If you are judging your tile colors under the window like your photos, I think the glare from the outside light will make it harder to judge. I would try putting the tile on the wall to the right. Now that you are narrowing down to a few choices, see if you can get larger samples (like a sample board with the tile mounted about 2x2) to see better, including how much color variation will be normal in the tile. People here have commented on how different the tile looked in a large application compared to just a few pieces.

prefer the tile shop carrara. Im using the first pic where they are propped up near the window. the comment about "doesnt work with the counter" doesnt ring true when I look at everything...but anyway I like it because I think its a much better look than gray. its a good looking tile.

I would insert color .....[1st pic] As to current differing opinions ....I wouldnt agree to gray tile and would put out offer of [white /simple]..as in 2nd pic as a middle of the road solution.

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Interesting how different monitors see the color. When I said I like the second and third is because it is reading green not gray. I’m personally not a fan of gray as I think it willLl date the room. The exception is gray marble tile which is timeless. With the marble I wonder if it will stain like marble countertops do.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I should clarifiy a couple of things. The concern on the Hamptom Carrara is that it doesn't add much color, although the variations are great. It livens up the space a little. We're also concerned about staining behind the stove, but read it'll be fine once sealed (based on other forum threads on the issue). The AdexUSA Habitat "Leaf" color should be a light green. The website photo and under the showrooms floresecent lighting it looks really nice. But in our kitchen it very surprisigly loses it's color and can appear very gray as shown in the picture I posted. I have placed the tile in various places in the kitchen and looked at it at various times of day. Never looks like the website or showroom. Not sure why such a large variation in color. Suspect it'll look better once it's totally installed with white sandless grout, but the unknown is concerning.

BTW: When you enter our home (front door) your immediate view is directly through the opened wall to the kitchen to the large picture window shown in the photo. You're drawn to the kitchen window view, so the backsplash will have an important impact on more than just the kitchen.

FYI - The Hampton Carrara is actually not Carrara marble - it’s from China, The website lists China as place of origin - some true Carrara is manufactured in China which is different (example, some mosaics are Carrara - but cut and adhered to sheets in China).

For the price, I’d be looking for an actual Carrara tile - even F&D has some true Italian Carrara (a friend has it installed) - and it cost less - and she could return extra pieces.

I have Italian Carrara marble tile - and it looks very different than the Hampton Carrara - which is why I looked up the origin. It was a little more expensive than the Hampton matble from The Tile Shop - but it’s also genuine Carrrara - and a high grade. Looks less white in photo bc taken at night under lights with a bit of warmth.

(photo was from when I was culling out pieces prior to install - the veining/pieces I liked the best had already been pulled for install - I was deciding on what to install out of these pieces - my friend’s marble from F&D had some nice pieces - but they have a more gray background + had some awful pieces thrown in with it that could not be used - but it was about $12 sf = understandable).

I didn’t have green veins or any yellowish ones.

I’m just pointing this out because I think it’s fraudulent to label marble as ”Carrara” unless it’s genuine Carrara from Italy.

I’ve actually also seen a couple kitchens with marble from HD (also from China) - looked nice - but they had to sort through A LOT of boxes of marble in order to find enough pieces that could be installed. It cost a lot less than the marble from The Tile Shop.

One of the issues with selecting tile is the sample size is small. A full wall gives a better idea of color. Any change you can get one of the large sample boards from the tile store to bring home. I’ve found them to be helpful as it usually fits between cabinet upper and counter. You might need to turn it on the side but the point is to check color not necessarily layout

Keep at it and all the best

Also, if you’re looking at tiles with high variation in color, you really need to have a box in order to see what the final result will be. There have been people on here who were surprised by how much the variation showed once walls of tiles had been installed.

Bedrosian Cloe has some pretty rectangular tiles with variation - I have the White and Baby Blue (both are actually made by Equipe - the ”Baby Blue” is called ”Aqua” - a more accurate description).

Very pretty tiles - Equipe makes them for several different retailers (various sizes/shapes/styles/matte vs. glossy/some with less color variation/etc.) - these are Equipe Artisan Aqua = Bedrosian Baby Blue). These tiles appear glossier in photo than they look in person.

Hi MN Home,

I was wondering if you chose the Adex Habitat Leaf and how it came out. I am looking to use it as well. What color grout did you go with? Do you have an updated pic to share, Thanks.

https://adexusa.com/series/habitat/?subserie=Leaf%20Glossy#lg=1&slide=0

here is a better pic of the Adex Habitat Glossy Leaf