Ok- knew this day would come! I agree that you need to avoid any more brown- with the cabs and floor you have enough. I don't see plain subways and do see a larger format style. I am really digging the arabesque style tiles and totally can see that in your space. I know you saw the same pics as me so you know what I mean. Oh and I would re-look at my tiles but they are traditional size- the butter color would be gorgeous in your space. My grout is finally getting fixed this week and then I can finally post pics for you of my kitchen- the colors are so similar and honestly, I love my subways now that we found out our grout is the issue for the busy look of my splash.

CK - I am so happy that you made friends with your tile.
I was so worried about you - did you repaint the walls or just the grout.
I have one tile that I kind of like - It is Heath New Pebble - it has a bit of a gold/yellow cast to it.
I will try to take a picture tomorrow.

I can get larger format tiles from Heath - but the largest ones have an up charge.

The colors on my computer screen don't match what the true color is.

Anyone using Heath New Pebble?

I think you need something that lets your Buckingham shine. Not sure what that is, but something that doesn't compete.

Lookin' good!

My GF has a granite countertop that had a lot of color amped movement as yours does. We found an accent tile that picked up on all the colors in the granite and then we made a pattern of it with a solid tile so rather than compete, it blended and accented the beautiful granite.

This pic isn't so hot, but it's all I have. We found small squares which we used with picture frame molding for over the cooktop, and elongated tile to use as a border.

A2- the grout was the problem and it was a manufacturer defect so we get it fixed for free! It is not consistent- splotchy and uneven all over. It's funny when you put the undercabinet lights on at night it washes out the grout and it's looks even and correct. The splash looks gorgeous then! They are applying a special product this week that lightens the grout all over to a consistent sand color- the color we picked.

Since you would really like backpainted glass, and in another thread you referenced UC plugmold (leading me to think the outlets showing in your pics will go away), would you consider an Ikeahack? The Ikea Kludd Notice Board is 17.75 x 25.5 tempered glass for $20, so if you can fit multiples of it and do the backpainting yourself (I think Pal did that for a kitchen), you can have a backpainted glass backsplash. A semi off the wall idea for your beautiful kitchen but an affordable glass backsplash idea nonetheless.

On the other hand, if the a2 in your name is for Ann Arbor (where DH grew up BTW!), then you *must* get yourself over to Motawi tile and look around. Maybe you won't like the style with your busy granite which I totally understand but wow they have some gorgeous tile.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ikea Kludd tempered glass notice board

Very pretty so far! I agree with the other posters that you don't need any more brown. I also think your kitchen needs some color or texture. I would go with something pretty. I think Sonoma tilemakers or Walker Zanger has some really pretty tiles in their lineups. I also would do a mural or design over the cooktop to give the kitchen a focal point which it does not currently have. Good luck!

Michelle - thanks - I have a couple tiles to post when I am home in the light. They are both from Heath in California.

mtnfever - I probably need to come visit you. Yup, been to Motawi several times and really wanted to like it with the ktichen, but just can't connect. I have a couple friends who put it in. One is in their catalog - a modern kitchen with the arts/craft style tiles.
Also, it is $100-300 a sq foot. Obviously well made but also out of price range...
I saw Ikea hacker and will look into that. I am also in contact with Diamond Glass in A2 for their costs. We will have some plugmold but left a couple switches on the wall and a couple plugs for items that I don't want to see "pigtails"

CK - what was your final color?? Glad you made friends with the tiles and it was a grout problem...

Annie - thanks for posting the picture and ideas. A picture is better than words even if not the best picture.

Dilly - stay tuned - I hope to take a picture of a couple tiles tomorrow if the light is good.

Keep the ideas coming. I know when I see the right thing, it will pop. I couldn't decide on the cabinet color or the counter top until I literally walked into both of them.

Thanks for helping me out! Hope to help others downstream...

Grout color or tile? Grout was unsanded in sand and the tile was Melange butter blend by Grazia. It really is a beautiful tile and am dying to see it with even grout:)
I would check out ceramics in different patterns and styles- look at crackle glass too- do not close off any idea since I think the right tile is still out there. I am not loving the back painted glass idea honestly. I think it's a touch too modern for the space.

CK - thanks for the reminder. The right color butter might just pop.
In reality - the back painted glass is probably out of budget - but as you said, keep your options open.
Are we having fun yet?

Hi all
Here are a couple possibilities. These are iphone pictures and not perfect. If I go with tile, they will be a larger format tile. - Most likely 6x6, 6x12, or 3x12.

