Your home looks lovely. May I suggest that you wait and live in it for a while before making this decision. You may just need some space from the decision making process. Given the room, it will hit you like a blinding flash of the obvious!

Thank you. We've been in it for a few years now and I'm still lost. Terrified of messing it up. I picture in my head either italian restaurant stone or classy mirror or glass that would be flashy, which I also love. Unsure what colors or tones to make it pop.

Your fears are well-placed. There is little harder to reverse than a regrettable backsplash, and nothing confronts you so regularly, from morning coffee to cleanup after dinner.

Start by trying simple paint. It is a little awkward to paint a backsplash (painter's tape helps), but it is a quick evening's task, and easy to change (I once changed mine two or three times in one week when my first stroke of genius proved not so brilliant). With paint you can experiment with the value (light, medium, dark) and the specific color ranges that are spinning in your mind.

In several of my houses I've ended up staying with paint permanently and ditching other options. Low-gloss or eggshell paint proved fine.

Gorgeous kitchen; good luck with this detail.

I do love marble.....tumbled marble looks more like stone?

Thank you, painting is a great idea

Great advice from tfswest. I have only had one opportunity in my life to choose a backsplash and until I began reading Houzz, I never thought of it as a gut-wrenching decision. I will say that I like unique things and my husband and I never agree on anything, so when we both liked the same tile, we had to get it and I still love it. You've gone with the safe neutral color scheme in your kitchen and dining room so for you to express that you want something splashy is rather surprising. I also considered a mirrored backsplash but read that it was a nightmare to keep clean which, with that, you really must. How about stainless? It's still flashy but a little less difficult to clean I think. I'm showing you what we ended up choosing, not because I think you would want it, but because it shows you how diverse your choices can be.

Thank you classysass. That is really nice tile and very different. I did go very neutral and safe. The whole house is neutral though and getting boring. I've been considering a decorator for curtains, pillows, paint ideas to give it some personality. I felt like after a total rebuild I was given a second chance at perfection and I don't want to mess it up. This website is so helpful!

In kitchens with granite and brown cabinetry, I really think the best option is just carry the granite up 6" or whatever then the rest just paint wall. Bc with brown kitchens nothing goes but more brown or cream, which results in beige overkill and modern options like subway tileor carrera just dont look right. So I say just doe a 6" granite backsplash and call it a day

Your idea to keep the back splash neutral and add the color in accessories and paint is right. The back splash stays for a very long time. A simple tumbled marble would look nice.

I understand your hesitancy. Stay with something classic like subway tiles in a neutral color. Consider glass tiles. Tumbles stone tiles are difficult to keep clean if you use your kitchen a lot. You can add color with pictures and pottery and flowers. Don't add more beige.

I think your right. It should be neutral.

Barbara, you think beige is too dark? Your thinking creamy white?

I've never seen a creamy subway tile. There is white but I don't think white will go well with your beige-y colors. And glass tiles usually have an undertone of green or gray. Go with a stone that blends with your colors, such as travertine.