Your kitchen looks great! Very nice, including your backsplash.

I had the same initial reaction when my kitchen was done, only I have painted white cabinets. I almost chose whiskey colored backsplash tile until the GW brain trust talked me out of it. So I bought a red kettle and that helped. Later I swapped it out for a yellow one. I have a yellow Kitchen-Aid mixer and a colorful bowl, and that for me made a huge difference.

You have beautiful cabinets!

I think your kitchen looks lovely as well. You'll feel more comfortable once the kettle in on the range, as Linelle said. Treat yourself to something colorful or sculptural. I would get a nice utensil crock as well, though you may prefer your utensils put away in drawers, which is great. A nice big pepper mill instead of a utensil crock and your kitchen will start feeling like your own. I would get a bigger fruit basket- you can never have enough fruit out on the counter for snacking - plus it looks great.

I truly hate to say this because I don't want to distress you, but I think the subway tile should have been a light beige to go with the color of the granite. However, a great way to give drama to a kitchen is with a colorful rug. My kitchen is old and tired and nothing will change that, but I think the rug does help to call attention away from that at least a little bit. If there's room for art on the wall or a space for collectibles that also helps. It should be something meaningful to you, though, not just a space filler. My stuff is part of my 18th century collection of Chinese porcelain.

I am going to share my experience with the same dilemma. I have BM Dove White cabinets and a dark Giallo Ornamental granite.

We should never have chosen this brown to go with this white! We put in a white subway thinking that it would be safe. It looked terrible. We ripped it out and finally found a Gracia Rixi tile in a cream.

The cream tiles became the transition from white to brown. It took a long time to find something that looks so simple.

Getting back to you. I see the same scenario. I agree with Linelle in that your pictures look fine. But I am guessing that the white is too stark next to your granite which is why you are not happy.

I think a cream tone would look better.

That said, you are there in person. Your opinion matters most. Live with it and see if what you think for the next week, each time to walk in to your kitchen.

I thought that adding in my appliances, accessories would help but it did not.

The backsplash can be the hardest, especially when we didn't have the entire vision planned ahead of time.

I think your subway tile looks good. It's a little bright but it works well with the undertones of the granite and the cabinet stain color.

We see many terrible backsplash choices here. So many clashing patterns and undertones. Your choice looks good!

Adding personality to your kitchen will be easy. Art, colorful dish towels, a colorful bowl or two and a pretty rug will add some life to your kitchen. And your space is neutral so just about any color will work. What are you favorite colors?

I think your kitchen looks great, I love your cabinets. I agree that adding color will help a lot. Don't be so hard on yourself, choosing a backsplash is a pita it took me 2 years to choose mine (ok maybe I'm slightly indecisive : /) Enjoy your lovely kitchen!

My first thought also was of changing the switchplates - I have stainless steel ones in my kitchen.

I also like your cabinets - the hardware not quite as much, but that's a personal choice. To me, the hardware has too many curves for the strong rectangular shapes of your cabinets, but the finish is nice.

Stainless pulls, to start.

Paint the walls the same white as the tile. Bring up the stainless to the ceiling, if you want want more accent.

chrisgoed, I really like your backsplash tile. I don't know when you finished your kitchen, but you will soon stop noticing every little detail and second-guessing your choices. The natural ebb and flow in a kitchen will bring in color and interest.

Although I like to keep a clean and tidy counter, I'm fine with things living on the counter, e.g., coffee maker, microwave, toaster, paper towels, olive oil, etc. It keeps it from looking sterile and blah.

^Yes to Judy's suggestion. The right hardware will look great with your appliances. I agree the lightest shade in the granite would be a nice backsplash, but yours is fine. Kudos for not picking something that's crazy busy. Follow some of the suggestions here, and you'll soon forget what's troubling you with the backsplash. Love your cabinets and granite!

I agree that the new pulls would be nice both color and shape wise. Those cabinets are very nice. They deserve pulls that suit them better.

Your calm backsplash will be a good backdrop for adding whatever makes the kitchen uniquely yours. I understand the minimalist look is "in" but I do have things on my counters - useful things like canisters and a breadbox, but all in "my style". I used cream with my wood cabinets - and sometimes I wonder if I should have done white:)

If it still bothers you in a few months, you can experiment with a very, very light tan or gray grout paint, whichever works with the counter and cabinets.

hardware, colorful accessories.

I like the tile with the granite. Your kitchen doesn’t look like anyone uses it. I have the typical array of toaster, coffeemaker, canisters, utensil crock, tea kettle, etc. on my counters and stove. I don’t have room for any decor that doesn’t serve a purpose. The every day stuff that accumulates can get pretty busy so I prefer a simple backsplash.

