I would pick up one of the light tones out of the granite and use that. I would keep it very simple with no color variation to the tile. Something like a 4x4 or 3x6 that has a matching mosaic that would fit in the riser area near the sink.

The granite's light tones, or the creamy white would both work, but I would look into black subway tiles. Your granite already picks up the color of the cabinetry (at least on my monitor) so I think the black would be a good compliment.

If you want a stone backsplash, try a light travertine--such as a Durango--in either 4" x 4" or 3" x 6" like Deborah suggested. It will give a nice creamy effect with some variation between the tiles, providing subtle interest. If you want to pull out the dark gray/black tones in your granite, then add a very small mosaic band toward the bottom of your backsplash.

I was also going to recommend durango, it truly works with everything! It may also be called classic light in your market.

Thanks everyone! Also, I can't decide on tile size and the pattern to lay them in. I really want my kitchen to look good without being too busy. I'm posting a picture showing more of my kitchen. Thanks again!

I would suggest on point, like in the picture I posted above, only without the decos. You don't have a lot of backsplash, height wise, so visually this would open it up. My second choice would be a subway style.

What would you think about using Noce instead of Durango?

You could get away with using Noce, but I do not think that it would look as nice as Durango. Sometimes Noce can appear on the orange side, which could look a little off with your cabinets.

There is so much pattern in your oak it's very busy. Black, charcoal or cream subway tile would work and help to calm it down. I know your not ready the change cabinets but....... if I can be so bold to suggest you paint the lowers black or charcoal and the uppers cream.

Travertine Noche, mini brick.

I disagree with other comments - as said, there is already a lot going on. I would not use a small tile, rather the largest tile you can find. Lowes carries a off white 24x12 porcelain that would go with the countertop, and not detract from everything else. The large pieces not only make it visually less busy, but the fewer the grout joints, the easier it is to clean. this picture is on a lower end rehab, but the tile I am referring to.

Do you think a black backsplash would make everything too dark? Also, I am thinking about clearing most of the things off of the area above the cabinets. What do you think?

It isn't so much what you have on top of the cabinets as it is the wall paper border. It is busy and detracts from all the other good things.

I agree with Urban Renewal Builders Ltd regarding the size and color of the tiles. Black will look dated much quicker than off white.

I fear that black may be a little too modern for your space--you seem to have more of a slightly traditional style. Also, your overhead lighting is a little sparse, so the black will certainly darken things. I do love your under-cabinet lighting, though. I agree with the others and would go with something ivory or creamy in tone.

Hi cjmany,

Have you looked into subway tiles or something similar? Mosaic might be a bit too busy for the space, and a natural stone might conflict with your new granite counters. I like the look of your cabinets and counters, I think something similar to subway could be a good fit for your kitchen.

You can see examples of the different style tile we offer here- http://bit.ly/T8Nc3b. The silver subway tile might be a nice way to accent your appliances and bring out some of the grey tones in your granite counters.

Good luck choosing your tile!

Hi cjmany, I know stone has been mentioned as a good option, but don't dismiss glass tile so quickly! We specialize in custom matching backsplashes to counters for the perfect subtle complement. When done with little or no variation and with the correct grout color, small tiles will not look too busy. Of course, if you prefer the look of stone that is beautiful as well. But, we can show you a variety of options in different sizes (1", 2", subway) and textural finishes. It's also easy to customize and mix and match to get the perfect color scheme. For your kitchen, I would recommend something either very light or very dark in order to contrast and add depth. These options will look simple and understated, but at the same time updated and modern. Good luck, and feel free to contact one of our designers if you'd like to discuss ideas further or custom design a backsplash. (custom designing is free!)

I like the idea of a classic subway in white. It won't compete with your beautiful granite!
You could do a brick joint in place of a straight lay (as in the pic)

I'm in the process of removing the wallpaper border. I think that will take away some of the busyness. I'll post pictures after I'm done. I don't know if it will make a difference in choosing my backsplash, but I think it will. Thank you all so much for your advice!

