The taupe 2x8 looks like the best option from your photos, but sometimes the light in photos can be deceiving. The brighter white tiles are too white, and the gray makes the countertop look dull. The 2 x 8 is also a nice style very close to your inspiration photo. Make sure you view the samples in your own kitchen light.

I like both the warm grey and the taupe however if you are unsure of what will look good in your house wait to choose tile until the cabinets and counter are installed. It is easier to see what looks good when its in place.

In the pictures you've posted, taupe looks best, but the "warm grey" grout doesn't look like it goes at all on my screen... How is it in person?

We've had quite a few blue kitchen remodels and they typically chose a neutral color for the backsplash. This allows the blue color to be the focal point of the remodel. Hope this helps.

I think the Original Poster is totally looking a neutral colors but is looking to see what goes best with the actual counter selected.

The photo Kitchen Magic posted is useful for me because it is somewhat similar layout to my current kitchen.

However, for the original poster, I think their navy is darker and the counters are definitely not quite as white.

Have you considered carrying your quartzite up onto the backsplash? Or maybe going with an off white tile that has brass accent pieces to tie in your gold hardware.

There is no way for us to answer this question. As Jan stated your space , your lighting your counter installed all have an effect on colors. BTW I hope you have LED lighting in at least 4000K range before trying colors at all.

@salonva

Exactly the point I was making. What's neutral??? Seven billion things meet that criteria. "Darker cabinets and not quite as white" are just that. An entirely different thing. With a splash best selected on site, and IN those conditions.

Thank you for all of the comments. I totally get what you are saying regarding the light. It's not ideal, but the contractor is pushing for tile selections to be completed prior to even having drywall up!

At this point, I'm just hoping to get a better idea as to whether we can go white for the backsplash at all, or if we need to go with a "neutral off white". Or should we be looking for a neutral tile that matches the countertop in color and shade?

The tile store person said that if we go with a grout similar toned to the counter, it would help pull in a white tile. Out of all the grouts they had, the warm gray with the closest in tone to the counter top, but it still isn't perfect. It's a bit purple toned.

We knew going into this that the counter would be difficult to get a backsplash for, but we love the stone. It is extremely expensive, thus cost prohibitive to use as a backsplash. To me, the taupe 2x8 (which is actually 2x10 - whoops!) looks the best of the options, as it isn't stark white but it appears white in person. I feel like the warm gray would give a considerably darker feel to the kitchen, whereas I want it to feel light and bright.

Is it best to try to "match" the countertop? Or is it better to go with a complimentary shade with similar undertones?

You do not NEED to please or appease the contractor for splash timing. No matter you love this stone, either run it up the back, or take your chances that you find one you love.

Or.....re select. Or bite the bullet and go up the splash: )

The point is, the best splash selection is after tops are installed and you are NOT EVEN DRYWALLED.

I think all the responders have agreed that the white-whites are too stark with the counters, so I think you can safely decide that a neutral off white is the better choice. Which neutral off white is best is what we really can't help you with from photos.

I would push back on your contractor and wait until everything is in to decide.

Well, painting is relatively easy and cheap to have to do over, specially when compared to a backsplash!

What are the other colors in the house? Is the kitchen a completely separate space?

When I remodeled one of the sample boards I carried around was a 12"x12" painted sample of the wall color. It had to work with my kitchen choices because all of my open plan public spaces are painted in the same color.

Paint the walls before the cabinets. The ceiling before the walls. My bet is you have very LITTLE wall that touches tile anyway. Post your kitchen plan

My contractor was great and I'd use him again in a heartbeat. But he definitely pushed us to select things FASTFASTFAST, and while overall this was good, there were a few times where I wish I had waited. For example... the w2w carpeting up the stairs and the entire second floor. I felt so much pressure to get this selected and bought, and really... we could have waited a week or two. And we *should* have waited; I'm not happy with what I picked. Upshot: don't stall/give up on making decisions because you're feeling sick of the process, but also don't let them pressure you into picking something *before you have all the necessary info you need*. :)

Nicole Ann, please post final pics would love to see the final kitchen!

Have you considered using the same quartz on your countertops and backsplash? The flow might be just lovely.