What colors would the walls and adjacent rooms be?
I don't know if I am loving the stark white of the tile sample with your stone. On my monitor, it seems to show a subtle beige color in the mix, so I'd go for something like that. I think it would work with both your wood tones...
I think you have enough pattern with the wood and counter, so I'd make sure the bs does not add to that. I think a ceramic or glass tile would be nice..

I agree with dianalo...the sample, at least in the pics, is too white and looks too washed out. I think you need to go a little darker with warmer tones. The cabinets are beautiful...it' s going to be a gorgeous kitchen!

Why should your backsplash be plain? Your granite is nice but has absolutely no movement. If you want to preserve a rustic feel consider something modern with a stone look.

What about a green glass subway tile?

I think you could do stainless tile or sheet behind the range, and then a stone or brick around the perimeter. Or if you would like to do white, maybe do a modern shape like the Ann Sacks Heath line. My only concern with that, is that I think you are still missing a rustic element.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ann Sacks Heath

I agree with dianalo...the sample, at least in the pics, is too white and looks too washed out. I think you need to go a little darker with warmer tones. The cabinets are beautiful...it' s going to be a gorgeous kitchen!

Marcolo, what is an example of a tile that is modern with a stone look? My granite does have a bit of movement - it is just not seen on the small chunk.

Dianalo, yes I agree that tile is too light and boring.

Unfortunately I don't have time tonight to find a real color match--it's the granite that's tricky--but just look at the Porcelanosa website for rustic stone mosaics with modern horizontal linear lines, like outline bars, tecno line, etc.

Here is a link that might be useful: Porcelanosa mosaics

Do you think I should do a mural or something in the sink area or keep it the same backsplash?

I am kind of second-guessing my granite choice. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Since the cabinets and floor are darker, I thought I should keep the counters lighter. But whenever I show people the sample, they say things like "it's nice, but I'm partial to darker granites".

I am absolutely loving your cabinets and the stain you chose, but I am not crazy about the granite. I think it is going to be really difficult to find a backsplash that will tie everything together and maintain the warm look of your kitchen.

I need help! With granite, backsplash, paint color...the list is getting longer instead of shorter!

I think the white color is throwing things off too especially if you're going for rustic.

My cabinets are similar in color and I'm going with Amber Yellow granite. It's light but it has specs of color in it that pick up the wood. If you google it the colors for yellow amber very. Mine doesn't look so yellow to me.

http://www.ttsgranite.com/site/epage/105768_951.htm

I was looking at Durango travertine tile for the backsplash:

http://www.stoneliquidators.net/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=446

I love the Sonoma tantrum crackled glass tile for an accent. You really have to see in it person to get a feel for it's beauty. I think the earthy colors would bring out a rustic feel with the stone tile.

http://www.sonomatilemakers.com/Palette.aspx?prod-line-id=9&IsColorPalette=True

Take a deep breath and regroup. For me, the granite you chose goes with a white kitchen. You have lovely warm wood and it needs a "warm" toned granite. And a granite with browns and golds. St Ceclia, Giallo Ornamental (dark version) Look at the finished kitchen blog and look at the granites there. There are many with browns, caramels, tans etc.
The good news is that you did not already purchase the granite. Also look at the FKB at all the wood kitchen.
I gree with michelle. If you choose that granite, it will be hard to get a backsplash that will work with the granite and the cabinets.
If plain is the way you want to go you can get a granite with movement and then a plain backplash. If you want the back splash to be the star, you can look at quartz counters but then get a mutlitoned backsplash.

First off I like the granite!
If you love it too, you can make it work. Do you love it?
That is the questions.

Do you love the granite?

You said you were second guessing, I assume this was
before you posted. If you do not love the granite but more
like or say "eh sure", then I would say start a search
for a granite that makes you really smile. Something that
says "wow, I love this".

Meanwhile you said you wanted to find a backsplash to go
with this kitchen. Do you want to start with backsplash
ideas and find a granite to go with them?
Sometimes this is a great way to go.

How modern do you want to go?

