New venetian gold can read fairly calm or strong, depending on the slab. If your granite is strong, I would be careful about adding too much pattern to your back splash. Buxton Blue is also going to add strong contrast between your cabinets and walls. You don't want the granite and the wall color and the back splash to be fighting for attention. Have you checked out houzz? Here is a picture from houzz with mixed mosaic and new venetian. I think it's too busy. [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Cherry Hill Kitchen & Bath Designers KOL KITCHEN & BATH Here's a cream gloss subway. A cream or beige glass subway will have a similar look plus some additional sparkle. [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Livonia Kitchen & Bath Designers Kurtis Kitchen & Bath Centers If you like the pattern of mosaic, here's a subtle patterned stone splash. [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) This post was edited by deee on Thu, Jul 25, 13 at 7:05

It's funny, but we didn't choose our glass tile backsplash because it was popular, or even trendy (didn't realize it was!). It just "went" with our (contemporary) style and it worked beautifully with all the elements that made up our kitchen--our flat panel/slab door (light cherry) cabinets, our soft black granite, SS appliances and sink, and satin nickel, SS, and chrome accessories. It had a certain something that made it special, without overwhelming everything else we'd chosen, which is exactly what we'd wanted for our backsplash. In fact, when I first saw the sample boards in the store, I thought it had an almost retro, late 60's/70's mod look!

Thanks prill...I'm leaning towards only doing tile in area to the left of the casing...then in the window area just doing paint and the casing down to the counter. I guess I'll just have to be more dilligent with cleaning. The Reef was the first tile that spoke to me...I really thought I was going to go for a more solid blue, but reef is so much softer....it allows me to play up the color of the walls more...not that I have a lot of walls...And, I found out that my designer can get it for about 12.50/sf where I was quoted around $15/sf.

I don't know what your client has in mind completely. It might be worth asking the client for some inspiration pictures for what she has in mind. I think some glass mosaics might be overpowering for that granite. But there are some glass mosaics that might work as long as they are very plain. Super white glass tile Maybe something like this with a tiny bit of pattern: Silver planks glass tile Or maybe this one which might work with the colour in the counter: glass mosaic - raw silk