You might want to post your question on the discussion side. This is the picture gallery and folks don't really come here to answer questions.

We used large format/rectangular tile in two of our bathrooms. In the MB, the 8x20's on the tub surround walls, and 12x24's (?) on the floor, are laid in a straight or stacked pattern. Both tile are rectified porcelain, with somewhat tight grout lines. In our hall bathroom, the 4x12 rectified porcelain tub surround tile, and the 6x12 travertine tile were laid in a brick joint pattern. Also, somewhat tight grout lines. We, and our tile guy, felt that keeping the pattern consistent between the floors and walls, given the fact that the floor and wall tile were all similar in shape, made for a nice "flow" so to speak. We always try to match the grout as closely as possible to tile, to make the grout lines blend-in as best as they can. This, of course, is personal preference. :-)

I meant running bond pattern, not brick joint. Hopefully that wasn't confusing. No one answered so maybe so!

I would not use brick with your style of cabinets, which are beautiful, and don't think the gray will play well with the reddish tones of the brick. It will also look too busy, and may even look "dated" (sorry about that horrible word). I think simplicity is what will make this kitchen look special, and I would use one of the white wall paints to set off the gray. Rather than herringbone I would just use a simple tile pattern. Backsplashes are not meant to be the main focus, and herringbone wherever I've seen it looks too busy and complicated. Let the cabinets and counters be the stars, which is where the emphasis should be. I do wonder whether a more grayish-brown might not blend in better for the floor, but that choice is yours.