You really can go in any direction. Do the black countertops have any other colors in them? What about your floors? What colors do you like? Can you post a few pictures of kitchens you like? Copper is a nice metal to use in a black and white kitchen.

The countertop is cosmic black granite so yes it has some creams/tans. The floor is a med dark hardwood

Can you post some pictures? I think you might consider creamy coloured tiles to work with the cabinets as I feel like a dark backsplash can turn into a black hole in some cases.

But instead of just a plain subway, what about a different shape?

These are both Barbara Berry from Ann Sacks. I'm not suggesting the colour is right on either of these but the shape is just different enough to be interesting. The cream one below is a combination of two styles - you can mix them or just use one. There are quite a few colour choices

Frame - MADE by ANN SACKS | ANN SACKS Tile & Stone · More Info

Radius by Barbara Barry - MADE by ANN SACKS | ANN SACKS Tile & Stone · More Info

Or maybe something like this:

Montauk - Tile Bar - sorry I'm having trouble getting some of the photos to post today.

Nabi Harlequin - Tilebar - or something like this - the texture can really add a lot to a room without being overwhelming.

It is a work in progress but I can post separate pictures.

Countertop, the space it’s all going in, and the cabinets, floor, countertop, paint color which is SW Antler Velvet

mvcanada thanks those are very nice options. Simple but yet not too simple.

ok. that wasn't at all what I expected. glad you posted.

I would urge you to wait until everything is installed before choosing a tile. things have a way of looking differently once installed. but you can get some samples ordered so they'll be on hand.

first thing i'd suggest is make sure your light bulbs are in the 4000K for the truest light. even in your sample picture it looks like there is a pinkish cast on the cabs.

I wouldn't do a bright white, or really a white of any kind. maybe a very pale gray or gray to pick up the color in the granite. I also love black.

so here are some tile styles and colors

this is another poster on here who had Cosmos granite. she did Basalt tiles

Cle Tiles, Zelliege. love these too (they come in subways)

DalTile Horizons, in Moonlight. (below)

this is a beautiful dusky gray glass tile. I'd for sure get this as a sample.

Cle'tile Modern farmhouse. I like this color of gray

2x10 IvyHill Polished Seaport hibiscus. wayfair or HD has these

Thank you Beth H. Those are all great ideas. Yes I think I’ll get some samples and wait until it is all finished. I keep seeing all the bright white but wasn’t sure if that would work or not. Thank you all for the input.

no bright white. the countertops don't have any white, and your cabinets are cream? so they would look really dingy next to a white tile.

Lisa, go to the big box store and buy lots of different sheets and/or tiles and lay them out on your countertops once they are installed. Anything that strikes your fancy. This will help you narrow down colors, shapes, scale, etc. maybe you will get lucky and something inexpensive will be perfect. Or you can take something that is “close” to a tile store and see what better options are available. Don’t forget to return things before the bill is due. Us amateurs don’t always have the eye the pros do, and frequently need to see things in our spaces to determine whether or not they will work.