whoa. I LOVE your place! it's hard to see what is existing on the backsplash right now - any chance for a closer up pic?

I LOVE the orange! I would keep everything else in the same grey tones (maybe add some lighter tones, too) that are there, and put some hits of orange elsewhere in the loft. Maybe a backsplash with lots of texture as opposed to colour, say in grey tones of glass tiles, or cool textured porcelain. I wouldn't put orange in the backsplash, personally, but I'm not a matchy-matchy girl.

What a space!

i LOVE the countertops! personally, i feel like a dark gray goes perfect with orange. if you need a backsplash, i suggest glass tiles with complimentary colors. or you can do a stainless steel backsplash to make the orange counters pop more.

Stainless steel sounds great for your space but, as requested above, could we get a closer pic of the kitchen please - maybe taken from standing by the dining table to get the kitchen in at eye level? Love the space!

Ya I like the grey look too. Just make sure the backsplash looks modern so that it doesnt become a 70s throwback. I would also throw in some orange accents elsewhere to tie it all in

I would paint the cabinet fronts the same orange color and do a darker glass tile backsplash. I did some horrible photoshopping to give you an idea of the look: http://www.robcurranphotography.com/bin/loft.jpg

What exactly is the problem? I love the orange. But if you don't, change it to another color or go black or white.

Orange looks great with blue -- any shade, from navy to pale aquamarine -- and also looks fabulous with white or green. Your grays/blacks are perfect neutrals.

COUNTERTOPS ARE AMAZING!

I like the grey and orange. Luckily for you, there are tons of orange kitchen accessories on the market to pull it together.

If the countertops are looking a little worn or faded, penetrol might do the trick

I would treasure the counters as they are, and keep the complementary gray cabinetry. If the backsplash is bugging you (it looks like either glass or marble mosaic), you might look into Heath Ceramics tiles. They have a good range of grays into whites, and they have a spectacular orange for accessories.

The milky look of laminated glass would work, too, as a backsplash.

And just a thought ...that orange goes really well with a warm bronze-brown that is almost black. I've seen some strie tiles that have that brown combed over white.

keep them!! I'd lighten up the walls a bit but that's b/c I am obsessed with lighter colors on walls.

Orange and grey is on-trend and your kitchen already looks perfect. I wouldn't change a thing for now, maybe in a couple of years when orange is played out.

OOPS, I should have read. either way they look great. for the backsplash I always liked subway tile... I suggest grey with black grout for this application

Yeah, I like them exactly the way they are. A cobalt blue glass backsplash would really draw attention to it.

Work with the greys you have - the orange counters are lovely. Backsplash in grey or even BLACK?

Tin ceiling tiles (plastic or metal, silver or copper) would look awesome. Also, they just glue on, so you wouldn't need to be married to it.

I like the orange, too.

What bothers me is the busyness of the current backsplash. If I were you, I'd simplify that tile. I'd probably do large format, monochromatic tile, minimal grout lines. I'd maybe even go for slabs instead if that's affordable for you.

If you scroll down the AT landing page, you'll see an article on color in the kitchen, then an orange-and-gray porch color scheme. Your kitchen is right on trend as is. (Not that that's a reason to keep it that way if you hate it.)

It seems to me that if you like the orange, you shouldn't do anything permanent. Your eventual buyer might not like the orange counter, so why add an orange- accented backsplash, right? I think the orange would be fine if you had some more of the colour throughout your apartment. Since you live in LA, here's a page of orange things from Apt2B. Orange is the pantone colour of the year - run with it! http://www.apt2b.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=orange

If you had said orange Formica, I would have come over and ripped them out myself, almost! But what you have is good stuff and I would leave it and make it sing. Go to CB2 -- they have SO much cool stuff, and a look of it is either orange or would look good with it.

Disclaimer - orange is my favorite color and grey + orange is my favorite combination. I'd embrace the orange as an accent color and bring it into other areas of your open space. It could be as simple as a bowl of oranges on the living room table if you're really non-committal on the orange.

Keep them

If you'd like to do something a little intense (and recycled!), Art of Board is a company that makes wall tiles out of old Skate Boards. Super colorful and graphic. I could see that being a great punchy accent for your kitchen backsplash!
http://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-product-design/art-of-board-broken-skateboards-become-sustainable-designs.html

This doesn't help you but it rocks that way it is. You indicate that you don't mind keeping the orange but wanted help w/back splash. Can we get a closer look at them?

robcurran is TOTALLY right! That would look perfect in your space, adding a much needed pop of color. It would freshen up the space while making the counter top feel like it really belongs.

I would remove them. The fact that you're challenged in figuring out "what to do" with them indicates that you don't like them. Go neutral for your major fixtures, provide color with your accents as you've seemingly done in the rest of the apartment. Your existing backsplash is perfectly nice, and it would be a mistake to try and further coordinate with something you're hesitant about.

OH PLEASE DON'T DO ANYTHING, IT LOOKS GREAT

I have a friend who's obsessed with the 1970s and his kitchen is orange and glossy black - it looks really good. I would say a black splashback would work really well.

