I like pairing busy with calm. Maybe a subway tile to pull together the cabinets and granite? A cream or off-white? I think a 3x6 glossy subway tile. Beautiful kitchen, btw!

Here is the granite... Could I go with a taupe subway? I originally was thinking the piece next to the cabinet door but because it has a linen texture to it, it just doesn't seem to jive for me.

How about a cameo glass subway tile? Really depends on the specific slab, as it can sway from golden to tan.

I like your choice...but would be better in a gloss rather than matte finish.

KERI, I think the color you picked is spot on just not the texture. The linen texture is a bit modern compared to your other choices. Also, I would make sure you install in a subway pattern to keep with the beautiful look you have already created.

The slab we chose was called Santa Cecilia Flower which leans more towards lighter than the golden/yellow tones ... I like the one you posted and I actually picked one similar but when I put it next to the white cabinet it looked almost "dirty" ...so...this is where I'm stuck...

Maybe I look for a taupe but in glass or just a smooth surface? And would I go with light grout to tie in the white cabinetry or go darker on the grout to give it more dimension?

I like to showcase one thing. So, if it were me I would have my grout match the tile as close as possible. What color are your cabinets?

The taupe tile will look "dirty" next to the pure white, as will any off neutral shade. Your color combo looks like it is cooler, rather than warm, so beige or gold may not work either.....You may want to try a white subway tile, with a darker grout, to pull the colors in the granite. Or look at a darker gray/graphite color tile. Even a stainless tile might look really neat. Love the butcher block island...looks like a Boos block. The real deal...nice!!

Thanks all for your input, greatly appreciated :) I am going to head out tomorrow and see if I can find more samples. Definitely convinced that it will be subway tile and a smooth surface...just need to finalize color now. Stay tuned... I may need your assistance again :)

Oh goodness Julie I LOVE that backsplash!!! I wonder how the sand color would look next to the white cabinetry...where did you get it?

Julie, could you please send me the info of your tile? I would love to order a couple samples. Thank you!

I like Marla's idea of the white subway tile with darker grout. I don't know if you've seen the beveled white subway tiles at Home Depot but I love how they add a bit more dimension and reflection than just your standard white subway tile.

Tumbled travertine will warm up the space. Subway is the trend and would look good or even the 2x2 or 4x4. Maybe a small band of accent glass tile or stone border accent.

You might also like a white thassos...I used beveled in my kitchen.

Keri, believe it or not I got it from Lowes. It is by American Oleans and the name of the color is Sand. The funny part is, by the time I decided they were discontinuing it! Between me and my husband, we drove to seven Lowes in one day to make sure we had enough. I did do a search and found it from an online source also though. Good luck with your decision and make sure you show us the finished product!

Step your tiles like brick (above) instead of square with each other. If you haven't mentioned it to the granite people already, you definitely don't want the 4" BS they always want to add. Could save a few $$.

Found this polished marble and the travertine tonite at Home Depot while picking up moving boxes... Thoughts with the Santa Cecelia granite? I like them both...?!

Here's a picture I saw too that I thought may warm up the space

we have linen cabs, santa cecelia granite and went with a travertine in sandstone....really happy with the results...

Geardown, do you happen to have any photos?

And how easy is it to keep clean? My husband (who is the cook) is worried about the cleanliness factor...? His concern is the holes throughout the stone...I thought the sealant would protect it from that sort of stuff?

I do, trying to figure out how to attach it though (just converted to Mac and a little lost yet :-) ) Very easy to keep clean for us so far - the sealant seems to have done its job so far..... will keep trying to attach a pic here....

Both are nice options. However, the one on the left has a pinky-beige undertone and the one on the right seems to have a yellowy-beige undertone. I would just make sure the undertones of the backsplash and granite line up:)

ok, not the best pic, but hopefully this gives you an idea....

