Chris - I had a similar problem. I started with my counter top, and everything else was designed around it. As you can see in the pictures, my counter top has lots of stuff going on. When it came time for the backsplash, I wanted something that looked good on its own, complimented the counter top and was not a distraction. I was drawn to stone, and travertine seemed to be what I liked best, but no travertine 4'' x 4'' tile I found clicked. I ended up using 12'' x 12'' filled and honed travertine tiles that were the perfect color, texture and movement, and I had my granite installer cut them to 4'' by 4'' tiles (if I wanted subways, that would have been easier to cut something like 4'' x 12'' tiles). This doubled the price of the tile, but travertine is a lot less expensive than some of the more exotic ceramic tiles I was looking at. And here is the tile (excuse the range glamour shot - I still don't have any really good backsplash glamour shots) Anyway, just something to consider. Jon

Cute house! And YES, this is EXACTLY why people box in the fridge. DH and I actually built an entire extra wall in the kitchen in large part because I couldn't figure out how to solve this exact problem. In your case, I wouldn't extend it behind the fridge. If you were to do that, I would think you'd have to do it the entire height of the fridge. Otherwise you'd have an 18" strip of tile running behind the fridge, with paint above it and below it. To me, that would look like there used to be cabinets there and you pulled them out and stuck in the fridge. Is the sink or range on that wall, and if so, does the tile run higher behind the sink or the range? If so, consider running it horizontally to the end of the counter, then vertically (above the bottom of the upper cabinet) to the height also tiled behind the sink or range. I know that is a tiny little strip, but it would maintain the symmetry across the kitchen. Otherwise, whether you stop at the counter or at the upper cabinet would depend on your tile. Have you done a dry run on the layout of the tile to see if there is a natural ending place without having any awkward cuts? Are you using any sort of a trim/edge tile, or is it basically the field tile coming to a stop? Try some dry runs and see what works best.

