Hi Sue, I think it would look amazing if you used some tiles with a bit of texture. The wood look tiles that are popular at the moment would be an example. If you chose a colour that toned in with your floor you would get a really nice cohesive look but with a bit of interest. I've attached a photo of a recent design of mine as an example. Just a suggestion!

I think a dark grey grout would look great, the wider the gap the more the tiles stand out, if it wouldn't cost too much and you had some spare tiles you could do a mock up on a piece of board , sometimes the only way to really gauge things is to actually see it

Hi johnstoneanne , using Copper as a splashback gives you a couple of things to consider where what material you choose may also depend on the actual look you are after and considerations such as its maintenance, it being fit for your purpose plus that of your budget and to meet the regulations for this if you have a gas cooktop. There are a few ways you can go to achieve a copper splashback; starting with use of actual sheet copper laid onto a support substrate. This is a soft material that can scratch easily and will also oxidize and so you may like to consider applying a clear two-pack coating over this metal during fabrication. Another option would be to use a Laminate material that has an actual thin Copper face layer which also comes with a clear protective coating. You have already mentioned using a Copper tile as an option; where this will also have grout lines. Another option you may consider could be to use an easy to clean glass splashback and use a metallic copper finish backing or if you want an aged copper look, then you could alternatively use a copper photographic image that is printed onto the back of the glass splashback. A glass splashback would be easy to clean, scratch, heat and water resistant. There is also the possible option of using large sheet Porcelain splashback in a rusty copper colour if you are after a more matte finish; using something like perhaps Neolith’s Iron Copper or perhaps their Coreten, where these are heat & flame proof, water and scratch resistant and easy to clean & again eliminates Grout lines being a large format sheet. I hope this is of some help, regards Malcolm.

I would ask for the wooden architraves to be removed and the window surround to be finished as just square plaster. Then finished with paint that matches the cabinetry and/or bench. It’s the architraves that make it depart so much from your inspiration pic.