Your kitchen is beautiful! And the granite is definitely a stand-out feature. I think you're on the right track by trying to pull the lighter shade of the granite up into the backsplash. I'm not so good with backsplash ideas but I'm linking a thread that has a lot of great pictures, maybe you'll get some ideas. Good luck!!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: GW backsplashes

Your kitchen is beautiful... classic, elegant, unfussy. I know that most folks will suggest something simple like a subway since your granite is busy. Or travertine with some small glass accents (probably more traditional like hubby like). All would be acceptable and lovely. But for some reason, I'm aching to see something with a little color in here. I don't know exactly what but something different. Now maybe I'd do the 6x12 glass in a broken joint/running bond subway pattern and then glass accents. The subway would be more traditional to please DH and you'd have the glass and accents you love wiht a tweak of color. Here's an example. Your cashmere which I linked below and something like this (from Stone and Pewter Accents)

Here is a link that might be useful: couldn't imbed WZ tile

I also just wanted to point out that my window treatments and lighting have not been done. The lighting and window coverings are old..so please don't look at them! I also still need 2 cabinet doors above my double oven and am waiting on my new stools :)

Remodelfla....that is a very interesting thought. Funny thing...that my granite has a smidge of blue in it :) like your thoughts....Thanks

Rookie...thanks for the link...Im gonna check it out :)

Anna

When I look at your beautiful kitchen I picture a muted glass.. maybe a creme glass 4x2 tile.. I think the tiny squares will make it too busy looking.. but I guess it all depends on your style

Do you need corkboard behind the phone--looks like there is a frame for it? Sorry I'm not much help, but that feature is unusual (and I like it!).

I think RemodelFla is right about needing a bit of color.

Wow, great cabinets, counters and hardware with nice detail on your corners.
I like the idea of a framed mosaic pattern behind the range.
I like that your table matches so well with the chocolate cabinets... details on your dining set?

Hi Fori...Actually...there is a framed corkboard behind my desk. I had a custom-made corkboard and picked a color that matched my kitchen...it's one of my favorite parts of my kitchen. I wanted a corkboard but I didn't want the typical ugly brown cork. My cabinet designer/builder made a custom frame to match my cabinet doors :) I am so glad you like it :)

Yakkinyetti...Thanks so much for the compliments...
LOL...my table is the cheapest thing in my kitchen!! LOL It is a set from Raymour and Flannigan which was about $1500...I think it's called Canyon something :)

Thanks so much for the comments :)

Num1teechr - Check out Tearose21. There is a photo on the Inspiring GW Kitchens thread. A more traditional subway back splash with a rectangle over the stove composed of medium sized squares (say 3 inch that are either mosaic glass or maybe calcutta marble?) I love the medium scale tile in the accent over the stove versus the small tile that is more contemporary.

For the traditional/contemporary split you can either do a traditional layout such as running bond (subway style) with a non-traditional tile (glass rectangle or square.) Or use traditional ceramic tile (such as a lovely crackly in an off/white/slight gray) in an non-traditional layout, such as stacked or even using squares versus rectangles in running bond. Try to bridge the gap between the two styles in an interesting way.

Also, try to work with your husband to figure out exactly what he likes or doesn't like - I recall one spouse who just didn't like the running bond, but was OK with rectangular tile. Figure out the specifics or you may even discover when questioned he might not care as much as you think. Good luck figuring it out together.

Here is a link that might be useful: Inspiring GW Kitchens thread - see tearose1`

I like RemodelFla's idea and would do it within a frame behind the cooktop. I'd then do a subway tile in the rest of the kitchen. Maybe a white crackle like the waterford color? (It has a beautiful crackle finish in rl) This way you get a bit of color and a bit of a modern touch and traditional for your DH.

