Okay here goes. I just found another new tile store to go into.. I am sure they will be thrilled. They didn't have too much yet but hence there was an off white crackle tile that they used for a display right there.. that is what they are now suggesting since they have two plus boxes left. They quoted me 15 per sq but I still feel the basic off white looks bad with my kitchen. I agree may, I thought dark too but mostly all I have spoken with or showed my pictures to said my kitchen is far too dark to begin with and the dark backsplash will make it feel very dark and closed in.. Here goes with some pictures. I wish someone had the program from photo shop to put a few ideas in and that would definitely make it far easier for my close minded head or just plain lack of ability to see things the way others can. thanks again and let me know what you think.

agree-long and thinner subway will be a great choice as for arabesque-I personally love everything that reminds me of home including arabesque:) so I'm afraid my judgement might be a bit clouded here.. I'd say-depends where you live. And how deeply you love it. whatever reads as very natural in one house, can start getting on your nerves in other house. I also love Sonoma. (besides Fireclay, Walker Zanger, Ann Sacks, Encore, and all the other great tile manufacturers there where plain subway is whatever I usually can afford lol..) With arabesque, I'd be even more mindful about tile's quality. I guess that's one of the reasons subway/squares are/were popular..harder to get them wrong when they're cheap. (Even though I highly prefer handmade tile..it's just different. Even being one shape and one color-it will allow for a different effect when applied to a wall..very slight subtle variation so slight you won't always get why you love this tile so much-you'll just love it. It will seem more alive) The more elaborate the shape is- the more visible any shortcomings will be. Usually. Might read as a bit fake. I'm trying to think now why..well probably because traditional shapes as arabesque are traditionally handmade? Simple shapes-easier to imagine them being produced en masse. So we don't have the same expectation of them as we would from more elaborated shapes. Glass mosaics-similar problem . Glass is plainly harder to get right. If you want to have dimension you need higher quality product. Or else it would fall too flat. Having said that-I'm a bit pickier about tile, because ceramics etc is one of my favorite materials ever. As for colors-yes I'd either repeat the countertop( white?) or cabinets(but would go lighter). So yes something in this warm white-to-tan realm. But same as you don't want to paint the walls because you feel they're great with your floors-you might feel the same about backsplash..it will be also vertical surface and will need to work with everything including your floors.. Sorry about the super long answer..and thank you for the opportunity to think out loud a bit.. I wish you great luck! looking forward to see your further choices in case you'll be in the mood to share them

Oh, I like the penthouse tile. After you pick the tile, you will probably want to do some sample boards to figure out the grout color. The color you pick will determine how much the tile pattern shows up and gets along with your countertop. Be sure to let them dry overnight, as the grout lightens up as it dries.

In this particular situation, I would prefer that the counter end flush with the cabinet - as it is, either the top of the backsplash sticks out, or the or the bottom of the backsplash is recessed. I don't love either of those options, but if I had to choose, I would prefer it as it is now - recessed on the counter. If it were me, I would try and get that counter section sized so that it was flush, and then there would be no issue with where the tile ends. In any event, remove those vertical pieces - that looks odd. A Schluter edge would look fine there.