Personally I hate subway tiles with granite. So shoot me!

Besides the fact that subway tiles will soon be a thing of the past, while granite is a classic.

On second thought I really like the first picture posted by Susan Jablon Mosaics


Repost once the wall paper is gone. It just might make a difference!

Hurray! The border is coming down!

...I understand that it's easy to clean but--do we HAVE to have a backsplash? why not scrubbable paint?

No. Kitchens have not always has backsplashes. At one time they were only behind the sink and/or the stove. Often new builder kitchens don't until the new owner decides to put one in. Backsplashes can be lovely. The newer glass ones are gorgeous, but they do become outdated pretty quick - imo.

A bright color paint, chalkboard paint, or a brick patterned wallpaper will all work. I am certain you can come up with other ideas as well

So the answer is 'No, you do not HAVE to have a backsplash." You can change your walls at your hearts content.

As janishill said, a backsplash is not required. However, they do tend to give a kitchen a completed and finished look. As far as scrubbable paint, I don't know of anything even close to as easy to clean as tile/stone/glass. With a lot of cooking and splattering, especially behind the sink, I would personally be concerned with water damage to the wall, and at the very least grungy looking paint. Keeping a painted backsplash looking fresh is much higher maintenance than wiping down tile. I would always recommend a backsplash, but maybe then I am a messy cook?;)

When done well, simple and classic styles won't become outdated. Other looks can be unique and trendy, but that is not for everybody. But I do think there are so many options for backsplashes that there is one to suit everybody's space and style, and make clean up a breeze!

Many comments here but I would like to add that a large tile on a back splash seem little off to me.
I love all of the creamy color travertine ideas I would keep it simple with no decos as suggested but set the stone on a diagonal and be sure to use a urethane or epoxy grout .

i don't mind large tile if it is very rectangular and horizontal, but anything that gets closer to a square just looks like you've used cheap floor tile for the backsplash. So be cautious if you go large. Many good options already proposed. I always like to go very simple for the backsplash, both to highlight the granite and to achieve a more timeless look. Nothing dates faster than a busy backsplash in a trendy style. And I'd lean light rather than dark.

Ok, I'm posting pictures of my kitchen after the border was removed. I'm also posting a picture of the rest of my kitchen. I'm still working on taking the border down in my dining area. Thanks for all of your comments!

I think a smaller tumbled stone backsplash, slightly deeper than the tone of your floors. This will add texture/dimension and maintain a cohesive look throughout.

Dining area with border.

Oh it looks so much better without the border! I would, however, consider changing your paint color. Right now your kitchen is very beige with not much contrast. Have you ever considered painting your walls a light, minty green? It would look very fresh. Add a tumbled stone backsplash, and then you'd be good to go!

Nice kitchen!

Yes, removing the border makes it look so much lighter. I would continue removing the border around your dining area.

I agree with others that a tumbled stone backsplash, a tone darker than your floor, would look good.

Stone shop, do you have any images showing the green you're talking about? I have thought about changing the paint color. Thanks!

If this were my kitchen, I would paint the backsplash a light aqua (my favorite color right now) or light green and cover it with acrylic or glass for reflection. I would paint my walls an even lighter aqua (or green or your favorite color). The color is changable in the future. Personally I don't care for natural stone backsplashes because it makes the entire kitchen too matchy matchy and bland for my taste. I like subtle color with brighter color accents.

cjmany,

This is the closest photo that I could find:

I was thinking more of the saturated green toward the ceiling.

cjmany...I wrote a long post earlier then my PC crashed! So I will try again.

First let me say how nice your kitchen looks with the border removed. Instant update!

Personally, I don't like mint green in a kitchen. For some reason that shade makes me think of bathrooms or bedrooms, but not kitchens.

