jreuter - I didn't even notice that the crisscross pattern in the pendants and glass cabs corresponded. Thanks for pointing it out. It's like when you stare at something so long you can't see it anymore. I had also thought about doing a subway tile pattern across, but you're right about the diagonal. bmorepanic - I like your suggestion on emphasizing the horizontal. Maybe have the tumbled stone tiles in three different shades of white and beige in a random pattern? The ones in the pic were country beige color, so some color differentials might give depth to the backsplash.

I think your kitchen is really looking pretty nice. I also think your sis might be on to something. When doing my kitchen, I was going to go for a taupe tile that really worked with the granite. (See srg215's backsplash--that's the one--I'm living vicariously through her). But then I thought about my desire to change colors in my space. I know I don't have the budget to re-do the backsplash when I tire of it. So I started thinking about white tiles. I was very determined not to get the white subway, and I found some pretty cool beveled Italian subways that had undertones of gray. I was ready to go for it. But that's when I found out I won the beveled arabesque tiles. I love that they jazz it up, but yet the color is white. In fact, I am currently (sorry guys) testing new paint samples. I've always wanted the gray color in the room to be a gray/lavender. I've got samples in the car right now. My point is, that with neutral bones, you really can do anything with the room. And neutral bones do not make the room boring or bland. So, I've posted a link to the photos of my kitchen and "not so boring white backsplash" in case you haven't been bored to death by them already. I'd post them directly here, but I can't torture the GW friends anymore! Look at the details, notice that except for the granite, eveything can be changed to a new color scheme. And this granite goes with any color--lime green, orange, blue, brown, black, gray, white, and on an on. Here is a link that might be useful: The pro photos

I agree that a carrara (grayish/cool) would not look great with creamy/warm cabinets. I too wanted carrara but shied away because my cabinets are cream. I was considering calacatta marble subway tile, which has more gold tones. Ultimately, I decided against the marble subway tile and went with a staggered set white glass staggered set tile. My kitchen is similar to the picture attached (similar cabinets and the same backsplash and kashmir white granite). I ordered the B/S online and, other than a small sample in another pattern, never saw it before it was installed. We were away on vacation when it was installed. The problem is that since it is a glass, this tile is transparent. My contractor had painted the entire kitchen right after sheetrocking in BM coventry gray (which is a blue gray shade.) So, the B/S shows some of the underlying paint and it is a slightly lighter shade than the walls. I was livid at first but I actually really like it now. I'll post pictures soon.... Good luck with your decision!! Here is a link that might be useful: vetro stagger set tile.

Thanks gr8day. With your encouragement, I decided to go for the gloss subway tile in white with Calacatta Herringbone framed out over the range. I think it will give it a look that will not get outdated any time soon. Also- very understated, which is what I am going for since I want my large window with custom top treatments to be more of a focal point than the range.