Sorry...I see my pictures didn't show up so I am trying again.....

Well, quite honestly I agree with you. Both elements are beautiful separately, but together it just doesn't click. Perhaps it is that two stone elements are being used together. The two are close but not right for each other. Perhaps a traditional tile splash would work better.

Dear bosspaige: I love your kitchen and your granite is amazing and looks great with your cabinets. I agree that although the backspash you picked is very pretty, it doesn't work with your granite. Perhaps it is too busy? Too cool? I would also be tempted to send it back and get something like a plain white subway tile.

I have to say I agree. It's seems too geometric and static for the style of your kitchen as well. I also think something more traditional/transitional would be better suited.

BTW love the granite!

Both are beautiful separately but definitely don't go together, unfortunately. I think it's because your granite has a lot of yellow & green tones in it with specks of a reddish brown (at least on my monitor it looks like this). The backsplash is pinkish. Maybe try a travertine (here's a link--I think the Ivory or Cappucino might go with your granite).
http://bellagiostoneinc.reachlocal.com/coupon/?scid=1634913&cid=518923&tc=10040816563720108&rl_key=45d12b344daca78353fe922b91ca1544&kw=3942338&dynamic_proxy=1&primary_serv=bellagiostoneinc.reachlocal.net&pub_cr_id=4689367980

Send it back!

Everything looks great, except for that. I don't mind the shape but the color is wrong. Is it the same color as your samples?

Agree with everyone else. The 2 just don't go together.

What is the name of your granite?? Colors in the granite?? With more info maybe you can get some more suggestions.

What is the name of your granite? It looks very similar to my Colonial Gold. It is a light gold/cream background with dark brown spots throughout (my cabs will be a med/dark brown). I also looked at gray marble type backsplashes, but felt that the backsplash and granite didn't go. The whole cold/warm thing didn't look right. I also think the shape of the tiles is too modern.

I'm planning to use a crackle tile in a toast color. The tile color matches the gold in the granite. I plan to use either a 4x4 tiles on a diagonal or 3x6 subway tiles. It would be a more traditional look. I'm not sure if that's what you're going for. I also looked at using plain white or off white subway tiles, but I liked the toast color better. The white/off white was a little too stark for me, but I thought it looked very nice as well, more transitional.

Even though it seems like a lot of $$ I would return it. I know I would regret using a backsplash I didn't love.

Agree with everyone else. I get a little hint of what could be where the tile is slightly darker. I think finding something that matches some of the golden and brown tones of your granite is the answer.

The name of the granite is colonial dream and it is off white, tanish-greens, golds with dark chocolate spots. When I first saw it, it looked like a zebra pattern and reminded me of a safari. It struck me and I just kept going back to it.

The sample I ordered was a white, but not a stark white and it actually matched nicely. What came was a brownish grey. Even with the color aside, I just don't like the pattern. I have tried all different creams and whites and I just haven't had any luck. Would a glass tile or metal tile possibly look better? I do love the light colored kitchen and that is what I was trying to stick with but maybe that isn't going to work. After all the work of painting the cabinets (if I never see another paint brush, that will be fine with me), I really want to finish it right.

Here is a picture of the before kitchen...I wish I had taken some better pictures so the effects of the fake brick linoleum and the dark cabinets falling off the wall would have shown better. Believe it or not, this was one of the better rooms in the house when I bought it 2 1/2 months ago!!

Another agree. Everything is beautiful but the white of the backsplash is too cool and doesn't really match.

I ordered a backsplash once and had to return it. Looked really different in person than online. Shipping through UPS was only around $60, which was surprising because it was about 80sq ft of marble.

The name of the granite is colonial dream and it is off white, tanish-greens, golds with dark chocolate spots. When I first saw it, it looked like a zebra pattern and reminded me of a safari. It struck me and I just kept going back to it.

The sample I ordered was a white, but not a stark white and it actually matched nicely. What came was a brownish grey. Even with the color aside, I just don't like the pattern. I have tried all different creams and whites and I just haven't had any luck. Would a glass tile or metal tile possibly look better? I do love the light colored kitchen and that is what I was trying to stick with but maybe that isn't going to work. After all the work of painting the cabinets (if I never see another paint brush, that will be fine with me), I really want to finish it right.

Here is a picture of the before kitchen...I wish I had taken some better pictures so the effects of the fake brick linoleum and the dark cabinets falling off the wall would have shown better. Believe it or not, this was one of the better rooms in the house when I bought it 2 1/2 months ago!!

before you ship it back, be sure to get a return authorization and find out all the costs - there may be a substantial restocking fee. That, combined with shipping may make it worth a try to sell it on CL. I think we've all been there - all the best!

