Either color grout will be the "right" choice. The question is which is the right choice for you? I prefer grout to blend in with the tile, some people as your husband prefer visible grout lines. Both choices are OK. Take a deep breath and make a decision!

don't know if this will help but........from the picture, i can barely tell the limestone is up...is it??? if it is, and you would like it to stand out more, i would go with your original, kaluha cream. i always make my grout a touch darker than the tile (although both of my tiles are white and i went with "mist" and "whisper gray"). i think if it blends too much, it may be too bland. from the rest of your kitchen, to me the darker would look nice....especially with those gorgeous seagrass barstools!!! my vote is kaluha cream......good luck!!!!!!!!

Gosh I agonized so much over these same issues with both my floor and backsplash. I know how difficult it is and whatever decision you think you made, you can't stop second guessing it. I so wish I could come over and help you! With what I know now I could be very useful...unfortunately I can't even see your picture (It's blocked at work) so I can't be of much help. What color is sandelwood? I only know travertine as light or ivory, noce and that goldish color. Is it one of those? What is your granite? I thought I wanted my grout to blend or be a tad bit lighter. I have the light/ivory travertine and I've rarely seen darker grout with that color tile. I had some noce (the brown travertine color) inserts and my contractors said that the darker grout (not very dark) would look better because it would be between the light travertine and the dark travertine. It turns out they were right. I doubt this helps you much, but my spirit is with you.

- Jim

No, the tile is not installed in that picture. The installer still thinks I should still use the lighter, desert cream. UUUGGHHH! I have a knot in my stomach, this shouldn't be so difficult. Thanks for the help, I'll keep pondering!

ok, one other question.....is there a grout color somewhere in between desert cream and kahlua cream? is the kahlua cream just slightly darker than the limestone? one last thing to consider......do you trust the opinion of the installer or the tile shop workers more?????

keep in mind, either will look fine!!!!!!!! don't stress too much. i had myself in a fit over the color of the light on my microwave and now i don't even notice it!!!!

My experience (and others on this forum) is that grout dries lighter than you expect.

My recommendation is to blend. I detest contrasting grout lines. Just my aesthetic.

I also do not like grout lines. I feel the emphasis should be on the tiles (for which you paid good money), not the grout.

blend! Hopefully when your tile goes on, the walls etc are straight and true, and the tile goes on completely straight , but if there is variation you will see it stand out more if the grout lines stand out.

Definately a personal preference. I also don't like the grout line look, but my DH totally wants to see grout lines. I got my way with the floor tile in the upstair bathrooms, but am going to lose on the floor tile in the kitchen and family room. We are doing it ourselves and he hated the unsanded grout.

For what it's worth, I prefer the darkest grout possible, shows less staining and dirt.

We have a tanish tile and I thought the Almond grout would blend in, but made a big mistake in that when it dried it was like 2 shades lighter. I will have to live with it, but sure wish I had realized it and went a little darker.

any updates for us????????

Update---grout is 1/2 done and I'm worried...it looks perfect now while wet. It has a ways to go to dry and is going to get much lighter. I think I went too light, we'll see. I'll keep you posted and hopefully have pictures soon. Thanks for all the help!

no worries!!!!

Hi mommyto4boys-
would love to hear an update and see some pictures!

i have been following some of your threads and love your kitchen.

Hi, thanks for the lovely comments and help. The backsplash does look nice & it is wonderful to have it finished, finally. I think we may end up using an enhancer to bring out the color more. I'll try to get some pictures posted today or tom. I need some help figuring out how to finish the space above our cooktop. Again, thanks for the help!

Mommyto4boys, We would love updated pics of your kitchen and a close up of your backsplash since I am wanting my tile to blend also with the grout but I hear that the grout dries lighter so I am not sure what to do either. Please let us know how many shades you feel the grout lightened when dried compared to the sample. I hope the enhancer makes the grout perfect for you. I love your kitchen, especially the Brazilian Cherry floors.