Photos please.

I do not find that stone very busy but we do need to see your litchen

Here’s a link: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5078788/kitchen-designer-pros-please-save-me

Can you just rip out the backsplash? See if a bare wall helps before committing to a new BS. Then post a pic with the counters in use not empty. If you truly hate it there’s no amount of people telling you it’s not out of style that are going to make you suddenly like it! JMHO.

I agree, I think it’s the backsplash that makes it look like “a 2005 spec home”. Updated backsplash would make it look more updated!

Kim, love the colors and it’s beautiful! I do agree that the backsplash is the issue, you need something quieter since the granite has a bit of drama. It’s great on the counters!

You still hate it for all the reasons mentioned earlier. It's too COOL a color for the cabinetry, and it is too busy for a small kitchen when also applied to the backsplash.

I'd suggest a calmer tile splash, but I think you will dig yourself an even unhappier hole.

Rip it, and cry...........but your tears will dry when you make a better selection for YOU.

I dont think it looks bad at all. Maybe you just need some time to live with the kitchen and get used to it. I doesnt look dated to me.

I would replace it with a nice calming Soapstone, or simple honed black granite. You will eliminate the overly yellow tone created by warm/ cool clash in palettes , the busy will be gone

Take your TIME on the back splash, and don't select until tops are in place.

If this is the worst mistake you make in this life? A good life : ) Don't punish yourself staring at

I love the granite and agree that with the backsplash, it might feel like too much. I think change the backsplash to simple light subway or arabesque tile.

Op don’t base your likes off what you see on photos. Especially here on Houzz where 90% are fake marble looking quartz.

I agree it’s the backsplash that is the potential issue not the counter itself.

Before I ditched the counters, I would rip out the backsplash. Then reassess. You should be able to tell with the backsplash gone if you can live with the counters.

I think the granite is lovely, but agree with the other posters that it is just too much to use it as the backsplash, too. I would change the backsplash to something simple that works with the granite tones.

My personal preference is for a very subdued pattern, if any, in a counter top. I would never consider yours. I never had that opinion until experiencing my daughter's dark granite looking Formica countertop. She would spill stuff on the counter and couldn't see it to wipe it up. More than once I set my keys down on a jelly smear.

It’s definitely the backsplash. Look into an overlay like stainless steel that is thin and wouldn’t require ripping out the backsplash or messing with the outlets. Or maybe have it painted professionally, or look into those vinyl wallpapers, think outside the box for a temporary fix. Good Luck

It's the whole thing. It happens. When you goof, forgive. Don't punish. She isn't staring at her backsplash when prepping. She's staring at the thing making "her eyes crazy". The counter. I admit the splash doesn't help. Nor does a clash in tones warm and cool.

So sorry. Yea, I am afraid this is just giant mistake. Save up and replace it all.

with a subway tile will look much better

Just change the backsplash. I think that the countertops are ok.

>>> can you change out the backsplash??

I apologize. I did change the backsplash out to a plain oversized cream subway tile. I need to take and attach new photos.

Here is where I am at right now. Do you think the island should be changed to a black honed granite and just live with the rest? I apologize that I don't know how to add this to my original post at the top.

I was going to say it is the back splash, along with so many others. Now that I see the new pics, I think it is fine. Looks much better. Maybe you need a few more things out on the counter in your very neat kitchen to break it up. I don't see a problem with it at all. It is a lot of granite to replace too. I guess if you still feel you must, maybe you could keep the island piece and get a more plain perimeter granite that works with the original island piece.

It looks so much better with the new backsplash.

I think it’s lovely. Not a granite fan normally, but the way it is here is nice. I do think you need more substantial hardware on your cabinets however, the knobs looks small to me, and I wonder if their size could be picking up the size of the small dark bits in the pattern in the granite..just a thought.

I hope you get past" I don't love my granite" . Because a change of tops now destroys the back splash.

That was my point in the earlier comment. Oh well. Get happy .

The backsplash was the problem. It looks so much better with the plain backsplash. I agree that putting a few things on your countertop would break it up.

Note to self: When lost in the woods, do not go further into the woods. Pause, get bearings. Ask where did I get off the trail?!?. Yeah.......

Wait six months on this kitchen. Thats your pause.

Much better! There are some really lovely brushed or honed dark granites, but I think it looks fine now.

Before committing to changing the island, get two black tri-fold cardboard project display boards, cut to fit, and live with a black countertop for a while. You should know fairly quickly if that is the change you want to make.

