[emmjay]

We are going with adel medium brown cabinets and our tile floor is a darker gray with some tan/brown-ish veining in it. Adjacent rooms have mostly light wood: maple laminate floors, maple coffee table with brushed metal legs, modern beech veneer dining table and silver and blue sheer curtains made from sari fabric.

Which granite choice is better-giallo cecilia: http://www.stoneshopping.com/granite...ITE-Giallo.jpg

or sapphire blue: http://eurasian.com/italy/granite/saphire_blue.html?

For backsplash, is our best choice a light neutral tumbled stone--travertine or limestone, or should we go with something dark? Our granite quote includes a 4-inch backsplash, which I now hear is "dated"--is it weird to start a tile backsplash atop the 4" granite one, instead of directly at the back of the countertop? I know the granite backsplash is unnecessary, but I like the idea of getting it put in that way just so if we peter out on our remodel, we can just paint the wall temporarily and then add tile at a later date. Our granite fabricators told us that if we don't have the backsplash, the grout line may crack where the tile meets up with the granite slab---has anyone ever heard of such a thing or are they just trying to sell us on the unnecessary backsplash?

Thanks!!

[GardenOfDarwin]

I'd say the giallo-cecilia if the tones work well with the grays in the floor. Keeping in mind of course that each slab of granite is slightly different in coloration -- do you get to pick your actual slab?

As to the backsplash question: Tell your granite installer that you don't plan to grout the spot between the granite counter and the tile backsplash - that would be silly. You plan to caulk it like any intelligent tile person would do. That will probably stop that line of sales malarkey.

Susan

[stacylu]

We also have Adel MB and picked a black/blue granite called Ice Flower). We're also planning either a simple limestone or travertine backsplash with a few accents.

Based on that, I vote for the Saphire Blue granite...

Regarding the 4" backsplash, we've opted not to do it because it will divide the space and I like a cleaner look. Plus I didn't want a ledge between the 4" and the tile transition to collect dust.

Best of luck in your decisions!