Stainless steel on the backsplash and a stainless steel top on the bar.

Looks like an "after" to me. I wouldn't change a thing.

What about a very light orange penny tile? I think tonal play would look really cool, especially if you do it in a geometric way like with penny tile!

They are fantastic- why would you "do" anything to them? (except cherish and enjoy!)

I would agree that the countertop isn't that bad (kind of unique). Over all it seems to be the only spot in the condo that's a bit "dull" and washed out because the cabinets match the wall. I think the backsplash seems really busy and the colours clash as well.

If you picked something a bit more neutral (or at least not so busy) then the countertop would probably go better. I also think there's a bit too much dark grey (ack I can't believe *I* just said that). I like the wall colour and the cabinet colour but I think i would paint the upper cabinets a lighter version. (lighter grey or getting into the whites)

At the moment the countertop is the only light/bright colour in the kitchen. So if the uppers were lighter I think it would stop the eyes from being instantly drawn to the countertop.

Bad Photoshop: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stream13/7212209670/in/photostream

You'll get the idea at least even if you pick other colours :)

Plus some extra orange accents would help to tie the colour in better to the rest of the place. Maybe a couple of Orange pillows on your couch. Maybe a piece of art with some orange in it located above where you're drywall is missing. Maybe even dip dye the legs of your white chairs orange for just a hint of colour. maybe a area rg with a bit of orange in it (not completely orange but a little bit). Orange place mats on your table?

I think adding colourful accessories that are a mix of colour but include orange will help blend the countertop without screaming ORANGE everywhere you look.

How about this? I will trade you. I would love that room AND the orange counters.

you're = your

rg = rug

Sorry I should proof read :)

Mybe a mosaic that's a white stone and white glass.

http://www.stonewoodstore.com/images/products/mosaics/Sand%20White%20Mosaic-5514.jpg

or a carrera marble

http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2012/01/27/7944adade087.jpeg

I saw this reno on Kitchen Cousins. It's a glass tile with a hint of orange to it (not sure where they got the tile)

http://kitchencousins.tv/uploads/02-episode105.jpg

Other examples of Orange Ceaserstone

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0133f2336f69970b-500wi
http://assets4.designsponge.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/jenblik9.jpg

Or instead of painting the cabinets a lighter grey, you could do just the uppers in orange (I think someone else suggested painting everything orange) eitehr a lighter or a darker orange.

I am not a fan of orange- but it it was my place, I think I would keep the orange. For the backsplash - stainless steal?

I love your kitchen exactly how it is. Very nice!

Do? What should you DO? Sit back, relax, and enjoy living and cooking in that fabulous space! But if you do want to change the backsplash, maybe long rectangular tiles in white, close set. I'm partial to that look, just did it in my own kitchen (in pale blue with black resin paper countertops).

Love the orange - leave it please!

In our old house (which we rented), we had crazy purple counter tops. I ended up ordering some Fasade decorative panels through Home Depot and using carpet tape to put them up as backsplash...sounds ghetto, but actually the finished product was awesome and it totally toned down the purple counters to the point where I actually loved the whole effect.

So what I'm saying is, check out Fasade's stuff. :) It comes in all different designs and finishes, and is much more affordable than tile. Easier to install, too. Just goes on over whatever's already there. Good luck!

http://fasadeideas.com/collections

What exactly is the problem??? Love this space. Countertops rock..

Just wanted to pop in and say -
GORGEOUS! The orange is awesome!

Boy are you lucky. How cool are orange counters. Do not put orange in the back splash. Buy an orange kitchen appliance or some tea towels but don't do anything to the back splash. then mix up a martini, lean back and enjoy your rad pad.

Am I the only one who loves the current backsplash? I mean I can't see it in detail, but It appears perfect. The cabinets are great as gray goes wonderful with that orange color. There are a lot of black appliances or "kitchen top" gadgets that would look great on that counter and pop well with the darker wall. With an orange counter, you wouldn't want an orange kitchen aid mixer (or appliance of the type) as it would completely blend in. Sleek stainless steel and black counter top items would look great and pop in front of the current backsplash. Blue wouldn't work directly next to the orange, as it compete for the attention in the room. If you MUST switch the backsplash, I would do different shades of gray with pops of orange. I prefer the tiny tiled look though for this type of modern space. I feel subway tiles work better in more "homey-rustic" kitchens, but that's just me.

Also, I think the backsplash can't possibly look "too busy" with counter tops as bold and wonderful as those. Don't go too neutral! Be bold!

Keep them, definitely.

Something light and clean to brighten up the space and bring it into style.

holy crap. I am beyond jealous. I LOVE the orange countertops! I have a lot of orange in my apartment and I find it goes well with green and blue AND grey - which luckily you have a lot of. I wish I had better advice, but you are so lucky to have those countertops and I hope you keep them!

Leave everything but add a giant poster on the wall to the right of the orange counter. Let there be some orange in the poster. For instance, google images "trainspotting quotes"
I like the choose life... ones
Stop worrying about your counters.
Choose art.

