The Urban-Bronze-type paint almost makes your microwave look sparkly... :)

Thank you, but I'm hoping for suggestions for a backsplash. The painted wall is not fun to clean.

From the paints you've had - have you liked dark, medium, or light colors, for our information... these edges give a handmade look they say / milk. Toasty color from the counter I'd think....

Antic Special Ceramic Wall Tile, Cream · More Info

Says blue, but might 'show' grey:

Antic Craquelle Mix Ceramic Wall Tile · More Info

Colors of paint, I've had a medium green and this raisin color that is on the wall now. I do like grey tones and darker colors. But I'm looking for advice, since I can't figure out a color or a design.

My granite has dark cream, taupe, chocolate browns, and grey. If you put green near it, it will pull green as well. Very interesting

You hardly have any room with the current backsplash already in place. Between that and the busy granite and the small wall space, you would have to remove that 4" piece for it to look good. If you just stuck some smaller subway tile on top of that 4" piece, It's going to look choppy.

if you decide to remove it, maybe something in a larger tile (as opposed to the smaller subway mosaics)

this comes in different colors. something in a cream shade would work.

cutting a 24" tile to 14" is a major waste. What's she going to do w/the odd 10" leftover? You have a very tall wall. On her backsplash it wouldn't look the same.

For what you are suggesting she may as well get a solid piece to fit or even a back painted piece of glass to fit the entire wall.

Thank you Beth. I do agree on the waste and my space is too small to have large tiles. I do appreciate all of the suggestions though. I do like the black linear tile you suggested, but wonder if it would be too dark and close in the space.

I love the sparkle. Thank you

Yes, was going to suggest a cream or light gray glass for the same reason -- I'd remove the four inch piece of granite all the way around and put a light backsplash with some texture or sparkle.

Shingle Style- Kitchen · More Info

Gorgeous. I'm sad to have to remove the granite lip, that was an expensive addition.

Possibly smaller tiles would look "border-ish" if placed above the bsplash lip. It's worth a look near the top of thread, where she shows Before/After painting cabinets -- backsplash with solid counter --

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/1997-golden-oak-cabinets-finally-gone-yeah-2017-now-what-dsvw-vd~4387563[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/1997-golden-oak-cabinets-finally-gone-yeah-2017-now-what-dsvw-vd~4387563)

Based on your
earlier comments, see below ideas of grey and black kitchen
backsplashes that you might like - The first one is a Thin Stainless Brick
Mosaic Silver and Black.

Eden Mosaic Tile Installations: Thin Stainless Brick Mosaic Tile Silver Black · More Info

Eden Mosaic Tile Installations: Stainless Steel Bricks/Gray Basalt Stone Tile · More Info

Eden Mosaic Tile Installations: River Rock Pattern Mosaic Stainless Steel Tile · More Info

Eden Mosaic Tile Installations: Long Random Bar Silver Pewter/Chrome Tile · More Info

Eden Mosaic Tile Installations: Cobble Pattern Stainless Steel Mosaic Tile · More Info

We are a premium online supplier of metal mosaic tiles
for backsplash and other wall applications. If you are looking for ideas, feel
free to browse our customer installations for metal backsplash ideas:

http://www.houzz.com/projects/72838/eden-mosaic-tile-installations

You can also check out our Houzz store at:

https://www.houzz.com/pro/edenmosaictile/eden-mosaic-tile

We offer the possibility to receive samples.

Good luck with your backsplash design!

If you want your backsplash to look modern and up-to-date then the 4" b/s has to go. It's already a small space from the counter to the cabinets and using two different materials will just make it look like an afterthought.

Can you step back a little and take another picture that shows the area to the left?

Glass so it's shiny? - idea for Bordeaux - but idk - course there are neutral but this says 'brown'....might it blend with cherry too?

Vermont Brown Tile, Single Sheet · More Info

Here is another photo I just took. As you can see...my back wall has another area with counter area, I am not sure if I will carry the backsplash to that side or not.

I love all the sparkle ideas!! I feel like it will brighten the area up. Thank you so much for all your suggestions so far!!

There's not a lot of backsplash area so I say go for it! The key is going to be to find something that coordinates with the coloring in the counter... luckily there are many options of glass, natural stone, slate etc that have a variety of colors so you can find just the right tone... and don't be afraid of something busy!

Good luck and have fun!!

[When removing the 4" does it get destroyed....]

Hi Ruth--thanks for the extra pictures.

I think your walls are painted the wrong color. Way too dark. If you want to brighten your kitchen that would be the first step in doing so.

Here's another picture of the mother of pearl

Small detail but it would look nice with your kitchen. Soap and lotion set.

I really like the Mother of Pearl, it's very pretty. And thank you for the soap dish idea.

Beautiful

Just use vinyl paper or eggshell paint. You can scrub that.

I have two lights over the counter. How would this work? Wouldn't two look over done?

Sorry Ruth I didn't recall the photos showing more good traditional things seems, like handles and more.... I deleted it.

I just reread your original statement....

" I am looking to do a unique, up to date 2017 backsplash for our kitchen. I want a wow factor that really gives my kitchen the appeal that it needs."

Ruth, you have that with your countertop. The paint you have is just distracting you from your WOW piece!! If you want to add a backsplash, you will need to remove your 4" piece. Otherwise, just repaint the wall above the backsplash you have. Use eggshell and it will be easy to clean. Remove the clutter from the top of your cabinets and paint it all a beautiful cream that has yellow undertones. Then see how you feel about your space.

Also, find a picture of a kitchen that has your cabinets that you like. See what you like about it. See what you don't like about it. Add the elements you like.

Thank you for you input, love the ideas. Can't wait to begin this project.

Pro question/ noticed how much tiling it'll cover seemed good - you wouldn't want it all over the place in greater quantity than the countertop....

I think it is a mistake to seek "wow factor" in a backsplash for your kitchen. The granite is pretty, one of my favorites, in fact. Let it be the star. I like the larger tiles Beth posted early in the thread.

White, clean subway tiles would brighten up the space and look great with the granite!

That is very pretty. Thank you for sharing. It gives me a very real idea of what a cream colored tile will look like with my granite.

encouraging to see that all is not white with kitchen cabs. I am here trying to make a decision on stain. Smallish kitchen with a north window. It is tough to find something that won't clash with my honey oak flooring.......which I don't want to replace, as in we might sell in a few years

Mary, before you do anything, talk to a real estate agent. They can help you decide what to do and what not to do to a house you are going to sell in a few years.

Please...I need help picking out a GROUT COLOR for the back splash I choose.

these are mapei colors. maybe warm gray, alabaster, frost, ivory, pearl gray? hard to tell from the monitor.

You need to pick a grout color that matches the tile. It is hard to tell on my monitor what the actual color is. If it has light and dark in it, go for the lighter color.

You can also make a mock up on a piece of drywall and see what colors you like.

The white or alabaster might go.

I would suggest subway tile in the cream color found in the counter top. You need something light and plain contrast from the rather busy design in the counter top and the rather fancy design of the beautiful cabinets.

choose some light shade instead of dark .. !! thanx :)

Do you have an after photo? I'd love to see how it turned out! I have the same granite and I am replacing the backsplash. The current backsplash is very much in competition with the granite. I'm not a fan. The cabinets are cream colored and the floors are going to be a neutral to ashy dark brown.

I wish I did have a photo, however we never did our back splash yet because I had to have surgery. Hopefully late summer we will complete the project.

Good luck with what you do.