Can you post a pic of the whole space?

I'm not in love. Try a simple subway tile in black. Or a tumbled travertine. Looks like cabs are traditional. Travertine is very traditional.

Tile you show has no contrast to walls. So is boring.

I think the tile is beautiful but agree with your concerns that it will be too busy with the granite. Because there is so much contrast with the lightest tile and darkest tile of the backsplash, it will make it busy looking with the granite. If you can find a similar tile, with less contrast it would be great. This type would look good, but I think you'd like SOME deviation and style on the backsplash.

Here you go, hope this pictures help.

Darzy, thanks for your suggestion! I agree with you and that's very close to what I'm looking for.

Very nice suggestion Darzy :) love that backsplash for xiomaragiselle's kitchen

Yes the pics are extremely helpful! The back splash as you know is a very important element in your kitchen design. Have you thought about using a faux /real metal? It would afford you a little pizazz without confronting your very busy granite counter tops and muted floors. Here is a great diy site but there are many vendors out there! http://backsplashideas.com/t/gallery-modern

I wouldn't recommend this particular orientation of the tile or color but you can play around with both the color and orientation and see what fits your perfect style!

How about stainless steel backsplash?

Found this pic

No, to Stainless in this room. I say, mount the tile! It will be fine...

I'm a fan of Darzy's suggestion. I think the variation in tile size and placement, but uniformity of color would be a particularly nice and tasteful solution for your kitchen. And it could be in any of the colors taken from your granite, from light to medium-dark, though personally I'd lean toward the lighter colors to contrast with your darker cabinetry.

How about a glass tile mural.. sparkly, and image is transferred onto the back of the optically clear glass tile

http://www.AliciatappDesigns.com

I wouldn't recommend the hammered or textured options because its too combative with the counters and the natural patterns that exist within the granite. If you commit to one bold piece such as the counters I really think the back splash should show case what you currently have. The tile recommendations are nice but it's a little bit, 'cookie cutter design' if you don't mind your home looking like a Lowe's show room. You really have the opportunity to show your personality through this one design choice.

My suggestion would be to look at natural stone, laid out in an "Anasazi " style. That is thin pieces stacked (similar to the glass tiles you show). It would be more neutral, but allow movement and contrast in a more elegant subtle way. Using the metal would be cool too, but if your appliances are stainless, it could be too much.

Hi Marj. I really like this backsplash. It is different from anything I have seen on Houzz. Can you tell me the specific name and size of squares, so I may research it and other colors? I would love to see more pictures of this kitchen when it is de-cluttered. it looks really well done. I know the backsplash you did is probably too "busy" for my specific search, but it gives me hope that there is something else to try. There are so many dramatic granites, that it seems everyone is confronted with the challenge of finding a complementary backsplash design. I think for the person, XIO, who posted this dilemma, this design would be gorgeous. The skinny glass tiles are fine and seem to look good with all counters, but they are just so done... time for something else maybe?

Subway tiles in white for a contrast in the otherwise standard designed kitchen. This would allow the other colors/surfaces to stand out. And, with this white tile, you can change kitchen accent colors most easily!

You could go for a smooth, uniform look by using large-format porcelain wall panels.
They come from a variety of makers, many of them from Italy. The panels themselves are quite thin but strong, and are easy to cut and fit.
You end up with much less grouting, and more smooth, cleanable surface without the distracting lines.
Daltile Slimlite panels are 3.5mm thick, and come in 20" x 39" or larger sizes, useful for backsplashes. Grout lines are 1/16" wide.

This is a photo of my new kitchen and it looks very similar. I would maybe do small subway tiles.

I used a polished travertine.

hand made tile will add a pop of color

It appears that your glass mosaic goes well with your granite. It is light enough in color that it won't look too busy and it will give sleek and contemporary feel to the room.

What is the color name of your granite? Colors in photos can be misleading sometimes.

You could turn it the other direction and install it vertically.