And I don't particularly like the mint with the oak cabinets. A green with warm undertones would probably work better. Let me show you some other options:

1) Timeless ~ Shades of Spring: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/shadesofspring

2) Classic, deep, rich color ~ Sycamore Tree: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/sycamoretree

3) Bright & cheerful ~ Wales green: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/walesgreen (this would look amazing with both cabinets and counter tops)

4) The name says it all ~ Chameleon: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/chameleon
(your room would look different at different times of day and throughout the seasons. A lovely shade of green.

What I would do is pick up paint chips and hang them all on the same wall, but several inches apart. I would look at them through the day and night discarding the ones I didn't like as I went. Finally when I had it narrowed down to two or three I would buy sample jars of paint, paint an area 2'X2' or so and make a decision.

We all have different tastes, so pick what makes you feel happy; not what I like or what Stoneshop likes. Something you can enjoy day in and day out. May I ask what your favorite color is?

My friend has a kitchen very similar to yours. Oak cabinets, similar granite and she used beadboard as a backsplash. It is really pretty and very inexpensive and gives a nice texture that pleases the eye. She painted the beadboard a color in the yellowish/gold family. She took the color out of the granite. I'd definitely give some thought to this idea. Post pictures!!!

janishill, thank you! My favorite color is blue, but I haven't used blue in my house since the days of "country kitchens" when I had dusty blue and mauve everywhere! :)

Betcha had cute little ducks, too! :-)

Though I have seen it used, blue doesn't seem like a kitchen color to me either.

I think of sagey greens, bright yellows, orange and deep golds for kitchens. The color of food. A blue kitchen seems odd...unless you eat lots of bluberries! ;-)

BUT you should use blue in your house if it is your favorite colr. Don't follow trends. They are here and gone. Use what makes you happy even if everyone else thinks it a peculiar choice. These days I use classics ~ kinda. I have a vivd green wall in my living room. The space is somewhat dark. Green being the color of life makes the space seem bright & happy yet relaxed at the same time.

Anyway...back to your kitchen. What is you rfavorite shade of green or would you prefer gold?

1) Happy, high spirited ~ Orange Burst: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/orangeburst
(not sure how this would work with your furniture though)

2) Exuberant ~ Tangerine Zing: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/tangerinezing (this would be beautiful with sage green as an accent)

3) Rich gold ~ Beverly Hills: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/beverlyhills
(there may not be enough contrast between thsi and the cabinets, but it is a beautiful color)

Be sure to hang the paint chips, eliminate those colors you dislike or that do not seem to work, then use samples to paint test areas before making the final deision. Even if you spend $50 on samples they will keep you from making a more costly mistake.

I would also suggest that instead of having the items on top of your cabinets spread out, create a group of similar items that have different heights, widths or textures so they go together while creating balance and interest.

One other thing I would suggest is to change out a couple of the cabinet doors to glass fronted ones. The glass will reflect light and make the cooking area brighter.

Oh...I want to back up a bit...any of th eshades of green (from my post last night) would compliment the touches of red you already have. You would still be able to use your rug, the candle, the pitcher with cooking utensils, etc.

Can't wait to see updated pictures!

I like the room with the wallpaper border removed. I think your dining area will look less busy with the border removed.

I personally would not put anything on top of the cabinets. I don't like climbing up and washing everything as often as it is needed.

Now, to your original question. I like the color of the paint you have now that I can see it without the competing wallpaper border. If this was my kitchen, and it had an electric cooktop, I would paint the backsplash area in the same color of paint, but a semigloss that is washable. If it had a gas cooktop, I would use glass. The photo shows a Houzz kitchen with artwork behind glass for a backsplash. The art can be changed!

I'd like some feedback on this backsplash, please. It is Picasso Tumbled Mosaic. I'm looking at the Roman Pattern on the bottom right. It has all of the colors in it from my granite. Thanks again!

So what did you finally choose and are you happy with it?

We are looking at the roman style Picasso tumbled stone right now.