I love my new kitchen, just bought this home across the steet from the beach

Yes I think a new backsplash would be great maybe like a blue green color

White subway tile will give. Clean crisp vintage look. The white will not compete with granite. For an affordable option dal tale is great. I have used it in two 1.5 mil homes and it looks great and not cheap. White grout would be best and timeless.

You have a great space to start with! You may want to consider a dark countertop, new hardware and faucet. A clean white timeless subway backsplash, we just installed a budget-friendly (but beautiful) subway backsplash in a client's kitchen (DalTile Folio One 3x6 field tile Brick Set). I've included a few photos of a home we're just finishing up that may help you visualize the tile! A nice vintage light fixture can also change the feel of your space for a minimal investment - i've included a link to one of our favorites: http://www.houzz.com/projects/255504/212th-Drive Best of luck!

Thank you everyone for your comments. If I had my wish I would replace the giallo antico granite with black leathered granite or even soapstone. That would make for a classic white kitchen. I fear doing white subway tile with this granite will just look wrong, but I also feel like replacing granite that I just put in 8 years ago is not a great environmental choice. Do you really think white subway tile would look good? I want to do white subway tile with an off white grout like oyster gray. I would love ORB schoolhouse lights too. Help. Last, do you think I could do the island in white or should I leave it cherry....maybe a walnut island? Here is an inspiration photo.