Agreed. Wait until everything else is installed.

I also agree to wait❣️ You may change your mind again about your back splashes choice after you see the cabinets installed.

Backsplash for a sink, cooktop, range or just the walls beneath cabinets? Do you really cook -- like fry bacon or eggs, stir, sautee, boil pasta, or braise food? Or do you just microwave? If you really cook, a solid surface backsplash (but definitely not marble of any kind), will always be much easier to clean than any tile with grout! If you do not really cook, per se, and no shame in that of course, and this is a show kitchen, go for it. Make it dramatic to distract from the drying dishes beside the sink and the small appliances lined up on the counters, especially because this is a kitchen that seems to be totally open to the dining area and the two adjacent rooms. As everyone has said, wait to choose the backsplash.

I cook and I was worried about marble, but the tile person said as long as I sealed it, it would be okay. It is definitely something to consider. Thanks for your input. I think you have confirmed a worry that was on my mind.

It is only one wall of tile and it goes from counter to ceiling (except for where the hood is). It is not near my sink, but it above the range, so splatter is definitely a concern.

Any fireplace “goes” with marble in your kitchen. So let that comment lie. I like both ideas for your new sage kitchen but I am another WAIT TILL IT’S FINISHED vote. Too many people hate their countertop/backsplash combination when it has all been chosen in a non-existing kitchen. Install your cabinets and countertop. If your stone is gorgeous and the “star” of the room, the backsplash has to be simple and quiet. If you want a jazzed up backsplash, get a simple countertop. Happy to hear you have a sage kitchen being installed. Love green!

I have a quartz that looks like Carrera and wanted to do a marble backsplash but it looked odd. Hard to explain but the colors were off and the marble almost made the quartz look cheap. Instead, I did the white arabesque like is shown in your pic. We used light grey grout to match the veining in the quartz. Having said all this, I would definitely agree with waiting until you see your counters and cabinets installed.

Thanks. The feedback was very helpful. I am going to wait until we have the countertop as suggested. And I understand not having counter and backsplash compete for attention. Also, thanks for the comment on my sage color and brick fireplace. I may be reposting once I have the countertop in with some backsplash options.

@Will Morgan, please post as you progress. People who give suggestions like to see how the room shapes up. 😊

Here is an updated picture of my kitchen with the cabinets roughly in place. I am leaning toward the a quartz called carrera white for the countertops.
I am going to wait to get the counter in place before I pick the tile, but my next question is where to end the tile. I wanted to go to the ceiling. Is that a good idea? I am also not sure whether or not to go to the two thresholds (a few inches past lower cabinets) or whether to stop at the cabinets. Thanks.

Here is a picture including the thresholds.

What color are the cabinets? On my PC they look green-gray in one photo and blue-gray in another.

What color will the floors be? Are you re-staining the oak we can see? You need to include the floor next to the cabinet.

They cabinets are painted Sherwin Williams Sage. They are meant to be a green grey, but it does look more grey blue in certain lights. Nonetheless, I am happy with the color. The floors are currently unfinished red oak that I plan on finishing natural color with a clear coat. I am keeping them covered for protection purposes.

Here is the “whole” kitchen. I still need to paint the trim around the door on the right.

I'm no help with the backsplash - just wanted to say your kitchen is absolutely gorgeous!

When your countertop is installed, it will be easier to give you ideas. That color for the cabinets is gorgeous!

Thank you.

Updated picture with countertops and backsplash.