Hi eld6161, the countertop is called White Ice or Ice White, it has some black/dark gray pattern. I will try to post the Granite picture separately.

I forgot to mention, that looking for something that is easy to clean and maintain so that it doesn't add to the never-ending cleaning to-do list.

Looking at your close up shot of the countertop, you should be getting samples of cream, ivory and even light taupe tiles. Any of those might work. Tile Bar sends 5 samples for $5.

I agree with the above advice that an interesting shape in a solid color will give you an upscale look and won’t be too traditional-boring, but more “classic-interesting”. Nice kitchen so far!

Thank you everyone, we will get some samples and see how they go together. I will post the pictures with samples as well.

Does gloss vs beveled vs matte make significant difference in the look?

I'm more inclined on a subway tile in Herringbone pattern.

Should we go with contrasting grout ?

My personal choice would be to match the grout to the tile. Less busy.

Agree with @chloebud that a matching grout is s smoother, less busy look.

Make sure you have a very good tile person if you want a herringbone pattern. Matching grout also helps to mask some installation errors.

I would not do herringbone with that granite but a nice large format glass tile in a color from the stone with matching grout would be a nice touch then I would add some blue accents like a big bowl or blue toaster or mixer

Here is the first set of choices that we got home. Thoughts please!

(1) subway tile glass

(2) subway tile textured

(3) subway tile (thinking of adding the patterned tile above the cooktop)

(4) subway tile with patterned tile above cooktop

(5)

(6) picket shape

No patterned tile with that busy granite. I rather like #5.

I don’t think any of them really work except maybe the white subways and that is the safe way to go. How about something a bit darker to pick up the darker areas in your granite?

None of them really work IMO. I agree with the above poster who mentioned a plain white subway with a variation in size or texture (not patterned).

I would keep looking for an ivory/cream subway tile. Don’t like the tile with a pattern for your kitchen due to the busy-ness of the countertop.

I like #3 -- the light color gives some contrast with the cabinets as well as counter. (probably want to check the samples against the cabinets too.

I like the first glass tiles you shared

I think the glass tile is pretty but in a different color, some sort of cream would be nice . Or any tile in a solid light creamy color. I personally don't like any of the darker colored tiles pictured with your countertops.

I used this ivory color and matching grout to get a minimalist look as close as possible to matching my upper cabs (SW Ivory Lace) and stacked instead of staggered to get a bit of a more modern look. I like that it has texture and it's a little shiny.

The tile was from Lowe's and I think it was called Cashmere Linen. I just did this a few weeks ago so it should still be available if you like it. Granite is called Pergaminho and I thought it looked a little similar to yours.

I think a light cream coloured tile would be best and you are on the right track but haven't found the right colour tone yet. I agree with others... no patterned tiles with such a busy counter.

Thanks to all who shared their feedback. So I understand that the patterned tile in #3 and #4 is ruled out even though we only considered it for the center right above the cooktop.

what would look good there to make

it a focul point ?

Pictures would be really helpful.

We will continue to refine the colors.

heres a nice variation with white.....pick a shape. with "ligher cool tones" as your overall theme,

White Kitchen, Stained Island & Pantry with Bianco Antico Granite · More Info

a play on white might be the best...getting into off whites gets tricky and I dont think gray is as nice as this could be.

Rebekah gave you a great, solid suggestion that is probably at Lowe’s right now.

RedRyder - that was an ivory color she suggested. OP already stated that they want cool colors, not warm.

Left one is white and right is meringue. Which looks better ?

Place it upright on your counter. We also need to it with the cabinets.

The white looks a bit stark. The meringue is going in the right direction.

The cabinets are white shaker style. We are at a shop now. So do not have access to the cabinet.

How about the below glass tile ?

No to glass.

Bring home as many of the creamier whites as they will allow.

You are are trying to match lightest color of your granite.

Apologies for many posts.
We plan to do a different design above the cooktop. Does this blend well ?
Subway throughout with marble in the section between cooktop and exhaust.

no to that for the cooktop accent. with a busy granite, you want to keep the pattern/colors to a minimum.

don't like that wavy glass (and any white glass is going to look very cool, green-ish once installed)

the white or the creamy white tile is fine.

why not lay it out in a herringbone for the entire thing, including cooktop?

the picket shape is also nice.

what about the Harlequin style?

Tilebar has this under Nabi. (or, check Ivy Hill at HOme Depot or wayfair)

this is the natural white color. perfect. not too busy but gives u enough interest.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ivy-Hill-Tile-Delphi-Harlequin-Natural-White-13-in-x-16-in-Polished-Ceramic-Mosaic-Tile-1-41-sq-ft-Sheet-EXT3RD100270/315228563

similar granites. here are the accents if you must have one

I would want to see it with the cabinet color before I would choose. If they are a cool white, I would choose the whiter (cooler) tile.

We picked these 2 finally - Gray and Cream subway tiles with a marble accent for the hood area. Please suggest which one is better.

Gray tile is polished hence the reflection whereas Cream tile is matte.

Option 1 Gray
Option 2 Cream

Option 1:

Option 2: Cream

Together in a single picture

Please suggest the grout color as well if same color or contrast.

i like the subway and i would use same color grout no contrast

Not a pro, but I personally think the cream looks great (at least on my monitor). I don’t care for the accent tile with the granite - the business of each clashes with each other. What if you took the subway tile and did a different pattern above the range?

here's what the white would look like

and, while not gray, this shows what the darker tile would resemble

I actually really like this tile.

your granite w/a tumbled marble tile

Behind your stove, you have such a small area, that I don't think doing the accent is going to look very good.

this is about the same size as yours, right?

You can see how it looks w/all one tile, or w/an accent.

Normally the accents look better w/a wider space so that they can be bordered.

if you did a smaller tile size, or, found a matching mosaic to your tile, you could do something like this
I think this look would look better w/your granite.

if using the same tile, maybe this idea?

I think the plain white is too much white and like this gray one. No accent tile.

I would consider simple rectangular tiles to match the main color of your beautiful counter, and I would run it up to the upper cabinets.

I like the creamy colored ones better. And I also think the accent tile choice is too busy. It clashes with your countertop.

Perhaps you can use Beth’s idea of the same tile, but installed differently, under the hood (I.e. herringbone) with a border tile in white. The gray is very pretty but seeing them all together, the white /cream one works better.

No accent tile - WAYYYY too busy for that granite! And I actually prefer the gray tile.

Unfortunately I think at this point it's just a matter of preference. I see someone doesn't like the cream and others do. I personally love the cream w/ those countertops. Although I love your choice of accent tile for behind the cooktop I think that it looks too busy with your counbtertops.

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for all your suggestions and feedback. But we ended up using the same marble accent because of time constraint and other external dependency.

Here is the close to completion status -

What subway tile did you use?

Hi, I don’t know the name but it is from floor and decor.