Some other options would be Snowfall or Colonial White. They tend to be lower level for pricing in my area, but the lots vary greatly and could be harder to find nice material.

Do go directly to the granite fabricators granite yard to see the actual slabs. They vary widely from place to place and "bundle" to bundle. Granite changes as it is mined from the various geographical locations. Go and ask for the "whitest" selections in the lower price ranges. They will show you what they have. We can give you names of granite, but different companies call the same granite different names. You have to see the slabs and take good notes. You need to note the exact numbers of the slab and bundle. Each slab is numbered and sized and priced. It is usually on the outside edge of the slab. Get a spiral notebook and note the name of the fabricator and then list the ones you like with the numbers. Then, after all your shopping, you will have a good record so you can specifically identify the slab(s) you want. White is in high demand so it tends to be a bit higher in price. However, with the "trend" toward quartz, granite has had to reduce their pricing to compete. But granite is a great countertop so don't fall prey to that "hype". Hope this helps and happy shopping!

You need to select the granite (and get samples of it) before you select the backsplash. Most are doing one style and color of backsplash all around, including over the range. The difference in laying tile over the backsplash just adds cost anyway. Once you know the granite and have a decent sample, you can get a sample of the cabinets color(s) and figure out the backsplash. Keeping everything clean and simple will be your best bet and you can add color and interest with lighting, and kitchen accessories. Just create a calm, background in all the choices. That will give you the best overall look and easiest to decorate around.

My photo didn't attach. Sorry.

Better but I think you can do better, but it will take some looking.

Thanks to all! Going to second warehouse tomorrow. As a recap --
Darker hardwoods have already been ordered. Can not be changed.
Cabinets have been ordered. SW Snowbound for the main cabinets. Shaker style going to the ceiling.
Island is SW Dorian Gray and has been ordered.
I "might" be able to alter the colors if he hasn't already gotten the paint.
My plan has been to select the granite and then the backsplash which I thought I had done with Blanco Tulum. :( we have asked for a price for quartz but my husband really likes granite.
And we are on a time crunch. Need to finalize ASAP to ensure an on time closing. And we are open to most all options but must stay in budget.
Are subway tiles considered outdated?
Thanks.

Subway tiles can work with shaker cabinets. Lots of sizes, glossy or matte, beveled or not, crackle finish or not, handmade look or not etc. You can choose installation pattern too.

The dark cabinet is the style we are getting the white and grey are the colors we are using.

Looks good. Keep us posted on granite shopping.

How about this?

That looks good! What is the name of it? What is the line in the lower left corner of your picture. Just make sure it is a good slab. If that comes off, fine, if not better keep looking.

I didn't select the actual slabs yet. Going back to do that. :). So I will check it out.

White itaunas.

OK, great. Hope that works for you. I looks pretty good from here!

How big is your island? I see this slab is 114 x 71, so that is a nice size. Just check that out.

Dear Ladies,

The word "backsplash" infers something will splash onto that surface...

i am astonished that anyone would consider tile in a kitchen! Period. But for a backsplash, behind a cooktop? All that grout. All those little nooks and crannies! Grease traps, by any other name.

Of course if you do not actually cook on that stove, and only make hard-boiled eggs, steaned vegetables and pasta, you're ok. But if you ever deign to fry a hamburger, brown chicken parts, wok a stir-fry meal or make bacon...your goose, so to speak, is cooked and your pretty, teensy, glass tile backsplash is now greasy.

And keep a Swiffer real handy for those lovely dark floors. The man at the flooring store winced when I told him I wanted dark floors in my family room. Winced! And he would have made a lot more money selling me dark hardwood floors than the sheet vinyl he recommended and I bought instead. Dark floors, agreeably, look so beautiful...until the dog tracks dirt and botanicals from the back yard, the kids spill flour baking cookies or the wind blows.

Happy cooking, as master chef Jacques Pepin says.

Zoey

Not helpful @nickodemus! ptn96 - I just looked up this granite as I wasn't familiar with it. It looks good and those streaks might be inherent in the stone. There does appear to be a wide variation in the "coloring" from bundle to bundle, so make sure you specifically select the slabs you like and right down EVERYTHING FROM THE TAGS and the side of the slabs themselves and get that information on your "order" and get a copy of the "order". I hate to make you do all this, but it is your best insurance to get the right things you envision now. When granite is installed it looks different. Get lots of photos too along with the "rep"! Just saying. I think you have found a really good pic though.

I'd go lighter on the countertops, maybe a colonial white or cream, andino white or white G. Since you've chosen a dark floor, I think lighter countertops would work best.

I believe the island size is about 7 feet long and 3.5-4 feet wide. I don't have the actual measurements. This is another home with our same layout.

Your flooring choice almost looks exactly like what we picked, is it an engineered hardwood that has small grain like grooves-almost like a rustic look? If so pick a smoother one; if your fingernail can catch in the small surface grooves think about the dirty that will.

We are starting to have issues with dust accumulating in the "grain" after we had a built in bookcase installed and painted in our office. I had to scrub the floors then let it dry the scrub again. I thought I was going to have to get furniture spot due to get rid of all the white dust left by the constitution.

