Consider a glass mosaic tile in white. It will keep your all white but adds a touch of bling to liven the kitchen up. Some also have barely there colour in them if you don't want all white but don't actually want a specific colour. Sorry the photo attachment no longer works for me https://www.google.com.au/search?q=photos+of+white+glass+mosaic+tiles&espv=2&biw=1242&bih=585&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CCEQsARqFQoTCNjQgIvSucgCFYIrpgodw6cNVQ

Hi Jacey Eve, How is your splashback coming along? We are the manufacturers of the Pressed Tin Panels product (yes we sell it too - but believe we know what we are talking about- most of us who work here have a pressed metal splashback at home too!) I believe the great responses have covered what we would recommend for the panels as a splashback and that is the powder coating. It makes them a non-porous and easy to clean surface as well as a long lasting, good looking surface. With basic care it will remain that way for many,many years to come. We believe it is very competitively priced and an easy DIY product to install. If we can provide you (or anyone else reading this) a sample, prices, details of stockists, an install guide or a quote just let me know mardi@pressedtinpanels.com Visit our website for more info and ideas: www.pressedtinpanels.com Regards Mardi

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.

Thank you for all these comments! Nice photos, Malcolm. And I had wondered whether there was a way to seal grout. So interesting that you raise the no-splashback idea, CP! I had also thought about just painting that side. The tap is far enough away from the wall that we don't actually get much splashing. Then I could have the mirror on the other side without worrying about having 'competing' splashbacks on either side.