There are as many choices for backsplashes are there are people. I agree with you, it's personal. Have you scrolled through the backsplash slideshow? So many pretty ideas!

I also have 6" travertine but straight layed with 4" diagonal bronze accents.

Here is a link that might be useful: Backsplash slideshow

Lindy, thank you so much! I didn't realize there was a gallery dedicated to backsplashes only. It seems the majority of kitchens were full tile backsplashes versus all granite, and there may have been a couple with a single row of tile.

I like the travertine, but after seeing several ideas with the shiny tile, i'm starting to wonder how a cream tile(shiny)might look with a black rope border instead of the diagonal travertine/rectangular shaped border tiles. I'll be using the New Venetian Gold granite, which has a cream background and black/brown markings.

I've seen the bronze and they're beautiful! I'm trying to keep a cream/tan/black color scheme, and maybe the rope accent might be the way to go.

patty cakes,

We went with 6" golden travertine (we using an enhancing sealer) on the diagonal with a copper/bronze decorative border. Since this was so similar to what you were contemplating, I thought I would share some pics with you.

Area behind cooktop:

Perimeter Backsplash:

Backsplash on main sink island:

I hope this helps :-)

My counters are granite but all of our backsplash is 6" NOCE travertine, except behind my rangetop. I wanted a scene of the area I live for that spot so I went to a local artist and asked if I could use a painting of a winter orchard he'd done. They were very helpful. Our tile guy was able to direct the artist to someone who would work with him to transfer the scene onto tile. I call the picture my "dead trees" and though it's not for everyone I'll be able to look at it easily for 20 years. The only thing that did not work for me was the potfiller faucet. I said I didn't want one but when I came back to the site one day there it was.

A close-up of the scene and the NOCE tile framing it

My granite, the scene and the NOCE tile