kmcg85 Ok I entered picture on photobucket then cut and paste html into address to see if it worked and it didn't.

I tried there instead here to see if it worked to show it up at all.

iwanta: did you actually open a photobucket account and then upload your photo(s) to the account? From your post above, I can't tell whether you did that or not.

If so, you will see four different lines below the photo(s) in your account. The first says "Email & IM", the second: "Direct Link"; the third: "HTML Code"; and the fourth: "IMG Code". All you need to do is click on the box which comes right after "HTML Code" and you will see a message come up which says "Copied". Then, come back here, type up your reply and then "paste" the html code into your message. You can then preview your reply to make sure it came out right.

HTH.

Iwanta, No cutting involved. That might be the problem. Only copying. Follow amsunshine's directions above and it should work!

I'm considering darker bottom cabs, white top cabs, and beadboard that matches the top. I remember seeing the mock of yours months ago, and loving it. So, of course that's my vote :) And like you said, it can be replaced much easier.

Now, after seeing budge's I'm drooling over the subway tiles. That's my first favorite choice, but wasn't sure how it'd work with the two toned idea. But, I love it seeing it here. (officially made it's way to my favorite file on my desktop for inspiration :) )

In the end, I'll chicken out and paint the cabs all white. But for now, I can dream :)

Finally!

{{!gwi}}

kmcg85 and amsunshine THANK YOU for helping me use Photobucket. Hitting C for cut is what I was doing wrong.

Wanta, that looks like inconsistent, reflective light. Can we see what else is around that area -- across from, above, and to the sides -- a long shot if possible, maybe from the stove-side door???

the counter picture shows the pinkish color. Here is another picture with more kitchen.
{{!gwi}}

I think it looks pinker because the wall behind is yellow and the cabinets are also adding to the situation. Just get a tile with a color similar to the countertop but not too yellow.

Here were the tiles we bought home a couple weeks ago.
http://www.westminsterceramics.com/tm_pd01042_lg.html
http://www.westminsterceramics.com/ts_sh_01.html
http://www.westminsterceramics.com/ts_sh_03.html

Patricia- have not found the milk chocolate color yet

I took the cutting board of this same countertop to the store with me and it shows the same pinkish there. It's been awful to work with.

I think if all your cabinets were white, your countertop would not look so pink. I do think the orange undertones in the wood and the yellow color are emphasizing any pink undertones. I bet if you had all white cabinets, you would see less pink and more beigish.

That Milk Chocolate is Olean. It might be discontinued but I have seen it recently in tile store. Sometimes I do side work helping people decorate and redo their kitchens. No charge, but occasionally they take me out for dinner and drinks and it's all good.

My uppers are glazed with a reddish brown color to help warm it up to the red birch lowers. My thoughts, if I give up on a tile use beadbaoard painted the same color as the uppers and using the same glaze. It will have more glaze on the beadboard due to all the lines. But how that would look against the countertop may be an issue.

Other thought is the multi or copper slate

http://www.westminsterceramics.com/ts_sh_03.html
http://www.westminsterceramics.com/ts_sh_01.html

would bring attention to the backsplash and away from the counter. The slate picks up colors used in the kitchen. The rose pieces pick up the pinkish, pewter pieces pick up the pewter hardware and pewter light fixtures, greys and black picks up the stainless, copper picks up the copper in the hardware, etc. BUT it is darker. I was really going for a lighter look.

If I went a colored beadboard instead of matching the upper cabinets I have no idea what that color would be. I also don't know how I would protect the beadboard from cooking grease and splashes behind the stove.

PS: Took my cutting board the counter installers gave me that matches my countertop to the store and it showed the same tint so I would have to say that it is the countertop color. I put my small 2 x 2 sample piece on it and it seems to match ok but as a whole piece (the whole countertop) just brought out more tint, I guess.

