mj B - I don't mean subway glass, I mean a sheet of glass to fit edge to edge as the backsplash, back painted to work with the countertop. Seek no or very few grout lines.

I don't have a picture of the cabinets, I am guessing at the color of the stone countertops because, colors on monitors vary all over the place. Put a sheet of white paper on the counter and take a photo then take a picture from further back of the kitchen with the cabinets so we can see the whole picture.

OK, I didn't scroll back far enough before, sorry about that. The gray cabinets change the look of your stone a lot and for the better for this kitchen. Nicely done. Floor is fine. Backsplash. I would be tempted to try for matching the cabinets with the painted glass or a shade lighter. But I don't think white would work. The eye sees white first (because it is actually light not a color) and I don't think you want the backsplash "popping" out that much. A soft taupe to work with the granite would work as well I believe. I wouldn't do any of the Carrera type looks. That stone is highly variable and you never know what you will get and it can be very busy and sometimes a lot darker than you expect. I am wondering about a long taupe/gray colored tile? I'll have to check around now that I have a photo of the kitchen cabs. Beth probably can pull one up I a flash. But I'll check.

@Melissa - I am leaning that way as well, however, I fear more of the cabinet color against the taupe of the granite. Might almost look like a "miss". Do you have extra floor tile? Could you hold up a piece of that at the backsplash and post a photo. Maybe that would work! I just think there is way too much going on with gold hardware, gray cabinets, taupe and multi-colored granite, multi-colored flooring. I just worry about introducing yet another material and color variation. Thinking.....

We go over backsplash in our latest post, read it here.

https://designerdrains.com/interior-design/8-design-trends-keep-eye-2018/

bronze mirror

4x12 Artisan Taupe

this color works w/your stone

this is just to show you the tones of this type of stone. if you did one or the other, it would work.

the chevron is crema marfil and travertine from tilebar.com. order some samples.

I think you need to order some samples. take your time w/this one. Grab some samples from tilebar.com. you get 5 for $5.

then maybe do some glass tiles. DiscountGlassTileSTore.com

then call Lindsey at Fireclaytile. tell her I sent you from here. get some samples in CremeBrulee and Silk and Andromeda. it's glazed brick tile. I don't like a real bright white. something a little softer.

then get two more samples of the tile in Sandstone and Chardonnay (these all come in different shapes and sizes. these are 2x4)

https://www.fireclaytile.com/subway-tile/colors/

then go to CleTile and get the weathered white (that's on those hex tiles I posted above) or on these subways (which is pictured above in the kitchen w/gold hardware)

then get a sample of their glazed brick,,,this one is Parchment. It's a perfect shade.

bottom left- Weathered White glazed Zelliege (these are thick), and Ink.

then glazed bricks of Cypress, Paper, Parchment,

If you want to see the size of the hex (3") look at the gray one in this pic.

https://www.cletile.com/collections/brick-tile-glazed-glazed-thin-brick

https://www.cletile.com/collections/terracotta-tile-glazed-zellige

Any of these would work. they come in the hex shape too. Plus, their prices are reasonable, and they're in stock. Fireclay is nice, but they're custom order.

I think you should put the light cream color from the counters on backsplash. Maybe glazed brick. :)

I will await samples and see what looks good. But Beth, very nice suggestions and excellent help, as always!

thanks flo. I just ordered these from Cle. I'd never seen them before and they're are actually affordable (compared to similar others). You see my granite,,,,so tired of it. If I do keep it, I like some of those brick colors w/it. And that cobalt blue one?? hehe,,,I'd love to do my entire fireplace wall w/it. I mean, Hello?

You know I love that cobalt!! What does "affordable" mean? lol

like 18-25 sq ft. compared to 30-45 for the other companies w/this tile. those glazed bricks are 18.25 sq ft if my memory is right. Bargain!

those smaller white ones, the glazed terra cotta zelliege, are 1.25 each.

mj B. Glad lindsey hooked you up! As for the travertine, you have to get the higher quality ivory that doesn't have those pink tones. that's what people don't like. I think once you get your samples and see them in person w/the stone, you'll get a better idea.

pungogirl,,,glossy's do not compete. I don't know where you got this notion. Your 'busy' granite (it's really not that busy) is quite different from OP's granite. his has a very pronounced veining and coloring. yours (if it's similar to that pic) is more of a muted busy. two different looks. I appreciate that you like HD and Floor and Decor, but I would never recommend people buy any natural stone from either place. They use bottom of the barrel quality and try and pass off their China White marble as Carrara. It's not. Only marble from Carrara Italy is actual Carrara. Their natural stone doesn't have the good coloring or durability that higher end marbles have. If you're going to pay $15-20 sq ft for marble, then get the good stuff. ya know? There is a reason F&D and HD have low pricing.

punggogirl67,

Thank you! That antique ivory is would be a great choice of white and material! Thanks for your input.:)

pun girl,,I guess we will just have to differ on that one. I see thousands of polished stone/quartz countertops w/glossy tiles,,,either stone, glass or ceramic of some type. In fact, I'd say 99% of polished countertops are paired w/equally polished backsplash tiles of some sort. Travertine or tumbled or honed marble are the majority of the 'matte' materials that are used. but even those aren't used that much.

the key is to pick a splash that doesn't compete, but enhances or compliments the countertop. kind of like pairing jewelry w/a beautiful dress. You just have to know what to pick.