We have similar colors and I would not want a full backsplash - we have Gold and Silver with tons of movement and a 3 inch splash and that's plenty. We don't know if we want to tile which is why we did 3 inches. We have a gap, which we easily filled with caulk and it looks fine - we also got some tiny molding and it looks nice too to put on top but I've been too lazy to pick a wall color. Any of the ways work, but I would not do full granite backsplash with lots of movement as it is just too busy. I agree with him - tile or paint (with a small trim piece and lots of caulk).

Karen: How about some pics of your situation? I'm sure that would garner many more replies. I can't comment as I'm not to that point yet, and have zero experience.
However - as an aside - I am interested to hear about your cork flooring. How do you like it, pics, etc.
We received our quote today, it's not cheap, but I've heard good things about cork.
Good luck on your granite situation.

Just fill the gap with caulk and paint the caulk the same color as the wall just above it. You will barely notice the gap if painted properly.

Our granite (vyara extra) has a lot of movement but we went ahead with a full granite backsplash and are very happy with it. We have a 20" stainless steel riser behind our range top and added a piece of granite above the riser.

If you search for Vyara or Vyarra in this forum or the gallery forum you can see our full granite backsplash.

If your kitchen is small and you know that you're going to tile, then honestly, I would not chop up the look with a backsplash of granite only behind your stove or even bother installing a 4" granite piece. You won't need that 4" piece if you tile. Actually, in the majority of backsplashes, the 4" pieces takes away from the backsplash and cuts off the lines of your kitchen visually.

On the plus side, your walls will appear taller and the look more cohesive by doing some tile work with accent pieces and/or a nice focal point behind your range.

Remember, the granite guy gets paid for how much granite he sells. I've installed the 4" piece and popped off the 4" because it chopped up my counters. And when I did pop it off the wall, found out it had been glued, not caulked into place causing me repair work.

BTW, I have very busy granite, too. It would drive me nuts to have it on the walls. In a small kitchen it should be all or nothing. Either add all granite on the walls or go tile. I would prefer to keep busy granite on horizontal surfaces or just do it all. Go check out the finished kitchen blog. I know there are some lovely small kitchens with fabulous focal points wtih tile and some lovely kitchens with all granite backsplashes. All granite is lovely, too.

Here's a very real issue for you to consider before you jump off and have that 4" piece of granite installed on your counters. Using my own kitchen as an example for you.

I have a lot going on in my kitchen. But just looking at the back of my sink area, I have a large Franke Sink, Brizo faucet, and a raised 'window'. Looking at the tile design alone, I would have really chopped up the design had I added the 4" backsplash. My tile is 3"x6", so I would not have gotten more than 3 tiles or so high in the design.

Keep in mind that MOST fabricators want to cut out your sink opening at their shop, right? Well, here's one for you.

Another HUGE problem that most installers and DIY would probably not thought of until the faucet was to be installed is consideration of the faucet and the depth of the backsplash. Typically tile depth is 3/16" to about 1/4" thick, depending on your tile. If we used a 4"H x 3 cm D piece of granite behind my faucet then there would not have been room for my faucet or hand to operate the faucet. Of course, the granite installers would have left by the time the plumber showed up to install the faucet.

Reminder as you look, 3 cm = 1.2". Here's a look see.

Here is a link that might be useful: Here's a good site to peruse to look at accent pieces, etc.

Can you get matching granite tiles? You could do your whole backsplash that way. That's what I did.

Our granite is also fairly busy (Juparana Delicatus). We have a full granite backsplash behind the cooktop and used tile elsewhere. Here is a still in progress picture:

Hi,

Thank you all very much for your comments, suggestions and just great ideas! I do not have any ability to visualize how things will look or picture things from a small sample. I feel strongly about what I don't like when I see it but I couldn't put what I do like together and be happy with the end result. That is what I'm depending on the KD to do.

Unfortunately what I seem to be struggling with is how to make it "my kitchen" vs, the "KD's kitchen". Anyway, that's a long way of saying I appreciate your suggestions very much!

Boxiebabe: I don't have a digital camera nor a scanner so I can't post any pictures of my kitchen which I'm sure would help with advice. In addition to be decoratively challenged, I am an old dinosaur when it comes to computers and technology.

Sherilynn: I have the same Brizo faucet and haven't had it installed yet or have the fabricator cut out the hole for the faucet in the sink. I never thought about the ability to use that faucet and I would have died after I spent that much money on a faucet and couldn't use it. Thank you very much for that tip! Also, in another of my post about corbells, you posted a picture of the tile and backsplash behind your range or stove. I just love that design of the birds in the nest. Where did you find that? And if you don't mind, I was thinking of using that in my kitchen to warm things up a bit.

Daki: Your granite was my 2nd choice! I just love your granite. Thank you for posting a picture of your granite backsplash behing the stove. It helps me tremendously to see how it looks.

Weissman: The granite tiles are a great idea. I will look into that as well.

Thank you all very much. I have a meeting today with my KD. But I think what I need to focus on is making sure the kitchen is me. All of your ideas are great for me to sort thru and figure out which ones will work and reflect more of my taste. Thanks again!

Karen