I really like the light grout. It will truly blend so much better. I just wouldn't add another color element to what you already have. Perhaps one that sort of matches the tile. I have a similar tile in my kitchen in a 6x6 on the diagonal with beautiful accent tiles every so often it has an antique white grout and I just love it. It's so fresh and compliments and doesn't need any attention. I don't like to think of grout as a decorative accent but rather it's just there to hold in the tile that is the star that showcases the granite that is the superstar. Good luck!

Thanks gra8....would love to see a pic!

I vote for dark to tie in the brown in the granite....You can't go wrong. I wanted to do gray with my white subways and my DH won't let me. I like the look of contrast especially when it ties into the granite.

Light. This isn't a matter of what matches, but of how many different patterns you have. Figured floors, streaky granite, grainy cabinets, arched raised panels, S-curve pulls, mottled BS tile. It all works because the tones are muted and the patterns are subtle. The whole point of going light is "disappearing" the backsplash a bit. If you do that you'll emphasize the color movement in the tiles. If you go dark, you'll be emphasizing a rigid, rectangular grid. You've softened every other straight line in sight. If you emphasize those grout lines they're going to POP out and fight the rest of the design.

Looking at the top pictures, I was thinking that dark would not be a good choice. Then I got to the bottom ones, especially the one that has the mug hanger by the sink, and see that with the appearance of darker grout, it looked good. My overall impression is that you don't want a white grout or a dark - I assume mocha is pretty dark? Have you looked at a grout that is in between? When I make chocolate frosting, I can put in 1-4T of cocoa. Pretending your grout is frosting, how about a 2T of cocoa grout?

P.S. That is a pretty kitty!

Can you show a pic of the darker color you are considering? I think a medium tone would be nicest, but I would not want it too dark. The light may be too wimpy, for lack of a better word.

I agree with plllog. I would use something like Laticrete Sauterne. I used that color in our peach bath.

C.

I vote for light grout.

I feel your pain! I am in grout purgatory myself. I vote for light grout. I think it gives a cleaner, fresher appearance. Additionally, it's always possible to go darker later with a tint. Much harder to go lighter later.

Dang that is a tough choice. Plllog got to the point though - do you want the tiles to sand out and pop or do you want them to blend in and melt-away beautifully into the background? I can see going dark to pull some of the dark brown out of the granite but in the third pic it has the affect of ligth grout and it looks beautiful. At this point, it is just a matter of what look you are going for and the overall finished feel you want to achieve.

You could always flip a coin.

i vote light. my friend just did a similar style & chose dark. big regret. it made the tile look like a completely different color. the contractor went over it w/an acid mixture to lighten it so that she didn't have to tear it out & start over.

btw, she let her dh choose the dark grout, eventhough she preferred a lighter color :)

Hello
I like your tile very much..perhaps it comes in other colors..I like the shading. Can you tell me the name and tile source please?

Wow--thanks! Did not see all these in my email for some reason. Only saw the first two replies. I think the dark (the way it appears now pre-grout) sort of gives the kitchen a Tuscan look. Which I am liking. But maybe that is a dated look. Light is definitely the clear winner here, so far. I will look at the Sauterne when I get home. Mocha matches a color in my granite exactly....it's more of a gray than a brown to me. I'll take some pics of it and the Sauterne and maybe something in the middle...The last thing I want is for the tile to change colors with a dark grout...I would die. I like the idea of going light and then staining darker if need be.

Peach, is there any way you can do a sample board with both grouts with some spare tiles? It took you so long to get to this point, I would hate to see you feeling pressured and pick a grout you will be unhappy with.

I noticed that you finished all the trim work. It looks great!

I vote dark - easier maintenance too! And I too love your kitty.

essie4 - thanks! It's Senio Tuscania Beige. And it does come in other colors....white, bone, green and blue (but with fancier names!) You can the blue color in the above katelotile.com pic. And here's a link that should show you the colors.
http://www.mosaictileco.com/senio_tuscania_ceramic_tile.htm

ellendi, unfortunately, I do not have any spare tiles but I suppose I could buy some.

Here's a pic of Mocha (35)

I think I like light. Anyway, you can do light and stain it dark if you decide to go dark!

I like the light. Is the kitty a ragdoll?

WhiteRiver...Yes, he is. :) His name is Beauregard (Beau) and he's 13. Do you have a Ragdoll?

Here are some grout sample pics.

Hot Cocoa and Mocha:

Beauregard is beautiful. I love the name, too.

We have a female ragdoll named Princess (actually my son's). She is in the hospital tonight. She is very sick.

She is our second Princess, and a rescue if you can believe it. We got our first ragdoll many years ago.

Ok... not the Mocha. The Hot Cocoa would be nice.
I also noticed the Parchment and Navajo Tan. They seem like they have color without being too dark.

You have many nice choices, but try revisiting your original mission statement/design plan for your new kitchen, and choose your finishing touch to reflect it.

And since you're soliciting opinions, I like the light.

Lots to choose from. With your counters I like the lighter/midrange colors best. I'm with dianalo on the color chart. I think the darker colors would try to overwhelm your beautiful counters.

Hi Peach! I finally have a definite opinion! I don't like the dark. I would try to match the grout to the tile and let it blend in. The dark takes my eyes away from the granite. My favorite grout is the 4th one down, on "some light ones" picture.
That's my 2 cents. :)

Thanks, EVERYone. I have just this second realized I left off the K in "Stuck." Or maybe gardenweb left it off. Anyway, Whiteriver I emailed you. Hope Princess is feeling better. :( Sandesurf, the 4th one down is "Marble Beige" and it's a perfect match. Good eye! :) With the variations in the tile, I don't think the BS would disappear, even with a light grout. You would still see the subtle shadings, the dark and light. And I will have things sitting on the counter. Not sure what yet. I do love my green measuring cups and tree (Christmas gift from a boss's family) from Anthropology. And the apple teapot is from my mom. By "dark," I have never meant near-black. I just wanted the BS to "pop" a little since my cabinets are so light, but without looking busy or ditracting from the granite. I realized I had never posted pics of the other side of the kitchen, where the stove is (which needs to be returned to its upright and locked position), so to induce your nap, here you go! I'm off to my Greek boyfriend's house for dinner......Opa!!! Have a great Saturday night everybody!