I saw your other post. I think the granite would really look great. I think the little tiles are too much competition for the granite. Maybe that's not the right word. I just think it is not complementing the granite.

If you can do the granite, I say go for it. I liked the way it looked when you leaned the sample piece up, it gave it a seamless look.

I really liked the granite too. The price would probably be the same per square foot as the counter minus the cost for the finished edge. Do you know if granite tiles are available in that pattern?

I actually have enough grant left over in my garage. They just need to come out and cut it and put it in. I just don't know how much it will cost to do that and also to remove the current 1x1s.

I actually think it looks great. I am not a big fan of granite on backsplashes. I am not sure what I don't like about it but it sometimes looks like there was a sale on granite and someone just went to town.

You already have the same tile in the backsplash in other parts of the kitchen there might be something to say about uniformity. And speaking of uniformity, your backsplash matches your floor tile which gives a space a good cohesive quality. And finally if I look into the adjoining room the wall color matches the backsplash.

I actually love it the way it is. If I had granite I would pay to replace it with your current situation.

I think the granite would look good but I think it looks okay as is. You could save some on cost if you took down the tile yourself...

I actually like what you have. The angle of the picture shows that the backsplash matches your tile floor and it looks good, imo. I'd live with it for awhile and see if it doesn't grow on you.

If you hate it, yank it. You don't need our permission! Might as well use the granite. Probably not that expensive--if you can get the tile off yourself and just pay to have the granite cut (but install it yourself) it probably wouldn't be expensive at all.

You may want to change your outlet covers first - find something that matches. When I look at it - it's not all that bad but the white outlet covers give you a third color competing with the granite and the backspash.

I have no advice. But if you clear your mind of your backsplash problems for a moment, and then re-read the title of your post from the perspective of one who does not know what went before, it might give you a little comic relief.

"Please, please give me some more input. I hate it."

Maybe I'm just strange (it's been said), but it just struck me funny.

Have a good weekend (?)
Cj

Cj, thanks for the laugh.

I think your backsplash is very pretty. The granite would look nice, but perhaps be granite overkill. Just live with this for awhile and give it a chance to grow on you. When I did my kitchen I was always second-guessing myself, and five years later, I still am.

If I remember your other post - you have 4x4 tiles on the diagonal as your main back splash? Would those fit in on the island? Prob only 1 row but it may add the conformity you are looking for. I also think the granite would look nice if you go that route - no clue on price - good luck & keep us posted!!

I, think it look's great. Granite back splashes, are not in. I, think you, would have to much granite. I, really like it. sharaz

IMHO, changing the backsplash to the same-granite isn't a big enough change/improvement to warrant the cost.

If I were going to change the tile (which actually looks pretty darned good), I would use an accent color that picked up something else in the room.

What I do when I'm stuck on color is raid my closet... I take out a bunch of clothes in different colors, and then one-by-one drape them over whatever I'm trying to "colorize." I'm a visual person.

I also raid my favorite artwork from around the house and prop it up on whatever I'm trying to colorize.

= = = = = = = = =

I always say, "Don't buy it unless you really LOVE it."

Same applies to remodeling: "If you don't love the idea, don't build it."

;-)

I think it looks nice too (but what really matters is what you think.) I was going to say exactly what macybaby said -- I noticed the outlet covers as standing out. What kind of hardware will you have on the cabinets? You can find outlet covers to match at Target in several finishes for about $6 each. Or Lowes and HD have faux stone ones that could blend in with the tile.

So I'd try doing that first - fast and inexpensive - and live with it awhile to see what you think. Maybe it will be like getting a haircut, where at first you think "oh no!" and then after awhile you really like it.

If you still hate it a few months down the road, you'll still have the granite.

I think the tiles tie in nicely with the floors and the walls. And I agree about the outlet covers. Living with it for a bit is good advice--you can always change it in a month or two, and you may grow to like it. I have been living with an accent wall in my kitchen for the past month and now know for certain that I want to change it. My granite (which I couldn't change, but wasn't sure I loved when first installed) has totally grown on me. With time, I feel like I am more certain about my feelings about both the wall and the granite than I was when they were first done.

First thing that I'd do is change or paint the outlet covers.

I agree about the outlet covers, they need to be closer in color to the backsplash. You can paint them easily enough or buy beige covers. You can even paint them to look like they are tile like the backsplash. I've seen it done on the internet.

Honestly, the tile backsplash you have looks nice to me, granite would look nice, too. Change the outlet covers and live with the backsplash for a month or two and see if it still bothers you. If it does, then change it.

Thanks everyone. I'll change the outlets and see how it looks then and give it a little while. So, on the outlets, do they also have the whole outlet colored or just the covers?

I need a larger picture before I can form an opinion!

I know nothing about tile installation. This may not even be possible, but in looking at the other side above the cooktop, the tiles there really stand out. Are those copper? Or something that looks like it? Placing a handful of those or another contrasting color randomly throughout your existing island splash might help tie the two walls together and add some visual interest to the island. Do you have another color you love somewhere near the k;tchen that you could pick up there?

Again, I don't know how easy/difficult it would be to chip out a few tiles and replace them with another color, or maybe larger tiles the size of two or four of your tiles.

Here is a link that might be useful: First post

Here is the wall on the other side over the cooktop:

Here is a wider view picture with nothing on the counter:

A closeup:

Well, I didn't read the other post thoroughly before posting it, but I just saw where Bill V suggested the same thing I did so I know it is possible and not even too difficult.

