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spydy2015

Backsplash for kitchen

8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago









I am looking for some help in selecting a backsplash for my kitchen countertops. Our kitchen cabinets are American woodmark, expresso maple and our countertops are caravela's gold granite. I am not sure what would be a good back splash to go with it. Any suggestions/advice would be great.....

Comments (33)

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    pick one:

  • 8 years ago

    Thanks for the options, are you saying white would be the color to g with?

  • 8 years ago

    Great suggestions for tile from Beth H. ! She helped me recently on another thread with my grout dilemma and is very knowledgeable & helpful with advice! I love her 'white' tile suggestions with your granite, your granite is the superstar & the tile are the background singers. You picked a gorgeous slab it is so interesting, has so much movement & color, just beautiful! All the tile suggestions are just beautiful, I don't know which one I like best they're all good.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Hello. I think that something like it will approach best of all.

  • 8 years ago
    I like Beth H's options - they're all classic and I was thinking along the same lines before seeing her pics. As for what shade of white, just get a few samples and see what they look like in your space.
  • 8 years ago

    Get samples and try to match the lightest cream color in your granite.

  • 8 years ago
    Some inspiration, travertine stone might be nice also
  • 8 years ago
    Not white. You have a lot of warm earth tones going on. Nothing busy; something clean and consistent with a lighter earth tone especially since you have a tile floor too.
    spydy2015 thanked Gloria H.
  • 8 years ago

    Agree, white is too stark w/the warm tones in granite and your tile floor. I would prefer cream colored natural stone in a simple small subway. Tumbled marble or travertine might work well. Take samples home and repost pics. Bring pics of your kitchen to your tile design store---they can help guide you also.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Whatever those tile samples Beth H. posted look great and will work with your countertop granite.! As others have mentioned the best way to tell which tile & shade of white weather it is 'white white' or a 'warm creamy white' is get samples in bring them into your kitchen & see what your 'gut' tells you, I am often told to 'trust my gut' and have good instincts when I do. You have it all there to see in person, and the color white is hard to differentiate between on a computer monitor. I think you will know what 'feels right' you just have to learn to trust it.

  • 8 years ago

    the majority of what I posted are off white or a dull white. except the glass. that's a brighter white. I put a few different styles in there because I wasn't sure what you liked.

    as others have stated, order samples or get some samples at the tilestore, and bring them home. see what works best in your lighting. I like #1/#2 the best,,,especially the creamy fish scales. I think those would look very nice as they are a bit bigger than they seem. Many companies make that style out of many materials. glass, stone, ceramic, porcelain,,,some w/gradient coloring.

    spydy2015 thanked Beth H. :
  • 8 years ago

    I did try looking at the white Beth but it did not seem to look good. I have to agree that the lightest cream in the granite would probably the way to go. I am looking for a warm glass title with some very light shine. I really like the last picture posted by Irene.

  • 8 years ago
    you could probably do a gloss tile if you really want but I think a matte or semi gloss would be better.
    You don't have a great deal of space, though its a decent amount, and I think something subtle as a splashback would be better suited to it. let the granite be the focus, don't compete with it. also, unless your tile is laid perfectly, gloss tiles will show up imperfections. the advantage of gloss though, is easier cleaning, so depending on your cooking habits, that may be important
  • 8 years ago

    Agree, glass tile won't give you the stone look of the last image you like that Irene posted. That appears to be a natural stone, maybe tumbled marble. Take the pic to your tile store and bring home samples in same family.

    A matte, natural stone would complement/pair well with your granite and give a more timeless look. Glass/high gloss will show more streaks from wiping than matte/sealed natural stone.

  • 8 years ago

    I do alot of cooking . So definitely need something that is also easy to clean. I did pick some tiles yesterday before I saw your comments. Imhofan and Najeebah I am going to go with your suggestions and pick some of the ones you mentioned. Definitely want something easy to clean,have a more timeless look and elegant.

  • 8 years ago

    Yes, it takes some time to find "the one", but worth going back and forth. A larger stone (3"x6" subway like or even 4"x8") without as much variation and sheen gets my vote. I would bring/show the pic of Irene's last image to your tile design shop and ask for sample of something similar to bring home. Also, ask them to show you how sealing will up the "finish" of the stone.

  • 8 years ago
    for easy cleaning don't get anything very textured, look for a semi gloss or even smooth matte.
    The pictures you posted don't work well, sorry to say. They're too dark and also busy and thus distract from the granite.
    think of it like wearing a zebra print top and leopard print trousers.
    also, that has many grout lines, which means more cleaning, and are likely to discolour over time.
    look for a larger, simple tile, light and smooth, and it will pair well
  • 8 years ago
    Third from top.
  • 8 years ago

    I would also go bigger on the tile. The thin tiles tend to look busy too, as they are more than one color in all your samples.

  • 8 years ago
    If fish scales don't do it for you, consider Beth's herringbone suggestion. The glass mosaic is too busy (and too white) for your already bossy countertop. I don't believe glass is easier to clean than ceramic tile...the bugger is the grout, anyway! If your heart is set on glass, pick a cream glass subway tile.

    Smoke glass light fixtures are having a design moment right now - might be fun to include one in your kitchen; would work well with your color scheme.
  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Have you considered using a stainless steel, copper or aluminum metal mosaic tile
    for your backsplash to complement your beautiful granite countertop and
    expresso maple cabinets? We invite you to check out these kitchens and our
    selection of tiles that may give you some ideas for your backsplash project.




    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!

  • 8 years ago

    Try to locate Crema Marfil and try that.

    example I grabbed from net. It's small in scale, yet comes in different shapes including subway.

  • 8 years ago

  • 8 years ago

    Good luck!

  • 8 years ago

    Hello. Beth H. Can you please tell me the name/manufacturer of the bottom two tiles you suggested in your post (the one with brown and white and the one with white and a diagonal piece)? Thank you!!

  • 8 years ago

    the brown and white is from Home Depot,, and the last one is Seville from Tilebar.com (it comes in different shades/shapes as well)

  • 8 years ago

    I do loves first option and last option!!

  • 8 years ago

    Thank you so much! Sorry to hijack the thread to get this information but I appreciate your help!

  • 8 years ago

    Thanks to everyone for all the advice and suggestions. We eventually went with "

    Crema Antiqua Tumbled Travertine Tile" we loved how are kitchen turned out. Received alot of compliments for the look.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    A lovely choice. It looks gorgeous!

  • 8 years ago
    I would match one of the lightest colors in your granite with solid color tile in any shape you like. Simple subway tiles come in many sizes and don't compete with the movement in the granite, especially when finished with matching grout.