Most who do the Fire & Ice get the quartz which is lighter. There is also the Fire & Ice in slate which is more colorful/dramatic. If you are leaning toward understated the Grazia rixi is a very pretty tile. Grazia makes other series besides rixi that you might want to check out. I agree with previous poster-not too blown away by your samples but then we are seeing them on our monitors so maybe in real life they look great with your floor, counters, cabinets. I would do one extreme (understated/calm/elegant-maybe marble) or the other (glass, colorful, dramatic but classy at the same time). Your counter is pretty neutral so you have soooo many choices open to you. Another thought-do something like the Fire & Ice behind your stove continuing up to the ceiling and then something understated/calm on the other spaces??? Pick one of the colors in the F & I that matches with one of the colors in your floor and use that in 4 x 4 or 6 x 6 or whatever size you decide for the other areas. Just an idea.

I agree about using a creamy subway. But I also think it needs a touch of color too. In my kitchen I used white subway with red diamond inserts. But then again, I know I'll always have red accessories. I also have scroll tile and it does add a "pop" to the room. A copper colored insert would be beautiful with your cabs and granite. It doesn't have to be diamond shape either. Below is the website where I ordered our backsplash. They will send you free samples also. The page given is under Porcelain, but they have everything from glass, to metal, in all colors and designs imaginable. They're a bit on the pricey side, but well worth the extra bucks. Here is a link that might be useful: Crossville tile

Kmgard, There is no way you will be able to choose something for an unknown future buyer. At some point in time, we have all fallen for that and in hindsight wondered why did we let that influence us? The eventual buyer of your house might turn around and remodel it upon purchasing it... So, please don't let that be a major factor in your decision making. The trick is to find the balance between making it too personal and you vs. generic enough that it will make you happy for the next four or so years but won't freak out potential buyers. For example you might like really like the idea of an orange or coral colored tile in there..... ;;) Take a sample of all 3 materials... floor, counter and cabinet to the tile and paint stores with you. Use that to narrow down your possibilities and then bring those home with you to check out in your space in the various types of lighting that you experience in your home before making your final choices. Looking over your materials... backsplash... I would look at your countertop and see what is the base color of that material and start with that for your backsplash material search. I think if you found something that had that color plus a reddish wood tone would be wonderful and wouldn't add another visual texture to your kitchen. Another possibility would be a creamy solid which would make a nice subtle contrast to your cabinets. Glass tile does come in a solid color as well as multi colored. I am not sure if I would go for a shiny material tho in your backsplash... Ah, something that you might not have thought of is using a laminate for your backsplash. It comes in a wide variety of colors and textures, is easy to clean and won't be as outrageously expensive as some tiles can be. In your case I think it might be possible to put it up on backer board and thus easy to take down for a thorough cleaning if needed. Paint... I would look to your cabinets and your floor for direction there. The cabinets are on the walls. Your floors and walls combine together to be the backbone of your room. I think you are on the right track with the "tone" of your wall splotches even tho they are for a previous color scheme.

The woodgrain, although subtle, is a strong pattern because it's horizontal. The countertop is also subtle in some sense but active with the movement and contrast of the veins. Honestly I don't think anything so far is quite right. They all introduce more pattern and its too much. A lot of people probably dislike this kitchen, (it's George and Laura Bush's), but I picture it here because it kind of has a universal modern appearance (is it 2010, is it from 1990 but forward thinking?), like your kitchen--and it has an architectural glass or backpainted starphire glass backsplash, which is the direction I would be thinking of for your kitchen. I don't think you want to muddy it up with lots of groutlines and shapes.