Agree, tear out the travertine. IMO two stones rarely work well together, and in this case they really clash. It also doesn't work well with the cabinet color. At least on my monitor.

Agree....take it off. Is the floor going to be hardwood?

I also agree, I would choose a tile that is more cool to go with the granite. Try something with out so much yellow.

It might be easier to cover the travertine with beadboard that you could paint or stain.

yikes, they don't appear to work at all, maybe its just the angle and light situation. maybe when you apply the floor it will all come together.

I would be tempted to get Annie Sloan chalk paint and lightly go over it with Paris grey, shame I know, I would try it out on a spare bit of tile first, when it's dry you rub in a wax. May look quite effective and be a cheaper fix.

The other option would be to get a new piece of granite. It is very cool and your cabinets appear on the warm side. What type of floors are you installing? It is best to choose all of the elements before installation. Was the travertine tile already on the walls of the island? Is this a new build or remodel? Your designer/contractor should have stopped you before installing that color granite, so sorry.

Something needs to change or you will never be satisfied. You need to be happy in your kitchen. You could have your cabinets painted gray or a white that matches the white in the granite and remove the travertine. Breadboard was a good suggestion - go with the blue idea, gray or black for the island. Show us your changes.

I think you could tie 2 out of the 3 together with the right backsplash, but I don't see any easy ideas that could resolve the issues with all 3. I would cut the travertine if it were me, but that is just my preference.

Those cabinets look like they are cherry, and if they are, I would not paint over them. Remove the travertine. Buy 2 cabinet doors for the sides of the island. Purchase a large panel for the back and call it a day.

Cabinets are pretty and granite is pretty. The travertine surrounding the island is terrible. Beadboard will look fine.

As others have said, get rid of that tile on the island. Order two Cherry panels for the ends of the islands and then do bead board on the back and when it's all trimmed out it'll look great. Cut your losses on that tile, don't put good money after bad, you'll never like it.

I don't think that tile around the island works well at all! Take it off.

Don't feel bad, I'm building a new house now and I've made mistakes too.

These projects take so many decisions, it can be so difficult. But starting over is better than living with something bad.

Removing that tile and putting something calm and plain up (like beadboard) will be a far easier task then you might be thinking. This will turn into a big headache and mistake if you leave it up, but will be down and forgotten in a couple hours if you address it at this stage. We ALL make a few mistakes when building or remodeling. But, when you catch them and regroup, all is well.

Did you select your actual slab or just work from a sample? Im surprised at the contrast between the warm and cool, I would decide which you wanted to stay, travertine or granite, not both, I dont think you can come up with a solution that you will be happy with long term, at this point, I would take off the travertine around the island, seems dated in concept, choose a complimentary painted finish or something different for the island than the surrounding cabinetry, and go from there, what are the floors going to be?

I'm bumping this up to see if we can get more pros to weigh in. Everyone seems to be suggesting removing the tile from the island (which I agree with). Let's see if we can get one of the pros to suggest a backsplash and floor that will tie your counters and cabinets together.

I think if you remove the travertine, and try to find a backsplash that will tie in the colors of the appliances (black and stainless) with some of the cooler tones in the granite, you might be able to pull it off! See if you can get some samples of dark gray, white, black, stainless backsplashes and put them up with the stone and cabinets.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/case-design-remodeling-inc-contemporary-kitchen-dc-metro-phvw-vp~87083

this is not blue pearl granite, but it is a similar concept to what you have going on.

I have never, ever seen a tiled island! Wow. That's a mess. Take it off and do some painted beadboard around the island. That is a very odd application of tile.

I realize you've invested in this granite and don't want to change, but it doesn't go with your cabinetry color at ALL. (sorry!) I think your best bet at this point is to paint all your cabinetry a white or gray color to blend with your granite and stainless. The red/orange/cinnamon tone in the cabinetry is really bad with that granite.

I don't think painting your beautiful cabinets is the answer. They look to be of quite good quality. If anything I would consider a new countertop, something to go with your floors.
What are your floors? Sorry I can't remember. It would be best to choose all of these components now, before going ahead and ripping things it.

I agree with many of the above posts and you have to remove tile from the face of cabinet. This obviously will create a new problem with what to do with spoiled cabinet face. Assuming the face is damaged beyond repair, you could consider having matching panels made to conceal the damaged cabinet. Alternatively, and a look that works well in the modern kitchen, would require you to sand back and prep the damaged wood, and then paint the island cabinet only.

