I like the longer ones best. If tiles are your preferred choice, I think a white tile that has a nice polished texture look, looks great in a kitchen. With great lighting, the light bounce's of the angles and the stainless steel appliances at night and gives a bit of bling and expense.

anaewlo - did all this just over 12 months ago so know how valuable an extra pair or eyes and a clearer head can help. The "little" things are the ones so easily missed and the ones that make you ask "what was I thinking" or "how did I miss that". You could take the tiles up higher immediately behind the hotplates, the range hood would then tie it all together and you could even have some nice artwork each side of it. The only concern I have - are the 2 tiles in the second row centred over your hotplates? Fine if they are as you will have that high part nice and even. If not, I'd a have good think about it. Otherwise, assuming you will paint the walls in a semi gloss paint, the lower tiles will take the brunt of the oil and what goes on the walls will be pretty easy to wash off, it is just a matter of wiping it down after each cooking session. There are times to match things up and there are times to blend. With your downlights, keep to white (assuming you will paint your ceilings white). this way they tend to disappear into the ceiling

Thanks Nicole!! We actually went for white grout too in the end, and stacked them (mid century modern house, we thought it fitted better overall). I agreed with you that I wanted the detail of the tile to shine, not the shape of the tile. We still need to paint the rest of the room, etc., but I'm pleased. We had them sealed and used a supposedly more stain resistant grout (Davco Colour Elite). We loved the designs so much we put the 150mm blue jeans version in our pantry!! Thanks again for your reply. Enjoy your new space.

My splash back tiles were white and the grout. I just wiped if got splashed after cooking. Never a prob.