I don't think I'd glaze the beadboard. It would get kind of busy, too. You had wanted to have a bit of contrast with your cabinet color, so maybe one of the neutrals in your counter color but overall lighter than the counter. I wouldn't put beadboard over the stove. Actually, there's supposed to be clearance from the cooktop to combustibles, so it probably wouldn't be 'to code' anyway.

I also wouldn't do natural stone with your synthetic counter. The slates also bring a whole different look to your kitchen. It's an earthy, heavy look and not that light/airy, happy feel you were wanting to achieve.

I would focus on painting the backsplash area just to see the effects on the pinkness you don't like and what color you might actually enjoy. It's not really hard to do.

I don't know what would make a good transition from beadboard to something different over the stove. If beadboard is questionable over stove then I assume drywall (paint) and wallpaper would be an issue too. So would that not leave me with stainless or tile over the stove? I don't know that I would like that broken up look. So here is another thought:
Put tile over the stove but put a row of that tile on the beadboard?
I have not given up on the all tile idea yet, just having a hard time finding something to work. I need to get some more samples.

How about something like this over your stove?

I think you need to focus on the color issue before committing to a backsplash. You may find certain colors let you live with your counter just fine. Those small samples are tough to work with and colors will vary in the space they're placed in.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stove Area Tile

Here's the tile/color Patricia posted. Then again, made lighter, as you said you want a light kitchen.

{{!gwi}}

I didnn't read all the posts, so forgive me if someone suggested this already but have you considered a tin backsplash? It should complement your new counters-beautiful btw, and your appliances!
Good luck!

Maybe a border tile that picks up your counter color. I was just looking for a smooth one, but saw something like this, remembering you liked leaves or some natural elements in there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Leaf Border Tile

Had to add some pink to the long shot as it wasn't showing any on my monitor.

Here's a soft silver sage type bluish-green and then a more grayed green. Not too much green, but I'm thinking having some green light reflecting around might neutralize some of the pink. It's also give you something prettier to look at and not focus on the counter so much.

This is the more neutral bone colored border tile.

Can't capture the light reflective properties in the virtuals : )

{{!gwi}}

Here's a neutral gray, beige-taupe kind of a color that was suggested above:

If you think you're not going to be keeping the counter for long, I wouldn't invest in more than border and splash tiles. Taking a counter out would bust up your splash.

I do like a soft, soothing color along there, myself, and don't think a splash area over the stove looks busy at all.

This is just a rough mockup for the overall look. The borders don't match. Kind of a gray-blue at the end.

{{!gwi}}

iwanta: is there any way you could post a few more well-lighted photos? The photo you posted is a bit dim.

Anyway, just thought of another idea: check out athomedad's kitchen, which combined a beige-y ceramic subway tile with a slate mosaic behind the range. Something like that might be a nice compromise -- a little slate focal point for your husband, but keeping it light with the subway tiles for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Athomedad's kitchen

Wanta, check the lighting in your kitchen. Maybe trying cooler light would help wash some of the pink out. Notice in the photo where the light is hitting the counter, the pink isn't there. Can you improve the general lighting in the room? and cooler?

I second squirrel's suggestion -- what type of bulb is in your can lighting? Try fuller spectrum bulbs, maybe? What other lighting do you have? I'm wondering if your photo is just a poor photo, or if you need better general lighting in the kitchen? I remember you said this room doesn't get much natural light -- so perhaps just working on the wired lighting would do the trick.

Gosh, just got home and found all kinds of surprises on here!! Thank you all for your time!

I may have to play with the lighting some. I can try different bulbs for the can lights but what should I try? Under the counter are xexon? bulbs. The picture I posted of just the 1 cabinet and counter has the undercounter light on in that picture.

As for the counter I am pretty sure that is here to stay for quite awhile. So I really need to work with it.

And Athomedad's kitchen I saw that one awhile ago and have a picture of that in my file. I thought that might be a nice way to work in a little of the color above the stove. I am struggling with tile color for the whole backsplash area. The tint just seems so hard to work with.

I wonder if anyone on this forum has the same countertop as I do and could let me know what they ended up doing with the backsplash. This one is challenging!