The first one actually is 3 different Heath tiles
A lighter green, a beige with a hint of goldtone, and a slightly darker green. The wall color is BM Coastal Path and the cabinets as you probably know but saves time looking back up in the link are Autumn Cherry with a black glaze. Hardware is antique brass (and faucet) and the sink is Cafe Brown Silgranit. Countertop is Cambria Buckingham (included another picture for same reason)

With lights off

Lights on

I didn't want a mosaic by DH likes this one and it does blend nicely - but is it too much?

Lights on
{{!gwi}}

Lights off
{{!gwi}}

CKGM - could you post your Butter Cream blend - that is another possibility - have to swing by tile store for a sample.
Thanks!!

Lovely! I would use the gold tone beige tiles and work some of the glass mosaic tiles in as an accent. A little hard to tell from the pic, but if the mosaic has too much peach in it for the granite, it may not be quite the right one.

Maybe something more like this one:

Here is a link that might be useful: Glass and stone mosaic

I like the middle color of subway (the off white) and then do the glass DH likes straight up the wall above the cook top to under the cabinets. Best of both worlds.

Does your tile store carry Crossville? Their line of Ebb and Flow mixed mosaics looked really nice with the Cambria Darlington we were going to use with our cherry cabs. The glass pulled out the glassy-looking parts of the quartz. But I do think all mosaic is too busy with your counters, and as an accent over the cooktop, I don't think you have enough room to do justice to a full mosaic there. I think they work best without cabinets over the hood.

I like the idea of a cream subway in a larger format with an accent liner in the deeper blue-gray or a carmelly brown. Or how would a field of the light blue-gray tile look with a brown liner? That might be nice to pull your cafe brown sink in too. Sonoma Tilemakers has some really nice stick liners in 1/2 X 6--the stick liners are flat and I liked the clean modern look of them. Their tiles come in a bazillion colors too.

Promise to post tonight- it won't look
A hundred percent right since that are fixing the grout on Thursday bit you will get the general idea. They would look really great I think with your colors. I get constant compliments on them.

The counter has a strongly swirling patterning to it, and emphatic color variations. Most tiles are going to fight with it over who gets to be the diva. You need something supporting, not outstanding, and nothing that is going to POP, CRACKLE or SNAP.

Something plain colored but with rounded outlines (the arabesque in cream?) would blend with the swirls.

You say "DM" says you can't use more brown ... but is she paying for and living with the kitchen?

Consider using matte finish pale yellow subway tiles - or pick up one of the medium yellows from the granite and use it.

ok- you can clearly see my grout issues in this photo and why I am waiting to post pics until after they fix it this week:)
As you can see my granite is much lighter than yours but similar colors and busy level if that makes sense!

Here is a link that might be useful: Grazia backsplash

CKGM - thanks for posting a link.
If you have time, please post again after the grout is fixed!
I am going to snag a sample to look at tomorrow.

I agree - the mosaic is too busy... More to follow
What a great group!

Once they fix the grout and install the banquette, we are painting. Just need curtains and we are all done! Promise finished kitchen pics then:)

CK - I went over to the "Tile Shop" to pick up a sample - and it is a different tile shop.
The one around here is tileshop.com
Your post is tile-shop.com
Grrr
So have to hunt to find a sample...
Stay tuned
I did pick up a few more - but haven't looked yet.

I think you should go with a simple creamy color. Your granite is so beautiful I would let it be the star of the show. Just beautiful.

Sorry A2! All I know is that it came from Tile Shop in San Fran through my local store:(

CK Bummer - guess I will have to move to SF.... Just kidding of course. I will head to tile land next Wednesday night...

Carminne - good chance I will go this route - but nothing is grabbing me...

Lazy - looking at some options in the "butter" land or the creams... DM usually has a good eye - she talked me into the lovely faucet...

Annie - thanks for the idea - will look while shopping.

Never rule anything out until I see it! Something is going to jump out and say "mine"!!!

May - nothing local but heading to tile land next week - I looked up on line - I think it is a bit busy, but like to see in person...

gr8day - I like it also - but was thinking of adding some color - but maybe just get some decorative pieces to show around the kitchen brighten things up.

Please keep ideas coming this way.
The tiles I picked up today - gag....

Thanks

a2gemini, pardon if I've lost track of your thoughts re painted backsplash glass tile, but have you seen translucent tiles (from mosaics to subway ) on glass tile web sites? I think you mentioned that the glass you were originally eying was too much $, but when I see your cherry cabs with the beautiful brown swirls, I can see why you were looking for glass where you could then control color in the background.

Just thinking out loud.

Funny that u mentioned GTS
DH pulled one from the reject pile and moved it to the counter and it does have potential. Long day today- work and then a work dinner, keep those ideas coming.
Thanks

Do you like either one of these?