Concerning the backsplash, consider either a solid color stone such as a limestone or a complementary porcelain tile. Please note that both travertines and limestones will require higher maintenance than a porcelain tile. Another awesome possibility would be using a glass tile.

As a side note, these kinds of problems could have been avoided by seeking help earlier. We have tools on our website that would have definitely helped you avoid this mess before you spent a dime, not to mention possibly connecting to with one of our user/designers.

Let me know if you need further help.

Kirk, MVH

If you are going to rip off the tiles around the island, first try the suggestion I mentioned, light coat of chalk paint, rubbed into the tile, you have nothing to loose and worth a try only if you are deciding to get rid off it, like I said try it on a left over tile first

I see where your headed Blen, it is an interesting suggestion. Assuming you wish to try this look, I strongly suggest you check with chalk paint manufacturer on required surface preparation and for compatibility. Smluckey, you definitely don't want this type of finish failing under normal use, not to mention voiding any warranties.

Kirk, MVH

Oh Sweetie, don't beat yourself up, we've ALL made mistakes. Don't try to fix it. Rip off the tile, get the "doors" for the ends and a "skin" for the back. Before purchasing flooring bring home samples, BIG samples, and take your time...it will all be beautiful.

Unfortunately, the problem with your kitchen is that you have combined a cool colored counter with a warm travertine tile, and there are competing focal points and conflictng styles. In my humble opinion grout color is not going to tie these two things together. I would abandon the tile around the island and when choosing a back splash keep it in the cool tones determined by the counter and very simple in style. If you choose something busy it will be too much. The counter is the focal point here. Borrow a store sample of the same counter you have installed to take with you when choosing a back splash so the staff can help you choose the correct undertone color. It would also be helpful to take a good photo with you to show the salesperson so they can see what you are working with here. Consider a light backsplash color for contrast and lightness in your kitchen because your existing finishes are very dark. It would also be helpful to share a photo with the flooring salesperson so that the cherry colored cabinets tie in with the flooring also. It's all in the undertones!

The good news here is that you still have options :-) Good luck

The tile around the island would work well in an outdoor kitchen but I believe is overkill indoors. I would take out the tile and replace with wood in a blue/gray or even white and then choose backsplash tile that compliments the counters and island color and I would probably stay away from natural stone tile. There are some beautiful ceramic tiles out there in some great colors just don't go too dark with it. It's a pretty simple fix. What are your plans for the floors?

I have learned over the years to pay attention to the undertone of color. I have painted and repainted wall after wall until I figured this out. Your granite has a cool undertone while your travertine and cabinets are warm. I do not think a darker grout will help much. A granite in the brown family would have looked awesome. I love the idea of covering the travertine with bead board and painting.

I would also take out the travertine and I know how you feel, I love travertine but the other option is much more expensive. And if you do want tile look for a light granite or marble tile. Good luck.

Screaming warm tile and icy cold granite will never work! Sorry! Take a cabinet door, good sample of actual granite used as well as flooring sample if you have already chosen one. Look for a tile backsplash that will tie it all together. It is definitely possible to make that happen. There is no way to match your existing cabinets unless they are new, to match your island once you have removed the tile. I would put bead board on the island and paint the hole thing (including the fronts of cabinets) a color that is in the granite and is in the tile backsplash. I agree with earlier post......there is no way to make the warm tile and the grey granite work.....ever! So sorry, but good news is that you can make the granite look awesome with your cabinets. Get professional help!

the Cabinets and the Granite are great. Its actually quite a sophisticated look.

Cover up the Travertine around the island with some kind of wood or painted panel. Beadboard is a little too country for this kitchen, but there are lots of kinds of paneling. Just

go shop in a good home store for ideas . ( not a big box store)

A glass backsplash would add some light, reflection and fun to this kitchen

This one is from Lunada Bay. Don't get discouraged, its hard before the whole room

comes together. Keep going!

Could you post more pictures giving us a wider view of the kitchen and how it relates to the rest of the house. Maybe it is my computer screen, but the granite does not go at all with the dark (cherry?) cabinets. If you are going to put in a floor, I would consider swapping out the island for something more interesting before the new floor is installed. It would not have to be cherry like the other cabinets.

