Thanks y'all! (Yes, I'm from GA-- thus,the name "Peach"). Senator13, the wall color is SW "Tea Biscuit" and my DR is one shade lighter, "Portabello." I'm really happy with them if you are looking for a brown. Sande, what color is the Sonoma "Martini" IRL? It's going pink on my monitor?? Butter is definitely "less yellow" that Candlelight but Candlelight is warmer in my kitchen. I wish I could find a cream I like as well as Candlelight in the Star finish since Stellar is so much more! What kind of prices are you finding on Sonoma tile out West, Sande? Here, the Star is $13.80/sq. ft. for the 3x6 and the Stellar is $22.08/sq. ft. for the 3x6.

I like the "butter." Also, revisit "Tipperary"? I liked that one. I definately don't like the red. It's way to much. If you love the Tuscan look the way to go is travertine. However, the look of your cabinets and hardware are more contemporary and work best with the glazed ceramic tile. Overall, my vote is for the less yellow "butter." Good luck.

peach, I'm holding the Martini color, and while I did think it looked pink in my other kitchen, under florecent lights, I really don't see pink here, with natural light. I'll take a closer look tonight, but we don't have florecent lights here, so maybe that's the difference. There is definitely no yellow, which I want to stay away from. It's just a really nice match to the light color in my TB, but it only comes in gloss. I THINK I prefer Matte. ?
I can see why you like the Candlelight, but my floor is very "busy", then the granite...I just think with a whole wall of the crackle, it will look busy too. ??

No to the red, definitely no to the tumbled stone. If you do that your granite and BS will fight, (they will never be friends) and you will wind up dizzy.
I do like the candlelight because it's warmer (which is probably why it reads a little yellow) but the butter is good as well.
Your granite needs to be and is the center of attention and there is no getting away from that. so let it be the center of attention. Besides - it's stunning.

I like the butter because it seems to offer a bit of contrast to both the granite and the cabinets. Of course, that's on my monitor, so who knows?

Thanks so much. I am not going with any red tile anywhere. Seems to be the consensus and I was told it would make my kitchen look smaller to break up the tile. Here are some more pics. I included Tipperary for ptamom in the first two pics. Sande, I don't think crackle is too busy. I think it's a very subtle finish...unlike "veining." Maybe someone else who has it already installed can say for sure.

L-R: Butter, Candlelight, Cream City (matte), Tipperary, Trigo (matte), and Vanilla

w/o flash

w/flash

Oh candlelight, oh candlelight....I'll vote for you till the end, my friend!

(I think this is my fourth time voting for it!)

I don't remember you showing us your cabinets before, just the counter. The tipperary and and Trigo are going to give you the look of an almost monochromatic look (oh boy this is going to sound like I'm a little nuts) as they all seem to have the same base colour. However, the counter, backsplash (Tipperary and Trigo) and cabinets all seem to be variegated in colour as well which is going to give you a lot of business in your space..
I would want the counter to stand out and it won't happen if the look becomes monochromatic.
None of your elements have a smooth restful place for your eyes to rest. You might be able to get away with a crackle finish.
So either the Butter, Candlelight, Cream City or Vanilla. Then it will depend on the undertones in each of them as to which is best.
Don't suppose you want to show a close-up of the Cream City and Vanilla with your china do you?

My 2c worth.

blfenton--I thought the monochromatic thoughts, also. Makes sense to me. Not sure why my designer person likes Trigo and then said Architerra "was the one" when I brought it home. In her defense, she also liked Candlelight. LOL at you breezy girl. It seems to be really hard to photograph "creams" but here are more cell phone pics. No time for the real deal. I think Vanilla is too yellow; still like Candlelight because there is a lot of that particular color in the granite (as well as so many others), but I'm also liking Butter and Cream City for the contrast w/the cabinets they would provide by being the lightest of my four finalists. Bottom row, L-R, Candlelight and Butter. Top row, L-R, Cream City and Vanilla. Breezygirl...we know you have better things to do. You don't have to vote on Candlelight a 5th time, sweetie. LOL

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Counters and cabinets are beautiful! And both are strong so I'm another fan of the simple crackles. Like them all but I think Candlelight is my fave. I also love the color of that brown wall. Makes me want to eat chocolate. (oh wait... everything makes me want to eat chocolate.)

