personally, I am liking the bottom left 2. What size/style are you looking for? I like a tile with a little texture to it, not a plain matte. Just my 2 cents. The lighter 2 look pink on my monitor. And the top right looks very bland and doesn't seem to enhance what you have. My limestone tiles have some variation in them and I really like it.

Hope that helps!

Christine

My 2 cents too... I like the top middle, providing that is isn't pink. I think it's a nice in-between from your cabinets. Not too dark or too light.
I've been searching for a BS tile for over a year. I come on here every once in a while to see if I can find an "aha" moment. I'm still waiting...
Can't wait to see your finished BS. My granite is close to yours. It's TB.
Good luck! :)

I like the top middle, Heartland and the bottom right Cork. I guess I'm drawn to the lighter colors and I think it brings out the lighter shades in your granite.

Good luck!!!

My vote: upper left. I like it with the chosen wall color. Can you post another picture with that tile next to the wood cabs and the countertop?

Also I like the bottom right.

My personal preference is away from the yellow, and pulling the lighter color from the counter.

FUN STUFF!

Jeffrey Court Irish Ice Tipperary - Gold tones with crackles is my favorite. Reason is because it pulls up the mid-tones in the counter which is fairly dark. That way, the splash isn't disconnected by too much contrast.

Also it has a surface quality that I feel will go very well with the counter and play off it better than matte finish. If you're using 4 x 4s they can be staggered and it looks great. If you're going with subways those could be grouted with a slightly brown tinted grout (sample board essential to be sure you like the effect) which also would play into the counter.

I LOVE the Irish Ice Tipperary-Gold tones with crackles.

Very pretty, goes with the counter doesn't have as much contrast like the creams and is more interesting than the creams.

Irish Ice Tipperary

I agree with Roc et al.: The lower left Irish Ice.

Me too! Irish Ice Tipperary Gold all the way. Not too much contrast, and the golden tones really bring out the golds in your granite.

I really like the Irish ice tipperary Gold , goes well with the granite. The granite is beautiful!

I like the gold, too! I think it will look warmer with the wood and still go great with the granite.

If you keep the cream walls and use the gold tile, maybe some green accents would look nice...like canisters, dish towels, etc. Or you could find a nice rug or dish towels that have all three colors. Just some ideas...sorry, I got excited and went well beyond your tile question :)

I'm joining Christine40's team. I'm not a 'gold person,' so prefer the French Crema (yum), and like that it will have some variation. I think that in combo with the cabinets it's richer than the gold with some of the same pluses. If you're looking for something to clean and brighten your palette and room, I like the Cork, which has the refreshing lightness and the same crackle as the gold.

I like the bottom row. What I found when choosing tile was that as long as I had them next to one another, I found that I was comparing them to one another, rather than looking at each one *separately* with your counter and walls (although I'm of the belief that if everything works beside the paint, change the paint). Can you get one or two more tiles of each and then take pictures of each one, only without the other choices nearby. JMO.

I really like the bottom row too but think the one in the middle is too dark. The one above is nice too but I like matte tile, most don't. The very first one on the bottom left looks very similar to what I have now, just less variation so that would work as well if you like the yellow tones. This what I was turned off initially but now that my house is fully painted, I REALLY like it since it adds another color dimension other than "beige".

Wow - lots of comments.
So currently, Irish Gold is in the lead with a few votes for all. Obviously, the final decision has to be mine - but all the help I can get is appreciated.

The tile store is about an hour from us (should be less but construction is brutal) They close at 4 except on Wednesdays and are open for a few hours on Saturday - but it is very crowded. I can call and see if I can get a few tiles of the finalists and maybe photoshop it in.

I took some more pictures. I think the Cambria looks darker in these pictures than real life - tried with and without lights but still hard to get good pictures due to the east and south windows. Here is the best picture of the Buckingham alone (borrowed from another site)

Ashbury Rattan

Irish Gold

French Crema

Heartland

Cork

Okay, I want to change my vote...now the Heartland is my favorite. Still warms up the wood, but I like the way it looks with the granite. It brings out the lighter colors, which seems to brighten up the space. Good idea to photograph each one with the wood and the granite! :)

Heartland for sure! Great idea linelle!

Top Lt #1 and Bottom Lt #1 are my votes. While I like the coloring on the bottom middle one, I also see a darker color outlining the tile. When it's all put together, I'd be afraid your eye will be drawn to that bordering on each tile fighting against the grouting. I do really like the crackle in the subway--a subtle bit of interest but still letting the Cambria take center stage.

No change for me though I must say that seeing color online is always tricky, tricky, tricky. Tiles can't possibly look the same in everyone's monitor.

I still like Irish Gold best. I like the mottling on the French Crema and it's similar to the Irish Gold. But I'm not loving the dark edge -- someone else picked up on that too and I agree it would fight the swirlies in the counter.

None of them is really bad. My least favorite is the Cork as I don't think it looks expensive.

What I'd do is spread the various choices around in the kitchen, fairly far apart and leave them there for several days. See which catch your eye as you move through in the morning and especially at night, just before bedtime when you go in to turn out that last light.

Just keep looking -- after a few days I'll bet you might start removing one or two. The last tile standing should be the one. Because the thing is, you're trying to decide based on single tiles. But when they go up the effect multiplies a lot and intensifies. Why I like tiles that won't have a huge textural difference in the surface.

