Here is a close up of the granite - can anyone identify?

Subway tile is a great option. White is plain, what about something like our diamond subway tile, see here- http://www.granitetransformations.com/southjersey/products/mosaic-tiles/colors/subway/

I think something with a little color would be a good fit. Not too plain, but not too bold.

Good luck and congrats on the new place!

Bump!

I agree that you need to replace the backsplash and that white tile is the way to go. Simple will be best with the granite. The new floors will look amazing.

Agreed. Subway tiles will look awesome.

My better guess.. Santa Cecilia.. It's just more unique than most santa Cecilia.
Garnet colors, charcoal. caramel.. How the charcoal wraps around the lighter. Santa Cecilia tends to look like bangle tiger stripes.. If you could take another picture not so close.. I could say for sure.

It looks like they did a granite splash at most of the kitchen.. If you are going to do tile.. my suggestion would to be to take out the granite splash..
There is around 17" between the counter top and uppers.. Maximize your new tile pattern by taking out the 4" of granite. That granite splash will also be 1.25" thick.. and that ledge gets annoying when cleaning.
Typically granite splash is siliconed in and should be super easy to pop off.... Easier than the tile anyway..
Removing tile is easier if you just take out the sheet rock behind it.. go get a sawzall! watch out for electrical!

Thank you so much. What size subway tile and color grout would you recommend?

Any thoughts on paint? Here is the adjoining family room so I will probably do all the same color paint.

Also the granite is also placed on the deep window sill above the sink - leave that as is??

for sure leave the granite window sill..
I believe the tumbled is 3" x 6" or 4" X 7" depending on the company.
The best thing to do is get the tile up.. and have your tile person bring a sample of a couple of grouts..
Do a sample piece before you grout everything.
The more contrast the more you see the design.. the closer in color the more it looks like one big slab.
I prefer the contrast. Also because travertine is a natural stone it might be a little lighter or darker.. You just have to see it all together.

Too bad, such a waste but I totally agree that your backsplash isn't working.

I think the right backsplash can really add to a kitchen but in your case you do not need a backsplash at all.

Remove both BS materials --the granite that matches the counter and the tiles. You'll probably need dry wall repair then paint it yellow like the rest of the kitchen. So simple and it will look right.

This is a frequent recommendation if you need something to jazz up the look after you remove your BS. Find some pottery plates or platters and use plate stands or wire plate holders if you want to hang them on the wall under the cabinets. Then if you want to change the look or colors just change plates. Then you're not stuck with a backsplash.

Take a look at the picture you submitted and imagine the backsplash gone and the walls painted the color you choose to paint the kitchen and family room.

Subway tiles would look great. That glass must go. It's fighting with the busy granite, Instead of white, why not pick a taupe that is one of the colors in the stone. then paint walls and have it flow through with your greige look. Best of luck!

Yeah, glass tile isn't working should be a solid. A tumbled travertine, or as suggested a black subway, even dark gray would work.

Grout should be as close to tile as you can.

I'm for pulling another color from the granite- too much white with the cabinets. And change the wall color if you go with a yellow based tile.

shoot another pic of your counter tops and I'll throw a few colors your way.
Light walnut tumbled travertine.

matching grout to the tile isn't a problem because the grout becomes part of the tile by filling in the holes.. I like the lighter grouts.. go get grout sample sticks and put it all together the right one will pop.
Too much of the same color and it looks like a solid slab more contrast and the pattern pops

You could always take a picture/piece of your countertop to a fabricator and see if they know what it is. If there is a match, I would do a full granite backsplash. Looks nice, easy to clean, and since you don't have a lot of backsplash area it won't be overwhelming.

I like Lang and Company's idea if your granite wasn't already so busy. I'd try a solid colored quartz slab to match the granite. Try finding a manufacturer that makes 1cm or thinner to mount on walls.

You might also like the idea of a custom cut mirror as the back splash.