It appears too dark to me too. But it's difficult to get perspective with such a close up shot. Looking at a larger area of that color, from a distance of 20 feet or so, would help. Stand back and look at it, imagining it over a large area of the wall, as if you were painting that space that color.

Picture of whole space from further back, make sure to include the floor

It really depends on the look you are going for. How much light will your kitchen get? How many windows are there? What direction are the windows facing? What is the flooring? How many walls will have back splash. What other colors are you working with in the home? Can you show us the whole space? Floor plans? Photos? All that said I thought at first glance that was a wood sample for your floor. On my screen it looks brown which equals that it is likely too warm of a gray for your counters which look to be. similar if not an LG Minuet Quartz.

It will be easier to pick tiles after everything is installed. It will be your space and your lighting.

I am not a fan of dark tiles as a backsplash. It looks like an expansive dark hole to me.

I think a light gray ceramic or possibly gray glass tile would be nice. Or you can do a white that matches the cabinet.

Are you set on this counter? It might be hard to pair with a tile.

Thanks for the responses guys

we have just started that innovation process and have not decided on the wall colour

The flooring is also going to be changed but we will mostly go with dark walnut coloured hardwood flooring

the kitchen has two small corner windows and I feel that it will not have a lot of natural light and we will have to rely on the recessed lighting

We have pretty bright and warm recessed lighting installed already

Attached is the picture of our ongoing project

Based on the recommendations I received from you guys and also the tile shop that I went to I have selected a few samples and clicked a few pictures in the actual kitchen lighting

The tile that I have finalized is much lighter than the original one I had selected. I really like this one let me know what you guys think.

Needless to say I'm really really thankful for all of your suggestions

Here's how it looks in the natural light

This is the exact tile we are referring

http://www.amestile.com/sohtg416

Our stone is grey caesarstone frosty carrina

Much better than the darker one, especially if you don't get a lot of light in the room!

I personally love the tile you are holding.

Just to clarify, the dark tile in the original post that looks almost brown is the same tile that you are holding in the "here's how it looks in natural light" photo?

We have switched to the lighter taupe shade now..the tile in the original post was too dark, and we decided no to go with it.
The tile I am holding in the natural light is the second choice (taupe).

thanks so much for the responses guys. we are thinking of doing a herringbone pattern with these tiles. our tile size is 2" by 10". I hope it isn't too long and narrow for the herringbone.