But it's what you like that really counts.

#1 for me is Irish gold, #2 tie between Heartland and Cork. I think Irish Gold compliments your beautiful quartz the best. Definitely a tough decision. Good luck!!

Definitely not Cork. I like Heartland with your wood. Dang, that Cambria is gorgeous.

I'm thinking Heartland too. At first I was "going for the gold", but seeing the other pictures,although a nice idea, this gold looks off.
Now you need to get a row of those going to get an even better idea. What could be throwing us off is your wall paint color as the backdrop.

I was going to go with the Irish Gold until I saw the later photos with the cabinets and more of the wall color. I'm voting for Heartland now. It looks like it would go better with your wall color.

Heartland for me!!

Thanks for all of the ideas and compliments.
I will spread out the tiles and take a look over the next few days.

I am liking the Irish Tipperary (gold) and also the Cork (it looks better in real life) currently but that could change over the next few days. Heartland is still in the running - but might be just too boring - the matte finish makes it look a bit "dirty" - but then I wouldn't have to worry about cleaning it.

I love the coloration in the Crema - but it is pretty dark.

The rattan tile is just too boring.

Think about the boring- variation in the tiles can read as busy in a large group. I think I like that about the crackle- interesting without too much variation.

I agree with CK. Things change when you have an entire backsplash tiled.

CKGM - the Cork and Tipperary(Gold) have crackles. The Heartland does not.
The rattan is plain matte.
Initially, I didn't want crackles - but obviously decided a possibility as 3/5 of the last group crackles!
Will check in various light - especially over the weekend.
If you have a chance - take a look at Jeffrey Court Chapter 17 which has the Cork and Tipperary and JC Chapter 5 which has the Heartland.
I am so glad you made peace with your kitchen. I actually went hunting for your butter tile but no one around here carries it.
Do you have any pictures yet - I still may hold out for the Melange butter tile....

Keep in mind that you will have UC lighting...not sure of your decision regarding your UC lights (LED, halogen, etc...warm, cool, etc.), but you should try to look at the tile with the same color temperature lights at the same type of angle that they will be hit by that light, if possible.

In order, I like:
Irish Gold - I think this brings out the colors in your granite
Heartland - it's nice, but it's kind of a "non-tile" type of tile in that I don't think it adds nor necessarily detracts from the rest of the room.
Cork - this reads a bit light to me
French Crema - if this didn't have a dark edge, I'd like it much more, I think...any chance the tile place has a tile like it without the dark edge?
Rattan - this doesn't really pick up and highlight anything in your room...I'd totally scrap this one.

Thanks Andrea - I actually took the pictures with the LED UC lighting on. LED 3000K light bars.

I think DH and I ruled out the last 2, so down to the wire with the other 3 unless I figure out a place to snag some Melange butter tile, although the butter might be too yellow.

I am hoping CKGM posts her tile to I can see the final result.
I saw a preliminary before grouting.

Decisions, decisions - how do I make life and death decisions(maybe an exaggeration) and struggle with basics...

Love the Heartland and the French Crema. I think they both look fabulous. I really dislike the Irish Gold. I'm not seeing what others like about it.

Thanks Pooh!
What did you decide for your backsplash?

I contacted tile-shop.com (not tileshop.com) and they are going to send me a few more samples.

I think the problem with the JC might be the variations from tile to tile.

Stay tuned for round 3!

You may have already made your decision but I just found this thread. I feel like you are doing my homework for me! My cabinets and granite countertops are so similar and I've been searching for seven months for the right tile/stone. I love your choices and just have to say that when I saw the French Crema my first reaction was Wow! Second to that the Heartland. I am going out tile shopping again today and will look for some of the choices you've shown here. This is the most difficult project I've ever undertaken!

Pixel - I agree - I will have to see if you posted.
I just ordered some samples from tile-shop.com (not tileshop.com) and Jackie was great. She is sending some samples, so stay tuned for round 3.
Let me know what you decide.

And GC won't finish the cab trim until the backsplash in place....

a2gemini-Thanks to you I discovered the Jeffrey Court collection and found it at a store in the area! Love Jasper from Chapt. 8 and the Symmetry mosaics with onyx. Looks promising so I'm going to order a few samples from the source you mentioned. It is what I've been looking for, now if I can just get a color that doesn't change on me when I put it in the space. I've posted a pic so you can see my granite and cabinet color.

I will have to look at Chapter 8. Yes, your colors are very similar!
The JC came from Beaver Tile.

If you have a chance - call Tile-Store.com and talk to Jackie. She is in the San Jose store. 408-436-8877. If you have a posted email. I will send some of the ideas that Jackie recommended.

I was hoping the samples would arrive yesterday but no luck!

Pixel - email me and I will send you some pictures from Tile-Shop
Let me know when you email me, as I don't monitor that email as often.
Thanks!

I have and LOVE the Jeffery Court French Crema (set on the diagonal).

Think it would look fantastic in your kitchen too!!! Your countertops are GORGEOUS!!!

jody

a2gemini-I sent my email. Let me know if you get it. The JC Jasper is glossy yellow and green undertones. It is beautiful in the store. So we'll see what it looks like in my house. jjean-would love to see yours!

Pixel - I responded via email.
Jody - do you think it might just match too closely? I might go look at the Jasper that pixel saw and see if that might work.
Thanks