I think it looks great, a few diagonal tiles might help, but IMHO, granite on the lower and upper counters joined by the same granite in the backsplash looks like a lot of stone to me. I like the relief for the eyes. Shouldn't be hard to do and probably not too expensive either. A tile guy for about an hour should do it.

I'm not a fan of granite backsplashes either, but in all honesty, I think in this particular area it would actually look great. I think it would actually be more restful looking and less distracting and even less busy because it would flow from the counter to the upper counter.

But I also agree that the way it is now is fine and that you should first try to live with it and see if it becomes a nonissue.

when we had kitchen in house we moved out of remodeled, the guy doing the remodeling said that it was just easier all the way around if the small area on sink counter was done with same granite as the countertops/bar...mainly because of the water splash/grout--even though he was using quality sealer on either product...
so we did that--just used the granite and it looks good...

in the house we bought and moved into--the tile around the sink backsplash is one I really don't care for--but to take it out would have been so much of a hassle because of the way it was installed and replacing it with either differnt type/pattern was again expensive and a lot of hassle for what is basically MY problem--
no one else seems to mind the type/color/design of the tile installed...
so I am just living with it...

What I notice FIRST in that photo is the white dishwasher--I find that very distracting...and the plug covers...
the smaller tile maybe aren't the BEST choice--but live and learn...
try out a new door cover for the dishwasher and see if that makes a difference...

Think I'm going to try the stone enhancer first and see if it darkens and if I like that better. Failing that, I'll have to decide what's next. I really just want to be done :-)

I think it looks nice - what about just adding some of those smaller copper accent pieces you have over your cooktop?

I like the idea of adding more copper or darker tile accents diagonally.

So, if I do that, how many do you think and where??

Hi tbosshar,

I love the windows with the tile and I love the tile
itself. Okay, the out,let covers are bit Stark but I still
like the tile.

For me, visually the three square tiles above the cook-top
are not dramatic enough or maybe it is the angle. I am
not sure but it does not look finished. Instinctively
you know this and that is why you want imput. Can you
make more of a statement?
I think you are on target with the copper idea.
Once you create more of a focal point behind the cook top,
it will feel done to you. It will feel finished, complete
beautiful. Because it is beautiful just needing that
little bit more. Push it and don't be afraid.
Here are a few ideas below.

~boxer

Tile Master Atlanta

Decorative Tile BS

Bee Line

Whitney

Kitchen Designing notes

I am installing my backsplash for a second time. First one was torn out because it turned gray. My cabinets are BM Dove White and the granite is Giallo Ornamental. (I realize that this was the first mistake. We were swayed toward this granite by the salesmen!) Although I have been reading that others here have this combination, in my kitchen it clashes. We have lots of natural light. After much searching I am back to the Rixi tiles in Crema. They are lined up on my dining room table and look yellowish, but when I turn the light on above them, they turn to more of an off white. Am I in for yet another big surprise when these are installed? Also any suggestion on what I would change my undermount light bulbs to to keep the tiles cream colored?
I am so frustrated that everything has turned out wrong. On a postive note, I do enjoy all the elements in my kitchen. I have all high end aplliances and I love my new window and oak floor.

tbosshar, What about starting with two of the copper pieces, one on either side of the faucet lined up with the middle of the cabinet doors on the sink base, then continue with the copper pieces along the rest of the backsplash the same distance apart? You don't want too many, just enough to break up the small mosaics and add a darker element to the backsplash. I think that would look great!

ellendi, I feel your frustration with the backsplash tiles. My tiles looked more grayish brown in the winter light, but now with the spring sunlight we get in our kitchen, they take on a pinkish tone and I think they clash with my granite and cabinets. But I can't afford to rip them out and my DH would kill me, so I'm living with them until I win the lottery :) Was it a big mess to remove them? Were yours already grouted? I have no advice to offer except to move the tiles around the room and look at them in every light possible!

Marcy96- The main reason I decided against the tumbled and travertine was the possibility of it turning pinkish. To answer your question, we were very lucky when it came to removing the tiles. The installer was someone who my husband saw previous work and then he in turn recommened him for three jobs. (My husband owns and manages real estate.) When it came time for him to install ours,he did a great job. But the color looked terrible. The white tiles took on a gray cast. MY DH agreed and saw how upset I was. It was removed for free!It really was not messy. However, this leaves you with a compromised wall that has the sheetrock ripped off. You now no longer have the option to paint it and wait. You are left with an awful looking carboard wall! I don't know why we couldn't replace the sheetrock, my DH was against that.
So, now I am waiting for the installer to come back and put my new tiles in. Just hoping it will be acceptable.
tbosshar: Trust me, if my tiles come out half as good as yours, I will consider myself lucky.

tbosshar,

What did you decide to do?

I am very curious because your thread made me realize that when my L-shaped peninsula is done I will also have tiles sandwiched between layers of granite. Only my tiles will be white subway and my granite is honed black. I am thinking that a white stripe sandwiched between black sounds skunklike.

They just are doing my granite template. So I need to know NOW whether or not to have the area behind the bar tiled or done in granite. What did you end up deciding? What have others done????

I like the mix of textures, more interesting to me.

My KD recommended tile backsplash instead of granite. We agreed and have ended up with kind of the same thing you have, but with four inch travertine instead of one inch. We're happy, but that doesn't mean you will be.

I do think the color could be a bit darker. It seems to jump out at you instead of transitioning between the two levels of granite. Hopefully when you seal/enhance it the tile will darken and compliment the granite.