Would NOT do the one you labeled "tan/warm." I think the BS texture next to the busy granite CT would be too much and neither would compliment the other. I would look for a "simple," smooth, single color tile that matches one of the colors in the granite CT.

Looks like you have a nice corner walk-in pantry. (I want one!) Please post pics when you are done.

crl said it well, let the stone CT be the star.

I did ceramic and loved it. You will not regret it when clean up time comes. Simple and classic. You could spring for some art tiles sprinkled in if you find ones you like.

I think something plain and let granite be the 'it' for the room. I like your first inspiration photo. Might look nice to use a darker grout like brown, to help tie in the cabinets and brown from the counter more.

Good deal, sounds like everyone is on board with my thoughts, simple solid color, let the granite do the talking!

and yes mdln, definitely will post pics when done. I have used so many pics from other folks, its only fair to share back :)

(ohhhhh so close, been a long long 6 months building)

Take it from someone who ripped out their backsplash the day it was installed - go simple if you have a busy granite (yours is beautiful, btw!)

When you're looking at inspiration pics for backsplashes, always look at the counter with which the backsplash has been paired. In your second posted pic the backsplash has been paired with a plain black granite, which yours is not.

You have a beautiful but complex patterned granite and need to keep that in mind. I'd go a simple matte. The alder cabinets also have an extra detail other than the style of cabinet in the knotty detail of the wood. You have enough going on and to add a third detail in other-than-simple tile for the backsplash will be too much.

We used a super simple matte 4 x 16. Ours is Alabaster and in matte, so extremely plain, but the size is a little unexpected. The colors on the web site are not too good-- we used Fog in a bathroom and it is not nearly as gray as shown here. I also liked that it came in an 8" width that we could use for lining the window without any vertical grout lines.

Ann Sacks Grid tile

I wanted to post a quick update as promised, although incomplete. We have moved in and with the budget being destroyed, the backsplash will just have to come as a DIY project in the summer. BUT, I have pretty much decided on a simple subway tile, thanks for all the tips!

Here are some updated pics the day before we moved in. Super happy with how the cabinets turned out (tough process because our friend who built them lives 4 hours away), and while I was worried about the granite colors they worked out fine.

Thanks again!

Looks great. I love the layout.

I was hoping you were updating! Looking good. Can't wait until you pick out the backsplash.