I don't ike the color with the kitchen and IMO no shelves on that wall the windows are awesome and no need for anything else . BTW open shelving near ranges are just not good I also need to know what your counters are and why such small tile with all those grout lines so maybe a bit more info. IMO backspalsh and wall colr are the last choices to make and should be done after all the rest of the kitchen is in place

I honestly don't like either. Is this the exact tile you are using? I would go with a much lighter tile & try a herringbone.

the issue is oversaturation. I think I would take either of the alignments that you are thinking of...but up to hood bottom......or a couple inches up from that.......do the hood window wall and the right wall around the corner and up to side panel of fridge. paint the area above the tile and the side walls a creamy saturated bisque color . rich neutrals can work w the warm teals like this shade. It will make the tile a pleasant feature. I think one longer floating shelf under the hood ....not very deep...say 9 inches would be flattering to the space..and you'd use it . you can decant oils into smaller bottles......w lots of windows you have to watch UV and degradation. but smaller containers of things/ dark colored glass/ etc works. the oak w the teal and then usable colored objects wiithin reach says to me this tile is one I'd keep.....just tweak things a bit.

Not sure if verticle or horizontal will make that much of a difference. I do find it‘s a strong tile and using as much as you plan on could be overwhelmIng. Suggest going lower to meet top of window or ending under top shelf, skip right wall, only go from window to window and/or use a less prominent style.

Imagine below from window to window only.

Thank you for your the input everyone!
This is our inspiration image. I see the tile stops just below the second shelf. (It’s a vertical installation).

Like the verticle and less of it.

I love the tile shown in the inspection pic. I voted vertical. Ditto on the many comments to not run it to the ceiling since it is so bold.

Inspiration pic!

I'm on the other side of this.. love the tile vertical and love it on the full walls! It looks amazing.

I much prefer it to plain white walls.

Whatever you do will look great - be sure to post an after picture

I’m with Debbi- do it all. Probably vertical alignment but honestly once it’s grouted with a close grout it won’t be a huge difference either way. I would skip the shelves.

I can't decide between vertical & horizontal. But I do like the tile all the way up to the ceiling as in the images & the color -- fresh & modern looking! What will your floor material be? And your counters? I love the lights.

Thank you everyone!
Floors and cabinets are white oak, island is BM Dark Pewter, walls throughout are SW Nuance with Valspar Creme Fraiche accents. We will definitely have the floating shelves because we have no uppers on that wall. We’d like a place to store some of our decorative pottery. Yes I know it will collect dust and grease, which is why I told my husband we are not storing glasses and plates up there.

Counters are Vadara Sereno Bianco quartz; yes I’d prefer honed marble but hubby won that one (we have young boys).

https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/pictures/kitchens/sereno-bianco-vadara-quartz-vadara-quartz-surfaces-img~a151d5d00a83683a_9-2130-1-9091898.jpg

Can you have your husband do a mock-up with tile just going to top of window?

if he can, also have him photo-shop some floating shelves like you want.

UPDATE below: Thank you everyone!
Floors and cabinets are white oak, island is BM Dark Pewter, walls throughout are SW Nuance with Valspar Creme Fraiche accents. We will definitely have the floating shelves because we have no uppers on that wall. We’d like a place to store some of our decorative pottery. Yes I know it will collect dust and grease, which is why I told my husband we are not storing glasses and plates up there.

Counters are Vadara Sereno Bianco quartz; yes I’d prefer honed marble but hubby won that one (we have young boys).

https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/pictures/kitchens/sereno-bianco-vadara-quartz-vadara-quartz-surfaces-img~a151d5d00a83683a_9-2130-1-9091898.jpg

OK— he adjusted the photoshop to show the tile to just below the top floating shelf. Better?

Pic here-

So improved—stopping tile lower on the wall really makes a difference! i like it!

Gorgeous! Flagstone is a beautiful glaze - so much depth!