Hi JSCOZ. I am so surprised that whomever you bought the tile from didn't recommend that you order a sample first-esp. if it is handmade and subject to variation. The tile shop salespeople are supposed to be the "experts" and they should have warned you and let you know of your options to get a sample. I have had the various tile shops I've visited suggest that several times-esp. for natural stone to see the current "lot" color. If they hadn't, I wouldn't have even known it was even possible to get one. And I have ordered the samples--thankfully- or I would have made an expensive mistake. The tile shops around here have designers that will help you with your design. Did you buy your tile from a store with a knowledgable designer that can help you? They may be able to suggest something. In second group of your photos, esp. with the one with the gorgeous medallion, the color of the tile looks like a better fit with the granite- it looks lighter and more golden. Which photo shows the true color? The glass liner accent looks very close to the color of the tile. Is that correct, or is the photo deceiving? Just curious. Try calling the Sonoma tile company and showing them your photos, and explain your dilema- maybe they have knowledgable designers that could suggest a solution from a design standpoint- and maybe even offer to exchange some of the pieces. I really don't think the tile looks that bad with the granite, esp. after seeing the other photos and your off-white cabinets which will give some lovely contrast with all that brown. The tiles are gorgeous, and I personally don't think they look like they are are trying to "copy the granite". From a perfectionist standpoint, you probably wouldn't have gotten them if you knew this was how they would be (since they are not like the sample you liked), but they can be made to work with just a little "massaging", as my architecture colleagues used to say. I think just the right grout color could work wonders, as well. You know how putting one color next to the other can "fool the eye". Having an accent band running around the backsplash will also help draw your eye to it- instead of to the junction between the granite and tile. Here is one thought for a border at the base of your backsplash: How about mixing the glass liners, with 1 x 1 glass tiles (tantrums)in a lighter color along the base, maybe 2-4 rows high? You can possibly even mix in some strips of the field tile in your existing color, as well as the same tile in a lighter color, to keep the cost down. You can play around with it to find a design that looks good. There are lots of these kinds of mixed mosiacs around- you can find some in a tile shop for inspiration. Here is a link below to a photo on the sonoma website that made me think of another option. Look at the 3rd photo down on the right side as another possibility for a border along the bottom of the backsplash made up of light colored 1 X 1 tantrums (would that be too expensive?- I know those are pricey!)It would be simple. Hope this helps give you some food for thought. Here is a link that might be useful: Sonoma tantrum border

YES they do. The grandmother spied on us the whole time my company was here. And she thinks we can not see her through or over the fence but we can. Sh would stand there and listen to what we were saying. Then yesterday grandson was hiding out in the little shed that has a window watching me. He is 20 years old. He has said some very sick things to me and should have been slapped silly but I am not that way I just told grandmother I do not want anything more to do with him and to keep him off my property. And I told her why. Grandmother has no idea what is really going on over here.Right after my husband died she saw men coming here and assumed I was already seeing new men. NOT NOT NOT. The men coming here were my investors and we were dealing with the death benefit . Thing is they wanted me to do one thing and I had a totally different idea so they kept coming here to try to talk me into their way putting more money in their pockets. OH NO!! but she thought I was having dates already. And she watches me like a hawk. I am 5 years older than she is and do not need her telling me what to do. Or making assumptions about my life. And see her kitchen window is just such she can see who comes and goes here and I have nothing to hide so I am not asking people that come to not park so she can not see them. And the really funny thing it I actually have several men friends that have come to help me do one thing or another. ALL of them are married and I totally respect a marriage. So now I try to bring them in the side door so they are really in full view just to frost her nosy self. I do not get mad I get even. Sorry rant over. LOL

If your choice were only between to 2 you originally posted, I'd choose the one on the right--the cream one. From the photos it looks like it works very well with your quartzite. The gray one is "off" just enough not to look pleasing. However, as many have noted, either one is more difficult to clean than a smooth surface. What sort of cook are you--very neat or more devil-may-care? If you are very neat and do not splash much when you cook, then you may get away with the split-faced marble, but if you are a more exuberant cook, you may find it a challenge to clean. The mother of pearl is very formal and quite busy, so it's going to compete with the counter tops as well. Personally, I would use a smooth crackle tile in a tan/beige tone to work with your quartzite. Simple is always good.

I think after one hour, the original opening post can only be removed by request to Houzz. Anyone adding answers has more leeway/time to edit their responses but not the original post. Might be more trouble than it's worth. You could always just repeat it where she will see it in Decorating conversations. No one here will care if this just drops away on its own.