Squirrel- I like the idea of tile work over the stove. I like the contrast between the paint and upper cabinets as I want the upper cabinets to pop out some. The tile above the stove is so pretty but lacks some color for me. Something like Athomedad's kitchen would give it a little more color there. The upper cabinets tend to looks dirty when I put something too light next to it. They look cleaner when there is something darker next to it.

Tin backsplash? Gosh I don't know what to think of that one as I have no clue! Never seen it before. So without trying it (seeing it) who knows?! If it is shiny though I may not like that part of it.

Any suggestions on the best way to take a picture of the kitchen? With or without flash? All the lights on or off in the kitchen? My camera is nothing fancy.

First, take a bulb out of one of your cans and figure out what kind it is. Your contractor could have put in some cheap bulbs without a thought as to the effect of the lighting for your particular space, who knows? Find out if its a halogen, incandescent or fluorescent bulb, and the wattage. Do you have any other flush mount or pendant fixtures? What type bulbs do they have? GE Reveal Bulbs typically give off a very nice light for incandescents, but you may need something different. The xenon undercabs should be fine, I think.

Take a number of photos at different times of the day, but definitely with all lights on, including the one over your range. Then have a look at them on your computer to determine which ones appear to be most realistic.

IMO, you are unlikely to find someone with your exact countertop. I've seen so few with solid surface here, for some reason. But with the right photos, and the right lighting, I'm sure squirrel can work wonders in finding the right tiles for you - she's so talented! But let's see if the lighting can't be tweaked first.

Wanta, when you check the bulbs, write down any info you can find on them, so we can look them up. Or maybe you have extras around the house to check their packaging.

What brand/model/whatever is your undercounter lighting?

That is your homework ; )

All are incandescent except for undercounter (xenon) and flourescent over the sink. BUT when I take the cutting board into a store it shows the same tint so I am not so sure it is my lights. But I will probably try something different in one of the can lights.

Thanks for the suggestions for better pictures. Do I use a flash?

I think you'd have to use a flash.

Lighting types will affect how an object reflects its color. Try to find out about the fluorescent, too -- cool or warm light.

The 'Daylight' bulbs are cooler.

Just looked up Xenon -- cooler than incandescent, warmer than halogen. If the area where the light is shining is coming from the undercounter (rather than the overhead), as one would think, the pink is not reflecting from your counter in your photo. Take a close look irl to see where any light hits, what the main light source is there, and how the counter looks.

If you shine a blue light on a red object, it looks black. Yellow Incandescent light will bring out the warmer colors in things (your red). It's just an adjustment.

Just wanted to comment that I looked up Ben Mo's "Barely Beige", which you said was on your walls now -- it has definite pink undertones, FYI. So you have some more pink bouncing around the room from the cabinets, the cherry floor and even the walls, themselves. And don't think about what lighting is in the tile store -- the lighting in your home is everything.

Good thinking, amSun :)

Hey, Wanta -- looks like you like pink! : )

NO! Not crazy about pink in the kitchen. I do not notice a pink in the paint. Oh dear.

I forgot to suggest that you try to find some halogen bulbs for your recessed cans. GE Reveal are good, too, but halogen may be a bit better for your room. And replace all of them to get the full effect.

I see the pink coming from the recessed lights? Look at the white cabs where the light hits them. I see more pink there than under.

I had planned to change the paint. I thought painting was suppose to be the last thing I do. Afterall it is the easiest thing to change. After I do the backsplash there will be very little painting to do.

There isn't a right order or wrong order to do paint -- but it helps to know that your paint color may be contributing to the overall "pink" feel of the room, and good to keep that in mind when ultimately choosing your paint color. :-)

I sure am getting closer to getting this project done and probably would be done if I wasn't so stuck on the backsplash. I think once I figure out the backsplash the paint and fabric choices will be quick.

