Study the Sonoma tilemakers web site. Check out the Stellar colors. Look at Vintner's reserve arched tiles. See the Vihara color lines. Find a local Sonoma tile dealer.

Carrie is showing beautiful tile choices. Pipdog's white onyx is fabulous too. The dilemma your are facing is combining gray and brown. You should either use a mix or find a color that is taupe. My other thought (call me crazy) is that you are planning for a brand new kitchen! Make sure you get what you love! You seem to love patterned tile. Don't let us talk you out of that. Your counter tops are very calm. You can use a pretty pattern. We seem to be going the way of plain subway tile, even if crackled tile. I have it too, but don't have a brand NEW kitchen. This is your chance to find your statement. Since the counter are calm, you can have a pretty tile. Also look at Encore tile. They have nice crackled tile along with jeweled tile, which has more sparkle. Here is an Encore dimensional tile in smoke. I have no idea of the cost. Disclaimer-I have had both Sonoma tile (loved), and Encore tile which I loved for the customization, using jeweled, crackle and matte tiles. You may be surprised by the beauty of the matte tiles to match your counter. Don't make do. Put it aside for awhile if you need to. I think you could stand to make a statement with your backsplash. Good luck! The picture inserted is Encore dimensional Browning in smoke.

Manufacturers you should consider include Heath Ceramics, Fireclay Tile, and Walker Zanger. This is Fireclay tile in Foggy Morning with Black Patine. Would you consider a more interesting shape? If you are devoted to stone please let me know so I don't pad your thread with tiles you won't consider.

For anyone who isn't stuck with this: I've said this in the past but it's ignored. No idea why. It is much, much, much, much, much easier if the tile for the backsplash is picked at the same time as the cabinet finish and the stone for the counters. Then you are not boxed in. It also allows for savings on stone, or cabinet finish or tile.

eam44, thanks for the Fireclay pic...very nice! I hope to get to their showroom this week. Will be looking at Sonoma Tilemakers, Encore and others today. I'm open to shapes, stone, crackle, etc. When I find it, I'll know. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Rococolgurl - I understand the logic in what you're saying about picking elements out at the same time - my mom used to tell me to pick out a blouse to go with that skirt I like before leaving the store... In practice, though, since you often don't find all three elements at the same store... it's not like you can go to one place & look at all finishes and all tile and all granite & find 3 that look good together then & there. So, that being the case, how to you pick them out at the same time?

The fireclay showroom is fun!

rococogurl - that's great advice for those who can do so, and in fact, I thought I'd picked my bs (see my first post here). However, I couldn't get a sample of the slab to bring home, so I waited until the stone was installed...and I'm glad I did. Everything looked very different with my lighting, of course, as opposed to the fluorescent lights where I purchased the stone. Now there is a little pressure from hubby to pick the tile for the bs so we can get that installed before the hood goes up. Will get it done...just takes some running around.

Exactly ssg, lighting is very important! It can change everything. It is good to have a vision, which can direct you somewhat, but you don't know how things will really look until they are installed in your own space.

I also thought of Pip's old kitchen. OT: Pip how is your reno coming along? I hope I din't miss any updates.

I like eam's idea. A tile with slight variation, maybe a crackle. I would go with one of the darker shades in the counter to then have a contrast with the cabinet. If you like more monotone, then go with a lighter shade. If you went with a solid surface, you could have been more creative with the backsplash.

I agree too to stay away from tumbled stone.

Samples are the key. I make paint samples, acquire tile samples -- just as we show here -- cabinet finish samples. Many can get stone samples. But if not, take the other samples to the stoneyard with you and look at them in natural daylight. If they are ok in natural light, they are ok. Interior lighting color is adjustable.

It's what I did and I took pix and the stone choice was perfect because I had all the elements with me when I chose it.

The major kitchen elements cannot be assembled at the same store anyway, for most intents and purposes. One of the bbs perhaps, but then you have everything in the same place.

DIY and designers are different. But DIY can learn from the process designers use.

As for choosing stone under fluorescent lighting -- that's a huge issue. I wouldn't choose anything under fluorescent lighting because of the fluroescent color distortion. It's significant.

I've read every excuse in the book for years on dozens of threads on this forum for not choosing the tile at the same time. The dog ate the cabinet sample. The stone color magically changed. And it's fine with me because it's not my kitchen. But honestly, I don't get it. I always pick the tile first because it covers a vertical surface that's in the major horizontal sight line and bracketed by cabinets. IOW, the tile is framed -- so it's far more important than the counter stone. It's just not always as costly.

