Mango Orange, I love-LOVE blue, especially cobalt and indigo. Those tiles are divine!

Two thoughts on the grout color... I love the detailing around the edges of each tile that accent it's shape in a hand-painted way. There's almost a white crispness to the edges of each.

For that reason, I would not do white grout. It takes away from that edge. I would do either a very light gray or silver. Get a few of those sample "bars" of grout and see which still allows that white edge to pop. Keep it light, but I wouldn't do white.

The other thought I had was to make sure the grout doesn't lean creamy or beige. Yellow (warm) and blue (cool) together is very dynamic, but cobalt is a cooler blue than a lighter shade that might have a green undertone (and in green is yellow). A silvery tone will work better.

I love it...so much! I think everyone “poopooing” it is just stuck on the boring ass white subway trains!! LOL!! I’m a huge fan of different

No help, just consider me jealous. Wanted that exact shape of tile in a beautiful color and was told no way. Have boring white subway instead. Well, I rebelled a bit and got glass subway tiles. But still. Look forward to your pictures!

mango orange,,,geez,,,these haters act like you're putting up corpses instead of blue tiles! And the person that said "white is the perfect color for that kitchen", well,,that's just not true. that's an opinion. and a dull one.

anyway,,,here are some kitchens with cobalt tile splashes so you can see the diff grout colors.

a light to med gray grout would appear like this

in fact, here is a close up

the eye supposedly, doesn't really 'see' a gray grout. somewhat disappears and becomes less noticeable.

white and gray

hope this helps. either will work. most of these have a light, neutral gray.

(you know they have blue grout, right? )

I think I would at least look at the same color grout used on the floor. It might tie the different color tiles together somewhat.

Beautiful! Love the idea of adding yellow accessories.

Beth H., thank you for going through the trouble to find those images. It's definitely giving me a better idea of what grey vs white would look like. Now that I think about it, when the contractor first put the floor tiles in, he used grey grout which he recommended, but I didn't like it as it made the grout lines disappear. I'm leaning to somewhere in the middle of grey and white, but I'm gonna make the final decision after seeing the tiles set. I'm so glad you stopped me from buying those tiny meshed arabesque tiles and re-spacing them(what a nightmare!), and directing me to fireclay. You've been a huge help with my backsplash from start to finish!

Reupser - I used white for the grout on the floor.

I knew that this tile choice was going to draw some criticism, but whether it's wrong or right, that's just all just based on what pleases the majority. And I only have 27 sq ft. of backsplash space. My backsplash is like a scarf or a big belt on your outfit, not a top or a bottom. So I'm just gonna have fun with it!

By the way, I love it that there are others here who appreciate colors just as much as I do! ;)

There's another consideration I just noticed. Your backsplash tapers on the left to a very low one where there's nothing above it. You chose a tile with a very intricate shape. I don't know the scale of the tile but you need to take into consideration how that tile will look cut to fit that narrow space. It might look awkward as the design of it might be lost there. Usually a smaller scale tile is used to better fit that small, low area. Also take into consideration that the bright blue will call more attention that narrow backsplash area. You will have a backsplash rectangular shape with a narrow right angle piece coming off of it to the left which might not be pleasing. It's hardly noticeable now, but will be with the bold color. Just some things to consider.

I would do a sample board of creamy white & some grays. I wouldn't go bright white. Your cabinets don't seem to be stark white. Either match the cabinets/countertop or go with the right shade of gray.

more precise info, in case it's useful: my backsplash is Fireclay St. Alban's Blue with Mapei "silver" grout.

Jennifer K - St Alban blue was one of colors I considered! I took a peak at your kitchen pictures and it’s lovely! You have many elements that I love. May I ask where you got that utensil hanging bar(not sure what it’s called) Is it attached to the wall or the bottom of the cabinets? I’ve been looking for one too.

Leviton has Renu Receptacles and Switches in "Rich Navy" which would not match but blend in to the backsplash.

https://www.leviton.com/en/products/brands/renu

The utensil hanger is from Lee Valley Tools, though Ikea has good ones too if you have a convenient Ikea. It's mounted on the wall, but it can be hung from the cabinets if you wish. It all depends on the depth of your cabinet skirting.

Mango,,,which blue did you end up getting?(Looks like Azul?) I have 4 samples of their blues and love them all, but the Azul and santorini were my faves.

did you get liners or bullnose for the edges? or maybe you're doing a Schluter edging?

Mango, don’t explain your choices to ANYONE!! They are beautiful and you clearly are going to LOVE your space!! I’m a HUGE advocate for different!! I went against the grain and used 3 different tiles in my backsplash! We had a TON of wall to cover and I wanted to be unique! I can’t wait to see your finished product

dtrivino,,,have you sealed your stone yet? enhancing sealer? don't forget!

Beth H - that hex tile with white grout - FABULOUS.