Keep whichever cost more - the countertop or the tiled island. Replace whatever is cheapest. I've known men that think beige khakis and grey shirts go together. Perhaps your designer was one of them.

Thank you @skurland for the suggestion against beadboard. Agreed that it is too country for this type of kitchen.

As retired interior designer of more that 30 years experience, I can say we used beadboard in a lot of different styles. What really defines the style is the decorative details such as corbels, crowns, etc and the finish decorations such as green topiaries, a big rooster, or sleek red canisters. There are limited options on the island as it looks like there is little overhang of the granite. Even if you could get matching doors to use on the ends and maybe the back I don't think there is enough overhang of the granite for thick doors with raised panels. Smooth thin furniture grade plywood could be used to used once the tiles have been removed. The corners could be framed out nicely. But you would still need to paint the whole island. There is no way to match existing cabinet stain with the plywood!!! If you can match perfectly then is better to contrast! I wish I could see the actual specks and coloration of the granite. The somewhat orangey color of the cabinets would like good with neutral to slightly warm charcoals. Blue also complements orange. For a back splash with a busy granite I would suggest you look for a 3x6 ivory marble with hints of gray. You can get it in a tumble tile. To blend the colors of the cabinet and the granite, look for a pencil mosaic that has the color of your cabinets, the color of the subway tile, and colors of the granite (silvers, grays and blue?) After one to three rows of the subway tile, put a 3 to 4 inch of the multi-colored pencil tile. The mosaic is 12" so you would cut it into strips. Once you have you pencil tile colors figured out look to that and your granite to pick a color that coordinates with both. Then use your pencil tiles to find accessory pieces to display on your countertops and sit back and enjoy. If you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself, the consider hiring a designer to come to your house and then have he/she accompany you to the tile store. Some tile store employees are great at design and some are simply salespeople. Good Luck! I will look great!

ooops.......It will look great! Ha ha ha! I just look old! :)

Your spot on Pam!

Kirk, MVH

I would remove the tile and then put tin tiles on the island

Nothing will make the tile on the island work...best bet remove tile and order the matching cabinet panel. Move on to the backsplash. Since we do not know your style from the one picture, I am attaching images of tiles that would work with your granite. These are suggestions. I would choose a backsplash tile that matched your floor tile (have an expert in color assist). Play down the blue granite and keep everything as neutral as your floor color, paint as well. See image. You could add a colorful tile focal point above your stove if you have space. See images.

It is important to either take pictures to bring with you to the tile store or even better is to have an interior design pro come to your home. They would be able to get a feel for your style and make note of the fact that you have a wall oven and a cooktop on the island. This would not allow for a statement mosaic over the cooktop. You need to "mesh" all the colors together with a small color statement like the pencil mosaic or some other multi colored accent tile and work into a light neutral backsplash. With the warm cabinets and the cool granite it really needs this to try to pull it together! And again use the color in the mosaic and the granite to paint the island. Also use the colors in the accent pencil tile to pick !decorative accessories to further harmonize the kitchen. Look for accessories that have multiple colors that are in the granite and accent tile! Different designers will always have different opinions......that being said, the only way to make the cabinets and the granite work is to find a way to unify them with multiple color grabs!

Take off the travertine but no bead board - too farmhouse for your cherry. I would go with a larger version of the cabinet style with an overhang for sitting or bookcase/wine rack OR - take the granite off the island and replace with cherry and keep the travertine - which you could compliment in the backsplash.

Do not bring in more colors. The floors should be wood stained ebony, the appliances stainless steel and no Travertine. Instead, use large white squares of ceramic tile or other white material on the island sides and a glossy white backsplash.

Hi, do you still have the granite samples? Are you sure it's the same granite that you ordered? Please don't worry, it will work out, it always does, sometimes a little longer.

I feel your pain. Who is promoting this look these days?

sorry to say - but IMHO the tile was a mistake =0

This post is three years old. Hopefully, the OP has made some type of fix.

Doesn’t matter how old the post is. If it keeps someone from making the same mistake then it’s a good thing to keep going.

I think you should use imperial beige marble for flooring

https://www.marble-luxury.com/imperial-beige-marble-slab/

This post is from 2015!! Is there still a problem? I see no "after" photos.
If you have fixed the issues, post some current photos. If you have not fixed the issues, get on it.

No point in re debating a 3 year old post!