The plastic rectangular plates on your electrical outlets and switches

Definitely switch cover plates or paint them. I agree that the mosiac is too busy. It is distracting from all the other beauty! All subway tile for sure, no decorative trim or banding with another item. 2nd choice if that can't happen, a basic stone in the same color family as the subway tile.

Would a creamy white all subway tile work?

It would be better than the mosiac. Get a sample piece and hold it up to that area. You can also take a pic and post if you need advice support ;)

People who like busy patterns will love your backsplash, others will find it too distracting and in competition with your granite. There is nothing wrong with it, but it sounds like it isn't to your taste (and I have to admit it doesn't suit mine either). A creamy, consistent subway tile would be lovely, but honestly the stone subway tile you have on there now could work well without the busy mosaic accent if there was a way to replace the mosaic with your field tiles.

I concur with feeny!

I have been suffering from backsplash regret, too! I put in beautiful granite that has a lovely movement, and I used a rectangular glass tile backsplash. The sample at the tile wholesaler was not a full piece, and when the tile setter began to set it, I was in a panic. I felt it was much too busy and competed with the granite. Everyone who sees it, however, disagrees and loves it. I keep a fairly clear countertop, but after I added my mixer, my utensil holder, paper towel holder, etc., I found it toned down the impact. It's been about 6 weeks, and just this morning, I thought I might actually start to like it.

So my advice to you is to live with it a while. Change out a few of the switch plates as a test, and if you like that look, change out the switches and outlets. If, after a while, you still aren't thrilled with it, you might remove the portion of the inlaid tile that goes up and under the range hood.

I think your kitchen is beautiful!

I asked my contractor about just replacing the mosaic and he said it would be easier to take out the whole thing.

Grrrr. Ask him how much will it be to do that and replace the whole thing compared to the cost for just the mosiac. Tell him you need to think about it. Then go find 2nd and 3rd opinions before making a decision.

The solid color tiles are too pink to go well with the cabinet color, and the mosaic tiles are way too busy. Start over. Sorry.

If you decide on new plates you will really need to change out the switches & outlets also. If you or your husband is handy, it is not hard to do or hire a handyman which would be cheaper than an electrician. Putting cream, wood or stone plates with white switches & outlets would not look good.

Yes, I totally agree with the "too pink". Thank you for saying that and all other helpful comments, like the rest of the kitchen
Is too elegant for that backsplash. You have confirmed many of my thoughts about it and I know what I have to do!

Be sure and send pics of the final!!

Your Kitchen is beautiful, However the problem is the Counter Top. The Granite & Bull Nose is Dated... If you can, switch to CeasarStone (easiest to maintain), OR Marble (harder to maintain). Use a Straight Edge trim & this will be a better bang for you buck then changing the back splash. It will give a more contemporary up to date & current feel to your design.

I totally disagree with Monica.

The granite is beautiful -- not dated.

Changing counter-top seems counter productive no pun intended as the kitchen was just renovated. The granite is beautiful as is the kitchen. Contemporary isn't for everyone! What did you decide to do about the back splash?

I decided to rip out the backsplash and replace with a simple subway, glass or ceramic, don't know yet. I'm not at the house until October so I will make sure that what I choose will work by having a good size sample made before I install. When I told my contractor it was coming out, he just cringed. Oh well, I'm so glad I put this on Houzz because it crystallized the problems I saw. Thank you to all who commented, MUCH appreciated. I will post pictures when finished.

For what it's worth, I think you are making absolutely the right decision.

I love it.

Your cabinets & countertops are lovely & have a more traditional look. If you keep the backsplash traditional or transitional rather than too modern I think you would be more pleased with the overall look

Since the cabinets are white-ish I would not use a white backsplash. you can achieve contrast without it being too busy.

What are you not liking? It looks great. Goes with granite very well. I would not remove.

To rjc design, please be more specific

It's beautiful keep it

sure, I think using a solid backsplash of one type of tile is best (b/c it's not as busy as your current one), but I would recommend using a color instead of white (as white is not enough of a contrast with your cabinets). I would choose a color out of your granite (dark grey would be my first choice) and then choose a tile in that dark grey shade. I also recommend using brushed nickel switch plate covers. Let me know if that helps or you'd like me to clarify more.

