Not sure I can't get the image to show.

Here is a link that might be useful: photos of the kitchen

Are there some white speckles in your granite? It looks like there might be. If so, I think the white subway tile might look good. Maybe you could do a darker grout to blend in more with the granite and cabinets. Is the smoke subway tile you like glass? I have seen some pretty smoke looking glass subway tiles. Glass is reflective so that might brighten things up a bit. What are you planning on doing on your window wall? Would you be putting any tile over there?

I would buy a few different shades of white subway tiles and bring them home and place next to your beautiful granite counters to see which white looks best. You can even take pictures and have us vote. I love the Cherry cabinets. Your granite is very pretty. What is your granite's name?

More of a cream or off white.

To be honest, my first thought was to skip the subways and get lighter colored valances.

If you must get the tile, I'd do a white like your trim color. If the pale yellow paint is not light enough by itself, you need full blown white to change the effect.

Thanks for the comments. I like all your advice and really expected people to tell me to go with the smoke and not white. I am posting images of the two tiles . To answer epressler's question the smoke subway tile is not glass but a crackled finish just like the off white subway tile. Yes, the granite does have a small amount of white flecks in it but since the kitchen is so dark with not much afternoon sun, the counters look and feel darker than the photo I posted. I know some under cabinet lighting would help but I am not going to have lights on during the day so that is one reason for the white subway tile idea. I like subway because most of the kitchens I admire use it. Most of the kitchen I admire also have a lot of white either in marble or painted cabinets. I feel like I did not choose very traditional countertops but my taste is traditional and my long term plan is to keep the cabinets forever and just think about painting them white someday when they start looking old. I also like dianalos comment about the valances. I chose the ones I did because I love oranges and yellows but maybe I should look into finding a new fabric that is not so dark and your comment about needing to go with white tile to change the effect seems spot on. The new images I am posting of the tile samples don't show the crackle finish but you will see one is much deeper and the bevel stands out...that one is also $30/sq. ft. ...the white one is only 12.99/sq. ft. and the bevel is not as neat but the white is crackled and almost a little iridescent. I am linking the photos in the optional link url. Does anyone know how to just get them to show up on my post??

Here is a link that might be useful: more photos of tile

Since the counters have white and gray, and you say you are usually traditional, would a marble subway tile work?

I like both your choises. But, in further deciding try to get as many samples of each as you can, line them up and see what happens all through the day.
I prefer the white though because I feel it is a nicer transition from when your eye goes from the brown of the cabinet to the multi colored backsplash.
I think if your cabinets were white, I would prefer the smoke.

The smoke does match beautifully, but because you have white trim throughout the kitchen and white wainscoting just off the kitchen, I feel the white would look great and brighten up the space. I do agree that you should change the valances out to something lighter, maybe a white background with colors you love in a pattern.

The smoke tile is similar in level of darkness to the wall paint. It won't lighten the kitchen, which is your goal. It would coordinate nicely, but you'd be in the same place you are as far as color.

Hi, Just another 2 cents, but have you thought about just painting the walls white? Looks like you have a white trim, in the hallway, so white looks right for your space. Since you already have the granite backsplash, I'd try painting first.
Good luck
Your re-model looks wonderful though!

I like the white tiles. I think they would look good with your white trim.

Thanks kittenkat. That photo does help and it is super hard to find a photo online with cherry cabinets and white tile so I appreciate you posting it. You have that pretty, light countertop on the island which pulls the white together on the wall. I think all the advice has steered me towards the white subway. I will just try to pick the best white I can. I have a few more samples showing up. I do love marble as a couple of you mentioned but I think it might be a little busy with the already busy granite but I will keep my eye open when I am looking just in case. I am going to be tiling my bathroom floor in carerra marble though. We actually did this remodel 6 years ago when my husband and I bought the house and gutted it. That is why there is already a short backsplash. I never intended on doing wall tile but I love reading home mags and have been inspired to brighten up the kitchen. And I really like the advice of using darker grout from Epressler. I think that will help it look a little older and give some character. Someone asked what the name of the granite is but I can't remember. I don't think I am going to paint walls just because the color is throughout the entire house and the family room and eating area connect to the kitchen. If you have an more photos or advice I welcome them.

Hey what about tiling up the entire wall to the ceiling near the windows. I was only going to go part way at upper cabinet height but kittencat did that.