Does anyone prefer this? Believe it or not the counter is grey. Backsplash a bit more subtle

This is what we originally chose before I wanted white

Or the first picture countertop with veins and a plain gray subway tile?

Ellen those are different cabinets you posted with the brown grey counter. Where did this come from? Those arent as traditional as the ones you chose. What is your favorite component that you originally chose: backsplash, counter, or cabinets (your floor is fine)?

That picture is from a neighbors house we just met! Same backsplash as we picked. Want to keep our cabinets bcz they have soft close. The others don’t.

I like all you selections in the 1st photo but the backsplash. The gray is not complimentary to the other selections. If your builder has limited selection on backsplash forgo the backsplash and hire a contractor. I would guess a $1,000 would be enough for material and labor. I think a white back splash or a color would be nice.

Ditto what Susan said ^^

The problem is that you are trying to make two "marbles" work with each other and they don't. Do you like the backsplash or the counter top better? Unless you want people to think "what was she thinking" pick one of them and then let's work on choosing something different for the other one. Or continue to convince yourself that they work together and move on knowing what we all thought. After all you it's your kitchen and you need to do what makes you happy.

So we can all agree your selections are great —except the backsplash. So you should only be shopping/looking for a new backsplash.

Suggest not tying your cabinet choice to soft-close hardware-I believe that that can be a retrofit and free up other choices. For our house they were an upgrade on any cabinet. You might recheck with the design center. It is crazy to me that all choices are forced into such a short time period. And for us we couldn’t even preview what the choices actually were. Best wishes

I definitely think the colors in your original choices work better together! If you love the white/grey tho, keep either the countertop OR the backsplash. They don't look good together.

Thank you everybody! I agree that the backsplash and counter don’t work together. I have to say though they looked way better in person than the picture. BUT I like them both just not together. Seems the consensus is keep the counter and find new backsplash rather than the other way around, right?

Right

I agree. Keep counter and find a different backsplash. I like your choices otherwise.

ellen,,, it's better to get your countertop nailed down first. I don't know what the rush is w/the backsplash. why can't the cabs/countertop/flooring get installed first, and then you decide on the splash? a splash takes two days to do (usually) . what takes longer is special order tiles, Tiles from Fireclay or Encore Ceramics or something similar. otherwise, most tile can be had in a day to a week.

I agree that the marble in your post picture is very blue/gray. your flooring, cabs and countertop lean on the warmer side. If you did a bright white cab, and a bright white or blue/gray quartz, you could do that marble.

You can do a marble tile, it just has to be the right marble. Another poster on here went w/similar quartz countertop and did the linear bar marble in Calacatta (Tilebar.com Tuscany) I think it looks great

this marble has more white and warmer tones.

See the difference?

next to a silver gray quartz countertop. (I'm actually considering this for my own splash)

You are also considering this type of countertop. Here it is w/a marble chevron

and a blue/gray ceramic subway.

get the countertop choice down first. worry about the tile later. you can always move in and do it later.

The tile splash and quartz are fighting each other. Your countertop seems to have a cream undertone while the tile has a blue undertone.

Ellen- are you tied into a particular design center through the builder and the builder is limiting you to only certain choices? Have you asked him if you can wait til the cabinets are in? Some times the builders to make it easier on themselves tell the new home buyer that they HAVE to pick out everything in advance when actually you don't. Especially if he has limited you to only so many choices it means that it isn't a custom order and he should be able to get it the next day. I'd ask him if you haven't. Just whine enough to him that you can't make up your mind on all his wonderful tile choices and would like to wait.

I totally see what everyone is saying about the tones etc and the bright whites can creamier whites. Unfortunately the builder says we have to pick it all out now which is fine if I could make up my mind between the two. Grey or veiny white counter and white or blue gray backsplash. Thanks to you all! If anyone wants to throw in more pictures feel free!

so what countertop are you choosing?

will the builder let you pick whatever tile you want? If so, do you have pictures of tile that you like?