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

I still don't have pictures but will soon.. Please take a look at the links to my New Kitchen Remodel and let me know your thoughts. I have asked many Questions and appreciate any and all the help I can get! I am new here at GW..although I have been reading everything I could on here for a couple of months....this Forum is truly a Wealth of Knowledge and Help...and I am so thrilled to have found it! https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=9abd80a9f0&view=att&th=1401d11f2ce2c67d&attid=0.2&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P_BUYKjMQ500DbWX9DbbzZQ&sadet=1377380013551&sads=WfIeE8FQ77wwA4CBQvfZ2S0mJu4 This is looking into my Small U Kitchen AFTER the Remodel... ....Right now the stove is where the Dishwasher will be on the left side and the sink is where the stove will be. We are also closing up 24" of a 60" window over the sink on the right side (that looks out into an enclosed glassed entry porch) to accommodate the corner wall cabinet. The wall where the stove is now will be taken down from ceiling to floor and a 37" snack bar will be put there...this will help open the kitchen up to the small den. I will have one cabinet over the dishwasher for glasses, cups etc. The Back Wall is 108" and the left wall including the bar is 127".... the right wall with the Ref is the same127". The part of the kitchen not showing is the end wall with three windows and a very small table sitting in front of them. There is a very small pantry closet at one end of the table and on the other side a small short cabinet that I use to store potatoes and onions in the bottom doors and the top doors I keep snacks in. On top I just use decorative items. I have a hanging lamp over the table which will be changed out. My Entire Kitchen is 9 feet wide and 16 1/2 feet long. I will also have frosted glass put into the two upper corner cabinets later. https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=9abd80a9f0&view=att&th=1401d11f2ce2c67d&attid=0.3&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P_BUYKjMQ500DbWX9DbbzZQ&sadet=1377383394430&sads=fDBlicxRe-LORSoaNmX3b2ZiPGQ This is the side we are removing the wall to accommodate the snack bar and open the kitchen up..this was our only choice..Would have liked to have opened the entire kitchen but because of very little wall space in the den couldn't do it. There will be a SS under mount sink and will be using oil rubbed bronze faucet to match the hardware on my Antique Cream Cabinets. I have a shelve with Crown Molding that matches the cabinets, going between the cabinets on either sided of the window...BUT I don't know IF I want that look or had rather just leave it plain without anything. I do want a Pendant Hanging down over the sink and was told I could do that with the shelf if I wanted to...Just not sure How that will look? Please Help me here! https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=9abd80a9f0&view=att&th=1401d11f2ce2c67d&attid=0.5&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P_BUYKjMQ500DbWX9DbbzZQ&sadet=1377383750649&sads=-xph93XVUcy3LVH6F0S_qLIgHp8 Ref side....I have 30"wide drawers for pots and pans. The other small 12" cabinet will either be drawers or a pull out. I can either put the pullout on left side of the stove (cabinet in picture looks bigger than it really is next to the stove) and drawers next to Ref..Or switch them...Haven't decided yet..Any suggestions? There is a Lazy Susan in the corner of this side and the right corner of the stove. There is also a 3" spice pullout next to the right side of the stove. I tried to use every inch of space I could! https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=9abd80a9f0&view=att&th=1401d11f2ce2c67d&attid=0.6&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P_BUYKjMQ500DbWX9DbbzZQ&sadet=1377383812885&sads=JkKsJh1evgdWkn1yzoRRvWNrxBY Birdseye View https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=9abd80a9f0&view=att&th=1401d11f2ce2c67d&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P_BUYKjMQ500DbWX9DbbzZQ&sadet=1377383862902&sads=jYOMtOX8ekBRHE2fi_pgQrxr1Zs This is the layout and dimensions other than I decided against the blind cabinet (because the cabinet designer said it would be a very tight fit) and just went with either a pullout or drawers next to the left of the stove. I plan to have my cabinet guy open up the under sink cabinet right side where the corner space is....so I can store things that I only use once or twice a yr. My Cabinets are: Antique White (Creamy) Hardware will be Oil Rubbed Bronze as will my faucet. The Granite I have choice is Venetian Ice which goes more towards the Creams, Chocolates and some black...instead of Gold. This is close to what it looks like.. But not as pretty as the slab I have choose. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.naturalstonecity.com/wp-content/gallery/venetian-ice-granite-counter-tops/venetian-ice-granite-countertop.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.naturalstonecity.com/venetian-ice-granite-countertops-colour/&h=501&w=800&sz=298&tbnid=MLLA51nPK3KD6M:&tbnh=75&tbnw=119&zoom=1&usg=_VFqAAiybM8WWNmjpXksHcPydtAM=&docid=OMJL6boLhr5OnM&sa=X&ei=QbESUvS-OYimqgGNsIHgDw&ved=0CDQQ9QEwAQ&dur=1605#imgdii= I am going back to the Granite Yard next week to take one more look... I fell in love with a slab that was quite a bit more expensive, it is Bianco Romano and was absolutely beautiful but not sure if it is worth the difference.....will decide in a few days. Since I am having to keep my black appliances for now ...will exchange for SS later the Venetian Ice will work well. Please give me your opinion. I now have to choose my floor....as I said in another post Do Not want Tile or any Hard Surface...I have had two back surgeries and cannot bear the hardness underfoot. I am thinking of doing a good grade laminate tile ...But not sure of the color....Should I do a dark Cream or Darker? I have thought about Wood...but can't do the wood on into the den and it would really need to be. I also have wood in the dining room that has a door into the kitchen..it is very old and would be hard to match....so felt doing something different than wood would be the best? I also have to decide on the ceiling, under cabinets, pendant and over table lighting. Colors for the wall and wood work....whether to put my white crown molding back up or leave it off? And once granite is decided on...The Back Splash....and on and on....but those choices will be done later. My Kitchen is suppose to be started sometime the first week in Sept. First the demo and then the remodel. I am so Excited...we have lived in this old house for 30 yrs and it was built in the 50's. We have redone every room..but because I wanted the small Den made into a Lovely Vaulted Great room along with a Open Concept Kitchen and a basement underneath the new addition.. it just never happened. We kept putting it off for one reason or another....mostly budget. Because of our age and health we have decided against the Full Blown Redo and have decided to make the old outdated kitchen with horrible cabinets that drawers are forever sticking, into a kitchen that is Functional and one I can Enjoy and that is also Pretty. Once I post the pictures of Before/During and After....Everyone will understand where I am coming from for sure. I don't know if this small novel will even download and post...So sorry for making it so long...But so looking forward to everyone's thoughts and idea. I am open for any and all the Help I can get! thanks Thanks so much!