I remember your kitchen and home from the planning stages -- it is turning out so great. I love the idea of the white or green backpainted glass or the Caesarstone. I've also seen some large format glass planks from Bellavita that could look good when done horizontally, in stacks, to pick up the lines in your beautiful architecture. Here is a link that might be useful: Large format glass

Thanks mdl. I will toy around with this idea. I like light and bright, but we do have plenty of that in this kitchen already, plus a huge wall of windows. Our whole house is warm neutrals, and that is what is challenging me here. I agree that the white and the blue both look too cool. And thanks designsavy. I was on a mission to get it all done ASAP as we are using a contractor and are doing many rooms in a remodel, and the dust is getting to me, but we have just rearranged the sequence of things, and will now be doing kitchen, laundry, then master bath, so there should be time once the cabs and countertop are installed. I'd rather make it right and slow down if necessary.

I'm with Daisychain - just say no to 3 stones in one kitchen. Alaska White is a beautiful granite. It will be the star. Both of the backsplash tiles you pictured would be wrong. The one on the right because it is busy, and also a dated look. The one on the left cause it would be stone #3 in your kitchen, and because its veining going in different directions with each tile will not go with your granite. I recommend a quiet cream subway backsplash. Not only will go, but also is a classic. Not everything in your kitchen needs to be splashy and statement-y. Keep that in mind with all your choices.

have no idea. you'll need to post a picture showing the entire kitchen. (or at least what's there now with pictures of the flooring and other elements.) Backsplash is last. wait until everything else is done. a backsplash tile is not a separate element, but more like jewelry for a nice outfit. Lets see the entire 'outfit' and then we can pick the necklace and earrings