The gray tile is not the proper tone. The third photo tile far right lets your counters be the star of the room. All in all, you might try to find something similar to the third photo so your backsplash isn't the focus, but the compliment.

https://www.msistone.com/glass-tiles-8mm/ice-glass-subway-tile-4x12/

perhaps you can get some samples of the above or look up the manufacturer to see if you can locate it to try.

https://tilebar.com/spa-tuscany-pattern-super-white-glass-tile.html

The problem you are running into is that the tiles are all different styles and they do not play well together! As you have selected the star tiles, you really need to stick to that style and feel for the rest of the backsplash. You'll need a "white" tile that looks like the background in the star tile; may be a brick or a tile that looks handmade.

Agree the star tile steels the show. A very pretty slightly rustic muted white tile that is from the urban series at tilebar.com. It ever so slightly mimics brick.

I think a simple backslash with your counters in a great option. I do love the star tile, but it really steals the show from the counters as they have a lot of movement and a lot going on and it a visual conundrum.

Porter has pointed out two important points: tone and busyness.

The cabinets are warm tone and the backsplash and counter are cool. The counter and cabinets can work with the right backsplash - simple, and at least neutral and not cold.

Too many stars trying to steal the show....plain wall tile will let your counters “shine.”

Agree with the others- something simple, and light. Less is more.

Best option is to select the lightest tone in your counter and find a tile that works well with it. Can't tell exactly what the lightest tone is, white for ivory tones?

Tonally the white marble works - it just doesn't really do anything for the space. I still want to do the star tile behind the range - maybe just behind the range and not the whole wall.

I'm trying to find large-ish tiles for everything else, 6x12 or anything by 18 would be perfect. I'm seeing a lot of 4x12 and 3x12 - and of course 3x6. But that would be too busy. I like TileBar - but unfortunately at this point in the project, money is getting very tight.

Only thing I can think of that might pair well is the marca corona solids.

https://www.tile-shop.com/products/stoneone/stoneone.html

The silver might pair well or the very light gray? I do think the scale is too large on these that the link are provided. They do have many yet you'll need to look. I used a patterned one from the Marca Corona Terra line and it's beautiful and was available for me to pick up and not order. The Terra line has solids, but I think they are 8x8 hex so too busy if you use the star backsplash to go with a hex. It's would pair well if you want to look around at their different lines as, "terra" is just one. Try doing a little searching with the name.

No, the marble tile doesn’t work. Neither do the stars. At all. The counter is much too busy to be able to add any more pattern anywhere. You negated the use of the stars when you chose that counter. It was a death match, and you picked counters. Stars have to get thrown off the island. Or you have to rip out brand new counters. You can’t have both.

Back painted glass in a plain white would give a cleanable no pattern surface. Which is exactly what thos counters are demanding. And they are the boss.

https://www.tile-shop.com/products/new_classic/new_classic.html

another 5x10

http://www.buymytile.com/colli-eco-stone-grigio/

numerous colors in 6x13 which would pair well with the star.... use the drop down to see sizes avail. in different colors.

OP won't let the stars go unfortunately..... stuck with the stars so trying to work with it?

People seem to be able to leave the house dressed in the morning without combining plaid pants with a giant floral print. Why is pattern on pattern so difficult to learn to either work with, or work against.

You can do pattern layering where multiple scales of similarly colored materials can work together. But you can not do the same scale Large pattern X with the same scale large pattern Y that isn’t even the right shade of black.

This large pattern floral shirt needed plain white pants and a black cardigan. And maybe a tiny bit of colored jewelry. But it already has pinky orange striped pants. So no more color. Or pattern.

Look at glossy black tiles with under cabinet lighting if you want drama.

Just because you love a tile, doesn't mean it can work in your space. No to the stars. It will be awful! Even just above range. Don't do it! Plain is your only answer. White, black and matching grout or no grout with back painted glass.

I am in the minority - I love the star tile! Is there a softer color or tone on tone option?? That might make the difference. Your counter reminds me of golden delicatus... while that has white grey and black there is also a good amount of off white. I would maybe look into trying to match that color for a warmer pallet of non-gray.... maybe a nice crackle tile or raised pattern??

well, I don't mind the star tiles, but I like eccentric. so, there's that. NO gray.

how about a black quartz w/a bit of antique mirror? it's sedate in color but not a 'white subway tile' plainness.

I like the black option because your room is open and bright, it works subtly w/the counters and it looks stunning w/the wood cabs. others

2x6 fireclay tiles in meteorite

or listen to everyone else and do an off white matte subway tile like this one. yawn.

Believe me I looked for a similar tile in softer colors, but I kept coming back to this one. Thanks especially to Porter, Beth and those who offered actual suggestions. I will definitely go to TileShop - that's where I got the stars in the first place.

Sorry it's such a bugger for you. I do love the stars, trust me, but?

You might look at: Aliante Black, med and Aliante light gray 4x12 which I'd place horizontally perhaps, Urban Brick Vintage White?, a shot might be the Castle Windchill yet not sure if it will be too white even though it has dark gray edges and some within it.

Computers can be so tricky, but tried the light gray Aliante, black Aliante, Urban and Windchill I didn't post Aliante med gray in this because I'm on a dash right now:

that Urban brick suggestion was The Bomb.

The black looks way to dark to me. It would create a black hole in kitchen.

There no way to know until you bring everything together in the room. I went to Floor and decor at lunch today and grabbed a boatload of samples. (The guy behind me in line was *not* amused.). I'll let you all know what I come up with.

I went ahead with the star tile behind the range. Everyone who sees it says they love it. And most importantly *I* love it.

All the whites and blacks really fell flat in the space. The bricks were too busy.

I just happened to have a sample green/blue tile that I bought for a different purpose. The ceiling is a pale greenish blue so I tried it and it's perfect!

Now we just have to finish tiling the master bath so I can do the kitchen backsplash.

Rio Brewster, as long as you love it that's all that matters as it's your space. Would love to see photos if you choose.

Here it is! Finally finished and we love how it turned out.

wow, I love it. there are always people who put a floral and plaid together and make it work. especially if it makes them happy!! I'm glad you didn't do black, I have cherry cabs and did a black backsplash and recently took it out and started over. it's just too much with the cherry although I've seen some beautiful pics it's not what I like waking up to every morning.

the starts are perfect!

anyway you can get a shot with the ceiling so we can see the relation to the tile?

looks nice Rio. what/whose cabinets are those? they're very nice.

Thanks Beth. The cabinets are ShowPlaceEVO, their frameless line. Novara natural cherry. The bevel is a nice twist to your basic slab door.

@felizlady. That sentiment has been expressed previously, and I'm glad I ignored it. Sorry - no subway tile anywhere in my house. It has been done to death.

The project is complete with both the stars and counters - and we love it.

Love it!! Enjoy - job well done.... How was the price on the Showplace cabinets - If I may ask? Did you price them against other brands? Thanks

Cool look Rio! Glad you are pleased.

Oh gosh. Kitchen and Master bath together were $28K. And that includes 8 drawer banks. I had gotten some preliminary quotes for Kraftmaid, Kemper, Mid Continent, I think and they were all in the $20-$25 range.

Here's the other wall and the ceiling.

The kitchen looks great. Are you happy with Showplace?

Veteran Tradesman,,,she's already completed it. you should read the recent comments first.