I believe the limits for the top post are that you cannot edit the title and only have an hour to edit the message. Or something like that. Congrats on the success of your test.

Oh the tile is so beautiful and I LOVE how it looks but I see what you're saying; from what you've shown, the darker contrast has more of a kick. Wonder if you could wipe it down really well to remove a little, and then grout with a darker grout? Or - a quick search showed this - perhaps a good fix? I would highly recommend applying to a sample board before you apply to your actual grout. Apply Enhancing Sealer Apply enhancing sealer to help darken the color of dry grout. Although it may never be as dark as it was before it dried, the sealer will help deepen the color and block stains. The most common grout sealers will not darken grout because they are formulated to dry invisibly. Check the label to be sure yours is an enhancing sealer. There are also lots of threads about applying a stain to the grout and wiping it off, to darken. Would you be willing to post a picture of the range wall with the tile grouted, for comparison? Your kitchen is GORGEOUS.

It's not so cute now, here at The Little House of Horrors on the Prairie. :) It has weathered over the last 14 years; I still have not replaced the "front door"; and it is currently on a 50" tall stump in the back yard. When we hacked off this seedling tree, I wanted the stump left tall. I attached the nest box to the top of the stump and waited for new branches to sprout at the top of the stump. They did, and I began training them into a large circle/halo about 24" in diameter. It was looking cute until the stump died from having to deal with two male dogs. :( I think I'll spiff up the nestbox, put it on a shorter pole, and add it to the Hosta Garden somewhere near the Fairy Garden pedestal. On the stump... Close-up of the weathervane..,

In my area, the electric company offers a service for free where they come assess the energy efficiency of your home and offer suggestions. In addition, they replace every single lightbulb in your house with an LED! I have 16 alone in my kitchen/FR. So we had our contractors put in regular ones and then we had them all changed out (told the electrician to use the dimmers for the recessed, etc.) Now, it is a free service that everyone pays for on their monthly bill (like $1) but few people know about this. Check with your company first to see if they offer anything like this. They also give huge rebates on insulating, windows, and other energy saving projects. (Part of our house is 100 years old so that was a bonus.)