Maybe something like this over the stove ?

Since the area above the range may require cleaning more often than the other areas, I would avoid anything with a lip or frame which will collect dirt/grease/dust first.

Photo #4: rather than trying to work with the quartzite, what if the tile related to the stove....from the photo I am not sure of the finish, but whatever it is, do it in subway tile. It should work well with the veining in the counters, as well.

Go all the way up the wall around the vent hood.

Can we get a picture of the tiles where they aren't in the shadows?

I'm not loving that zellige-look for your kitchen. I don't think it complements your counters.

Have you looked at Sonoma Tilemakers or Pratt & Larson?

I like the tile you're looking at, but I think you should get at least one sample of a non-variegated tile, like solid white or pale gray, just to see how you feel about those. The variety might feel soft and lovely, or it might make the whole kitchen feel like a quilt, so I'd want to see a few options before committing. I'd skip the fanciness above the stove -- those aren't really on trend, and the space gets a lot busier once you actually fill it with your normal stuff! :)

Your kitchen is super magnificent!!!
It looks amazing!!!

I think that with such a busy countertop, with such a high level of veining, I’d go with something simpler.
I absolutely love zellige tile. But I think in this space, something plainer would work best.
Maybe something textured. But solid.

How about a creamy colored crackle subway tile? You want something to let your lovely counter top be the star of the show. Subway or square are also period appropriate if that is what you are thinking about,

Is the veining in the countertop gray or caramel? I would definitely get samples of pale, pale gray and soft creamy beings/caramels to see if you like that idea. And yes, square tiles are appropriate for your home. My friend is redoing a bathroom in her 1923 home and definitely is considering square tiles. Subway in 3x8 would be the longest I would consider since anything longer might read too modern. So far, this kitchen is gorgeous!

Your quartzite is fabulous! I agree with others to go with a simple, all one shade (white or perhaps very light gray) tile that won't fight the quartzite for attention.

Beautiful kitchen! I agree with the above recommendation recommendation for Pratt and Larson and Sonoma Tile, and you might also look at Encore Ceramics. They all have many selections that would be well suited to your kitchen.

Really nice kitchen. love it.

Is your range installed per the manufacturer's installation instructions regarding the rear wall clearance please? If not, you want this resolved before installing a backsplash.

Since you're considering subway (rectangular) shape, I think the only way to tell if the variation will overwhelm your gorgeous counter is to see it in that tile, not to try and guess from a different size and shape. (Also, although I love square tile, I would prefer a larger, grouted square tile in your kitchen. If you were considering square tile.) So have your designer get the actual tile shape you're considering or move on to some other "actual" tile.

Agree, no rangewall feature.

Please no range wall feature and I also agree no Zellige look tile . A simple gray glass with matching grout is all you need . BTW make sure all your lighting is LED 4000K before choosing one more thing. Nice kitchen. IMO the tile should have gone up behind the hood

Thank you everyone for you kind words - we are loving the kitchen so far and it has been worth the wait - this is by far the most special kitchen I have ever had and thank you for the wonderful suggestions and help on tile - it is so very appreciated and I am off to look at different options this week (loving the look of the Pratt and Larson and Sonoma Tile) so I will keep you updated.

Just a few things - yes the tile will go all the way to the ceiling on both sides of the room and the hood is only temporarily attached to the wall and will be removed before we tile (as we are under construction we didn’t want to have to move it from room to room and possibly damage it) and the stove is installed per the manufactures installation specs regarding the rear wall clearance so all good there.

Any other recommendations for tile are still welcome - you are the BEST - thank you.

I’m using Sonoma Tilemakers, Encore Ceramics, Pratt & Larson and Adex Tile in the renovation of my 1914 home. Adex is notably less expensive than the first three.

Fireclay Tile and Winchester Tile Co. www.winchestertiles.com, both have beautiful glazes. Winchester is an English tilemaker but they have dealers across the US.

Your floors look amazing!

May I ask what brand your cabinets are> I love the look of 2 doors without it being 2 doors!

For your backsplash, I like a subway with an irregular edge but in a larger size - 2 x 10 or 4 x 12 where the color isn't completely solid.

These are nice tiles from Happy Floors ( Titan series )

Good luck!

@Debbi Washburn - thank you so much and the cabinets are by Mouser

I wouldn't add a feature above stove, just get nice tile and let it shine. Is the stove area the only backsplash location? I love the selections posted in the last two responses, as they are subtle but not boring. I would want a touch of color instead of another shade of white or grey.  

I don't know the price of Winchester tile but my favorite showroom has them and they are beautiful and very suitable for a vintage house. If you only have that space, Fireclay tile might end up being expensive by the time you pay shipping and small order fee.

Beautiful kitchen! I would choose a light creamy color that is also in your granite. As for anything over your range.... you could use something that you can remove if you do not like it. In my former kitchen I used a platter. For our backsplash I used crema marfil tiles.

Everyone here has been so helpful - thank you so much.

I did pick this up yesterday - it is from Encore Tile .. thoughts ?? Sorry I just realized how bad the lighting in these photos is so I will go retake but they are refinishing the floors today so can't go in the house but at least let me know if you think this is the right direction please.

It is so hard because Ceramic Matrix (where they sell this tile) does not allow you to check out boards only tiny little peices - I mean how are you supposed to decide a full backsplash on a 2"x 3" sample????

What will your wall color be? Is that it behind the tile sample you just posted?

Maybe do a farther back shot as well - and I’m assuming you can view this tile with your under-cabinet lighting?

I think you may have a winner there. It is hard to get an overall feel with just the one tile and close up.

Can you show a photo that shows the cabinet color with the tile as well as the counter top?

I'd like to see a tile a shade lighter than that.

I love that Encore Tile! For a slightly lighter shade (although the Encore Silver Crackle might be THE ONE), you might like Adex crackle subway tile in bone.

@Joseph Corlett, LLC so we went back and checked the installation specs and I am 99.9% sure all is good but maybe there is something you are seeing that I am missing? The wall behind the stove is a concrete exterior wall with a plaster finish that will be tiled (no wood) so not combustiable(I assume) I dont think we need the low backguard ?

Thank you for any advise

@ Patricia Colwell Consulting - thank you and yes all lighting is LED 4000K but the undercabinet lighting is not yet installed and the hood is only temporarily attached to the wall and will be removed before we tile - as we are under construction we didn’t want to have to move it from room to room and possibly damage it so we put it up knowing we will take it down when we tile.

T may look a bit “muddy” against the countertop. I would look for a shade or two lighter, as others have said.

Thank you everyone for your ideas - we decided on this one from Daltile and hopefully it will arrive in 10 days or so ..

Nice! Looks like it’s a winner.

Thought you might like to see the final result (well minus the outlets) We love it - thank you for your help

Wow. Beautiful

Can you tell me what the Daltile tile is? Love it!

Beautiful!

Just stunning. Great choice.

R Acker - the number is Daltile #MM30 in the color Spirit (MM303121P2) 3x12 wall til and the cost was $7.89 per square foot. There are quite a few different variantions in the color (but still very soft and monochromatic) as you can see in these photos (zoom in) and I actually laid them out on the floor first to make sure they were "random" LOL and I love it - glad you like it also .

Thanks so much for the information. I’ll look it up. You did a wonderful job. (Especially with the ‘randomness’ which I totally understand) 😁