Hi Juanita, could you give us a visual pic -- would be really appreciated :)

Here's a visual of black perimeter light island and marble backsplash
http://houzz.com/photos/1220740

photos would be helpful.

You can't expect advice without a photo.

Sorry I'm new at this and just learned to leave a comment haven't yet learned how to take a photo and put it up on houzz. Thank you for patience.

No problem, Juanita. We can just help you more when we get photos of your space. In general terms here are my thoughts: Love the honed black granite for the perimeter counters; love a white stone for the island; there are no good white granites and though I would LOVE Calacata marble, it will not be kid-friendly on a horizontal surface; a good option would be a honed white CeasarStone which wears as well as granite; the splash could defintiely be a Calacata white marble as it is much less vulnerable in this vertical splash location unless you are a really active cook, in which case I would just put a stainless splash behind the range/cooktop and use the Calacata marble as a full height spash everywhere else; I would not use any tumbled tile as it is a bit dated; I like the Calacata better than the Carrara as it is a nicer base color - less gray - with the white dove cabinets; in terms of lighting, I would use a crisp polished nickel finish - two to three matching over ths island and a larger one over the Breakfast Area table that is in the same family in terms of look. Looking forward to your pictures!

With the backsplash, are you suggesting honed or polished Calcutta? The stove top with stainless steel backsplash, that won't look too modern? I'm big on traditional. Thank you for taking the time to respond. I've got a house full of people interested on the cements coming in!

Comments coming in. Sometimes I hate auto correct lol.

I would do polished / it's supposed to help with maintenance and I like adding a little shine if your counter is honed / it won't be super shiny. I don't think a stainless piece behind the range is too modern. Ill try to find a pic.

http://houzz.com/photos/29868

http://houzz.com/photos/693642

I would use a honed Calacata marble on the spash if you want that casual look. I can understand your concern on the stainless backsplash but it will only look modern if it is in a modern Kitchen. What cooktop or range are you using? If it is one of the professional looking ones, like a Wolf, the stainless backspash will look very appropriate.

Just one thing - you said you didn't think marble was in your price range and calacatta will be one of the more expensive - more than Carrara or venetino. Home Depot has one called Grecian white which has a lot of tans.

So we've got the final choice for the perimeter.., its honed absolute black granite... Yay. We're all in agreement about the marble. We all love the look but having two kids no way. They use it for crafts, homework and their fav eating area. Although I wish I could use it boo hoo! I love marble, quartzite as a backup we found is out of our price range. Marble backsplash we love but aren't agreeing on the size. Some say the really small size ie; 1x3 roughly, 2x4 and last 3x6? I think because its a fairly big area and using grout on the tile might be hard keeping it really clean because of so much grout being used. So still debating on backsplash and what to colour to do on the island? One of us has suggested Kashmir white polished granite or some stone with alot of quartz in it so you get the nice reflection off the island with the overhead lighting. No ones agreeing on the lighting. Women want chandeliers or one large flashy light. Men are asking for something like old school house lights from the 1940-50s? White with rubbed oil stems to hold the light. I like both ideas. I love wood have an antique dining table and side board, large brown chandelier in foyer. So rustic French decor is what I seem to gravitate too. We're waiting to see what ideas come in. So many talented designers and just ordinary people giving great advice!!! Thank you so much please keep them coming.

I have a marble backsplash (hexagons) and do not find it hard keeping the grout clean. Especially if you put the stainless piece behind the stove - I don't have that but I prop up a cookie sheet if I make something messy.

I don't think you can go wrong with something white - granite quartz etc - for the island. I realized you had another post on the counter and I had attached a pic of supreme white - I think that's a nice alternative to marble but you'd want to hold a sample of your backsplash against it to make sure it coordinates.

Sam075 I love marbel but unless someone is donating a piece for my Island it might be a little out of my budget. I can't find any granite that "mimics" marble. Funny sometimes you see all these amazing kitchens but their budgets $85,000. I could probably make my kitchen look amazing too on that budget. But could designers to a side by side of two similar kitchens. One with a high the other with a low budget and see what they can come up with? Now to me that's a challenge! Please keep your ideas coming. It's getting loud in here discussing what to use. People sure are passionate! Lol

Clarification - that supreme white is granite not marble. You are considering marble backsplash though right? I don't know that you'll find a white granite that really mimics marble but there are some nice choices. There is quartz that mimics marble but I don't think it would be less expensive necessarily. My white quartz was more expensive than Carrara.

Sam ill show the group the supreme white granite again and see what they say. The slab I looked at was more tan coloured than white. The yard man who showed us pieces showed how they varied in colour so much. Will see if I can find a whiter one. Thks

This is Alaska white granite
http://houzz.com/photos/2030508

Last comment - there are some granite experts on houzz so you may want to start a separate thread for suggestions of a white granite that would work for you. Your post is titled backsplash so you may not be attracting the counter experts.

Great idea! I'm just trying to get a photo up. Computer illiterate!

HI Juanita! Granite or quartzite are the most dense and durable choices. If a stone island top is too expensive, would a wood island top work for you? It would be much less money than the stone and could be very beautiful. If it is being used primarily for crafts, homework and eating it could be fine. It is not as low maintenence as the stone, but is a cost trade-off. Limestone is an option as well. Less expensive than marble and granite, but also more porous.

So excited. Yesterday I found a remnant piece that I'm getting for a pretty good price since its quartz. It was out of our price range. It's got some light green though and white, greys and touch of black veining. The perimeters blk honed absolute granite. What do ya'll think of still doing Carrerra marble for the backsplash? Almost finished this process! Ugh. Been a long time coming. Polished or honed with the granite now that its quartz for the island. Really lucked out getting this piece of quartz! If I hadn't asked we never would have found it. Ill try to place a photo of it up. Thanks everyone for your awesome help with this decision!

Hi Juanita, Without having seen the new stone for the island I can't be sure, but it sounds as though it has a fair amount of visual movement and the Carrerra marble might be too much with it. If you put them side by side I think you will know right away. Good luck!

C wright. Yes your right it does have alot of movement. It actually is very light and almost watery looking. Ill try to get the photo off my camera and put it up. I guess white subway tile would look best. The quartz is the closest thing I could find to the Carrerra marble I would love but don't want to be so worried over staining ect. I've got two children and don't want them to feel like they can't relax baking or eating off the island. The green veining when your not right up to it looks grey. It's very soft looking. Now the backsplash will be my only problem finding. Oh it's so difficult. When your a type a everything is questionable. Photo of my kitchen is coming up.