I work in tiles all day. Glass and mirrored splash backs are on the way out. Texture is what everyone is chasing now. Lots of interesting textures and tile shapes coming in particularly hand made looks in gloss and mat. Maybe 150 x 75 mat laid in a herringbone style (45 degree) or black gloss or matt laid brick or h/bone with contrasting grout. For a modern look 600 x 300 size tiles with grooves in mat finish. Bright colours with black and cream such as red are great if you like them but if you plan to sell the majority of people don't seem to like bright colours in tiles and your colours are classic at the moment.

In or out of date just go with what you love! Colour is easily added and changed with accessories. But a splashback can always be altered later on as well, although at more expense. I really like the photo splashbacks. We're thinking of putting a picture of my fathers family farm behind it but I've seen lovely ones with underwater shots, fields, even a family shot. Go nuts. If you don't like it, change it later.

I think the look you are going for is gorgeous! But I admit that I too am surprised your considering a smoky mirror splashback if you dislike glass? But again, it all depends on the vision you have for your kitchen. As Dr Retro has wisely pointed out, depending on what is opposite, will depend on what you're reflecting... or, what you have on your kitchen bench and if you want to see it doubled. I think in certain applications, smoky mirror splashbacks can look really beautiful but if you're not fond of glass, why not start with a material that you love and go from there? I have developed a bit of a thing for Southern Cross Ceramics and all the different tiles they have available - in beautiful colour tones, patterns.... aaaaah it's hard to make a decision! It doesn't need to be a dark colour if that is not where you heart lies, but some soft muted colours could work beautifully. I also saw a designer recently laid I believe it was a mix of matt and gloss white subway tiles in a herringbone formation (correct me if I'm wrong anyone??) so that it had a little twinkle here and there... it looked beautiful. As much as I love a mostly white kitchen, I think a little colour & texture that compliments your marble would be a great way to go.I even saw some silver/copper foil looking tiles as part of a splashback to give a kitchen that bit of glam. Before you commit to smoky mirror splashback, maybe have a look at some other options that will compliment your style and see if anything else grabs you :) Good luck.

We're renovating our kitchen and are at decision time to decide on benchtops etc. I'd love any opinions or advice on the colour scheme we're considering as we're not sure if it will all go together and it's a big chunk of money, so we want to get it right! :-/ The kitchen is a smallish U shape with a breakfast bar which opens to the lounge room. There's limited natural light so we want it to be as light as poss. The cupboards will be all white poly, floorboards are white sand engineered bamboo, walls are quarter strength tranquil retreat. For the splashback we're looking at carrara marble hexagonal tiles, benchtop - caserstone intense white and cupboard colour lexicon half or quarter or possibly vivid white (satin finish). We like the pure white of the intense white benchtops but not sure if it will compete with the splashback tiles (although the texture is very fine). Any opinions/other ideas?? Also not sure on which white to go with for the cupboard doors - leaning towards Lexicon half. Photos below of the floorboards, carrara splashback tiles, caesarstone intense white benchtop and paint samples. If anyone can offer any opinion or advise on this selection or other alternatives we could consider it would be really appreciated!