The top one is less busy . I like it.

Do not like this style of backsplash. I' in the middle of redoing my kitchen which is not big with basically the same counter in a granite. My cabinets are oak and finished in a medium to dark cherry finish. The backsplash I selected is a bone color and plan on using a 3 x 3 tile on the diagonal. We are going for a Mission style.

What over all look are you trying to accomplish?

Your cupboards and granite are beautiful and your question interested me as I spent all yesterday afternoon in various tile stores. If you are like me, while shopping, your eye goes to the tile with a lot of pattern and variations. Instead of pattern (because you already have the beautiful granite), think scale, subtle, simple, texture, grout, matte or polished, or a combination of matte and polished. This is a major decision so you are wise to think it over carefully. Please post an after picture. Love your project!

Thanks everyone! We ended up checking another store before making our final decision and I found exactly what I had in mind, clear mini-subway tiles. I feel it will compliment the space much better, without being overwhelming or competing with the granite. Will post picture once completed :)

Not sure what you are describing you found but looking forward to seeing it up.

This is the one we chose, and now I am second guessing it. This is so stressful!

I like it!

too stark white -- love the idea of glass, maybe just one that is slightly gray.

Well, let's try to break it down.

From your last post, I feel you think it is not quite "right", once you got it home.

So, your cupboards are dark, simple, not shiny and very handsome.

Your granite is a small, very tight, busy, shiny I think, pattern, with very nice workable colors.

What you need to do is marry your cupboards and granite.

Remember, try to look at something opposite first and forget what your eye goes to in the store, at least for now. As your granite is a very large surface, think what your granite would like, not you-just yet anyways.

Do you think your granite likes a small, tight, shiny pattern in the backsplash or should you first look at opposites attract? ?Much larger scale? Perhaps a matte tile that would be different than your granite, with not much pattern, texture perhaps-There is no 3rd dimension is the granite, but some dimension in the cupboards. Could you, part way up the backsplash, insert a small, shiny tile, or metal- for contrast and/or dimension? If you could find the correct neutral color for the tile, then the scale and texture, you will hit a home run.The possibilities are endless.

It is good you are second guessing yourself. That is your eye telling you it is not quite there yet. When you find the correct one(s) there will be no question in your mind.

When you take your granite picture along to the tile store, Be sure to stretch the picture open to reflect the true size of your pattern. If you look at a little tiny picture, even small life size tiles will look more in scale at the store. Take a good closeup pic of the granite or a sample along. It will save you a lot of back and forth, which can make you crazy.

Go to a few different stores and ask a design professional to pick out a few things. Even if you think it is not exciting, take it home and decide there. Go to at least 3-4 different stores and get ideas. Thing bigger!

I do think the tile you have home looks great with the cupboards, but you have a whole second consideration.

Let the granite speak to you!

You said clear glass, so I'm assuming it's just the paint color showing through it right? It does look rather white in the pic, but I'm guessing less so in person. I can see a larger tile with the tight pattern of the counter, but I like the simplicity of your choice.

Thank you both so much for your input and comments. I am now on my way back to the store as I don't feel confident in my decision yet. The tile I bought is clear glass, but the paint color behind it will not show through at all. Which is good I don't want it to but it does appear very white which I wasn't looking for. The other clear glass mosaic tiles I have seen tend to have a green/teal tinge which turned me off.
It's funny that I had no problem picking the cabinets, stain color, hardware, granite; but this is a very difficult decision and very stressful!

OK, good that you are regrouping. Backsplashes are actually very important and can make or break the look of a kitchen. I think it's often a hard choice for many!

I think backsplashes usually break the look because too many people gild the lily. Keep it simple and consider that you'll have accessories to jazz it up. And those you can change easily.

This will seem foolish to many but I had the same problem in my kitchen years ago and the designer who was helping me suggested that I just put in laminate the color of the walls ... that was 12 years ago and we've never changed it! It's not busy it's easy to clean it cost only about $250.00 and I can always rip it out and do something else if I ever feel the need to.

Great advice. I do like the top photo - the wider tile. The glass you came home with is lovely but I totally agree with you. It somehow doesn't feel quite right.

Hey!

Originally I would have gone with the larger tile selection. I think the larger cut makes for a more dramatic but sufficient match in reference to your cabinets. Being that you have gone with the all white glass tile I would say that although it works, it is a little more safe and simplistic. If that is the goal, you nailed it!

Good Luck!

Small tiles are too busy. Don't be fooled because they "match". Just because they technically match doesn't mean they'll look right.