But the title of the thread was why is it so difficult to do the backsplash. The answer is that it's left for last.

We haven't discussed budget, so I'm going to assume that expensive tile is in your reach. You want to stay neutral, you already know you like a crackle glaze so now consider interesting shapes and layouts. I love the star and cross option for your space. It's shown below in a green glaze, but you can choose Foggy Morning, with or without the patine, or any other neutral glaze.

Just for a moment, consider something completely different. This is hand painted Sakura tile from Fireclay. It may have more movement than you want, but the pattern is so subtle and regular, it can be a great foil for the irregular movement in your granite. The tile is 8" x 8" and they cost $40 a piece.

Well, I spent four hours looking at tile today, and found an Encore crackle that is perfect. Need a sample to bring home so I can talk hubby into it, as the price is double that of the other tile we chose. Maybe he won't notice....;-)

eam44, those Fireclay tiles are beautiful! My daughter would appreciate the star...matches her badge (she and her husband are police officers). I had planned to visit Fireclay this week but since I found the Encore tile I'm not sure I need to torture myself more! And I think $40 for an 8x8 might be a little out of budget...but thanks for the thought.

Inquiring minds want to know, which Encore crackle?

Eam44 - the Sakura is stunning.

pretty, pretty! Just to throw another one into the mix, I used a smallish grey arabesque, and just adore it. (I suspect the color would go beautifully with your stone, which is why I mention it. it's not crackle, though.)

Makmartell I'm usually not a fan of arabesque tiles but I really like that one; where did you find it?

thanks! It was at Mission Stone and Tile. They have a picture of it on the website (http://www.missionstonetile.com/products/Smooth-Arabesque-Tile/grey-mini-arabesque-lantern), and a little info, but I had to email to find out more (it's not in their online shop for whatever reason). It was about $13 per square foot, so not too bad at all.

Romy, I was so convinced I wouldn't get the Encore that I didn't note the color, but I think it's Truffle. Going back tomorrow to order a sample!

Makmartell you just made my night! I've been working with Mission stone and tile at the advice of my GC and had seen those tiles but couldn't find them in their store or in nanny larger pictures to get a better idea of scale? So thanks <3

When I was choosing tile, our local tile shop had sample boards of Truffle & Silver. I brought both home. I loved both, but the Silver was a better match for our countertops, paint color, etc. Truffle should be perfect w/ your Taj Majal. It's also one of the colors available in the Bravo line, so you may be able to save some money.

If Truffle doesn't work, there are a couple of new crackle colors (53 crackle colors available). One of the new ones, Rosemary, is described as a soft taupe with warm gray undertones. I haven't seen a picture or sample of Rosemary.

I'd love to have a box of all the Encore crackle colors, all the Sonoma colors, all the Pratt & Larson colors, all the Fireclay colors, all the Heath colors, all the WZ colors, all the ....

Romy, thanks so much for all the Encore info. Will check into Bravo tomorrow. Maybe a combo of Bravo in the field and 2x8 crackle behind the range top?

The Bravo field sizes for Truffle (& the other colors in the Bravo line) are roughly 2x6, 3x8 and 4x4. The difference between the Bravo line & the regular tiles is that they keep these colors (their most popular) in stock in a few specific sizes. They are a quicker ship time & a little less expensive. They are still a crackle tile & are the same quality.

Okay....I wasn't clear on that. Hmmmm....I also found a jewel tile that was incredible. Field trip?

When I got my Encore Silver, I wasn't aware that the Bravo line existed. I ordered the 3"x6" at a higher price, not realizing I could have chosen either the 2x6 or 3x8 at a lower price. Here's a link to Bravo. Take a look at the colors available & the field tile sizes. http://encoreceramics.com/bravo-collection/

Yes, yes! I saw this last night. Interesting that the guy at the tile shop didn't suggest Bravo to me, although maybe my color isn't Truffle after all.... Headed back to San Ramon this morning.

After another trip to the tile store, and after bringing the tiny samples home, I've decided on the Encore Silver - which, as Romy knows, is PERFECT! Interesting that with its 50 shades of gray it works so well with all the brown I have going on. I guess that's why the taupe works! It's exactly the look I want. May add some of the Quartz Shadow above the rangetop for a bit of interest...yummy!

Thanks so much to everyone for all your input. I couldn't have done it without you!

