Maria Killiam is all about white on white.. so, I’d stick with your hubs and go with white. I’m not sure how easy to clean his choice is. You can add color with decor. I’m doing an all white kitchen (Hanstone Montauk/SW pure white cabs) and thinking of Cleo 2x8 backsplash or Equipe coco backsplash. It has variation of white. I wanted Zellige but it’s too rustic and thick for my hubs. He likes Cleo. We’ll see. Good luck! Either is beautiful though.

Not sure how cleanable that brick is but...........................why not compromise and select a mosaic tile in a brick herringbone pattern. Either plain white tile or marble mosaic tile. Either way you'll be saving $$$

Hello @svanflicka - progress with your project I see! Here’s my take on choosing backsplash - based on personal experience too. It is the last piece to choose when making changes to cabinets and counter tops and lighting. I do hope your designer supports that. Certainly browse all the millions of choices there are to determine generally what you like. But, after all the other changes are made & in place then is the time to bring large samples into your new kitchen and see what they look like under your light in your space. That’s when you think about grout color too. I brought home so many samples and changed my mind daily. You’ll read all the questions about choosing backsplash here on Houzz & always the answer by Pros is choose last after other finishes are in place. I found that to be true. As to the two choices you’re looking at though I like both I will say that your instinct is likely correct that the mosaic won’t stand the test of time. It’s also very busy with the small pieces and the darker smaller piece in it. That business will make it dominate your kitchen. I had a back splash that had small linear glass tiles in it & it was very busy looking. I now have a mid size subway style with a tonal color - variations of a gray / green shade randomly placed & with grout to match the Cambria Colton quartz counter. The tonal color gives the splash some interest but doesn’t dominate the space. I would want to see a very large sample or some pictures of the brick style back splash. I can’t visualize how that would look - kind of rustic maybe but is it individual brick pieces or larger pieces & then how are they placed on wall?

Thanks everyone! Ashley, I'm a Maria Killiam fan and live white on white. But I think I might offend her with my creamy woodwork and wanting to do whiter cabinets. I think she says you can only go 2 shades lighter than the current creamy color but not a white shade with creamy cabinets. I'm worried about that. Our woodwork is BM vanilla ice cream and our current creamy colored cabinets that are antiqued and looking kind of dingy will be updated to a brighter shade of white. This is what our designer is looking to do but I bet Maria would have a bird! Don't know how to resolve this.

Beverly - I'm in LOVE with the herringbone backsplash! It's gorgeous! It could be just the thing! Any resources for where I could check our backsplash ideas?

KW - Great idea to wait to make sure the backsplash works with everything else. We'll definitely do that. I love subway tile. Maria Killiam recommends white or cream subway tile all the time. Our designer felt it wouldn't work in terms of style in our space. I'm not sure I understand her reasoning because I'm not that sophisticated with design style.

Thanks again everyone!

@svanflicka Please don’t sell yourself short on your sense of style and design. Your current kitchen reflects both very well! I think designers opinions should be treated as I treat most recipe ingredients - as suggestions to use as a guide. 😁 Absolutely listen to the designer when s/he says something won’t work - they can explain why it won’t work based on their experience which we don’t have. But remember that at the end of the day, your designer is helping you with getting YOUR house the way you envision it as well as helping you avoid design mistakes. Allow yourself the time to think things over - no rush or pressured decisions.

My first instinct was a subway tile. It has the brick feel that your husband likes and if you get nice grout and a pleasing size grout line, it will have a bit of the mosaic you like. It is timeless and you won't have to worry about changing it out in the future. They come in so many sizes and finishes that you can make it fit any vibe in your kitchen - lean modern, or classic, or eclectic, or contemporary.

I disagree about absolutely listening to your designer when they say something won't work. Instead ask them for the reasoning why it won't work for your application, ask some more follow up questions, and then decide for yourself. Please ask and report back, I'm very curious!

@Kendrah Agree with your statement about ”listening to designer…” You said better what I meant. When I said ’listen…” I meant that literally, listen but of course listen also to the reasons why which should be freely given along with the ’won’t work advice.

Thanks I'm thinking the issue may be that I'm going for a rich, European style and I have some rustic elements in my home such as our fireplace. Not sure though. I know the designer's reasoning about the subway tile is about the style.

Did the desiger say more specifically what about the style doesn't work? I think of subway as the tile that can go with any style. I'm not sure what rich, European style is -post some inspiration pics if you feel inclined, cause I'd love to know. I don't see why you can't merge rich and rustic into an elevated look.

Here are some pics of what I consider to be elegant style kitchens all with subway tile splashes. A few have some rustic elements in the pics as well. (I swear I'm not being paid by the subway tile industry. Just a huge fan!)

Casual Elegance · More Info

Allikristé Coastal Custom Kitchen · More Info

Mid Century Elegance with a Farmhouse Twist. · More Info

Farmhouse Kitchen · More Info

Kitchens · More Info

Taylor Residence · More Info

Traditional Kitchen · More Info

Kendra's, the pictures are just beautiful, and I love them all! I don't know exactly how to define my style. I took a design quiz and the result was classic. I appreciate timeless, traditional, French country, European, etc. I'm trying to educate myself about this but I'm much more confident in a designer. I'll press the designer for a better understanding of why she thinks subway tile wouldn't work well as our backsplash.

@svanflicka, I'm not a fan of the choices presented by designer. Why don't you ask for more ideas?

Don't worry about defining your style and don't undersell your own instincts. You know what you like no matter what it is called! I'm curious what the designer comes up with aside from your mosaic, your husband's brick, and subway.

That white brick is not a good backsplash material. Can't imagine cleaning marinara sauce splatters on it! It is also much thicker than standard backsplash, which will affect other elements in the kitchen and will need to be planned for ahead of time.

Thanks, based on feedback here, I'm going to request additional options for the backsplash and make the final selection at the end, as KW suggested. I'm really liking the herringbone tile a lot, so I'm going to ask the designer about that.

@svanflicka, or maybe something this?

A designer should get a little more creative.

@J Sk, that is very pretty. I appreciate the neutral appearance, and I shared with the designer that I was looking for something neutral and not trendy at all. Thanks for the idea!

@svanflicka, np, don't settle on anything you really don't like. There are so many options. Good luck!

There are so many beautiful herringbone backsplashes and you can even do subway tile in a herringbone pattern.