When you say $42/tile...what size is the tile?

24"x24" I should have said "panel" not tile

I was going to suggest a website with a more reasonable cost if it was per tile. But it looks like it's not that different. But in case you are interested...here is the link. I was considering this for my kitchen at one time but decided to do a simple 4" subway tile backsplash.

Here is a link that might be useful: American Tin Ceilings

Even more inexpensive is what I had done in our last kitchen in the "old" kitchen. I had found paintable wallpaper, the pattern looked just like cottonpenny's above. I ran the roll horizontallay along the back splash. Painted it with copper metalic paint. Then gave it a coat of sealer. It held up like a champ, could wash it. And I am not kidding you everybody thought it was really tin.

I passed the leftovers along to a friend with a jar of silver metallic paint I had left over from another project. Hers came out great too, and it looks like tin.

I thought these tiles were absolutely gorgeous. I'm trying to figure out a way to use them in my house, they're so pretty. Definitely not the expense you've been looking at.

Here is a link that might be useful: Decorative Ceiling Tiles .net

I had a similar backsplash in my old kitchen. It was easy to install.

Flea Market Trixie also used the wallpaper to great effect, only hers is plain white:

Here is a link that might be useful: flea market trixie's kitchen

HI all-thanks for your comments/suggestions
itsallaboutfood-that is the company I am considering. I like the white washed silver so I was thinking I could buy the antique silver prime it and paint it the same color as the cabinets(I have acrylic "soft white" paint from Shiloh)then distress it to let the silver show through. It would be significantly less expensive, about $15(24"x24") compared to $38.
cottonpenney--that BS looks great. Aren't you the poster who loves "plain English" kitchens ?(I do too)If you are I am happy to see your electric kettle. I put in an outlet near the sink just so I can get one for my sweetheart who drinks many cups of tea...
CEfreeman--those tiles are nice. I would use the tin(instead of styrofoam) myself. I just think it would hold up better. I contemplated a tin ceiling also. I may still put one up but want to sit back and think about for awhile...
Beekeeper-your idea was nice looking(& creative) too.
Mrs.Shayne--that looks really good and I think your new kitchen looks even better(the granite you picked is nice & unusual)
writersblock--that wallpaper is beautiful. Do you think it would be a problem to remove if I wanted a change ?
thanks again for posting all the photos--it's great to get ideas.

No, I don't think it would be a problem. It's just lowes textured wallpaper--very easy to work with. I've used the beadboard pattern in the past and it's quite easy to remove.

mine was the same as writerblock showed, but with paint. It removed without any trouble, Just like regular wallpaper, just size the wall first.

Sorry, I guess I should have been clearer. Hers is also painted, but painted the same white as her kitchen walls--she was planning to go turquoise for the walls but liked the way the primer looked so went with white instead.

Sorry for the double post. Meant to say I would paint it for sure--it gives it a more resistant surface, even if you do stay with something that looks like the unpainted paper.