I would just take out tiles above the stove and match in with the tan tiles and keep the vertical going around. I think the rectangle above stove is too busy - try that first and then the rest might look fine.

I really like your kitchen. Some ideas that I might entertain after you live wth the changed switch plates for awhile:

A glaze on the cabinets. It will give you rich depth like the countertops and beams.

Since most of the time you are in front of the stove and the sink with only a view of the backsplash I would create unique focal points in these places. Maybe a wood carved plaque with other wood accents on countertops. A favorite collection on a shelf of pottery or decorative items. My first choice since we collect antique windows and we have done this in a couple of homes I would hang a lead glass window with beveled glass I have also done one with come stained glass too. On one we a mirrored component behind it that did not add additional weight.

My kitchen has simIlar colors. Since my kitchen is rather small the glaze is barely there I would not change it. We added a favorite accent color to the room and a 3x9 foot patterned rug in front of the sink with that color too.

Well, the regretted backsplash was ripped out last week and new Sheetrock had to be put up. The third picture on this comment is a picture of samples of the tile I chose in different sizes against my granite countertop. I chose the 2x8 tile size and it's a cream color with a crackle glaze. The tiles should be in April 8 and I will post photos of kitchen with new backsplash soon after. Thank you for all comments. Ripping out the old backsplash was not nearly as disruptive and messy as I thought it would be. Also, entire project will cost $2700.

Wow! That's a hefty sum, but I don't know where you live. I hope you LOVE your new tile.

The labor is $700, the 51 sq. feet of tile is the pricy part including a $250 shipping charge from Oregon to FL (could it be any farther apart in the US?). It is custom made and hand glazed, but I do LOVE it.

I wonder why backsplashes are so tricky?

I understand, it was what I like to call, just a little wonky, can't put my finger on why I disliked it, but I did. The square above the range was just a super bad idea, I probably could have learned to like it if not for that. Lots of pictures on Houzz, find one you love and go for it.

Will you please post some pictures once the new backsplash is complete?

You have an absolutely gorgeous kitchen!!!! A suggestion would be, glass tiles as these would be an elegant light generating addition. You can go with a neutral field tile and accent with a splash of color to tie in your beautiful counter top. This can be achieved by using anyone of our 37+ standard formats or 15+ Architectural assemblies, giving you a truly custom experience just for you. Please have a look at our site for the many options and ideas we can offer. Wishing you a sparkling day.

Well, my new backsplash was installed 2 weeks ago and I am very happy with it. Not just because it's simple but it has a cottagy feel that goes with what I'm trying to achieve. That's why I posted a "ceiling" picture, to show the beams and white painted wide beaded board. I'd be interested in your feedback (good and bad).

The new backsplash is MUCH better. For a number of reasons but mainly due to simplicity. Your original backsplash was did not look right with the banding accent strip and black dots. The black dots with the countertop looked bad.

Now you have a classic style kitchen that will not look dated. It's much more cohesive. You did the right thing (2nd time around!) lol

beautiful!

You might consider to replace only the deco tiles with the same tiles that you used

I think your kitchen is beautiful ! While those tiles might not have been my first choice, they still go and are pretty....live with it and see if it still bothers you in six months:)

Hey folks...she just said this...please read the comments before posting...."chillysurf3r
Well, my new backsplash was installed 2 weeks ago and I am very happy with it. "

Marilyn....sorry....new to houzz. But still, easy to understand why we didn't quite get the whole thread. Anyway, the new backsplash is fine, and of she's happy with it, that's all that matters:)

The travertine backsplash is fine with the exception of the additional listello design above the range. Remove that and either keep it the same as the rest of the backsplash or, if you want a bolder look and focal point, add in some slate or even black granite square shaped design work.

Ummm, I already replaced the backsplash with the travertine and mosaic tile in the initial post. The replacement is pictured 8 posts up from yours Irisfurniture.com.

Can you post a close up picture of the tile? I would love to see it in detail.

Much better look. Your kitchen is gorgeous!

I hope this picture works, have never done it this way.

You have made a great selection!

Very nice