Santa Cecilia granite is a beautiful natural stone that can make a striking addition to your kitchen or bathroom. With its creamy background and elegant veining in shades of gold, tan, and black, it has an understated elegance perfect for a variety of design aesthetics. When selecting a backsplash to go with Santa Cecilia granite, you’ll want to choose materials and colors that complement the granite rather than compete with it. Here are some of our top recommendations for stunning backsplashes to pair with Santa Cecilia granite countertops.
Go Neutral with White Subway Tile
A classic white subway tile backsplash can be the ideal accent to Santa Cecilia granite. The crisp, clean look of the white tiles allows the granite’s natural pattern and colors to take center stage. Be sure to use a bright white tile rather than an off-white or almond color for maximum contrast. Lay the tiles in the traditional brick pattern or get creative by laying them diagonally or in a herringbone design. For extra visual interest, opt for subway tiles with a beveled edge or decorative trim.
Contrast with Dark Tile
While light tile works well, don’t be afraid to go bold with a dark backsplash tile paired with Santa Cecilia granite. Deep shades of gray, black, or dark brown glazed ceramic or porcelain tile can provide stylish contrast to the granite. Installing the dark tiles vertically or in a herringbone pattern makes for a more compelling look. For a touch of warmth, bring in darker metal finishes on the fixtures and hardware. A dark tile backsplash allows you to create a moody, sophisticated space.
Complement with Neutral Travertine
For a backsplash with natural texture and movement, travertine tile is an excellent match for Santa Cecilia granite. Travertine comes in a range of warm earth tones from ivory to walnut that pull out the shades in the granite. The subtly rustic look of travertine’s pitted surface helps tone down the glamour of the granite for a relaxed aesthetic. Use tumbled travertine tile for a soft look or polished travertine for a higher sheen. Travertine backsplashes perfectly suit Tuscan, Craftsman, or Mediterranean style kitchens.
Echo the Granite with Metal Backsplash Tile
Metal backsplash tiles in copper, bronze, or other metallic finishes reflect the shimmering flecks in Santa Cecilia granite. Combining granite with metal tile unleashes a dose of drama and luxury. Use mosaic sheets of metallic tiles to build a dazzling display. Or opt for larger metal tiles in a brick or stacked layout for a slightly less glitzy look. The sheen and texture of metal tile creates eye-catching contrast to the matte finish and natural patterning of granite.
Add a Pop of Color
While neutral backsplashes work best for letting Santa Cecilia granite shine, you can incorporate color in moderation. Vibrant glass tile in deep teal, emerald, or sapphire blue can accentuate the granite nicely. Use color selectively by creating a focal point, border, or geometric design instead of a floor-to-ceiling sea of color. You can also introduce color through paint, grout, fixtures, and decorative accents instead of directly on the backsplash. Hint at colors drawn from the granite without going overboard.
Warm It Up with Earthy Terracotta
Terracotta tile brings rustic warmth and Spanish flair to a kitchen backsplash. The burnt orange and reddish hues in terracotta provide a natural complement to the variation in Santa Cecilia granite. Terracotta tiles have a timeworn, textural look that softens the polished sheen of granite. Use terracotta on the entire backsplash or mix it in with other tiles. For a Tuscan-style kitchen, combine terracotta with handmade ceramic tiles. Let the colors in the granite influence your choice of terracotta tile for a cohesive look.
Go for Drama with Patterned Tile
Make a bold design move by using patterned tile as a Santa Cecilia granite backsplash. Opt for graphic patterns like chevron, arabesque, or moroccan fish scale tiles to create visual interest. Black and white is a classic combo that pairs well with Santa Cecilia. But colored patterned tile can also look stunning; match the colors to those found in your granite slab. Arrange patterned tiles evenly across the backsplash or place them within a neutral field. Use pattern thoughtfully to enhance the backsplash without distracting from the gorgeous granite.
Mix Materials for Texture
Don’t feel that you have to stick to all tile or all stone. Combining materials with different textures adds intrigue. Juxtapose the smooth sheen of granite with the organic texture of wood, for example. Blocks of wood mosaic alternating with metal tile sections make for a striking blend. Or use polished marble brick tile next to a section of pebbled glass tile. Continue layering in texture with leathered granite tiles, textured grout, or a stone and metal tile border. Playing with different textures keeps the backsplash visually compelling.
