Honestly you're going to have enough trouble keeping the marble white much less the grout - seal it all!! THREE TIMES! lol Seriously though I've heard horror stories about smoke and wine stains in the kitchen. Sealer every year is about the only way to avoid stains. I've been lusting after the white marble backsplashes myself but after spending half an hour scrubbing the white grout on the marble in my shower yesterday, NO MORE! I went with whisper grey on the floors in the shower and bathroom and they show dirt far less. If I had to do it all over again I'd have gone grey all the way. Good luck!

I have the Subway Ceramics Avalon / Minas with a medium gray grout. And a Shaw's white sink, if anyone is considering that, by the way. (My contractor could have ordered it directly, but at his request, I went through a tile store, and by the time everyone had put their sugar onto it, it was OBSCENELY expensive.) I'm not an installation expert, but at least with the Subway Ceramics, the installers use little plastic spacers between the tiles (I think some others have their own spacers?) when they put them up, they don't do it freehand, so how much grout you get is a function of 1) the limits set by the curvature of the tile and 2) what size spacers they use. So you might be willing to go a little darker with a smaller grout line, or with a handmade tile that refuses to go close together, you might want to stay light. The traditional color is close to concrete. But most modern people don't seem to like that, so do what pleases you!

For starters You selected material that is extremely difficult to install for a first project. Actually difficult for many contractors. You plan to purchase a wet saw that is junk and will make things more difficult. You want a moving tray for mosaics. Spend a bit more now. It's worth it. I strongly suggest the Porta cable for a small saw. This link will give you a demo. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=PORTER-CABLE+PCE980+Wet+Tile+Saw+video&&view=detail&mid=C85BA5FCA3572B55A79DC85BA5FCA3572B55A79D&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DPORTER-CABLE%2BPCE980%2BWet%2BTile%2BSaw%2Bvideo%26%26FORM%3DVDVVXX Yes you will cut individual pieces around the outlet unless you plan on purchasing a angle grinder with diamond blade also. Don't forget to notch for screws. You need a lot of wedges. A good rubbing stone or diamond pad as all cuts need to be smoothed prior to installation. Determine which type of sealer you prefer and apply 2 coats prior to grouting without getting the sealer into the grout joints. How will the ends be finished? I urge you to hire a professional for this project as it will test your patience. If the material was purchased at a box store most pros won't touch it. Odds are the quality of material will also add to the difficulty factor. If you go for it I wish you luck.

Well, the subway tile is ceramic tile, while the mosaic you are looking at is marble, hence the difference in price. You will have a lot more grout to clean with the mosaic, and the white marble could stain. Also, what are your counters made of. I don't like the look of REAL marble next to quartz as it makes the quartz look fake. I'd stick with the subway.