I don't like the 4" backsplash for the following reasons: - if you are doing a decorative tile for the rest of the backsplash, you are now decreasing and cutting off your design area by 4". - the 4" creates a little "shelf" that gets dusty, just one more thing to clean. - added expense to install the 4" piece of granite along your countertop. - people who say you "need it" to cover a gap between the countertop and the tiled wall just don't have good installers. My kitchen walls are extremely out-of-plumb, but my tile backsplash meets my granite countertop with no gaps cause I had experienced installers. - IMHO it looks dated, since the 4" idea was popular with formica in the '70's. I would only do a 4" backsplash if I were doing no other backsplash at all and just leaving drywall on the rest of the wall. And even in that case, I'd try to make it a little higher, like 5" or 6".

It is OK, if it is what you want to do. It is just a matter of taste. Some people think that the 4" granite splash with tile on top is dated, but it is also determined by area/region. Where I live it is very normal, and I am abnormal for not doing one, but I am also abnormal because I am doing a more modern kitchen. This is an image from Houzz that shows Giallo Ornamental countertop with mosaic tile backsplash to the counter(If you click on any of the images they should go to the Houzz site and you will see them bigger): [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Toronto Interior Designer Jennifer Brouwer (Jennifer Brouwer Design) These Houzz images show a 4" splash with mosaic above: [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Dc Metro Design-build Synergy Design & Construction, Inc. [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Newark Kitchen And Bath Tim Kriebel - KRIEBELDESIGN This is just the low splash: [Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Atlanta Kitchen And Bath Teri Turan Which look do you like?

Hi, I think to calm everything down, you will want to match one of the lightest colours out of your granite for the backsplash. I also think that a larger format tile might help offset some of the busy-ness of the floor. I'd go with coordinating colour for the grout, or just slightly darker than the tile...but not a lot darker - you don't need more action in that kitchen. How about something like this which appears to have a bit of surface texture but is still very simple. That one is from Tilebar and I know they have a great sample policy so it is worth hopping onto their site and choosing a few you think might work for you and ordering them in. Yes, a solid colour rug and big enough to cover most of the tile (Ikea is your friend on this) will help until you have budget to redo the floor. Flippers who use the cheapest materials available are just wasting so much time and effort, not to mention money. I've seen so many houses where a flipper has come in and used the cheapest tiles and fixtures and covered everything with a fresh coat of paint. Then they want a 200% return on their investment and cannot understand why it isn't selling. And it isn't long until all the cheap finishes end up in landfill. Sigh.........

Gray might be a better choice, or very light blue gray, but to know which color to use, you really have to look at your stone. This is Fireclay Tile in Nickel and in French Linen. Both are part of the Foundations line and start at $15/sf.