I wanted to use 18x18 jerusalem gold honed limestone for my backsplash, but every shipment was cracked. I think a slab-like backsplash using large-format tiles is a great uncluttered look (and saves $$ above a real slab backsplash). Casey

Look at Fireclay tiles collections, or subways by Ann Sacks. You'll find there simbtle variations and tons of colors -you'll be able to blend without overwhelming, find the most perfect color match, whether going darker or lighter..and no, you won't be bored-hadmade nature of tile will prevent it:) they'll have it in other sized/shapes as well https://www.fireclaytile.com/subway-tile/colors/ https://www.annsacks.com/products/tile-stone-mosaic/stoneware-elements-field-tile-made-by-ann-sacks#/stoneware-elements-rectangle-field%2Fnew-hartfield-beige-matte (notice squares, hexagons, matte, gloss..not that I think you have to have hexagon-your granite is enough of a star) always pick several samples first and check in you kitchen and in your light-but I think you know that..kitchen looks good:) and the last thing to mention-Kitchens forum is usually the one where all things kitchen go, including materials. you'll get the most responses there

they sound interesting enough to me, being crackled and having variation. larger size might work..what size you consider? Gray is already considered dated lol. Makes no sense to me personally as all this dated thing is a new concept I'm still struggling with-how a color can be dated? but in terms of what happens in trends etc-it's on its way out, yes. they move into warmer tones. they're still into greiges for now to bridge between things a bit. white is becoming big as a neutral. wood stains are making a big comeback. this update on trends can go on and on but i'm sure you can find thousand threads here discussing it so i'll make it short. if you're really worried-it might be you're simply are not attached to a color enough. which is okay, really. then pick off-white. off white is pretty. Even very much so. I like both off whites and grays(I do have preference for much warmer grays though) so I have off whites and warm grays. And many other colors too since I love them too. I commit by choosing something of course,-but it's fine since commitment, paradoxically, is a road to freedom:) But I admit I was also worrying when choosing..well choosing everything except for stuff like toilets etc. Of course one worries, it's a hassle and an expense and you want to love it in the end. So. Try to worry less. If you can remove "dated" from the equation- great. Go with your heart's desire. If no-then ok, take it into equation and don't do gray. Worry less. You did a great job on everything else, so no reason to think your backsplash won't turn out well either. It will.

are your tiles that size or smaller? the smaller the tile, the worse the slivers will look. otherwise, do the bottom row just like they have in the picture. No less than half a tile for that bottom row. (more is better) It's better to deal w/the gap at the top under the cabinets, then to have a tiny sliver on the bottom row next to the countertop. At the very least, you could always run a very thin pencil liner in the gap right under the cabinets. but you aren't going to see this unless you crouch down and look. so even a gap of 1/8" will be ok. You could do a liner, or even a Schluter metal edge liner that matches the tile color this is a thick liner, but you could do something less obtrusive. just a thin liner in the same tile color. you could also run a piece of trim molding that matches your cabinet color. see this trim piece? (you would place it between the upper tile row and the bottom of your cabinets) then you'd paint it the same color as cab Are your tiles white like that? make sure and do a contrasting grout instead of bright white.