all you have to look at right now are the backsplash and the counter, so you are focusing on those. blenheimnewzealand makes a good suggestion; black hardware distracts from the mismatched tone of backsplash and counter. similarly strong accessory colors that are neither grey or beige. put a red kitchenaid mixer on the counter and the backsplash will step back a couple feet.

i disagree with those who says its a great pairing, but it can be an acceptable choice with some non-neutral accessorizing.

I like the backsplash; it's the counter top that I don't like -- too "busy". With the backsplash you have, any solid color taken from the backsplash colors would work great -- especially the darker gray.

The transition between the dark "busy" granite and the shades of gray is very stark. Perhaps adding a single row of medium gray tiles -- the darker gray in the subway or a gray common to BOTH the tiles and granite -- in a row, horizontally, along the wall at countertop level would ease the color transition a bit and keep either/both tiles and granite from looking as starkly different from the other as it is. That's something that could be done without removing either the granite or the subway tiles.

http://colgar.ibicake.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Kitchen-Tiles-Backsplash-Ideas.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NO71jlNaPXs/SvscmABP8qI/AAAAAAAAAA8/Y6gNFRoqYlo/s320/TiernayRialtoWhite-WtLinen+(10).jpg

http://howtonestforless.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/kitchen-backsplash-tutorial.jpg

I agree that the backsplash is more gray than the counter, but I think that the gray colors are there in the counter too. Less busy with blending grout -- not as nonbusy as a solid subway would have been, but I think both are beautiful and you will get used to the combination. Some tonal mismatches are deadly, but this is very close to working, even in this raw state -- it will only calm with grout and further finishing if the kitchen. I don't know that I agree with the suggestion of dark hardware, although probably either dark or light (e.g., nickel) hardware will help with the blending in different ways.

Agreeing with some of the above statements, the pattern won't look as busy when the hood and hardware are added to the kitchen. Putting in a darker grout color my help tie in all of the colors together to make a more cohesive rather than 'busy' look.

I can't read them all - your "frost" grout - what color is it: icy white? or grey? I'd probably pick a light-medium tone from tile. I'm a natural sort of person, and see my indoor living similar to the beauty of the outdoors. When you look at canyons, and soils all around the country - you'll see much similar mix of your tones. It's ok!!!!! but I say that cause from here - it doesn't clash, just looks 'natural'.

Another thought: If you haven't already chosen your stove hood, you might consider that a large stove hood would cover a lot of the backsplash you don't seem to like.

To me the backsplash and granite do not go together. You have to look at one and then readjust to look at the other. But most new kitchens look that way now. Backsplashes have taken over kitchens, and ruined many.. It is a nice kitchen, I would take the backsplash out and get something that you really like. Also, the ranges with the controls all in the front fit and look better. Your range is sticking out now with that tile. And before you jump on me, I have almost the same granite you have in our kitchen....

You haven't had time to get used to it. Go ahead, grout it! Most people go with solid subway, but these soft gray colors are beautiful, yet subtle. If you have more of it, make a "tray" to hold a pretty plant or a great white vase or pitcher.

This confuses me a bit [not often hard] - I'm happy with my cheap laminate and paint. Those who can and do buy natural materials I assume are ok with nature's mix of colors.... yes! there are many such neutral families in nature. I know, it is money spent and that matters to you.

Wacokid, the oven is actually pulled out. It can be pushed back flush when the tile work is done.

everdebz, yes, it's more that I picked this backsplash and it cost money. I think if we had just moved to the house I would have been fine with it. But since we're redoing our kitchen, it's hard spending the money and then thinking it looks bad.

Curious, what type of marble is the backsplash?

Kim, it's Carrara white honed

Why don't you just paint it?

I agree with some above comments in regards to using a darker grout. Are these natural stone or tiles? Hard to tell from pics? If natural stone they will darken if unsealed and grouted. They will also lighten up quite a bit if just set in mortar.

I think you are overthinking this. Have it grouted a darker grout pulling a color from the granite. Let it all dry and when everything else is installed it will blend in just fine. It isn't that off but when you stare at it an look at it in pics it just compounds your negative feelings towards the so called mis match.

I would also go to HD and grab some different bulbs as warm, daylight and even amount of lumens will drastically effect how it looks. In our kitchen we burned out a bulb and got lazy and threw a brighter lumen and hues one in the can. At least 5 people have told me the those cabinets don't match the rest knowing I was the one who built, sprayed an installed them.

I had one lady who was unsure of dark grout actually cut out dark paper into strips and stuck them into the tiles to see how it would look. When we showed up to grout I didn't know what she did. Oddly enough it helped her decision. I should have kept the strips. LOL!!

Linda, I didn't know that was an option! Have you ever painted a marble backsplash or do you know a link of how to do that?

