I was surprised to see this back up again...it has been awhile since I had posted! But anyway we still haven't picked yet. But after visiting every tile store and ordering multiple samples off the internet, I THINK we are leaning toward going forward with the black subway and glass. My husband did make a mock-up right after I last posted and I think it looked beautiful with the granite but I still wasn't sure about how dark the kitchen would be or, as Caroleoh pointed out, if the style was right. But we haven't found anything else that really calls to us and we keep finding ourselves coming back to it. I have had the mock-up sitting next to the stove since he made it and the glossy tile really does reflect back the light and the overall look may not be as dark as I think. I will try to get a picture tomorrow when the light is better and post it to see what you think. I also have 3 more samples coming in the mail Monday (including a black glass subway) but I am thinking if none of those work, we will go for it. As far as style, I wish I knew what I wanted! I am having that problem throughout the house. That is part of the problem. I have leaned toward traditional in the past but the few new purchases I have made for the house have seemed to be more contemporary so now I have this hodge podge thing going on...and then I will pick up a decorating magazine and see a well done cottage room and drool over that as well. Right now I have 5 colors painted on the greatroom wall...sigh... Anyway the table and bar stools came from JC Penney catalog. We wanted a counter height table set for the breakfast but needed bar height for the stools and wanted them all to match. None of the local furniture stores had that available but I just happened to find the set on closeout PLUS free shipping even though it was heavy furniture. It was a great deal and we are happy with the quality. Thanks for all the help and bringing this back up again. Can I post all my other rooms too for help???!!! :)

April - Love your countertop and your cabinets and can't wait to see the final reveal. When you finally find the tile - it will be love at first sight! I really wanted a glass backsplash. I had those same tiles in my kitchen plus others. I also considered back painted glass but the cost was way out of budget. I also could not get the glass to talk to my kitchen no matter how hard I tried! Some others to consider - there were a number of Jeffrey Court tiles that were close seconds. I also loved Heath tiles but was too far away to find a match (I was too embarrassed to ask them to send me a third set of samples especially when I said I didn't want crackle and ended up with crackle LOL) Here is a picture of the Grazia Rixi Crema that I used It is probably a bit lighter than this picture but my little camera had difficulty with the light. I also put small accents above the cooktop. The accent row is called Beach - not sure who actually makes it but it came from the Tile-Shop (not Tile Shop) Again - probably a bit lighter in real life. PS - Ellen - I think you are my "fan" club! (of course, you have the same tile as well!)

What do you mean by "any other pieces in the range for the crackle tile - reliefs" The same crackle tile may come in various shape and sizes. "Subways" are a form of what's called field tile -- meaning they are used on the center of the design (usually 3 x6 or 4 x 8 but smaller or larger too). Most people just use those. But there are other types of pieces -- art teachers had little diamond shapes tiles and square tiles. There are relief tiles that have a raised designs in various shapes. Also, hexagonal and circles. Then there are finishing pieces for the top edge of a 'splash' which are skinny and rounded -- those were used to create the borders of art teachers guard. They can all match the field tile but give more options for designs though what's available varies by manufacturer. I was just suggesting to see if there were other types of pieces available in the cream crackle. Here's a range guard in a herringbone pattern done with subways run in two different patterns. Again, good size and makes the point about how the tile is used, though more traditional. I was suggesting art teacher's for the size of the medallion and the tone-on-tone textural design. Not for color or type of tile. Should have made that clear. But the tile from the Kraftmaid ad would certainly be a more modern option -- you have a good eye for the colors you need. It's very lovely and would tie in your floor. smarges (yes, costly if I recall) is a bit swirly though again very nice. What I think I see, though, is you going for a creamy look with glass mosaic that has some type of small accents. It's funny but I learned that what I pick over and over is what I want. May be difficult for you to see but you're being quite consistent. So maybe just focus on that look? Meanwhile, I remembered a dark mosaic glass GW kitchen with java cabinets. This is so you can see how darker tile would look -- it can help unifies the walls and the cabinets more than a lighter tile. I thought of this because the mosaics you originally posted were darker (also your nail polish).

didn't have time to read all the answers. I have no backsplash and have never regretted it...been over 6 yrs. It is painted with BM matte...which has ceramic in it. It is as beautiful now as it was when first painted. I love the fact that I can showcase other things ...art etc in my kitchen and no competition. Also if I ever want to change it is as quick as a paint brush...expense is minimal..paint only ! All in all I think it is serene as you point out . Here is one pick. Since I have a lot of high heat cooking in my kitchen..built in deep fat fryer as well as gas cook top I can definitely speak to the longevity of paint only. c ( more at this album )