There are lots of durable and functional cabinets out there. I looked at and liked Cliq Studios, if you want framed. Your existing cabs are a fairly common design, should be easy to find something very close. I agree you should start out at Home Depot or Lowe's. You may find just what you want in your budget. For your countertop, you should be able to come up with a sq. ft. amount of counter space, then you can compare prices per sq.ft. Home Depot has an online countertop calculator to estimate countertops, using their selection of materials and prices. I found it very useful. Be careful that a 25" wide countertop doesn't block your doorway even more, leave plenty of room to get around the counter and through the door. I personally wouldn't like the look of mixing acrylic backsplash with quartz. As to granite, I have been told that there is more permanent type sealer available now, doesn't need redoing every year. And, at least in my area, it can be very economical, far less than any acrylic (a limited choice of stone at that low end, though)

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

Ack, sorry again for my very delayed reply. As usual, LIFE got in the way - how annoying! ;) rebunky: I was so disappointed by how pricey the Calacatta tiles were that I didn't even want to take photos of them! Wow - I didn't know that $20/sq ft was on the low end for Calacatta. I think that nixes it for me then. :( namarie: I know your kitchen so well! ;) I didn't realize your tiles were Calacatta Gold - I always thought that CG had more brown tones than grey? I did some Googling and I see lots of tiles with the same colours as your tiles so it looks like I assumed wrong! I think your choice to do tile with very narrow grout lines makes for a nearly-slab-like look! I'd love to get the slab look too but it is WAY too pricey, and I wonder how the heck to remove a slab BS should I ever tire of it?? Kitchen Magic: I did really like the look of some mini bricks I saw at the tile stores I visited. I like how the ones like in your photo have muted colours so it gives me a multi coloured backsplash without being too busy. cpartist: how gorgeous are those cement tiles?? I've never seen cement tiles before and it looks like the design possibilities are endless, if you get them with some graphic design printed on. smm5525: Good idea. I will do that instead of dragging all of you along with me as I think aloud!! Sorry for that... I just really love to see all the different ideas you all share! mayflowers: Hmm... I agree that I can't have both the BS and the counters look busy. The London Grey is staying so I think I'll be going with a solid BS for most of the kitchen... but I'll still consider putting in a more "busy" mosaic tile somewhere, most likely in the hutch area. :) barncatz: I agree - I love the tiles everyone's shared! It helps me figure out and narrow down what I want for my BS tile.

I wouldn't be looking at travertine with the grey cabinets -- likely to be great with the granite but too much yellow with the cabinets. I like backsplashes that are light and reflect light in what can be a dark space. I would go white, but an off-white, not a bright white or look at a pastel grey or cream -- but it has to read right with the granite and the cabinets. Keep it simple -- single color and pattern so it doesn't fight the movement in your granite. Pretty much like the 2nd and 3rd photo lukkiirish posted. The tile in that last one is perfect with the cabinets. Just not the granite -- I agree on that one. It would be spectacular if the counter was more like the ones in the 2nd and 3rd photos.