Go for Glass Tile Shimmer
Glistening glass mosaic tile is a top backsplash choice to match the glitz and glam of Santa Cecilia granite. Both materials share a similar shimmer. The small scale of mosaic tiles contrasts beautifully with the expansive granite slab. Use iridescent glass tile to pick up the sparkling mica flakes in the granite. Install glass mosaic as an inset border or create a focal point over the range. Take it up a notch with handmade art glass or recycled glass tile full of whimsical imperfections to pair with the natural patterning of granite.
Contrast Granite Veining with Subway Patterns
Subway tile patterns are a classic partner for granite because they visually break up the stone’s dominant veins. Stacked diagonally, in a herringbone, or in a traditional brick pattern, white subway tiles establish rhythm and movement. Bevelled subway tiles and subway tiles with trim create shadow lines that make the veining in Santa Cecilia granite dance. While white subway tile offers the sharpest contrast, gray or light beige work well too. Make a textural contrast by pairing subway tile’s flat matte finish against granite’s polish.
Harmonize with Marble Mosaic
Bring Santa Cecilia granite together with complementary natural stone like marble. Carrara, Calacatta, and Statuario marble contain the same neutral background tones as Santa Cecilia granite, allowing them to work in harmony. Use marble mosaic tiles for the backsplash to create contrast in texture and pattern to the wide granite slabs. Allow the marble tiles to pick up some of the colors from the granite veins to create a unified look. Alternating bars of marble and granite mosaic behind a stove look especially elegant.
Create a Natural Blend with Stacked Stone
For homeowners wanting to extend the natural stone look of their Santa Cecilia granite countertops all the way up the backsplash, stacked stone offers a seamless design. Available in slate, travertine, marble, and other natural stones that closely match granite, stacked stone backsplash tiles replicate raw stone. The linear orientation of the rectangular tiles highlights the veining inherent to the stone. The modular nature of the tile allows for eye-catching mosaic patterns. Combined with Santa Cecilia granite, a stacked stone backsplash has an ultra-organic look perfect for rustic and farmhouse decor.
FAQs
What colors complement Santa Cecilia granite?
Santa Cecilia granite pairs well with cream, white, gray, tan, brown, taupe, silver, and metallic tones. Both light neutrals and darker shades work with this versatile granite. Bold colors like navy, black, or emerald green can also be beautiful complements but use them selectively.
What kind of backsplash goes with a brown granite countertop?
For brown granites like Santa Cecilia, excellent backsplash options include white subway tile, travertine, marble, and metallic tile. Neutral tones allow the granite to take center stage. Dark wood or slate tile and terracotta also complement the warm, earthy tones of brown granite.
What backsplash goes with gold granite?
Granites with gold flecks or amber tones – like Santa Cecilia – pair attractively with both light and dark backsplash materials. Elegant options include metallic tile, marble, and glass mosaic in creamy ivory or warm beige shades. Charcoal porcelain or slate tiles provide bold contrast. Avoid orange and yellow tones that may clash with golden granite.
Is Santa Cecilia granite outdated?
While very popular in the early 2000s, Santa Cecilia granite remains a timeless and sought-after stone today. Its classic neutral color palette transcends trendiness. Designs like white kitchens that pair beautifully with Santa Cecilia granite are perennially stylish. Many homeowners view natural stone counters like granite as an investment that retains value and appeal.
Does Santa Cecilia granite stain easily?
Like most natural stone, Santa Cecilia granite can be prone to staining, especially from oils and acids. Annual sealing is recommended to help protect its vulnerable light surface from stubborn stains. Prompt cleanup of spills and avoiding direct contact with staining agents can also minimize issues. With proper care, Santa Cecilia granite can retain its beauty for many years.
Conclusion
With visual interest, elegance, and natural texture, Santa Cecilia granite makes a luxe statement in kitchen or bathroom design. Selecting a backsplash that harmonizes with the granite’s color variations is key. Clean and classic options like subway tile provide contrast while letting this premium stone take center stage. Or make a design statement by playing with bolder colors, dramatic patterns, mosaics, or stacked stone. With the myriad backsplash possibilities, you can create a one-of-a-kind space anchored by the beauty of Santa Cecilia granite.