I'd keep looking for a soft white, simple subway tile that matches your cabinets and becomes a quiet backdrop. Your floor needs to be considered in the decision since it's all part of the overall visual - make sure your backsplash doesn't clash with the undertones in your floor. Using fun colors would best be reserved for items that are easily changed as your tastes change (stools, towels, utensil crock, decor). Good luck!! :)

You definitely need some color in there. If you do opt to play it safe with grey, you need a grey with a bit of visual heft, not a whisper-soft light grey = blah.

Something like this:

But your space is begging for some color...soft or bold, either way would work:

I'm also surprised that you didn't think Cloe tile worked in this kitchen. If you still have the tile, could you show it, please? Because of Cloe's variation, you have to set out a fair amount to get the effect.

I ordered the follow samples from tile bar.

Here are the pendant lights For over the island

I gave up and just had them extend the countertop material up the wall.

It looks like you have somewhat of an open concept. What’s going on in the rest of the space? Maybe that would help with backsplash selection. Your kitchen is lovely and pretty neutral. Is there a style you’d like to achieve that’s happening in the rest of your house? Are you planning to sell anytime soon? If not, I’d go a bit bolder than light grey or white.

@Alix Ferguson love your stools, could you share where they are from? thx

@sunshinewedding

Thank you - so pretty

Love what's going on so far (the stools are awesome). Are you thinking a monochrome look or will you be adding color with rugs and textiles? We chose a fun pattern in a handmade tile that has a little of it's own interest but more or less the same color.

^^ mnmamax3 -- your soft green backsplash is lovely.

Cloe tile

Hard to tell with the lighting but I appears the tile is cooler in tone than the counters. Are your cabinets off-white? Ours is BM Feather Down and definitely creamy. The ones your ordered look like they'll be pretty cool toned as well. Matching greys is SO hard. I had literally 50 shades for grey on my walls so I chose mint. :)

The cabinets are a bright whir. The countertops is more cream.

Be mindful those many, many electrical outlets are going to affect the look of the tiles. If I needed that many outlets, I’d have them repositioned under the cabinets with your light strip. Good luck!

@sonja yes we are having the plugs moved.

I had some fun decorating your kitchen. : )

I was thinking a greenish color tile might work but still be somewhat of a neutral.

This one is called carolina moss from tilebar. I tried the herringbone pattern, but I think I totally messed up with the size. I am terrible at getting things to the right scale. Um yeah….like your pendants haha! Oh well, hopefully you get the idea of what the color might look like.

Don't make a final backsplash decision yet. You need pendant lights for both practical and decorative reasons. Once you get your lighting squared away you can decide the next step. Lighting changes everything. For now, just remove the extra outlets and paint the wall to match the cabinets.

I’m going to guess that, from your TileBar samples, #2 and #3 are going to look best with your kitchen. @Meanduschi is right. Picking the backsplash before your lighting is done can lead to an “off color” decision. Do you have recessed lights in the kitchen as well? And under cabinets strips? Make sure all of them are on when you look at samples. Your pendant choice is lovely.
I like the suggestions from @rebunky too.
If it’s any consolation, backsplash choice is one of the most common dilemmas on Houzz. It’s by far the hardest part of a kitchen remodel. So far, your kitchen is stunning.

I have creamy white cabinets also, and Sonoma Dakota tile in Summit looked perfect. I have a busier countertop, so I kept my tile neutral. They have some other colors in the Dakota handmade that you may like as well.

Cloe tile for someone who asked.

View

Always better to place tiles vertically on the wall for better assessment. They don’t get installed horizontally.

Red is right. How the light hits it vs when it’s propped up vertically can make all the difference. I’d also say wait until your pendants are and any under cabinet lighting is in.

@rtpaige03 - what color creamy white did you use on your cabinets?

Thanks Alix - is that from Bedrosians? I ask because since Cloe is known for its variation, it would seem that judging how it looks by one small sample tile wouldn't provide a very accurate idea. I would have guessed it might be perfect to bridge any gap in white/off-white tones.

Cloe tile is very forgiving and so is Calacatta Monaco, they both have the same variations of very light grey, warm white and cool white. You can pull from any of these depending on your lighting for your paint color.

(^^Posted in this thread:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5871164/your-experience-with-cloe-tile-in-white-what-color-is-it#n=296 )

@barnzcat yes that is a sample from Bedrosians. They only send you one tile. I think I am going to go with it

@lenahall SW Alabaster

Best way to get true sense of colour is to switch all your lighting (including the undercab!) to LED 4000K (closest to daylight) and as mentioned, lean against the wall.

Lets play! Can you find the one Cloe sample tile in this backsplash?

I added the sample you posted into this mockup of the Cloe white. It matches pretty close right? I know where it is and I can barely find it. So I think it should look similar in your lighting. I know it is hard to order sight unseen, but I say go for it! It’s so pretty!

Here is the original kitchen photo I stole the backsplash from.

This was the sample tile I used.

@rebunky thank you!!

Under the microwave??? I love a game 😁

Arrow points to it!

@rebunky, ha! Very nice of you...and extra points for funny!

I cannot believe they send one tile for a tile installation which has variation as its main selling point. @Alix Ferguson, if you use Cloe, maybe you should buy extra and then create an online business renting a decent sized number of tiles to people thinking about using it. Maybe I'll start that business!

Faucet is in.

Cabinet pulls changed

Which faucet color?? Brushed bronze vs champagne bronze

I like the one on the left

My monitor says the one on the left looks more like your cabinet pulls. (They’re both nice!)

Backsplash is going up today!!

Beautiful!

I love how your kitchen came out!! perfection! Oh and those chairs are so nice!

Alix, it looks great! So do your faucet and pulls. I hope you're pleased!

If you get a chance, maybe post a photo in that Cloe thread so anyone wondering about it can see your lovely result.

Thanks everyone! Just waiting on the pendant lights to come in.

Here is the original before photos

It looks great. The backsplash and pulls are just right. I hope you love it!

The backsplash turned out wonderful! The faucet and pulls are just the right touch too. I’m so happy for you. Please update when the pendants are in.

@Alix Ferguson I think your kitchen looks great. I have a similar color palette. Can I ask what color grout you used (white or bright white), and what edging? If schluter, what color? I'm not a fan of the white schluter against my wall color, so I'm trying to find other options. Thanks!