My first thought was "go with it, go Mexican". If you type Mexico and orange in Google Images you'll see a lot of blue, some greens, reds. You may not fancy it but it's worth a look. Grey may be more your problem than orange!

I'm not a fan of orange, but I've seen modern orange countertops that actually looked really good. With the cabinets, either go bright white or a very sleek modern walnut. With the dark gray walls all around, I would recommend bright glossy white. It will make the kitchen look very modern. Just google white & orange kitchen and you'll see some good examples of how much brighter and more contemporary the kitchen would look with some white. Those gray cabinets are not a good match w/ the orange.

What material is the counter on the kitchen bar? It looks like butcher block or some off white stone, which is an odd choice with the orange.

I know I'm way late, but try looking at modwalls glass tiles for a backsplash that would tie everything together.

I think it looks fantastic regardless!

Hang a large orange painting or framed poster on that wall next to the cabinetry.

These are so cool! I agree with Curtis above, look at CB2. For years they've been big on orange so I bet if you perused their website or old catalogues you'll find images showing different ways that you could work with the orange. I first bought some accessories from them back in 2003 or so that used chartreuse as an accent, but I've seen them pair orange with many other colors over the years. For that matter, so has Crate & Barrel.

It sounds like a lot of other people here like the orange too. As sad as I would be to see them torn out, it ultimately comes down to what you think since you have to live with it. If you do tear them out then maybe there's a way for you to donate the old tops somewhere that they could be re-purposed by someone who would love them and keep them out of a landfill.

I don't like the orange. Would prefer same material as bartop. Keep backsplash. Keep gray.

You are right, something is off with the backsplash. Too busy, wrong colors. It is competing with the counters and the cabinets. Since you want to keep the orange, how about stainless steel panel backspashes and stainless steel or zinc top for the bar with industrial looking stools? Extra large grey subway tiles also might work.

That is some cool orange! I'd probably look for blue tones in the backsplash, or grey. Personally, I hate subway tiles (they make me feel grimy) but I understand subway tiles are cool in a way I will never be. But in your place, I'd be strong tempted to do something with blue and grey. Or just one or the other, favoring blue, myself.

They are fabulous - KEEP THEM THEM!

The counters are cool. The backsplash is too busy. You need sleek, single color tiles or panels. Colors could be: glass green (spa glass color), aqua, white or any citrus tone (yellow).

Look at the Eames classic colors (check out the colors of the eames chairs on http://www.dwr.com/product/eames-molded-plastic-dowel-leg-side-chair-dsw.do?sortby=ourPicks ) . Your orange matches the orange in that color palette, so mix in anything else. I just wouldn't do anything dark or gray -- you already have enough gray going on with walls and furniture, backsplash should accent.

Your simplest solution could be something like this: Plain glass tile in 1x4 size, stacked (not staggered). http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-203288475/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=green+glass+tile&storeId=10051

add orange throw pillows to the couch! It looks like a great couch but with all grey pillows its kinda blah.

Visually tie the counters into the rest of the apartment with accessories and some paint. For example, an accent wall or bar stools painted the same or shade of same color. Examples of accessories would be a throw and patterned pillows which feature a similar orange. For such a large space, I'd suggest using 2-3 large elements (e.g. accent wall + 1 artwork or patterned curtains + large, solid throw) and then small touches like clear orange vase, flowers or throw pillows which have just a touch of the same orange color.

Love the blue-gray visual element. It's a nice muted background for the orange to play of.

(BTW...didn't take the time to read the 62 other comments so my advanced apologies if these comments have echoed others.)

Are you crazy man? Keep 'em! Wish my kitchen were like that.

I think Chris, the original poster, may want something more subdued than the orange. I for one advocate a change of color. Since I seem to be in the minority, so be it. But Chris, I'm with you - the orange has to go! I'd like a dark gray or black counter top with lighter gray flecks or streaks in it, to compliment what you have. When you have redone your kitchen, I'd love a house tour online! Your house has tremendous modern bones!

Oh, I'd keep it! And mix with some large red spaces, such as the upper cabinets, but keep some of the grey.

I would stay away from the blues. Perhaps, a stainless steel strips/mosaic mixed with some natural stone/veneer. If you want to keep the eye away from the orange perhaps a walnut quarter veneer on the grey cabinets. To much grey and it becomes just a moody space.

My problem is the huge expanse of dark gray wall above the cabinets. Seeing as you have to paint anyway once the bar is done, consider changing it to a pale gray, or even better, a pale peach-a lighter shade than the orange.

Punch it up with some turquoise blue or tomato red accent pieces.

I think the back splash is fine.

They're pretty awesome just as they are, with all the grey. I don't know that you really need to do anything with them.

I have no idea what you want but I think some ethnic tiles would look awesome with the orange.

I'm the original poster and NEVER realized this post was published. I will upload some new pictures shortly. I've decided to keep the orange countertops, but am thinking a glossy black/white tile for the backsplash. More pics to come