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Third photo is the color of the counters. Cambria Sussex.

I see you used 2 different types of countertops in your kitchen. What material stones did you use? We did the same and it made it so difficult to pick a backsplash to pull all the elements together. (you can go to my idea books on kitchen renovation to see ) Anyway, your backsplash is not at all busy-it's actually quite gorgeous and from a distance looks like a sheet of glass. What color are the mosaics? Love you pendant lighting!

It flows nicely!

It's not always easy to tell from photos but your lighting seems to be a rather harsh yellow which isn't helping matters.
Personally i'm a great believer of herringbone subs in simple, clean lines kitchens like yours. They add great interest without being fussy :
*In a light beige/greige
Otherwise, i rather like your mosaic, it's quite unusual.

Magada: The under cabinet lighting is one of the issues. To me it has a low grade supermarket lighting look. Even though they said it's a warm light, I find it to be garish. It's a strip of led which is quite easy to replace. But with what. That's the question.

Karen Dumont: The island is a quartzite called mother of pearl (which I just love) and the perimeter is Cambria Sussex. I just had to make it difficult. I will check out your kitchen renovations. Thanks for the feedback.

Karen: I see you used quartzite on your island too. Beautiful job with your kitchen reno.

Well what you need is plain white light strips i think, and it'll look totally different.
The lighting you have is enough to put anyone off their backsplash and food ^^.

I agree with you whole heartedly! This would work best if you had a farm sink, I would do 5 inch long 2 inch tall white rectangles. That is what I have in my home,

Here is a pic with the k-mart lights turned off. It's still too busy for me. Husband thinks the kitchen is too plain and needs a little interest. I don't.

The view out the kitchen is my favorite part of the kitchen. I think maybe the glass tile is too ritzy for the calming woods out the window.

It's beautiful up close but I think it might be dizzying if used everywhere. Could you keep it on the microwave wall as it, but just use a 3 or 4" horizontal strip of it running between plain subway tile on the other long wall? Just a thought.

^^ Or as a detail over the stove?

Thanks rocketjcat. A detail over the stove is a good idea. You are right. There is something 'dizzying' about it as a backsplash.

gduplessis, I think you have done a fabulous job. I was torn between doing mother of pearl and sea pearl. I love that you took a chance and did 2 surfaces. Your backsplash looks gorgeous in the last picture you posted and it's not too busy at all but if you are not loving it, maybe you could do what rocketjcat suggested.

Thanks Karen! It's coming together well. I also looked at sea pearl and it's beautiful.

Your reno is beautiful! Not knowing the rest of your decor makes it hard to make a suggestion, but I agree the tile in the photo looks like bubble wrap. :-) white subway tile in a herring bone pattern would be classic looking, or you could go with a sea foam green for a pop of muted color. You've done a great job!

It's pretty obvious from reading this string that YOU think it's too busy and want to rip it out and change it. Trust me honey, if YOU don't just LOVE it...then quit before you invest any more $$ and energy. Quite frankly, having to clean that much grout would be the stuff of nightmares to come....I'm a messy cook, granted...but still. You can find something to tie all your colors together and that is Waaay less busy. "Busy" is not soothing....and if it jars your eyes/senses every time you walk into the kitchen....well, I can see a lifetime of husband prepared dinners. (lol, in my case, I might starve to death). Just saying here...go with your gut....always always always.

2tilletts...so true. My husband keeps trying to convince me that I'll like it, but I know I don't Even the tile installer guy said it's too busy. I'd rather them rip out that one section and take my time figuring out what I really like than have to regret the whole thing on a daily basis. I'm pretty sure we can return the rest of the tile and at least get some store credit. I had no idea that backsplash was going to be so challenging. That's probably why I'm the kaziliionth poster on Houzz wanting backsplash feedback. We do love all the other choices we have made, so in the big picture, this is small potatoes.

Lori B'Meyer. The rest of my decor is neutral/soothing. We actually put the kitchen in the living room, and this was our living room before we made it a kitchen.

Oops. Here it is.

Try adding your canisters or other items that will go on the counters, change out the lighting and then see how it looks. It is not busy looking to me. In the end, please yourself - you're the person who will have to look at it every day for years to come!! Beautiful kitchen!

Gorgeous living gduplessis, and it shows your desire to merge your interior with the lovely outside decor that mother nature has already provided for you.
In which case yes, that backsplash is rather too jazzy and you don't need it grabbing your eye when in the kitchen.
Please do consider mine and leelee's suggestion, that way hubby gets his "interest" and you get your serenity.

Anyhow, please do keep us updated with the result and good luck.

Thanks Magada. I'll post the final results. It might be a while.

Your living room is beautiful and classic. A neutral glass subway tile in gray would also be gorgeous for the kitchen and tie in well with the rest of your decor. I like the idea of using a pattern in just one or two locations as well. Good luck!

if you want to to, tell what the direct or not sunlight is like .,, does

Since your husband likes it, why not keep it so he enjoys the new kitchen even more.