I can’t figure out how to edit this but the last picture shows the maniscalco tiles in three colors. I’m thinking of using maybe just the two on the right but all three could work too I suppose. This is the pic from here that was my inspiration. Our Taj Mahal is less gray and more beige ish so we thought a similar look in lighter or creamier shades might look good.

Also I’m not a total idiot, just sleep deprived and over worked. I totally meant wits end but who k it’s how to edit titles (face palm)

Lol the typos keep coming. I’m so sorry!

If your budget allows, use the same quartzite for backsplash.

Hi Brooke, no worries on the typos! My preference would be to let the counters take focus and do a simple backsplash. The lightest shade from the Taj Mahal that also blends with the cabinets would be nice. Again, I'd keep the backsplash simple so the TM can be the star.

So very sorry about the fire. Your new kitchen looks really nice!

Also the second picture shows a wider view but the final cabinets on the right of where our range will be weren’t installed when I took that. So the backsplash will go all the way to that right side.

Thank you @chloebud. I totally agree even though the time store owner keeps trying to push me into more ornate options. Do you think the herringbone in these two colors would be too much?

Thank you RRHawk. There’s plenty of insurance money but they’re soooo stingy with actually giving it to us. This was our previous kitchen so they keep pushing back on a lot of our “upgrades.” If we can’t settle on a time we may go that route and roll the dice on them paying for it

I’m sorry guys, my phone is correcting everything I type to the completely wrong thing.

My other option is just a one shade all white herringbone like this one but I thought a second slightly off shade might mix it up from this. I’m no pro though and way out of my depth on this whole thing

Honestly, just reading through all my comments and pictures I’m thinking a brick layout may be more complimentary to the kitchen. I think keeping it simple and more classic could look very nice.... I just want to move in finally!

Let the taj be the star- one color backsplash, MAYBE the herringbone. Not the bevel. Most of us read iPhone at this point- dormer always gets corrected to former for instance- so frustrating.

Hallett & Co, thank you so much! I think this is where my heads been at but I’m just so overwhelmed by all these decisions they’re coming at me with. I’m going to do a one color brick pattern. I do really like the herringbone but I’m starting to feel like it may not line up well with the more classic feel of everything else and it’s a very open floor plan so I think the contrast of more “modern” vs classic might be very noticeable

Good luck, I can't even begin to imagine your stress levels...

I really like this Sonoma tile (Dahlia pattern) with TM. The tiles are 4x6 and it would be easier to lay than herringbone! Just have to put them up in the right direction to follow the pattern. Not crazy crazy expensive, but not a budget option either.

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I like the herringbone. one color is fine. don't know that I'd use that particular tile. I like a 2x8 or 3x9 for a herringbone, with regular edges.

with those irregular edges, you'll have to do a slightly larger grout line (unless they're all perfectly rectified) which won't look that great in the herringbone.

you have a long backsplash area, so picking longer tiles will look better. (I despise a 3x6 in regular offset unless you have a farmhouse, and especially a herringbone)

to me, this size looks too casual for this style kitchen.

Except for these tiles. I love this one. and it comes in a grayer shade. Renoa26 in Drift.

this looks like a 2x6 one color, and is paired w/Taj.

on another note, have you seen the ShadeBrick? comes in a gray and a taupe as well as the Light

If you want a blend of colors, look into Encore Ceramics. They have custom blends that work together beautifully.

Or just look at these glaze colors. (you can order the tiles in a million diff shapes and sizes, so don't think the squares are the shape!)

http://encoreceramics.com/crackle-glazes/

most of these would look great w/the taj.

btw, someone posted this AnnSacks tile w/Taj on another post and it's beautiful

Love the herringbone that Beth showed and it would look stunning in your kitchen, I think.

"I totally agree even though the time store owner keeps trying to push me into more ornate options."

