Can you provide a pic of just the granite?

Also, any tips or suggestions on island lights would be appreciated. Under cabinet lighting is going in tomorrow. We have two large skylights that bring in a ton of natural light during the day.

Sure! I also attached one of the sample tiles next to the granite.

These clear and mercury glass pendants are on overstock...I think the offer the best of all worlds...transparent volume, a little bling and coordinates well with stainless. And a great price :)

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Double-Mercury-Glass-1-light-Chrome-Pendant/8087397/product.html?refccid=WH6C6LRUIRGLPX2M74QSOAOSNQ&searchidx=21

I like the cream, the almond, the taupe and even the reef.

Hello! I like the backsplash choice, as long as it coordinates well with the underlying tones of the floor tile and backsplash. It is difficult to tell in photos only, but the plan is very nice! As far as the island lights, I would add a pop of color (even a muted color - maybe drawing off a color in a nearby room or the window treatment, is it rust?) in some seeded glass mini pendants 2 - 3 depending on their width (you will still be able to see through seeded glass). This bring added character without being a heavy distraction, taking away from the airiness of your new space. Example: See link below -
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia-cache-ec0.pinimg.com%2F736x%2F92%2F80%2F92%2F928092bbd3b8a5735bc028c6116353a6.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F227783693626982590%2F&docid=NFoFiybylfiD2M&tbnid=vXjkSvGgF_G-YM&w=450&h=450&ei=sLIlU82xFOewyQG-64HABg&ved=0CAMQxiAwAQ&iact=c

I like the idea of the glass tiles above, as well!

Hi. I hadn't thought of glass. Just figured it might be a little shiny for my taste. I will have to get some samples and hold it up in the room. Thanks for the suggestion. I get one shot at this. My husband was reluctant to change what we already had, so I know it will be many years before any additional changes are made. I had wanted to change all the cabinets too, but it was way to $$$ for us. Thanks for the suggestions on the lights. I do like the idea of bringing the color in. It is one big room with a seating area at the other end, so it all has to tie together. I have attached some additional images. Thanks!

Something so the tile is the background and doesn't fight with the granite. I personally am not into the glass trend. It's too shiny for my taste, but something like this:
http://houzz.com/photos/8103675

Thanks for the suggestions. I am going to get some more samples and put them up. Who would have thought this would be the hardest part? And my husband is pushing me to complete all the work.

Take the time you need...I speak from experience. My husband is always pushing to get it done and if I rush the process I'm not as satisfied with the result. Tell him to hold his horses

I used granite similar to yours. I also wanted something subdued and not overwhelming to my busier granite. I ended up not doing it. This is what I did.

It is argentinian dolomite. It does not have a shine unless you use a shiny sealer. We chose flat.

I agree with the glass subway tile idea, in a more neutral tone. I feel like the veining in the crema marfil is too busy with the granite pattern. The backsplash needs to be more subtle, since there is a lot of it. .

Notme11 - yours turned out great! Funny how what you think you want isn't what you end up with. I had a tile picked out, but when they brought in the island and put in the granite, I changed my mind. I looked at a lot of glass subway tiles today and didn't find "the one". I am still not sure I will like how shiny it will look. And there is going to be a lot on 3 walls!

The other thing that I keep coming back to is that it is the tile you really see when you walk into our kitchen - not the granite. Sure, when you get in and are standing IN the kitchen, you get the full view. But, the straight on view you see when you walk up the stairs is all backsplash.

Take the darkest color from granite and use that as subway backsplash.

Great glass tiles from dclostboy!

To me, the crema marfil has a pink undertone while the countertops have a yellow undertone. It would be better to choose something that rates to the counter better - maybe something more creamy?

be careful with the off-white glass subway tile. We did a Typhoon Bordeaux granite countertop and I wanted a simpler backsplash. We have off-white painted cabinets and I chose the Bliss Sand glass subway tiles. Not only do they not match the cabinets, but they have a greyish tint to them. I don't hate it, but I really wanted to love everything I chose since I waited a long time for a new kitchen.