Step back and deep breaths! From what I can tell from your picture, your backsplash looks great! Can't really tell how it goes with your granite (can you post another picture) but it looks really good with your floor. You also haven't added your things back and it looks like you still possibly need to do some painting--all things that will have an overall effect on your kitchen.

Well speaking as a DH, I think it looks great, I especially like the diagonal pattern behind the stove area.
Did you plan to put knobs or handles on the cabinet doors? Thats the only thing that might be missing but Im not sure that it even needs those.

I know it doesn't matter what I think, but I absolutely love your kitchen. But then again I love neutrals. I love your floor, granite, and backsplash together. Once you get your accessories, curtains, and cabinet pulls up, I hope you will love it as much as I do.

Well for heaven's sake it looks wonderful - why would you think the grout has messed up the look? Like everyone else has said - you aren't finished yet and once you get all the finishing touches on the room you will be happy!

I love your kitchen!

OMG, it is beautiful, trudymom is right, once you pull more color from the granite it will be perfect! Try to find two runners with all three (backsplash, granite, floor)colors in it. We would love to see more of your beautiful house.

klutt
You are suffering from what probably 99% of us have suffered from at one pt in the finish phase of a renovation -
As others have said - take a deep breath, walk away - wait, wait, wait
I freaked when they were installing my granite - got over it quickly -
Installations of new material take on a different light with time - Once you put other finish materials in place you will embrace that lovely tile - Fabric for windows, chairs, rugs, glassware, vases, plants etc....
Play with color in there for awhile - buy some different fruits & set them on the counter, favorite fabrics, things from other rooms in the house - see what colors you like in the space - I think with some pops of color & softness of rugs/linens/window treatments you will embrace it!

The only other suggestion I have is to consider taking the tile out of the window trim and btwn the windows - if you tile guy is there it shouldn't be all that difficult - just patch & repair (2 rows going up) it seems to be a little too much there

Good luck

I think that once you add some color accents in that kitchen, you will grow to love the tile. It is very classy and neutral. Your decorating options are endless now!!

And I really do like the way the tile was done around the window. It continues the tile line evenly along the whole wall and looks really good.

Beautiful kitchen. Can you tell me what your floor tile is?

Kara,
I LOVE IT!! so so pretty. had you gone with a darker grout color you wouldn't notice the gorgeous color and pattern of the subway tiles as much. The contrast of the grout and tile really makes it pop.

Hopefully it will grow on you. I think you made really nice choices.

It's a gorgeous kitchen, and you and Jejvtr are right. We often invest too emotionally in our perfect kitchen dream and then run smack into lack of perfection. Give yourself a couple more days to get past the worst of it, then a couple of weeks to get to a shrug, then a couple of months to have trouble remembering just why you were so upset about it.

I like it, too! But I have all neutral colors in my new kitchen, too. I think what I'm missing, and you, too, is some color. We need to accent it with something bright and cheery. Maybe a burgundy or red? Also, I like the details at the windows. I wouldn't change that. Once your curtains or window treatments are up, that will make a difference, too. Love it...it's new, beautiful, and do what I do....compare it to the kitchen you tore out!!

Thanks everyone, ya'll are great. I know I am having some "Post-kitchen blues". I just looked at it and the granite didn't seem to go with the backsplash anymore. I think its the window sills that I don't like. I am going to take a close up of the windows to post but I have to clean them first. :0)

I really like what you've done around the window sills - it's warm and very inviting and the tiled scullery effect goes with your cabinet style so well. That tile is stunning!

thanks here is a link to the tile....Volcano Caldera

Here is a link that might be useful: Arizona Tile

Whups - we cross-posted - I wasn't trying to contradict what you wrote about your sills! :-) If you don't like 'em, definitely take them out. But give it a few days first?

please post a picture that shows the granite and the backsplash together. It looks like the granite has veining that does match the backsplash. Don't change anything yet....give it some time.

We were at a fabricator's place Monday. As I recall, all their granite example kitchens had a granite backsplash with tile above that. I think that might look better, and it's probably not too late to add a low granite backsplash.

You could replace the bottom row of tiles with the granite or possibly just cover them. It would be an added expense, but the difference it would make might be worth it. Only you can decide that.

Here's more pictures. I put my faucet in to make it feel better. The granite has the veining to match the backsplash but the granite widow sills just don't feel right to me. I think I might prefer wood but DH loves the grantie. Sorry I think I am just being whiney!