I know everyone thinks you should go lighter, but I'm going to borrow one of Dilly's pictures, for my suggestion. I really like her beadboard backsplash...hope she doesn't mind my using her picture :)
{{!gwi}}From Cottage house plans

If you want to pick up a green, yellow or cream tone on the walls...I think that would look very nice.

I like lazygarden's suggestion to go matte and simple.
I noticed how amazing your matte black sink looks with your granite, so I think it would be worthwhile to continue that softness on the wall.

Camminc - it is hard to tell exactly what color the tile is in the picture. I do like bigger than smaller - less grout lines

Lavender - thanks for the post - I had not thought of breadboard - Do you think it would be too dark.....
Good idea on paint color - we already painted but that is the easiest item to change....

Pawa - still in the lead.... (The sink is actually cafe brown but does look black on the iPhone picture)

Thanks and more suggestions encouraged

Gemini- I don't think it would be too dark, because you're only having the backsplash in a small area, I'm guessing only as high around the kitchen window as the upper cabinets? By the way, the window is beautiful!

On the other side (by the ovens) it's such a small backsplash area, I think the beadboard would blend in, rather than pop. This will really make the granite pop, instead! :)

Lavender - we will need 45-50 sq feet of backsplash - there are the 2 walls on the sink side and the smaller wall by the oven.
I will pop some leftover panels in to see what is looks like.
Thanks

Hmmmm .... What about beadboard tile- cheap(around 5 sq ft) and comes in a nice cream. Major plus- you really don't see grout lines. One of my top "wish I did that" when I was in my I hate my backsplash days!

How hard is BB to clean?
Anyone have it using 2 tone? Cabinets one color and breadboard another?
How about straight paneling withit ridges?

Bump

Maybe start a new beadboard/cleaning post?

I would do this before wood- way easier to clean and no warping issues.

Here is a link that might be useful: Beadboard tile

Tthanks!
Silly me.
I thought breadboard was wood.
I took a peak on my phone and will look on my computer. Stay tuned

I love the light green Heath tile that you selected. Hard to tell from photos if it's a good match, but I really love the idea of simple tiles in a color and I think it would look great in your kitchen.

I printed out the beadboard tile page from CKGM. It has potential - not sure how it would look in our "transitional" kitchen as BB is generally a different period.
I do like the lack of seams.

I also printed out some Ann Sacks (or is it Sachs) butter tiles that could be interesting.

I hope to finally get to Tile City (not its real name but at least 3-4 nice tile stores in the same area) next week.

I know- that is what kept me away from the beadboard tile but apparently my kitchen is more traditional that I thought! I think it would have looked cool in our space and in yours as well.

My 2 cents: I think one of the soft yellow subways would look best, showing off your cabinets and the countertop. I could imagine one of the greens you have shown up above as well...IF in real life they pick up some tones from the countertop (hard to tell in the pics).

Absolutely no to the beadboard...wood or tile lookalike. It's just not the right feel for your kitchen. And all other choices I see pictured above are either too bland (the white, creams, etc.) or too busy (the mosaics).

Nice cabs and counter....they look great!

What a beautiful kitchen! I love the movement of the countertop. I think the off-white/cream subway tile you sampled would work well, maybe even having the glass tile you picked as an accent rectangle inset over the cooktop. I also think beadboard would work nice if you lean a little more traditional-transitional, or you could do beadboard installed horizontally to give it a less traditional look. I currently have beadboard in the bathroom and just installed it in my kitchen, and with semi-gloss paint (even painted white and ivory, respectively) it seems to hold up well. I wonder if you've even considered mirror for the backsplash? I can envision mirrored tiles on the diagonal, which would give a larger feeling that doesn't compete with the countertop. I don't know if the upkeep would be too much, though, just a thought!

how about one of these from walker zanger studio modern? they look so sleek.
the mica or ecru colors might look nice with your granite.
{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}

I have the bead board tile in my shower. It is really beautiful. This picture is taken with my I phone and I have no idea why my shower looks like my boys just peed in it. It is clean, I promise.

BTW, your kitchen is really pretty.

Thanks for the help. michoumonster - I will take a look at the WZ modern tiles.

Red lover - thanks for the post - nice bathroom even if someone did "pee" in the shower (just kidding of course). Predictive text can get us in trouble sometimes - one time, I said I needed to be on my computer and it popped up I needed to "pee" on my computer. LOL

I think the breadboard isn't right.

I was able to swing by one of the better tile shops and might have some new pictures (and maybe a new post) in a couple of days (or maybe in the morning if the light is right.

Stay tuned - something will pop!

Melissa - one of the new tiles has some nice gold/yellow tones... Thanks for the complement on the kitchen.