We got our backsplash tile at Walker Zanger in Mount Vernon. (They have a store in the city, but the service was atrocious there, as opposed to Mount Vernon, where it was excellent). We picked the backsplash before we picked the cabinets. Since I wanted 2 color painted cabinets, I thought it would be easier to find the tile I liked first and then get the exact shades of cabinet I wanted based on the tile. But for our bath I did the opposite and brought in samples of the vanity wood and flooring, and we chose our vanity backsplash tile from there. So I think it could work fine either way. Anyway, the people at Walker Zanger were really helpful and showed me a lot of good options that I wouldn't otherwise have considered.

I looked at the marble at HD but I was very disappointed in the quality. Many of the tiles were already chipped all around the edges but not in a nice tumbled looking way...more inconsistent, especially from one package to the next. Also, the coloring was very inconsistent. One package would be almost white and the next would be very yellow, the next, very grey. I guess you can work with this as long as you are willing to take apart the mosaic sheets because it would be harder to blend in the mosaics vs individual tiles. I really really wanted to love it -- and I'm not picky. We are doing a DIY kitchen redo, keeping old 1990 yucky cabs. And we need at least 36 square feet for our backsplash so the price was very appealing. But I couldn't stomach the poor quality at HD.

cigi, in our last house the previous owner installed tumbled marble in a mauvish tone which IMO looked awful with the St Cecilia granite. Even though the tile was expensive, I tore them off and left the 4" granite backsplash, patched and painted the rest of the wall. The sink was the only working area as the cooktop was on the island. No problem with water as I used BM Aura, but Pittsburgh Paint's Manor Hall Timeless is just as good with a more flat look and lifetime warranty. I'm pondering the issue for my current redo. In various houses I've had paint, wallpaper, white tile with abalone inserts, plain white tile. Right now I'm weighing white tile with a beautiful insert, just paint with no granite backsplash since this area has only a counter but no cooking/wet functions, paint with granite backsplash, or a simple glass tile backsplash with listello over it a la Chinchette. I'm attaching a photo from Chinchette's beautiful kitchen (hope she doesn't mind seeing hers cited as a great example) which shows the last option. In any event, I echo others' advice to not worry about that decision immediately unless you absolutely love a certain look. Just use good paint. Here is a link that might be useful:

Limitations.... you mean like using a wood bs behind a gas range? Sure. That's unlikely to meet code anywhere. You'd be surprised how often it comes up in the form of a question on beadboard or shiplap. Stone tile has the properties of the stone from which it is cut, so calacatta marble tile should be sealed so that it does not stain, but it will etch if it comes into contact with acids. Procelain tile is fine for a bs. Here's an unexpected twist on that idea...