Here is a link that might be useful: Jeffrey Court Subway Tile

Num1teecher - I thought about Irish Ice as well, check out Walt's kitchen below. His colors and counter are similar and the irish ice looks beautiful. There are a couple of other discussions about his choices so I would do a search on on his user name - if I remember correctly he wanted somewhat contemporary and his wife didn't. He looks at a ton of options so even if you don't like the Irish Ice you can see the other ideas, including Kitchenaddict who has similar colors and used a natural stone back splash to create a lovely kitchen. Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Walt's Irish Ice

How about a tumbled travertine?

I see a lot of pink undertones in your granite, not sure how easy it will be to find a complimentary tile.

4"x4"

2"x4" subway

I go with the subways you like as your field, but try a metallic look tile for behind your stove for a more traditional look but with a twist.
Check out the mesh mounted basketweave below...

Here is a link that might be useful: metallic tiles

You need kitcheaddict's ... crema marfil in a 3x6 or 3x12.

Her's is a little more traditional than mine - my cabs are cherry but not quite as dark like hers.

I vote for a mix of white or pale gray subways and some WOW with color.
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Welcome to the Bianco Antico Club. This is such a great stone. I struggled endlessly to find the right thing for my kitchen. I ended up winning a backsplash in a contest. It is a Beveled Arabesque tile. I wanted something that would have some pizazz but not steal anything from the granite. I will once again post my kitchen backsplash to see, I'm so sorry for boring all the GW'ers out there!

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The tile is from Mission Stone & Tile. Each tile is handmade and they have a slight wave on the surface due to this. It creates the coolest look when the uc lights are on, they kind of glisten.

There was a strong contender earlier that picked up the taupes in the granite. It was by Mandala, the color is stingray. Not sure if it would work with your dark cabinets, but here is srg215's kitchen, I suggested it to her and she checked it out and fell in love. You can get it in several sizes. I've linked her kitchen below.

With this granite, I found a small tile/mosaic will not work, it's too busy, too competitive. I think you need something on a larger scale.

Best of luck. Let me know if you have any questions.

Here is a link that might be useful: srg215's kitchen with Bianco Antico granite

Wow! Thanks so much to everyone for their responses. A lot to think about.

BeeKeeper...LOVE IT!! Gorgeous...but my husband would not go for it :( But I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!

Can someone tell me how to search for someone's kitchen? I want to check out pics of KitchenAddict's kitchen backsplash.

Jodi...WOW! Thanks for the mock up..how cool is that!!!!
Thanks for the advice :) I am looking into everything :)

But..keep'em coming! Would love some more ideas :)

Anna

I agree with your husband. I think a glass mosaic will be too contemporary of a look in your traditional kitchen.
I would love to see a beautiful framed mural under your range hood and a creamy white crackle subway for the rest of your backsplash. There are some beautiful murals on the stoneimpressions.com website.
I also like Walker Zanger tile and they have some beautiful relief tiles with color that could be framed as a backsplash.
Good luck! Your kitchen is GORGEOUS!

Here's kitchenaddict's backsplash.

Here is a link that might be useful: backsplash

Hi again num...

Your kitchen is very beautiful and it looks like you did a wonderful job even without the help of this forum! Your granite looks a lot like mine in that close-up pic.

Good luck with your backsplash search!

Thank you marcydc:)..

KA:)

Grabbed some of KitchenAddict's backsplash and tweaked the colors a bit.

Hi jodi..

That's cool! I wish I knew how to do that...although then I would never get off this site!

It looks better in the second picture, where you must have tweaked the color. Too gray in the first, which is strange because it isn't gray at all in reality....Very creamy and warm actually.

I'm sure num will find that helpful!

KA:)

KA, the color that came off your kitchen photo backsplash was not the same intensity as Num1teechr's kitchen photo but when I tried to balance them both, the color of the tile was off. So I just made up my own colors.

I created one leaning toward gray/blue tones just for variety. Sometimes a room so rich in red/warm tones benefits by being cooled a bit with grays and greens. Not sure that's the case here but I created the option nonetheless.

Jodi-