Never mind the trends - think about practicality. Marble splashbacks, especially around the stove, are a bad idea. You won't be able to cook bolognese sauce without being stressed about the tomato sauce staining the marble. White subway with mid-grey grout to match the cabinet colour is a suitably classic look. I would normally suggest you use whatever material you are using for your countertop as your backsplash, but plain white Corian is a little plain. You might consider using a marble-look caesarstone that can also be used as a backsplash. That would be both low-maintenance and classic.

I would stick with a subway tile. They are timeless and classic so will always look good no matter what. We've recenlty bought a house that was last decorated in the 70's and the kitchen and bathroom both have subway tiles. I don't feel they look dated and am in no hurry (possible because there's no budget!) to change them. If they were really dated like mission brown lattice pattern tiles then no matter what the budget, I'd be ripping them out stat! You can't go wrong with subway tiles.

Subway tiles in the herringbone layout you suggested will look great, especially if you extend the splash back to the ceiling height behind the open shelves and cabinets.

Alternatively you can use neolith or similar, its a large sheet of porcelain tiles that are stain, heat and scratch resistance. They have a calacutta version which would look great too.

http://www.cdkstone.com.au/luxury_surfaces/neolith-calacatta/

good luck, I think its going to look great when its finished!

southern cross tiles..classic designs..I love them so much if only I have a place to renovate and money to do so ..sighhhhhh

We used a long, matt tiles in a herringbone pattern for our kitchen, so in my biased opinion: go with it! If you are looking to use long, hand-cut tiles in this pattern then the look will be a long way from the standard small 'subway station' look that is frowned upon by so many on houzz. I like the idea of keeping grout lines small and light in colour. Ours ended up a little bolder than intended but still happy with result. (....Oh, and Vy I have just ordered some SCC infinity tiles for the bathroom and hubby 'allowed' me to have a little hint of colour. Yay!)

Subway tiles ... Le sigh!!!

And herringbone laid subway tiles ... so much ziggy, zaggy!!

It's not just that they are "frowned upon by so many on Houzz."

It's the fact that subway style tiling became a trend so quickly ... it's been used to saturation (and it's seen used in ANY-room-you-can-think-of where tiling is needed) ... It's like "Oh, you've chosen subway tiles.... nothing new, then ... ho hum!!

There's gotta be other tiling options out there.

Good luck ... in the end, it's really what you and your hubby both agree t!

If your benchtops are quite plain, something like this perhaps: http://www.southerncrossceramics.com/ProductsDetails.aspx?ProductRange=Quantum&InvtID=B765-02&SelectedBy=DesignS

I love subways, particularly with dark grout. It sounds like you are nudging the heritage of your home with the shaker doors, the subways would do likewise if laid in a non-heritage manner. The way I figure it, you are renovating for you. Not for a 'show home'. Do what you want. Great colour combinations btw. I can see how the marble mosaics would work too.

I'm pretty wrapt in white subway tiles with dark grouting. once my new kitchen is in thats what we are doing. gloss white cupboards with marble look white/grey benchtops. Accessories bright pink, turquoise, some yellow & lime. I dont want red. but maybe place not sure yet.

Considered pressed metal?

I'm with jacquimahony here. So far this looks like a classy but very plain kitchen. It can use a little bit of contrast, a bit of texture. Pressed metal is pretty, easy to care for and talks to the heritage of the house if it's 19th or early 20th century. I'd go with pressed metal for the whole wall in a colour related to that of the cupboard doors, but lighter.

Go into Advice drop-down menu and you select Befor and After. Then it looks like it's self-explanatory from there. Let me know if that works. :)

It looks stunning! Congratulations :-))

scottevie..just found your message..I'm glad :) photos ? :)

Louise B you've done well. It's a stunner :)

That's really beautiful, Louise. I also love the staggered floating shelves against the metal, and the clever kick board lighting. You take good photos. So glad you love it. :)

Beautiful and very practical - total win!!

Very nice, Bec. what a clever idea. It looks great!

karrowe...this is an old post from 2016, if you read through the comments you'll see its done and dusted.