The "Birch Trees" design sounds very interesting, specially if you install it behind the range hood vent and all the way up to meet the ceiling. Any way we can see a bigger sample? Is it a printed detail on glass? or and embossed glass detail?? You already have a "Wood Look" on the floor, visually communicating wood by way of branches would only reinforce the design. I would however consider an oiled bronze, or dark iron color/look (match hardware hinges/drawer pulls) as "Trim" between the subway tile and the "Branches" tiles. Also if the Birch design is printed on glass you will want to carefully consider what type of backing/adhesive you install it with as it will show through the glass.

There are heaps of lines, lines, lines already "featured" in this area! The overhead cabinets, shutter, drawers, front of breakfast bar cabinetry, sandstone wall ... By going black grout - you will be drawing attention to and emphasizing the overload of lines ... By going black grout, you may have to deal with the black and white giving you cross-eyes while cooking! So - obviously - I'm cheering for the "go white" team!

In terms of the mantle - it may have been something more fancy previously. We have 3 fireplaces in our little 2x1 - including the one with the stove. Here is a photo of one of them - although it looks like the timber mantle and surrounds have been screwed on at a later date to suit the house rather than being original.

Hi Jaccco, over the years we have found that white grout between white tiles can actually yellow over time and so whenever we are asked this question we like to recommend using a pale grey.