If I did beadboard above the counter and tile above the stove will they be able to meet right? Or would that just not work due to the thickness of the 2? Of course this could even be more challenging to do then picking all tile because then I would have to make the beadboard color and counter and tile all work together.

If you want calm and un-busy, the beadboard is going to add another pattern. I wouldn't worry about trimming/joining until you figure out what you prefer. Just assume it can be done nicely at this point.

Do some light bulb tests and see if that improves your 'pink' hurdle. Then you can move on from that point.

I am sorry I havent read all the above posts. So I hope I am not repeating someone else. What about using the 4 inch ivory travertine tiles. They also sell a noche color that has a little bit of browns in it. I think the ivory would be better. Then you could do something pretty like a travertine stone raised border with a different tile inside that area, over the stove. I think the ivory travertine will blend with all the colors.

We tried barely beige in our living room and I didn't like it because of the pinky undertones. Change the bulbs change the paint and then see how you like it. I've got friends who waited a year or more before deciding on a splash. Do everything else - you don't need to finish the splash now to finish your project. You don't need more than a quart of paint - take your samples (counter, cabs and floor) down to the paint store, get them to recommend a couple of colours (tell them about the look you are going for - light and airy right?) take the quarts home and sample away.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will work with the lights, keep bringing samples home of tile, and check out paint colors.
I mainly was trying to find out what colors I can work with this counter and what colors I should avoid as tile comes in all kinds of colors. As for color I do not know what colors work with what.
What I also need to decide is which way to go. Keep the backsplash neutral or make the backsplash a focal point.

Changing out the bulbs for some nice full spectrum halogens should be a very simple and quick thing to do, and I'm guessing it will be a marked improvement in toning down some of the pink in your countertop, which you clearly don't like. This should be done first so you have a better idea of the colors you need to work with/against. Once the new bulbs are in place, you should be able to get a truer idea of what tiles/colors work best in your space. Also, updated pics with the new lighting would help a lot! :-)

Ok, i pulled out my can light bulb to see just what I have in those cans. The bulb shape is the outside spot light type. It is a GE Reveal, 65 watt. Is this different than the full spectrum halogens?

Yay! This is progress! :-) The GE Reveal bulbs are actually good incandescent bulbs. However, it looks like, in your case, you may actually need somewhat cooler light (like squirrel suggested). Halogen bulbs give off a very nice light which is cooler than the standard or even GE Reveal incandescents -- more like full spectrum daylight. They will look similar to the ones you already have. Take one of your current bulbs to a home depot or lowes and ask for halogen bulbs that would be appropriate replacements for the ones you have.

Also -- look for "flood" bulbs, not "spot" bulbs. You want to get good general lighting, not individual spot lights throughout your kitchen. And halogens have a tendency to be brighter than incandescents -- if they are on dimmer switches, this should be no problem. If not, you might want to ask if you should go a bit lower on wattage, for example, 50 or 60 watts, instead of 65 watts per bulb. There should be information on the box about the lumen output as compared to standard incandescents. HTH.

Oh boy, brighter lights! My DH already goes zap,zap zap when I have all my kitchen lights on because I have so many!
I have 4 can lights with reveal, a 2 tube flourescent light over sink, center of the room light that holds 3 incandescent bulbs, light over the booth table that holds 4 incandescent bulbs, undercounter xexon lights and lights in the upper cabinets. Oh, and the range hood light. So I get teased about all these lights but I like to work in alot of light. All this in a 11 x 12 room.

This is the reason he thinks we can get away with slate for the backsplash.

I put in Sylvania daylight flood bulbs and it does not seem to make a difference. They may be the same type I had in originally (Reveal). But sylvania may call theirs daylight. I don't want to use the halogens due to the heat from them. I get plenty of heat in the kitchen now from the bulbs. I will probably have to try paint next.

ha! I actually see the tiles I am searching for in one of the pictures above : http://images.lowes.com/product/789222/7892226214841.jpg (Mos Fossil 2 3/4x 2 3/4)

Lowes is no help - anyway to find out if this are still available anywhere?