Mango Orange - make some sample boards with different grout colors. Photograph in place after the grout dries and I'll be glad to photoshop for you. Or - photocopy and print out and then tile in place. You'll have a really close approximation to your actual.

Beth, you have a great eye! They sent me 4 samples of their blues, and I loved them all. In the end, I was torn between azul and santorini but went with azul to keep things a bit lighter. I got the liner as was suggested by the sales person. I waited 10 wks for these tiles, and just can't wait to get them up now!

dtrivino - thank you and that's quite a backsplash you have going!

Oldbat2be - how'd you know I sucked at photoshop lol Thanks for the offer!

did you work w/Lindsey? I was going to use them in my shower, but went w/blue on my doors and window instead. I told my friend about it since she was doing soapstone in her kitchen and wanted a pale green glass. so, she got their glass tiles

so you blue is going to look very close to this one. and they did the gray grout here

it's hard to do a sample board w/these because they aren't cheap and you won't have a lot of leftovers, hopefully! but I like the idea of the silver that the other commenter used w/her blues. choosing a grayish white, you get the best of both sides

Beth, no I did not as when I first contacted Fireclay, I didn't know about Lindsey, and Tiffannie had already started working with me. She suggested that I go with platinum by the way, and I'm leaning towards a grayish white as well. And no, no sample board for the reasons you stated :( Btw, that second picture was what I used to convince my husband to go along with my idea ;)

Backsplash has finally gone up! I went with a light cool grey grout, but I think I could’ve gone darker as well. Regardless, I’m in love!
No regrets, and so far everyone loves it including our tiler :) The blue becomes vibrant w the cabinet lights on, and looks richer and deeper w the lights off.

❤️

It looks terrific!

LOVE it!! I have backsplash envy!! :)

Perfect backsplash!!

so distinctive!

Gorgeous! I love the color and pattern. And I love that you did something different that makes you happy.

Stunning

Terrific! You went with your dream and it looks gorgeous!

Mango,,it's stunning. really. and the grout is perfect. I just don't understand why people are so afraid of color!

Another cobalt girl here! That is totally perfect. Fondling my FIreclay samples daily. What actual grout color did you use.

maggie,,,aren't those fireclay blues amazing? have you seen The Jungalow and Justinas shower using Adriatic Sea?

A-maz-ing!

I love it. Great pick for the cabinet knobs :)

As someone with a great fondness for blue, I love your new backsplash! I'll have to look through your thread, but is there a photo of your flooring?

Thank you all! Especially, Beth, who I feel like has helped me from the start. @Beth, omg, that bathroom is heaven! So... could I ask you for a bit of color advice regarding my walls now? ;) @Maggie, happy to see another cobalt girl :D I used platinum color grout which was recommended by Fireclay. Don't you just love their colors? I just love looking at their tile colors! @Indigo, yes there is a picture with my flooring on the original post. However, the flooring wasn't my choice as this project was very poorly organized and managed by our kitchen contractor, and I was sort of clueless in the beginning as this was my first time remodeling anything. But all's well that ends well!

mango, yes,,,shoot! (but if it's regarding paint colors, post lots of pics!)

Gorgeous! That tile job is laid out really well. Kudos to your installer. Love it. Congrats!

mango,,did you know HD has blue outlets? just saw these. don't know if the blues will match the cobalt. if not, try a dark gray

Leviton, below

FINALLY!!!! COLOR!!!! That kitchen looks great!! and matching knobs!!! great job! Horay for color!!

Cobalt is one of my favorite colors. Your kitchen is stunning. It takes my breath away. So unlike the yawn inducing white subway.

Wow! It looks wonderful. I’m glad you stuck to your guns and got what you wanted. And your tile guy did a fabulous job at the narrow section.
Beth H - you’re an amazing help to so many people in this discussions. The photos you posted really helped us all see the grout differences.

Enjoy your unique, wonderful kitchen!

red,,,thank you very much!

Looks great! Your installer is awesome, that is some quality work. Please let them know of all the compliments from Houzz viewers. Love the knobs too.

I’m so fricking jealous! That is EXACTLY the color I wanted. It’s always been my favorite and makes me happy. WhIch is the exact opposite of my boring no color bland excuse for a husband. Though I do love the colorless man. I’m so regretting not sticking to my color. And Beth you are amazing! When I cant live another day with the bland quiet colorless look my husband beat me down on I’ll be hunting you for an amazing blue to go with statuario! Mango, enjoy every moment in that beautiful happy kitchen! I’d be smiling every time I walk in!

bright white to keep the look cool sleek and fresh; classic!

Beautiful! I love everything blue and it reminds me of Santorini. :)

Beautiful backsplash! Love the color and design!

It's a wonderful kitchen!!! Backsplash and grout turned out perfect!!! Congrats!

It doesn’t have to “work” for them only for you! Love the tile, color and pattern.