Thanks for the replies. I finally found a real solid black but in a odd size -- Daltile has an unpolished (not shiny) jet black tile in 24"x12" size. I was so happy, but then I see you replies about how the charcoal looks good. Now I'm doubting myself. :( The vanity top will be black galaxy polished, and the wall color I'm aiming for a warm gold. Here is a pic of the design that inspired this remodel: http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/photo_template/article/0,3140,HPRO_28216_6027344_10,00.html. I'm going for that similar wall color. This pic has charcoal floor tiles, but then it has a black cabinet. By the way, how do I get email alerts when I receive follow up posts? I didn't even realize I had replies on this post!

newkitchen10 - I don't want to hijack storklady's flooring thread, so I'll send you an email with a few more pics and some details. The picture posted here was not a 'finished' picture, but it showed more of the floor. But, yes, we love our banquette! There are some really pretty floors posted here...I especially love allison0704's floor. We had put ours in 5 1/2 years BEFORE we redid the kitchen, and since it went through the entry, breakfast, office area, family room and dining room, we kept it and just filled in where our cabinet footprint changed. Luckily, the tile store where we bought it could still get it. A very nice man from the store drove 2 hours to the distributor and went in and hand-picked tiles that matched one of my extras from 5 years before! AND he did it TWICE, because our contractor changed his mind and thought we might need 2 more boxes! Amazingly helpful.

More info on the tile....in the questions for that photo, they say the tile is Puka Iridescent. I had a feeling that Puka was Sonoma Tilemakers but I couldn't check last night. So I have found it in their Vihara line of glass tiles. I actually like their Silk colors better than their Iridescent colors as an iridescent has other colors that probably won't work with your cream and brown granite. I had samples of Oceanside glass tiles in the polished, matte, and iridescent tiles, and just a touch of the iridescent wouldn't be bad in a custom mix. They have many colors, shapes, and sizes like Vihara. Your problem will be that you only need one or two sheets of tile for your backsplash and many places have minimum orders. https://sonomatilemakers.com/vihara/

Yeah, I've got a thought, beautiful tile! Running bond may not work, because there could be a bow in the large format tile. If you do a modified 1/3 running bond it might work. I did that and it was fine. My tile was flat. A lot of tile isn't and the 1/2 running bond will have a lot of lipage. In my (and others) opinion running bond is more traditional while stacked is modern. As far as tricking the eye into the room, I'd look at pictures on Houzz to determine the look you want. I went without boarders, but I could see that while it is trendy now, it will be dated in the future. Just as the 12x24 tile will be dated in the future. Lastly, is the grain of the porcelain you posted perpendicular to the long side of the tile? It looks like that in your picture. I've never seen that type of layout with the grain before, if it is. I have always seen the grain go parallel the long side of the tile. That will dictate your layout choices too. Here is a search I did on "long narrow bathrooms" in the photo section of Houzz. long narrow bathrooms in Houzz