Below is the backsplash section of my website's gallery. In addition, here's the url to a finished backsplashes slideshow from here: http://finishedbacksplashesslideshow.blogspot.com/ Another one: http://finishedbacksplashes2.blogspot.com/ If that's not enough, you truly need help!! TKO to the MAX!! :-) Here is a link that might be useful: my gallery's backsplash section

lmao. what Jan said! Although, I had to help out my guys who did my herringbone wood floor. it's the starting point where everyone gets messed up. after that, it's simple. Look up how to properly start a herringbone layout and read it. you need to use a speed square at the end of your tile in order to get the proper middle starting point. much easier to illustrate than trying to write it out here. This is how I showed my guys how to start it. see the blue tape w/the two lines? you have to start on the middle after you mark your corner. that's the only way you will get perfect even cuts on both ends. this is how most do it, and it's not correct IF you want perfectly symmetrical left/right borders. All he's done is set the corner of the tile on the line. doing it like this will leave you w/one side smaller than the other: see how the sides of the window don't match? this is what you don't want. your tile guy should be doing a dry layout in order to determine where he starts so he doesn't get this look or these tiny triangles. Again,,,see how the ends don't match below? the right has longer tiles than the left edge. that's because of the way he started his first tile. And don't do these vertical tiles for your edging. get proper bullnose tiles, pencil liner or a Schluter edge. This is a layout board of my herringbone for my shower. took a few hours in order to get this almost perfect. since this was an odd size, and the tiles were even at 3x12, it couldn't be perfect. the right bottom corner triangle is the only portion that doesn't match. luckily, it's not readily visible! Even the subway tiles are perfectly matched. this layout took hours to get exact, even around the niche. 2x6your 3x9 will be 1/3 larger. 3x9 is a good size for a backsplash. this is a regular 3x6. again, a 3x9 will give you 1/3 longer.

the countertop is fine. wait until it's installed before finalizing your tile choice. LED lights in the 4000K range will bring in a neutral daylight. anything lower than 3500K has a yellow tone to it. The type of marble you choose will also matter. Carrara, true carrara marble, has a blueish undertone. a very cool tone marble. Calacatta is bit warmer toned. I don't know how much sq footage you need, but choosing cheap marble isn't the answer. cheap marble will discolor and sometime rust. (I don't know where you got you tile from in the picture, but I'd keep looking) I understand money is an issue, so check around for sale lots (sometimes if they only have 30-50 sq ft left of a lot, they mark it down). For instance,,,Tilebar has 22 sheets left of this tile. 1/2 price. it's a great deal. all carrara. good carrara! They're 12"x8". if you have a smaller backsplash, it'd be perfect. $500. https://tilebar.com/kihari-carrara-and-halley-gray-marble-tile.html they also have the flower one. only 62 sheets left. Carrara and white Thassos (and their shipping is only $10) https://tilebar.com/highland-zinnia-thassos-and-gray-mirror-and-marble-tile.html This Calacatta mosaic is also on sale. Calacatta leans a little warmer toned rather than the cool blue of the carrara. https://tilebar.com/aspekt-calacatta-marble-mosaic-tile.html check craigslist. I've found great deals from people who buy too much and can't return it. Are your cabinets also white? if so, you're going to have 3 diff shades of white all next to each other. That's why I said to wait until cabs/counters are installed, your lighting is up to date and then you can bring home samples to see how they look. I can show you plenty of other marble sample tiles

Agreeing with others, but want to add. Not only is backsplash choice last, but it also should not be chosen until after everything else is installed. Everything looks entirely different after it is installed, and if you choose your backsplash before that, you will make a mistake. Don't worry about not having your GC still available for the backsplash after everything else is installed. You will actually get a better backsplash installation if you hire a tile installer yourself. Remove the backsplash from the GC's scope of work, and hire someone yourself later to install it.