Could you post pictures of everything? Even if its not your actual slab and such, you could pull the doorstyle, slab, etc. from the internet. It would be helpful to see it all together.

Sure...

Here's the granite
{{!gwi}}

Cabinet color
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And here's the tumbled noce travertine tile I found that someone else posted of theirs in these forums...

{{!gwi}}

I am wondering if the tumbled noce may be too similar is the scale of the patterning of the stone to that of the granite itself. I don't know how large the swirls and pattern are in that granite. It also may read a bit yellow/green tan compared to the stone which has some pinkish tones.

Both the backsplash and the granite seem to work well with the cabinets, I am just not sure they are optimal together.

A pale grey stone or tile may look really nice with the granite and the existing floor.

I agree with Pal. I would look at some quieter tiles for the backsplash. You can then look at some interesting accent tile that picks up a color from the granite or cabinet.

The tile choice also looks more yellow (warm) and the granite looks cooler in color. When selecting options for the backsplash try to find some with a cooler or grayer tone so they don't conflict. When coordinating neutrals it's good to keep the tones in the same family.

I totally agree with stef. I wouldn't put that backsplash with the granite you chose because of the warm/cool tones clashing. Keep looking at backsplash tiles. Maybe bring a few samples home from the tile stores to see in the light of your kitchen. Good luck!

Thanks for those thoughts. The granite is definitely more of a blue/gray with some tan and maroon to pinkish veins. We were originally looking for a gray countertop but took a cabinet door and floor tile to the granite yards and the paradiso looked best with it. Gray toned tile sounds like it may be a good way to go. Have a chunk of the granite that I'll take with me to the tile place that has our floor sample and check them out.

Thanks!

What about something like this? Or maybe too busy with the granite? If so, just a one of the colors in the mosaic?

Or?????

Am I on the right track?

Hi phillykev:

Since you're not sure at this point, how about holding off on the backsplash until the cabinets and counters are in? That way you could get some sample tiles and see how they look in the space and in various lighting.

Lots of people go with just paint for awhile (or even forever) and maybe you can avoid a costly do-over.

Yeah, chicagoan, I think that might be the way to go. Besides the new layout of the kitchen, nothing has given me as much trouble deciding.

Wanted to get everything done all at once as we're moving out for a few weeks during the work (gutting kitchen and both bathrooms with a 7 months pregnant wife). But hopefully with the counters and cabinets in place we could make a decision and get the backsplash put on after we move back in.

Ok...well, then, how about paint color ideas to match the cabinet and granite? :)

And any opinions on doing a different material for the bar height portion of the peninsula or should we stick with the granite that's on the rest of the counters?

I always like when people mix counter tops - especially if they introduce wood that is a compliment or a contrast to the the counters. I like wood counters, especially for eating on - they are "softer" less clanking than the stone and easier on your dishes. I have a stone island, which I love and is great in our kitchen, but when my daughter bangs her glass I grit my teeth and think of wood :) But I don't know if I would choose a maple butcherblock with the maple cabinets. I might go with a darker contrast - like a walnut (though I know nothing about pricing for such stuff) or even a cherry - but you would have to see how it would work to complement with the stone counter. Another thought is to go for a simple stone - absolute black or some other non-busy stone.

I definitely agree about waiting on the back splash. We just moved back in and I stare daily at my painted walls noodling on what the back splash would be. I had the fabricator put in a 2" back splash of the granite for the time being - I think four inch is the standard and commonly included in the bid for counters. You can check, but I understand it can be taken off if you want to remove it later.

I also think that the paint should come after you pick the backsplash. Have them primer and be all ready, but it would be easier to coordinate paint to tile or whatever, than to coordinate a backsplash to paint.

Spoke to the wife last night and decided to just go with paint. We're going to pick something for the paint and have them do it. If/when we get the backsplash, can just repaint the areas that aren't covered by it to match the backsplash.

I think butcher block for the island top, black walnut would probably look great in relation to the stone and maple cabinets.

{{!gwi}}

But, it's just as expensive as the granite, so not sure if it's worth it.

I think you are headed in the right direction with the tiles, but agree you can wait on the backsplash.

As far as the wooden top on the peninsula goes, it could be really nice to go with something other than granite since it is open to the living room, even though the walnut is just as expensive.

I am in Philadelphia too, and I agree with your idea of softening the transition between the kitchen and living room by not using granite. So often, the first floor ends up looking like a kitchen with some living room area at one end. The kitchen may be nice but it can dominate the space in a smaller house--the wood top would make a nice transition I think.

Got a price for a custom cut black walnut butcher block top and comes out a bit under the cost of putting the granite on top. The other nice thing is it can be screwed into place from under the top board on the knee wall so no overhang or brackets on the kitchen side and will be rock solid. Definitely thinking that's the way to go, now.

Thanks again for all the input.