sorry, another question Rebecca Mitchell Interiors & Boutique, what size tiles would you suggest?

I think black subway tiles would be too much black in the room, especially with the black appliances, and could possibly take away from your counters. Do you have a sample of the granite and paint of the cabinets? If so take them to the tile store and play around with different things to see what is most appealing to you. It might be that black is still your favorite but I'd look at other options first. I like flsue1's idea of a cream with a small amount of metallic inserts.

Just keep in mind re tiles that the smaller they are the more grout lines there will be so it might appear busy. Get longer subway tiles maybe 4x16 (instead of 3x5).

Or you could go with black tiles and charcoal/black grout. I've done this before as well and like it a lot.

You could get a roll of black paper and tape it where the backsplash will go and live with it for a few days before making a decision. You could even paint in grout lines. It sounds like a lot of work, but considering the cost involved you need to know you'll love it. I love the pictures above, but you can't get a "feel" from a picture.

Mhteb, that is exactly what I'm doing, got some black construction paper, now gotta put some "grout" lines...

Can you do black on one section, cream on the other?

vdion, let us know how that works for you.

Ok, so here's a pic of my experiment. The "grout" on the right is white ( didn't have a cream crayon)' and the grout on the right, beside the white "backsplash" is grey....let me know your thoughts on both the grout and the backsplash colours, thanks : )

I think I would go black (not charcoal grey) and now that I see this definitely do a black grout too.

Here's another pic farther back

I agree with Rebecca. Do you like it?

Yes black grout

How about black, white, and metallic pencil tiles set vertically as attached?

Yes, I do like it...now the question is matte or glossy tiles? And thanks for the input on grout!

Kranno, I feel like that look would be too busy and would fight with the counters....any other thoughts on that?

I would do glossy.

The pencil tile is beautiful, but I agree too busy for your counters. You're really on top of this. As to matte or glossy, you could tape a piece of picture glass over it. I hope you keep it up a few days before making a decision.

Brilliant idea mhteb, I'm all over it!

I am a huge fan of subway tiles (especially black), but I agree that this may look to "heavy". Maybe try to find a subway tile that will match the white/cream that is in the counter tops. Subway tiles come in SO many different colors!

That's going to be beautiful regardless of grout color. (I'm partial to glossy.)

Plain subway tiles,you don't want to detract from that gorgeous counter

We have similar granite and used 16x 4 glass tiles with a thin line pattern. They are a Color between taupe and grey and look brilliant in a stacked pattern.

I don't care for the look of the black tiles.. I think they look too heavy next to your counters. In your inspiration picture that collettec posted, the counters are a uniform quartz, so the dark tile backsplash does not detract from the overall look. But if you do go with the black tiles, I would definitely agree that darker grout would look best. As mhteb said, keep it up for a few days or a week to be sure it's something you will be happy with a year from now. Best of luck!

I'm still for glass tiles in a cream color, the black on black is very heavy...keep your options open, shop around. Your focus should be on your beautiful granite, backsplash should accessorize the granite, not match. The taupe tile with line pattern sounds interesting.

for those of you who expressed that the grout should be black, can you tell me why you don't think the cream grout will work? thanks in advance : )

We have Mirror/Sandblast/Brushed Black Stainless steel Tiles and also sheets. The good things about our tiles is the installation. All our tiles are peel and stick, so you can save your time and materials.

Hi Vdion,
I think one of the reasons people not been as fond of the cream grout is that it may draw the eye to it over the countertop. Light grout also stains very easily. One unattended pot of marinara sauce and you have pink grout. However, you have to make a decision that you think will suit your family.

I personally would recommend a back-painted solid glass backsplash. You have such a lovely countertop (nice movement) and I think that a splash of color would help compliment without detracting. A big bonus is there are very few seams in a back-painted glass installation. We’ve been steadily trying to move our clients away from grout in kitchens to help keep them sanitary and easier to maintain. It can often be cheaper than a tile backsplash as well.

However, you seem very fond of the cream grout and black subways so I would say go with your gut if you feel very strongly about it. We can only give our professional opinions to our clients (after a great deal of time getting to know them) but ultimately they have to be happy in the spaces they are going to live in. You have to trust what you know about yourself and your family.

This is just my opinion about the pros and cons - Pros for black grout - I think that there is not a great deal of space between the counter and the cabinets, so there is less room for repeat variations with the different color grout. The countertops are gorgeous and also with a large dominant pattern and it might look a bit busy and possibly compete with the countertops. Cons for black grout - the black with black grout will create more of a solid black block. Given that the countertop is variegated with large blocks of the black and cream, the solid black might connect more visually with the appliances and less with the countertop. Perhaps just a matter of choice.

So glad you're taking your time with a decision. You might put up more black paper to cover the entire backsplash area to make sure the light in the kitchen works. Also, check with the under cabinet lighting both off and on. Window covering both open and closed. What you love might make someone else shudder, but you're the one going to live with it. I see many beautiful rooms on Houzz that would drive me crazy to live with everyday. If you've picked out the tile you think you want to use, buy a few pieces and prop them up. Very few final results look the same in reality as they do in my head. Then, again, some people have a natural talent and imagination for it.

