Gray is going to make the grout lines stick out & give you a busier look. I think VERY light gray would look ok, but you don't want the same mistake again with a busy look. I would go with white or VERY light gray.

Agree with teachertile. I love grey grout with white subways but would stick to a VERY light grey or go with grout that matches the tile. I lean towards matching in your particular case. If you do a google search with "white subway tiles grey grout gardenweb" as the search terms, you will find lots of examples of subways with grey grout.

Good luck! Looking forward to your "after" pics.

Yay for Cinjos!!!

I would go white but not stark white.

I love subways. Had them in cobalt blue as a wainscot treatment done by the PO nearly 30 years ago and loved them. Love the white I have now for BS. If you love them, you probably always will and it's a good thing.

I also wanted to say that having my kitchen look like every other kitchen on here would be a huge compliment! Sort of like telling me that I look like everyone else, and everyone else looks like Julia Roberts. I'll take it!

:)

We did it! Beautiful and simple. Loved it from minute one. So very happy - thank you all!!!

I hope you found a way to salvage that unique tile to use somewhere else.
Can't wait to see pictures of the new BS
Congrats!

Pictures please!

If the backsplash is stone you might be able to darken it by adding several coats of ebony Briwax as shown. Minwax also makes a white wash you might be able to use to lighten it. Both looks will tone the stone down so it doesn't compete so much with your gorgeous countertop.

Blondelle - that is so cool! I didn't know you could do that. We did go ahead and put up the subway tile, so it's too late to try your suggestion. Thanks so much for taking the time to make those pictures to help me see some other options.

Pics Please!!!!

I don't think I would do gray grout unless it was so pale you couldn't even tell it was gray.. don't need another design "accent" in the mix. (IMO)… I love your new choice. It's a classic and the granite is the star! Your cabinet style is very compatible with subway. I like the simplicity of what you're up to now.

I agree that the first one was a boo boo. We all make them, you're on the right track now, cruise control all the way! Enjoy your new kitchen!!

Cinjos, I am so happy for you that you solved the problem as your gorgeous granite should be the star! I can't wait for your kitchen reveal.

Happy to try and help! The subway tile would be my first choice, and that would look the best. There was no guarantee what i suggested would come out like the photo so what you did was the right choice. The additional cost will soon be forgotten as you enjoy your gorgeous new kitchen.

Cinjos, can you post a new pic? Congrats on the new splash.

Here we go..a slightly different spot. We went with "bone" for the grout. It's a greige and picks up the counter colours well. I think I might have preferred a teeny bit more contrast, but really happy with the result.

It looks fantastic cinjos! You did a great job. Nice that you're so happy now. Time to enjoy it!

It is perfect-truly! It looks great with your beautiful countertops.

Great improvement. Well done!

What a great resolution! Love the collective wisdom of GW!

Cinjos, it looks utterly fantastic. I like your grout color. Like you, at first I wished I'd gone with a slightly darker grout color, but not anymore. You done good!!!

Absolutely beautiful. The perfect choice with your granite !

Beautiful! Perfect! I agree that the original BS had to go. Your countertops are the star and focal point! The white subway is perfect, and I especially love the color of grout you chose. It wouldn't have occurred to me to use that color grout, but it's true that it picks up color from the counter and ties it all in. The tile is interesting, a subtle pattern, adds interest, is so pretty, but doesn't compete with your gorgeous countertop.

Congratulations on your gorgeous new kitchen!

I LOVE it. So happy for you : )) Whew, I bet that felt good!

Looks great! I was worrying a little because of how quickly you were making decisions but this is spot on.

THAT GROUT IS PERFECT! A darker grout color and you would again have a pattern fighting with the pattern and movement in the granite. This works much better. Enjoy your gorgeous new kitchen!

The new tile looks great!

I have to say that I find the previous version strangely compelling. It has a animal quality --snake skin and fur pelt. Or an artistic interpretation of that by Klimt.

thanks, again, everyone! onedogedie - you're right about the snake skin... that's just what I didn't like about it!

And that is exactly why plain ol subway tiles are so popular. Beautiful!

Wow, you guys are fast! It looks wonderful. I do like that other tile in a different setting, though, but this really lets the counter top shine.

YES!!!

The new backsplash is perfect! It is classy especially with the Bone Grout and makes your gorgeous granite counter the star! Thanks for sharing.

Wait am I missing something that looks like a completely different kitchen.

Cinjos that is absolutely lovely!! I love the subway tile and now your granite is the star! What a difference. I know you struggled with the options, but you did it!! Enjoy your gorgeous kitchen.

Yes, agree, totally different kitchen! Beautiful amd professional looking. Timeless, classic, elegant. Excellent choice!

Awesome! It looks beautiful. Brings tears to my eyes, lol. Am so glad you took the plunge and can now appreciate all you put into it!!

Sweet! Enjoy that beautiful kitchen with your new backsplash!

The subway tiles are perfect! I am so happy for you and the great new bs. Congratulations!

I love it!!! I am happy that you chose the subway. Your granite is stunning and the white subway lets it be the star.

Enjoy!

Looks great! What brand and color are the subways? I thought I read Daltile somewhere but didn't see the color mentioned. Thank you!

Gorgeous. So glad you are happy and will feel peaceful each time you enter your beautiful kitchen.

So lovely now! I am happy for you!

BlackChamois - The tiles are Olympia tiles - Colour and Dimension Collection - Warm White (bright)

Can't wait to show you all more pics when it's done.

Here is a link that might be useful: Olympia Tile Colour Dimension Collection

Cinjos - I just came across this on Houzz. I thought you might have been the start of a new trend but they beat you to it!

[

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Charlotte Kitchen & Bath Designers Fireplace & Granite Distributors

Onedogedie - Woa. That looks like my original backsplash's long lost cousin! Not a fan, but hopefully the owner is happy!

Yay, Cinjos, it looks beautiful! You can breathe now! :D

I love the slightly different coloration of your tile and grout. What company makes the bone grout that you used? I have creamy white subway tiles (Emser: classica white) and Astoria granite and bone grout is a contender. I am looking at Fusion Pro whose colors are the same as Polyblend, Prism, and CEG.

The new tile looks amazing! I was going to say that maybe once you got all your stuff in your kitchen then the busy back splash wouldn't be that "busy" anymore. Heck I have so much stuff on my counters, you wouldn't even see the back splash! HAHA! But, now that you changed it, it really does look wonderful! You have to be careful not to have too many different things going on in one room.

I agree it's to busy. I would notice it because I keep my counter tops clear of every thing except a special red canister set, a matching plate in a stand and a turn table with a tea set on it.

millifori - I'm sorry - I don't know the grout details. I chose the grout from a sheet of samples that the contractor showed me. Very happy with the choice.