I like those elements.
Well, here’s an idea.
Rather than use all of that mosaic glass as your backsplash, use a grey subway tile and run a stripe of the glass mosaic above the first or second row of subway all the way around the kitchen. For wall color pick something that will be close to the greenish glass of the mosaic.
@herbrokemom I like your countertop. Have you considered just going with white walls as shown in the photos from the countertop link? It’s a popular look know with all the Scandinavian style being in. It also adds a lightness, freshness, and brightness to a kitchen that I find appealing.
One of the advantages of finding tile at Lowes is that you can buy just one piece and take it home to check against the countertop before you have to make a big commitment. And it can be returned!
Kitchen backsplashes are starting to get away from the busy mosaics. The glass tile you selected has gorgeous coloring. But it might fight with the countertops or overwhelm the kitchen.
I would buy several mosaics AND buy some of the subtle grey green glass subways and take them back to your kitchen. Hold them up in your lighting and against the white cabinet and countertops.
If your kitchen is still torn apart, take the samples over to Lowes kitchen display area and lay them out on a display that is similar to your design.
I wouldn’t pick your wall color until you decide on the backsplash. However, your kitchen installer is probably pushing to get walls painted first because its certainly much easier to paint an empty room.
If you are getting pressured to paint first, I would recommend painting ceiling in a White satin finish (semi gloss is too shiny unless you are doing contemporary design) and walls in a pale grey (maybe with a hint of greyish green because your countertop and tile choice show that you like that tone). If the kitchen comes out too ‘dull’ for you after it is all done you can get some samples and make a statement wall somewhere in the kitchen.
Overtheedge…
Ive seen several black walnut butcher block countertops recently and they are Gorgeous! Good choice. I’m trying to figure out how to incorporate one in my current kitchen design project but there isn’t an island and I think it lends itself to a showpiece island rather than a back countertop hidden by uppers.
Agree that a whole wall of the mosaic can be too much with the patterned counter. A trim would be pretty though. We just did our kitchen in white cabinets, wood floor and counter with a little more dark grey and taupe in it than yours. We went with a porcelain taupe and greys brick looking backsplash. DH thought he wanted the mosaic tiles until he saw them with the counter and it was just too busy. We kept the walls white so they look like a continuation of the cabinets. It put the focus on the backsplash and counters. I might change my mind later but we don’t have much plain wall in the kitchen either.
Pick a color that you would wear. Your room should look good on you. Add a little touch of yellow since it’s in the next room–this doesn’t have to be big–maybe a vase of yellow flowers or a yellow tivet or potholder or something like that would be enough. This ties the home together a little bit psychologically and looks better if you can see one room from the other.
I first looked at Lowes and HD for backsplash, then (probably because of Gardenweb site), I started at the specialty stores. Yes, I paid more, but there would be an entire wall of marble, crackle, etc.
I find your countertop pretty but busy. I would take a sample into the specialty stores and find something pretty, but calming. Let the countertop steal the show. You can’t have too many clowns in one kitchen.
@coralbrook - thanks. I do like the walnut best on an island, but I’ve seen perimeter countertops done in walnut and they were beautiful.
OP, I think the linear mosiac on the entire backsplash with the countertops you chose may be a bit busy. Of course, that’s just my taste. It’s hard to tell in pictures. A more solid colored black, gray or white on the counters would look nice. Or perhaps use a gray subway with the mosiac as an accent (either border or design under range hood) as others suggested. Benjamin Moore Gray Owl is a great soft gray with a slight green undertone that may work well with your tile.
@herbrokemom - use the Houzz app, go to photos then search “Ceasarstone Atlantic Salt”. Lots of ideas for back splashes. There appears to be a lot of brown in that countertop. There may be too much brown for the green, gray, black mosiac. As far as paint colors with the countertop, a nice warm brown gray paint is Ben Moore Edgecomb Gray. I’d choose your counter first, then the tile, then the paint color.
Think I need start my own thread so everyone can help me with my counter and backsplash!
I was also going to suggest you take a look at BM’s Gray Owl. It is very soft and blends with many colors. How bright is the yellow in the adjacent room?
My kitchen is white, backsplash is white subway tile (behind the stove) or beadboard (everywhere else). My adjacent living room is BM Hawthorne Yellow. My counters are either butcher block or a fairly dark soapstone. I ended up paint my kitchen a color called celery from Sherwin Williams. It’s a fairly yellow light green. I worried about it a lot before I did it, but I just love it.
White kitchens give just fabulous look in the home. You can go ahead with the white color kitchen theme. No probles are there.
Some designs you can refer from here: http://kitchendesignbuzz.com/white-kitchen-design-ideas-pictures/
I think the glass tiles are pretty, but it seems subway tiles or other larger pieces would be easier to clean, fewer grout lines. To me, the glass is a modern look and the subway is traditional/cottage, so the style of cabinets and overall look I was going for would dictate.
Not to steal the thread, @mathmom, I’m working on a kitchen look similar to what you describe - white cabinets, hickory floors, soapstone counter, white fire clay farmhouse sink. We are keeping a white freezer-on-bottom refrigerator but I can’t decide between white and black stainless for stove and over the range micro. H hates SS. Any suggestions?
You may now return to your regularly scheduled thread …
Pastel yellow can go really well in a kitchen with white cabinets…
http://www.houzz.com/photos/188726/Kitchen-traditional-kitchen-milwaukee
http://www.houzz.com/photos/53334/Seda-Deck-traditional-kitchen-seattle
Pastel greens also…
http://clevelandhomeremodel.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/DSCF8541.jpg
There is nothing like epoxy grout. Things like beet juice and tomato paste do not stain it. No sealant needed either.
@herbrokemom, I think that those horizontal glass mosaics are already extremely dated, in the sense that you see them in SO many houses/condos where someone has renovated the kitchens for sale.
I admit that my perception is probably affected by the fact that I often find them visually harsh and overly busy. 
Blue paint colors (all BM).
VERY pale–Marilyn’s Dress (used for hallways, so almost a neutral).
Smoke & Pale Smoke (Smoke is deeper than pale smoke).
Greenish blue–Beach Glass–very pretty, but saturated.
I struggled with grays and ended up custom blending something but it is really pale as I was covering a lot of wall space. First attempt ended up too pale so had it repainted. I find Gray Owl too dark, but decorators love it. The problem is that I really do not like gray, hence, the do-over on the gray.
I like to keep paints and permanent stuff like countertops neutral and change up the color with movable/replaceable things like curtains, pillows, and containers on the counter, so I’d go with a warm gray on the wall.
My favorite paint company is Sherwin Williams. I like Mineral Deposit (a medium gray) and Silverpointe (a light gray). I just redid my living room in On The Rocks, which is a very lovely pale gray that works with cream trim (some grays are too blue and fight with the yellow undertones in the cream trim).
Mineral Deposit I used in my daughter’s bedroom and accented it with pops of yellow and silver. It looks lovely, so depending on what yellow you’ve used in that other room, it can work well with it.
http://www.evolutionofstyleblog.com/2013/11/master-bedroom-evolution.html
Here are some suggestions for a backsplash. Herringbone is very classic and also very in right now:
http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=110000
This backsplash is going in my next kitchen-it’s gorgeous and interesting:
Here’s another view of it:
MOD, you are brave.
I am afraid that a dimensional backsplash will be difficult to keep grease and dust from accumulating.
They all look wonderful in a virgin showroom; i want to see what works and is easy to keep up with in a working kitchen.
I had the same though re maintenance, although I love the look.
