I don't know how much the $$ was to do the backsplash in the same material as the counters but that is definitely a gorgeous look if you think you can swing it.

The chevron one you show in your picture is also nice, but I feel the scale is too large for a backsplash, unless you have a full wall to cover and not just the 18-20" between counter and uppers.

I found some other ideas - most of them are marble mosaics. Many people on this forum will tell you not to mix marble (real) with quartz (man-made). You didn't specify but I assume your counters are quartz of some type.

But I think you can definitely mix marble with quartz if you find something that works well together. There are lots of pictures on Houzz where it has been done successfully and looks gorgeous.

This one is a small herringbone 1 X 3". I'd run it up and down, not sideways. The darker pieces might be too dark with your counters. You'd need to get some samples and see what you think.

Marble Mosaics – Toronto Tiles | Saltillo Imports Inc. Toronto · More Info

Marble Mosaics – Toronto Tiles | Saltillo Imports Inc. Toronto · More Info

I like this random mosaic. The colour is very subtle and could be really lovely I think.

New Tile Products & Designs | TileBar.com · More Info

Another marble mosaic for looks like flower petals or leaves. Very pretty.

New Tile Products & Designs | TileBar.com · More Info

I noticed your kitchen faucet is bronze colour - this could be an option for you. Have a look at designer Beth H. and her kitchen pictures. She used strips of schluter to make a pattern with marble tiles and quartz counters. Gorgeous....

New Tile Products & Designs | TileBar.com · More Info

New Tile Products & Designs | TileBar.com · More Info

Another herringbone, but subtler colouring than the one above.

Marble Mosaics – Toronto Tiles | Saltillo Imports Inc. Toronto · More Info

Another smaller chevron option - this one looks a bit blue to me but you definitely need to get samples and bring them home to see them with all the elements and the lighting you have - undercabinet and ceiling lights make a huge difference so make sure you have those in place when choosing your tiles.

Marble Mosaics – Toronto Tiles | Saltillo Imports Inc. Toronto · More Info

Apologies, some of my photos posted twice and I don't see a way to get rid of them without deleting the whole comment.

The large tile you posted doesn’t work because it makes your manmade marble counters look really fake. The herringbone works fine because the stone is cut up so doesn’t fight the counters.

Seems like you'd like to have a similar look to your counters. I'd splurge and continue the countertops up the backsplash.

Is your countertop MSI calcatta laza? im just finishibg my kitchen remodel thats what we used. I did the bedrosian cloe tile for bs

gorgeous! Where is your hood from? I will look into this tile

All our cabinets and hood was custom made. The hood cover has a panel that comes off so we can get to the insert. Heres a pic when it was first installed.

Hi Everyone, thank you for your help! Finally chose a marble herringbone backsplash that will be installed tomorrow. There are no grout joints on this but should I tell my installer to put spacers or leave as is ?? Also do I seal this first and then add grout? Please let me know as they will be here tomorrow morning.

Please, anyone following this thread planning their renovation to be: Read the cooktop installation instructions w.r.t. distances to combustibles. These include combustibles in the wall behind the tile/stone/whatever. There is a reason that cooktop island trim is so named; island trim is for islands without combustible walls behind the cooktop. Search on "back guard" or "backguard" in this forum for threads with more details.

Hi! Okay so these mosaic tiles are installed next to each other as it’s a tight fitting mosaic. I still need grout to fill in any cracks. Can someone recommend a grout?

Jenn, that tile comes on a mesh sheet. all the sheets should be butt-joined. As for cracks, you will use a silicone caulking (in white) between the countertop and tile (where the tile meets the countertop) ditto vertical joints. up under the cabs, the tile guy should get them as close as possible to the underside. any gap there, just use the caulking. You shouldn't need grout anywhere.

use a white or the Warm Gray, unsanded

one is Keracolor, and this one is T-plus. you'll have to read the stats to find out what's best for your install

https://www.lowes.com/pd/MAPEI-MAPESIL-T-PLUS-93-WARM-GREY/5001783171

Home depot carries the Custom brand

SEaling,,,,since the tile has MOP in it, what does the manufacturer say about sealing? try a little sample piece to see if the sealer does anything to the MOP. you will need to seal the marble.

I like 511 or aquamix or Sealers Gold.

Thank you SO much for your advice, so you’re saying there’s no need to grout at all? Even to fill in any gaps? The custom silicone will be used only where the tiles meets the counter? The manufacturer says I should seal the tiles. Should I seal them before they put up on wall? They already started today, what’s the correct method to seal? Brush on, wait for 5 min, then wipe off?

what does your sealer instructions say to do?? I have no idea what brand you got.

