sweet_home,
I'm not very familiar with granite colors, but one of my "inspiration kitchens" does show a marble countertop and backsplash, but the backsplash isn't wall to wall solid marble. Instead, the range and sink each have rectangular marble backsplashes that are basically the same width as each of them, and these large, marble rectangles, if you will, have a nice edge and are surrounded by complimentary subway tile. It looks beautiful. If you haven't seen this technique or would like a pic, I can try to send. Good luck!

Hi Carolinesmom, It would be great if you can post that pic. Thanks!

Having a full backsplash in that stone would be pretty busy and pretty dark. Is your kitchen large and blessed with lots of natural light? If you want a full backsplash perhaps something more unified would be nice. I think I like the idea of a lighter tile backsplash if you stay with Cafe De Amazonia.

Ok, I don't know how to post pics, but here's a link. You can click on the pic to enlarge and then enlarge again. Hopefully you can see what I'm talking about.

Here is a link that might be useful: link w nice backsplash

I have a blue pearl granite counter and matching blue pearl backsplash (in my case I went with tile for the backsplash). Blue pearl is fairly dark but I personally really like the look. You can see pictures on my homepage or on the Finished Kitchens Blog.

Is the "same color" b/c your DH is just thinking that if you have a granite countertop & granite BS they should be the same? Or, would he be open to 2 different granites...the darker one on the counter and a lighter, calmer one on the wall? Neither have to be tile...just find 2 granites that you like together and get the needed slabs for each.

One thing to consider is that if you are in a region that does 3cm granite as a rule consider asking about 2cm or other way to reduce the thickness for the BS.

I'm not sure how dark that granite is. From one picture on the web, it looked kind of medium colored. We have a fairly dark granite backsplash and really like it. Our cabinets are natural cherry so they aren't dark. We really like it and we don't find that it makes the kitchen dark. It is less than 18" of the 8' wall height.

We did it partly for easy maintenance (no grout), partly because we really like our granite and this features it more, and partly because we liked the continuity. We also used the granite for the window sill and the pass through shelf outside the kitchen (this picture has the temporary black wallplate, I don't have one taken showing the shelf taken after we put in the granite wallplate covers):

Thanks everyone for your valuable feedback and pics! Really appreciate it. Will discuss the suggestions you gave me with my DH and then decide.

fwiw, i LOVE the look of a full granite backsplash. It seems to me that it highlights the movement/beauty in the granite. I would definitely use the same granite for countertops and backsplash though (if i read your question correctly that wasn't necessarily a given).

b

Here is an example of granite backsplash that I thought was very well done.