IMO the black is quite contemporary and IMO handmade tiles are not.Your faucet is also contemporary .Why not a simple large format tile in a white to work with the counter in a stacked pattern (which BTW should have been real stone instead of plastic quartz) Matching grout use the brass for pulls and keep it simple then add a color either in the walls or in the stools.

Why “should” my counter not be quartz? We were going with marble but it just didn’t make sense as it would need to be where the cooktop Is as well and it would have looked terrible and far more lived in than the rest. As for the black, im thinking more English kitchen than contemporary. I like the play of old and new. Our house was built in 1873.

I don't think the countertop is necessarily contemporary --- I think it depends what you do with it -- but the faucet definitely is. Is that the look you're going for in a historic house?

IDK about the matte tiles. Can you get some samples and see how you like them? I ended up ordered a Pratt & Larson matte for my own kitchen (not installed yet so no pics), but I found I had a devil of a time finding the color that coordinated well with my countertop in a matte finish. There is not nearly the color choice in matte tiles as there is with gloss.

Tbh I’m not sure .. I like how English kitchens don’t look too “done”… I also like the play of modern and old.. I think I’d get some contemporary lighting , but a Persian rug runner ..

Maybe if you had posted pics of the cabinets then I would have better idea of the space and BTW quartz cannot go behind your range or any other cooking appliance stone in polished finish is close to bullet proof and will IMO always trump plastic quartz .

I really like both of these

Setting aside matte or not, I think you will tire of the 3x12 tile long skinny look quickly, and regret it.

Yes it doesn’t feel right .. I usually know when I love something instantly. Good advice .

Can I ask why you chose Silestone over quartz? I am debating between the two. I love your inspiration pictures!

@kj s…Silestone IS quartz.

Silestone IS quartz! It’s the brand name like Cesarestone , MSI, Hanstone… so our quartz is Eternal Statuario by Silestone ( who are the original makers of quartz)

Apologies. My brain is on remodel thinking overload. I was thinking of sintered stone, not silestone. And the typos on the last post...Sorry.

No apology needed! I get it. I’m losing my mind and sleep lol

Have you considered a zellige tile (check out Zia Tile or Clé)? Seems like would be a good match with your taste based on materials. They aren't matte but are handmade and beautifully imperfect. And Railings is my absolute favorite F&B color. We just got semi-custom cabinets that are thermafoiled, not painted, and Railings was the inspiration color!

I'm currently hunting for 3x3 arts & crafts tiles for my bath in matte finishes and have sampled a number of them so far -- check out Macintones at completetile.com (which are re-branded McIntyre Tile), also Seneca tile in OH is apparently starting up manufacture again soon. The Macintones are available in a zillion sizing & shape options and the matte finishes I have from them are subtle and gorgeous. Also: Winchester and Claysquared make nice matte finishes.

Thank you Jenn Powers , I have looked, and LOVE those tiles .Sadly they aren’t available in Canada and to have them shipped is astronomical :(

@Ally C Sonoma Tile has some lovely matte finishes and tile choices. I don't know where you are in Canada but they do have authorized dealers there. I purchased tile from them and it was lovely.

@Circus Peanut if you are looking for arts and craft field, try Matowi Tileworks

Quemere Designs also makes a matte tile.

Also, If my counter is suede /matte do I have to go matte with the backsplash?

Sherry, I wish we could afford Motawi (or Pewabic), it's GORGEOUS and exactly what we want, but is around $150 - $180/sft and we're doing a wainscot with shower so need about 240sft. (!!) :)

@Ally C I'm no designer, but personally I'd think the contrast would be pretty. If you do a glossy tile you could choose one that's crackled for a more British, less modern look. (They all crackle over time, but you might not want to wait 50 years for that, lol.)

Circus Peanut, I went to the site you mentioned and used Macintones and also Macintyre Tile and nothing came up. I’ll try google because I’m very interested in seeing it. I did find a beautiful 3 x 6 crackle tile on that site that I want to save.

Edited to add that I found it! Thank you CP!

You're most welcome -- here you go!

https://www.completetile.com/products/ceramic/mcintones_ceramics