I think crackle and subway would look fine. I'm not so sure about blue or aqua because they don't seem to relate to anything else and they are cool colors in such a warm kitchen.

Agree with crl. How about a pale yellow?

First pic in this thread
http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2604677/can-i-see-your-subway-tile-backsplash

the crackle would look great but pick up one of the colors in the countertop.

But but but

I don't like any of the colors in the counter. *pout* :(

Butternut- I went through a similar phase- trying to pull an unrelated color into the BS. GW nuked my idea and so glad. I went with grazia rixi crema crackle. It was a light color that still coordinated. I used a bit of creativity with a border and medallions without overdoing it.

My cabs are cherry. I went with squares at the bottom and diagonals above the border. You can always add color with peripherals

Maybe green? I think sometimes green blends better with warm colors than the cooler blues do. Or heck, maybe I'm totally wrong. Try some samples and see what you think.

I'll be honest, I don't care for these colors either. Any way you could just live with this for a bit and then replace? You gonna be there a while?

Green glass?

I think subway tile + deviating from the beautiful earth tones in your granite would be ill advised and disharmonious.

Your cabinetry and granite have a lot of interest.

Don't compete with that and let them shine.

Less is more.

What do you think about doing the same granite as a backsplash (providing you can find it)?

i think i would try to remove the focal point behind the cooktop. to me it just seems so out of place. replace it with the existing tile or have tile cut to make a square and add a different accent tile. add other accents with peripherals as stated above. i don't think blue or aqua would compliment your cabs or granite. if u change out completely, stick with warm colors, maybe a warm greige??

"I don't like any of the colors in the counter. *pout* :("

OK, then it's creamy tiles and aqua accessories.

Colonial cream granite and

This tile would look amazing. I've seen it in person. It would be perfect in your kitchen.

http://www.tileshop.com/product/treviso+ocre+4+x+8+in.do?from=Search&cx=0

I have cherry cabinets and Millenium Cream granite; the granites don't look too terribly different, but my cabinets, while they've darkened over the past few years, aren't as reddish as yours. I used standard subways, Daltile, in biscuit, which picks up the predominantly neutral background color of the counter. IMO, the counter is "busy" enough that you don't want the tile to compete--at least that was my thinking.

So if I wanted to stay neutral but minimize the gold tones, I should go for as light a cream as possible?

I think pale cream would be good. But if you love aqua, I would at least get a sample and give it a try. I don't like the aqua island with colonial cream granite pictured above, but it's not my kitchen and maybe you would love the combination.

To me that is changing one classic look for another and nothing but less cash is gained. The only part I would redo is the backsplash over the stove with something other than that wierd brown diamond...I would dump the diamond both color and shape and bring in something attractive to look at. The bulk of the backsplash I would not do a thing with...it is quite attractive and matches the room perfectly.

I can't see aqua with the cherry cabs, but who knows? Maybe a new trend will be started by Butternut!

If you really want to consider aqua, perhaps you could get a cheap piece of board and paint it the color you have in mind for tile. Put it up and live with it in all lighting during the day and night, and see if you like it.

I have the same colors as you do. I just a Jeffrey Court crackle tile on my backsplash and it is the perfect tile and color. My granite is typhoon bordeaux and I chose slabs with lots of the yellow ochre color in them. Cabs are cherry.

Jeffrey Court tile I believe I used sandbar, but it might have been antique lace. I think your backsplash tile is a bit too busy for the granite you have and a simpler tile, subway or squares would work better.

Cp - I like that!

Mimi - great suggestion for butternut to try before diving!

Thanks!

CPartist, love your Jeffrey Court tile. Will have to check that out.

Practigal, the diamond thing actually has sort of a stainless/mirrored finish to it. Quite "interesting". The tumbled travertine or whatever the remainder is just isn't my taste.

Beth - this kitchen is c. 2009 and quality materials...so replacement is pretty far off I'd say.

Yes or no? Ha!

I'm all for blue in any shades, but I have to say that I don't think this looks right.

Can't give an affirmative on that.... I would look into cpartist's suggestion. And I have to say, with the towel obstructing the glare of the lights, I like the colors of the granite better. Maybe different UCL could help overall? (the cabinets are really pretty)

How about a really pretty decorative tray, or other decorative item, that has the blues in it you are desiring, hung right over the diamond tile inset above the range? Low cost, little labor, easy to change when a new color catches your eye, and disguises the "diamond in the rough."

Glad you like my tile. It's neutral and it sits back so you can add color. Since you like teal and your counter looks like it has speckles of dark red like mine, I'd get some fun pieces in both colors as accents. Some teal vases with a red band for example? Or red and teal fiestaware? Pull your teal color in with small doses that also tie in one or more of the counter colors and you'll have a colorful kitchen where the background (tile and counters) fade away.

Check out Lowe's Allen & Roth line. My subway is the Fawn color, which is creamy. It's a gorgeous tile, installer said it was quality, and they also had other colors to choose from. I personally love your existing colors, and I agree that using Aqua in your accessories instead of the backsplash is a better idea.

The aqua color just isn't right with the counters and cherry cabs, IMO. I know the tumbled travertine backsplash was expensive, but the pinky beige color with the golden counters is off as well. I would do cream subways as others have suggested and add in aqua accents for fun. Keep your hard finishes (and paint color) neutral and play with the accents. A year from now you really might be tired of the aqua, but it will be easier and less expensive to switch out.