I would choose a dark tile in a color from the counter maybe even glass tile with matching grout . I think close but not matching is always bad BTW

I would choose the Natural one closest to the cabinet color, let the countertop be the star.

Either one will have a lot of color variations so this is one instance where ”close” is probably fine. Visually, the natural will extend the cabinet color, the snow white will extend the stone color. Either way, it’s going to look much better than the old bs. Have you given much thought to grout spaces? Larger spaces will make the high degree of variability in size and thickness of the tiles a little less noticeable, but of course you’re going with the zellige because you like the variability. Make sure your installer has set this type of tile before, blends the boxes, and uses wedge spacers. And please show us the ”after” if you can. Good luck!

the natural is nice...But the cabinets and counter would take a little more boldness . the brown in the counter is a very cool brown....

Have you thought of a deeper color..as someone suggested....could be stunning..use a muddy brown grout and venture into different hardware when you get to it....

Projectos Midnight Blue Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile · More Info

Isn’t that going to be a nightmare to clean behind the stove? The ones I’ve seen have uneven edges so you don’t have a flat surface, even after grouting. Those little ledges are going to collect grease and dirt.

So everything I've read about Zellige tiles behind the range top insists that cleaning is not an issue. Even the people that installed it without grout say that (?!!) I need to be wary of resale because this is probably not my forever-home, so I do plan to use grout, with the thinnest line possible.

If you are resale conscious, zellige may be the wrong choice. At least half of your buyers will think the look is the result of a bad DIY installation. You could instead use a handmade subway tile with variability in color and even size, but much less than the tile you are considering.

eam44 has a very good point. As much as I like the Zellige tile, it probably has less universal appeal for resale. More rectified subway tile might be a better option. I.would also consider not tiling the side walls.

@ eam44 thank you, that's a valid point. Although my sister, who is a realtor, just installed it in her newly renovated kitchen and it looks good. She did the Riad snow white with white grout and it looks great.

Do you have a brand name for the handmade subway tile? The ones I've seen so far don't offer much color variation.

@ flopsycat1 , yes! the side panels are definitely being eliminated!

I’m a fan of Fireclay Tile (link replaced), in part because their web site is so helpful, but any handmade tile would be great. You can search for maximum variability in their original ceramic tile (the search above) that will show you which glazes fire up with the most color variability. You can also search for beautiful shapes. But this tile is expensive. As in expensive.

They also have some beautifully crazed tiles. Theres a lot to enjoy there. Their neutrals are incredibly rich, and for some reason the color Tusk looks to me like it might work well for you. Samples are inexpensive.

My favorite handmade tile is Complete Tile - handmade in upstate NY. I used them when I redid my kitchen. Take a look at what they offer.

Your current splash matches neither your stone nor your cabinets so by matching one or the other you are at least headed in the right direction. In my mind Zelle feels busy as do your counters and your cabinets. For this reason, I'd find another kind of tile, But you seem to like it, so use whichever you feel matches your cabinets best.

Your cabinets have a lot of look and detail and if you are wanting to tone them down for future buyers, have them kind of melt in to the look of the backsplash. This will make your counters stand out and everyone seems to want to put their own new counter into whatever home they are moving in to anyway.

@ Kendrah Thank you! I have to say I am now leaning away from Zellige! I appreciate your thoughts on the color direction. The style of this house is definitely not my personal style, so it is challenging to change things without messing up the overall look.

Equipe tile called Artisan in white is my back up choice to zellige, I got samples of the zellige and while I love it, I do not think my boyfriend will appreciate the irregularities like I do. Which is how most other people would see it.

I also think changing the hardware on those cabinets would help maybe to something lighter like champange bronze or brushed gold, then change the faucet to match. beige/off white cabinets are in right now!

Equipe Artisan white = Bedrosian Cloe White (Equipe manufactures them for Bedrosian and a few other retailers). It’s been a VERY popular tile (I used it in a recent bathroom renovation). It is a v4 (= high variation) - the color lots do vary a little bit. It tends to lean gray - so I’m not sure that it would work with your cabinets. The cream color has a lot of variation = too much next to your granite (plus, I think the shades wouldn’t work)

Equipe also has some other tiles - with less variation - that might work. They look handmade (uneven edges) and come in various sizes/colors/matte or gloss. One of the styles is a mix of matte + gloss tiles - it is also sold by Ivy Hill - Amagansett.

It’s has a white (also called Gin on some sites) and a cream. Many people describe the white as a softer white (vs stark w gray undertones). The cream looks like it has a fair amount of variation in some stock photos - but in customer review photos (not retouched) - it looks like it has less variation:

White/Gin (Ivy Hill’s photo)

The online photos don’t show a strong pink shade as it has above.

Cream (again, Ivy Hill’s photo):

Customer photos:

This one is also cream (comes in two sizes):

This one is white/gin :

I can’t remember the Equipe name for this tile - but you can easily find it on their website.

Also - if you pirchase the tiles from HD (maybe Lowe’s - an’t remember if Lowe’s stocks them), you can order entire boxes in order to get a better feel for the tiles - and if you don’t like them, you can return them at the store w no shipping costs (no restocking fee either).

The above is just a suggestion for something that looks similar to the zellige tiles that you like.. As far as whether you should use a different color - I’ll leave that up to the pros!

Careful with some of those tiles, definitely get a sample, I can tell they have a pearl finish, unless your into that kind of thing!

I would look for a white subway tile that blends with the countertop. Countertop is the boss and cabinets will then shine as a lovely accent color.

I think a contrasting color for the backsplash, or you'll drown in a sea of beige, especially with travertine floors. Try brown as someone suggested, to work with the darker color in the backsplash.

And lay them in a running bond pattern (what you called "subway"). Stacked is more contemporary and your style looks to be more traditional.

https://pin.it/2YqgxOVYm

I like going for something a bit whiter to break up the griege a bit. These tiles have a nice sheen but not a ton of variation.

@ Diana Bier Interiors, LLC Thank you for the suggestion! I have decided Zellige is not a good fit for me and am looking at other options now. Thank you for weighing in on the layout question!

@ youXHome interiors Thank you for your suggestion. I am leaning more towards something lighter colored. The white in the granite seems gray-ish, but I have not liked any of the the true white tiles up against it. So I've been searching for a warm, but not creamy white to sample...if such a thing exists.

@ eam44 thank you for suggesting Fire Clay, their tiles are beautiful! I have a video consultation scheduled next week!

Oh wonderful! I have boatloads of their sample tiles that I’ve ordered over the years. I’m dying to know how your consultation went. Were they awesome? Did they suggest colors and shapes? Have you made any decisions? I’m excited for you. Tile is the best part!!

Make sure you post photos when it’s finished!

Jealous! Couldn’t get them in Canada for a few months so I went with equipe artisan tile (same as cloe tile) can’t wait to see how yours turns out.