How rustic or is the only rustic element the cabinetry?
When I think of Rustic I think of....
�Leather or suede
Pewter, zinc, orb, wrought iron, rust
Wood floors, branches, bark, twigs
cotton, hemp, linen, wool,
Stone tile, even old brick, rocks, or concrete

Rustic Modern is a lovely direction. I can see why the
sales person recommended the white Botticino marble.
Did the salesperson see the cabinets?

Have you collected some favorite images for inspiration?
Maybe clippings?
What elements besides rustic, modern and plain come
to mind? Colors? Textures?

For now lets look at some rustic modern kitchens that
might help and from there we can find out what you love
and start a plan. Let me know the colors, textures,
even granites or backsplashes that you love in any
of the images below and we can search for more. Keep in
mind I am simply guessing because all I have so far
are these words. "rustic, Modern, Plain"
~boxer

I am showing you this image with rustic cherry cabs
and a warm backsplash and counter. The glass tiles lend
a sense of modern in this space but it is not plain.

rustic cabs but a more contemporary glass tile

white with wood

This makes me think of rustic modern.
The modern feel of the cabinets but the rustic beams
and the rustic earthy feel to the space.

Lastly backsplashes, since this was after all your original
question

Do I love the granite...Yes I do! But I started 2nd-guessing because no one else seemed to when they saw it.

Our cabinets ended up being more traditional but I still think we have rustic elements...

Our hardware is ORB as is our chandelier. The adjoining living room has a huge stone fireplace and beams on the ceiling. Our hardwood floors are hand-scraped teak.
[IMG]http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb349/jessiegreg/house/ourchandelier.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb349/jessiegreg/house/AmerockCandlercabinetpull.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb349/jessiegreg/house/AmerockCandlercabinetknob.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb349/jessiegreg/house/house010.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb349/jessiegreg/house/house008.jpg[/IMG]
I love this.
http://s620.photobucket.com/albums/tt283/boxerpups22/Kitchens%20three/?action=view�t=76c63b7a.jpg

but do I need to do a focal point over my sink area like this since it's so big? Or do I just do a backsplash in all those little tiles like above to keep it more simple. Maybe simple is more the look I'm looking for rather than plain.
http://s620.photobucket.com/albums/tt283/boxerpups22/kitchens/?action=view�t=01f6534b.jpg

Here are your pics:

thanks - it didn't work for me. I must be too frustrated to even cut & paste my pics.

If you really love the granite we can move forward from there. I still think this granite with your cabinets will be a bit tricky to find a backsplash.
You are going from the warmth of the wood, to the cool of the overall grey look of the granite. Don't forget you look at your kitchen two ways. From far when you enter and then close up when you are working at your counter.
Only because I made this mistake and I have seen so many others here do the same, I advise you to think ahead to possible backsplash choices.
I know many GWers have put in the granite without knowing what the backsplash would be. But, they usually have a granite that has many colors that you can pull up into the backsplash.
I like Boxer's question of "Do you love the granite?" But in taking it one step further, "Do you love it with your cabinets?" When we make these choices we tend to look at things individually, not as a whole.

Ellendi,
You have a lovely way of getting to the heart of the issue
with support, encouragement and understanding.
~boxer

Hi Jkoebnick,

I can see why you love the granite. It really is pretty.
Here are a few more ideas of backspashes that could work
with your granite.
Maybe they can help.
~boxerpups

How about the granite as a backsplash?

I like a lot of them! Thank you! I am going to see the slabs again tomorrow and I will take my doors with and take pictures of the whole slab to post.

I think the white granite gives your kitchen a more modern look. A warmer granite does seem like a natural choice, but it will look very traditional with your cabinets. I'm not sure if you will be happy with the results even though it would look nice. The tile sample does look too stark. I would choose a stone mosaic with a combination of light and dark colors like one of the pictures above.

FWIW, to me tile focal points over hoods or sinks read neither modern nor rustic. They are a very contemporary (as in, popular right now) choice, though.

Your cabinets are lovely! I really like the pictures that boxer posted of rustic cabs kike yours with solid quartz counters to make a modern-rustic vibe.
Good luck!