Lots of great ideas, thanks! My original plan for SS was that it would look simpler than tile, and easy to clean. But I'm reconsidering, since blending SS and tile might be too much. jodi- I agree with you about 1:3 rations being better, but the heights I posted were based on the cabinet level and the hood. pllog- funky-artsy is definitely ok, as long as it isn't "too much." I was thinking about some irregular tile border- tendrils, as you said- but I got lost after the initial idea when I tried to go from vague idea to concrete plan. pllog, sweeby, cindilou, sailaway- all of you voted at least to some degree positively for "#2" and I just want to make sure that were talking about the same thing- tile that goes up 18" along the whole wall, but then goes all the way up to the hood just behind the range. My BF will love that his idea, which I scoffed, got votes. :) But I have to admit, I was too quick to judge, and it might work, especially if I soften it and make it a bit more like #5, like sweeby said. sailaway, if I did #5, the angles would be symmetrical, or maybe they'd "stairstep" down rather than being a cut angle, but youre right, the tape is messy. vw- yes, it is a bit cost prohibitive, at least with the tiles I like so far :) chinchette- I do need some sort of wall protection, since I do cook alot, and I'm not always that neat and tidy. jillypie- I did briefly consider just doing a 4" of the countertop granite, but I was concerned that that would look odd with the other walls tiled. The countertops are a dark granite, and the backsplashing will be something relatively light, since other elements are dark (counters, floors) rosie- I have SS, copper and black pots/pans, and I think the rack will have the ones that I use most often, which will represent a little of each color. I'm really glad you guys got me thinking about this more. I'm going to try to plan it without SS for now, and see where that takes me!

Thanks for the input. It is unforunate that I discovered this site after choosing the cabinet color and the granite. I would have had all three elements in place. After reading about what everyone else has gone through I realize I am not alone. I have decided to give this tile a try. (I have already removed a white tile that appeared very gray after installation). If I absolutely still do not like in a year or two than I will change both the granite and the tile. This time choosing the two together!

Oh palimpset and redroze -- I believe we have some kitchen ESP happening. I was just on Daltile's site in the early evening looking at their subs, wondering if I could interest DH in another color, actually looking at the bisque and then the gray. They have some 4 x 8's available (can't remember the color anymore, since it's been a whole 2 hours ago) And Redroze, I've had your 2 x 8's on my mind, and showed my husband your kitchen on Saturday. He isn't a fan of 3 x 6's, and is attracted to the unique sizes and like yours . . . And I think you hit it on about the "non 3 x 6" size being a focal point itself. I have tomorrow off. I will be running around trying to find some varied color, non 3 x 6 subs. Wish me luck in this wee Southern town. I cannot tell you how much I greatly appreciate this input. My husband is OOT this week, luckily he's used to coming home to changed game plans about the kitchen details. He's learned that the ideas I have been offered here are fabulous!

I agree with hpny2 - if you view your kitchen the way you view a painting or a photograph, there should be a main area of focus with details that support the focus and don't distract from it. Your granite is beautiful. If you want that to be your focus, then the backsplash needs to provide an easy transition for the eyes from the wood shelves to the countertop. Maybe look at some of the Heath Ceramics glazes in standard 4x4 tiles if you don't like subway tile. Another option would be to do a subtle dimensional tile in a very quiet, complimentary color. I like the dimensional tiles from ModCraft (link included), but pretty much every tile manufacturer has some kind of dimensional tile to explore. The only thing I'd absolutely stay away from would be mosaics. Here is a link that might be useful: