I wouldn't use the glass tile. I think you could use the color in the third pic but smaller tile (4" or 6") and add small pieces of copper accent tiles. You could use dark door knobs and pulls on the cabinet. Add color to the walls since it's easier to change.

I actually have been looking at cooper hardware for the cabinets!!! So maybe more of a tumbled stone. Any ideas on full or half back splash. Thanks for the input

I'd go for a cream subway tile for the backsplash.. It's a great look.

Thanks jan. actually have a sample of the cream subway. Have you actually seen the finished product

Cream subway tile or a 4x4 cream ceramic tile on the diagonal is the way to go. Simple, clean, and allows your granite to speak in its own

Cream subway tile is a good choice. It also gives you the flexibility to reface the cabinets in the future to a darker cabinet. There is usually no need to replace a cabinet if you can reface. Colonial Creme looks great with either dark or white/cream painted cabinets.

I would run the granite up the wall and use it as the backsplash as well. It is a clean look without the grout! You are able to see the beauty of the stone from afar.

I would caution you to rethink the subway tile look as--either way you run them--your "pristine" cabinets are not "modern." I LOVE the granite you've selected! Depending on just how dramatic & busy it can be I think, if you can afford it, that using more of it for the backspash would be the way to go. While I do like the look of all of the tiny little stacks of natural and glass products available today, thought should be given to keeping it and the grout grease-free. Remember cleaning grout on countertops?! I'm just sayin'...the more 3 dimensional the surface and the more grout there is the more work keeping it clean around the stove.

Yes. . . it's in my own kitchen!

I'm confused by msmliss's comment about subway tile. I completely understand someone not liking it or being tired of it, but I don't understand thinking subway tile is too "modern" for your cabinetry. Cream subway tile is usually considered classic and traditional, not modern (though it can be made to look modern in stacked layouts). I agree with others that your granite needs to be the star, so either a simple backsplash in one of the creams from the granite, probably in a rectangular subway tile shape with matching grout, or a matching granite backsplash, would allow your lovely granite to be the focus of your kitchen without competition from another pattern. I think your cabinets are beautiful, BTW. Simple, but not stark; classic, but not overdecorated.

Ditto, Feeny.

Keep the granite the feature, like the idea of simple creamy colored back-splash with the copper accents or even pull out the garnet and do a accent tile with the toned down splashes.

I would go with subway tiles. My countertop is very much like the one you've chosen and I used "Biscuit Matte" tiles which pick up the colour in the granite. Very easy to keep clean. However, if you can afford it, use the granite as your backsplash.

countertops and backsplash are the hardest choices. I am probably the only person who doesn't like subway tiles, so you may want to ignore me :) I know they are classic and everyone loves them, but they weren't for me. I got large pieces of tile (12x12) and it looks great, so I think if you use your countertop granite as backsplash it would look really good as carlzi suggested. It's really a personal choice--how you want your kitchen to feel when you are in it. Do you have undercabinet lighting that would make a difference in your choice? I leave low lights on in the evening and the glow from the tile is very warm, but when I am cooking the lights are bright and I can see what I am doing. It depends on how you visualize using your space.

Please allow me to respond to the confusion. Perhaps I oversimplified by describing the shiny finish subway tile as modern. While I'm not "tired" of it, I prefer it's application, and its affordability, in the "clean" modern design kitchen, or when paying homage to its former heyday. I think Cathy's "Colonial Cream" granite is exquisite, and the use of a polished subway tile would detract from it and would give me the impression of an "affordable alternative," that is to say, a detraction from her gorgeous granite. I'd keep looking for another alternative to the polished subway tile. Please don't misunderstand, I certainly do appreciate the necessary constraints of a budget. And these are just my tastes; I hope this helps clear up any confusion.

Definitely continue granite up the backsplash if your budget affords. If not, I like the idea of cream ceramic with a copper accent tile every few tiles. Have fun with choosing and just play around until you find the one.

Daltile metal accents. Could use in diamond shape every few tiles..

I disagree with mav40. I took the advise of my fabricator (much to my chagrin) and continued the granite up the backsplash in a game room mini kitchen. I think a man would like it but the look is too monotonous for my taste and a mistake in my book. If the granite is particularly outstanding, play down the back splash with complimenting tile and allow the beauty of the horizontal granite to take center stage. If you have a small central backsplash area you could select interesting tile trim with similar tones as the granite then set square tile on the diagonal and embellish with decorative medallion tiles on top.

I agree I don't care for subway tile but I don't think it suits your top. Copper would be nice added as it looks like a color in your granite and would be a good compliment to your cabinet. I did not like your third choice. A bit dated.

