We've gone through the same thing. Like you I initially didn't want a full granite backsplash as I thought it would be "too much". Our granite also has lots of movement and any tile we tried just seemed to compete with it.

We gave up completely for now. Hubby installed a painted, decorated trim piece to cover the gaps between granite and wall. Hubby still has the thought of eventually finding and installing tile but I don't think it will work for us. Instead, I'm subtly campaigning to go to the full granite backsplash - at least for behind our range.

As others have pointed out (and as I've seen myself), in practice most people only see the thin edge of the granite on the counters. You love the granite so why not install it so that others can really enjoy it?

Here is a link that might be useful: What we have now

I think out of those two options, I would go with the granite. I always feel like any tile competes too much with any granite unless it's super plain. That's why I love subways so much. Eventhough the tile you picked out is very pretty and it matches your cabs, 1) I feel it would be too much for the granite and 2) I don't think the taupe(y) color matches too well with the gold in the granite. Maybe a different tile would look better.
Can you post a bigger pic where it shows both granites?
I think having the other granite on your island might make a difference on our comments.
Your gold granite reminds of a post of someone who had just put up a lovely yellowish subway and tore it down that night and put up white. That yellowish-golden subway would look nice with your granite. I can't remember the post.

I'm kind of in the same boat, except with maple cabinets. My Madura gold granite looks very similar to your Golden Beach and I initially had a partial granite backsplash but had it taken down because it just seemed like too much of a good thing. I'm leaning toward a light travertine tumbled marble and a polished marble harlequin framed area over the cooktop in Dore Royal and light travertine. Look at artteacherNJ's backsplash and you'll get the idea.

i tend not to like a granite backsplash unless it's in a modern or very contemporary looking kitchen. it's a very anti-traditional or period look. it's just too clean and monochromatic for a kitchen in which you're going for a look that's anything but modern or contemp.

i like the tile board you're showing. it's nice. the basketweave set up above the plain horizontal line is a nice effect. it reads as very neutral to my eye.

We had granite counters and a full granite backsplash in our last house and we loved it. We loved it so much, we are doing it again!

Here'a a website that has a crema bordeaux granite w/maple cabs and full granite backsplash.
If you click "next stone work" you will see different views of the kitchen. HTH

Here is a link that might be useful: full backsplash

My granite will have a lot of movement as well. I'm thinking about a glass tile backsplash from Susan Jablon. Her prices are more reasonable than what I've seen at the local designer tile showrooms, her quality is reputed on this site to be very good and you can order a sample packet to see the colors in person against your granite. I'm thinking of going with a single color 1 x 3 in a running brick pattern as I saw it in another GW'ers kitchen, and it was stunning.

I vote with edlakin (who has excellent taste btw) on period vs contemporary. If you're really, really wanting a very neutral backsplash, eliminate the basketweave tile and just use the neutral tile only -- however, I think the basketweave adds a nice note (no offense, but the square tiles by themselves are just boring to me).

I vote for putting up something other than granite for the backsplash. I love what you've chosen in the basketweave. If you think it has too much pattern, maybe the same tone of stone but in a harlequin or 3x6 shape.

We're getting Golden Beach granite, and tumbled Jerusalem stone seemed to provide the soothing background you're looking for. If I can figure out how to post an inline picture, the Jerusalem stone is sitting right underneath the chunk of granite.

kad2, your backsplash is fabulous. those darker accent tiles are just the right tone to bridge the color of the cabinets and the colors in the granite, and the neutral subways really allow them to stand out.

that's really well done. i love how much restraint you showed by only using a bit of the accent tiles, which supply just enough 'bling' without being overly showy or busy.

that is a wonderful example for the OP to follow.

I like the basketweave better than the granite.

Laurie

I think the granite backsplash would look great!

I've been thinking about this since you posted, and finally had an epiphany while eating dinner. :) Originally, I thought using that same granite on the backsplash might be overwhelming.

I was going to suggest just using the basketweave tiles without the square tiles. I think that would look great.

However, I had a crazy idea that you should be able to test pretty easily. How about using the same granite as the countertops, but honed instead of polished? This should be lighter in appearance to better go with the cabinets, and possibly less busy...

Anyone seen this done before?

I am having the same challenge as well. I have a granite similar to golden beach, with light cherry cabinets. I just received the samples from Susan Jablon. They are beautiful and I might go with a wheat 1x3 glass tile throughout. Keep looking. You are probably like me and tired of making decisions on your kitchen and after the granite, the cabinets, the sink, the flooring, you just want it to be done, but don't do it until you have the tile that you love. It will happen.

I dislike full granite backsplashes - so I would go with some type of tile

The tile you show doesn't look like it really sings with the granite colors, if it's accurate when it translates from real life, to camera, to computer. My immediate thought is that I'd like something creamier, and kad2's Jerusalem Gold limestone seems to fit the bill nicely.

I think the granite could be a lovely look, too, but maybe easier to get tired of it.

I too would vote for the full granite backsplash, however, it appears that from your cabinet and knob choices, you have a more country style kitchen. I would go with a very plain creamy subway tile for that type of kitchen. It won't compete with your granite. You could do a mural over your stove with the creamy subway tile. I know someone on here had a link to various tile murals for the kitchen. They were beautiful. The person was doing a teapot motif.

I love the basketweave tile, but think it would compete with your granite too much. However, the color is great.

Kad2, I love the look you have. Would you mind telling us where your Jerusalem limestone subway tiles and glass accents are from. I'd love to look at the manufacturer's website. I've already said this in a precious post, but with my Madura gold granite, the full backsplash diminished the impact. I love the tile.

Thanks for the compliments! We purchased both tiles from www.glasstilestore.com. The glass tile is the 1x1 Harvest Gold mosaic (although the picture online looks greenish to me) and the 2x4 Jerusalem gold is found under their Marble Mosaics category. The price was much less than what we would have paid at the tile stores around here for the same thing. They will send out samples for $5. and they shipped pretty quick.

I know it is an agonizing decision Anna_2006! I actually posted to the decorating forum to get feedback on our original idea which was a black subway tile...I was afraid it was going to be too dark or dramatic and after taking into consideration all the comments, and doing a mock-up, we came to the same conclusion. One of the posters at that time (sorry, don't remember who!) actually suggested Jerusalem Gold because they had found, after much searching, it was one of the few tiles that really worked for their busy granite. For whatever reason, I did not follow up on that suggestion but I should have! After several more weeks of agonizing and money spent for sample after sample, I did see it online and ordered the sample. When it came, we knew right away it was the right one. I like it because it doesn't compete with the granite and yet, because it is polished, it has a little glow and bling of its own. Zobeet's pictures seem to confirm as well that Jerusalem Gold does work well for some of those busy granites with the golden tones so you may want to check it out. Be warned though...it wasn't easy then choosing a PAINT color!!! and I am still not quite satisfied with the paint I have now...sigh...sometimes it doesn't end...

Here is a link that might be useful: Glass Tile Store

Also wanted to say, I have to laugh, Edlakin, when you commend the restraint we showed... I can assure you IT WAS NOT FOR LACK OF TRYING!!!! I loved those glass tiles and wanted to get as much of them in as I could. Originally we had a section of all glass tile on the short wall behind the sink (counter bar on the other side)and after DH put that up, it just looked too busy and I made him take it down. And then STILL not learning the lesson, he put up a section behind the stove at my request, and again I had him take it down (had to work a little harder at convincing him that time) so anyway he was ready to chuck the tile and me out the door. So...I had to concede there is only so much bling you can have with a busy granite.

Anna_2006, I wish you luck in making your decision and hopefully you won't be prying anything off the walls later!