my saphire granite is a bit less brown, but anyway, i dont care for the blue tile with it, its dark and rather than bringing out the blue in the granite its making the granite look less blue.

i'm not sure if your white tile is the right white, is there another shot from further away? i feel its not settling in, the way a backsplash color should... like a comfortable deep breath....

I don't think my kitchen photos posted...I'll give it another shot

second, if you are even thinking of changing the granite sometime, the backsplash will be damaged... so don't spend a lot of money on it.

ok now i see those other photos. i'd go with a 'white' tile that is just one tick warmer than your sample. like i said, you want it to settle in, not glare at you.

Try a lighter blue with cream undertones like this Nabi Arctic Blue Ceramic Tile from TIle Bar.

Thanks very much for your thoughts, nnigrt. Everything you said makes sense! I guess I was really hoping I could get away with something not- so -safe with the backsplash...but maybe I just won't be able to.

That tile is gorgepus, Inspired Interiors! I'm going to check it out :)

I have that granite! Tan Brown. The only thing that works with this granite is an off white to a cream. If you want to do something bolder, then a patterned cream with a geometric design could work. Those are pricey though. I have been trying to find one myself so I understand your pain!

I changed out my island granite and that made a huge great difference. I think I would put my money on that change not on the backsplash. Think about that. I put an Icy Brown on the island and it changed everything. I will see if I still have some photos. I do have dark cabinets, but I don't think that changes much.

I would stay away from all blue tile.

Have you thought about a metallic subway tile like this:

They come in a multitude of colors that could pick up one of the colors in your granite. It would be a fresh take on subway tile and give the room something to focus on other than the granite.

This is before I changed Island and lighting above.

I left all the peripheral granite in place. I am going to change the backsplash but will most likely do something rather simple, possibly arabesque, cream with matching grout. Still thinking about it.

Flo- your kitchen is lovely :)

emmarene - thanks so much for your thoughts! Would any color look good here? I was really hoping for something other that white/cream but maybe it just won't work :(

Those tiles are cool, Bil! Thanks for the suggestion :)

Max0429, have you thought about painting out the wood on the light box? Painting it the same as the ceiling would give the room a look of more height. That would be an inexpensive way to freshen up the look of the kitchen.

Bil- we've actually already taken all of that wood down. My husband is going to repair the drywall and remove the flourescents... sort of a tray ceiling idea. He's also going to install can lights up there. *Thinking* of using tin ceiling tiles...but that might need its own thread!

The tile looks on the blue side to me-

Here is a couple of Brown colored tiles with the darker countertop- check out our page under backsplashes for more ideas

Why don't you want white or cream?

Oh...I don't know! Maybe it's because every backsplash I've ever put in has been some variation of white or cream...I was just hoping to branch out a little this time :)

The countertops you have don't allow you to branch out beyond warm whites, creams, and tans.

You can be unique in some other area of the kitchen.

Any thoughts on the herringbone?

Thanks, everyone, for your comments :)

I love the herringbone. If you did that pattern in metallic it would be stunning. I would stay away from stone though it fights with the granite like the current back splash. Love the tray ceiling idea. It will definitely give the room height. Don't let Negative Nellies dissuade you from being bold and creative.

Thanks very much, Bil :)

I have that same granite in my master bath. It has some very coppery elements and some very steely gray elements. I have a glass and stone mosaic detail strip in the shower that pick up those elements. I like the idea of the metallic tile - maybe in the steely tones, then an accent of a mosaic that picks up all the colors of the granite.

I kinda like the tile Inspired Interiors posted. Your island is butcher block - is that staying? I'd get at least 6 tiles of whatever you do like and then repost pics. A simple tray ceiling w down lights would be my vote vs the tin ceiling.

Hi edwards4four! Yes, butcher block is staying :)

I don't think you need to play it safe, it is your home and your style. The blue tile is very pretty, remember it will make a big statement and you may get tired of it quicker than a neutral.

Thanks so much for your thoughts, Powell. You do bring up a very good point...I'd hate to find myself tired of it in a year or two. So many good ideas here...I'm just so unsure!