What often happens along the way of a project is what I call "tunnel vision". We can get so focused on a couple elements we loose track of the big picture. I would have advised a plainer backsplash with this granite but we always have project challenges. With this one, you can select grout that is close to color of back splash so it doesn't add another distraction. Once everything is in place and you add some accessories and fresh flowers etc. this will work. I have seen much worse. Relax. Pick grout carefully. Get tiler to do some samples and test. It will be ok.

I just posted on another, borrowing common phrase to make it more my own: one woman's clash is another woman's cute.

Yours doesn't clash - have an iced tea. :)

jo jo, your post said it like probably millions thought it....

These are not saturated colors we're talking about. It's very neutral and not a clash.

Do not paint it. I would not have chosen those options, but I am a design minimalist. You chose materials that you love, so give it more time. As Flo said, focus on the big picture. It is so easy to kick one's self and second guess decisions, especially expensive ones. I think it will be ok and you'll love your finished kitchen. Post pics when it's all done.

sorry - but I think it clashes. Take it out now -- least expensive option. and find something simpler that goes with the granite. your granite should be the star of the design.

Love your granite and your subway tile, however I am going to say "trust your instinct and your personal taste'. That said; because of your apprehension perhaps you could do a sample board up first (prop it up in a conspicuous place) and live with it for about a week .... as once grouted it will be a far more tedious task of removing it. In summary, good luck as realize it may also be costly if you change it but think of it as; those beautiful expensive shoes you bought which you thought were so adorable but you hated to wear because they were so uncomfortable .... ☺.

Now is the time to spend an hour with a good designer to help you pick a grout color. You need the midtone of the predominant color of the backsplash, and truly, no one can do that here from photos.

Aforementioned samples with scrap tile is a great idea, as long as the scrap tile represents the majority of your stone. Much more variation in natural products.

Fwiw, I think the splash is pretty, and you won't feel the same way when the other pieces complete the puzzle.

I like it!

And I almost never like a backsplash.......

Choose a light grout, itwill be less busy and there is light in your countertop. You don't want dark in the grout!!!!!!!! That will pull out all the lines in the tile and make it more pronounced and really busy.

You want the back splash to blend and be muted. A really light grout that is in the tile and the countertop, pulling the two together giving it a cohesive look!!!!!

The greeney taupe of the counter doesn't go with the cold gray of the tile. Right now, it won't be nearly as difficult to remove as it will after things set up for a while. Or is grouted. Don't make the mistake of trying to fix a fundamental undertone incompatibility with grout. That never works.

Please don't paint that gorgeous marble. I agree with Kelli, I'd do a light grout that blends with the backsplash to detract from being too busy. The granite is busy so you don't need the pattern of the backsplash to show.

PS - I love the backsplash with your cabinets.

Have you been working with a kd? I agree, may be a good investment, before you move on. Looks like you have chosen a very cool grey paint color. Greige may be better, but we are unable to give you definitive advice over a computer screen.

Plus we can't see you flooring either. All 5 elements in the kitchen should work together.

SandyC., Up until the backsplash, I really liked all my decisions. Now, I wish I had used a designer. The backsplash sample (square foot) didn't look so multi toned and seemed okay. Live and learn. We haven't picked our floors yet! There was tile in the kitchen but we're doing hardwood floors in the entire downstairs. I have a few paint samples up and I agree, the griege samples look better.

Now would be a great to to hire someone. Save yourself some heartache and expense. It's not too late to pull it altogether. You can also do some fabulous window coverings and upholstered chairs or stools to bring it together with the help if a trained eye :)

I agree with the other comment about adding some Browns to the gray maybe in the handles on the cabinets or some taller items on the counter in Browns. It would be easy enough to try it out!

I think you will like this when it's complete. I would go light, white or a light grey for the grout. Add some stainless or brushed nickel handles for the cabinets. A stainless stove hood/microwave will draw the attention to the stainless 'look' and the cabinet handles will help. I love that the backsplash is so light and clean looking. Once it's finished, it will pull together nicely.

After reading all the comments up to this point, the combination of your choices has grown on me. But I stand by my first thought - by the time the hood is up and you've chosen your hardware, you likely won't see 'clash'. Also, you will likely have 'stuff' on the counter, which will help to separate the two elements. I agree with the suggestion of lighter choice in grout, but honestly don't think we can make a choice from a photo posted on a computer screen. And your lighting will make a difference. Get out of the room for a while, and look at it with fresh eyes after setting up your mock-up grouted board, and after each decision you make, then trust your instincts. Can't wait to see photos of the progress!

I think it is very pretty and grouting the tiles will tone it down. Be sure to choose a light to medium gray grout. Try to match the gray tiles.

Once some of your small appliances (be selective) are placed on the counter, the hardware is on the cabinet doors, and you have some fresh flowers or a beautiful orchid sitting on top of the counter, your kitchen will look beautiful. I think polished nickel knobs/handles would look so nice keeping things shiny and bright :-)

Finish up the project and enjoy your new kitchen!