I didn't like the way the cream city and vanilla are showing. I don't think the vanilla works with your DR furniture.

You have quite a bit of red/pink in your room. Certainly your counter, your china has pink in it and your floor looks like it has red undertones as well (could be my monitor) and so I would avoid anything with a pink undertone to it.
The candlelight and butter look like good options to me. Can you get more of the two of them and see what they look like in your kitchen. I'm still a little concerned about the crackle finish in that it might be a little much when there is a lot of it in the room. But that is also my personal taste coming into play.
More tile together in your room with your lighting will show up the undertones as well.

thanks for all the pics.

Thanks, guys! This forum is so helpful. I have 3 samples of Candlelight from the same tile store--one from 2010, one from 1/11 and one from 6/11. They are all slightly different. I agree with the "no pink undertones." Or peach. Or yellow. Your monitor is reading my floor correctly. But that is the only room, to me, where the floors look that "red." Butter is probably the only one with ZERO pink undertones. I'll have another look tonight. Sande, I saw a sample of the "Martini" at lunch. Definitely has pink undertones and with your cherry cabinets, might read even pinker.

LOVE your wall color. Candlelight looks like the winner all the way down on my monitor. So glad you've moved away from the tumbled stones.

I like the Candlelight and Cream City. It's hard to choose between them without seeing them in person and catching all the undertones, though.

Good luck! And no, I don't feel the mental urge to re-do your kitchen when I see the pics, lol.

No wonder there are so many people on GW who have a problem choosing their bs, or wait a few years before doing it. I think we'll be the latter.
Our tile guy, friend, came over today and said, "Oh, that looks pink.", about the Martini. Darn... I'll go take a look at butter and toast when I'm home next week. I went to a local store (no one sells Sonoma around here), and they showed me a tile by Interceramic, in a color called Canvas, in matte. Unfortunately, the sample was a 2X2 size. They need to order a whole box, at $40 a box, to get any in. No returns. Yep, it's going to be awhile...
Keep those pictures coming! But, you realize, the colors just don't show up well.

Hi Peach,
I'm not crazy about the tumbled look, I think maybe it takes away from the granite. I really do think the granite needs to be the star of the show here. Have you thought about a metallic accent? I see the silver in your dish edge and also in the drawer hardware. I saw some decorative ones and others that were plain, they might be just what you need to punch up the cream tile. (which looks very pretty with your china!)
I'll be at the tile store later today!

I must admit that in your new pics my eye went directly to bottom left....Candlelight! I tried not to let names influence me and looked first. I like the crackle. It is not busy. It really just reflects the light differently. Honestly, the four ceramic tiles are all so nice that there isn't a wrong choice. It just gets so confusing when you have been looking at them for so long.

Mellie, a metallic accent--I'm intrigued! Yes, definitely not going w/the tumbled stone. I like it; just not with my granite. Thanks ptamom! It feels like I have been staring at tile for months! Ready to bite the bullet and buy something. But, Candlelight will take about 5 weeks. AND, my tile guy now tells me I need 45 sq. feet, not the 30 he has told me all along!

Holy cow! What are you going to do? Can you wait that long?

I don't know....I'd rather not, but I'm pretty patient.

Ok, after seeing all the creamy white, tall cabinets on here, I officially hate my cabinets. I don't know if sinking $1,000 into a backsplash makes any sense at this point. Maybe I should put it into new cabinets on top and reface the bottom ones (again). The soffetts above the upper cabinets can go. I've seen it done in other condos where I live.

Ok, I'm over wanting to re-do the cabinets. For now. I finally got enough samples of some tile to get a better visual. Brought home some glass tile that everyone at the tile store seemed to love with my stuff. They said I need a contrast w/my cabinets. And, have to say, I'm not loving the cream look, now that I have seen 5 samples together. It's not Candlelight, just this particular store's bone crackle tile.

Here's the glass tile board in the store and then the samples in my home.

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And here's the cream.

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This hand made matte tile is really growing on me. Wish I had more samples to photograph. It's an "in-between" color to me, yet still a neutral.

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Please let me know where you all stand after these pics. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

Well, I was going to say candlelight too but now I like the hand-made matte. It does look like a perfect in-between - warmer and more interesting than the candlelight, but still compliments your granite and isn't such a strong contrast as the brown. The brown also looks too close to your wall paint color, IMO. You have a lot of good options and now it is really just personal preference and what your guts says.

