[misscox]

I'm going for a vintage diner theme in the kitchen:
White Abstrakt cabinets
Black Galaxy Countertop
B+ W tile floor

I'm also doing a white cast iron sink and stainless steel appliances. The fun retro vibe will be helped by my countertop appliances which are all red (red Dualit retro toaster, red old fashioned juice press, etc)

I'm down to two choices for the blacksplash: white subway tile with white grout or white glazed hexagons (you know, those very 1940s tiles, that are often seen on old bathroom floors) with black grout.

I'm having a hard time visualizing them -- I do have a slight fear that the hexes will compete with the b+ w tile floor.

I have this one pic (not my kitchen) of a kitchen with the subway tiles and a b+ w floor, which i think may support my theory about the hexes. But I'm not sure.

Thoughts?

[IMG]file:///Users/Misscox/Desktop/9KitchenandTheLittleWorkbenchThatCould_medium.jpg[/IMG]

	W definition W is a wall cabinet designation, as in W18, can be a stand-in for Wide, or when followed by a / stands for With.

[Harpy]

I'd go with white subway, with perhaps an edging of a single row of black, if you really want a two-toned effect.

[DesignDiva]

I'd go with subway tile as well...I've never, ever seen hex tile anywhere but a floor. It just says "floor" to me, especially in terms of vintage. You could go with a liner of red across the white subway tile, and if you use a pale gray grout you'll get some dimensionality if that's what you're looking for with the smaller hex tile.

I love the diner theme...are you adding in touches of stainless? Because you could go with a quilted stainless backsplash for a real authentic note.

[Emmie9999]

I think have seen an example or two of hex tile backsplash, but they were all from '20's art deco kitchens, and they don't sound quite right for what you are going for. They were all patterned with at least two colors. IMHO , that would be too busy with a black and white floor. Also, they were matched with hex tile countertops, which doesn't sound "diner" to me at all.

I think subways would be perfect! I love the red liner idea. A black liner would allow you to change from red to, say, yellow if the spirit moved you (and the aplliances all broke down!) Maybe a black liner with a colored "dot" at regular intervals?

Eva's idea of the quilted stainless backsplash is another great touch. If you didn't want to do it everywhere, then maybe just behind your range or cooktop?

	IMHO IMHO means In My Humble Opinion

[misscox]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I did think about the quilted stainless...but the kitchen is tiny (I live in Manhattan) and I think the subway tile will be a little homier. I do want the diner look, but I also don't want it to feel too sterile.

I think I will go for the white subways. Not sure I'm going to add in a color (I won't be in this apartment forever, so I want to leave the basics neutral enough for resale...I'll add my personality in with my appliances, plates, etc).
BTW, found a COOL plate at Fishs Eddy. It's a square plate in with a diner's check (or 'bill' depending on where you're from) on it. It will look adorable with the diner theme.

Demo started today, I can't wait to move forward!