White glass in brick form or a shape like lotus or arabesque would be nice with what you have. The color would not be out of place, and the glass would give some radiance. Your cabinet details are modern, which goes well with glass. HTH

You absolutely made the right call on retuning it.
White may be a bit too bright...but you could buy some tile and tape them up...I've seen some that are the palest grey that might be nice...

You kitchen is gonna be gorgeous!

You might bring home a sample of white and off-white ceramic tile while you're at it, because the more saturated color might show well here and feel more tied to the counter.

I agree with your decision to return the tile, which is really pretty but too much with the granite. We also have a busy counter and did a glass backsplash (not tiles, whole sheets of glass) no grout lines, very simple and elegant and lets the countertop shine. And it can be back painted in any color you want. Mine is silver metallic (hard to tell from photo) Here's an example with my kitchen

Sue, I LOVE that. I wanted to do that and can't figure out where to start. Was that custom made?

A quick google search just told me this can cost 180$ and up per sq ft. is that correct?.. ouch!!!

Hi, nice kitchen! Keep it simple, and bright. Bright white subway tile will look great. Get several samples bring them home...live with them a couple days ... then decide....white glass does not look white after installed. Good luck!

I would avoid glass tile. Like Lisa said, the color changes after install. I think the Blue Spruce 3x6 tile color would look nice with your countertop. I would just make sure to add under cabinet lighting.

I also have these two glass tile colors, that I was considering. Top is called smoke, next is mist.

Since you have darker cabinets, I would go with lighter backsplash (Mist). Although, I am not an expert, going through this exercise myself. I am intrigued by your countertop. Is it Fantasy brown by any chance?

Both of those look great with the stone. You're kitchen is going to be great, but I would reconsider the wall color; its so dark and depressing, especially with the dark cabs. That gray is sucking all the life out of your room.

I probably missed it, but what is your flooring? Your cabinets and counters are beautiful.

SIMPLE white ceramic subway, 2 x 8 and done, Keep the grout white.

Go with Mist, your kitchen will be beautiful, what are you doing for floor covering?

The floor is ( will be) a medium brown hand scraped engineered wood. I love the wall color and the room is pretty large as we opened up the whole space so it's an open floor plan with living room. We actually have 2 darker anchor walls in a color called stones throw. There's a decent amount of light in the area so I'm okay with the coloring ( for now)

Jan why do you think ceramic? I'm a big fan of glass, but love to hear opinions so I can learn too.

Zita, yes Fantasy brown quartzite. Thanks I loooooove it. It helps bring out the slight maple color poking through the gray overlay in the cabs.

My neighbor with similar cabinets and pretty quartz counters did a white ceramic tile in a herringbone pattern with white grout. Looks lovely.

I often disagree about backsplashes - if yours had no dark ones, might've worked. Plans for handles?

No dark tiles in the marble herringbone 12x12?

No concrete plans for pulls yet. Thinking brushed nickel possibly half moon for drawers and some type of matching handle or knob.

Thanks Missy! I did struggle to find someone to do it. I'm in Mi, and mine was done by Imagio glass design. And I won't lie, it was pricier than tiling, but I really wanted it and decided not to skimp there. I did searches on glass panel or glass sheet backsplashes and found some places. They weren't nearby, so I asked in the kitchen forum and someone knew of a good place near me who did them. You might also find a countertop place that does it as it requires templating, cutting for outlets etc. Or you might find that your contractor could measure and install and the backsplash could be fabricated anywhere and shipped. If you're using a contractor or kitchen designer, you might start by asking them. I am 1000% happy that I spent the extra money. A quick swipe with windex and a paper towel to clean.

I have the same counter and similar cabinets and we chose white ceramic subway tile. I also like the light gray tile choices above.

I say ceramic, as you get exactly what you put up : ) No bleed of color through glass. Simple.......and yes,.!! You already selected the star!!

When one wants the back splash to star the show.... the counter top must go more quietly.. into the background.

Bring home several whites, test ON SITE. if you must nod to the gray, the palest gray grout will do it.

Probably "mist" tile, it would balance the countertop and cabinets colors without making the kitchen too dark, giving it a more cohesive look. I think white tile would be too much of a contrast, considering cabinets and countertops color scheme. However, it all depends on the lighting and sometimes its hard to say based on the pictures.

Yes, Missy, I meant whatever tile you showed initially. Maybe island's walnut counter will add some interest though.

PRO/ Moneca: clear glass tile with greenish tint - use white cement-- not grey. http://www.glasstilestore.com/collection/subway-tiles/3x6-subway-tiles.html

PRO/ Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard
Imperial Mist subway tile from Deco Tile in Ontario, Canada - http://decotile.com/

I like your idea of 'half moon' handles to add interest.

i disagree with a bright white subway. it's too stark against the stone. at least in this picture w/this particular countertop, it is.

This white arabesque looks great though

out of your two glass tiles, the light one goes best. I think you can find a better match.

I think a matte dove white or light gray or taupe, would go much better. here are some examples of your countertop w/different splashes.

light gray crackle, 3x6

regular gray ceramic (ignore the the design over the stove)

I think this is Athens gray subways

light brown glass.

if you chose a white, do a matte ivory tone with gray grout. i also like this 2x12 Vetro Winter Taupe

Beth, what do you think of this?

I like it, but I think it may be a bit busy. perhaps if the leaves were larger??

even this one. I love the coloring, but I wish they were larger.

if you give me a face on shot of this spot, I can photoshop these in better so you can tell.

this isn't to scale, so the leaves may actually be a bit smaller than the picture

It's nice though. something different.

this one is a glazed clay brick,2x8, in white. it looks pink, but it's not.

sand dune

Here are some more ideas. Is there enough blue in your tops to go blue?

I don't feel like there is any blue. To me it's more of a dove gray.

Go with something light, white or off white. You have a very busy countertop so don't go with a busy backsplash.

Just a follow up :). I did end up choosing a bluish subway tile and it's finally installed!

It looks great! I am having dark cabinets and the fantasy brown counter installed this winter and am also struggling with backsplash so this was very helpful.

You avoided a huge mistake by not going with that busy tile. I made that mistake and am currently doing the backsplash over.

Ugh, so sorry to hear that. I hope it goes as smoothly as it can for you.