I think both your options are colors that look lovely with what you have. Just to be sure, though, I would hold up the tiles next to your actual counter (does it look exactly like the sample?) in your kitchen lighting (those details can make a big difference).

Thanks - I know I can't really finalize until the cabinets are painted but I would like to narrow my choices. That said, these photos are just next to the kitchen in an open eat-in area with virtually the same lighting so are pretty representative. I'd take a picture of my kitchen but the cabinet color really throws everything off.

Shamelessly bumping my own thread...

I also just had TM quartzite installed and I'm going through the process of picking a back splash. I have dark stained cabinet. Most of the ones that I loved on line or in the showrooms, did not look as good when I borrowed the larger grouted sample boards and put them in my kitchen.

Have you looked at the photos on Houzz? Lots of TM photos. I'll add a few of the ones I saved below.

The backsplash on the seventh one down is particularly stunning.

Between the two tiles you showed, I might be more inclined toward the beige choice with the Taj.

Some more!

Walker Zanger tile

above - Artistic Tile, Toledo Blanc

Also from Artistic Tile below

I'll stop now!

Thanks Chispa! I really like the tan/taupe tiles with the stone the best I think, although they are all really pretty! The leathered finish on my TM is making the matte crackle option attractive but the microcrackle tile shown in the Stonegate remodel photo is one I looked at and is very nice. Went a little gold for me but still really pretty.

You have to get the samples off the floor and place them in the area of the backsplash. The shadows caused by the upper cabinets have to be considered. What looks bright white out in the open, can turn quite drab and murky under the upper cabinets.

Yes, thank you - I am putting them under the cabs to narrow my choices. I only have 35 tile samples (not quite but...). And they look different on each side of the kitchen. Sigh. Anyway, I do want to bring larger grouted sample boards home as well once the cabs are painted.

What are you considering for your backsplash Chispa?

..sand. with Taj.

but then I love taupe madly, so. If there's a chance it fits other elements/my vision-some taupe will sneak in.

(I also am a huge fan of Tabarka so whenever Tabarka is mentioned I loose my mind.)

love Walker Zanger example too. Walker Zanger is also..ok..I' ve a very young impressionable mind when it comes to tiles

I feel like my contribution is not very..contributing. Lol

ah. and I love Taj Mahal. Beautiful choice. Gorgeous stone.

Exciting time.

April, come visit LA and we can go hang out at the Tabarka showroom! It isn't big, but has lots of tile eye-candy!

Ruby, the winner is a white marble (with very few wispy veins) in a custom water jet pattern. Found the sample board at a tile shop further from my area and they had designed the pattern for a previous customer. It is from Artistic Tile, but not found on their website. Anything other than white, was looking too drab with my dark stained cabinets.

Sounds perfect chispa! I just took a look at Tabarka and Artistic Tile's websites and OMG! Really gorgeous stuff.

Im a big fan of Taj counters with Taj backsplash

I finally chose my countertop slabs last week, and they are Taj Mahal, but it’s not like most of the TM I’ve seen. It has veins of white quartz and lots of criss-crossing lines. It was so stunning in person that I was able to easily let go of my Cristallo Quartzite on hold at another slab yard. I’ve carefully read through all of the threads concerning what backsplash to use with TM, and today I found this tile measuring 3” x 12” by DalTile, at Home Depot. It’s so inexpensive, and it matches my SW Alabaster paint perfectly! I was leaning toward a more hand-made look for my tile, but this will be the one if I don’t find something better, and I’ll install it in a herringbone pattern. The TM sample doesn’t look much like my slabs, but it did match the grayish tones in them. I’m thankful for all of the input, because I probably would have chosen something with more of a pattern, and the TM needs to be the star!

I'm still obsessing about my final choice for backsplash while I wait (and wait) for my painters to schedule my job. I've ordered two additional samples of tile based on photos chispa shared and now I'll check this Daltile option out next time I'm in Home Depot. I still like the taupe Adex matte tile and it remains the top contender for now. We'll see once I get the others.

Beautiful choices sandy - good luck and do share your new kitchen when all is completed!

Hi, I am in the process of having my 10 mo old Tahiti quartzite counters replaced because the edges are darkening. Apparently the supplier didn't allow the slabs to dry completely before polishing the stones and now there's water stuck inside. I have my name on two leathered Perla Venata Quartzite slabs. Has anyone had any issues with leathered quartzite? Thank you!