I read the title and said....ohhhhh lllaaaaa llaaaaa before I even read the post. I can't wait to see this kitchen.

Personally, I'm a fan of "like" textures when they flow so closely...as close as a BS and counter do. I personally (i'm going to offend...sorry) don't like...and umm HATE the tumbled marble/granite combo. I've offended now haven't I? I just don't like it. It's the wrong texture mix to me, so I'll lead you to shiny with shiny, verses matte,unless you went with an antique etc finish.

But, you're going shiny...Here's a couple ideas without even seeing the kitchen so I'll guess. I'd love to see you play with that combo even more. Is it possible to do say a glass subway or smaller tile in a tan color (I'm saying this because I think your mosaic black granite is a bunch of rocks in stone right??? Mine is and it has predominant tan in the coloration). Ok so if this is what your mosaic is....I'd love to see you do either a black or tan glass BS with the opposite color used as a feature tile (I'd base that black or tan color choice on the color of the cabinets...do you have dark or light...light go black with tan, dark, go black with tan) and then do a fabulous BS behind the range in the mosaic, pulling from the island.

OK I'll shut up now...I'm sort of in love with this idea LOL

Wait: ponder that though after granite installed:
If you get them to do granite splash black: you will have a dark kitchen!
Black granite : you can do anything! I love glass tiles: or Bisazza on a mesh! I will post picture: so many differnt patterns and colors!

I would agree to wait until the counters are in. I wouldn't do more black on the backsplash. I haven't seen Black Mosaic. I look forward to seeing your pictures.

Bill...that's very similar to the BS I've been coming back to over & over. I "created" a similar one on the DalTile site and can't seem to get it out of my head. I don't know how it'll look in my kitchen though. [I was also thinking square tiles set straight with diamond AB "dots".]

The other one I think about on & off is Lsandler's.

BTW mominthedubc...I have medium cherry cabinets with polished AB counters (no island). What are your cabinets?

I agree w/others that you should wait to decide on a BS until after the counters are in. You will have a better feel for what you "need" from your BS...a focal point, brighten up the kitchen, calm it down, etc.

Thanks, guys and gals. Man, I appreciate your input. You all have great ideas. Bill, thanks for the picture. I have seen pics here of many people who haven't decided on a backsplash like Bill mentioned, but thought I need to tell the fabricators if we are going with a 4" splash or not. Do you think we have more options to just do the counter with the granite and forget the 4" splash? Thanks so much.

Igloo, I was hoping you would see my post since you recommended our choosing the AB to go with the Black Mosaic. You get all the credit or blame! :)

It seems to me that fewer and fewer people are doing a 4" splash. I would have to say that I am not a fan of it.

Thanks, Morton.

I really like Bill's picture with the AB dots. Bill, what are the counters?

Buehl, we have light gray with pewter/black glaze on the perimeter cabs and a darker gray for the island. I will post pictures (if I can figure out how to do that) when the cabs get installed tomorrow.

To tell you the truth, I'm not sure WHAT the countertop is in that pic. That was one of the homes I spoke of, where they'd had the home for a few years before they decided to get the backsplash done.

As for having the 4" splash and then getting the backsplash done later, here are a couple that were done exactly that way:

While those kitchens bill posted are nice (ok even the tumbled marble ya brat) I still think if it were me, I'd not do the 4" piece. If you have to wait to decide...wait :) But you can do without the cost of fabricating the BS in a 4" piece and save that for more mosaic behind the range :oP

I know your combo is going to be STUNNING :o) Mostly because I'm always right :OP (heh heh oh shut up you people)

Reminds me of the old joke-- When I married Miss Right, I didn't realise her first name was ALWAYS!!

You guys are hilarious! :)

Igloo, do you think having Mosaic behind the range would be too much or overkill or distract from the island or enhance it?

Thanks, M.A.R (Miss Always Right) :)

It depends what in the kitchen you want to highlight. You can, if you like, turn your backsplash into a work of art, and make it the central focus of the kitchen. Alot of people do just that. However, if you wish to highlight another part of your kitchen, or if you want the kitchen as a whole to stand out, you might want to go with something more to blend in and work WITH the rest of your finishes.

Man, Bill you are very helpful, thanks. Now, I am distracted because I don't like the width of the window trim. It's 2 1/2 in. and I was expecting around 3 1/4-
3 1/2. We only have 8' ceilings, but it just seem small to me. Don't know if it's worth taking down and doing over or not. So, not THAT'S my issue!!! UGH!

95% of our customers pick 4x4 tumbled marble: I agree with Bill: I love Bottocino! much better! I am not into the 2x2 or 1x1 personally: (it's completely self choice!)

