I like the bottom, but it would be easier to tell by looking at them running the skinny way between the tiles, instead of with such a large gap.

Here is the kitchen. The tile is a match for the perimeter cabinets and the island is a dark cherry. Thank you again.

Out of those I would go with the bottom one, but I would personally match the grout to the tile.

Here is the Sterling next to the tile, lengthwise..

This is the color that most closely matches the tile, I think. It’s called Standard White. I’m surprised that so many suggest matching the tile. I always thought most people suggest contrast?

I prefer contrast. I like the sterling. To me, matching the grout to tile makes it look like one solid sheet. I love seeing the shape of the tile and the pattern it's laid in, but it's personal preference.

All of them will give you contrast...none match the tile color. I actually like the top one....is that Silverado? But what do I know....I still haven’t picked out my backsplash yet :)

So nice to see your kitchen. I still love those pendants. Love the whole kitchen. I am on team sterling grout. I hope you are having the best time in that gorgeous kitchen!!

Your kitchen is just gorgeous! I’m so happy you picked a tile! It will look so good. I actually like Birch the best from the photo.

Thanks everyone. So none of them are a good “match“ to the tile. For those of you who think I should not have contrast, what do you think of the Standard White color? Is it close enough?

I put these two colors close in one picture. they both look gray, but one looks a taupe gray. I think the Sterling is a little lighter maybe. It’s ridiculous that I’m being so anal about picking grout. Downright silly...

Gthigpen...thank you. You and I and Nidnay have been at it for a long time. I think I just got worn down and took the path of least resistance. This quartzite was not easy to work with....Anyway, here is the tile with your grout choice..Birch.

Coop...it is quartzite. I struggled with countertops as well so I feel your pain. I really, really wanted black brushed granite, but it didn’t look good with my dark island.

this is Quartzite Gioia and it has been bulletproof. Giant sigh of relief.

Good of luck in your quest for the perfect countertop!

Rita..haha..thanks for the kind words on the pendants. I have learned to like, not love them. They will be staying for awhile. Mostly because the light from the pendants is so good. But someday......

Thanks Stephanie..the pendants are from Rejuvination. Hood pendant. Mine has the 16” opal wide cylinder shade.

Make up sample boards of a few tiles with each color of grout. Let it dry at least overnight or longer (grout lightens as it dries). See how the samples look in your kitchen.

Based on what I know about you and how you like things, I think the Sterling will be your best choice.

Now that you put the birch that way, it’s not my favorite. sterling looks nice and seems like a warm gray.

Sterling is a very very light gray, almost white when installed. It leans slightly warmer than Silverado. I have sterling in my bath.

My wall tile is white and floor is slightly grayish.

Put me on Team Sterling, as well. I think it will be just enough definition to the tiles without making it too much of a "feature."

Photos aren’t loading today on Houzz very good.

Both sterling or Silverado would give slight contrast without huge definition Imho.

ILoveRed, what color did you choose? :)

I told my tile gal Silverado when I meant Sterling. I didn’t notice the misstep until after the grout was already done. It’s late and I’m tired but I will try to get a pic tomorrow. It’s very pretty but it’s definitely a soft gray compared to the Sterling. As always my installer did a wonderful job. Overall very pleased with how it all turned out.

Thank you to everyone that went out of their way to advise me and especially to post pics. as always such a great bunch of folks here.

Oooohhh, pics please!

Gthigpen....it’s pretty boring. After gnashing my teeth for months I took the cowards way out! But, I really like it.

Is yours up yet gthigpen? Can’t wait to see it.

ILR - It's perfect for your space and not boring at all! Your whole kitchen is timeless so the subway fits it perfectly. Great choice! And I love your counters so much.

Um....mine is not up yet. I have picked the tile, I have picked the pattern. It will be Waterworks Architecture series in Dove in a Flemish Bond brick pattern. I just haven't placed the order yet because life keeps happening around us. :) We spent a ton of $$$$ on landscaping recently so our bank account needs to recover a bit. I just had to pick Waterworks tile which isn't exactly cheap! But I just can't find anything that I like better so I'll spend the money just not yet. I need to win the lottery! And I will definitely post pics when we are done.

Red, your kitchen is my Platonic ideal. You did not wimp out on anything. It is bold and well done. Love, love, love. Hilarious how we obsess about small stuff like the perfect shade for grout, and then realize it was no big deal after all.

Gthigpen...I saw your tile in the thread you had with that Installation pattern. I love it and I think it will be beautiful. I know what you mean re: bank accounts. Dh wants to do all of our landscaping and he really is good at it. But we are over 60 and it will be forever.....but will save big bucks. Until then..arghhh.

looking forward to seeing your tile. And I remember that the Waterworks was not cheap. but it will be worth the wait.

Zalco...thank you for the kind words. Very reassuring. I really do love my white kitchen. And all of the worry over the perfect grout was definitely kind of silly.

again thank you.

@Kathy I know this is an older post, but I am also debating on sterling vs silverado grout for my kitchen backsplash. I'm doing glossy white subway tiles and want the most minimal contrast possible. Could I see a photo of your tiles from a distance instead of up close?

@ILoveRed your kitchen is beautiful!! I'm contemplating Gardenia right now. What color are your cabinets?