@Ellen Brennan Is a backsplash required to get a Certificate of Occupancy and close. If the answer is no, would the builder give you a credit for not doing a backsplash tile? If he would, do that and then after you close and move in you can take all the time you need and hire your own tile guy. Don't force yourself to make a hasty decision if you don't have to. You'll get some of the best backsplash advice on here from @Beth H. :

No credits for backsplashes. Have to pick now. I’m leaning towards the white counter with the veiny marble look.

ellen, can you pick any tile from any place? (or does he give you choices)

How long do you have to get the tile?

So basically you've already paid for the tile installation, and the builder won't let the tile guy come and do it at a later time?

have you looked a pictures of kitchens w/that type of quartz and seen any backsplashes you like?

Leaning towards Carrara marmi quartz counter

Beth H. I have to finalize all selections this Thursday. I can’t get a credit and I only have a selection of whatever the design center has, according to upgrade levels.

well then ask if you bring your own tile, and pay for it, can their tile guys use it. i'm sure it won't matter if they use theirs or yours.

If not, i'm sure they have a plain white tile of some sort? go w/that one.

Or, just tell them not to tile. i'm sure the credit isn't all that much anyway. then you can do it yourself after moving in

Or, see if they'll deduct the cost for paying someone to tile, and instead give you a better light fixture, or perhaps upgraded a tile in the bathroom.

I know it sounds like everyone is spending your money, but a back splash does not have to be done for a CO and if you put up one you don't like, it's a huge headache to replace it. A plain, painted wall will give you time to move in and then shop for whatever you want. In the end, you will be happier. The pressure they put on the buyers is only for their own convenience, believe me. Please think about this.

I will think about what everyone says. Thank you. But I’m thinking of the following counters (Im sorry I don’t know how to get pictures on here if not in my camera roll)

Calacutta classique
Carrara marmi

With either a light gray or white subway tile

MSI Calacatta Classique

MS Carrara Marmi

Marmi gets my vote.

How would you choose between calacatta classique or another one called calacatta laza when they’re almost exactly alike? What’s the difference between them? For the life of me I cannot tell!

Another question...if Ellen would get either of those, what kind of backsplash would make the kitchen NOT look so white and sterile? Would white subway tile be the way to go? (Sorry to butt in.)

With your white cabinets, either countertop will work. I prefer the Classique, but it’s not my house. Your backsplash could be a soft caramel or grey tile to pick up the veining and break up the “white-cabinets-White-backsplash” look. These are both nice countertops. What are the tile options for either of these choices? (And don’t go back to your original marble ones.)

Lol I won’t. Don’t know they’re called but I like the look. The middle ones color isn’t right but light grey to match veining

And I’m still keeping light brown flooring instead of gray for wRmer look. Would that be ok?

Classique and the Marmi

Beth H. I’m leaning towards the classique?

I like it. maybe take it up the back for your splash too

Actually don’t like that look. Liking a subway in white or silver gray

that's fine too.

I like this chevron w/honed marble

or any of these

similar countertop. this is Heath Ceramics in crystal blue. very nice

Ellen: what options do they offer to match that countertop? We know you’re limited by their design choices. Or are you going to go without a backsplash for now?

If you are using a design center, let control go a moment and ask their designer if she has suggestions for what goes with your cabinets. Often times they have worked with the same limited selections before and know what looks good together having seen the final product. We did that and are very happy with the result - it’s gorgeous and much better than what we could have done trying to pick it ourselves.

Good idea Sue! RedRyder I am going to get the backsplash. Today! Beth H those options you show don’t clash in any way with the classique type or even marmi?

Sue - excellent advice!

Here’s my final picks!!

LOVE it!

Much better!

Nice, looks great!

Did someone in the design department make the suggestion? Just curious.

I think the heavily veined marble is trendy and you will tire of it. I would go with the classic and do either a plain white subway tile backsplash, or take the suggestion of others and bring your own tile in later. There are so many fabulous tiles! Good luck, and this is just my (one person’s) opinion- but agree the current selection is better than the original... just not fabulous.