Great cabinets, great wallpaper. I think a little wine area is much better than a desk, and I'm not saying that just because I drink too much. Overall it looks really good. I don't pretend to imagine how well it functions, but lookswise it's a beautiful kitchen and will be fabulous when you're done.

I'm not sure about the backsplash. I wouldn't do too much. (I like the wood strip although that's probably not going to work with the new counter.) Will you do granite or the tile in the window?

But the backsplash looks so perfect against the wallpaper, except it's squares...I'm not sure I'd bother. It might be too busy. It might be perfect.

I'm not being helpful here. How about get new almond-colored light switches!? =)

I'd go with stainless or an almond/bisque colored sink, but black would probably be fine.

The colors definitely work but to me it might be a bit busy. Another idea is to use a use a tile (stone or ceramic) in the lighter color of your granite and perhaps some metal or glass accent pieces. I would suggest losing the 4" backsplash of the same material as the countertop. Come all the way down to the counter with the backsplash material.
ps...I still like wallpaper too :)
Monica

Thanks - the wood strip will go away with the countertops - I will run my granite to the wall and tile up (no 4" type backsplash)

twin

congrats on your upcoming rehab

- Having the wood strip go away will help ease transition

- how will the cooktop be vented?

I like the backsplash, just not with all the other existing/proposed changes that will be the final effect. I think it will read too busy as others have suggested.

If you are set on doing tile, I would stay with one neutral muted tone - like around the sink

Find other "black" sinks - are you thinking a porcelain type? do you have well water? are u doing undermount?

gl

gl - thanks for suggestions. Agree, that wood strip will ease the pain! Agree the backsplash is too busy. I think my challenge is complex because it not only has to work with a granite with tons of movement, it also has to work with my wallpaper. Not easy.

As for a sink - a trusted friend, who is a real estate agent and see tons of kitchens, told about Swanstone and Blanco granite type sinks. She said they just disappear into the granite. I like them but probably leaning more towards stainless for the "safe" factor. yes, I will do an undermount. I do not have well water.

Now I am concerned about my cooktop ventilation. I need to review with my contractor rebuilding my island!

Of the colors in the mult-color backsplash - should I go more gold, more taupe, more brown - help. I am worst at decorating and color!

I found these pics (sorry if they're yours!) and the kitchen has a lot of similiarities to mine - cherry, yellow river granite, two tier island etc)

This is NOT my kitchen but it looks a lot like it:

This is what we are doing with our desk - it will become a wine bar:

Since you're keeping the wallpaper, a simpler back splash tile and a stainless sink;otherwise, as has been stated, it will be too busy.

In the tile sample that you have, all of the colours match what you are doing but it is the size of the tile and the business of them all together that is the problem.
So the colours - the gold may wind up being too orange against the cherry cabinets. I would bring home samples of the lighter beige and the greyer one in a subway size matte finish or stone. The lighter one might get washed out against your wall paper but may also tie it all together and be a nice soft cohesive look. The greyer one, depending on how much grey is in your granite could add some drama to the room.
Try them both and see what kind of look they give and might help you to decide the look that you want. Are you keeping the drapes because the greyer one might look good with those. (If they are greyer - my monitor might be off)

Since the wallpaper dominates, I would keep whatever else you do as simple as possible. For example, I wouldnt use a small tile with a lot of grout lines. I might even just do a painted backsplash?