I think it looks great, too. I'd look for some art to put on a small easel and some colorful accessories. This might be an idea, too. They tiled a piece of wood to stand up behind the stove; also notice the art - not even on an easel:

You could add some warmth with a few of these standing up in a grouping. If behind the stove, you'd have to remove when using the back burners, but they could be placed alongside the stove. The layering helps make it interesting instead of just a row of something. There are some gorgeous wood cutting boards available. Check Etsy:

Wood cutting boards - handmade

I love that little piece of wood with tile ^^^That would be so cute in your kitchen as a stove backsplash.

I think your kitchen looks great, it's just empty. Once you put all of your stuff in there, it will look complete.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I have tried different things on the countertop but can't quite settle on what style works. I've seen white on white styling without much color, but I do think I'd like to have some pops of color. I think I'm having a hard time knowing if it should it be solid colored canisters or patterned canisters - just for an example of what types of decisions I am struggling with.

There is no "should":)

If you are out and you see a canister set you love or some other piece of kitchen equipment that you have space for and like and will use - then buy it - if in budget - or shop your own stuff. Your kitchen should not look like a magazine layout. It should look like a space that you walk into and smile - not because it is magazine perfect, but because the plastic rose child no. 3 gave you for Mother's Day is on the window sill or the platter you inherited from grandma is against the wall. Whenever I have bought something just to fill a space I've regretted it. I just wait till I see something that "speaks" to me - kind of a corny phrase, but I hope you know what I mean:)

Love your space and the new backsplash. You have a beautiful slate to work with. Great suggestions here also. If you have a gorgeous plate or tray try displaying that as well. The possibilities are endless. Go shopping in your own things first, bring out your personality in what you display. Enjoy the process :)

ETA: I read jhmarie's post after I posted - TOTALLY agree with her!!!

Chris, I will not comment on your tile choice. Not unless you were open to changing it. So, lets go with what your real request is here. I notice you have ONE under cabinet light on and it is to the right of the stove. I also notice that it is a smaller light that does not cast light across the entire length of cabinet that it is mounted to. Next, it seems to be a warm temperature light (possibly 2700 Kelvin). I think too warm for this kitchen application. Lighting can make or break a kitchen. If you have under cabinet lights under the rest of them, please turn it all on, take another pic and then re-post. From what I can see in your picture, it seems that one of the first things you can do is improve your lighting. I made a video on under cabinet lighting, the different light temperatures, etc. It took me two solid months to do all of the lighting research for my kitchen remodel. Now, when people come over it is one of the things they talk about when they see the kitchen for the first time.

Flannel Guy DIY - Youtube

The tile actually is the lightest color in the countertop. I think the color of the tile is called "Almond". However, I do think that the lighting in the room may contribute to why it didn't turn out quite as I had wished. Because the tile on the wall reflects the light, it looks brighter. The countertop, being underneath the cabinets, does not reflect the light and therefore it appears darker. So it is more of a stark contrast than I had anticipated.

The pulls that you see in the pictures are new. It was difficult to find replacement pulls for these cabinets because the cabinet doors are hinged on the outside and they no longer make cabinet doors with hinges on the outside. It cost quite a bit of money to get these replacement hinges, so I doubt that is something we would change. The same is true of the backsplash tile. I doubt we will pay the expense to change it out because I'm sure that would be expensive. So, I'm trying to work with what I have. I think all your comments help me to realize that the problem may be knowing what kind of style this kitchen needs.. does it look like a farmhouse style or more modern? Rustic? Traditional? I think I need help in knowing the type of decor you would use in this kitchen? I hope that makes sense :)

eld6161 - if you don't mind me asking, how much does it cost to have your tile taken out and replaced with new tile? I know it depends on the tile you purchase, of course, but I'm wondering if re-doing tile is a difficult process? Do you need to replace the drywall underneath?

Linelle - what does "GW brain trust" mean? Did you end up choosing a white subway tile instead of the whiskey colored? I like your suggestions! Thank you!

A long time ago these forums used to be called the garden web. So, GW (garden web) brain trust refers to the collective opinion of the people on the forum who helped Linelle with her backsplash.

Since you say you want your kitchen to be great - read this:
http://www.mariakillam.com/creamsubwaytile/
Then decide if you wish to go to the trouble and expense.

I like the backsplash tile. In the photo it looks like it has a slight bluish white cast which I love with the cabinets. A matching very cream tile would have been totally boring and dull looking. This is a fresher, cleaner look. It just needs some accessories to add personality.

