Also, here's my problem child. I have two different counter tops, which is why it's being a pill. The granite came out browner than I hoped and the Silestone on the perimeter came out whiter. Oh, drama. (Ignore the ugly light in the morning room. It's going away as soon as we close.)

eridani99 - two countertop colors was my original inspiration--what color are your cabinets? Check this design:
-- what do you think?

Run it all the way up no border needed unless you are trying to create another dimension

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=mosaic+back+splash+for+kitchen&FORM=HDRSC2#view=detail&id=6DDA9EC7DEC138A6777FBDDEB0C897AE7978B0F8&selectedIndex=23

mpounce17 I love it :)

Disagree. Too flat and boring. No pizzaz at all.

Computer issues here. Sorry, can't type but a sentence or two. It kicks me out and I lose the text I've already typed. Been trying to address both of you for the last half hour. Getting nowhere.

eridan99: Get rid of the granite. Too difficult to work with. Order more Silestone to replace it. Hopefully, you can use it somewhere else, bathroom, powderoom, etc. Have it recut for another location. Salvage some of the cost. Easiest "fix".

mponce, I like a very simple and clean design :) --

eridan99: Know you are going to HATE me for that reply, but the quickest way, to avoid another HUGE mistake is to get rid of the granite. Did you see the slab of granite before it was cut for your job? If not, you are supposed to have had that option because it is natural stone. Color and marbling effect varies a lot, from piece to piece. Different from Silestone, which is man-made. I ask this question because you sounded surprised that it was darker than you expected when it was installed. Ditto when you buy quartz or marble, by the way. I am Canadian so the practice of the trade may be different here than in the US, but it is very helpful to buyers!

Oh my gosh - I can't believe a suggestion was made to get rid of the granite. The kitchen is beautiful with that granite! You'll have no trouble finding a backsplash to go with your scheme so far. That kitchen is off to a terrific start!

Here is another project where Sonoma Tile might work! I have used it on a couple of different projects, in different patterns/shapes. This is a beautiful tile, but as I keep saying, their website makes it look as bland as bland can be. I am not necessarily suggesting this pattern, but you can select your own colors from 4 palettes: glossy, matte, artisan and crackle. The colors can be as bold or as subtle as you want. For instance, in this pattern, you pick your glaze colors and then tell them what percentage you want of each, so it is completely custom. If you just look at this tile online, you'll think 'boring'. If you are near a showroom, I urge you to go and look at it.

These photos are more traditional looking, but there are a lot of sizes in this tile so it could be done in a more contemporary manner, too.
http://www.sonomatilemakers.com/ConceptBoard.aspx?prod-line-id=6&IsConceptBoard=True

@Ed -- I do too, but I hope you do not confuse my kitchen design dilemma with eridani99's. Clean lines as you show here appear to me as more modern. I am not sure if eridani99 is moving in that direction.

No issue. Your situation is different. Still thinking.

Concerned about thickness of tile. Floor ceramic usually thicker than wall tiles. Considering previous suggestion. Not sure it would work out. Do you have a piece of floor tile left to compare thickness?

Also, because your cupboards appear to be more cream than white in the most recent pics you provided, I am inclined to think of mocha, rather than black for accent color. Goes better with your bronze fixtures, too. What do you think?

I like the photo someone provided near the beginning (group of four pics) labelled Design Savvy. Might work for you, with mocha accent trim.

Oh, I now see that silverscreenstar was suggesting eridani99 get rid of granite. I don't see any need for that either as both kitchens can be beautiful with the existing countertops. mponce17 - I have kind of calm taste, but I think many a kitchen is ruined with a combo of lively granite and also backsplash. Since your granite has a bit going on, I would stay with a calm backsplash and no borders over the cooktop. Just looking again at the pictures, what about using the taupe color in the granite (for warmth) and just doing a solid taupe subway tile. I've been trying to find an example since I'm not sure if that would be nice or not, but I haven't found one. I'll keep looking through Houzz kitchens.

I have to agree that the Design Savvy picture is nice, if you found colors that work with your granite. It's quite calm but with a bit of interest.

@ silverscreenstar -- to clarify, I believe you were suggesting to eridani99 to relocate her island granite to another area, right?

I am not sure about using the floor tile as a backsplash. The color is not right with granite. I don't think that works.

I am thinking of subway tiles, mostly light with some accents in a darker color. The accent could be the same tile in a darker tone maybe? I do not want glass tiles. I see it everywhere I go and to me, glass tiles lean towards a more modern look. The cabinets are Kraftmaid, Dove White with Chocolate Glaze finish. Keep thinking...I'm patient. :)

Thanks! Quiet and tasteful. Bit of pizzaz comes from the design, rather than the color. Might be just the ticket!

