I'd suggest making a couple of really large cardboard cutouts then trying a variety of different colors. Get sample paints and just try things out to see how they feel. Make a list of colors to try, divided into 'bold', 'neutral', etc., then eliminate whole categories when you know more. The first thought that popped into my head when I saw your kitchen was 'tangerine!' then 'turquoise' -- you have the bones for it. You might also try pink for a 'neo-retro' vibe. Some other thoughts that came to me were a high-gloss wood veneer - something dramatic like a wenge or tigerwood. That would be very unexpected with your other surfaces. I've also seen some very textured large-format ceramic tiles that could be fabulous. Is glass out altogether? Because if it's not, what about installing it with those plain metal clips like they use for mirrors, and leaving a way to change out what's behind the glass? Then use wrapping paper, artwork, wall paint, blue prints, sketches - whatever strikes your fancy and change it out every few months?

Annalynn - I love tile like that ... and I think you have cherry cabinets so I'm sure the white looks beautiful. My mom is also looking for a backsplash and she likes the patterns like that if you don't mind sharing the manufacturer. She probably needs a cream color. I'm using a kitchen place that plans everything up front so the actual project is completed in 2.5-3 weeks. So, unfortunately I have to decide everything now. I've seen lots of different options online so I have an idea, but I know it all looks different in your house. I love glass so much more than ceramic (especially with the blue pearl), so I really want to go in that direction. Karen - I'll include the link with the colors again. I have samples at home of the slate gray (too dark), rain cloud (very pretty, but I think I want a little more color), soft blue (a little too pastel for me), soft gray (too close to white), and blue-gray. I really like the color of the blue-gray, but I'm worried it's a little on the dark side. I'm lucky in that my kitchen gets a ton of natural light so with the light cabinets, I feel like it's okay to go a little darker on the backsplash. My current kitchen has a drab beige backsplash and I'd prefer something a little more interesting. I'm at the point where it's the only thing hanging me up and they won't put me on the schedule until I pick something, so I guess it's decision time. Annalynn - is yours installed yet? It would be awesome to see a picture! Thanks, Lisa Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.interstyle.ca/products/glasstyle/glasstyle-colors.html

I like the idea of a basic white something, but not marble. I know, I'm the only person in the world who doesn't like marble. But something in a soft white with a slight color varation -- that's a good possibility. Lovely kitchen though. Very much like the layout I'll have. Yeah, no surprise that it's a "premium granite". However, I'm not splurging on a whole lot of things, so I can have this; and I do want a "good piece". I've read in several places that this is something you want to go pick for yourself because all slabs aren't equal. Cool that it's the same stuff as security holograms. Nice conversation item. My kitchen'll be small . . . but will have a fairly large amount of natural light. I do agree that light is going to be the best choice. Love the suggestion to go with a nice cut edge. I wouldn't have considered that the inclusions would be spectacular in that situation.

I LOVE your counters - I considered a Blue Australe which seems similar to laboradite, but it was almost twice the price, at the time, of what I ended up choosing, Volga Blue. (very hard capturing either of these stones in a picture, isn't it) So I understand your challenge, I spent a long time puzzled over a backsplash for my counters. I went with the Seneca Tile company's Blue Lagoon from the Studio line. My counter reads black and hints of silver at first glance, the blue inclusions are subtle until you are trying to look for them, so it doesn't read too busy in real life. In the same line, they have a gorgeous variegated green called Waterlily, it might work in your kitchen Seneca waterlily- here's some more inspiration, some of these blue/ green mixes that may work- from http://senecatiles.com/senecablends-gallery/nggallery/page/1 Here's a work in progress shot of our Blue Lagoon backsplash going up- I have no regrets going bold and colorful, I feel happy every time I look at it