Opinions differ so much. Lots of people like to combine patterns with backsplashes and counters. There's no right or wrong but just what YOU like. Don't let the tile store persuade you unless it really appeals to you. I think a simple, solid backsplash looks the best when you have pattern in the counters. Herringbone can often have a lot of pattern even with just one color, so I wouldn't use the two you posted. I'm not a pro; it's just my own preference.

I think a herringbone pattern in a light color within your slab of countertop would compliment best. I’m not always one to say herringbone. But the above inspiration pic from Beth has me leaning towards it.
You can also do a picket style which I think would also be kinda nice.
The key is the color. You gotta do lots of sampling.
AFTER everything else in the kitchen is done. You will be a whole lot happier with your backsplash if you wait until your kitchen is finished to finalize.

You don't have a very large backsplash area, so if you're stuck on using herringbone, I'd keep it as simple as possible, like cloebud has shown above. Since your house is "classic", I'd stick to a basic pattern instead, using one shade of tile. Your backsplash isn't large enough to be a star focal point, and you have other beautiful finishes in the room that give you pattern and texture. You'll also have knobs or handles in the space, so it's not going to look as plain as it does now.

Beth, you have no idea how much all of that helped me! Thank you thank you thank you!

I actually had come across the shade brick but the tile store here doesn’t carry it so I wasn’t sure if that was even an option time wise but I’ll look into that tomorrow.

This whole response gives me so much to go off of and for once I’m actually not dreading going to the tile store tomorrow. I’ll keep you all updated as to which direction it ends up. Thank you all from the bottom of my (very, very much over this project) heart!

@Beth H. : I posted that Ann sacks tile before, because I think it looks great with TM and white cabinets, but is really expensive ... I think retail is $100+/sq.ft. The only other tiles I looked at that were even more expensive were the beautiful New Ravenna mosaics. If you have a small area you might be able to justify the splurge, but for a whole kitchen it adds up fast!

It is a relatively easy installation with the stacked 4x4 tiles though!

This mosaic also looks great with TM:

This one is from Mosaique Surface - Metis warm

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Some of those mosaics may cost more than a slab splash.

I think I found something that could work. I found these 2x8 that come in a pure white or natural AND it can quick ship. Do you all think one of these might work?

chispa,,,that's right. it was you! I couldn't remember who posted it but I saved the pic.

Is that how much they are? I figured maybe 50-ish. what in the world justifies the 100+ price tag? gold leafing inlay? or did some 'designer' design them?

I'm sure you could find something similar for less. too bad.

Brooke, if you want plain old white, yes, they would work. the size is good. if you do the herringbone, it will look pretty good. Just make sure your tile guy is proficient at herringbone layouts. he will need to do a dry layout first and know how to start to get symmetry in the corners/edges. this layout takes 4X as long as regular layouts.

Chispa those mosaics are absolutely gorgeous! I’m not certain I could sneak that price tag past the insurance adjuster but I may have to look into that because wow!

Beth, my builder is 83 & I dragged him out of retirement to rebuild our house after the fire because he was the original builder and highly respected and all that. However, he’s got a much more old school style than us and some things we disagree on. I know I have the ultimate say but it always gives me pause when he says something different as our old house was gorgeous with so many wonderful finishes that he picked.

He said that herringbone would look awful and clash with the floor (7 1/2’ x 9 1/2” engineered hardwood) and overall more traditional look of the home. Now I’m wondering if he’s right even though I still think it would look ok. The installer said he thinks either way will work but I’m just not sure because I’m a medical device sales rep, not a designer. If insurance would’ve paid for a designer I would’ve hired one just to avoid all of this stuff but alas I’m stuck now. Do you have any thoughts on a plain white herringbone vs a subway “brick” in this kitchen? And if not either what else would you recommend? I’m so sorry, I’m just so flustered. If it helps, our range is this wolf range and we’ve got a big subzero that’ll have panels to match the cabinets. We have two stainless dishwashers and a stainless farmhouse sink.

The backsplash will go all behind the range that’s not there on the right side (see my beautiful drawing lol) so although maybe not huge, it’s a fair amount of space. Plus the floor plan is very open so you’ll see it from the main living area of the home.

he's 83. he's a builder, not a designer.