Please check out the pic I referred to above, "Design Savvy". What do you think?

@ Silverscreenstar and Ann -- I like it! Bringing out the grey-taupe color of my granite sound just right. Actually, I have been looking for the right paint color for the rest of the room facing the kitchen. You saw a little of it in the last cabinet picture I sent. Any paint colors you suggest?

So do you agree that I could do a subway tile, with no extra detail over the cooktop, provided that I find the right colors? That will be the challenge!

This is the family room facing the kitchen. Did I mention how helpful you all are? Thank you!

Comment about relocating granite was meant for eridan99, to clarify.

Yes, I do think a subway tile always works and should be pretty timeless. In the first picture of your "family room facing the kitchen", I like the paint sample that is second from the left of the group on the very right side of the picture. Looks like a nice paint color for the room and about the color I am wondering about for subway tile.

You can do a blend of very subtle color withe that Sonoma Tile and it comes in a subway.

These are all pretty different from one another, but these might be colors I'd consider trying out with your granite.
[houzz=]
[houzz=]
[houzz=]
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Ann -- lovely! I like them all. Thank you! The color you pointed out is SW7544 Fenland -- Grey-Green. Looks a little dark, but I think I can get away with it because of all the natural light I get in this room. Lighting in this room always makes my paint color look different throughout the room.

Are those two pictures the same color paint?

Yes. The one on the left is the one that appeared on the right side of the room and the one on the right is the one that appeared on the left side of the family room in the picture I send earlier. I had chose a soft sage green for the kitchen and family room (you may see it behind the white cabinets) and on the other walls it looked like a mind green. You see my dilemma?

sorry for the spelling --*sent, *chosen and *mint

...
mponce, re: "I am thinking of subway tiles, mostly light with some accents in a darker color. The accent could be the same tile in a darker tone maybe?" If you can't find a manufactured tile you like, you might find something with the right "pizzazz" in a handmade tile (ours, or some other artists). We make hand-pressed subway tiles in 2x6 or 3x6, available in many different patterns & textures, and in several glaze colors and sheens that might work well with your existing surfaces (see below). Over the range, you could keep the same color and size of subway tile, but change the layout to a herringbone pattern (see various herringbone layouts on our profile) to keep things from getting too busy, yet still keep it from looking too vacant.

Yes, I do see the dilemma. I like the sage green idea with your granite which is what led me to my second and third subway tile pictures. How do you think a gray a few shades deeper (than the current sage/mint) on the walls and sage gray/green splash (like my third subway tile picture) would look? I'll look for an example of that.

Here is a nice wall color
[houzz=]

Another nice paint color. I think your paint samples are definitely close, just need to find one that handles the different light a bit better.
[houzz=]

Here is a kitchen where they chose a very dark color (that always scares me), but look how nice it looks.
[houzz=]

Very nice.My dentist had this throughout his office. It always looked clean, which is a great choice for a kitchen as well.

@Ann, I love the idea of a darker grey paint and a third subway tile with Maggie's kitchen. It's neutral enough to not be too flashy but textured enough to not be too calm.

mponce, the clean and simple design feeling is for your backsplash dilemma (or as Ann calls it, calm), and also for eridani99. :)

@eridani99, what did you think of mponce17 picture (Miramar, FL)? I think that splash would be so great in your kitchen!

This splash would look great in eridan99's kitchen, with the much less busy Silestone countertop. mponce's kitchen with the granite countertops is already busy enough, without adding more shapes, mixed colors, etc.

For me, i wouldn't do the thicker border or border and embossed tiles. They are difficult to wipe out the oily stain and worn out easily. What about glass tiles only for under hood area and plain ceramic matching color ones for the rest area?

@ann, mponce17: Oooh, I missed that post. I DO like that backsplash. I think I might turn the tiles 90 degrees, just to be contrary, though. ;)

@eridani99 - check this post, I think this is the same back splash as in the picture I posted https://www.houzz.com/discussions/backsplash-dsvw-vd~434698

Hello - can you tell me the name o the original backsplash tile you posted? Thanks!! Also, have you looked at Fire and Ice from Jeffrey Court?

@mponce17 - did you find a backsplash you like?

I did finally decide on a back splash that I am very happy with. We are very pleased with the way the kitchen turned out. It has been a long journey and I wanted to return and thank everyone for all the great ideas.

Now added a new discussion to complete the fireplace remodel. Hope to hear all your great suggestions.

Nicely done! The feature panel above the stovetop ties in nicely with your countertops. Thanks for the update and "after" photo.

Very nice!

Nice job. I think you have managed to make it contemporary and yet classic at the same time! Thanks for posting :-)