oh, momo...now I have google ann sacks and found those tiles...I JUST LOVE THEM. $83 per square foot, eh? Ay yi yi! I also found other tiles there that I love. Part of me almost wants to go nuts and ethnic and busy, since the rest of my kitchen is so simple. I am just afraid I will tire of it. Like this... (not this exactly, I just mean a busy, ethnic pattern. Kind of looks 70s to me, also.) cherry-Yes, we addressed the torso issue already! Yet another reason I want the mirror antiqued, and also not flat panes but rather tiles, so the "cuts" will break up the view a bit! I know what you mean, some of these threads get so long and I want to give my 2 cents but I just *know* one of my comments has probably already been made, but I say it anyway. Thanks for the input. You are not the only one with the opinion that with so much stainless and "coolness" I should go with warmth/color/texture. The things is...I see so many finished white kitchens similar to mine that have white tile as a BS, and I like them. I also like those pics that momo posted in her link, and they are white, with SS appliances, and mirrored BS and I think they look good. Well, I am torn and DH really wants me to make a decision so he can install. He wants the tile/color/texture look. I will keep you guys updated! Thanks so much!

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

White subway tile or just paint. None of the stone look tile go with the counter. As a buyer I'd rather have to tile a backsplash than rip out a backsplash and then tile it! Discordant/jarring/glaring backsplashes are one of my biggest turnoffs. I think it's the area where most people make a mistake in their renovations... so many people want to add "interest." Most places need less interest, not more. On the other hand, lighting is crucial. Would far rather someone put in the necessary lighting and just paint the backsplash. But that's me! Your mileage may vary! Good luck :)

We found 3 whites that we love together. The cabinets are a dove white, counter top is Viatera Minuet quartz (the smaller sample on the edge) and backsplash is Lansdale Carrera Amalfi from the Tile Shop. The marble is creamy with very subtle warm veining and tiny sparkly flecks. Fingers crossed that when we get the marble in larger quantities it is as uniform as the box they had at the store!!! The color variation on the sample we have is very subtle and diffuse and does not fight with the counter top.