Green Design's answer is spot on - I'm surprised though, that the folks that did their research did not find any "translucent grouts" that have hit the market over the last couple of years... I used to do tile, but have since focused primarily on slab applications - hence my not looking at this thread until now - I would have chimed in earlier... Sorry for the late response I know that this may not help the folks LRy511, but for everyone else that has not grouted their onyx or glass tiles yet - you CAN get some of the "glow" if you use a translucent joint filler/grout..... Take a look at Starquartz - they are made by Bostik/Upco - who makes Hydroment - which is what I used to use exclusively when I did do tile all the time... Hopefully my brother Bill Vincent will chime in on this thread too - he is TOTALLY dialed in on to what's happening in the Tile Industry these days - WAY MORE than me..... and maybe Bill can offer some great insight on this topic too hth kevin Here is a link that might be useful: Starquartz Website

ellendi and A2gemini - both of your designs you created with the Grazia Rixi tiles are stunning! I need do some google searching tonight and this weekend for simple backsplash ideas. That's what I want - simple and classic. I can embellish with the nick nacks and change those out as they get old and boring. ellendi, I love yours that it doesn't have any accents, just the brick tile. I am drawn to that shape, as it's the similar to the subway I have now. I am leaning more toward that at this point than the square as I feel it fits my kitchen and overall decorating style better. A2gemini - I am drawn to yours because it does have the accent tiles that bring the colors of the granite subtly into the backsplash. After some thinking, I am afraid that if I just use the accent tiles that I posted yesterday (ellendi, I agree, nix the ORB pencil liner) and not anything else that draws the granite colors in it will look, what word am I looking for, too contrast-y? Too sharp and not subdued? If I use the brick shape only, is it even possible to incorporate accent tiles? Gosh, I do sound like such a newb and high maintenance. But please don't give up on me yet! What about if I did a row of bricks, then a matching pencil liner, and then more bricks all the way up? What is the consensus of the the artistic folks reading my plight think would look best with my granite? Which, by the way I have fallen in love with again now that I have found the Rixi tiles...I had been cursing it for the past month or so as it, IMO, has been so hard to find something compatible! Also, there are two areas that do no have cabinets above them. Just to keep things simple (especially to the DH as I know he would never go for a 'no' backsplash idea in those areas) I intend to replace the existing footprint the same way. Do I end those two areas with the matching small end piece or go for the more grand and elaborate end cap? (forgive me, I don't know the technical names...) And, just to complicate matters, one of those areas has a cabinet door that will open up touch the area, so perhaps I do need to just do a flush end cap...

So, will sealing the tile before grouting prevent the tile from picking up stain from the dark grout? If so, what sealer would you recommend? If you're going to use a dark grout, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea. As for the sealer to use as a grout release, my favorite would be Aquamix's WATER based penetrating sealer. I can't explain it, but the water based sealers work better as a grout release, even though the solvent based sealers work better to protect the tile long term, and yes, you can use one after the other. I would suggest you use them both from the same manufacturer, in which case, you'd want the Sealers Choice 15 to seal it after grouting. Now, that all said, one other thing you might think about, instead of using a black grout, it'll help alot with pigmentation and possible staining if you were to step it down just a hair and use a charcoal grout, instead.

Well, don't go break the bank on something that hands out radon, or cannot be effectively cleaned without a college diploma! A very nice countertop that is a solid surface, and just simply white will be very pretty. Keep it simple, Let your floor shine. Oak and cedar wood does go with green(I call yours' Emerald and Gold....not really Forest or Pine on my monitor) just take a walk in a park or maybe just in a Nature area. There is nothing prettier than wood and green grass with the colors of birds and butterflies around. Nature does not make mistakes...so I think the counters, and the appliances as they can(need is the only thing that moves mine out)be changed to white with your sink....will be a very pleasant transition, and be careful doing that drywall painting. Your floor and your wood and your counters will need some time and effort to be duly protected. Maybe that will sink and counter top will lead you to the right shade for your walls. There are alot to choose from in just the family of lites/ whites..