I'd want white but it would need to blend well with the counters...nothing too stark.

Do you like the charcoal? If you like it, your kitchen has good light, and the items in the glass front cabinets are light colored, I'd keep it. It's pretty fabulous.

I prefer the dark monochromatic wall, it looks less traditional and blend in the cooktop better.. and the difference in texture and shine keeps it interesting.

The black would depress me every day, but only you can answer whether you can live with it or not. If you're not sure, make them stick to your original plan.

I would keep the dark and the credit AND I would add a light wallpaper on the back wall of your glass cabinets so they will not blend in so much.

The question to answer is how much do you dislike the dark backsplash? Because the credit amount is likely just the price of the tiles. Ask yourself if you're OK looking at the installed color backsplash and not keep thinking of your original selection every time you're in the kitchen.

I'd keep the charcoal and spend the rebate on amazing lighting.

They both work. I could not live with the black. Your kitchen looks great, btw.

I'd make him change those switch plates.

Keep the black, though I would have preferred a matte finish. The white makes the whole wall too chopped up.

I like the charcoal. I wasn't able to vote. I saw that you asked the same question on Reddit. It will be interesting to see if you get the same answer.

Both of these look like you took b&w photos to me. TBH, not fond of either.

The black goes very well with the rest of the kitchen. The white isn't a bad option though.

The black works with the design, but I would not want to face a black wall while I am cooking. I prefer a light and bright kitchen, especially first thing in the morning. We are all affected by color differently, so if it bothers you I would rip it out.

I think the black looks better but the switchplates are the eyesore, which should be a cheap and easy fix. About 4 or 5 yrs ago, I got the wrong color flooring for my apt remodel, it's a rental so I don't see it often, but to this day it still bugs me that it's not what I envisioned.

Put a chunky white floating shelf between cooktop and hood. He pays.

I don't really like either of them, but the dark looks like a night club bar to me. I would probably get the credit & redo it with something completely different.