The backsplash in your old kitchen is beautiful, I can see why you liked it. Take a piece of your new counter top to a tile store and see if something catches your eye that is similar to your old one with colors that match the new counter top. If you make an appointment at the tile store then someone will help you and perhaps pull in choices you wouldn't have thought of. It is fun to get opinions of others that work in that industry. They see a lot of choices.

I like the deluxe in Alexandria or the Bliss Spa. My only concern is that most of those tiles are paired with lighter whitish counter. I am hoping they would go with the goldish color in the granite? I definitely have to make it to the tile store but they generally give me ideas that aren't my favorite. I think they are used to the very traditional style that most of the people in my area want. I like more transitional feel.

then try another store -- also, you don't need to depend on their opinions. Take a sample of your counter with you and figure out what you like. I love something like the Bliss Spa tile from above. I am sure there are lots of cool options. Take your time and find something you love.

Another question... we had the Vihara tile in Jade, but was wondering if maybe the metta would go since it had more brown tones in it?

http://www.sonomatilemakers.com/LineList.aspx?prod-line-id=13&line-list-id=45&IsLineList=True

The problem with picking another tile store is that this place has gorgeous tiles that I haven't found anywhere else. I know I can pick tiles I love... it's just not knowing what goes with granite that is so busy without the backsplash being boring! Plus I didn't pick this granite, so I don't have a sample. It was just in our house when we bought it.

Also, where would you stop tiling around the stove hood?

Since you are going to remove the 4" backsplash anyway, why don't you do it now and take a piece with you to the store. Or, if that is too drastic, (too soon) then get samples from the store so you can pair the backsplash with the granite in your home to see it in the actual room. The tile store should be very happy to give you or sell you a decent sized sample to work with

As to the tile around the hood, go all the way up to just under the cabinet molding IMHO.

Personally I would avoid anything with too fine of a texture since it would clash with the texture of the granite.

It looks like there are some garnet flecks in the granite so you could probably do a rich burgundy glass tile. It would definitely add life to the kitchen and would go well with the warm hue of the cabinets too. (Though it wouldn't necessarily go with your grey, blue, or green theme.)

I think the burgundy would be nice with the granite, but I have found that I tire easily of anything red in nature. So I stick with my love of blues and greens haha. I wish I could replace the counters, but I know that isn't in our budget with needing new blinds, landscape, sod and everything else.

Another thought, what if I did a solid color near the granite then had a transition piece (like the pencil tile in my last kitchen) and finished with a more colorful tile on top? Would this help offset the tile with color enough from the granite? Or would that look out dated?

Perhaps a more neutral glass tile that will go with the splash of color on the walls you choose. A grey or khaki? Let us know if we can help by getting you a few samples to compare.

I was thinking subway tile. I think the glass is attractive, but if I did it, I would just use the regular pottery tile, in an off white-and the reason for that is that subway tile is a design that has stood the test of time, and probably won't look "dated," whereas the glass tile-while attractive and very "in" right now, might be considered "dated" in a few years. Having said that, if this is going to be your home for a good while, then you should put in what you like. I just know that lots of people do move quite a bit, and so they want to take into consideration what another person down the road might think about what they put in the kitchen or other spaces.
If you did the subway tile in a neutral, then you could paint your wall and accessorize in the colors you like.

We love our house and took us a few years to find 'the one', so I'm not too concerned about resale. Most of our furniture etc are good basics that stand the test of time, so I am really looking to have some fun and color... something that makes me smile when I walk into the room! I just love the glass tile backsplash but am overwhelmed with options. I went to the tile shop and I'm still unsure.

I have attached a photo of some options. Unfortunately, the vihara sample are very small and thin so the true color doesn't show. The one to the right is the same as my old kitchen in the original attached photo. I was thinking neutral tile below with a brown pencil tile like in my previous kitchen with the vihara on top? Would that work???

