btw the BS is tumbled and it's called Volcano, so the BS would consist of all of these tiles mixed together- it's not a choice of those tiles as a friend thought when i sent to her ;) hope that makes sense!

Can we get a wider shot of the granite to see the movement/colors in it?

Are you happy with it? That's all that matters, because I'll guarantee you most GWers will say it's too busy. But you seem to keep coming back to that look, so I say go for it!

The colors certainly work with the granite.

Im having difficulty, though, imagining more of the squares as a BS with two concerns. How the variety of the squares from each other will look against the variety of contrasting colors within the granite (too busy or good match?). Also the two patterns, granite with its free flow design and squares which seem like they will have a checker-like pattern.

My first thought was would it be better matched if the BS squares themselves were more similar to each other or if they were more narrow/ rectangular to create an overall look versus a more checker-like one. Ive seen this work well when BS tiles are narrow rectangular - each piece doesnt represent a lot of pattern so creates more of an overall pattern.

Might do the same with squares, hard to tell.

First thought, no. But... I will offer to photo shop the tumbled BS if you'll allow me to toss in a few subway and other tiles as well, if suggested by this forum:). If you would be willing to take a few pictures of your planned spaces in good lighting and taken from straight on, we can take it from here! Please also include some good shots of your desired travertine backsplash.

oldbat2be that is so nice of you! :) I will try to take those pics tomorrow in good daylight lighting, straight on as well as a good pic of the tile by itself. Let me know if i am misunderstanding and you need soemthing different. Mayflowers that's funny and very true! :) I am just so nervous about it being put on the wall and us hating it and thinking wow these just compete so much with one another. haha! ;) We have looked at other options just not too many out there we like. :( thanks everyone!! keep those opinions coming and i will get more pics tomorrow. U will also be able to see the black cabs and get a feel for the room! :)

How about rough hewn wood panels or barnboard for the bs throughout, and a diamond embossed stainless behind the range?

Or you could use a glazed thin brick (like Fireclay's).

At any rate, keep in mind that rustic doesn't have to look like Stonehenge. Unless you want it to...

Could you provide an image that shows cabs, wall color, and floor, and tell us your budget in $/sf?

This post was edited by EAM44 on Tue, Jul 1, 14 at 11:56

Eeek! I can't imagine trying to wipe down that wood backsplash. Very pretty tho - interesting idea!

Since you're going with a rustic look, how about something in a listello? We used slate in our current kitchen and it gives a rough hewn look but still able to seal it and wipe it down when I splatter stuff on it.

Ok listello definitely wasn't the word I was looking for. I can't think of what its called but they're long thin tiles on a mesh web.

Swen, from what I can see your bs looks like stacked stone, and it's very pretty in your space. Slate could be a good option for the op depending on the color of the stone, but stacked stone, especially with a rough hewn surface, wouldn't be my first choice for ease of maintenance sealed or not (do you have stainless behind the range?). The barnboard is "sealed" with a matte marine polyurethane making it no more difficult to clean than a wood cabinet, and essentially waterproof. But wood is inflammable and not an option for the area behind a range, hence the recommendation of stainless for that spot, but I'm thinking a brushed sheet would look better than the diamond relief.

But barnboard is a very specific look. If the op wants rustic, well, I can't think of anything more rustic than those boards, I think the neutral tones could be lovely with the stone, and the different material could keep the kitchen from looking too heavily stone-y. That said, the thin brick would be a more traditional rustic choice, a beautiful one, and would introduce the possibility of... color.

This post was edited by EAM44 on Tue, Jul 1, 14 at 16:47

Ahh I found what I was trying to describe - its called "corinth". It has the look of the stacked stone, but the cleanability of a regular tile backsplash. Relatively simple to install but my tileguy hated grouting it.

They also make it in travertine, which might be a nice color to compliment the OP's granite.

EAM44 you are very creative. Like all your ideas.

Backsplash the OP posted is too busy for my eyes.

