I like the subway idea better

Love what you selected yet I think with the granite choice and movement in it and colors I would opt for a neutral backsplash so your granite stand out as a focal point. We had similar choice and we opted for a neutral taupe/grey color classic subway tile since I loved my granite (wine river) and wanted that to stand out vs look to distracting overall. Also I think this is very transitional.

Yep, too busy! If you can do the glass tile in a single color it might be okay, but the main white on the tile in the photo is a bit greenish for the granite and doesn't go well, so not that one. :P

Agree with plain tile -- pick a tone from the stone (gray, taupe, etc.) that will harmonize there and give some contrast from the white cabinets.

Thank you all so much! We have decided not to go with that backsplash because of your helpful feedback. We'll plan to use a plain subway tile instead.

Thanks so much @Beth H. : that is so helpful to see different images with the same granite. I LOVE those options. Do you know the name of the subtle mosaic tile and the soft gray subway tile that you included?

the first plain tile is Shadebrick-light, and the 4x4 after that pic is CleTile, Weathered White Zellige tile. the other square is Cloe. they have a subway and have a white and a gry.

my own tile place had these

Tilebar.com has this light gray. Griffin tile. (go over there and get some samples. 5 for $5)

they have this one too called Enigma (although HD carries it under Ivy Hill)

The Linear Bar or Random Linear Bar mosaics,

that first one I posted is glass. you can see more of it here.

http://www.attstoneworks.com/News.php/archived/20150201/kitchen-countertop-in-alaskan-white-granite

it's random glass in white, silver and a very light lilac shade. I don't know where they found it.

similar one:

https://www.mineraltiles.com/random-glass-mosaic-tile-linear-branco/

They have like this at HD in natural stone.

This could work. DalTile stone decor Glacier marble

Try Discount Glass Tile Store. they have this one, and some other glass tiles

Build.com Emser line. Charisma

floor/decor. Dream. burnished bronze glass tile. this is a pretty color

Thanks again @Beth H. : I love those and will check out HD and Discount Tile store.

What are your thoughts on this alternate look, with Lyra quartz and White cabinets? Does the “off-white” Lyra quartz look horrible against white cabinets?

@Beth H. :

I don't think so. I like it together. But that tile! all the more reason not to do another shade of white in between the two. for me, that white backsplash is blah. looks like a white sheet. Perfect example of when to use a contrasting backsplash, or something w/a shape. They could have used a picket tile w/a slightly darker grout (like the earlier pic I posted w/your granite)

or something like this one in Dove Gray

or, they could have used a soft silver color tile to pick up the veining in the Lyra. anything but white subway tile and white grout!

here's the Encore Ceramics silver crackle

but I like this soft green/gray one too

Or the ivy hill Newport 2x10 tile in this color

I agree! I don’t love the backsplash in this look but I’m a fan of the counters. There’s so much white, it’s cold. Deciding between this quartz and white Delicatus granite is hard! The granite gives a warmer look but the quartz gives a clean look. Love the idea of a light gray picket tile in between.

@Beth H. : This backsplash might work in between. It’s a soft gray herringbone pattern

that one is pretty good. you have to pick the right gray tone and the right size.

love this one

I added a few pics up there. see what you think about The Encore Ceramics.

(they have some beautiful crackle glaze colors)

@Beth H. : wow! Encore Ceramics!! Thatbis gorgeous. Thank you so much for these ideas. I’m now looking up Encore Ceramics!

@Beth H. : Hi Beth! I’m back. We are now considering increasing our budget to get Calcutta Gold quartz. We looked at a few options for backsplash. What do you think about these?

1. Soft gray gloss subway tile

2. Linear Finesse (gray glass tile)

3. Herringbone Finesse (gray glass tile)

4. Not pictured - Picket Finesse (gray glass tile)

@Beth H. :

When making this decision myself, we went with the granite and the white subway tile. Some go with the white quartz and then they can have a busier back splash. I think they both look fine, it’s just personal preference.

@bkind37 Facing that exact decision! That's helpful. Thank you!! I like the look of the granite with the white subway tile or the white quartz with one of the gray gloss backsplashes.

We chose this - granite and white subway tile

I’m still very happy with my choice

@bkind37 that is GORGEOUS!!!

Thank you Brittani

I think I like that herringbone glass mosaic better than the linear bars or the regular subway tile.

That’s helpful! I’m having trouble envisioning the linear bars.

brittani, the solid color glass linear bar looks like this. has a bit of a modern look to it

this one is glass and a white marble

A thinner linear bar of white glass

have you ever seen these linear bar? it's like a tiffany glass.

called Baroque Linear bar mosaic. they come in all colors, but this white one is pretty

@pokerliz Thanks so much, Beth! The first picture was sooo helpful to see. We hate it. Now we know why you shouldn’t consider solid color linear tile. It’s just a sea of lines with no harmonizing of colors. Love the white and gray linear tiles. I also like the herringbone from the original photo. This helps me make the final decision. Thank you so much for all of your help!!