Could I please jump in here and get some help with encore tile colors? Could someone please identify the colors on this board? Going to a 'local' tile shop isn't really local for me. How many samples of a color do you suggest I get to get a feel for the variation of color? Thanks

Mags, the samples I was able to bring home come in 1x1 pairs. Each tiny square shows a bit of variation, but it isn't enough to show what you'll actually get in a 3x8 tile. Romy posted a link to Encore's Bravo line above - from there look for the color palettes. Their site doesn't have the board set up like the one above, but you may be able to identify some of the colors. Too bad they don't have a search feature.

Congrats ssg7741. I'm so glad you found something you love.

Mags438s - I've got pictures (taken by Martastoo) of two of Encore's crackle tile boards. They don't include all their colors. There are 53 colors at my last count, with a few new ones (Cirrus, Rosemary). If you go on their website, they describe each color & designate the amount of variation - minimal, moderate, high. That will give you an indication as to how much variation a particular tile has. I'd get as many samples as the tile shop allows.

Board #1

Board #2

Crackle Colors

Oh man! I love those encore crackle tiles sooo much, but cannot afford them.

Romy, you are killing me with those pictures, yet again! I have wanted your silver backsplash ever since I first saw it maybe like a years ago or something. Yours and marthastoo. And now... ssg and lavalocks!

Ssg, I am so jealous, ummm, I mean happy, for you! Seriously, though, I cannot wait to see how it turns out. You must be so thrilled...

Glad you found your tile! Can't wait for your reveal.

That's lovely crackle tiles. Similar to mine which is a color pattern vs staggered.

I picked up a couple of encore bravo samples. Thank you romy for close ups of them. One is the silver (2nd) and the other is the moonlight (3rd&4th). Far right board is cabinet color. The moonlight seems warmer than the countertop which seems to be more cool color. I'm thinking the larger sized subway tile. What do you think? Keep looking?

Mags - what's the one on the far left? I think that one's my favorite.

I see mauve in the first one.

The silver (2nd) has too much brown for your counter, and I agree with you about the moonlight - too warm. What's the first one? Is that also silver?

The one on the far left is a gray with mauve in it. I was going off the edge and picking anything - the gray tile matches the wall paintbutnothing else in the room. Should I go with a cool white?

Hmmm. It doesn't have to "match" anything. It does look great with the soapstone, that left one.

Can you show us a picture with just the gray tile and the cabinet sample? I agree with Carrie...it looks wonderful with the soapstone!

Mags, on my iPad anyways, your cab color (wavy board on right) has more creamy undertones. I think it will make that first tile look too mauve/pink. I would keep looking. :) BTW, your SS is so pretty.

(I'm curious to see the Rosemary and Thyme samples, but they probobly are not in the Bravo line and even more $$$.)

Thank you all. I think rebunky, the thyme and rosemary must look much darker on samples. I think I looked at all the color boards at the store.

Although the gray looks nice in photos, it really doesn't work well with the soapstone. Gray tile has mauve in it, which makes it look brown against the green undertones of soapstone. I made a similar mistake with the wall paint. Backsplash is such a permanent item. <sigh>

I saw one of your pics of a crema marfil beveled subway. I like the beige / taupe tone rather than tan. Where did you find it! I am glad to see I am not the only one frustrated by the perfect backsplash search.

I feel your pain - I am currently looking for a backsplash to go with Taj Mahal too. I brought home a sample of the crema marfil - loved it in the store and didn't feel it at home . I am having a hard time too. Will be watching.

But, don't you just love your stone????

Basically from a professional stand point, I deal with this dilemma on a daily basis. In my opinion having multiple levels of contrast really makes a kitchen stand out. What I mean is that the flooring should be opposite color from the cabinets, the counter top should match the floors, but the backsplash should tie all the elements together. I personally don't like when the floors, cabinets, countertop, and backsplash all match too much. For me to give my honest opinion on which backsplash I would put in my house, I would have to know the color of the floors and cabinets. However, without seeing those factors, I like the backsplash on the right more since it has more contrast then the option on the left, but still maintains similar colors too the counter. Regardless of my opinion, there is no real rule to this and is just my personal preference. Good luck on you decision.

-Deluxe Vanity

Just picked out our backsplash today and I would stress Contrast and Color. Also make sure that is easy to clean. Ours will cover a part behind our cooktop so it had to be easy to take care of.

Choosing a backsplash can be overwhelming! Here is
a great article: A
Backsplash Guide

ssg--can ask where you got your hood? I was looking at a similar one at Copper Hoods. TIA!