Hello all, this is a follow-up to the original message from a couple of months ago. I found out that Rookwood make a thinner field tile in the same glaze as the decorative tiles, so my worries about the tile butting into window casings are now solved. BUT, I'm still trying to figure out what size field tile to use. A little background: I really, really love the decorative tiles and the polychrome glaze on them is gorgeous. But in general I'm not a fan of really busy tilework, and I rather like the idea of the decorative tiles floating in amongst the rest of the backsplash. Put another way, I really *don't* want this to look like a framed picture set against the backsplash. But, on the other hand, keep in mind that the field tiles will be about a quarter of an inch less proud than the decorative tiles. Given all this, what would you advise -- what's going to look the least obtrusive, most "natural" and least busy?? I made color photocopies of the decorative tiles to scale and taped them to the wall along with mock paper field tiles in the same dimension (6x9) running the opposite orientation. They would look like this: Then the tile designer came up with these sketches of progressively smaller tiles (subway and square). She also suggests putting a pencil liner around the whole thing. What do you think of these?: Unfortunately the tile showroom is in another state and the designer is only seeing the same photos, etc., that I'm posting here. So she can advise, but I'm open to other input as well. Any thoughts on all of this much appreciated!

My island is about the same size. I think it's around 109 x 54" wide. I really like this width. I think either width for you would work. I also have shallow cabinets, maybe 12" or less in the seating area. I think I would put some boxes out or posterboard to see if you can map out the two size differences and see which works best for the room. Here's some pics of my island - they arent great, but theyre all I have stored on the computer for now. Your house looks awesome, btw!

I agree that simple and solid is best. I would recommend something with a tiny bit of speckling, however, over a pure white countertop. We have pure white quartz counters at our beach house and they CONSTANTLY look dirty. You see every speck of a crumb, and even if they’re perfectly clean, you see streaks from the cleaner. The dark soapstone that someone mentioned could look really nice as well. Or concrete counters. I think quartz could look a little sterile with the stone floors, so I’m leaning towards soapstone or concrete. Concrete countertops can come in any paint color that you’d like if you don’t like the standard gray look.

@bhushank Nicely done! Thanks for posting these! I still like some wood, even though white cabinets are clean. But was afraid that w/ the Ethreal glow‘s white background & white cabinets, it would be too steril for me. I have considered the two toned wood & white cabinets & i like the way you added a little color on your backsplash to help it not be so white. i was thinking about going up the backsplash w/ the quartz. I have the challege of having a peninsula instead if an island & a cedar cathederal ceiling in the next room. I like the tones of your cabinets & flooring that you used as well. I keep looking at ideas & I hope one day soon I can make a decision! Thanks again!