On a side note, I agree with incorporating red accents via dish towels and the like. Red accents almost always look great in a kitchen and would look especially wonderful in yours - making the reds in the granite pop.

Peach - The dark glass tile is a great contrast, but still subdue because it is subway. I think it compliments the counter without outshining it, while the lighter tiles don't really compliment but just fade to the background, which might be the look you are after. The darker tile is a little more contemporary look, if you are comfortable with that. The handmade matte is my distant second choice because I find the bone/cream/candlelight choices too monochromatic for my taste. BUT...if the darker glass is not not your thing don't try convince yourself. It is your taste that matters, not mine or anyone else on GW.

I really like the dark tile but I agree with Newsouthernbelle that you would probably have to address the paint colour.

Now it's about the look you're after. A very serene calm kitchen which the lighter tiles would give you or one with a contemporary punch that really livens the place up.
Definitely your call.

Thanks y'all. I don't like the fact that the dark tile is the same as the paint color, either.

I love the dark tile with your light granite and cabinets. It really is lovely with your floor too.

The light off-whites are splendid - I'd have a hard time picking which, too!

This is my favorite of the lot:

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I am debating backsplash for my TB also. I am still waiting for cabinet install (dark ebony with red tones)and am wondering why everyone steers away from reddish backsplash?

Peach, I'm trying to weigh in here but, for me at least, BS choice has been the agonizing. I like the candlelight, but agree with the mono nature. Which does not bother me personally. IMHO I think the dark is very specific. Boxerpups is right on, as alawys :) Your accent pieces can give you the pop of colors and textures.

I am loving the brown tiles. I thought that candlelight or butter would stay my favorites but the brown is just so very rich and highlights the beauty of the granite. Really tough decision. I am still on hold with my TB granite selection with my creamy white cabinets but I am holding back because of the red tones that I am seeing in all slabs. GOOD LUCK!

I like the brown tiles, but it may be darker than you were wanting. I found this with just an accent of the brown. Maybe something like this would work for you (except using the subways, for the main tiles of course).

[traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107)

Thanks for the suggestion Anna. I'm thinking all brown tiles with my brown walls is darker than I want, too.

Hi Peach!
I am feeling your agony. This is hard! I think I've lost track of whether or not you wanted to contrast with your cabinets. (Or maybe you have too, lol). Maybe think about a combination of the light and dark. The picture from Anna is a great jumping off point.

I remember reading in a kitchen book at the start of our remodel that so many homeowners are full steam ahead with their project until they hit backsplash and then come to a screeching halt. We've spent money and time deciding on things like flooring, or cabinets, appliances and/or granite that this just seems to stop us in our tracks. I think the most reassuring thing I read is that in the grand scheme, BS is not as expensive as most of those other things and is the easiest to change (besides paint). Not that we will WANT to change it, just that we COULD. So take a deep breath, and trust your instincts. You have already chosen beautiful granite and lovely paint colors. You can do it!

Thank you, Mellie! I think a contrast with my cabinets, either lighter or darker, would be better than mono. At this point, I'm still leaning towards lighter. Don't know if you saw fromthesouth's kitchen but I love her WZ Tuileries BS in Chloe. Hoping to get a sample today. What color are you thinking with your TB?

Since my cabinets are cherry, I am definitely going the cream route. I have sample boards of Granada Crackle Cream (from Cobsa USA), Jerusalem White and Bumpy Pergamon. The bumpy was eliminated immediately when we got it home, not good at all.
So far the leader is the Crackle Cream. After investigating some online, I want to see if the store has the Granada Marmi in cream. It has a matte finish. That's where I am now: shiny or matte?

Hi my felleow TB sisters! I'm on vacation and had to pay for Internet service, but I'm keeping my eye on this thead! :)
My DH keeps pushing the "Why do we need BS?" idea, and I have to say, I'm okay with that. At least until I see how beautiful yours turn out!
p.s So far, I like the cream idea too, but my cabinets are dark. Peach, I really like the dark brown, at least for an accent color for you.
BTW, what are you guys using for cleaning the TB? I found a product, in the market, called Granite Gold. It's okay, but have you found anything great?