Nice so, a 114 w x 71 will work lengthwise, but not sure what that width is?

Blacksplash?

With the White Itaunas?

You will need to consider upper cabinet color, as well as the granite. Plus the impact of under cabinet lighting and your flooring. But you might consider 2x8" glossy subway tile in a white close to your cabinet color. You could add a line of Mother of Pearl for some added interest across the center or in a couple of vertical stripes. But probably keep it simple is best. I don't think I would do beveled edges, might start to look too busy.

Grout should match backsplash tile in any case.

Any other options to subway tile in white. I'm anti- white subway tile. :( not sure why other than I feel like that's what everyone has.

Cabinets are white with under cabinet lights.

Island is the grey color.

Thanks.

The reason subway tiles have become so popular is that they are not super expensive, they work well with most styles, and most countertops. I understand you would like something different, so what I would suggest is you get a different look with perhaps a herringbone tile layout. That would be interesting, not like everyone's and not be too much extra cost. Here are some examples.

Thank you again Flo. As far as finishes go. We had planned to do oil rubbed bronze and I know we have ordered some things in that and I'm not sure what we can change at this point. What finished would you suggest and how much mixing can be done. For example, if I can't change the pulls (which are simple oil rubbed bronze pulls for the cabinets and drawers) does the faucet have to be oil rubbed bronze or can it be something else? Same questions for lighting.

You can definitely mix, but it is nice to find some common elements to tie things together. So for example you might get pendants that have some of the black and oil rubbed bronze if you have that. I wouldn't do all ORB (oil rubbed bronze though) unless you love that. Your colors go more modern and ORB is more traditional.

This could be a pendant with ORB but white shade. So just combine a few elements if you can.

Do be mindful of "post" style pendants and the lengths so your builder orders the right lengths of posts. Some come automatically with a 12" and 6" so they drop down and aren't hung too high. To be sure find pendants with chains because that will be easier. Don't let the electrician hang them without you present. They will cut the wire and leave them too high and you will be stuck!

You could go completely different on pendants as well especially if you put some mother of pearl into your backsplash. So there are tons of options. You might be limited in selections with your builder. If lighting is an "allowance" then you can pick what you want, but it does add up so you have to keep good record so you know where you are cost wise. That is hard to do without a designer to help you. These folks keep their pricing close to their vests.

We have a lighting budget so we can do just about anything. Which can be good but for me it's a bit overwhelming. Lol.

If I can't change my cabinet hardware from ORB, can I still do stainless steel for the faucet since the appliances are stainless steel?

I'm not the renowned Flo, but the answer is 'yes'. A stainless faucet is classic, like a little black dress. BTW, that's the combo I have in my kitchen.

Here's our slabs that are on hold. Still thinking about the backsplash options. Thanks for all your help!

What is the etiquette for starting a new thread since I've changed selections to get backsplash, lighting and other finishing touches? You guys have been so helpful.

OP - I'd start a new thread showing your current selections along with your new question(s), and include a link to this thread in case anyone new to the conversation cares to read about the history/evolution of your choices. I like the latest slabs. :)

Thank you!

ptn96 - you have got it. Great slabs. and @barncatz, you hit the nail on the head and don't ever discount your views. We are all here to help and all opinions are welcome!

I am so proud of you and your selections so far! It will be a showstopper and so up to date. I love SW Snowbound too, it seems to be the perfect fresh, soft white. The countertop selections are lovely. Sooo much better than the spotty brown! I would encourage you to steer toward the cooler metals vs. oil rubbed bronze, because of your other material choices. If already ordered, just return them, don't make mistakes you have to live with for decades! And don't let other people talk you out of the choices you want! Many of us, in our youth, regret that we listened to husbands, relatives, and construction workers instead of getting what is fresh and new and maybe a little more expensive. It's worth getting a little aspirational and loving your kitchen far into the future.

We have changed all of the fixtures and hardware to brushed nickel or in that family. Every place calls it something different. Now to pick paint colors.

Picture of colors I'm looking at now.

Gorgeous Counter TOPS! I love the 2 top colors of paint best.

What are the names of the paint you are considering?

Repose gray, mindful gray, alpaca, agreeable gray. All are SW. Could even go with Dorian grey. -- it's the color of the island.

What determines if you paint a ceiling a color or white?

Treat the ceiling like another "wall" and make it interesting too. White has never made a room look great! IMO. Most of the time, I like to carry the wall color up to the ceiling. Doing the trim in the same color but in a different "finish" like satin. It will look like a slightly lighter color but isn't. The more color, the more dramatic.

This is traditional room, but the gold/yellow ceiling really gives a "height" element on a lower ceiling. Most people think the painted ceiling "lowers" it, but not really. In fact, dark ceilings actually "recede" so it enhances the overall space.

Great example. Doesn't the dark part of the ceiling look like it is further away!

Kitchen with odd ceiling and wall angles, one color fixes where to stop and start ceiling color. works well.

Would this work for the backsplash? 3x6 glossy white?

3x6 lays out nicely for a backsplash, hardest part would be finding the perfect shade of white to compliment your granite!

ptn96 I know this is an old thread but we are looking at Itaunas countertops. Do you like them? Would you mind sending a picture of your kitchen?