I love the idea of a standout art glass pendant:
http://www.shadesoflight.com/artglass-marble-cone_pendant.html

If you go with the art glass pendants, I'd look at a smoky colored glass tile for the backsplash and stay away from the blues. If you don't go with 'look at me' kind of pendants, then you can play off the blues in the backsplash

You can certainly pick out tiles now, bu I would say to wait until everything is in place. Going around with a small sample of your granite is different than when the counter is in place in your home, with your lighting etc.
You can go in many directions with your granite. You might want to look at glass tiles.

I like how the granite picks up the brown in the cabinets, and I would look for tiles that color (maybe with a little variation lighter and darker). Some glass tiles could look good in there as accents too. What kind of granite is that? It's really pretty.

Have you looked at glass subways? Susan Jablon offers a good selection, in many colours. I like the light blue periwinkle 1x3" glass subway and the pale sky blue (more of a grayish blue).

HTH, Petra

Here is a link that might be useful: Susan Jablon Mosaics selection of blue subway

Look at Sonoma's vihara line in the silk finish. There are many different color choices so one will probably work. I will try to link it below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sonoma vihara

Pretty choices!

I love your granite choice. Very pretty. Definitely go
with a backsplash that will make that granite the star.
A dark backsplash might take away from the beauty.

A few ideas to get the ideas flowing. Maybe you'll
love them, maybe you'll detest them but either way they
can help generate creativity.

Tile ideas...

I really love that last one Boxer! I have similar cabinets and think that would be beautiful with them. Have not seen that color before in subway tiles. Looks great. Also love the 4th pendant down the sparkly glass ones. Those with the last choice posted of backsplash IMO is a winning combination! Good luck icannotwait!

I love all of your suggestions and feel like I am making some progress.

Leslie.in.NY: The granite is called Sapphire Blue/Brown. So glad you like it!

Remodelfa: Love the pendants! I went the link and saw a few but where can I find the two pendants you embedded? They are fabulous!

Petra66: very cool colors! Do you know if any of them come in matte finish? I fear the glossy subway tile may be too shiny with the granite.

Mpagmom: Also love this and a store around the corner carries it. Which shade did you think would work best?

Poxerpups: so many great ideas. Where can I find the blue pendants that are shown over the island (next to the pussy willows)? Also can you give me a link to the 3rd tile you posted and to the last one.

Thank you all!

Here were a few things I had seen. Any feedback????

I loved the shape of this but is it too much like a bathroom tile?

{{!gwi}}

This is a tumbled stone with an accent strip we saw:

{{!gwi}}

the 2 pendants I embedded are from bellacor.com The tumbled stone you pictured reads too pink to me; but I'm not a fan of tumbled stone. If you went with some form of pendants like above... I kinda see something like this in the space.

I had to post this one too. Although the color won't
go perfectly with your granite, the shape and pattern
are beautiful.

Links to tile

http://www.tileshop.com/walltile/backsplash.aspx

http://www.ppltile.com/ceramic-tile/marazzi-tile/catwalk-series/

http://www.glasstilestore.com/

http://www.modwalls.com/

lights

http://www.lampsplus.com/shop-by-room/69741/

http://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/elk-lighting-544-1mo-molten-satin-nickel-mini-pendant-with-molten-ocean-glass-513519.htm

I realize my cabinet and granite colors are the opposite of yours, but the glass mosaic I used for my backsplash is available in other color combinations. Mine has some beautiful blues and grays swirled in with the browns.

I LOVE it, and just had to share - the style name is "Catwalk" and the color I used is "sable slipper" but I almost chose "smoky stiletto" ... I included a link to the company below. But here's my kitchen:

and a close-up of my backsplash:

Here is a link that might be useful: Marazzi glass tile

Yep, they come in frosted glass as well. Difficult to see on the monitor, but you can always order samples. HTH, Petra

Here is a link that might be useful: Frosted Jablon subways

Riley605 love that smokey stiletto (and the name of it, too) thanks for the links!

It's me again, the OP. Now I am thinking to do something very plain. Perhaps a soft matte color. This is stone white:

{{!gwi}}

Also, I just ran over to the Tile Market and saw this tile. Any thoughts??

{{!gwi}}

Same tile, different shape (from a web-site):

{{!gwi}}

I'm the party pooper, I guess. I suggest you do not pick the tile for the back splash until the cabinets and counters are in. You will not believe the difference it makes. When the counter is horizontal and bigger, it will look much more different than that little sample. The lighting in your space is different than out in the tile shops. Also the cabinets when installed will give your space a different look. There is nothing lost by waiting. There have been several GW members who made their decision based on a door and granite sample only to be disappointed later. In our future house, I plan on just painting that drywall area and then deciding. I know I probably will want to go with the arabesques again, but I really want to see it before making that decision.

But, while you are out there looking, check out the Mandala Tiles, especially their Sinu collection. The tile is subtle but really does have some depth to it without stealing the show. I know srg215 used it in her kitchen in the color: Stingray. Gorgeous.

Good Luck!

The Tile Market tile is not right with your granite. It is too much mottled with mottled.
I agree with those that want your kitchen installed before testing samples in your space. There is little to no rush for a bs, so take the time to get it right. It gives you something to look forward to and helps de-stress from too many decisions now.

I think waiting is a good suggestion that Beekeeper made, to make the final decision. Your floor needs to be part of the equation for every one you look at. It really shifted my focus when everything was in place, even though I always took every element with me to the tile shops. Balance of the elements in your kitchen will dictate to you which way you shift that balance with a backsplash, artwork, etc. You have a beautiful start!