I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it. You have a lovely countertop, that I'm sure you paid plenty of money for. Let it be the star of your kitchen. Use a solid color tile, subway shape, in either white or maybe a pale gray glass. Classic is your best choice with all the other classic elements you have chosen.

Classic patterns

I think all white but with texture would look nice in your kitchen
http://houzz.com/photos/2217611

Thank you for all the suggestions. This Tuesday I will go shopping for some tiles and will post pictures.

Here are some samples of the tiles I picked up. The only one I somewhat like is the pure white but it doesn't go with my cabinets as my cabinetry is painted with cloud white cc40 from BM.

If you like the simplicity of a white subway tile, I would consider doing a beveled tile.
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/tile-size-dsvw-vd~423756

I love something like the tile in the "New Canaan" picture above. I agree with the others that white textured is the way to go for your kitchen.

You need a backsplash material that has depth and tone variations serving to blend the whites in your cabinets and tones in your countertop. You can get this effect with more of a 3 dimensional tile (beveled edges, pillowed, embossed), a custom glazed tile, a polished material with color movement or mosaic pattern.

Look at the following links to get an idea as to what I am saying. Although these quality lines are pricey the concepts remain the same when looking at other products.

http://issuu.com/newravennamosaics/docs/studio_line
http://www.annsacks.com/onlinecatalog/program.jsp?cat=268004&coll=268204&prg=1279104

The white textured backsplashes look beautiful, but I have to wonder if they would be difficult to keep clean? If it's not kept sparkling clean, it will detract rather than enhance.

I'm going to diverge from all the "keep it white and light" voices here...to me, there is so much white already, and even your floors are light. I also agree that the countertops are gorgeous and should be the star of your kitchen. soooo, slap me silly, but I'd like to see something dark and inky as the backsplash.

I like the idea of white ceramic subway tile but with a darker grout, maybe a charcoal or pewter color, to bring out the gray in your countertops?

Something like this...

http://www.google.com/search?q=white+subway+tile+with+gray+grout&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.51495398,d.aWM&biw=1239&bih=585&sns=1&wrapid=tljp1378236311172023&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=ojcmUonyDtDsqQG76IDYCQ

We just put a stainless backsplash in our new kitchen and I'm liking it very much... Ours is only behind the range but it is subway tile size and could be used anywhere.

you could install larger pieces of tile instead of the standard small subway size. I do agree that textured would look very nice. I like some of the designs that Scott Design suggested (I typed Scoot by mistake :))

Obviously, everybody has an opinion! In mine, the very best advice you have received came from your first response: Simple+ White+ (3 x 6 or 3 x 5) Subway = Classic. and Beautiful. Don't worry if the whites don't match perfectly.

Porcelanosa offers a beautiful mosaico carrara blanco..it would add texture and blend well with ctop and cabinets without washing out.

I didn't have any challenges with the kitchen until this point. I guess tomorrow I will be shopping for tiles again.

You may want to consider metal backsplash. It will look great with your stainless steel appliances and naturally keep your kitchen shining! I would be hesitant to go with stainless steel tiles/backsplash just because it may be a bit overwhelming but if this suits your taste, then by all means have at it!

White penny tile? My sister-in-law just did that in her house with the same color scheme/granite as you. Looks beautiful.

Another idea - there was a post on houzz recently showing a dark gray glass subway tile and it looked amazing..let me see if I can find it.

Here it is! Look at this...beautiful.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/the-simple-elegance-of-grey-dsvw-vd~627610

Matching the whites might get a little tricky. I would look into pulling some of those gray stones out of the granite. Try a Carrera. If you want to keep it simple head in the direction of a beveled tile, but if you want to add some texture try a hex or penny round.

How about white arabesque tile and dark wall color for contrast.
http://houzz.com/photos/59396

What do you guys think of these tiles? My favourite so far is #1.

I agree, the tones in #1 appear to be the most cohesive with the counter. #2 is okay too, but a little heavy on the sand tones in relation to the counter. The last one looks too blue or "cool toned" if you know what I mean - at least in the photo.

It is a tough call between 1 and 2 - in these photos I am seeing more tan tones in the counter than I previously noticed which is actually making me lean towards 2. It could just be me or my monitor.
What is the stone in 2? Is it a mix of marble and limestone?

Think the stone all over will compete with the counters...hard when just looking at a sample. How about a solid glass backsplash reverse painted with cloud white? Won't have to worry about grout lines or clashing with cabinets. Also easy to keep clean and will reflect both light and counters.

lizzzzzz I agree, #1 if the cabinets are all white. I think that if you have other items in your kitchen that are attention grabbers, then you can go with #3. White is very subtle so it would be best you added some zest to make it exciting! You are on the right track! Hope this helps =D

Hi Lizzz, #1 is a better fit, with just enough pattern and depth, but not competing with the beautiful counters like #3. Otherwise, I agree with Judy or Sam, to go with classic white in a medium size, with some texture. This way, any color you go with for accessories will be noticed but not look too busy! Good luck-it will be beautiful!

My granite has a lot of creams, beige & taupe . Tile #1 is very light and it has movement so it doesn't feel flat and boring like the subway tiles from earlier this week.
Tile #2 is marble and has a lot of beige and taupe in it. I do not want my backsplash to compete with the counters.
Tile #3 is beautiful but the colours in it are just too grey and almost blue. I don't think it goes at all with my kitchen.
I'm attaching close ups of the tiles.

I'm attaching photos with the backsplash tile in our bar area which is stained dark brown just like the island.

Yep, you were right with your first choice...#1.

Seeing these second photos #2 does look a bit too brown, so agree out of these choices 1 is best.
(Do you completely hate the suggestions of a white tile with some texture/3D aspect to it - I still think worth a try to hold it up there and see :)

The stone tiles you picked out are gorgeous, but I think I would go with a material other than stone (such as glass, or porcelain). It will contrast more with your granite and give you more of a "pop". And I definitely agree with the earlier suggestions of getting a tile with a beveled edge, rather than a flat tile (Sam0507 and Jenny Youngblood had great examples). And I don't think you can go wrong if you want to go with a white backsplash, because you can always add color elsewhere in your kitchen (accessories, etc.). White is classic.

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Your kitchen looks really transitional in style with both some traditional and modern influences. I would suggest using a backpainted tempered glass for the backsplash. You would have no grout to clean and you could just wipe it off with some windex or water and soap. You can choose any colour to be painted on the back of the glass to go with your existing countertop and cabinet colour. Any glass supplier should be able to give you a quote for measure, supply and install.

Sam0705, originally I wanted simple white subway tile but it just seemed so plain when i brought it home, or i haven't found the perfect one yet. I will do more searching tomorrow.

I think Judy M nailed it!!!! it even looks like your countertop in that picture.

While #1 is the best option of the second set of choices, I feel it is still a little blah, which is why I think you are doing more searching. Don't give up- as you have the potential for something stunning with the materials you have in place. I think with your white cabinets, textured backsplash is still going to be the way to go- but I will caution you your electrician will the have to move your electrical to under counter because your plates will not be able to set flush against a textured BS. If that electrical change isn't possible, try a black and white sample - I think you will be surprised.

Love your #1 choice. Subtle and doesn't compete with granite

Black subway, with light gray grout.

I do like the herringbone that Scott posted above. Very nice.

I would not go white. No contrast to cabinets. Stainless would work too. Keep simple. So it won't look too busy.

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