hmmmm...just my opinion, but I am not too sure that Giallo Ornamental will look good against carrara marble. G.O. is a cream/brown based granite, and the marble you have selected is a white/gray/black based stone. I think they may clash. Can you post a picture of the granite, marble and cabinets together? I just can't visualize this.

That's a good point; we were worried about this. I think we found a 'paler than average' GO slab. See what you think. I uploaded about six pictures showing the cabinet/slab/marble. We would love some unvarnished opinions before we go ahead and install everything.

Our kitchen isn't terrbily large, and our idea is to lighten up the walls with the white marble 'splash because of the dark cabinets.

Here is a link that might be useful: Marble, Cabinet and Granite Pics

Here's a slightly better link...

Here is a link that might be useful: Marble, Cabinet and Granite Pics

I love the granite and I love any marble, but I think the movement in the marble will compete with the pattern in the granite. Which do you want to be the focal point in your kitchen, the counters or the backsplash? I know its been done before but I would love to see a soft subway tile sample with that granite.

Beautiful choices and I LOVE your door style. This is tough cause I do love your choices but the white in the marble is reading a cooler white then the background white in the granite. I think that bothers me more then another pattern. You can mix cools and warm colors but ... I dunno about this one. Maybe a gray glass in like a 4x8?

I like the match between the G.O. and the cabinets, but I think the marble's color is too cool.

Agreed...the marble is much too cool to go with the warmth of the granite and wood. If the counter top was dark soapstone or even a black granite it would probably work just fine. But that granite is patterned and warm tones and the marble is also patterned but cool tones. I really don't think they will work well together at all. Someone here recently posted a solid marble BS....let me see if I can find that.

Here's marble tiles with black countertops

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0513365325239.html

And here's a link to Mkitchen's gorgeous marble slab backsplash. Either way, marble has a lot of pattern going on that just will not go with your granite

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/gal0822430317495.html

Thanks for the links. This is very helpful.

Perhaps we should abandon the marble idea... The marble definitely reads cooler (and brighter) than the granite. Our other though was a Giallo Ornamental backsplash, but I am concerned that a solid granite backsplash will make the kitchen too beige. We want a traditional look, but we need the backsplash to lighten up the room.

I know I have posted this picture a zillion times and everyone is probably getting sick of it, but I though I'd show it to you because the colors in my granite are very simiar to yours. I was going to use G. Ornamental but had a chance to use this delicatus instead so I jumped on it. The BS I chose is light. It's tumbled travertine, called Paradon by Regio Tile. It is warm, but also light enough. A cream colored subway tile would also work well for you.

What appliance finish(es) do you have or are thinking to use? How high will the backsplash be & will it continue behind a range? What type & tint of hardwood floors - lighter/darker than the cabinets? A few or a lot of windows & natural light in your kitchen? Have you picked a sink, fixtures or wall color? Is the kitchen open to other areas you want to coordinate finishes or color schemes? And - what "mood" do you want? Without a larger context, I can't see the actual space...

Hard to interpret from such a small tile of marble - reads as a splash of milk against the sublte (and beautiful) granite slab & milk chocolate doors. At first glance I thought it was too much contrast, but the palette grew on me the more I looked. Not a typical choice, but might be lovely. Envision it with a section of marble or milkglass shelves on metal brackets, antique white linen or lace simple window shades or shutters, milkglass or marble cabinet pulls, milk or caramel glass light shades...sophisticated & understated with a timeless flair. This could be very sleek & charming.

The foggy grays in both materials soften the contrast. Since they'll be on different horizontal/vertical planes & if the marble only shows hints of veining as the sample does, I don't see the veining movement of the two surfaces competing. A wood (floor/cab or inbetween) or metal narrow shelf molding above the marble might help tie it all together.

Safe & expected backsplash choices would be more of the same granite (especially if you anticipate leftovers & your fabricator can slice it thin for a backsplash), gray or warm tan glass in a continuous sheet or glass/ceramic tiles, metal or a manmade thin solid slab.

What makes your heart beat faster & lifts your spirits? Tell us more!

ccoombs1: Thank you so much for the picture; your kitchen is absolutely gorgeous. I really like that color as well.

vasue: We very much appreciate your insightful questions and we have taken you point to heart that we should go after whatever excites us.

After giving the granite sample and marble sample another look, we have decided to go for a tiled 6x6 marble backsplash. We want some contrast with the counters and a formal look, but we don't want the backsplash to be the center of attention. We chose a marble tile that is milky with only light veining to make sure it doesn't overpower the granite. Also, we think it will mesh well with the stainless appliances. We are excited and happy about our choice.

We will try to post pictures once the kitchen is done. Thank you all for your helpful and honest comments.

We ended up going with 6x6 Marble Tiles from Builder's Depot Direct, and we are extremely happy with them. Thank you all for your opinions and guidance. It was extremely helpful.

We uploaded a few pictures of the kitchen (not done yet, but close!).

Here is a link that might be useful: Backsplash Pictures