Do you have LED lighting? If so, what Kelvin temperature are they?

I love the look of your kitchen since changing the back splash. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Removing the granite backsplash is a tremendous improvement.. I am not a fan of any wall tiles due to the difficulty of keeping the grout clean in a heavy use work area, but your use of a neutral tile color has the advantage of making the kitchen area appear

larger. I would definitely keep the current island counter granite just to maintain decor continuity and not create too much of a material and color "hodge podge".. We chose to use some of our counter and island granite as a small accent backsplash behind the stove and fan and couldn't be happier.. The granite with its smooth surface is far easier to keep clean than tiles or glass next to a messy cooking area.. I sincerely hope that you will be happy with your choices over time.

The only thing I would change is to replace the dark rug with something light.

I wouldn't paint the island. looks so much better.

you need a bit of color. the runner is a good idea. I'd also replace that blind w/something a bit lighter and a bit of color/pattern. that dull brown is killing that window. Too heavy looking.

Or, remove it completely.

The new backsplash really helped.

Needs some color. Right now, it is all black and white.

I would paint the light fixture over the sink or replace it with a white one. Maybe switch the hardware to silver. I would prefer naked windows; the Roman shade is too heavy/ too dark, IMO.

Thank you so much everyone for taking the time to offer suggestions! They are sincerely appreciated. I originally considered honed black for the counters, but everyone kept telling me, "No black. You'll hate it! ". I have always had dark counters, so I thought it was time to lighten things up. Consequently, I chose a lighter granite. I had no idea it would be so busy once installed. Quartz isn't my cup of tea. Yes, it has been an expensive lesson. It has also been a bit of an ego blow since I am generally good at this sort of thing. I was under too much stress with multiple renovations happening simultaneously and really slipped up on this one...the most important one! Arghhh!

I lived with that crazy backsplash for almost 3 years. I didn't have the heart to rip everything out and start from scratch, so I thought to just change the backsplash to hold me over a few years to see if I can tolerate the rest. Many of you kindly suggested to change the backsplash when I posted last year. My hope is to change it all out one day down the line if I am still inclined. The new backsplash has helped indeed. I just wish I had gotten it all right the first time. Houzz is such a nice community of people. Thanks again for being so constructive and honest!

Your whole kitchen is lovely. I don't know what you had before the renovation. But I would just enjoy your lovely cabinets, floor and the counter. The granite goes well with your cabinets and everything now that the backsplash is calmer.

Glad to hear the change of the backsplash has helped, now to add some color... :)

What if you got a bigger rug with some color in it, and a coordinating window treatment, and countertop accessories, tea towels, etc? Any space elsewhere for wall art?

I am just so baffled. I truly am. The backsplash was changed nearly a year ago, ( but the op posts a picture with the old condition ) and titles the query " Still hating my granite" . A dozen people respond with " no worries , it's lovely" ....get a rug, put some stuff on the counter....change the backsplash. Okay whatever., been there, done that........All that I can think happened here, was the op never went to a stone shop to look at a full slab of her selection. Maybe for lack of time, who knows.

I have hated liver my entire life. Nothing, and no number of tastings will change this fact. I simply despise the texture . I don't need anyone to try and change my mind, to suggest ways to prepare it, I have tasted all varieties of prep I am sure.

At some point, the op will acquire the moxie to simply rip the the "offender" from the kitchen. Which she might as well have done three years ago. Life is too short. Get a "LIVER" transplant. Check the liver in person , with a cabinet face, before you start the anesthesia for "surgery".

Ecasta- is it financial reasons you are hesitant to change or just that you feel wasteful? If the latter post your granite on a local yard sale site for free and go pick something you truly love. This granite is never going to ‘unbusy’ itself which i believe is what you dislike most about it. Sometimes Houzz is just as helpful for therapeutic reasons as it is for design ones lol. We are giving you permission for a do over! Make your kitchen a place you love walking into everyday.

I've always disliked that speckly granite. Would never have installed it, either 20 years ago or now. I chose white formica rather than that granite. Wouldn't keep it in a kitchen EVER. So if you feel as I do, and have the budget, get it out as soon as you can and get something you like. As kim k says, donate it instead of dumping it into a landfill.

To clear up some confusion, I changed the backsplash this November after living with the ugly one for three years. I went to several granite yards and picked this goofy granite with cabinet sample in hand. Ha yes, I agree Houzz is therapeutic. Thanks again for the responses.

That answers that, counselors : )