I have large plank hardwoods. I actually did a herringbone inlay w/zellige tiles. I'm sure his head would have exploded

I was going to do this design on my backsplash but I didn't have enough of this tile (it was a clearance buy) and since I have black appliances, it would have been too dark.

But for him to say this classic design would clash w/your floor,,,,huh? what kind of floor does he think you need to have? what you picked will basically look like this, shown here w/wood floors:

Do any of these pics clash to you? of course not. tell your builder to build, but keep quiet when it comes to tile

so, how exactly does the floor clash?

to me, a plain old subway layout is so trite, and so completely overdone, I can't take it anymore. if you have a country farmhouse, great.

your kitchen is more transitional than traditional

This is a bit more traditional look. the beveled arabesque

this is how your tile will look with more of a gray grout.

the first pic I posted will be the look if you go w/a white grout. you can barely see the design

Thank you sooooo much! I’m so out of my depth trying to pic finishes that will look good so anytime he says he doesn’t like something that I ask about I immediately doubt my choice because I just have no idea about anything. I’m spending any free time I have on here and Pinterest trying to find inspiration pictures lol.

You’ve helped so so much, I can’t thank you enough. I’m actually about to drive to the house to talk to the installer about this right now. I feel like I’ll very much regret doing boring subway and my husband didn’t like the arabesque I showed him.

If you don’t mind one more question, with our cabinets would you recommend the pure white or the natural white? Literally every inspo picture from the Sonoma time website is the pure white so I couldn’t see how a natural white looked installed. Thank you again!

you'll have to take samples of both put them in your home, with your lighting, next to your cabs/Taj.

In fact, why don't just wait? there is no rush in picking a backsplash. hell, it took me one year to finally decide on mine.

just get some samples and wait to choose after your countertops get installed.

And please ignore the design advice from an 83 year old builder! seriously.

That’s actually a much better idea and now that you mention it, I have no idea why they’re rushing me on this when countertops aren’t even there yet. Thank you again.

I hope I never have to build or remodel anything ever again but if I do I’ve learned so much!

Just thought I’d give a quick update. I went with a herringbone pattern and I’m so happy I did! We are still waiting for the appliances (and will be for a long time) so even though it’s not complete I think it’s looking good. Thank you all for your comments and advice. It helped so much!!! I’ll give you all a final update pic if the appliances ever get there.

nice brooke! glad you went w/the herringbone. (although, I wished you would have used a slightly darker grout color like a very light gray, so that the pattern would be visible) The white on white makes the herringbone disappear when viewed further back.

your countertops are so pretty w/the tile.

I really thought long and hard about the grout. The reason I ended up going with matching grout was actually purposefully to make it “blend” a bit more but I totally get what you’re saying. Either way, I’m super happy I didn’t go with the regular old subway tile in a normal pattern :) thank you so much for all your help throughout!

Just wanted to update. We got the appliances in awhile back but I completely forgot about the thread. In case anyone finds their way here looking for the finished product here it is. We love how it turned out!

turned out lovely brooke. love the island

Hi Brooke. Just read your thread and in similar situation w picking backsplash for kitchen Reno and cabinet color. Also doing Taj Mahal on counter. It’s a pretty light Taj which I love. Originally wanted a white quartz w large veining but couldn’t find any I loved. Really love the TM but still want an “all white” kitchen look which hoping to achieve via backsplash and cabinets and wall color. Have a sample of the Maniscalco soft-white 2.5x8 which looks pretty w TM but worried it’s too creamy?? Considering White Dove on cabinets (very familiar w this color but worried it won’t pop enough….will also be too creamy?). Also considering Simply White on cabinets?
What backsplash and cabinet color did you end up doing? And what’s your wall color? I’m completely overwhelmed by all of this and GC needs answers yesterday 😩😩😩! TIA! Btw, your kitchen is gorgeous and has the white effect I’m looking for w a touch of warmth.