Bisque.

Bisque looks like a great choice...always with the disclaimer that color is very difficult to judge over the web.

Or, a lighter cream color to match the lightest cream in the granite. Not white, although your white doesn't appear white on my monitor.

The white is not as "white" as I thought it would be in the kitchen. My DH brought it home and I even asked him if it was white and he says it is white.

Of those, the bisque. Though it does look a little too pink in that last photo with the granite.

Actually it the bisque does not look pink at home. I have several other samples that do look pink. I have seen it with no lights and lights and I am thinking bisque also. I need to choose an accent to put above the cook top.

On my monitor--which my husband told me was color calibrated, but not sure what that exactly means--the white tile looks much much better with your granite.

Any thoughts about a matte finish or gloss finish with subway tile?

I think that matte or gloss is a matter of personal preference, and that your kitchen will look good with either. I also think that if you kitchen lacks a lot of natural light, the gloss finish will help reflect light and will make the kitchen look a little lighter & brighter.

I can't tell much from just looking at a small section of granite and tile. It helps me when photos are taken from a few feet away so I can pick up the predominant tone of the counter. The bisque does feel slightly off to me, like maybe it could go almondy in installation, but you have it in shadow position in all the photos. I do like the white and that size for your kitchen.

I love matte glazes. They have a satiny sheen that looks rich to me.

I'd skip the accent over the range because of the microwave. You could do a horizontal accent tile in the color of the Fireclay. I think these are tasteful examples.

Pencil tile:

Mayflowers you have captured my other thoughts for what to do with the backsplash! I am also starting to see the "lines" of our kitchen and am beginning to see you why your ideas work. I have given up the idea for a mosaic above the cook top. From what you can see from my pictures do you think more of a almond/biscuit/ivory color or a white color for the tile backsplash? The pictures taken of the sample tiles were with my iphone and I could not seem to capture the true color.

Who knew there were so many shades of biscuit/almond/ect......

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Here is the other side of the kitchen.

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Big difference now! I'd use one of the lighter tiles.

Trying to decide by looking at two devices. The large one for sure. Maybe the center Dal Tile over the dishwasher.

Agree that the lighter ones work best. The picture is small for me, even when I click on it, so I can't really get a good sense of the subtle differences.

I like all 5 of the newer tiles better than the Menard's tile. Honestly, I think any of them would be fine. I actually like the slightly darker one (with the writing) that's in the middle of the first of the last two posts (Daltile Almond, I think. I'd give the time of the post, but apparently, Houzz thinks "One hour ago" is a sufficient reference point). But then I think my preferences change a bit in the pic on the other side of the kitchen (due to lighting or whatever). I do think that any of the three Daltile tiles would be fine.

White but get one with a crackle glaze. Broken color is always more appealing to the eye than flat color.

I disagree. I think you should take white out of the equation. As I stated earlier, a light cream or tan that blends with the lightest shade of your granite.

This is very hard for us to discern. Your counter color changes in each photo.

I'd like to see the very last Datile sample, but my it's self. But, they seem to look different in your two photos.

Cream, light tan, beige, something in that area. Not white. Hard for us to tell with lighting and monitors which looks best.

I think this granite is very similar to my Giallo Ornamental Light. It has a lot of white/cream quartz crystals that work with a warm white tile. When a granite is predominantly gold, like New Venetian Gold, white tile looks very stark next to it. I don't see this here. The white/cream in the granite seems pretty strong.

Yup. Always hard for us to tell on a monitor.

The granite color in our kitchen is a warm buttery color with a mix of brown, black, gray and white. White is too stark with it, at least in my own opinion. It definitely needs an off white color for the back splash. I don't think my camera is capturing the colors as well as I thought it would. So, I guess I will have to make that decision on my own.

As many of you have said my counter is busy, but beautiful in our kitchen! I think I would like the focus to be on the counter not the backsplash. What I need to decide is what style of backsplash will best accomplish that.

Something like this?

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P.S. Thank you to everyone who has commented.

I agree I think the white or even off white should be out; it doesn't relate to anything; the last photo is closer to what I think would look best; something relating both to your wall color and granite. why don't you paint your backsplash area the wall color or a little bit lighter and see how you like it. glass might be a bit too modern and trendy for your space.