Try changing the undercounter lighting 'temperature" ... something warmer or cooler would change the looks. And the room bulbs too.

it makes a huge difference.

I like how this picture illustrates how lighting changes can impact the look of surfaces.

I like all your choices so far...have you ever considered replacing some of your cabinet doors with glass...

I have a similar issue. When I built my new house I chose all my finishes including backsplash and granite - and they were wonderful together. Then, on a whim (stupid) I changed the granite and didn't consider the backsplash. I mean, I didn't give it a thought. I am now faced with a whiter granite and a creamy stacked stone backsplash. Mistake!! I should have stayed with the original granite selection which went perfectly with the backsplash. Now, other than replacing one or the other, I am stuck with light surfaces that don't really go together! I could kick myself. Anyway, I think that colorful accessories, replacing the outlet covers, warming up the under counter lighting (maybe even a pinkish replacement bulb) and not dwelling on it... might be the way to go. I feel your pain!

KJoy1 .. WOW!! That looks beautiful. I love it!! And I never would have thought that pink and lavender would be colors that could look so nice with my colors. But it works! I absolutely love the idea of glass doors. I did think of that idea at one time, but wasn't sure. This helps for me to see it! Thank you!!

I think adding some under counter lighting and white electrical outlets will make the place look perfect. I like the granite and the backsplash and I like the cabinets.. I think its the oitlet covers that make it sonjarring.. simple fix! nice jib

thinkdesignlive .. thank you for that website! That was very helpful for me. I remember now that I actually picked out my tile in that way! I could not believe all the undertones of the different tiles, that seemed to look the same color, when not comparing them all next to each other. Thanks for the reminder!

Kerry Blossom .. I agree! I've always wondered if I should change them. It sounds like most agree that it would be a great help! Thanks!

d_gw .. wow, that's crazy how light affects the look so differently. I never realized lighting had such an impact. Do you know how you do that? Is it something you can buy at a store? Or is it just replacing the existing lightbulb?

Do any of you, who talked about changing the lighting, know if the lighting should be warm or cool?

Thank you all so much for all your comments and great ideas! You truly did help me to LOVE my backsplash :) I'm excited to start working on all your suggestions.

White / cream subway tile is like blue jeans - goes with many things. Don't worry about the contrast between the counter and backsplash. That is pretty normal. Many use subway tile with dark counters - that is a lot of contrast - but it is OK:

Here is the contrast with mine (click on pic for larger view) My kitchen is in a vintage style and there are more pics in my "my pics" idea book):

The backsplash has to pull the cabinets and counter together. It does not need to perfectly match. There is cream and white in my counter. White looked closer to the countertop, but was too stark with my cabinets. The cream was the better option - I think - sometimes I am still not sure:)

Also, computer monitors do not show true color - so some here may think a different "white" would work better, but they are not seeing the true color. Only you can see it, and I bet you will hardly think about it in a few weeks.

I love kjoy's picture with some glass doors. I have one and like how it breaks up the wood. I also have a plate rail cabinet that adds some of my style. I retrofitted a cabinet with a kit.

Another thing you might consider: If the tiler did not give you the left over tile, see if you can get some and stow it away. When the micro over the range dies, replace it with a pretty stainless hood - that might be the bit of glam that you were looking for. I am short and would have problems using your microwave - but it looks newer. It might be possible to mount that whole cabinet somewhere else and get a pretty hood - but that could get expensive. I searched around for a copper or similar hood, but they were outside my budget. I did eventually stain a wood hood to match, but with the stainless range, it would be easy to find a reasonable yet attractive vent hood - especially with a 6 burner gas range. A micro / vent probably does not vent very well for a range like you have.

chrisgoede, d_gw answered the "GW brain trust" question perfectly. I actually debated whether I should have used Houzz instead of GW, but at the time it was GW and it's still kinda how I think of this place.

I chose a creamy white crackle subway tile. I have creamy white cabinets and wall color. They're similar, but don't match. I have a very white stove I kept from my Before kitchen. It's not creamy at all. And you know what? I don't care. It cooks everything without a fuss and didn't add anything to the cost of my kitchen. Others may disagree with my decision to keep it.

I totally get that! There are a lot of different factors that go into the decisions we make and what we are able to afford is at the top of the list for most of us. Maybe some of our budgets don't allow us to have the "perfect" HGTV house, but we should be thankful for what we do have :)

jhmarie . . you are right about the microwave being a bit too high. I don't like that. It seems like the remodeler should have taken my height into consideration (I never even thought of it) But he did a good job of venting it to the outside, so that's nice.

Amen sister.