I love the backsplash - what is the tile?

I am a fan of neutrals in the items hard to change. With the palette you have created with the floor, cabinets, backsplash and countertop you can pick many paint colors that will be beautiful accents to the kitchen. And don't forget the hardware for the cabinets.

Breathe, breathe.

I got totally freaked out when my backsplash went in and was grouted. I was sure I'd made a big mistake. Now, a few months down the line, I sometimes still look at it and wonder but mostly I think it's just right. I think that, even more than all the other million choices, there are so many options for the backsplash that it's hard not to second guess.

Your kitchen is beautiful. I love the granite sills (but I did soapstone sills to match my counters and I love them so I may be biased). I also think the tile looks great with your granite.

Well even if you don't like it as much as you'd hoped, you've saved a bundle on therapy by diagnosing your own problem. Your term "kitchen porn" says it all. We all start this process with a fantasy about our new kitchen. Problem is after the thrill of the chase, it's hard to be as excited about the reality. It took me about a month after my kitchen was mostly finished to figure out that I actually liked it. The letdown that accompanies the process of letting go of what we imagined and enjoying what we got is pretty common.
After you put your stuff up against that beautiful tile, you may find it's better than you thought. I hope that in 3 mos. you'll look up and be unable to remember the feelings that you have today.

Thanks ya'll have all been I great help. I will step off the ledge now!LOL

debsan-you are exactly correct...its like after the last Christmas prestent is opened.

sw in austin-I do love the glass backsplash tile its from Arizona Tile and is very affordable...here's a link

Here is a link that might be useful: Cashew

The backsplash is beautiful and works great with the granite. Sometimes closely matching can be boring. You can always change the sills later after you've worked in the kitchen for a while.

Muddypond: Before you go with the small granite backsplash and tile, check out this thread and others here at GW. IMHO, the granite tile mix rarely looks good.

Here is a link that might be useful: Granite backsplash discussion

I, too, think it looks fine. A few accents will go a long way here. Including some drawer/cabinet hardware.

I'm not loving it either because it's not done! Once I fill in the blanks--hardware, window treatments, kitchen stuff--I like it! It's sterile right now. All hard edges. But good bones, textures, and colors.

You have more presents to open, but they're the jewelry in the stocking. I think you'll be QUITE pleased with the end!

Thank you for the floor tile info! Please be sure and post your kitchen after you add the finishing touches. I think it's going to be spectacular! Back away from the ledge...

I think it looks lovely. Coordinates well with your tile and the granite. I think once you get the rest of your kitchen paraphonalia put in place, you may change your mind.

Although, I remember another thread like this about someone who didnt like their backsplash when it went up and she made hubby tear it down and redo it. Yikes!

Not putting in a granite windowsill is one of my regrets! I think you'll really enjoy yours. You won't have to worry about plant pots or vases leaving rings.

Wait a while. It'll get better.

My DH rushed the backsplash as the stove was coming and he didn't want to move it later. I was of the impression we'd wait till we could afford a nice backsplash. Glass tiles like you have would be nice.

DH wouldn't here of it, picked me up from work and demanded I pick somthing out from HD or Lowes (our budget at that time) We were out for four hours and DH was getting impatient. Every thing I saw that might be promising, the employees were unable to locate in the store.

So we choose the tile we have. After DH placed one wall, it was late and we drove home. Seriously, I cried because I didn't like it.

Now I'm okay with it. It's plain and permanent and isn't as nice as yours, but it goes in our kitchen and the glass accent tile I added even brings a little blue color in. So I'm no longer crying when looking at it, and I'm sure once Everything is together I might begin to love it.

You'll like yours too, once you start actually using the kitchen and having your decorations around. It'll be beautiful, wait and see.

KlutterKara - I actually LOVE your backsplash. Honestly. I know the counters are more of a true green, while the bs is a yellow green. I think it adds a nicer feel than if they were the exact same colour tone, a sort of "tension" if you will. I think the yellow in the tile pulls out the creaminess in the cabinets, while the green in the tile pulls out the green in the counters. It works. It reminds me of the backsplash in the Brothers and Sisters kitchen (the mother's) - gorgeous.

I agree with you on the window sill. I would change it to a painted white wood. I don't think it quite works...not sure why...but it doesn't.

