We are in the process of remodeling the kitchen. The upper cabinets have been sanded and will only receive a clear coat-they will stay blonde. The countertop is river white granite and I was planning on some type of white subway tile-esk (no pattern, texture is ok) backsplash. The blonde uppers tie in with the new natural maple cabinets we just had installed in the great room (open floor plan). I think the darker looks more striking and gives me lots of options for floor tile. The lighter is more soothing, but I am finding it difficult to find a tile that is light enough to contrast with the cabinets. I have thought that I needed to stick with a white floor tile. An off-white tile looks dirty since there is a lot of white in the granite. On the left is BM glaveston gray; on the right is SW aviatrix.