I agree, the two elements fight each other and you should send it back. Plain subways or even a random mix of two whites or a white with very pale grey would look nice.

I know it is traumatic to change gears and pack them up and mail them -- but it will be worth it in the end. I once ordered a huge set of dishes -- there were six or seven big boxes, with all the protective wrapping. After unwrapping them all I decided I just didn't like them so (with disbelieving but supportive DH helping) rewrapped them all and took them to FedEx. Paid a lot to get them all shipped safely back. But, then, got some dishes I loved and still love every day.

So, it will be worth it when you find the perfect thing.

I like the backsplash but not with your cabinets. I think it goes with the granite ok, but is too contemporary for your cabinets. I think you should consider your cabinets when choosing your backsplash. Maybe you should consider a subway tile that is inbetween your cabs and countertop.

I agree with the other comments that the backsplash tile is nice by itself but does not coordinate well with the granite (tile pattern too small and color and matte finish not right). It's also too modern for the rest of the kitchen (e.g., wood header above window and fixtures/hardware).

I would go with something more traditional/classic ... maybe subway tile, bead board, or something like the beveled arabesque in the link below. Square tile on the diagonal might look good as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Beveled Arabesque

Here's the Beveled Arabesque tile installed ... would look beautiful in your kitchen as well.

Wish I had it in mine!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Winner of the Beveled Arabesque Tile

I agree with Doraville, that may be a subway tile that has colors that is in-between your cabs and countertop would look nice. I love your cabinets and the dark hardware.

Would this be an option? It sounds like maybe the natural stone is out, would glass look to modern for my kitchen? I like the crisp look of glass alot, but was worried it wouldn't go.

http://www.glasstileoasis.com/productcart/pc/ARI12-Taupe-Iridescent-br-2-x-4-844p7049.htm

Would this be an option? It sounds like maybe the natural stone is out, would glass look to modern for my kitchen? I like the crisp look of glass alot, but was worried it wouldn't go.

http://www.glasstileoasis.com/productcart/pc/ARI12-Taupe-Iridescent-br-2-x-4-844p7049.htm

Trikeenan makes a "budget" line of tile -- still not exactly inexpensive but really nice -- there are several whites, creams, pale greys that can be used individually or mixed.

I didn't read all the replies but what I don't like about it is the color. I think you need a backsplash that picks up the dark color spots in the granite. I like the tile pattern though, it's unusual. Is it available in other colors?

bosspaige,
I like the beige glass tiles that you mentioned above. They are beautiful and the color on my monitor seems just perfect with the flowing color in your beautiful countertop. Try a sample tile first, but I think you are on the right track. Your kitchen is very nice!

Beige glass tiles link to help others see better:

I would need to see several colors of the glass tiles next to the granite & cabinets to help make a decision.

Here is a link that might be useful: beige glass tiles link to help others see better

Not sure if you noticed, that glass subway is out of stock.At least at that company.
I'm having the same issues right now with trying to match a backsplash to Giallo Ornamental.

Another vote to send it back or sell it. It does nothing for your kitchen in terms of enhancement, and frankly, it looks too much like your granite. You need something that compliments the granite.

I found with the busy granites, it's best to keep the splash toned down. I could see a 3x6 subway on that wall with a nice liner for added interest and to keep it classically simple. This look will stay in style longer (depending on what kind of subway you get, i.e. porcelain vs glass).

It doesn't look that bad to me. The pattern would practically disappear with a like-colored grout and would just be a subtle texture. If the color is off (which is best determined in person and in different lighting) it might always annoy you which is a good reason to send it back. But the photos don't look any worse than some others I've seen posted that have been "oooh"ed and "ahhh"ed. I think if you had posted how much you loved it, you'd have had just as many agree.

To me, the black hardware and wood valance "speaks" of a more country (vs urban) look. But I don't know the overall effect you're hoping to achieve.

It doesn't perfectly complement your granite, but it's not terrible either. If the shipping plus any restocking fee is too high, I'm sure you can make it look beautiful. In Austin, there was a technique for doing outdoor stonework called slurring (or something like that) where mortar was slathered over the stones. It gave the stonework more of a uniform appearance instead of accentuating each individual stone. I wonder if something like that can be done with stone tiles. It would make the texture read more as more uniform which would compete less with the granite.

Daltile Rittenhouse Square comes in a number of colors that might work well with the granite without competing.

I agree that the lovely backsplash does not really go well with your beautiful granite. That 'stacked stone' look is very contemporary, and your other elements are more traditional. I like the beige glass subways you posted, but I'd be interested to know what your floors are (tile? wood?), because it might determine if you should pick up on the dark brown spots or one of the lighter colors in the granite. Your k!tchen looks great, BTW!