For what it's worth, I really like your backsplash, too. I just scrolled up to take another more critical look, and I like it even more.

Like others said, having your hardware up will add a finishing touch that will pull the elements together.

I like that you chose something other than the default white tile. I don't mean that as a criticism to those who have it (I'm still w/o a backsplash after a year and it's what I'm leaning toward.) But you have kept the space neutral, but with a little punch that sets it apart from many others.

When everything is done, really done, and all your accesories are in place, I bet you'll stand back and appreciate what a great kitchen you've created.

Everyone has said it well. It looks great! But, if it's not what you want, then I have a suggestion. Maybe if your installer put in a darker grout, one that has some of the gray from the backsplash that might tie the granite and the backsplash together. You said you loved it until it was grouted. Before it was grouted, the lines were dark - and that may be the look you want.
I don't think it should be too difficult to have them just apply a "top coat" of grout just for the color. Someone here may know better.
Personally, I like it and would not change a thing. This may just be your heart's attempt to keep the project going :)

Like so many of the other posters before me, I totally empathize! It's hard when you have a vision in your head and the vision in real life doesn't match it. Plus, a kitchen reno is just so overwhelming and fraught -- it's hard to not be constantly on edge and for every little (and big) thing to feel E-N-O-R-M-O-U-S.

Based on your photo I can see what you mean about the granite sill not feeling right -- it's a real disconnect to have the blue-green of the granite kinda come out of nowhere in the sea of toffee green tiles. Because the colors are so dissimilar it's a bit of a jar to the eye, esp. because it's new.

That being said, are you the sort to put doo-dads / plants, etc. on your sill? That will help mitigate it. Since your husband likes the granite sill maybe you can see your way around it. ???

I know for me (and probably most others) it's hard to not see that one thing which is "wrong." For me it's the microwave I didn't have recessed into the wall. Not a single other person would notice it (and in fact, no one has), but I saw it straight-away and it was like the grit in the oyster ... only it never turned into a pearl.

What did turn into a pearl is that nine months later I no longer care. It no longer pains me to see it. Only if I think about it do I see it. Otherwise, I can be in the kitchen doing this and that, even using the microwave without thinking about it. It has to pop up (like now) for me to remember "oh yeah, I hate that!" Then I shrug my shoulders and go on my merry way.

I'm wondering if you can either visually disguise it for yourself in the short (and maybe long) term, or let it annoy you until one day when you don't even see it. Or, who knows? You might one day be grateful to have the sill be granite because of a plant which is overwatered, or a child's sculpture on which the paint isn't yet dry, or it turns out to be a more convenient spot to put the potato brush ....

So tell us what hardware you're planning on using!

I think it looks beautiful and honestly wouldn't change a thing. I love the tile and the granite and how well they work together. I also like the sill done in granite. I have a wood sill at my current home and would much prefer granite there. We have granite in the window sill at the house we are currently building.

I HATED the look of our b/s on the 1st day it was grouted. Once it dried it looked much better and I'm back to loving it. Give it a day or so to dry and hopefully it will start to look more like what you were looking for.

rmkitchen-yours is my cabinet inspiration and you are exactly right about the greens of the granite vs tile. I did not notice the undertones or mabybe reflections of the tile until it was grouted. Alone the tile is a tan-taupe---or at least I thought. But I guess because its glass it picks up more green from the granite.

I really appreciate everyone helping me through this "traumatic" event....Ok Ok I am joking but I really do appreciate all the kind feed back and I have to rememeber this is only a kitchen and I am so blessed to have such terrible troubles.

klutterkara -- When I first opened this thread and saw the photos of your kitchen I thought "Wow! What a gorgeous kitchen! Those cabinets remind me of mine." But then I thought it might read as pompous if I wrote what good taste you and I both have! (although clearly, we do!) Thank you for the incredible compliment, although you've taken "our" cabinets to a whole new level.