Although: people are watching what they spend today. I haven't talked a customer into Bottocino in a year!///no one wants to pay for the Bottocino marble~~ !!!

Rarely do we have a customer spend $$$$ upgrading their splash.

We sell frequently the 4x4 marazzi Le Cave: looks real: no sealing and it's stone like ceramic. No hassle & consistant splash.

Everyone has their own opinion.

I love glass, Bisazza and Mother of Pearl on a 12x12 mesh back splash material. More expensive of course. With Labrador Antique granite, or Volgua Blue/Green granite: (my 2 favorites) 3rd favorite: probably Juparana Bordeaux: Reds! (we installed one kitchen in July with Red bordeaux: she did her splash in the 3cm material all the way up the wall: turned out amazing: The granite is an art piece!

Also, when a person walks in your kitchen : What do you want them to notice first? What do you want their attention drawn to?

So many aspects and thoughts into the kitchen.

Black granite: you can do anything you want with splash: I believe! Go all out!

~Happy Holidays~

You do pay a good sum for the 4 inch backsplash. Mine wasn't very long(14ft) and it was going to cost as much as purchasing the tile for the full height backsplash. Something to consider.... I also think it kind of dates a kitchen, even if it is done in the 21st century. g

Hmm... I did Black Galaxy granite with a Botticino tumbled marble BS - 4x4's with a few glass tiles here and there - 1x1s in black with bronze and red. Saw Botticino and fell deeply in love. (Wanted to tile my bed in it! OK, kidding, but I fell in love...

Igloo, you might be right but... sigh... I'm still in love and all's fair in love and war, Love is blind, etc. etc. etc :P

I am doing a similar granite selection and I picked glass 1"x2" subway tiles for my backsplash. Check out the Oceanside Glasstiles or Crossville glass tiles. I have also had glass 1" square tiles as a backsplash and I think that the look is crisp yet organic, if that makes sense to you.... I hope this helps! With the kitchen that we are doing now, I've picked white opalescent (but they read more clear/frosted than opalescent) tiles as the backsplash against white cabinets and Absolute Black leathered/brushed countertops.

I think that if you're going for a traditional effect, the 4 or 6 inch strip of countertop material is almost requisite. If you want a more modern feel though, it is out of place.

There are lots of things you can use for backsplashes...mirror, sheets of stainless/zinc/copper, tiles of all kinds, brick, tempered glass, vinyl or fibreglass panels...

I agree with the others that it would be a good idea to wait until you have finished almost everything else to decide, particularly if you think you might want to change any of the adjacent detailing.

goldie5 : love it! I've seen the opalescent "shell" Mother of Pearl. Crazy expensive. So beautiful!
Nice choice!
~post pictutres when done~

*note: splash material: should match the theme of your house. Or the look you want to achieve. Tumbled/Bottocino looks great with rustic looking granite.

I will post of picture of glass 4x4 kitchen: I love the glass! I don't see it going out of style: or tumbled.

Bottocino marble: with Color Enhancer applied: $12.50 sf retail. 4x4

Raw tumbled marble 4x4 $6.50 sf retail for material only (from Mexico: has more iron in material)

4x4 multi colored Onyx: splash material: ( "A special quality of onyx is the transparent portions of the material that, when back lit, will allow light to pass through, illuminating the stone; light reflective. Green onyx is quarried from a dyke quarry in Baluchistan, Pakistan. This quarry produces three ranges: a light green, a dark green and a multi- colored onyx. Arizona Tile focuses its purchases on the dark green tone. The red, brown and burgundy areas will vary between shipments along with the depth of the green tone.")
restaurant we helped design in Dallas with Honey onxy and multi-colored.
I think would look great with black granite!
You could buy the 12x12 pieces and cut them into 6x6~

Alfagres 4x4 Gema Line "Sand" (appear green: they are sand and the dark green granite is causing the color change in the glass: Evokes water like refracton of light ghroughout the textured surface. Made in Italy. made of recycled cast glass: *Environmentally friendly product.)
$20.50 retail price per sf.
(3cm verde butterfly granite)

Petra-- very nice work. :-)

As for this comment--

I've seen the opalescent "shell" Mother of Pearl. Crazy expensive.

We had someone in here post a link about 2 years ago to some mother of pearl tile that cost a dazzling 475.00 PER SQUARE FOOT.

i love a picture that comes up with verde butterfly granite and these awesome green tiles....can anyone help me????

I realize I am a few years late on this post but I was wondering what you decided, and do you have any pictures? I'd love to see your black mosaic with your absolute black. What color are your cabinets?