I don't understand this question/photo. Are you going to rip out those old cabinets for new white ones? Are you going to remove the backsplash? If you want to keep the backsplash, new white cabinets would match. If you want a new backsplash, use a larger format style that includes the color of those old cabinets and doesn't compete with them. I personally would update both. The cabinets have seen their day, and that kind of backsplash is already dated. At the very least, I would have the cabinets painted a bright white and replace the countertop...although without seeing the floor, who knows?

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.

I have a small kitchen too and I am looking for a 3" by 12" tile, but I am open to whatever works best. I like the brick-like proportions of longer tiles. But honestly, any tile is a vast improvement over the fake travertine 6" by 6" tiles installed on point (diagonally) that are on the backsplash now.

with all the surface area .. walls AND cabinets?...in swiss coffee .....how does this all end up.....?? I might put in a creamy white subway that matches the cabinets at this point [ swiss coffee is a nice shade]...just get the grout of a more bisque shade to work with the counter......a very nice subtle detail..... Can you show the overall ?...not just a close up of a sq foot of the counter......how much tiled area.....what is lighting / UV factors...style of space etc.....