I have the same granite as you have with white shaker painted maple cabinets. We used white subway tiles as our backsplash. Its simple and beautiful...BUT maybe a little boring. Our house was designed to be a "spec" house so we needed to appeal to a variety of tastes. Everyone loves the kitchen and it sold in a few weeks. If I was keeping the house I might add a bit more color or warmth.

Northern deb, would you happen to have a picture? That was my original plan. Also, what color paint did you use?

The granite is so busy. I would go with the darker brown for the tile. This would look good with the white cabinets. To "see" before you purchase, here's a cheap & sneaky way to see the total look: 1. Purchase dark brown tiles from your source and keep your receipt. 2. Adhere the tiles to your space with 3M box tape, double folded, and put on the backside of the tiles. 3. If you don't like the look, then take the tiles back and get your money back!!

4. Your lighting, under your wall cabinets, will bounce off the darker tiles for a cool affect.

Miriam Felger

A company sent me a cream colored subway glass sample. What do you think? I think I might like it with the lighter cabinet color.

I personally don't like them together...

I like the whiter one.

Backsplash tile needs to be creamier.

I don't like the lighter one because it blends too well with you cabinets - I almost like the one on the right more because it ties everything in together.

The white would make the granite really show. Or white with brown grout. And then I saw the brown tiles - also nice depending o your taste.

I have a very similar granite counter with cream subway tile. I love it. I've had it for 4 years and get compliments all the time.

Thought I would add a closer photo of the granite.

Thank you for sharing your pics Linda. Your kitchen looks beautiful.

Black glass or hi gloss subway tiles is the way I'd go...but it's your kitchen!

Yuck....... that just doesn't work.....

I think the tile is too light. Have you looked at natural stone tile or glass tile?

Here are some of the glass subway tiles I relieved samples of. I'm still looking for ceramic subway tiles.

loudon - I have been following quietly for a while. I think you are struggling to pick a backsplash to go with a granite you do not like. As the thread has proceeded you are now planning to change the cabinet color to go with the granite. Why not just change the granite - that actually might be easier and less expensive in the long run? I think that the color of the wall combined with the granite is throwing off the decisions about the splash. Changing the granite might be the easiest and least costly change.

Backsplashes are redundant unless you want them as a design feature. I just have a good bead of transparent sealant put on the back of the counter and use a good quality paint on the wall. If you have a cooktop rather than a free standing stove unit (requires no backsplash, and are concerned about grease spatters, just purchase a nice griddle and stand it on its wide end along the back of your cooktop. No problems behind kitchen sink either. I have done this for 15 years in my current home and have no problem with spatters getting on the painted wall. Have not used a backsplash in my several homes for the last 30 some years. Cleaner look, less fuss and can change my mind about the colors in the kitchen without having to endure a bland neutral. Note: ceramic paint is best but a good quality latex in a light gloss works well too.

Not bad but I would pull in the dark from the granite instead of the light color.??

I think the colors blend very well, and I would not change anything.

I would use the irridescent tile.it will look gorgeous or the champagne subway tile.

I will wait for other samples. This one doesn't go will granite. Too white in my opinion.

I'd say nay from the photo provided

Nay

Have you thought of a stainless steel backsplash? You need to eliminate texture, not add to it

If you want to paint your cabinets white - Benjamin Moore has just
named Simply White OC-117 one of the colours of 2016!! And then of
course there is always the safe fallback of Benjamin Moore Cloud White.

As for your tile - I agree with halcyonbear - on my monitor
they look too pink for your granite but could just be my monitor.

But
whatever you do - please do not mix natural stones! All those kitchens
with granite counter tops and tumbled or plain marble back splashes!! In
my mind they do not enhance each other. It's like wearing blue jeans and
a jean shirt - just should not be done!! A beautiful stone counter top
should be the feature.Good luck!

Just another thought - questions about the doors. These you have just had painted?

What is the dark line around the inside of the frame?

What colour is the hinge? Can't quite tell. But it does not look like it matches the door handle. If the hinge is chrome why not match the handle to the hinge? Chrome is a great finish in a kitchen as it gives a nice clean sparkle. And the chrome would lighten up the look of the doors.

I know this is not your question, but it would help give you a fresher clean look.

Deborah - why do you think there are so many kitchens with marble backsplash and granite counters? It looks good and people love the look.

Try this color. Glass subway tiles from Home Depot. Light gray is neutral color and mach with yellow spots on your granite counter top. Glass subway tiles is very trending this year.

Nay. I used 6x16 ceramic white and did not stagger the joints. Lended o the busy counters. If you want a pic I can send.

Hi, I like the granite but not the subway tile. I would use the granite as a backsplash, 4" high.

Looks good with the cabinets, but NOT with the granite counter or the wall paint!

I have same colors as you, but off white subway tiles with grey grout and cappuccino paint.

Your cabinets look beautiful and they are only a year old! I don't think you should paint them. Plus they appear to go very well with your counter. Take a cabinet door and a piece of granite, if you have one, to a large tile store and ask for their help. There has to be tiles that would compliment them.

Sono spines, I love your ceramic subway tiles. Who makes these?

The subway tiles are H LINE- 4X16 GLOSSY SUBWAY TILE- ALABASTER

I would do glass tiles (I am a huge fan of the shine in a kitchen), under cabinet LED lighting. Also instead of laying in a brick pattern I would stack the tiles!

I would do a nice creamy white subway tile, and bring one of the beigy stone colors in for the grout, to work with your counter top and your cabs. If your budget allows, look at Walker Zanger's 6th Ave, in white gloss (@9.50 sq ft). It is a mold-made but with a hand finish, it crosses the boundaries between looking too mechanical or too rustic.

Nay. Do a classic creamy white and let the granite be the star.

My opinion is glass tile is a fad and will date your kitchen, subway seems to stand the test of time. But it comes down to what you love, not all of our opinions. After reading all of the comments, I don't know how you could be any closer to deciding? Would love to see when your finished.

too dull

clashes

I really think the light cream tile will work well with your granite. The pictures you posted make it look almost white but in person it matches the cream undertones in your slab and well let your granite be the focal point. If you go darker you are going to end up regretting it as your walls and counters will blend together.

Maybe take some high quality, up close pictures of the tile next to the slab and repost.

Typically in my mind a subway tile would look best in a kitchen or bathroom that is a modern white. I feel it clashes with the countertop and would not look good if you pursue with that choice, and I gets expensive to replace if you choose.

The picture I have attached I think somewhat depicts your countertop, and the stone backsplash adds a better contrast than a white subway. Hope this helps!

Sonomapines, I love your subway tile! What size and color are they? Who makes them? Also what color are your cabinets painted? Love it all!

Loudon1 it seems you are upsetting some people here on Houzz by all your posts on the same subject. Is there anyway you can close them off and stick to your original post?

We have finally finished our project!

Looks terrific!!!

I know this is 4 years late, but I just now saw your post regarding the choice of backsplash tile to use in your kitchen. In viewing your "after" photos, I really like the color of paint you used above the kitchen cabinets. Would you mind telling me what brand/color that is? In the pics, it looks like a "latte" kind of color - just what I've been looking for.

Hi there! I know this response is four months late, but I just noticed your question. The wall color above my cabinets was Sherwin Williams latte:). I have since painted it alabaster white. I love latte though.