I like the color tile you've chosen. I personally round do a simple tile design. Even tile complex layouts with simple tiles can look busy.

I would do a straight layout because you have pattern in the granite and the oak. You don't have room for something behind the stove, and it's not where you'd want to draw the eye anyway in the case of a microwave hood. The tile color looks nice. If I was looking for a little pizzaz, I might look for new light fixtures.

Simple brick offset design (not sure if that is correct terminology) throughout the kitchen. You don't have enough space above the stove for anything fancy. Your granite is busy enough on its own without adding more busyness to the walls. With your new paint color and those tiles, you'll have a very pretty space!

Can you wait to choose the tile until you've painted your space? Otherwise your only choice will be to match the granite, not to contrast or compliment it. Besides, there's an orange cast on everything. You might chose a different tile if you could see your colors better.

Your counters are lovely, such a rich looking stone! I want to second Ms. eam44's advice to paint your walls first. The way the light bounces off your new wall color is going to affect how the tile looks. And/or you may discover an undertone in the paint that wasn't apparent until it was up and it would be horrible to find that undertone hates your tile. But I'm also curious. Why are you wondering if you need an accent tile/pattern? P S I agree that you don't. Oh, never mind. Just saw your other post about exploring options.

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I disagree with a couple of the above who say to paint first. If your tile looks great with your counters and cabinets, then your tile is picked. Done. There are thousands upon thousands of paint colors to choose from. Surely at least ONE will work! After your tile is up, all you have to do is paint a bunch of sample boards and move them around your space throughout the day, making sure to place one near the tile as well. You'll be able to pick the perfect paint color this way.

I wouldn't be able to tell if the tile looked great with my cabinets and counters against orange walls I planned on changing, but we all have different talents. Now, orange walls I planned on keeping, I might be able to do that.

ck_squared - that was my thought exactly. With all the paint choices available certainly I'd be able to find one that will work. Great minds!

barncatz - good point about the orange undertone. I figure with the orange being so dark we'll probably have to prime all the walls in the room b/c all but one are that color. I'm thinking maybe the primer will be enough to take care of any undertones??

Thanks to you both for your feedback :-)