Hi,
A quick note about our experience: Brigitte and I consistently design between 70-90 kitchens/year (for over 34 years) and have designed thousands of kitchens.....We also design full structural including below-grade foundation plans.....We have 2 Chicagoland locations and a Michigan location which cover the Wisconsin to Indiana borders, N.W. Indiana and S.W. Michigan.....Anyway, we have a whole "board" showing backsplashes on many of our kitchens.....Quite a few of them are with a darker cabinetry like yours.....Take a peek here: http://www.pinterest.com/windycityjohn/kitchen-backsplashes/.....Hope this helps a bit.....John & Brigitte

Hi, moniqu17,
I'm not a pro, but I really do think that the granite you have has such a "busy" pattern that if you add the multi-colored, mosaic-type tiles that they just won't mesh.
I was trying to figure out a way to describe something that I tried to visualize, and-lo and behold, someone on another thread posted a photo from a site that looked a great deal like what I was thinking about.
Here is the link to the site.
http://www.subwaytileoutlet.com/gallery/Khaki-and-Champagne-Glass-Subway-Tile-Kitchen-Backsplash.html#prettyPhoto/0/
This backsplash idea incorporates the idea you said you used earlier with the darker row of tiles. This one has the darker tile against the counter, then the lighter tile, and then another row of the darker ones. I think it's a very attractive pattern, and it compliments the counter instead of clashing with it. These are glass tiles, and they are the regular sized subway tiles. However, they do come in the "mini" size. By the way, its only a coincidence that this is the same company that posted earlier-I'm just posting the image for the pattern shown, not to promote the company.
Having said all this, you seem to really like that mosaic type, so perhaps you could invert the idea I mentioned above, and have two large rows of the neutral tile, and a very narrow row of the mosaic type in the center. The one I think matches your counter the best, of the samples you posted, was the first one that had the most "white" in it. If it was only a small "dose" then it probably wouldn't clash with the counter, but give the wall the "pop" that you may be looking for.
Anyway, just some ideas for you to consider.

I have to say that the granite pattern is very small and consistent, not busy. It looks like a solid color from a distance and that is what will compliment the tiles. You can do something bold. Go to big design store and spend some time looking at different ideas. Don't rush into the first thing.

Moniqu17, I agree with the solid color, light subway tile suggestions above. You created a beautiful backsplash in your old kitchen. The difference is that your cabinets were very neutral and the space was desperate for color. In contrast your new cabinets are very dark, strong, and heavy. No need to jazz up this space like you did the old one. I often see people overdue it with the splash. Keep it light clean and strong.

I finally got a granite sample that I can take to the tile store. I'm just having a very hard time because I have the dark cabinets, dark counter, and dark brown hardwood. I really love bright colors and this kitchen is so boring! I feel like I need to pump life into it and I can't go bold walls because it is semi open concept and shares a very large wall with the living room. I do sort of like the light blue glass tile shown above but I think I would get bored of it and would want to change it out when I got bored.

Also, I live in MI so it feels gloomy a lot of the year so that's why I like brighter colors to cheer me up :)

I think the first tile subway tile outlet suggested is perfect with your granite and cabinets and it would go with a blue or grey wall color

I'd love to see this as your backsplash!

I went back to the tile store today and found these two samples that I liked. I really like the one with the shimmery tile on top with the plain tile near the granite. Would 3 to 6 inches of the plain stone next to the granite be enough buffer for the iridescent tile on top?

Try looking at it with a large enough sample on top of your granite. That small piece of granite won't give you enough of an idea of how it will look when it is finished. It is a good idea to have the solid buffer between the granite and the iridescent tile, but I think you should see it with a larger sample to know how it looks in your kitchen so bring a large sample home and look at it on your granite.

I wish I could get a larger sample! The store only gives out tiny little samples of tile which makes it so hard! This is the only tile store I can find in the area with this specific tile brand too.