I really think you made a really nice choice.....I love the movement and colors together; there is a nice tension to the choices which is really good I think.

Three professional kitchens that look really great and have the contrast and the tension.....matchy matchy and safe is out. Live with it for a bit!

It's a problem, but there may be ways too integrate the two surfaces.

First, with everything empty, your eyes is drawn to their place the two surfaces meet. As has been pointed out, when the kitchen is interesting use, you'll have lots of things on the counter which will distract.

What I would trying I do is to pick out a brown from the granite and trust o have matching paint done, which I would use to paint any wooden things you'll have on the counter. Or look for a matching vase. Maybe find a wooden tray or two, paint them in different colors from the granite and stand them up against the backsplash. This will pull some of the color up into the backsplash. Even if you didn't plan on having anything tallish, consider it.

The hood will reduce the visible surface.

Good luck!

I like your choice too. You aren't used to looking at it yet. Once it's grouted and your countertop items are there (as well as the hood) I think you will like it alot more. The combination works, not too busy at all!

I like the backsplash as well!

Hello, maybe the grout color should match the granite. Based on the picture, your countertop has brown overtones. Pick brown for the grout. Just a suggestion. At this point you can't take down the backsplash or countertop. That would be very costly and dramatic. Renos bring a tremendous amount of stress, not to mention money and time. I'm sure that once it's done, it'll look amazing. Let us know. Good luck

It's just not working for me. Granite is very busy, tile is lovely but just doesn't work together. That said, it would be costly to change it out. If you are unable, then you've got some interesting advise for grout color, perhaps that will help.

The biggest problem when doing any room over I think is seeing each item as an individual. Once all the objects r put together the room becomes a family of sort. Only then does the room begin to make sense. It's hard right now to imagine the space but wait until u r finished n I bet u fall in love with all of it.

So far I think it's fine, I'd go with a dark grout too.

I can't tell u how many times I've felt the same way when decorating a space. But in the end, when all is finished I look at it n say "this is nice - this is home". :)

best wishes!

PLEASE get professional advice on the grout color. Some are saying brown. Going too dark or too light could make the tiles look more busy.

From my experience, the more noticeable the grout color (For example: if you use a dark color or a very light color-you will add lots of contrast making the tiles look almost like brick. In this case, I don't think you would want that)

I would go with a medium gray but check with a pro on this one before you go forward. I had a similar situation, and the pro recommended that I choose a grout color as close to the tile itself to give the backsplash a seamless look.

jo jo, I am in the EXACT same position. A variegated carrara backsplash like yours was my inspiration for our kitchen refresh (see photo below).. I got so distraught that I started an ideabook "Two Stars" to save photos of patterned counters and backsplashes to reassure myself! I had a white counter years ago, they seem all the thing now, that's what would have been safe with my variegated BS (I used handmade ceramic) but I really didn't want a solid counter.

Believe the posters who tell you they like your beautiful choices. There will always be people with differing taste and we've gotten used to seeing miles of white subway BS in kitchen photos. Have fun playing with ways to bridge the inconsistencies you are currently focusing on. Make a grouted board and sit with it awhile. Your kitchen is so gorgeous!

I love the granite, I think it's really beautiful. As a stand alone, I think the backsplash is very pretty. Don't love the combo. I would tear out the backsplash and bring the same granite up the wall as your backsplash. When you have a beautiful natural stone like your granite, I think it should be the feature. I think it would look stunning to bring it up the wall, especially with the simple white cabinets. If the backsplash bothers you now, it probably always will. And you'll have those big regrets we all have when we don't listen to our gut. My mother always says your first mistake is the easiest (and cheapest), and don't put good money after bad... I would do it now and not spend more money on something you aren't happy with.

Thanks everyone for your advice! Here's what I got: Some people don't like it at all and should be torn out, some think it's doable, and some like it. After sleeping on it, I've decided it's doable. I had two decorators come out for a consult (super cheap by the way, wish I'd known) and they both said to keep it. They also recommended doing a grout that blends in, a light gray. They said seeing it in person and in a picture is different. Apparently my granite photographs really brown but in person looks more black and gray.

Also, I guess the tiles took on a yellow tint when installed. All the large sample pieces look more white. It is what is and I'm going to work with it. I'll post a picture when it's finished!

Glad you are happy with it. Just a word of caution, a designer is very different than a decorator. An interior designer has years of schooling and is licensed, a decorator is not.
An interior designer will save you from expensive design mistakes and help with planning a project and sourcing materials.

jo jo, I've designed over 200 kitchens and suggest selecting a grout that is light and carries a color from both the tile and the countertop, blending the two together. You don't want the grout lines to be pronounced then it would be waaaay to busy and will compete with your countertop. Try to be more monotone with the backsplash.