The first sample you have is way nicer! really blends with counters great choice! Throw the others away

Do I want it to blend with the counters or stand out?

I'm concerned the all glass will read too green when installed / hit by light. I like the first sideways pic that looks like it's thin stone.

I will take a picture of it in the sunlight. I definitely don't want the glass looking green. I will take another pic in the sunlight and posit it.
Is the problem with thin stone that it will break easily?

Shouldn't be a problem with breakage...it's designed to be used this way :)

If you have your heart set on the linear tiles I would suggest something light and monochromatic - both of these feel too busy and dark to me. I love your granite but to me the first one especially takes away from it.

I agree with Kelli Richards Design and Sam0705 above; I would choose something with a little less colour variation in the tile.

The countertop is so beautiful but the backsplash is so busy.. Keep it simple with maybe just some marbelized lines running thru it.. if you want decorative tiles then get tiles with more texture not color pops Maybe More squarish tiles

I agree with some of the earlier comments. Your counter is nice with some dark colors. You wouldn't want to make it too busy with putting a backsplash with lots of colors. If your heart is set on the ones you posted, I would recommend the first one. Another option to consider is to add a solid color backsplash with a border.

i will go back and buy some monochromatic tile. What color suggestions. My cabinets are brownish red as you can see in the picture. Beige? light blue? gray?

Love counters, but would consider subway tiles or calm stone tiles (3 x 6) in a neutral color with a darker grout.

Great! Beige would be too boring, light blue would definitely work! I wouldn't go with grey...I think you need some colour. Go with either something green or blue :)

Go with the longer skinny ones with the mixture of light and dark. It is the best to complement the granite. If you do light larger tiles and dark grout, it will compete with your granite. Go with what you like. After all you are the one who will look at it every day, not us.

I think this is the perfect place for subway tiles in white. They come in lots of sizes but go for the larger ones so there are fewer grout lines and the look will be less busy. Your countertops are fabulous and don't need anything to embellish them. Let your backsplash be ultra quiet and purely functional as well as easily maintained. Your kitchen will look classically beautiful for years to come. The tiles you've shown are very trendy (and busy).

Your choices match but they're going to be very busy with the counters. I maybe the only person on the planet that thinks a backsplash isn't always necessary. Where will it end around the windows and at the edge of the cabinets when the counter stops but the wall extends on?--think about this before you start the project. Really love your granite don't do a BS that will fight with it.

Hi johannahaftel,

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, way too much with the tops.....Don't want to look like we're in Disneyworld!!.....Take a look at our Pinterest Board ( http://www.pinterest.com/windycityjohn/kitchen-backsplashes/).....It shows about 40 kitchens, most of which we've used glass tiles on like you've pictured.....Some are full height and some are just 3 rows flanked by porcelain tiles of various sizes/patterns.....If you're spending the $$ for glass, be sure you have undercabinet lighting to really make them pop.....We only use LED's on dimmers.....Hafele has the best.....Hope this helps a bit.....John & Brigitte

I'm seeing a black backsplash. That first one is far to "busy", with the countertop being a busy pattern alresdy. Don't use both because they'll battling.

sorry. I meant to comment :) just some ideas while browsing on Houzz.

IMO, those are too busy for your granite. I would go with a 2 x 12 or 3 x 12 glass, white/ivory glass tile.

A colorful roman shade would look nice too.

Either soothing non contrasting colors or something special, a fun shaped tile for example.

I was leaning towards matching until I found this tile. It has blue tile in it and it really looks good with he granite . I was really nervous about it.

Asking for opinions? I think there is enough "movement" going on the the patterned countertop. Look for something with less pattern in this food prep area. I would be concerned that this tile will date your kitchen very quickly. It's your space--if you love the contrast and lots of it--go for it and enjoy it.

I like your second choice best

Now that most of the cabinets are in here is the bigger picture

Too busy to me.

Pics are hard..it's about personal choice. I respect that . I have not painted yet

Lu, your cabinets are painted, so it's busy allright, but the cabinets are the calmer counterpart. I wouldn't do it myself, but it does look good.

I'm not a fan of busy back splashes. Let the granite do the talking here.

I like the one in picture #3. Of course this is just my opinion and it can be taken or ignored as needed. We did Colonial Gold granite and a mosaic backsplash and we like the look. Then again, it's our kitchen and your kitchen will be your kitchen. Read everybody's opinions and then do what you like best.

I like your second tile selection in the sideway photo tile with the lighter stone in it. The color pallet goes nicely with your cabinetry and countertop. Believe it or not, as long a it has the same colors as the countertop it wont look as busy when it is installed.

I tried to copy & turn your tiles . The one on the left looks the best to me . A nice blend & an amber/ dark brown glass with the limestone color blends without screaming . Adds a pop of color . I might suggest you buy another sheet of this & sue some tape on the backside & 2 small nails to nail between the sheets to see what it looks like over a longer area .
The other tile looks like it has mother of pearl & that will give off wavy shimmer , too much movement .

#2. I think you might get tired of the first one.

Post after pictures as I cant wait to see which direction you choose to go. Best of luck to you,Paris

I find all the tiles are too busy and I'd get tired of them quickly. Mousemaker has given you some great options. .

Why not go cream or black subway tile. The one you have is busy. Your granite is nice. With movement. Let it shine by its self.

this is so funny. i actually have vetoed these and am looking at solid colored glass subway tile now.

oops...another one

Sorry I thought that other posters photos were yours...opps! I like the light green tiles the best, they blend better with the brown tones in your counters ;)

I agree with others. Go with something simple to highlight the granite, not compete with it.

Lu Cohen, the tile you posted is beautiful.

The child is adorable!

I like the dark gray solid glass subway tile..2nd from the right. I think it would give you more options if you wanted to change color scheme in the kitchen as it's more neutral but still matches well with your counters.