Here are a few more ideas.

Photo 1: Tile mosaics idea.
Photo 2: Tile mosaic idea.
Photo 3: Resin Panel from 3Form called Thatch. I have used these type of panels as backsplashes before. Another similar product is Lumicor. Go to each of their websites to see an array of choices.
Photo 4: Something different branching off from the typical subway look. I added a row of three 1x1 glass tiles in between 3x6 subway tiles. Amazingly it didn't look as busy as you would think. Especially if this was done with tone on tone, a more monochromatic look.

If you don't want something too busy choose something that is all one color and/or a larger tile.

I like Diana Helena Designs' suggestion. Also the lighting for the countertops in the pic she attached. As for the backsplash, something textured

A larger size subway tile in an creamy beige

Here is my painted kitchen that looks very similar. You have great taste ;)

Your kitchen is similar to another dilemma, posted by amandaala, take a look at the comments on her post. I would keep it simple, to offset the texture of the granite. Larger format, clean, crisp lines, will go nicely with your style.

I agree with Darzy and Feeny. Just wondering, does your floor tile come in any other sizes? If the granite and floor look great together, using the same tile as backsplash is another possibility. From what I can see in the pictures, they look pretty good together.

LkDrew,
Here is a link to the finished kitchen with 13" squares of Titanium Negro, accented with copper colored metal.
http://www.trulia.com/property/3100739980-7216-Braemar-Ln-Woodbury-MN-55125#photo-5
(I dont have these photos on the ipad so not sure how else to load)

I used glass subway tile and I love it.

I agree with the large panels- let the countertops be the main attraction. I'd go with clear or architectural glass.

House 2514 I love your pick of the polished tiles! Back splash looks great and will stay timeless but have you considered a different color for the walls? I like your rug a lot maybe you can pick a color from there?

@glasstilestore do you sell that textured thassos? I used thassos in beveled subway for my backsplash. Love the polish, consistency and texture with a nod to the traditional.

Pic just doesn't capture the full beauty of the natural stone.

My kitchen is almost identical to yours. I recently saw some postings on houzz for bronze colored mirror backsplashes. Posting off my phone so i don't know how to attach. Have seem with veining and plain. If you have lights under the cabinets, it doubles the light. Because my countertops have so much movement in the granite, i needed to stay away from multicolored tile, but the single color looked too drab. Quite the quandry!! The bronze mirrors; which i would recommend you get full sheets of mirror cut to size...... good luck. Please post your finished " After" fotos.

Haven't read all comments, so if repeating, I am sorry. I try and pick up a warm color from the granite. Love the look from Diane Helens Design. Gives a warm homey feel, not cold and sterile.

To add to Lourdes comment, you could also go with smoke since you have black cabinetry. You can use colored glass rather than mirror if you're concerned about reflectiveness, but with deep colored mirror it's not much of an issue.

You are getting many different opinions. I would share a thought: We find that our clients, who consider many different options, usually go back to the first thing they really like, or something very similar. That being said, mosaics are a great backsplash choice. You may consider a glass/stone mosaic mix, which would help mellow the glass a bit. It doesn't say contemporary or traditional. Here are a few more ideas:

Thank you everybody for your ideas! It has been really helpful. I've been doing research on some of your suggestions in the meantime. I don't seem to find the right glass tile color though, all of them have turned out to be "greenish" or grayish. Please take a look to the metal tile below, got this idea from @Diana Helen Designs!

The brushed looks nice and very modern

We agonized over our backsplash tile too and finally settled on a beige travertine subway tile that complements, but doesn't overpower the granite. We like it a lot. I think a cream colored ceramic subway tile would look good too (that's what I wanted to go with but my husband preferred the travertine). Good luck with your decision!

Just love when I look something up on Google and Houzz comes up, just a comment.

We used pearl and cream penny rounds that have some sparkle...

xiomaragiselle, I like your metal tile sample very much!!!!

I like the metal too!

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