I agree with Chipsa. I could not find ”the one” perfect tile for my backsplash for over 2 years. I had brought home so many samples and none felt right. I was driving myself and my husband crazy. But I didn’t want to pick something just to get it over with and then regret it everyday.

Then one day, I found the perfect light sage green gorgeous handmade tile that was in my budget. When I propped it up on my counter, I knew immediately my search was over cuz I started doing my stupid happy dance!

So are you wanting a tile in only either a white or grey (silver) color but that has an interesting shape? So many to chose from. I would go on the Tilebar website because you can upload a photo of your kitchen and it will show you whatever tile you pick on your walls.

This is a nice herringbone pattern with what looks like a silverish grout.

This is more blingy.

Here is an interesting one if you like this style .

You have a strong vein pattern in the countertop, so your tile should be calm. What do you think about a white or light gray picket?

So what you're saying is that you don't want a plain boring white rectangle offset tile, which is wise since everything else in your room is white. There are SO many choices in many different shapes, textures and colors. You can be creative with pattern--stacked, offset, herringbone. You can do square offset, arabesque, fishtail, in a dizzying array of colors and textures. Texture is a great way to add interest, I like glossy glazed brick, zelig or crackle tile.

Try to find hand-made tiles which are much more interesting than the mass-produced ones in the big box stores. Go to a good tile showroom and bring home samples--these stores usually have talented designers on staff who can help you select something you love! And definitely do not rush. You can cook in a kitchen with no backsplash for as long as it takes for you to find your preferred tile.

Here are some of my favorites:

Zelig tile:

West HIlls - Kitchen · More Info

Gray-green mottled color:

Arlington Redux · More Info

Close up of zelig tile

Devon · More Info

dark navy or black fishtail:

Concord Avenue · More Info

Green glossy with accent on top:

William Hefner Architecture Interiors & Landscape · More Info

Another green with varying color:

San Jose Res 2 · More Info

Square and rectangular white tile in an interesting pattern:

Luxury Listed Garden Aparment in Primrose Hill · More Info

Bright green glossy:

eco+historical Downey · More Info

Gray rectangle with smaller rectangles in niche:

East Harriet Colonial · More Info

East Harriet Colonial · More Info

Gray rectangles with black liner:

East Harriet Colonial · More Info

Large turquoise arabesque:

Mediterranean Kitchen · More Info

gray crackle with black and beaded liner:

Suburban kitchen backsplash detail · More Info

You can us your counter material as the backsplash. Carefully coordinate the veining. Layout of the cuts to your approval is critical with signoff and mutual communication with the fabricator. This s a top-level choice.

Simple and on trend would be a solid material. Something with no veins.

I sure would not do picket they are busy and IMO too many grout lines for kitchens . Maybe look at a simple stainless "subway" style tile or a gray glass larger format tile .I am really curious as to why you did not take the cabinets to the ceiling in what appears to be a small space .

Unfortunately at the time, we were looking for a quick fix since we were planning to do an addition in two years. So we just paid someone to paint our old cabinets. I would prefer cabinets to the ceiling but didn’t want to spend when we were planning to knock them down.

As far as subway, I hate the look of subway style.

I'm with you. I hate subway tile also.

I would have used the same product you used for your tops as backsplash. No grout lines. Easier to clean. No contrast