Everyone's monitor reads color differently so it's hard to make informed comments on pale tans and beiges and grays. Are you able to get a sample board of the tile you like? Then you can see how it works with the your counters and your cabinets and your lighting situation. I agree with your friend that there is a danger of the tile looking peach or pink. A lot of people don't decide on a splash until everything else is in. I love the shape that you picked. It will add a nice layer texture to your kitchen. One final thing - no more crying! A new kitchen is supposed to be fun. ; ) Here is a link that might be useful: Chrissy's backsplash

the counter is very neutral. Do you have hardware chosen-I'd get a theme going with backsplash and hardware. Can't say because so many things work with the counter-bronze /pewter hardware or the new polished nickel I've seen is a little more showy-for backsplash-pull the malty cream out of counter or darker glass mosaics-black-dark grey for drama[with the polished nickel hardware!], or white glass,or plain off white ceramic tile with darker grout for interest-just what do you like? Serious or more of a fun,bold look??

cigi, in our last house the previous owner installed tumbled marble in a mauvish tone which IMO looked awful with the St Cecilia granite. Even though the tile was expensive, I tore them off and left the 4" granite backsplash, patched and painted the rest of the wall. The sink was the only working area as the cooktop was on the island. No problem with water as I used BM Aura, but Pittsburgh Paint's Manor Hall Timeless is just as good with a more flat look and lifetime warranty. I'm pondering the issue for my current redo. In various houses I've had paint, wallpaper, white tile with abalone inserts, plain white tile. Right now I'm weighing white tile with a beautiful insert, just paint with no granite backsplash since this area has only a counter but no cooking/wet functions, paint with granite backsplash, or a simple glass tile backsplash with listello over it a la Chinchette. I'm attaching a photo from Chinchette's beautiful kitchen (hope she doesn't mind seeing hers cited as a great example) which shows the last option. In any event, I echo others' advice to not worry about that decision immediately unless you absolutely love a certain look. Just use good paint. Here is a link that might be useful:

Thanks @J Inhof and @Pam A. Good question about the tones of the Pure white - I don't have a sample of the Pure White (oops!) but I did look at it with my cabinets in the IKEA store (which obviously has very different lighting). The Pure white, was very very close to the cabinet color. The Frosty Carrina overall read a slightly cream - I do have a sample of Frosty Carrina, and in my kitchen it also reads slightly cream (and the website describes it as ivory). Here is a photo I took at IKEA of 'my' cabinets with Frosty Carrina: