Look at Fireclay tiles collections, or subways by Ann Sacks. You'll find there simbtle variations and tons of colors -you'll be able to blend without overwhelming, find the most perfect color match, whether going darker or lighter..and no, you won't be bored-hadmade nature of tile will prevent it:) they'll have it in other sized/shapes as well https://www.fireclaytile.com/subway-tile/colors/ https://www.annsacks.com/products/tile-stone-mosaic/stoneware-elements-field-tile-made-by-ann-sacks#/stoneware-elements-rectangle-field%2Fnew-hartfield-beige-matte (notice squares, hexagons, matte, gloss..not that I think you have to have hexagon-your granite is enough of a star) always pick several samples first and check in you kitchen and in your light-but I think you know that..kitchen looks good:) and the last thing to mention-Kitchens forum is usually the one where all things kitchen go, including materials. you'll get the most responses there

lmao. what Jan said! Although, I had to help out my guys who did my herringbone wood floor. it's the starting point where everyone gets messed up. after that, it's simple. Look up how to properly start a herringbone layout and read it. you need to use a speed square at the end of your tile in order to get the proper middle starting point. much easier to illustrate than trying to write it out here. This is how I showed my guys how to start it. see the blue tape w/the two lines? you have to start on the middle after you mark your corner. that's the only way you will get perfect even cuts on both ends. this is how most do it, and it's not correct IF you want perfectly symmetrical left/right borders. All he's done is set the corner of the tile on the line. doing it like this will leave you w/one side smaller than the other: see how the sides of the window don't match? this is what you don't want. your tile guy should be doing a dry layout in order to determine where he starts so he doesn't get this look or these tiny triangles. Again,,,see how the ends don't match below? the right has longer tiles than the left edge. that's because of the way he started his first tile. And don't do these vertical tiles for your edging. get proper bullnose tiles, pencil liner or a Schluter edge. This is a layout board of my herringbone for my shower. took a few hours in order to get this almost perfect. since this was an odd size, and the tiles were even at 3x12, it couldn't be perfect. the right bottom corner triangle is the only portion that doesn't match. luckily, it's not readily visible! Even the subway tiles are perfectly matched. this layout took hours to get exact, even around the niche. 2x6your 3x9 will be 1/3 larger. 3x9 is a good size for a backsplash. this is a regular 3x6. again, a 3x9 will give you 1/3 longer.

@badgerbldg You have an adorable kitchen. I wonder if just changing the backsplash counters and maybe update to brighter lighting might be all you need for a good refresh. Cat-ky is on to something your cabinets look like a nice quality. @User Funny I always thought that tile would be cheaper than a slab backsplash. It was my GC that pointed our for our area of the country it might be the same price doing a slab backsplash. (Good tilers were tough to find without a long wait to our project) We could have gone with tile but fell in love with our stone. It ended up being cheaper than the tile and labor would have been. I was surprised. Now this might not be the case in other parts of the country with plentiful tilers. @Patricia Colwell I had no idea you couldn't use quartz for a backsplash. That is too bad. I am glad I learned this, I almost went with quartz for my own space. Its funny they show it in photos but I trust you that it is probably not a good product for backsplashes. Such a shame. Carrara Caldia Quartz Houzz photos Photos of Cambria Colton Houzz user kitchens with honey cabinets and white counters Honey Oak Cabinets and Tile discussion

I think the only SIMPLE fix is to put the sidewall tiles back on. In order to fix it properly and look professional, you would have to remove the backsplash tiles and the counter, and the upper cabinets. Either fir out the end walls/Parge a coat of plaster on the side walls to add the thickness you are short. ... No one wants to start over. I think putting in the End wall tile will cover up the gaps. Wondering if this is a DIY or someone didn't think through the project. The golden rule of carpentry. Measure twice, cut once. Words to live by.