I'm not Ovenbird, but I'm ordering Desert Stone, based on sample color cards that you can get for free from Home Depot.

Thanks ngng! I will go to Home Depot today and pick up some color cards. Are they big enough to tell the color? I picked up a brochure at Lowe's, but they are just tiny squares. I know it is between desert stone and mocha stone, but ????? What color tile do you have?

I'm trying to make the same decision. I will be using a 3x6 subway style Mexican Travertine stone for my backsplash. Its called Desert Cream Imperial and has both light and dark shading variability between the tiles.

I am trying to decide between using Lutron Desert Stone or Eggshell switches and wallplates. I even thought I might use Desert Stone for the control switches and Eggshell for the wallplates so they blend better with the variability of the stone, but a little afraid what that would look like.

I really like the look of Overbird's backsplash. She turned her receptacles to match the direction of her subway tile and they almost become invisible. I can't do that since all my boxes are already installed and there will also be switches on the backsplash.

Here is a pic of my tile in 4x4 samples in both outdoor and indoor lighting with my granite sample.

Outdoor Light:

Indoor Light:

Here is the Lutron Satin Color Chart. Its so hard to match colors to a picture on a website though. I think Desert Stone or Eggshell either one will match but I will definitely pick up the free sample cards from Home Depot. Thanks for the tip!

julie92: Sorry I've been out of town and just spotted your question. Hope this isn't too late.

I don't recall, but I think the covers on my backsplash are Stone. Lutron has changed the Satin colors since we put them in.

But absolutely do get sample cards (they are fairly large...about the size of my tile) and match the color to your own tile. I found most of the beige colors, although I thought each one was going to match perfectly, had too much yellow or too much green for crema marfil. If none match perfectly, try a slightly darker color (rather than lighter)...it looked better. I'm glad you like our backsplash...we do too!

I ended up ordering the mocha stone and it matches my backsplash perfectly.

lmalm53....I think desert stone would look the best with the indoor lighting. Get samples to look at first.

Well I tried to find those Lutron color sample cards at Home Depot today. I spoke with the lighting, paint, kitchen, construction and special services dept and they all looked at me like I was a little green alien! They claim they have never had such cards and only have the teeny tiny chips that you can see in the catalog.

Maybe its a regional thing. I live in the Midwest. I even tried calling the Expo Design Center which is an upscale store owned by Home Depot but they don't have them either. Guess I am out of luck or will need to order a couple wallplates from someplace in the 2 colors so I can actually see them at home with my tile. Maybe I can ask Lutron directly if they have any sample cards? Think I may try that tomorrow.

Thanks Julie92. Yes I am leaning towards Desert Stone also. It is a really good match (I think) with my darker stone tiles and the grout I have picked out. It should still compliment the lighter tiles also.

lmalm53: Try your local electrical supply or lighting store for those Lutron sample cards. That's where I found mine.

I found sample cards at a lighting store that is also an electrical supply house. But if you still have time (1-2 weeks), call Lutron and have them send you their Satin Colors sample "keychain." These are actual samples of the plastic that the switches, receptacles, and wall plates are made of.

lmalm53: I think you might be unhappy mixing the Desert Stone plastic with your natural stone backsplash and countertop. IMHO the Lutron "stone" colors look awfully fake. I'd go with one of their solid Satin Colors instead--they're not trying to be something they're not. Have you considered a more decorative wall plate that might echo your cabinet hardware? Try switchhits.com for that.

Below are pics of our almost finished DIY backsplash (we hadn't caulked between the tile and granite when these pics were taken). We used durango cream colored tiles with gold leaf glass decorative inserts and noce colored pencil trim.

For the switches and outlets we used desert stone by Lutron (mocha stone was too dark):

I did get some samples cards from HD, but the store was missing mocha stone. Lowes had a small display with 1/2" samples, but it was not something I could take home. So I talked to HD about the missing sample cards and they called Lutron directly and Lutron sent me (free) their keychain of sample colors.

BTW, I was able to order the Lutron products from electricsuppliesonline.com at a great price.

Good Luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: More backsplash pics with descriptions

ngng- I love your gas range and your whole kithen!
Tell me about your granite and range. I am looking for a new gas range and am having a hard time picking one out. I looked at a granite called golden ray before I chose tropic brown and it looked similar to yours. Now I wish I would have gone with more color. It is beautiful!!!!!!

Thank you Julie! I love my new kitchen, we are just putting the finishing touches then I will post pics of everything. The slide in range is a Kenmore Elite (#36723). It has gas on glass cooktop, convection oven and a warming drawer. I'm very happy with it so far!

Our granite is called Golden Moon and is has warm browns, whites and rust colors with some areas of sparkle. I love how the rust color really compliments the cabinets.

Good luck with your electrical!