I think the busy backsplash would be too much by itself. Have you considered combining the glass beveled subway with rows of the other? It could be a sandwich - subway tile/busy pattern/subway.

Busy but SMALL SCALE mottling. In some circumstances, it would be like a tweed fabric and act like a solid. It depends on what is next to it.

The plain cream looks great, understated and elegant, and the focus is on the granite and the cabinets.

The brown plain is too 'brown" and the tone clashes with the cabinets, on my monitor anyway. It would be my second choice if it's OK in person.

And the small mosaic is too small and too busy, and the tile and granite are fighting each other for attention ... if the tiles were those colors but larger, 3x6 or 4x8 or even longer (4x12"?), they would clearly be the dominant element and the granite would be in the supporting role and look like cream tweed.

Adding a stripe of mosaic is more like saying "I couldn't make up my mind so I used them both" than anything else, like a tweed jacket with a scarf and a brooch AND a necklace. It doesn't get rid of the conflict for attention - it adds to it.

You could do all subway, subway and mosaic or all mosaic. If you go with a mosaic just make sure that the colors in it are also in the granite. If you're careful to not add colors that aren't in the granite you can do a mosaic.

We found a granite that had all the colors in our backsplash, which we had decided to use before we picked a granite, and I think it coordinates well.

The solid glass subway tiles are a nice option for your backslash and will keep the space nice and light! Then like other people said add flair with bowls or artwork which can be easily changed out when you want a new look.

I love your 3rd choice....a simple classic color with a little interest from the beveling.

Let your granite be the star that it is. Two busy elements so close together is not a good idea. The cream beveled subway tile is your best option. The first one is a little to yellow and will limit your color options for the rest of your decor.

HI --- You could have the same granite as the counters , that is one way of doing it but .... this granite is to busy ,so I think .. plain cream tiles , subway or something else , no bevel and no contrasting grout . Should have matching grout to cut the busy look.

Read our guide on how to pick a backsplash fit for you: http://www.mrcabinetcare.com/backsplash-creative-way-add-color-kitchen.html

Yes, to lefty's suggestion of cream tiles. My granite is almost identical to yours and I used a cream, matte subway tile...no shine, as I think it would be overkill.

Keep it simple. I vote for the gold-toned beveled subway tiles in photo #1, with #3 as second choice. The mosaic is too busy and its tones too "cool" for your granite and cabinets.

I'd agree to stay simple. Out of your options I would go with the larger stones over the mixed small tile sample. Good luck on the project.

I love your granite choice. It is the focal point, so the backsplash tiles should be very neutral. I like the color of subway tiles in #3 but think the effect of beveled corners plus grout lines will add too many lines and make the wall look too busy, competing with the granite countertops for attention. Can you find some plain subway tiles that aren't beveled, in a similar neutral color. Perhaps some that are handmade (or look handmade), so their edges aren't perfectly straight, which can add a little interest.

Go with the 3x6 subway tile. It looks great and will allow the granite to be the focal point.

Unlike the others, I'm blown away by the mini glass subway tiles. NORMALLY, I dislike business on the backsplash when the countertop has a busy pattern. But those tiles are amazing, and the colors match the counter so closely that it's like an extension of the countertop. But it could end up being a tad dark in appearance. For a lighter appearance, and making sure the focus is on the countertop, a light glass subway tile would be nice. Not as dark as cream, but picking up the lighter color that is in your countertop (looks like ivory or maybe soft white). And glass, flat edges (not with the beveleld edges, which is too fussy for a plain backsplash, IMO). That's if you are keeping your cabinets dark. I don't know the white/ivory/cream color you are using elsewhere in your kitchen. If your walls are soft white, I'd use that color on the backsplash. I like shiny glass tiles, but ceramic matte is another way to go that would look nice. But shiny in a kitchen looks so fresh & clean.

Stone softens granite

Diagonal Diamond pattern

Subway tile is very busy.

What is the overall style of your home? I think you can do either depending on the rest of your space, furnishings etc. you have selected good colors, I like the sandy subway over the yellowish one though.
What is your style in general... Do you wear clothing with pattern or do you prefer to wear solid colors. This is your instinct style, go with it, you're intuition will be right for you.