Isn't this the granite you have installed in your kitchen now? If so, buy a larger tile sample of your planned backsplash. It will give you a much better idea. I'm sure they will sell you a larger sample:)

Yeah, we can do that but it won't be cheap... probably $80 for half this size sample. That's what we would definitely do before ordering for the whole project. I'd just like to narrow it down first and make sure that it's a reasonable choice before investing too much money. My husband says I have expensive taste, but I want to love my kitchen for a long time!

As someone once told me, never apologize for good taste. Monique I like both of your choices. And I agree with the others on bringing a bigger piece home so you can live with it in all light day and night. Perhaps you can make a deal with a tile shop to sell you the samples, and refund you the samples you don't install, with the caveat you order the tile you want to install from them.

Why don't you take a camera with you, and take a picture of the combination of tiles you want on the backsplash? Then, enlarge the photo-maybe you can take it to some place that would enlarge it enough that you could place it on the counter and against the wall where the backsplash would go. Then, observe it for a few days and see if you like it. This is probably as close as you can come to seeing the effect without actually having it installed. However, I still think that two neutral rows of tile, with a narrower row of the patterned tile in the middle, would fit with the pattern of the granite. As for color, you could always have colorful accessories or cookware to give the space some "pop." They can be changed very easily, if the mood strikes you that you want something else.

I did a lot of searching online and found only the one tile store in my area carries the tile brand I love so it makes things a bit harder to find another shop that will sell me a sample and couldn't find anywhere online! I did try to photoshop the tile into my kitchen but that didn't work out so well. But I never thought of printing out a picture... I'll try it!

Lucindalane - I am still thinking about having the neutral rows of tile on the bottom and top as you suggested. I think it looks different in the photo (and the sample is iridescent) but the larger mosaic in the photo is the whiter version that you said might look best. It's made of 70% recycled material (which I love) so the color varies some. I eventually want to install a roman shade in a fun fabric, but I keep my counters pretty clear so my main pop of color usually comes from my backsplash. If I have neutral tile on top and bottom, what size strip of mosaic tile can I get away with? I saw a sample with a larger 6"... would that be too much?

moniqu17,
Sorry I took so long to make a comment-I let my e-mail pile up, and it got pushed way down the line.
It's kind of hard to say how big the mosaic row should be, but it should be small enough, IMO, that it gives the back splash that little extra "kick" but still doesn't fight with the counter's pattern. The two neutral rows should be larger. I don't know how high the back splash area is, but if the mosaic is six inches, then the other two rows should be somewhat wider, I think.
I hope the photo idea works for you.
As for the shade, I think it's going to be far enough removed from the counter where it will be more in the visual area of your cabinets and wall, so maybe you can get really creative and have a lively print to spice things up.
I will be looking forward to seeing what you decide on, so please post when you make your decision. It'll be cool to see what you decide on. :)

I didn't realize that I had the perfect photo already in my ideabook. Here is a large expanse of lighter subway tile, with the smaller row or mosaic. I think this would work with your granite, as I believe it would be enough space between the patterns.
https://www.houzz.com/photos/1920-colonial-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-portland-phvw-vp~681331

Use glass. You can have it tinted any colour you like and it is so easy to keep clean.

With your counter tops, I like the khaki glass subway tiles (Subway Tile Outlet) or white or cream subway tiles. You could do a row of mosaic or glass mosaic tiles (lucindalane) with either one. I would run the subway tile up to the bottom of the hood vent for easier cleaning. You could put a second row of mosaic tiles under the hood vent between the cabinets. You can always paint the walls & use accessories for a pop of color. That is much easier to change than your backsplash if you get tired of it.

I do not mean glass tiles. I mean one piece of glass so no joins to collect dirt. I have glass in my kitchen and it is fabulous. I live in Australia.

Yes a blue or green glass tile is the way to go.

Thanks lucindalan and everyone for helping me as well as posting the photo of the back splash! I've found another tile store I think I might like but only being able to get there on a Saturday makes it tough. I was thinking of ordering a light blue or grey glass subway tile sample too. I sort of like the one in the Subway Tile Outlet photo. I love Houzz for all the inspiration photos and suggestions!