Very nice! I like the accent trim too

Ok, I have it down to 2 choices... Your help is GREATLY appreciated!!! Tell me your thoughts and suggestions please :)

I might try to find some oil rubbed bronze accent tile that is cooperative with the tile you select - white cabinets - neutral backsplash - may do well with some accents - tie-in with ORB hardware

Update :) here is the backsplash that was completed today... Handmade subway 3x9 subway tile... Love it!

Very nice!

Looking good.

Great job so far! I'd go with a color in the granite for the backslash tile.

Love it! Was fun to follow the thread see all the photos you included!

Love this!

Your kitchen looks amazing.

Keri, I think you did an amazing job! We have nearly the identical granite counter tops and are looking at glass subway tiles. What color are your tiles and did you buy them locally? Also, what color grout did you choose? I really LOVE your style!

Well thank you for the nice compliments tinepasso :) In our old house I had black kitchen cabinets so going white I was a bit nervous but I really love the outcome. The subway tile color is a light taupe...they are handmade tiles that I bought at a local tile shop in Concord, NH. If you would like the contact info. let me know and I will gladly get you in touch with them.

You are lovely for responding Keri, thank you! Your style is sleek and clean, yet with comfort - that's exactly what I'm looking for. Seems as though your transition from black to white really worked in your favor. We have dark cherry cabinets but I feel the color combo will work perfectly with a light taupe or off-white tile. Seems harder to match with the granite colors than anything else! Thank you for offering the tile shop info there in NH; however, it's probably smarter for me to find a local (Virginia Beach, VA) retailer. Thank you again!

hi keri! i'm looking for 3x9 or 3x12 subway tile (ceramic/porcelain, not glass) and am having a terrible time. noted yours were 'handmade' and from concord, nh. i'm a MA resident and would LOVE the info if you could share.

Hi Amy....I apologize for just now getting back to you...NH Tile 95 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke, NH 603-225-4075 ask for Amy, she was wonderful to work with!! Good luck and again, I'm sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

Is Santa Cecelia and Santa Cecelia Flower different? Your kitchen is lovely!

So glad to find this discussion as I will be getting white cabinets, ss appl. and subway tile and just returned from looking at all the various granites at a huge granite yard and came up with Santa Cecelia as my favorite choice with the white cabinets as I would like to keep it neutral so that I can bring in different colors pots, bowls etc. and I will have med tone oak flooring. It seems like the Santa Cecilia gives you a lot of options . Nice to hear so many others chosing the same. I really would like the subway tiles to match the granite so its nice to see so many of your choices. Thank you

I have dark cabinets and went with a stainless steel back splash with the St. Ceclia granite. I like the clean look.

We have light maple cabinets and santa cecilia granite...need ideas with pictures, please!

Hello PLATINUMGIRL, thanks for starting this thread. I'm building a house now and I've been having the hardest time finding a backsplash that would go perfect with the Santa Cecilia granite that was installed. My granite has a lot more greyish tones than I would've preferred but I think the light taupe subway tile would look perfect.

Structured Effects Balanced Taupe 3 in. x 6 in. Glazed Ceramic Wall Tile (12 sq. ft. / case) looks great with the Santa Cecilia granite and the maple cabinets. We used Moscow at Midnight Sherwin Williams paint. Don't have a picture of the tile with the granite, but here it is with the cabinet and paint.

Ingrid Fatianow-Hibbitts If you get a chance can you upload a picture with the granite against the tile as well.

Here are a couple.

What color/brand is your wall? I need help, having a hard time deciding what color to paint the kitchen. Also my kitchen is attached to the living room? Should I just pick a color for each? I don't have furniture yet so I can decide on furniture later

I know this is a really old post, but I have the same granite countertops with the dark red orange cabinets. I love the cream colored paint next to your countertops. Would you share what paint company and color/code your cabinet color is please? Also your wall color?

Can't help you on the backsplash. Most interior decorators will tell you only one "drama queen" allowed in a room, which is the granite counter. Unfortunately, you would've been best served with a 4"-6" backsplash in the same material. I'd love to know what you finally settled on.