I have the same issue. I'm using 2X4 American Olean Glass Tile but i'm stacking them in a clean horizontal way. The submay is traditional but if you pull them off the mess and stack them you'll have a fresh look.

We would encourage you to choose the creamy-beige beveled glass subway tile shown in the 3rd photo. The style will stand the test of time and its light color complements the granite well. This design will be the most appealing to buyers when you eventually plan to sell your home!

The cream subway is the best of your three choices. However, I am not crazy about the beveled edges nor the fact that it is shiny. The beveled edges make the tile busy. Natural stone would be a very nice contrast to the granite. If you want to use some glass, use it sparingly as an accent.

I like the third and think it will give the kitchen more of a classic look, that won't go out of style as quickly as the others.

We are building our dream home. I picked a somewhat busy looking stone for the kitchen island, and the architects gave me some good advice: they said make the rest of my kitchen counters soft looking and more plain in order to let the island "pop". I'm so glad I listened. I think it's the same with your backsplash. Let the counter be the star and don't try to compete. I don't think you'll regret it.

I strongly prefer the solid "sandy cove" beveled subway tile.

If you're busy on the countertop, it looks so much better if you go with something more classic and solid as shown w/the off-white beveled edge glass subway tile. (3rd pic from left).

Thank you so much for all your comments!! So my husband
Doesn't like the beveled glass and I still love that mosaic ! My tile
Guy just recommended a tumbled travertine maybe a6x6 with a 4 inch stripe of that mosaic ? What do you think ? I will try posting pics tonight ?

gabby - I think the 6x6 travertine with 4" stripe of the mosaic would look lovely. I think it would break up the busyness and still have a pop of interest on the wall. I think that you should go with what you love. Someone suggested to me to graph out what you think you want to go with. It really helped me decide what would look best (which is different from what I thought I would like best).

Definately the beveled subway. The bevel will add visual interest. Pretty!

I have almost exactly the same granite but with white Shaker cabinet style. Going for a coastal look and having a hard time figuring out whether to choose tile to blend with counters or go with a cool-colored glass tile on backsplash. Sheesh

Have you considered copper sheeting as an option? http://houzz.com/photos/131663

Here are some ideas on how to choose the right backsplash for your kitchen... http://bit.ly/1reZQzp

Hi---I like all the beveled subway tiles shown. I can't tell by the photos whether the bottom right tile in pic #1 is the same as pic #3, but that is my favorite---followed by #3... Love all your materials. Hope this is helpful. Good Luck!

I have very busy granite and am trying to do a backsplash. I saw the beveled subway tile in Sandy cove color and I love it. I searched it every way I could think of and am not able to find it. Would you share with me where you found it please?

In my opinion, if you choose a "busy" countertop you cannot have any kind of pattern on the wall. Even trying to be simple by putting one-color subway tile is too much as there IS a pattern with the grout lines that fight with the countertop. If you have to have busy tops, I think you should have the backsplash with same countertop and leave the walls painted one color. This whole need to put backsplash and tile up the walls is expensive and unnecessary. Be a leader not a follower.

I'd put in big plain tiles that are a light grey that compliment your wood, but tie in close to a colour of a grey in the marble and the greyness of the door handles.

Can you tell me from which store is tile from the third picture ?

Which did you decide? I’m looking at something similar to the third picture and this one. However, this tile is t glossy so not sure how that wiuld look. Also, my backsplash isn‘t very big.

I thinkninwould loke some kind of a design behind the stove top but plain on the rest.

I can't help you with your dilemma, but where did you find that deeply beveled tile??? The house we moved to has a creamy white beveled tile on the backsplash. We removed the microhood and put a much smaller profile vent. The previous owners graciously left a partial box of this tile in a closet. A generic box...no information on manufacturer. We are shy about 6 tiles to tile behind the stove and local big box stores have been a bust. As well as 'the tile shop'. All of their beveled tile is very low profile.

What did you end up doing I’d like to see a picture