Polished for a kitchen counter.

IMO honing or leathering only makes staining more likely to happen I always choose polished for counters at least you are going real stone so well done.

Polished. And if you are looking for a paint color, consider B.M. Gray Cashmere. It shows just like your granite....very nice choice.

Judianna20, thank you! I will be looking for a new paint. Very nice color.

What is the finish currently? The colors will be very different in polished vs leathered.

azulina, The slab I saw in full view was leathered. Behind it was a polished slab that was sticking out about 12 inches. I wanted to see that slab in full but they didn’t have the staff there to move it. I am arranging to go back next week and take a look. From the little bit I saw of the polished slab, the colors appeared to pop out more.

RoyHobbs, thank you.

Gorgeous stone - polished for sure and please post pic(s) once installed and kitchen finished. Can't wait to see it!

It depends on the overall vibe you're going for in your kitchen. Leathered or honed have a more natural visual feel while polished is more formal.

I respectfully disagree with @mxk3 z5b_MI. I have seen polished in casual kitchens, and honed in very formal, and the other way around. We all have our opinions, so that is what makes this forum interesting.

As others have said, the polished finish brings out the colors of this slab which I prefer. I like honed finish on granite when the slabs are dark, such as with Virginia Mist or Absolute Black granites.

I have this same granite in my kitchen and would love to know what backsplash you end up going with. We are updating ours (16 hrs old) and I just can’t make a decision on what looks best with the statement of the green granite.

My green-gray granite is the first cousin of your slab. Polishing it will bring out the colors better. I also think polished is easier maintenance.

We chose polished and it’s now in place. RedRyder, as much as I loved that tumble black stone you posted on another page, we’ve decided to go with Canvas La Belle Purity from floor and decor. It’s says it’s beige but it’s really a greige that goes from beige to the softest gray. I’ve had it taped on my wall over the granite counter today and each time I walk in the room, I’m more pleased with it.

Chic Spaces, see my comment above regarding the backsplash we went with. For all the color running through it, it was still tough to find a good match that wouldn’t compete with the granite. RedRyder found a beautiful tumbled(?) black that would have gone very nice with it but we have a lot of area to cover and I decided it would be too dark.

Thanks for the update! I was debating on glass tile vs ceramic so I will get a sample of that one and see how it looks in my house with my lighting etc…

Good luck. I tried a couple of different glass tiles but couldn’t find one that worked. The granite is tricky and can’t easily change the shade, color or nuance of glass or ceramic.

*can easily (not can’t easily)

I’m so glad you found something! Yes, that dark tile could have been too dark, but if you’ve found something lighter and brighter, that’s better.

Can you post the samples against the granite? Would love to see them.

(Can you hear me applauding from Tennessee??)

Thanks RedRyder. I will try to glue some to a board and get pictures. I tried taping them to the wall but they weren’t sticking long enough to get a good picture.

Try using museum putty; it works pretty well.

Put up some white paper to cover the existing backsplash and just lean the samples against it.
Curious to see the miracle tile.

Until I get some putty or am successful at stacking them against the wall, here are two photos with them on the granite. This tile actually has more warmth to it than what appears in the pictures.

That looks great! Very similar to one I am debating on from Fireclay - color is Tusk in 2x6 size

I'm seeing a very slight pinkish cast to the tile on my monitor. Make sure you see no traces of pink IRL or it's a no-go.

mxk3 z5b_MI, In reality, we are seeing no pink (and believe me if I see pink, there is a visceral reaction.) Regardless, thanks for pointing that out.

I’m sure that tile will work on the horizontal. It looks just the right amount of “ivory”.

Good job finding them! I can’t wait to see the finale. 😊

Polished!

@felizlady - Don’t you have a similar granite to these?

RedRyder, thank you. I’m doing horizontal behind the sink and herringbone above the cooktop which is on a different wall. Fingers crossed that it turns out like my mind pictures it.

I've got everything crossed too.

I think that plan will work. If you use the same tile, but two different installations, it will give interest without being too busy. This is all great!

RedRyder, thanks for the vote of confidence. I need all the support I can get right now. I had no idea how stressful this whole process would be. 😆

If you spend enough time on Houzz you will quickly realize that backsplash choices are the most common dilemma. You’re not alone.

It’s amazing we have the same tough-to-complement granite. When I bought my slabs the stoneyard owner said that soft grey-green slabs was getting harder to find.

You’ve got your own private cheerleading section here! I get it. I chickened out and used beadboard and paint for a reason!

RedRyder….Yes, I have a very similar granite in my kitchen…counters and backsplash up to the cabinets…it is polished. The island has butcherblock. There is a skylight over the island and recessed cans in the ceiling. There is some muted green, gray, white and a small amount of black in the granite.

Tile installation has begun over the cooktop. I will include more photos later when it’s been grouted and you can see it against the granite.

The wood cabinets are bringing out a warm ivory to beige. I know if some photos it looks pinkish but that color is only appearing in the photos.

@shamelessseamus - Did you finish the backsplash for your kitchen? I would love to see how it looks. I hope you’re thrilled with your tile choice for our very challenging granite.

For those who offered their opinion regarding polished or leathered granite, I went with polished as most of you advised. Here are some photos of the finished kitchen. Thank you so much for your help.