Sorry, skimchi, for taking so taking so long to answer - it is a Crema Bordeaux. Just thought that I would thank everyone for taking the time to help me in my decision - much, much appreciated! I went to the granite store today and ordered a piece to go behind the stove - picked a piece that has a big splotch of the peachy coloured bit as well as the burgundy waves. I've ordered a custom bevel to match that of my cab doors, on three sides (top near the fan and then the two sides).....and to be able to accomodate the CHOCOLATE coloured matte tiles nicely. Sigh, yes, we went with chocolate. DH really really didn't like the cream, so I tried out the skinner 2 x 12 chocolate tiles behind the sink - interspersed with 2 x 2 of the little glass tiles.....and we love it!!! So I tried to be higher end, changed up the pattern, and gave it a go on the shortest of the L shaped backsplash walls....with a bit less success. The colour of the tile reminds me of hot chocolate. Maybe I'll tire of it by summer, and given the skills of the person who applied the tile (me), we'll be able to simply pop off the tiles and try something else :) I'll post photos in a couple of weeks, once the granite is in and the tiles are on! Again, thanks to everyone for sharing their opinions - it helped us truly explore our likes and dislikes!

I'm not sure how dark that granite is. From one picture on the web, it looked kind of medium colored. We have a fairly dark granite backsplash and really like it. Our cabinets are natural cherry so they aren't dark. We really like it and we don't find that it makes the kitchen dark. It is less than 18" of the 8' wall height. We did it partly for easy maintenance (no grout), partly because we really like our granite and this features it more, and partly because we liked the continuity. We also used the granite for the window sill and the pass through shelf outside the kitchen (this picture has the temporary black wallplate, I don't have one taken showing the shelf taken after we put in the granite wallplate covers):

It is simple enough. Put a couple dobs of silicone about 2" in from either end and in the middle from top to bottom. About a dime size blob will do. Gently press against the wall. If you are not a good artist with silicone, place a fine bead along the back of the vanity and set the splash on it to keep water from seeping behind the splash. If you are good, go with the blobs and silicone a very fine bead along the splash where it meets the vanity. I was taught to use as much silicone as needed, as long as you can't see it. Try some tape to keep the mess from spreading out all over the place. What do you need to grout for? Color match caulk is better. Hope this helps

Well I'm a magpie too :) So I have both a mosaic (behind the range) and a subway tile, but I do have to compliment the fact that you went with a blue. I like it with the granite. A neutral would have been safer, and oh so boring :) By the way, we need to use the term DS...oh wait that's taken....(Dear Spouse dear son might get confusing) Or I like "SU" (spousal unit). My DH or SU as the case may be :) was told early in the design process that "I don't know" has a three day window to be turned into "I don't care" if he can't figure out what he wants :) Since I'm the designer...that's a challenge for him heh heh But he's one opinionated SU so normally he comes up with something :) He had definate influance on the backsplash. I was HORRIFIED with the cost, and he decided that it was the "only" one that worked LOL so my inner magpie won LOL