Depends on the rest of the house. Consider the whole lot rather than just one focus.

I'm quite conservative so would go with a classic timeless design rather than something very personal.

How game are you to push the design barrier?

Im with MD design, I think something more simple works best and there is less chance you will tire of it and want to change it later on. Subway tiles are a classic that works well with nearly all countertops and door profiles so personally id stick with these in the traditional brickwork pattern you mentioned. Great taste in your kitchen style - we are also having the Shaker style (off white / cream doors) with dark navy island bar, but we will be having stone splashbacks to match the countertops as I find the grout on tiles lower down and close to the countertops tends to get dirty

If you do decide to do this pattern you will need to get a good tiler to get the set out right for length as well as height. You will probably only have about 600mm to 700mm in height, so your tiles can't be too tall otherwise you won't have enough height to make a full pattern. You will also need a good length of benchtop to repeat the pattern enough times to make it effective. Consider how the pattern starts and finishes as you don't want the pattern looking cut-off at one end.

I have never seen it done before as it needs careful thought, planning and execution as well as a long length to make it work.

Best of luck, and please share photos if it is completed successfully,

Dr Retro

Dr Retro House Calls

you could try one diamond above stove as a subtle feature in your brick pattern,

The kitchen still needs a decision in backsplash. I'm now thinking a white subway would be safe, but any other suggestions? stone is Smartstone Athena.

Nope - with all of those different whites they will react and one of them will look creamy or dirty. Suggest you go with a soft grey to pick out the grey in the benchtop. Matching whites and getting it right is really hard to do successfully when the whites are different materials from different manufacturers.

Start looking at some of the greys in Johnson's Spectrum range in the 197 x 97 size, get samples and see how they work with your benchtop and cabinetwork in your kitchen. There are lots of other grey subway tile options available depending on where you are....

Best of luck

Dr Retro

of Dr Retro House Calls

You could do a white tile, just take care that it works in with the white of the cabinetry. A soft grey could work also. If you like the herringbone look, white tile with a soft grey grout would pick up the grey lines in the bench top. Best of luck in your decision making. Based on what I can see from your photos, you will choose well! Trust your instinct!

https://www.decorativeimaging.com.au/pix-admin/uploads/library/dsp-el04-01-mottled-brick-3600-x-750mm-website.jpg

Have a talk to decorative imaging, they print on to aluminium, you can do your design eg bricks in the dimensions to suit

How Gorgeous, love your light fittings also.

Lovely, you did well.

Thanks for posting after pic. Looks great