My tile pic was excluded from the previous post

IMHO the designer's choice would be too busy. (It's also dated, but that wouldn't be why I would discourage it. I think it is currently out of favor because of the difficulty in getting consistent runs. Some travertines would turn pinkish when installed.)

The backsplash is a transition point between the cabinet and the counter. Just because you put something next to the granite doesn't mean it will also compliment the cabinet.

I would stick to a cream tile, but do a beveled tile, or if you can afford to, a handmade tile that would create some extra interest. You can add a pencil liner as well. I know some have accent tiles or borders, but I haven't really seem them in the kitchens going in currently.

Again, this is just my opinion, but people who want to be "impressed" as you put it with the backsplash, should pick a solid counter.

Agree with Ellen. That tile is just too busy. In my opinion, you need a solid color subway tile, probably in an off-white. Is your floor patterned too?

Here is a link to a kitchen that shows a solid subway tile with a patterned counter top. It is perfect.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3602553/better-late-than-nevermy-kitchen-reveal?n=50

The kitchen belongs to gardenweb member aktillery9.

Thank you Ellen, I agree the travertine selection may be too busy, but as I stated, i have been unable to find a solid tile in a cream or brown tone that wows me and that compliments my countertop. Off white appears "dirty" or washed out, cream too yellow and gray in a solid tile is totally off. I personally love natural stone because of the color variance and I am not so worried about run consistency or it being dated because to me anything natural never goes out of style, i am more concerned that it would be too overwhelming with the movement in my countertop. I just haven't been able to find a solid tile without movement that looks good with my granite selection.

I'm not a big fan of travertine tile as backsplash. How about Fireclay thin brick? I think it's gorgeous, and it has a more natural look than glossy tile. You could order some samples and see how they look.

https://www.fireclaytile.com/brick/colors/

What is your granite?

Aktillery's is not a solid backsplash. Why I think it works in her kitchen is because it goes up the entire wall, only one upper and an oven hood to break up the wall.

Thank you jlc, I am going to look into the fireclay brick.

My granite is Perghamino.

You need a calmer back splash and possibly with a matte finish.

I'm wondering if my Grazia Rixi tile in crema would work?