No to the grey - your wall seems to have a green tinge in them, so I would say either green/grey or a warm white tile with darker grout. If you choose the right grey/green, it is a classic look so shouldn't date. If you are a bit scared to choose colours, why don't you get a couple of warm white sample tiles and put where the splash back will go. You will soon see if it looks too stark....(maybe another idea, but possibly not a good one - why don't you see if you can put a few pages from a blank sketchbook in the whole area where the splash back will go (not super white white, but a warm white). That could also possibly highlight how stark (or not), the white may look. I can see what design tank is saying, as your cupboards appear to be more cream than white in the photos and if this is the case, then I agree the white will most likely look too stark. My cupboards in kitchen were white (but a warm white not a cool white). The stone bench tops also have the little speckles of stone in them..I can't remember the colour Ocean foam/Osprey.......but even with those colours and them not being cool whites, I thought the white tiles looked too stark against them. I therefore went for a glass splash back and ever since I then went to think of designs for my bathroom renovation, I constantly regret going with the glass in the kitchen and modernising the house too much..........definitely don't do glass if you are wanting to keep a classic charm to the house. In a long winded way, I think yes, I also think you should just stick with the grey/green. It will make a statement. Not the right shade...but another example....it may be hard getting the colour of the tile exactly right given that the walls are already painted and the tiles need to match.

I work in tiles and the normal splashback height is 600 mm. This is because overhead cupboards are usually this height above the bench top. In your case you don't have this so can do anything you like. If you tile to low 200mm etc the wall gets damaged - paint doesn't wear like tiles. There are many materials you can use as a splash back but most aren't durable eg Perspex. Glass and tiles have the edge. Textured splashes are in hence the hand made tiles. If grout annoys you use large tiles you can get them up to 1200mm long these days with rectified edges you only have 1.5mm gap. Use sealer on the grout, they are now easy clean. If you have the money tile to the bulkhead a much more luxurious look. Maybe in a charcoal. I don't know how these gaps are getting so dirty. I use spray and wipe with a toothbrush occasionally and it takes little time and always clean.

Hi Michelle, There are many independent designers (both kitchen & interior) that would be happy to put together a colour schedule to suit the kitchen design that your cabinet maker has prepared, so a few phone calls in your local area should have this sorted for you. Alternatively, we offer a cost effective 3D rendering service at The Interior Difference (check out the examples on our Houzz profile) customised to your colour selections to assist you in ensuring that you have made the right selection before you commit to the colours. We find this is really helpful for client's who have a good idea of what they think they want but just need a visual to give them the confidence to proceed. Feel free to send us a message if you have any queries. Good luck with your project!! Rebecca - The Interior Difference

Hi again, Lorraine here, I looked closer at your pictures of the area. I also noted your comment regarding "what if" you re do your kitchen. So, we all can do that and then time tics away and we dont do anything and frustration sets in as you really just want to change the things you have been looking for many years. The picture you have taken tonings from is very near your kitchen. the chairs to the table are the most pronounced of the colour you are seeking. Around the larger part of the room there are only little touches of the tone you like. Your rooms are very light with the blinds up. So I think the kitchen can take darker colours. Like the very deep grey outline of the fishes or the deep blue/grey in the painting or colour of the chairs. Laminex limed cement is a wonderful deep colour and will bring the benches alive. Then with removing the heavy door handles and seeing if you can use the push and clip fittings - you wont have any door handles but use a neater steel looking knob for your drawers or brushed steel handles on cupboards if you cant get the push and clip things inside. Paint the front board looking into the lounge and the cupboards a deep grey/blue colour to fit with the, mid deeper colour in the painting and the outline of the fish and the red will fit in nicely. Keeping your blinds up allowing the light in more than not will bring the room to life. Take out the floor runner. Do you use your stools? with the table right there are the stools necessary? if not take them away and ensure that area of the cupboards at front is painted - this gives a clearer area defining "kitchen". hope this helps Loz