The Rich Backsplash Erin Napier Pairs With Dark Kitchen Countertops

Kitchens are taking a dark turn — in the best possible way. While white and bright kitchens have had their moment to shine, moody and dramatic kitchens are making a statement. Case-in-point is a recent cabin kitchen transformation shared by HGTV designer Erin Napier. The kitchen aesthetic reads as refined rustic, with greige cabinetry and dark countertops that match the rest of the cabin's homey getaway vibes.

There's no shortage of noteworthy design details in this kitchen renovation but we're zeroing in on Erin Napier's backsplash. The olive green tiles complement the dark kitchen countertops perfectly while introducing color and light reflection. In particular, the tiles have a slight iridescence that adds shine to what appear to be honed countertops with a matte finish. It's no surprise that Napier elected to use this color combination, since olive green and black are known to be a sophisticated color duo.

The warm greige cabinets above the rich backsplash and dark countertop complete the kitchen's moody color palette. Together, the ensemble comes across as warm and rich. The kitchen design choices also nicely accent the heavy use of wood materials featured in the rest of the cabin.

Even without Erin Napier's know-how, you can bring this rich and moody feel to your own kitchen by transforming your backsplash. Dark countertops, such as black granite, were a go-to option for kitchen designers in the 2000s. If you want to update your kitchen aesthetic but can't swing a full kitchen remodel that includes replacing your countertops, installing a new backsplash can make a big visual impact on a budget. 

You can borrow Napier's idea directly and pair a dark countertop with an olive green tile in a glossy or matte finish. To make a small kitchen feel larger, a glossy tile may be the way to go so that more light will be reflected underneath the cabinets. And if your countertops have a matte finish that is more similar to those featured in Napier's post, then look for a tile with some shine or iridescence to hit the dark and moody mark, rather than dark and dull. Small, square tiles with white grout lines like Napier picked have a classic feel. You can also elect for a more modern subway tile and lay it in a vertical pattern if you want a fresh twist on the look.