My granite fabricators/installers left us a can of GranQuartz 3-in-1 spray. They instructed us to use just soap & water most of the time, and use this cleaner/polish/protector once in a while when we felt the granite needed more intensive cleaning.

They said whatever you do, never use an ammonia product on the granite (I think it might damage the sealer.)

Here is a link that might be useful: Granite cleaner

Sande, haven't really been cleaning mine since I have such a mess in my condo still. Just a wet rag seems to be all they need to remove the layer of fine dust or spills, though.

Started looking for pics using brown tile. Here's a picture I found of brown subways....but the cabinets are white, not maple like mine. Not sure I like how much it looks like brick.

It reminds me a lot of my friend's kitchen:

Here's another dark BS:

And a lighter Taupe glass:

Beautiful deep red (Bordeaux) color:

Lush Almond (LOVE it w/the dark cabinets):

Anyway, this link was VERY fun to look at, whether you like glass, or not. It actually has me seeing glass in a new light. Just not sure about it with my cabinets.

http://www.modwalls.com/kitchenideas.aspx

Did you guys see this gmps's kitchen? I really like it. Not TB, but close.

Peach, I think you could avoid the brick look with brown subways by choosing a grout color other than white. Perhaps something that blends better with the tile as opposed to making the grout part of the design. I've been following your thread, but was waiting to vote. I *still* like the candlelight subways best.

Peach- Your granite is beautiful! I like the cream tiles, but I also think the beadboard in the picture above, looks amazing, but gives you more of a cottage look. Best of luck with your backsplash choice :)

Sande, those look like your bar stools! It's hard for me tell what the BS is in this pic. Some sort of tumbled stone maybe with dark insets. Counter does look like TB, though! Thanks, brianadarnell. I like darker grout, too. Can you elaborate on why you are leaning towards the Candlelight subways?

Here was my design consultant's "two cents" on the brown glass: "I really like the brown glass tile. It does not matter that the color is close to the wall color, that actually makes it interesting since the color is close but the texture totally different. The crackle finish is nice but not much of a "pop". The glass tiles trend in and out but since this tile is a solid color rather than a busy pattern it is a bit timeless."

She has also liked Trigo ("the matte gives you another texture") Candlelight ("will keep your cabinets 'warm'") and the $95/sq. foot tile board w/the ropey looking trim ("ties everything together...floors, etc.").

Can anyone tell me how to post pictures to the forum or the link that explains it? I know I saw one when I joined, but now I can't relocate it! Thanks!
Mellie

Thanks LL - I just saw your post. Ours must have passed each other in cyber space. :) Never thought about bead board as a BS. Very pretty. SO creamy. Love that.

Mellie, the informational post you are talking about is usually near the top, or at least on the 1st page. If you don't have one, open a free photobucket account at photobucket.com. Upload your pics to it, then copy each pic by clicking on the HTML code (3rd one down). You can then paste each picture directly into your post. Can't wait to see what you've come up with!

Mellie0803, here is the link for posting photos ---

Here is a link that might be useful: New to Kitchens? Posting Pics? Read Me!.

Does this subway tile (JUST the subway) look "busy" to you? It doesn't to me. I took my granite, floor, cabinet and wall color samples to one of my favorite tile stores in Atlanta today (which I have visited a dozen times but w/o any of my samples) and she immediately went to this subway. It was all very beautiful and elegant together. She thought Candlelight (and I got the sample from this store) did not pop enough with my cabinets. I love the shading but absolutely do not want to introduct another "pattern." Would I be??

Senio Tuscania Beige

Tried to get an up-close of the gorgeous antique crackle finish. And no, it's not peach IRL.

Wow, I really like the colors in that! In the sample pic, it looks very glossy, but in your pics, it doesn't. ?

Have you noticed that in the finished kitchen blogs, if you look at "catogories", there isn't anyone with TB! (I'm sure there are, but they didn't claim it?) Can't wait until we're all on there! :)

Sande, it's very glossy. Just hard to photograph w/a cell phone. I know it's looking sort of "mono" in the pics, but it's a really, really gorgeous tile in person. I had a very similar crackled one before (way back in one of my first posts) but it was definitely too peach.

I like the subtle other colors you can see in the crackle. This looks really pretty with the granite. Will def have some "depth" on the wall