The Tile And Countertop Combo Erin Napier Likes That's A Bit 'Controversial'

When renovating a kitchen, color is one of the most prominent elements that can be decided on. These choices may be dictated by the type of material that will be covering each surface. But sometimes, color picks stray from the norm to pair together hues that are not often seen side by side. This was apparent in a 2025 episode of HGTV's "Home Town." Co-host Erin Napier was renovating the home of a close friend and wanted the property to feel reflective of the owner's personality. When Napier first stepped into the house, which was primarily painted white, she announced, "We need color!" And her insistence on vivid, moody tones took an interesting turn when planning the updated kitchen. Napier decided to pair together a duo that many may consider to be atypical: a black countertop with brown backsplash tile. 

It's certainly a choice to not make the kitchen backsplash the same color as the countertops for a more cohesive look. And to pair together two dark neutrals makes a bold statement. When pairing black and brown, there is always a chance that the room could become too dark. But this color combination can be done if planned wisely, like making sure the undertones match, for example. Napier was able to make this black and brown pairing work by utilizing them in the form of high-end materials that were textural and pleasing. 

The original kitchen included wood-look countertops, which Napier replaced in favor of a sleek black stone countertop that made the design pop. The large single slab of noir included few but prevalent streaks of white veining that measured the length of the surface. "I wanted a more graphic choice for the countertop so it would feel really masculine," Napier explained. This also contributes to the individuality of the owner and his space, as Napier pointed out that "there is no hint of farmhouse" with a countertop choice like this. She added that with these updates, the kitchen now looks "bold and different."

For the kitchen backsplash, Napier selected a long brown subway tile in response to the daring black countertop. The rectangular tile with a matte finish was chosen, as it included texture that Napier said would look nice next to brick that covered the adjacent kitchen wall. This is a result of how dark neutrals have become the 2026 kitchen backsplash trend that's replacing all-white and gray. Napier's strategy when combining black and brown is not to try and make the dueling tones feel like they match. Instead of coordinating the colors to go together, "You let them be different from each other," she insisted. This adds visual interest while also making the kitchen space feel sophisticated and unique.