High gloss enamel over thin steel. Like the old fashioned plain steel backsplashes that used to be done here that you could buy with white on one side and black on the other and that you can probably still find at a box store. Any steel roofing or building supplier can get you the steel and any autobody paint shop can custom tint the paint to match. The tone on tone look is achieved by the different gloss levels of the same tint. It's a popular European look and you can even buy decorative thin steel backsplash panels at Ikea.

I would love a gold/amber glass so I am sad your husband nixed it. I would prefer a higher than 5" matching splash with a cap. I also think there are some interesting ways to use the matching granite and not be tied to standard 5" Cant remember if you can use your glass sink as a vessel? [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/gomulka-residence-traditional-powder-room-atlanta-phvw-vp~64783) [Traditional Powder Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-powder-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_713~s_2107) by Atlanta Architects & Building Designers Frederick + Frederick Architects Here's using a thick cap as a narrow ledge/shelf: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/seeley-master-bath-b-traditional-bathroom-chicago-phvw-vp~214118) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Michael Abrams Limited Higher, with interesting edge detail: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/lake-michigan-retreat-traditional-bathroom-new-york-phvw-vp~405723) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Shane D. Inman Cutting the stone into a deliberate shape: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/powder-room-rustic-powder-room-los-angeles-phvw-vp~298247) [Rustic Powder Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/rustic-powder-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_713~s_2111) by Encino Interior Designers & Decorators Dayna Katlin Interiors [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/vanity-top-with-vessel-sink-eclectic-bathroom-new-york-phvw-vp~91290) [Eclectic Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2104) by Norwalk Tile, Stone & Countertops Casatelli Marble [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/relaxation-traditional-bathroom-columbus-phvw-vp~123710) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Los Angeles Kitchen & Bath Designers Jenny Campbell Love how this cut, nestles the mirror [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/master-bath-remodel-traditional-bathroom-houston-phvw-vp~116549) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by The Woodlands Interior Designers & Decorators Carla Aston : Interior Designer With a busy granite, like yours [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/catamount-ranch-traditional-bathroom-denver-phvw-vp~2295120) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Steamboat Springs General Contractors Amaron Folkestad GC Steamboats Builder

I have to laugh when I hear of anyone that says that back splashes get greasy, nasty, grout lines gross, and so on... ALL that I can restate time and time again is the OBVIOUS: the person responsible for cleaning the kitchen doesn't or does not know how to clean. Period. If someone fries a lot and does not clean then WHAT do you THINK any kitchen would look like? It's just utterly ridiculous. The majority of people on this web site probably are the upper echelon of fanatics on kitchen cleanliness and appreciate a beautiful kitchen. And we do know what it takes to maintain a clean kitchen. Some people just do not. And I'm with everyone else: if someone is trying to steer you into a direction that you don't want to go in, then don't go with them! I'd be thankful that they gave you a clear forewarning of your imminent unhappiness to come if you hire them to do a specific job they had no confidence in performing. Some wonderful building talent out there just don't come out and say, "I'm not good at...(whatever), so you would be better off hiring so and so."

Have to agree with the above - it looks on my monitor that all of the backsplash tiles read green/blue and the countertop reads grey/brown and none of them seem to work together. The fireclay tiles posted by eam44 would look to be a much better match. I disagree above that you need some kind of focal point. I think it's a smallish kitchen and has lovely pendants, and windows and island and a bold backsplash is just competing with that. Keep it simple! In fact, i was the above writer who earlier said they pretty much always dislike the inset backsplash and i think your current BS is a perfect example of how those insets rarely look good. Even when the underlying colors are similar, as yours are, there's just something "off" about them. I think the only exception is when they are using almost the same tile (like, carerra subway tile BS with a carerra herringbone pattern inset). I still think this is busier than i like, but isn't an eyesore as so many other insets are. I think this inset mistake is actually a good opportunity to replace the whole thing!