Please don't think once (let alone twice) about the names I or anyone else use to describe the colors of your granite (which is pretty dreamy, by the way -- reminds me of mamadadapaige's gorgeous granite) or the tile (which is also pretty fabulous) -- we all have our own inner thesaurus, let alone a) how inaccurately colors photograph (or at least my photos seem to always be nowhere near reality) and more importantly b) how wildly different our monitors present the colors. (When I first looked at your pictures I was on a different computer than I am now, and just between the laptop and the desktop I think the tiles look different. Go figure.) So please please please forgive and pay no mind to the color descriptions we use. The computer on which I currently am has the tiles looking like cafe au lait -- see what I mean about monitors? Also on this monitor the granite sill makes more visual sense than it did on the other monitor. The more I think about it the more I think having a granite sill, esp. above a sink, will end up being one of your favorite things. (I kinda hate water damage and how grungy painted wood can get -- and I live with lots o' grungy painted wood!)

I don't know the vintage of your home but I am crazy for your kitchen windows, plural (!), and I lovelovelove the way the tile wraps around them. You are genius (seriously), because the height at which you have the tiles in / around your window just makes it feel so ... what's the word I'm looking for? Authentic! I also think the color of the tiles makes your kitchen feel not-brand-new (in a most excellent way), but as if it's from a lovely older home with character. (I live in an eleven year-old builder's house, so I covet those details!)

I wish you could borrow some of our eyes so you could see your kitchen anew and see what we're all able to see now (and you will down the road), that it is one beautiful space.

rm--you are soo kind. Yeah I actually sent a picture of your kitchen, which I absolutely adore, to my cabinet maker. I really wanted marble but my hubby nixed that idea. My house is vintage '83----that's 1983. LOL But thank you for the complement on the windows. My knobs and pulls will be America Diner from Hickory Hardware in brushed nickel. We still have a lot to do but as soon as it's done I will be posting. Oh, I am thinking about a grassclothe/burlap type wallpaper so I will probably be posting a question about that soon.

I just wanted to add to what others have said...your kitchen is coming along beautifully. The contrasts are striking and the colors are so warm and yummy! Candlelight will look amazing in your space. I"ve panicked once or twice too, only to feel so much better the next day but don't worry, you're creating a really lovely look.

I have to say I too love your windows!!! And how you wrapped the tile around them. How do you get windows like that or were they already there? Are they a special kind of window?

klutterkara, I too think the tile looks great. Your granite looks like
mine and I mixed greens and it works for me. Yours does not read so
green but more of a tan that picks up the tan veins in your granite.
I used a backsplash that doesn't have any color in my granite and I think it works.

Give it a little time, get a few more things done and I'll bet you'll end up
happy! Your kitchen is coming along beautifully!
vic

From a distance, it was hard to tell, but when you did the close up pictures, it matches perfectly. I love the tile and granite... both are absolutely lovely. Once you get your stuff in there with some rugs, etc. it will look very different and even more wonderful.

I just love it! I love the herringbone pattern over the stove. I also love the wrapping around the window -- but I did similar except I went all the way up the window. I so love that look! I agree with RM -- it give that feeling like it's always been there, in a really nice, fresh way. The colors I see in the close up shot look very good to me. I see veining in the granite that matches the tiling. I think it's going to be even prettier once the hardware is in.

Believe everyone -- its really beautiful!

Honestly, I think your kitchen is beautiful! I would walk in it and my jaw would drop!

It looks to me like the tile (and what a beautiful job your tile guy did) picks out colors on your granite and the grout picks out the cabinet color as well as the gorgeous trimwork.

I know the same thing is going to happen to me when all is said and done. I bet it's common to rethink all the decisions you made.

Your kitchen is homey and clean looking and crisp too - which I think the tile does for you.

Hopefully my taste will come out as well as yours did!

two quick things....i had a "kitchen depression" moment also....which i am actually too embarrassed to discuss now. at the time, it felt like the end of the world, but as rmkitchen said about her microwave, i don't even notice it now....

second...i'm pretty sure that you have costa esmerelda, which i also have. when my paint went on the walls, it looked different than i anticipated, and i suddenly thought my granite looked much greener than it than it had the day before. then my eyes adjusted to it and now i love how it works together. i think it is just now what you were expecting, but that doesn't mean it doesn't look great. and i also have some veins that are that tannish color and really do blend with the color tile that you choose.

i hate to say this, but when your wallpaper or paint goes up, it is all going to look different again!!!! so right when you start getting use to this combination, it's gonna change on you!!!!

PLEASE don't be depressed. your kitchen is stunning and it is a work in progress. every little detail will change it's look and feel and you will probably ebb and flow with the changes. but in the end, it will all just come together. trust your choices.....you are doing great so far!