the house before them, which is kind of neat to know. I'd love to find out more about them someday if possible. All that said, if I had the time further to obsess (I'm already taking LOADS of time away from my kids to obsess over every detail that I am already!), and the eye/confidence/creativity, or a designer, and the money, I'd do something much more fun and much more "me" in a NY heartbeat. But alas, I don't. Maybe someday. The following cut/paste link is to absolutely inspiring backsplashes, which you'd probably love: http://finishedbacksplashes2.blogspot.com/ It would be impossible for me to do if the tile were to get up to $100/SF. How did you come up w/ that calculation? Oh dear - I'd better do the math again! I was told that by going to a fabricator with big machinery, it wouldn't take that long at all for a back splash my size - but that was just one person who said that; he could have been wrong. One consideration for a backup plan for me has been white or off-white minibrick. I think with a non-matching grout - e.g. a noncommittal but darker sand color (sand having both tan and grey in it?), all those little lines would be more interesting w/ the stainless than the bigger subway tile (or, maybe that would also be the case w/ standard 2x6 tile w/ darker grout?). I wish I could find the link I've lost to ceramic minibrick (if that's the word for it) that's attractive to me. I imagine they didn't have that size in 1913 though (does anyone know?) but it's still a nice classic look. If I find it on my other computer I'll post it! I've looked at Thassos which does seem too white. The in-person samples of calcutta are too grey from a distance (I don't want it to match my stainless counter so precisely) but yes I have time to keep looking. I also still pine for the Walker Zanger lightly crackled and glazed 2x6 tile I was all excited about when I thought I would do a honed black counter. haven't ruled that out completely, but it's $25/SF. Thanks!

I have eggshell cabinets, soapstone counters and travertine floors. I spent a lot of time picking out 2 backsplash options: an off-white subway tile that was a perfect match to my cabinets & a slate blue crackle subway tile. My husband hated both options & said he wanted honed carrara (which we have on our island). Virginia Tile (where I got my floors & backsplash samples) didn't have any honed carrara subways, so I found some at Ann Sacks for about $12. When I went to return samples to Virgina Tile, I found out they just started carrying a 3x6 honed carrara tile for about $10, so I ordered it sight unseen since they didn't have samples in yet. I was really happy with the color & quality of the tiles when they arrived. Also, I used an enhancing sealer on my backsplash to bring out the color a little more. Here is a pic of my new kitchen:

I come from the bathrooms forum :) and I think the general consensus is the white grout can be tricky to maintain especially in a moist bathroom environment. However, in a kitchen, you mainly have to watch out for grease and spatters, make sure anything is wiped up when it happens instead of letting it fester. My own experience is we did white tile with white grout in our basement (poor ventillation) bath, and got busy with new kids and life for 7 years. I cleaned it but probably not all that often. It actually still looks okay, it's not really dingy, but it has kind of yellowed. So based on that, I think your grout will be fine for quite awhile, just take care of it. Using a high-quality sealer will help. Is it epoxy?