@Jayme Hobbs .. thanks a mil Jayme I had been looking at a light grey colour but was afraid it might end up looking just whitewashed but I love the wall paint in the pic. @eagledzines.. I've attached the closeup of the counter, will look into changing the handles just to give the cabinets a lift. @Dannielle Lyn... I was actually looking at glossy black tiles this afternoon and thinking seriously about them so that helped thanks

Ive just bought a new ivory white kitchen black counter and light grey walls, need ideas on colour for my backsplash tiles please

I agree, I think the kitchen units are quite charming. The tiles date it, the top of the dresser and the piece over the window. Agree, would paint the ceiling a soft chalky white. I know they're becoming a little overdone but metro tiles would suit but handmade ones in a soft white unless you just remove the tiles altogether and have a splashback by the oven. Can you afford to update the floor? The dresser offers good storage space, have you considered either just removing the top half or updating the top so changing the architrave and glass panes? The fire itself looks lovely, do you need the heater in front? I also like the brick but the recesses are dating it. I definitely wouldn't paint the brick, if you were to do anything I think it would need plastering over to cover the niches unless you are able to match the brick. Do you have a better pic of the firep? If you are set on painting the kitchen units, I would look at the really dark greys and inky Blues for the base units, as I think they'd suit the style well, with brass cup handles with a very pale grey for ŵall units. Or if you want the same colour units, look at a mid tone grey.

Don't be swerved away from hand painted tiles! The best way to add colour and originality (I make hand painted tiles so I may be biased). I would take the tiles to just under the bottom shelf, and up to the hod. We have had tiles behind our cooker for 21 years, and we don't find the grout staying clean a problem. By the way - I think subway tiles will look dated in a few years, as anything bang on trend tends to do.