I absolutely LOVE the second backsplash Beverly suggested. Gorgeous backsplash which will marry your cabinets with your countertops. LOVE

Following...

I think it will be beautiful. Use a grout color to match the cabinet color. White gives it a fresh pop and will help ot look light and bright.

NO ONE looks good half dressed and in their underwear...that is what your kitchen is right now. It will look fabulous once the backsplash is in and your accessories are set. It appears you have the jitters in the anticipation dept. Everything looks wonderful so far and your color choices should look grand. Matchy matchy can be boring.

I think it looks great too! My cabinets are a little creamier white than my Calacutta Nuvo counter (subtle difference) but I really like it.

Just wondering if you’re reassured yet?

I too like Beverlys' 2nd tile pic. Can someone do a mockup with that in this kitchen? Thinking it may be a winner.

We have similar taste. I love it. would love to see backsplash

I think you have a winner but you are just not done yet.
It looks like the countertop is a blue/white and the cabinets are a yellow/white. If you keep that in mind as you choose ‘the’ backsplash that will bring them together you will have a gorgeous kitchen. Good luck.

Keep subway white like countertops or it is going to start looking to ivory one note....that white will keep kitchen bright and crisp and provides contrast with the cabinets...

UPDATE!
First of all- Thank you all SO much for your advice and making me feel very much better about my colossal “mistake” :)
I think I’ll always wish I either had all white or all ivory...but you live and learn and love what you’ve got!
Background info: This (obviously) is not a new construction but rather just a little update on a 10 year old kitchen. So I was choosing the new countertop and backsplash based off of the existing cabinets and floors and my desire for a fresh, light kitchen within our budget. Previous countertop was black granite, backsplash was a busy black and tan.
New countertop is Frosty Carrina quartz and backsplash is subway tile in Soft White from Triton Stone. I decided on tile and grout that matches the counters in order to avoid a distracting look and/or another color mistake...because obviously I’m not the best at choosing appropriate shades of ivory/white. Ha!
I took pictures in different lighting so hopefully you get a good idea of the true colors. I hope this helps anyone who is faced with this ivory/white issue in the future...or if you just love the color combo;)
Thank ya’ll again for all of the wonderful advice and support!!

Well, I just love that choice for the backsplash. Great job.

Beautiful. You kept it simple and it's beautiful!!!

Looks fabulous! And I am a big fan of horizontal outlets too. It's a nice touch that many people don't think of.

Pretty!

Great job! Love it

It’s beautiful, and looks intentional! Enjoy!

Two thumbs up.

Yay!

Backsplash looks great with counters & cabinets. Enjoy!

Not a mistake at all, right? Beautiful!

Looks great! How big of a job was taking off the old granite. I always thought that it would tear the cabinets up. Would love to do that in my kitchen. I have never been happy with my granite.

Other Questions:

I am impressed that you were able to find a paint color that matched your kitchen so well. Care to share the brand and color?

What are your floors? Real wood or other? Stain color?

I love how the island is a little different. Granite color? So pretty with your cabinets.

looks great.

Looks great - warm and inviting and thought out... not haphazard or a mistake at all. Frankly - much better than an all white or all ivory kitchen - there's more depth here...

A happy accident, but tell all your friends it was planned.

Yay for a happy outcome! Oh, those earthenware vases couldn't be better!! :)

Johanna, it’s gorgeous! You got tremendous support to stickvwith the ivory and white and it’s fabulous. It looks so elegant - no one would know it’s a 10 year old kitchen. Houzzers really stepped up. Happy Ending!!

I love the slight contrast between your cabinets and countertop. Much more interesting than totally matched! Your backsplash should be something you absolutely love...perhaps a very interesting marble with creams, not grays...very soft in color so it doesn't drag your eye.

It's perfect!

SPECTACULAR! I love it.

Ivory always looks “not quite clean”.

It looks absolutely beautiful. You stuck with your dream house designs and now you get to live your dream!! Great work!!

johanna, I am so thankful for your posts and for your before/after photos! I found this page when searching for a solution to the same problem you had: too white countertops clashing with offwhite cabinets. But I LOVE your finished kitchen! it looks intentional and stylish and I would never have guessed it was ever at risk of veering off course due to an accidental mismatch. My countertops were just installed today and I literally have a stomach ache from looking at the bright white clashy countertops. Unfortunately, mine are worse because I have cold grey veining in my stark white countertops. I'd picked the grey veining because I'm getting an Azul Blue island top. (The bright white perimeter tops look much worse in person than my photo below shows.) I'm going to test out some white subway tiles like yours for the backsplash and I can only pray my final result can be half as classy-looking as your kitchen! Thank you a million times for your post and pics! You brought a spark of hope to me after my disastrous kitchen error!

Dls250...you kitchen is going to be gorgeous...hang in there....hardware on the cabinets will also add another element and in silver will add to the slight gray veining in the countertops...here are a few suggestions....white subway in herringbone pattern.

Thanks, I'm definitely going to try the white tile. This photo looks great. I also have black stainless appliances, which haven't shipped yet. Do you think I should see if I can switch to stainless instead?

Cream and white is a beautiful combination. And BeverlyFLADeziner’s backsplash suggestions are perfect.
Yes, switch your appliances to stainless if it’s possible. The black would be harsh.

Oh yes stainless not black... are the switch!:)

Johanna, you just pulled off a great save! Looks like you intended that all along. Very nice job.

Beautiful kitchen !

Actually I'd pick up one of the colors from the azul counter for the backsplash. It will then tie the island in with the perimeter and take away the feeling of 3 different whites on the perimeter.

johannacosby Thank you for this post. I am in the process of redoing my kitchen and was wondering about how to mix cream and white because i do not want a completely white kitchen as I thik it would be too stark. Your finished kitchen is beautiful.

Switch the appliances. The new darker color will be very stark in this kitchen.

johannacosby - May I ask where you got your plantation shutters? I love them,

cpartist, the "azul" countertop really looks more grey depending on the lighting, so we went with your suggestion and found a great beveled mosaic tile with off-white, bright white, and varying greys. Everyone was right about marrying the colors with the backsplash tile -- I am so very happy with the way it all turned out! It was too late to change our appliances from black stainless to silver, but with the dark greys in the tile I think it tied it all together well. I can't even tell you all how much I appreciate the suggestions in this forum. You're the best!!

The kitchen looks great! I dislike stainless appliances so the black stainless speaks to me!

Enjoy your new kitchen!

I also like the black stainless!

I think you have a strong enough contrast it looks good they compliment each other not clash! Nothing to worry about!

Post is from 2020

This is beautiful ! I love cream and white ! I know post is from 2019 and I hope you are enjoying your beautiful kitchen !