I was thinking today I should paint the backsplash space too, mostly because it may take me a long to time to pick it out.( hahaha) I was also thinking glass would be too modern looking for my space so I am glad to see you have the same opinion. Do you think I need to stick with 3X6 tile size?

in your pic of the tile lined up above the drawer, the far right and third from that end are my preferred ones. . In the pic with dishwasher I prefer the far right and also the third from end but not sure the lineup is the same in the 2 pics. But in the shot with the dishwasher, the far right tile shows a little too yellow so I'd pick the third from the end in pic with dishwasher.......watch out for too much yellow....don't like it with your tone of wood cabinets. If the lighting changes with time of day and different outlets being used, and your are getting yellow off the tiles I would stear clear of that and get something specifically a little khaki or greyed out cream/maybe subtle green. Is greige the color I'm thinking??

Pschr- zillions of shades of cream and biscuit! I think I had about 20 tiles to compare colors. I agree with the you that white would be to stark in your warm kitchen.

Take a look at Grazia Rixi crackle tiles - I had to order mine as I couldn't find them locally. Hopefully, you can find locally.

I used The Tile Shop in CA which is not part of the chain of Tile Shops. Also, if you search GW, a number of us have used it.

Mine is 3.5 years old and still looks new.

Here is a link to the website where we purchased the tile- http://www.tile-shop.com/products/rixi/rixi.html

They will send you free samples

Hiding under the treats is my counter top with the Rixi backsplash. It is also available in a subway.

"Do you think I need to stick with 3X6 tile size?"

No. At least, that's not what I did. Here's my 4x4 crackle tile:

You can do any size tile you want.

The pencil tile and dot is pretty in your photo. I like it high where it's not hidden by things on the counter.

Herbflavor brings up that she sees yellow in the last tile. So do I. I didn't think any of the other samples looked stark white like the tile in your pencil liner photo. You'd certainly want to avoid a pure white like someone with an addiction to Crest Whitestrips. Warm whites like A2s. Some call them cream.

ellendi6161 and A2 you have really impressed me with your kitchens and backsplashes!! You both have nice taste. I am checking into the Rixi, looks like I can't get them locally either. I called the tile-shop A2 recommended but they tell me I need to try a East Coast tile shop first because there apparently is not a dealer in the Midwest. Hoping I can find it for less than $20.00 sq. foot.

Pschr- Thank you for your compliment. It is hard to believe my kitchen is 3,5 years old. Mine is the crema color. Juliette used both the crema and nocce in hers.

Interesting as the California shop was willing to ship to me in A2. I did have it shipped to a business. It was the shop where I bought my cabinets and they accepted delivery at no charge.

You should be able to get it for under $20 including shipping,. I believe there is a place in NY that sells it. I also saw it at Malsnee tile shop in Reading PA. My Adam and DB live there.

Good luck.

No luck finding Rixi tile in the area and if I order and have it shipped it brings it to the price of Sonoma Tilemaker. I have a sample of Walker Zanger Cafe latte in a 3X12 which I really like, it is on the left. A sample of a factory made to look like handmade tile is on the right. The price point is about right for the project for us. I think the top picture represents the color better than the bottom picture. When I look at photo's on line with Walker Zanger I am afraid it is too glossy. Has anyone used Walker Zanger Cafe or seen it on the wall? Thoughts?

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I need to decide on the size too. Any thoughts?

I like this photo the best as far as color and what is all going on in the kitchen with cabinets and pulls. I added the Fire clay Gardenia to the far right, I still like this color choice however the price is at the top end of our budget.

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I really like the casual hand-made look of the tile with your wood cabinets. It's slightly rustic but not too much. Much better than a perfect glossy white tile. I didn't see your last posts but I'm glad Gardenia didn't work for you. I have a sample and see gray undertones.

I love what you chose. Especially in the 3x12. Looks great!

Thank you for the compliments. We are very happy with what we chose. Walker Zanger took over 12 weeks to get our tile which seemed crazy at the time, however I couldn't be happier.

I think you made the perfect choice. I saw that WZ tile in the tile store and I was impressed with it.

I agree. It's perfect. Funny how it now looks so easy and obvious to those who are not TKO that is! Enjoy.

Worth the wait - it's perfect.