I think it will just look like a continuation of the granite. Did you not want any color contrast between granite and tile?

wow! thanks everyone for the creative ideas! I did look at barnboard but afraid of cleaning it even though you mentioned it can be sealed- also too dark, as we have black cabs. The stacked tile (corinth ) is something to look into- and funny you suggested fireclay bc several people on here recc that to me when i first was looking at BS before the granite (backwards! haha! ) i did get samples of the fireclay and didn't love them but now that we have the granite I wish i had kept them as i may see somethign different now.. :) mayflowers what you said is exactly what we fear ... that it will look like a continuation of the BS :( not what we want at all. we will probably have to go with a solid color so we don't take away from the beauty of the granite :) i am adding more pics so oldbat2b can work their magic and we can see what it will look like :) thanks again everyone!! btw what does OP mean? hah!

here's another pic- i can't figure out how to add more than one pic at time- sorry ! :)

last one- hopefully oldbat can use these pics for photoshop- not the best pics we are clearly still in reno mode :) sorry i could not get a pic without the lovely orange behind the BS

melkel31- OP means original poster, the person who started the thread.

Seeing the farther back shots I'm afraid I agree it will look like a continuation of the granite.

You are definitely on the right track! I love it. Maybe some GW'ers will help tweak it a bit but it's a wonderful choice. I love travertine with TB. I like the subway trav too. That looks good in the pictures you posted.

You realize you're asking this at a site that is quick to say tumbled stone is outdated and "too busy". I can't recall the last time I read a post requesting BS help where a "creamy subway" tile wasn't one of the suggestions. Nothing wrong with that, but some of us really like the look of a rustic, tumbled stone and don't really like the look of a plain subway tile. I'm one of those.

While I can appreciate the beauty and simplicity of a more modern kitchen with clean lines and very "unbusy" materials, that just isn't for me. My kitchen is very traditional, lots of molding, lots of details and a counter so busy and bold that I'm sure it made some people's heads pop off. Last thing I wanted in my kitchen was a boring (my words and just my opinion and my taste for ME) subway tile. But the kitchen I put in my home would obviously make those wanting simple, clean lines cringe. Do I care. No. Did I put in a kitchen for people who don't share my taste or for me? Me all the way!

That being said, you either love the look of tumbled stone or don't. Go with what you love and what you're drawn to. I think the choice you have looks lovely. I don't find tumbled stone back splashes busy at all. They look very warm and soft to me. The grout color you choose is huge because the grout will press into all those nooks and crannies and soften the look and make it look much more uniform in color than it looks without grout.

I had a tumbled stone BS in my last kitchen and I loved it. Here's a few pictures taken just before we moved.

Found some imagines of tumbled stone on houzz. See what you think and then do what makes your heart soar.

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[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Seattle Artists & Artisans Pacifica Tile Art Studio

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[Rustic Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/rustic-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2111) by Allentown Tile, Stone & Countertops Distinctive Tile & Stone Design

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[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Markham Interior Designers & Decorators Jennifer Brouwer (Jennifer Brouwer Design Inc)

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[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Falls Church Kitchen & Bath Designers Cameo Kitchens, Inc.

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[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Baltimore Kitchen & Bath Remodelers Owings Brothers Contracting

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[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Downers Grove Design-Build Firms Oakley Home Builders

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[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Oklahoma City Kitchen & Bath Designers RenovateKate

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[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Cleveland Interior Designers & Decorators Kim Metheny

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[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Northville Interior Designers & Decorators Lark Interior Design

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[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Falls Church Kitchen & Bath Designers Cameo Kitchens, Inc.

Good luck!

What about the bricks from Waterworks? They come in quite a few colors.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bricks

neroselover, do you know if they are actual bricks ? I looked at site breifly but thought I;d ask b4 spending too much time looking- Brick was our original love but decided against bc of upkeep and cleaning nightmare! :) Poohpup, thanks for your kind words and words of wisdom! :) I too LOVE tumbled stone- just suits our style, comfy, cozy, rustic and warm- subway tile is gorg for some but would look like a fish out of water in our home! :) some of the pics a few of you posted here i actually have pinned so you definitely seem to get my style! :) I am taking all of your suggestions and sharing with the DH tomorrow b4 we hit the tile store again to be certain of our choice. DH also says that the pics really aren't doing the BS justice and i think i would agree :) we shall see ... will post pics and let you all know what and when we decide :) thanks again GW!!

nosoccermom, the first kitchen you posted looks a good bit like ours :) the tile in the pic is similar but seems like it is one dimensional and one color where ours has a lot of character in each stone and each stone is different :) thanks for posting!

Melkel31 -- I believe they are brick. They are gorgeous! I have a sample one from their store. It's painted on the top and slick, so it wouldn't be a problem to wipe it down to clean it. I took a picture of one of their displays at the Denver store last summer. The lighting wasn't the best for my quick pictures on my camera, but hopefully, you'll get the idea. I can take a picture of my sample one, if that would help too. The bricks didn't work out for our kitchen design, but I'm still considering them for a few other spaces in our home. I loved them!

