Oh wow...those tiles sure are pretty. Like crackle tiles but even better, almost pearlescent. Sigh...I love living vicariously through other people's renos. And your kitchen is a stunner. I immediately think of mamadadapaige's kitchen when I hear "herringbone accent above the kitchen". She had 2x6s I believe, and did a thinnish pencil rail that's flush with the backsplash. I liked how she did hers. I think you should do a simple pencil liner because to me, the whole point of using the same tile for your herringbone accent is to do a subtle change, which calls for a subtle frame. If you did your thick picture frame it's like "look at me!! i'm different than the other tile" which makes sense if you did an accent with a totally different tile size. But you're doing the same 3x6s but in a herringbone pattern, instead of the subway pattern which goes everywhere else. So after my long explanation I say - do the thin one. For the backsplash on the peninsula/window wall, you know what I'd do? I would only put the backsplash on the three walls within the bay window cubby area and stop them there. I'd take them to just under the window trim. To the right of the bay window, carry it the same height (to the bottom of the window trim) on the little piece of wall under your outlet (the outlet to the left of your coffee maker), then pull the backsplash up to below your cabinets on that sliver of wall above the coffeemaker. That, to me, would accomplish several things: It would keep that nice blue paint showing on that window wall as I personally wouldn't want to cover it up, give you the backsplash you need to visually relate/connect that window wall to the range wall, and of course provide the protection you need above the sink from water splashage. To the left, I don't think you need to put any backsplash past that left bay window. Just keep it all bare and painted. I don't know if I explained that right...hopefully it makes sense.

My granite is a dark brown Giallo. When I was looking for granite, I took along a sample piece of wood painted in the White Dove of my cabinets. When looking very closely at the granite, there are white specks in it. So, I thought it would be fine. Not so! Over all, it looks brown! It competed with the white tone of the cabinets. The crema is more beige than cream but it goes with white and it goes with brown. And, it is a good transition between the two. This is what I am hopng you can achieve. A good transition color in the tile I am not sure if this color will go with your counter. But, you can try a sample. Everyone on here who has the Rixi really loves it.

Thanks palimpsest .... I fell in love with a kitchen I saw in a granite yard and thoughtright away: that's what I want!!! And they used the Jeffrey Court Chapter 12. They had a row of 2x3 (set vertically) ~ and inch accent tile ~ then two rows of 6x6s set diagnally. And it looked GREAT. Behind the stove area they used a accent border with hexagons inside. I'm sure they had at least 18 inches from countertop to top of cabinets. I have only 16 (maybe even a little less). So, I'm thinking I should start looking at 4x4s or just use the 6x6s set straight. Behind my sink I want an accent area consising of (if I use the Jeffrey Court) 2x3 subways set in a brick pattern; a 1/2 inch accent border, shaped in a rectangle (but with an arched top); NOW in the accent area, I want 1x1 glass sparkley tile ~ all tone-on-tone (pretty much); because my granite (Delicatus Brown), will be quite busy! This is just driving me crazy, I tell ya. I have looked at thousands of BSs trying to get ideas. But before anything can be done; we have to take off my current tile. 1x1 mosaics (whites/off-whites) on the counter and backsplash (from counter to top of cabinets). Don't think this will be any kind of fun job :( Hoping to get started on taking those off next week. Thanks for your help!! jody

April - Love your countertop and your cabinets and can't wait to see the final reveal. When you finally find the tile - it will be love at first sight! I really wanted a glass backsplash. I had those same tiles in my kitchen plus others. I also considered back painted glass but the cost was way out of budget. I also could not get the glass to talk to my kitchen no matter how hard I tried! Some others to consider - there were a number of Jeffrey Court tiles that were close seconds. I also loved Heath tiles but was too far away to find a match (I was too embarrassed to ask them to send me a third set of samples especially when I said I didn't want crackle and ended up with crackle LOL) Here is a picture of the Grazia Rixi Crema that I used It is probably a bit lighter than this picture but my little camera had difficulty with the light. I also put small accents above the cooktop. The accent row is called Beach - not sure who actually makes it but it came from the Tile-Shop (not Tile Shop) Again - probably a bit lighter in real life. PS - Ellen - I think you are my "fan" club! (of course, you have the same tile as well!)