I think white glass smaller tiles with intermittent grey might be lovely.

My suggestion for dark grout if you choose dark tiles is to keep the look 'uncluttered'. There is a lot of pattern and movement in the counter tops you have selected and I suspect you spent a good deal of money on them. Make the most of them and celebrate them for the unique and stunning statement they're making in your kitchen and let them stand out. Putting dark tiles with cream grout lines next to those counters will detract from the attention they so richly deserve. Counters like you have make a bold statement and should be the focus. So if I were making the choices, i would be looking for something to offset them, not to blend in with or detract from them.

Your cabinetry with crown molding is beautiful! The light colors of the cabinets and walls create a visual lifting and enlarging of the space. The countertop is beautiful--fantastic movement. Please post the name of your granite.

I think the plus side of going lighter in backsplash is maximizing your light cabinets' height and making the granite the place your eye lands in the room--just like the perfect shoes or bag make the outfit in your wardrobe. Darker tiles create a belt in the middle of a light color scheme--the room looks shorter with a dark stripe cutting the wall space in the middle. Stand across the room and you will probably notice the beautiful counters reveal themselves as you approach the kitchen area but don't shout across a room like a dark backsplash would do. I love that revelation of beauty as you approach the feature of a room. I would let that be the wow factor and go lighter--either a colored glass or other large scale tile that blends with cabinets and/or wall color.

Well said, I agree completely...light backsplash would do so much more for the space. Black subway tiles would continue the black, not accessorize.

I think using a lighter backsplash will make your granite even more special. it is lovely, let it shine.

Not feeling the black backsplash, especially not in matte. Looks burned out! I Iike Norma's white glass tile or something similar without much contrast. I hate the salt and pepper effect of lots of contrast in these small tiles.

My worry with a light backsplash is that the dark appliances will stick out and not blend....thoughts? Thanks in advance : )

hzjpmp, the granite it called "matrix Nevada"...we love it too, thanks :)

I still like the idea of the black tile and the black grout. You have a lot of cabinets, and tall ones, that are beige. I kind of think a beige tile would be too much beige. I think another color tile would compete with the great pattern in the granite and cut up the room too much with different colored cabinets, counter and flooring. The black tile would reference the counter and the appliances visually and it is connected to the black in the counter. I would try and find a tile color as close to the black in the counter as possible if you go with a black tile. Think it's a great idea with the paper modeling and you might want to try other colors to see what you think with other color backsplash options.

I like both. I think your granite already ties in your blk appliances so I wouldn't worry about that. I would use trash bags to try the blk glossy surface and be sure to put it over the entire backsplash. I did a black tile backsplash and sort of regret the darkness even though I have tons of natural light.

I agree with others that the black appliances blend with the countertops and a quiet backsplash that carries the tones of the cabinets up the wall would be my favorite.

I really enjoy the black and white or black and off white kitchen designs that are popular on the houzz kitchen pics. If you sort out most popular kitchens of all time with the drop down menu---there are a LOT of pics with this kind of dark granite/backsplash theme in that category.

A big trend---not that it matters that much until you are selling a home---is toward larger tiles---with less grout lines, and less contrast or intricate patterning. But black and white (off white) never really goes out of fashion.

Glass tiles of one shade in a larger size with simple placement, also seem to be on trend. And with the under cabinet lighting you have installed, glass tile would have that glow of expensive jewels across the room. I could see that being pretty in a soft color.

I looked at glass tiles when designing my kitchen; but it would have been over budget with the other upgrades. I went with an off white subway tile that coordinated with my walls and cabinets--and upgraded the granite to one with some movement---think I like yours better. When people walk into the great room they always say how spacious, yet cozy it feels. But when they approach the kitchen, they always say "I love this countertop" and start to touch it. It's nice to have that surprise when they take a seat in the kitchen.

I think black subway tile would be too much. I would pull a color out of the lighter swirl in the counter tops. Wether that is an off white or even a tan. Adding a black pencil liner (glass liner bar) could pull the black into the project as well.

If you do black I'd use a back painted glass solid piece so there are no grout lines that fight with the granite

If it were not for Houzz i would not thought of this idea for a backsplash... Colorful, and makes me happy. Okay...so i'm corny :)))

I don't think the black would look bad but I think a mosaic style that pulls colors out of your countertop would work best. I have no opinion on grout colors

I didn't have time to read all of the suggestions, but did anyone suggest black mirror? I love black mirror and the wonderful effects it has. it would't fight with anything or take away from the gorgeous countertop you have. The pieces should be as big as you can get, as opposed to 12 x 12. Maybe 36 w x 18 h or whatever seems to fit.

http://houzz.com/photos/7131746

Is this what you have in mind?

Yes, something similar, we wouldn't carry the granite up the wall, but a very similar look

I think you should go for it even though it's doesn't seem to be the popular choice. I would go for white but if it's black that you want why go for white?

we have FINALLY completed our backsplash, im quite happy with how it turned out...ended up going with the same colour as the cabinets...BM jute

Nice!