I think you should pick up the mid-warm-brown tones in the granite, picking a tone which will harmonize with your cabinetry (which has pale reddish-brown tones in the photo).
The style is fairly classic. Something like LEA Ceramiche technoquartz in doral.

When I said continue granite up backsplash, I meant only as Cathy's current picture shows; maybe 5-6 inches up as a border. Not all the way up to cabinets. I only suggested copper accents because she was thinking of copper hardware on cabinets. I do like second pic of cream glass tiles. I don't disagree with anyone's comments. We all have different visions. Good luck, Cathy.

we all have different visions?? I cannot believe that :) :) when did that happen? :) i'm shocked, I tell you!! :)

Here's a few ideas. Some are glossy, some are crackle, the last one has a copper color that might be interesting with accents you were already thinking about in hardware

More

More

Last one

mforr, I love the second to last picture. The first one is beautiful too.

Mirror It easy to clean adds light and works with all colors. Antique mirror is beautiful

Well...im going to throw my 2 cents in, I think you should look at a honed (not tumbled) ivory cream 4x6 travertine tile. There are different shades so you have to be careful you don't go to dark, but they do look great.
you can google Ivory travertine (Turkey) or look at www.marblesystems.com.

Good luck, I will go going through the same process next week, not an easy one with so many choices out there.

Thanks everyone for all the great feedback. It's almost like I invited you all over for a cup of coffee so we could brain storm ideas!! LOL. If you think of any other ideas let me know.

@janmckay. Do you have a picture you could share of your backsplash

Please don't keep us in suspense! Please share with us where your leaning and/or what you've decided. Of course, you must post a photo when it's complete!

I am meeting with the fabricator and contractor Thursday. Will post pictures when the project is done. Still have not made final decision on the splash yet

My kitchen is of considerable size. Included here are two small areas that showcase the subway tile with Evian granite countertop and nook area with decorative tile.

The cabinets have a slight greenish yellow glazing that is hardly noticeable unless you look very closely. The objective there was to give the panel detail a deeper appearance. Cabinet pullsl and bar faucet is antique brass.

4x4 cream diagonal square tiles would be great!!

I LOVE janmckay's decorative tile. I may steal that for my kitchen!!

I think a splash exactly like the janmckay first picture would be perfect, color and style. You need to consider the floor too and it looks like it has pinkish tones (assuming that's your floor underneath your granite sample). If it is, then the janmckay 1st picture is a stylish, safe way to tie everything together. I'd also add hardware to the cabinets and I'd go dark with that.

Also, if that is your floor tile under the granite sample, I'd definitely avoid the beige local tile company recommendation (your 2nd photo) and go instead with the creamy color of the janmckay picture.

Mosaic style glass backsplash or subway tile using more warm browns and coppers would really make a beautiful contrast to the light countertops and cabinets. Also look into cast bronze hardware for your cabinets to dress them up.

If you do a soft color in the back splash, with an accent tile consider a band of the contrasting material rather than a strong contrasting color in a square or diamond, which can detract from your gorgeous granite by drawing the eye to a polka-dot effect, which gets old, imho, and is too busy. I've been thinking long on this project...not knowing if or how dramatic (large) the pattern (ribbons) can get in the colonial cream, nor if your budget will allow for more of it on the wall...and I'm thinking if going small, as in some of the small mosaic smooth surfaced tumbled stones in one of your colonial cream's colors would be a good way to go. If samples are available to bring home, I'd bring some home from the light to the saturated garnet in your granite. The latter inspiration comes from your red wall there already. If you've enjoyed it, have you considered it in stone?

@janmckay thanks for the photos your kitchen looks lovely. I may steal an idea or two :)

Thanks again for all the input. Photos to follow hopefully soon.

be my guest. . . btw, my kitchen floor is a wide plank honey oak. Bear in mind that the hardware is NOT bronze but an antique brass. It just looks darker in the picture.

Janmckay ~ beautiful everythiing! Congrats!
Cathy Long ~ i used the same granite as my counter, for my backsplash. It is so boring and uninteresting, i cant wait to remodel my kitchen again. My recommendation is to go to several tile shops and find something YOU love. You will be so happy that you took your time and really hunted for that perfect combination. Add a tiny detail tile for the special touch! Enjoy the process! Cat Rowe

Here's how the kitchen backsplash turned out

Nice choice!

Beautiful! Great job

I have got to say that in ten years all we are going to see is cream subway tile backsplash. Your granite is lovely and bright. You can go many directions with granite depending on what you want to achieve. Do you have under cabinet lighting? If not, you might chose something on the lighter side. If you do, the sky is the limit. Here is an example of a bright backsplash with some flair. http://houzz.com/photos/331925

My granite is Typhoon Bordeaux. It has a lot of movement. However we chose a backsplash with some of the darker colors. We do have under cabinet lights so I wasn't too worried.