So there were lots of questions about grout in this thread and I just learned something that may be of some help. The attached image is of a kitchen that I fell in love with after seeing it in Coastal Living magazine. So I called the tile company that provided the tile for it so I could get the exact same time.
Anyway, while I was ordering the tile, I asked about sealing and grout. First of all, he said it would be a good idea to seal with an impregnating sealer (because "it never hurts"), but said to stay away from anything that had a color enhancer in it. He said if it was appropriate for marble or granite, it would be OK for MOP tile.
Then I asked about grout. He said the color used in the kitchen in the photo is Mapei's "Avalanche," which he described as a "brilliant white." He said the desired effect for that kitchen was to sort of unify it and make it look a little more blended in. In other installations of that tile he has had customers use a very light gray, which he said worked to really make the tile stand out and "pop."
Anyway ... thought that might help someone. Sparky, your backsplash is looking great (even if I did have to stand on my head to look at the first picture :)).
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