I have gray ceramic tile floors that look like wood and the exact same cabinet color and similar color granite counter tops. I used a large glass subway tile in a blue/green the color of the Carribean waters which I LOVE! Behind my gas range I used glass tile that are small bricks in the same color as the subway tile as well as wihte, green, blue, clear and aqua - all ocean tones.

A lighter purple or lilac might be something to consider.

I would do long pulls on the cabinets in brushed nickel. For the backsplash, you could use the countertop material. I wouldn't do the 3" to 4" but instead have it from the countertop to the end of the top cabinet. With your kitchen being neutral, you have a variety of paint colors you could choose from. What is the wall color in the adjoining room? What are the colors you have in the rest of your home?

WMP--did not get the picture of the cabinet hardware. Attached is partial view of family room (room I look into from the stove---mess is due to remodel, honest). I have greens as accent wall colors in living room, dining room, family room entry hall.

Nancy and emzc--thanks for the ideas on color. Guess I better bring some samples home..

A can of paint with a "bolder" color should do the trick. If you don't like it, you can paint over it. I think the main problem is the paint is too similiar to the cabinet color. I don't know what the rest of the area looks like. Choose your transition ares carefully.

Love the look that is taking form. When looking at the style of cabinets and your hood, have you thought about stainless steel tiled backsplash? Has the modern feel but not overkill plus would work great with appliances.

I think sea-foam green glass subway or mosaic tiles and oil rubbed bronze or black hardware for contrast and to pick up counter colour. Good luck.

You have a lovely clean look cabinets, flooring and counter with a neutral and black. Assuming you love the green across the family room, you have three key colors that would work well for the backsplash. A neutral tile in the tones of the cabinet, the black/brown of the countertop or the green from across the room. The light neutral could be interesting in a small subway tile like a 1" x 3". Glass or glass with a metallic backing for a textured look would be modern. A glazed version would play into a more arts/crafts look, etc. You could bring in the greens and black in the art, accessories and paint on the door frame. Choosing a neutral would give the biggest option for a color change down the road if you tire of the green. Extending the granite up (go all the way over a 3" border if you can afford it) will give a very sophisticated look that's easy to maintain. But try setting a row of sample granite tiles against the wall to mimic the look before committing to it as its the most dramatic. If you go green in a tile as suggested, do the same to ensure the finished look delights you. And enjoy and don't rush the process!

For some reason, I can't get the picture to show. Instead, I'll attach the links for you. Pay more attention to the style rather than the size in these links. I think you should go for something pretty long.

http://www.homedepot.com/Kitchen-Cabinets-Cabinet-Hardware-Cabinet-Hardware-Cabinet-Pulls/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbrg7Z1z10qihZ1z0y834Z1z0y7wz/R-202336409/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051&superSkuId=202880676

http://www.homedepot.com/Kitchen-Cabinets-Cabinet-Hardware-Cabinet-Hardware-Cabinet-Pulls/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbrg7Z1z10qihZ1z0y834Z1z0y7wz/R-202189406/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051&superSkuId=202863443

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=202023667&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&MERCH=REC%2d%5f%2dNavPLPHorizontal1%2d3%2d%5f%2dNA%2d%5f%2d202023667%2d%5f%2dN

Backsplash : Somertile Reflections Mini-Suffolk Stone and Glass Mosaic to tie countertop and different woods together. Gain your color in dishes, glassware, window treatment, artwork. This is an upscale shaker look with your hood and large flat panel drawers all the way down the drawer base instead of just at the top and also with cabinets being frameless. In keeping with that look I would use knobs/pulls by Doug Mockett DP40A and DP40B or something equivalent since they are reminiscent of Shaker cup pulls but modernized. They would go well with both your hood and your cabinets.

Hi suki52!
Firstly, I am in love with your new kitchen! It's really gorgeous! What about a very pale green with blue undertones, like taking your family room wall color and just making it a lot lighter? In that vein, I think a color like BM's Sweet Dreams would be a good option. For the backsplash, we carry a line of tiles called Matchstix that have a very thin, linear shape, that I think would look amazing in your kitchen. We carry these tiles in a variety of colors, but for this space I think our light Oyster Gray would be perfect. Just some ideas for you, good luck with your remodel, you're doing an amazing job!

Thanks to all of you. You have given me lots of good ideas. Susan. I love the "sweet dreams". It is a wonderful shade. I am going to find somewhere to use it! I have decided to extend the counter directly under the window to the window frame. I love the idea of,taking it all the way to cabinet height all around but I am afraid it would be too dark. I have long dark winters to deal with, so don't want to darken kitchen environment. Oh boy! Lots of options! Thanks again.

suki52 - Would love to see what you ended up doing for the backsplash! Can you please post a pic for us??

I have attached 2 photos. Kitchen is still work in progress. The window door in cabinet over counter lights and kick cove are still missing. But we are slowly finishing up. Still considering paint color. White is ok but I want a little "zing" to make it more inviting.....

Very pretty cabinets! And I love that big window over the sink! Thanks for posting the pics.

"Still considering paint color. White is ok but I want a little "zing" to make it more inviting....."
Consider a green....beautiful with natural wood...nature's colors.
Maybe search for "green walls" in the Houzz photos.

Marilyn is right. Green is a wonderful background for your project

Hi Suki52. You are doing a beautiful job on your kitchen! You are right about New England winters. I think over the longterm you would enjoy a tile backsplash more than paint. I like Susan Jablon Mosaic's idea of Sweet Dreams paint or a watery pale aqua blue and then some neutral tile for the backsplash.

If I can be of any help to you please let me know how! Susan