First off, I'm not an expert. But I do have an opinion, so take it as you will! 1. I have a slight preference for #1 because I think it might be better with the cabinet colour and my gut agrees with yours that the matte look is probably better. It might help if you could get a photo with the cabinet in as well? And my personal preference is the larger tile size of #1 as well. 2/3. I actually think the photo you have included of the glass tile alone is really pretty, though as stated above I personally have a preference for larger tiles. I wouldn't necessarily put it in my kitchen, but I would be able to appreciate it in someone else's. In the end it really depends on whether or not YOU (or your DH) find it busy. The fact that you are asking makes me thing one of you does. In that case my first thought would be to do as badgergal did and orient the tile vertically behind the cooktop only, then use your other choice between the counter and uppers everywhere else. I thought it was really stunning there... Or I might consider putting the glass tile as an accent strip, similar to the model home but following the lines of the upper border rather than just a straight line across the back Not sure if your travel schedule will include down time in airports and such, but it might help to actually colour your mock ups for the backsplash to see how you feel about the busy-ness of the tile. Any crayons or coloured pencils kicking around? It might not take you too long, and might help in the end. Good luck, hth mmhmm

I'm so sorry about your reno fatigue--that can be overwhelming sometimes. I would say that whether or not you are up to the delays, etc that are involved w/ redoing the tile is a decision for you and dh to make. However, if choose to have it redone, I would strongly encourage you to reconsider paying out of pocket for more tile. It sounds like you did your homework about this tile, discussed it beforehand w/ the GC, and have had realistic expectations of what is acceptable. This is installer error, thus the burden to pay for a fix *is not on you*. Given your good working relationship w/ the GC, hopefully all will proceed peacefully. And I suspect your dh would be much more amenable to a re-do if there is no cost to y'all. I know mine would be! p.s. It is definitely easier/less labor to remove before grouting. p.p.s. If you do start over, you might want to indicate w/ an arrow on the back of each sheet of tile which way is "up". Although I still don't think that is your responsibility to take care of that, it might facilitate a faster, more successful install ;-)

You are right about the colors in the inspiration room rug pulling in all the colors of the room. Somehow I either overlooked it or didn't want to admit it. How does the saying go..."sometimes you don't see the forest because the trees are in the way"...haha... Anyway, I just fell in love with the stone medallion rug and was offered it for a great price because it was a return to a local place that makes them. It isn't the colors that I would have chosen, but I was trying to force it to work. It has no grout because it is made with a compouter controled water jet and all the pieces fit tightly together to form one big solid piece. It's really lovely, but you are right, the colors aren't the best for the design. I have changed original design a bit because I felt it was too Tuscan/Mediterranean for the house. I am using more rustic wood instead of so much cast concrete..though I am using the cast corbles that flank the radius ceiling. I wanted it to feel casual and rustic French, but with an elegant touch of "jewelry" that the crystal and possibly some glass tile accents would bring. The color swatch under the sink is such a bad representation of the vanity color! I attached a photo of a premade cabinet in a similar color and style to what I am having made. The wall color has not been determined yet. Any suggestions?! Thanks again! Your advice is really helping me see this from a different prespective. Did I mention I am a bit over my head with this project? This monster spec house has 10 bathrooms and not enough budget! I'll post some pictures as the project progresses.

Welll...I have sat and looked at this sample board for a few days now. The pictures were taken in the daytime. The first late afternoon night I had the board up, I knew they weren't going to work. The golden in them turned orangey, similar to how they appear in the fourth picture. Back to the drawing board.... sigh. In the mean time, I am hoping to have the splash pulled out and patched and then paint over the disaster that I am sure is under there. From there I will have a more color neutral base for which to place the tiles and hopefully get a truer overall look of any tiles I am looking at. If I have to live with it like that until I find "The One", so be it. I just want the existing one out ASAP.