Regarding the grout, if you're doing a grout color that is in line with the color(s) in the tile it shouldn't look too busy in any size. I saw a stunning photo the other day of a pretty busy granite, light splash tiles and super dark grout so it doesn't all have to be super muted to blend. As for what the lady said, if you love the 6x6 more than the others, do it. I have short splash on both walls of my kitchen due to cabs and a window so 6x6 would never work but I like the looks of them and didn't realize it was a trend, but what do I know? It's not like squares are some fancy new, trendy shape. ;) Maybe someone else will have better advice on that. Here is a link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Mostly 6x6 backsplash tiles

Thanks palimpsest .... I fell in love with a kitchen I saw in a granite yard and thoughtright away: that's what I want!!! And they used the Jeffrey Court Chapter 12. They had a row of 2x3 (set vertically) ~ and inch accent tile ~ then two rows of 6x6s set diagnally. And it looked GREAT. Behind the stove area they used a accent border with hexagons inside. I'm sure they had at least 18 inches from countertop to top of cabinets. I have only 16 (maybe even a little less). So, I'm thinking I should start looking at 4x4s or just use the 6x6s set straight. Behind my sink I want an accent area consising of (if I use the Jeffrey Court) 2x3 subways set in a brick pattern; a 1/2 inch accent border, shaped in a rectangle (but with an arched top); NOW in the accent area, I want 1x1 glass sparkley tile ~ all tone-on-tone (pretty much); because my granite (Delicatus Brown), will be quite busy! This is just driving me crazy, I tell ya. I have looked at thousands of BSs trying to get ideas. But before anything can be done; we have to take off my current tile. 1x1 mosaics (whites/off-whites) on the counter and backsplash (from counter to top of cabinets). Don't think this will be any kind of fun job :( Hoping to get started on taking those off next week. Thanks for your help!! jody

A couple of things; one, any grout, regardless of its color, will block light from shining through the sides of your glass tile. This is what causes a reduction in light reflection (through or from glass tile). Our glass tile installed, did/does look different from the ungrouted sample board we'd brought home when choosing our backsplash, and really looks different from the mesh mounted sheets of tile. It's the nature of the beast so to speak. :) The second thing I want to point out; we used white grout with our glass tile (clear and matte glass tile, back-painted white). We don't seal it all the time. In fact, it hasn't been sealed since it was installed (Aqua Mix Gold; a water-based sealer??) and it still looks new (and white). Right over the vent/trim piece on the back of our range, we would sometimes end up with grease deposits during oven use (vented out of the trim piece). These deposits are easily removed (dissolved?). I spray some alcohol-water spray on the backsplash, let it sit a minute or two, and wipe with a paper-towel or microfiber. Occasionally I'll give it a second spray. Since we started sliding a piece of foil between the trim piece and the backsplash when we use the oven, it's cut down on deposits. If we do happen to end up with any stubborn "stains" (again right over the trim piece, and usually after prolonged, high heat roasting), I'll spray with Dawn Power Dissolving Gel, let sit, and give a scrub with my blue scrub sponge. FYI; the newer TEC XT grout is even more stain resistant than their original grout(s), but we didn't use it in our kitchen (not available then?).

Irishcreamgirl - thank you for the compliment (curious if you'll still like it now that it's grouted!) and the starting point was being the faucet, between the two windows. Petra - thank you for your kind comments, including about the whole struggle we're having at home with health. :-/ Amity - you are so kind, thank you for following the progress and liking the flavor of the icing. :) Again, WE SHALL SEE if you still like it once you see the grout! Kinda scary! But I'm not afraid of honest feedback so once you see it, be brutally honest! Prill - thank you for the feedback! Sciencechick - thanks for your vote! Francoise - why thank you! Wow - that's quite the compliment!! :) Bmorepanic - thank you for reminding me about the rules for caulking! I looked and looked for that and was so glad to find your comment! Malhgold - how right you were! I should have demanded to see samples on extra tiles or did my homework and done it on my own well ahead of time! I agree about it being one of the more difficult choices. That and the faucet were the two hardest so far! Red Eared Slider - thank you! Dianalo - I'm agreeing with you more and more. ;) Either that or something that truly blends in with the base color of the tile. Ah well, you live you learn! And again, I don't hate it. Just not the picture of blending in I had in mind. But the lightest color I offered any of you so in the end you still gave good advice (the majority of them I mean)! Honorbilkit - thank you for your .02! Cat mom - thanks for liking the kitchen! Jakabedy - that "overall impression" is the problem I'm having at the moment. It's okay when you look at individual pieces but all together it looks nice but not great. Hard to explain. I'll post a pic as soon as I can. Pharao - ding ding ding and we have a winner! ;) No - it's okay the way it is, REALLY IT IS! But anyway, I see your point now that it's a bit too late! hahaha. I just was so afraid of it getting stained! Boxerpups - okay I'm dying for you to see it since you think it's a lovely color. It just doesn't have the overall impression I expected (everything looks gray now, beside a countertop that's gray, so there's just not enough warmth and when the marble wasn't yet grouted, it did indeed look a lot more white, even though the shadows in between the tiles gave the impression of a darker grout!). Also it just doesn't feel very "period" which as you may recall, I get a little hung up on sometimes - especially considering I did something so "out there" by attempting to make stainless look period...so this just adds more modern to an already modern thing happening. But again, this can be lived with and with the right color for the upper cabs and all the nick nacks put back in place, etc., it might look better! Onedogedie - I'm reading you loud and clear! Mtnrdredux - Thanks for loving the kitchen! The uppers are original, from 1913. The lowers are what we just replaced since the ones before were put in in the late '70's we think. I'm glad you don't think it's trying too hard! That's funny cause that's something I work hard at - keeping things balanced and relatively simple while still taking into consideration that it's an old house, etc. I appreciate that - and am curious if you'll still think that after you see the grout (not quite the look I was after but it might still pass for not trying too hard)! As for timeless, I feel this grout makes things look a bit more modern (my kitchen is now starting to look like the loft-style hair salon I go to)!! Thank you...