Stranger, I have Caesarstone Smoky Ash which seems nearly identical to Charcoal/Zulu. It has a little taupe, but no pink (thank goodness). Its price was comparable to granite. I was looking for something dark gray without a lot of movement, so this fits the bill. Not sure I would choose it again, but that's academic at this point. My cabinets are white and my floor is red oak. I decided I wanted something more yellow/gold for my backsplash and the good people here at GW talked me out of it. I'm instead going with a cream crackle subway. Although I'm not convinced my first choice was totally wrong, I think a more neutral b/s is going to work better in the long run. It doesn't fight with my counter. I'm not having any special accent tiles or liners. I was surprised how expensive tile setters are and non-field tiles, like bullnose. I'm grateful I had just enough left in my budget to cover the b/s. Many here will suggest you just hang tough and wait a while until everything else is done. I tend to agree with that. Get LOTS of tile samples.

Dianalo, I had originally planned to do a full height BS, with one row of the field tile (so that the sideways outlets are covered by the field tile and I am not having my listello interrupted with plugs and covers), then the listello, then two rows of field tile. If I get subways, though, I will do two rows of field tile before the listello. I had also considered tiling all the way around the window, but I think not now. Steph, I do like the look of your sister's field tile. I was stuck on subways, probably because I see them so often in photos here. The 6x6 tiles (my guess) that she has do look fine, though, and would mean less work for me to install. As for sheen, the listello is both polished and honed. I had not noticed until the saleslady pointed it out to me yesterday, but the center diamond, the tiles on either side of the diamond, and the long thin tiles that outline it are all polished. The outer tiles to the left and right are honed. Since they abut the next tile, there will be(going left to right) the two honed, a polished tile with cut-out for the diamond, the polished diamond, and the right polished tile with a cut-out for the diamond, and two honed again. So having either honed (matte) or polished (shiny) field tiles will work. Last night I did more searching, and I found this glass subway tile that looks like it may work. I is, of course, very shiny. The color looks promising, too. The previous day, I sent for these two glass tiles. They are shown beveled, but I believe I could get them in the smooth style. And here, again, is my listello. Here is a link that might be useful: Champagne Toast glass subway

JMarino, I am not sure yet how dark will we go with floors but I do not think we will go much darker then the color we have. The tile will run in kitchen only. I did not include the original layout we have, but the kitchen is edged by the peninsula you see on the plan (which now is bearing wall) and the other floor that divides kitchen and dining room. Not sure yet what tile we will pick. I think it will depend on the material and color of the counter top we pick. We will be closing window in the kitchen (where the stove is on the plan) but have pretty big window (three in fact and they are on the south side) in the living room. Lots of light there but still we will be closing window in the kitchen. The plan is to run recessed light s, pendant light above peninsula. There will be a hood (most likely chimney like) over range. There will be cabinet over fridge. Plan was to have enclosed hood over the range but that plan just changed today when we bought hood (chimney wall mount hood-SS). So we will need to change that part of plan now.

Gia Blanco granite is a fancy re-name for White Ornamental or Giallo Ornamental whit/.light. It is an entry grade granite and it also comes in a golden tone, which I don't think you want. gallo ornamental light if there is any way that you can see your slab before it's cut to make sure you get the whiter tone, do it. here's what it looks like and just so you know, this is a white glass tile backsplash (and your granite). white glass usually looks blue/green once installed, so keep that in mind if you ever choose a white glass tile. light Shadebox tiles. these would look nice against your granite a dove white shade in a 3x12 . Tilebar.com Manchester in dove gray (tilebar gives you 5 samples for $5) This glass tile in a tan shade might work. see if you can order a sample from Home Depot online. it's American Clean Oxford Tan 2x8