Cream rather than white.

Well of course you should go cream! Match the counters, not the sink!

Seriously. White would look OK, but only OK because it matches the sink. Cream would look fabulous with the counters and darn good with the sink and fridge. White is way too stark. In fact I don't know why the white sink looks so good there--probably because it is soft and roundy and set in the wood. It does look good, and it's already surrounded by cream so a little more won't make it bad!

I vote for cream too.
I think it will look amazing with that knock down
gorgeous granite. I love the movement.
~boxer

I love the way your kitchen looks so far! Your granite is gorgeous and is perfect with your beautiful cabinets. You definitely should go with cream. White would be too stark. The white sink is a neutral and the tiles do not have to match the sink. Can't wait to see the finished product!

Another vote for cream. Agree that white would be too stark. Your kitchen is looking fab!

First I have to say that I LOVE your granite!
IMHO this is a perfect example of a time when you should go with your gut.. and (again, imho) of course you're absolutely correct that the white subway would be too stark and not in keeping with the soft, rich, elegant features of your kitchen (including the chandelier - great touch!) I'm also doing a kitchen in a 1800's Boston area home - and find that creating a transitional kitchen that fits the rest of the house is a little tricky - and choices may perhaps not be cookie cutter (e.g., what the tile store suggests). But you're doing a great job and your idea of having the backsplash be neutral (cream) so that one's attention is drawn to your granite and stove seems right on target. Can't wait to see more pics once the backsplash is in.

i agree the white would be too stark... just like the plaster. so i'm bored, i photoshopped for you (disclaimer: VERY quickly!)

the first tile on left:
{{!gwi}}

the second tile on left:
{{!gwi}}

I like cream too, but I was thinking a lighter cream, not the first one to the left on your samples. That is until I saw the photo shop by Momof3. ( I couldn't decide which picture I liked better) I would say that it is difficult to tell on a monitor. I would pick one that matches or brings out a creamy tone in the countertop. My 2 cents.

I really love (from left to right) #2 and #6. I think either one would be perfect! Seems to me like they'd be the best "blending" shades while brightening the room against the very lovely warm browns. BTW, beautiful kitchen!

Wow, beautiful kitchen. I really like #1. It looks richer to me. Your range appears to be dark red and your cabinets are also a deep rich color. Therefore, I think a very light colored backsplash will look out of place and not traditional enough. I think #1 would enhance the granite. Just my humble opinion.

I agree with debs3. #1 -- the richer color is my favorite, but I'm always for more color.

Convinced yet?

Thanks everyone especially momof3kids in photoshopping the backsplashes! I'm going with cream. I will make another run to the tile stores and pick up more cream samples. I hope to have sunlight in my kitchen later this week to view the tiles - it's been crazy with all the rain out here. Thanks for all the help! When 4 tiles stores all say go white I started to 2nd guess myself.

Yay, I'm so glad to see the counters in! The TB looks great. And the range! (Sigh, love it!) And yes, all 4 tile stores are wrong! Cream is the way to go. Definitely wait for the sun to decide which one. We finally have some sun after a gloomy winter and WOW, what a difference in the light in the kitchen :-)

And oh, I just noticed the edges...perfect!

Your kitchen (and the whole house) will be amazing!

You have the same colors in your kitchen that I have! My granite they called sienna bordeaux, but it looks the same. I was thinking of ivory/beige color subway tile too. My problem is that I love my granite so much I made a 7 1/2 granite backsplash which leaves me with 11 in. to the bottom of the cabinets. I tried 4 x 6 and 3 x 6 subway tiles and they look too big. My husband also thinks that it needs something (accents?) to break up the blandness of the tile. I also like travertine but filled and honed. Any ideas? What did you choose? How about paint color for the rest of the kitchen walls? I was thinking BM Soft Fern. I'm trying to change all my appliances stainless.

I'm not good at this decorating stuff and its driving me crazy. Help anybody!!!!!!

I got 15+ samples and tried them in all different light situations (sunny day, overcast, night, lights on, lights off...). The one that we were drawn to most often was Biscuit (a very light cream) - I have to check the box who it's made by. It was the cheapest $3.65/sq ft and in stock too. We wanted a really under stated backsplash so that the granite will stand out. We also have tile, brick and plaster so there's a lot of different textures going on in our kitchen. The tile work should be finished this week.

If those tiles are too big you can get even smaller ones like 1 x 3 and I think 2 x 6. that may work better in your space. I'm working on paint colors tomorrow and will tell you what I end up with. I like yellow kitchens but not sure here.

Bostonpam, I am just reading this post now but I would like to see a light cream backsplash (that Biscuit color sounds perfect... we need pictures!) with your cabinets and your gorgeous granite! I love the coloring and the movement of your Typhoon Bordeaux stunning granite. I also love your cabinet color. I am partial to cherry colors and if my budget would allow it, that is what I want for my kitchen. Please post pictures!

White would look too stark with the wood cabs. Another vote for CREAM!

I like the light cream. Here's a thought --- I have been thinking about mixing whites/creams -- the idea came from a photo on the Trikeenan web site showing a bathroom in a house in Weston where they did this with subway tiles -- they mixed three nearly white and cream colors in a random pattern -- looks amazing -- not sure you need another "idea" but you may want to check it out.

I like the lighter cream. It keeps things brighter and compliments the entire kitchen so much more than the darker one. Just my opinion though.

Amy

I voted for the second tile from the left before I saw the photo shop post and even more so after! :o) Enjoy your new kitchen.

A cream would be very pretty, but it should be deep enough to look like it's not just a different white than the whiter sink and not a mismatch. In other words it should look intentional as a creamy shade, and not like you tried to match the sink and missed by pairing two different whites.

The stark white doesn't flatter the colors of the cabinets or your gorgeous granite and will detract from them. A warmer, beigey color is much more harmonious with your other kitchen elements. I would go a little lighter than the second photo, but not too much and bring in a creamy color to compliment, onto your walls.