it doesn't read so busy-huge movement swirls is busy to me. It's actually fairly monochromatic looking....what is the style of cabs and kitchen in general? I'd start with the selection of a style-contemporary,old world, transitional, etc. As well-what lengths of backsplash are getting the application, above cooking area, corners or rises in heights? Can you provide more info?

I agree with Herbflavor.
You are showing samples which to me means the kitchen is not in place yet. Why not wait until you can post pictures of the installed kitchen? Then, we can get a better feel for what might work.
I also think this is not a not a busy granite and you could get away with some bling.
Start looking at the Backsplash Slide Show to get ideas. There are two "camps" here on GW. Some of us like simple, some like more pizzaz. You and your husband have to figure out where you fall.

I have a few ideas to get the ball rolling. I am sure when
your kitchen is indeed in place it will be easier to decide.
Will you have undercab lighting? What other colors
besides the one in the image?
What hardware are you using? What style is your space?
Does your kitchen open to other living spaces?

Below are some ideas that show a granite with a busy
granite.

~boxer

Here is a busy granite with a simple BS

\

Here's a picture of the showhome kitchen to give you an idea of what it looks like. Our's will have the same counter and kitchen cabs. Paint will be as shown in the picture earlier, and floors will be dark hardwood. It's an open concept kitchen that opens up to the dining and living areas. We will also have stainless appliances.

Our kitchen is almost in place, but it's not complete yet, so I have no pictures. (We get possession in less than a month.) I'm trying to decide on the backsplash soon, so that we can get it done before we move into the house.

Boxerpups, thanks for the pictures. We don't have any underlighting yet. Might get them installed later, but haven't decided yet. See above for other colours in the surroundings, and picture for style.

Here is a link that might be useful:

What is the backplash in the showhome kitchen? I like it though can't see it very well.

It's a ceramic tile that's used in the foyer and bathrooms. They've cut it in half to use for the backsplash. We had the option of getting it done the same way, but I'm so in love with glass tiles, that we asked them not to do the ceramic tiles, and they gave us a little credit.

Oh forgive me.
I thought the cabs were lighter. Brain freeze or something.
here are some other examples of glass with the dark
beautiful cabs like you have chosen.
~boxer

Ooh, I'm really liking these!

So is the verdict that the granite isn't too busy, and we can go with something with a little more oomph?

Boxerpup - is that an onyx backsplash - I am wondering how it might look with my kitchen - will post separately.
Thanks!

Check out the Sonoma Tantrum glass tiles for the accent. You have to see them in person too. I think they're so beautiful. I like the way they look with a simple stone tile.

Not sure about the onyx

but here are some others that are onyx

blend of glass too

If you guys don't mind, I need some more feedback. We talked to our builder's interior designer, and she suggested a color that hadn't even crossed my mind: WHITE.. She put the whole package together, and it actually didn't look so bad. However, I'm still a bit hesitant since we have no other white elements in our kitchen. Even the granite has no white in it. (We do have white trimmings on baseboards and windows around the kitchen and the rest of the house, but that's about it.)

We tried a few other solid colours like cream and beige, but they seemed to blend in with the wall too much. We also tried two or three tone mosaic glass tiles, and even though they seemed to go really well with the granite, they looked dull and boring when put together with the rest.

Here's the white glass tile she suggests. Any feedback? Is it too stark? Should we go with something warmer?

Just to refresh your memory, this is what the kitchen will look like (minus the paint and floor color.) Our cabs and counter will be the same.

{{!gwi}}

Too stark in my opinion- if you are in love with glass I would go to home depot and buy a bunch of samples to look at ONCE your granite and cabs are installed if possible. This helped us narrow down our choice a ton!

I don't like the white, I agree it's too stark. Plus, I don't think it matches or blends with the rest of your palette since you stated you have no other white accents.

I have light cabs and dark perimeter granite (gray pearl) and we are using a mini subway multi colored glass and stone mosaic from Home Depot. It's Jeffrey Court Bling series in Forged Iron. I think it gives the kitchen the color jolt needed in an otherwise fairly neutral kitchen. My wall color is similar to yours, but a little darker tan. We're not done with it yet. Only have it partially installed.

If you're looking for "punch", see if you can find a mosaic that incorporates and, therefore, ties together all of the colors in your palette.

Here is a link that might be useful: JC Forged Iron

Initially I wanted something like what you have SugarCookies (Jeffrey Court backsplash), but when I put a busy-ish tile with my granite, it seems to dull out the granite. None of the tiles I've tried seem to work! I hadn't thought about white because I thought it wouldn't go with our color palette, but when the interior designer suggested it, we thought we'd check it out. However, I'm just not convinced, and you and CKGM have confirmed that.

CKGM, we took a bunch of tiles to the showhome kitchen I posted above to try them out, but honestly, we couldn't pick even one.

This has got to be the most difficult decision ever! I'm reaching a point where I'm regretting not getting the original ceramic tile put in by the builder. Would've saved a lot of hassle and headache. :-(

Another point about white glass...we were looking at white glass and all of them, even the low-iron ones, had a slight bluish or greenish tint. I didn't want that so we chose a light taupe colors that might actuallywork for you. Look up Terra Verre tiles and see if they are sold in your area. Our color sceme is very different, but I actually think the color we got, Glacier, would work for you. Good luck!

{{!gwi}}

Can you find out the name of the tile from the builder, or get a sample of it and see if you can match it. This way at least you have a backup plan.
Builders sometimes do put together nice combinations.

I have to admit I like the builder combo! Maybe just buy that style and color with a different tile so it's not to matchy-matchy?

ceebs - I'm sorry, but I think the builder combo is boring. lol But, that's just my personal taste talking. However, the show home has light colored flooring where yours is dark and your cabs are dark too, so I think it does call for a light colored backsplash to provide some contrast. I think the builder's tile is too large, but again, that's my personal taste. I think you are going about it the right way, taking samples in and putting them next to the cabs and granite so you can actually see what they will look like together. You will know it when you find "the one". And, if you can't find the right mosaic, you can always go with something similar to the builder's tile as plan B.

You might also consider back painted glass or metal tiles/stainless as a different direction.

Here's what the forged iron looks like partially installed in my kitchen. It's eventually going to go around the window too.

{{!gwi}}