This post was edited by neroselover on Wed, Jul 2, 14 at 0:14

Poohpup, good call! Guilty as charged :)

Beautiful sink! A few quick shots and an observation. The picture from nosoccermom which you said looked like your kitchen? It's taken from a low vantage point. My guess is that it's to minimize the visibility of backsplash and countertop together. I can't help but think your lovely countertop needs a quieter backsplash.

It was very hard to create a pattern with the tile sample you provided, sorry. Spend some time googling and if you can find pictures taken from straight on, which really show the effect you like, please post and I'll be glad to photoshop again.

Here I googled for travertine backsplashes, and grabbed the first picture I found taken from straight on:

Grove brickworks white brick:

Wood look tile - These are both by John Whitmarsh, aren't they stunning? I was bowled over by them and am wondering where I could use them.

Honestly, I don't think your backsplash complements your countertops, too similar. I feel like when the tones are that similar

Those waterworks brick tiles are gorgeous, the Butter Bisque looks like it would be a nice complement while still providing contrast.

What about a copper backsplash? That would be lovely with your dark cabinets and counters.

Here is a link that might be useful: Metal backsplash

myfoursons, I was just discussing a copper BS with my DH. We are afraid that in a small space it will look too dramatic but i do think they are beautiful! oldbat- WOW!!! what a kind person you are to take SO much time and effort to help me! :) Great visuals to help aid in our decision! I love those wood tiles too!! where did you find them? I will google but JIC i can't locate , I am dif interested in that- although we are getting a wood floor (distressed grayish color that is actually porcelein) afraid they would compete! :) I am a travertine (tumbled) gal! haha! btw neroelover, the brick tiles above look just like fireclay- I bet they are the same just another brand?? they are beautiful and i may get more samples! I could smack myself for tossign them! ugh! thanks again to ALL of you for your thoughts and advice!

Poohpup, do you recall what the color of your trav. BS in your previous kitchen was? btw BEAUTIFUL kitchen! our cabs have the molding all the way up to the ceiling as well and I LOVE it! :) Seems that our taste is similar :)

I'm sorry. I don't remember the color of the tile. :(

Sweet of OldBat to mock up those BSs. I just worry that the lighting is so different in the two photos taken of the tile and then the kitchen that, when put together, isn't a good representation of the tile you were thinking of using. The colors look so good in the photos that were taken together in the same light.

I loved my old kitchen but I sure would change things up if I was doing it now starting with that barrier island. lol It was definitely a pre GW kitchen!

I love the warm look of your new kitchen. And the copper sink. I have two copper sinks in my current kitchen and LOVE them. I also looked at a tumbled BS for my kitchen and it was nixed by my hubby, GC and the designer. I still think it would have looked fab, but I ended up going with a handmade tile that has a worn, rustic look to it and I love it.

This is my current kitchen complete with the aforementioned head popping granite. lol

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[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Woodinville Kitchen & Bath Fixtures Keystone Kitchens

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[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Woodinville Kitchen & Bath Fixtures Keystone Kitchens

thanks for sharing Poohpup! your kitchen is gorg!!! is that a leathered granite? that is what we wanted but couldn't find TB in leathered anywhere! ;) and your BS is beautiful as well! i know you said it's handmade- what material is it? love the spotting on it that gives it such a rustic look! beautiful kitchen!

Thanks Melanie. The granite is leathered. Had never seen or heard of leathered granite before I saw this slab. Really love it.

The BS tile is Seneca Handmold in their Renaissance line and the color is bamboo.

Here is a link that might be useful: Seneca Tiles

thanks so much! :)

Melkel31, I just love your typhoon Bordeaux granite so much! I also love the backsplash you picked out but I think it competes with your counters. In my humble opinion, I feel if you really love the tumbled stone, to choose one with that is very light with not much color variation so your granite counters are the star. Please let us know what you decide to do. Don't forget to post pictures.

I really love the look of travertine with typhoon bordeaux. I agree with Lynn that a lighter well matching tile in travertine tumbled if you like or not would look great. I had a travertine sample for my mother's typhoon bordeaux that just made her granite sing. It didn't have a lot of variation in it but had the texture that was needed. I put a 1 x 1 tiny burgundy sparkly accent tile every so often, but it would have looked just fine without it.