I would do an impregnating sealer. the one I do says to apply it (i use a rag) and let it sit for 1-2 minutes to absorb, and buff dry. When it's properly sealed, water will bead on the surface. with marble, sometimes it takes a few applications.

you can do it before or after installs. if before, do only the face. don't let it drip down the sides.

you shouldn't have gaps between your sheets of tile. your installer should know how to do these. there are not grout lines, no spacers. butt-join.

the caulk will go in the places I'vealready said

Thank you so much for your advice!!! I guess I’ll pick up some caulk for him tomorrow. Thanks for the sealing advice also

We suggest trying a glossy white herringbone, scallop, or subway tile. Here are a few kitchens we have completed that might show you how your kitchen might end up looking:

Modern Ranch · More Info

Charming Cottage · More Info

Amy, did you read the recent comments? (if you look at the date of the post and the date today, you should read recent comments for updates to the post)

She's already gotten the tile and has started install.

Thanks everyone for your advice! Another question, we are planning to tile above the window. Do I tile above the entryway to the dining room?? Or lave it as paint? Would it be overkill?

Here’s another view

Looking good! I'm thinking not do above the dining room door and only do the back under the cab to the right of the dining room door (no side splash at all). It will give the eye a place to rest, so that the tile is truly appreciated and not "too much".

In terms of caulk, a master tiler taught me to use translucent white rather than solid white or clear. It disappears rather than show up as a solid white or grey line.

oh that looks so good! what beautiful tile!

I'd rather you tile all over the doorway and under the glass cab,

and leave the area above the window as is.

another poster w/the same issue. they tiled the whole thing

Normally I'm all for tiling above the window. however, you have that window trim that is acting as a stop point/border. you can safely leave the portion above bare. But this area in the doorway, since you are doing the backsplash under the glass cab, I think leaving that small portion paint is going to look off balance since there is no symmetrical border or stopping point. does that make sense?

(don't forget, w/your vent hood in place it's going to cover a good portion of that tile on the wall)

I'd paint the area above the window a deep charcoal color. I think the contrast would look great. Why don't you paint it now, complete your tile, and then before fully finishing, see how it looks? you can always come back and add tile there if you think it needs it

down along the side if you have space:

Jenn, please come back w/an updated/finished pic!

Hi Beth H! I REALLY appreciate your advice !!! My husband loved your detailed post and we decided to go for it. We used a gold brass metal outline around the opening. It’s a work in progress but almost done. Now I need to figure out pendants!

I really loved your idea of the accent dark grey above the window 👌🏽 the tiling guy got to the house before us and got started and thought we wanted it above window 🤦🏽‍♀️ and had already done it. I would then tie it in with the same color accent wall in family room and dining room to tie it together. But, oh well let’s see! If you have any idea for pendant light let me know.

jenn, I love it ! And I also used the gold Jolly with my marble. I used it for the vertical grout joints

here's my black window. I trimmed it out in walnut that I refinished myself. I also have walnut on my vent hood and open shelves w/black tile around my coffee bar.

I searched through 800 pendants and ended up w/these. It's a small area so I was limited.

you like any of these?

I think by using the darker charcoal, maybe some wood, you add some warmer elements to all that white and gray.

island stools? look at the loom island chairs

then just pick up a nice runner to use in front of the sink

Hi Beth! Thanks so much for all your help! These lighting ideas are great! So the light is super important because it might be the first thing you see upon entering the home from main door. Adding a pic so you can see. Also additional views. Do you think 2 pendants is the way to go or one of those long lights ? My husband likes that attached, I’m not sure? I was thinking to go with black chairs with gold to sort of tie in the window ? Here’s an inspiration but I think velvet might be too hard to maintain so maybe faux leather… thoughts?

Here’s the light

And this is the other one he chose, are these too modern looking ?

I think this could work! (the last two are way too ultra-modern)

but these black chairs just seem a tad too black. tying in the black on the window may be better w/a black/gold pendant, or maybe some black/gold stools.

for my counter stools I did the Chi stools.

and I know these come in black seats. it's a leather or a really good faux leather. comfortable too.

Got them here on Houzz

Chi Bar Stool In Gold Finish, Black · More Info

if you want something w/a back, they might have something like this in the same style.

some other photoshops. (love your floor) and I gave you a hall light and some more modern black pendants. and the stools

this one is a gray wicker pendant

I think from this angle^, it works w/the flooring and all the gray in the kitchen.

I like this pendant too, and I put in the white stools like mine.

and one more w/your modern light

couldn't find a chair like this w/black fabric, but this gives you an idea of another look

The black pendants that look like mesh add a nice texture to the room. But I also love the 4th one with the glass and black trim and brass touches. Bringing in black for the stools is a great idea.

Hi Jenn, your kitchen and floors look really nice! I was wondering if you ended up going with Natural Seal to finish your floor? We’re planning to refinish ours too. We have red oak floors and wanting something light and not too much yellow tones.