Glass tiles are nice however they are the current trend. I always lean towards a more timeless look like a nice carrera marble or gray polished marble. That is a look that has alway stood the test of time and would really compliment the light colored granite. I wish I had a picture to put up but my external drive is down...

My sisters granit looks exactly like your granite and she put a neutral tan subway tile that had a slight iridescence to it. It is gorgeous!!! Her cabinets are also dark like yours:) Good luck.

These tiles are like subway tiles but a morrocan shape. They were gorgeous in person. Also you could use a subway tile but then add an accent of the glass tiles in with the subway tiles you love above the stove top as some architectural interest. I hope these pics help you in you search:)

I wish I could do a marble back splash but my granite has beige in it with maybe a small amount of gold. I do love the look of the attached kitchen with iridescence tiles, but was wondering if it would look ok in mine? I also like the glass tile in the second photo but I think my granite might be too busy for it? And I've seen the morrocan tiles in person and love them, but my husband doesn't really like them so we are trying to find something we both like.

Try Calm beige glass backsplash from home depot ...I just redid my kitchen and have similar colored cabinets and granite. It looks awesome

There are lots of great glass and stone tile blends that you could use with your granite. If you would like to try a glass tile that that is not a linear blend like the attached I would recommend a geometric glass mosaic or a simple 4x 8 subway tile available in beautiful gray blues. You could easily order online just search blue gray glass tile and open the images.

I recommend carrying the same stone up behind the stove, and then drawing on the suggestions above to select a general backsplash approach. However beautiful it can be to carry the backsplash tiles across and behind the range, the fact is that any serious cooking will have an effect on the grout. If you are certain you will be on top of that, no worries. Most people, truly, are not honest with themselves about how much work it is to prevent grease buildup on grout. A stone facing will wipe clean (and can be broken up with the tiles as well, for a lighter effect. Good luck!

How about stainless steel under the range hood and wainscoting from the Granite piece to the bottom of the cabinets. It is so easy to work with and looks awesome

I agree with Garden Oaks but more granite will look too heavy. The glass panels solve that problem and are so easy to clean. Stainless steel has the same efect as glass but is inclined to show every little splash. My vote is for glass panel.

Yes, glass is a good idea (though I think that given the existing 4" granite, carrying it up can work and save on leaving the rest).

I think this would work with your dark cabinets too.........it brings the stainless, granite and cabinet color together

I love the idea of a blue or green glass tile. It will help incorporate some color to a very neutral kitchen and work well with the existing countertops! Best of luck!

I vote for Cynthia Murphy's suggestions............

What I don't understand is why are you getting rid of the current backsplash? Why not leave the granite and add your new tile on top of it?

I think what would be the smartest thing for you to do, is go to home depot or somewhere, buy a $10 can of paint or one of the sample sizes of paint and paint the wall that's bare under your cabinets down to the granite.....live with the color that you "think" you want for a week and see what you think. If you pick one of your blues/greens that you want and then end up not liking it quite so much, then maybe a very clean neutral color that is simple would work better in this area. You can add blues and greens into other elements in your kitchen that are not permanent.

Look at your canisters you have right now on the counter...change them to blue. Do a blue/green window treatment! Heck, Paint the bottom of your island the blue or green color you like to add your pop of color! So many other things that you can do to bring in some fun and life to the kitchen besides the backsplash!!!

p.s. don't look at my profile pic.....lol!

Just for a completely different idea, have you ever thought of turning your backsplash into a place that you can organize and show off your stuff?

http://www.houzz.com/projects/59798/Linero-Backsplash

Very cool! I feel it would work good in a modern loft space!

We see it used typically on backsplashes. It's designed to fit in the standard backsplash gap between the counters and the walls. The accessories just lift in and out, and can be slid around if you need.

Sooooo what did you go with. I have the same granite and am looking for idea's. please show a picture. thanks