In our PR, we had a BS installed behind the faucet but no "side splash". I like it much better than the old PR w/the side splash. I'd say if there's a water source very nearby that will be used often, then a side splash is probably a good idea. However, if there is none, then I would prefer it w/o the side splash...yes, personal preference (there are a lot of personal preference questions on the Forum today!) I don't have a good picture of the side splash in our old PR, but here's the remodeled PR sink (before painting, etc.):

Hi there, I have granite with a 4" backsplash of granite and tile above. I like the look but recently changed out my granite and will be going with matte white subway tiles above the 4" backsplash. I think it looks nice and its easier to clean than just the paint. I guess its a matter of taste but I disagree that tiling above makes it look like you couldn't afford the granite to do it all. My counters are a honed jet mist and I simply didn't want that much dark gray/black on the walls. Just a little to even it out and then white above. Again, matter of taste :)

Hi everyone, Thanks for checking in. I decided to live with my kitchen for a little while. I finally placed my tile order last week. I decided to go with a plain matte finish tile. Too many windows adjacent to the kitchen so I was concerned about the glare bouncing off of the granite and the backsplash. So, that being said, I ordered Ann Sacks elements 3 x 8 (a little variation on the standard subway tile) in the "warm candle white" matte finish. The sales person in the store recommended the antique white grout and the tiles need to be sealed before and after grouting with a product called pourous plus. The downside is the tiles take about 6 - 8 weeks to come in (I swore I would never wait that long) and the frieght charges were very high. I figured I waited this long what's a "few" more weeks. The only concern I do have is cooking without a tile backsplash. I dont fry much but the other night I stir fried and some of the oil splatterd onto the backboard. I scrubbed it down afterwards and hoping when I finally do install the tiles this will not give me a problem later on (i.e. mold, bacteria, who knows?). So my advice to anyone waiting for a backsplash but still cooking is to put a piece of tinfoil behind the stove. I wish I had done this before but didn't think about it until the problem arose. I will start a separate thread on this to give people the heads up. In the meantime, I purchased curtains and am looking into purchasing a light honey colored or natural oak dining room set. I would like to get something that contrasts the cherry cabinet and easily "melds" with the natural oak floors (so, if anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears). I also found a very nice paint color for the dining area...its called "Mascarpone"...it is part of the Benjamin Moore Pottery Barn collection and it looks very nice. So, I'm excited, everything is coming together little by little. I will definately post photos when it's all completed. In the meantime, I really thank everyone for their suggestions, support and for posting photographs. It helped me arrive at my decisions. All of the backsplashes you folks have posted came out great! Thanks for sharing them. I'll write soon, everyone please do the same. Sincerely, Melanie1121

Hi Helene, my kitchen is only 11' 4" wide, so I couldn't fit in an island. I kept the peninsula for the added workspace and storage, but removed the larger overhang and stools that we used to have. That gave me more room on the table side for a larger table. I also added the wood hutch piece for more counter space and storage to make up for not having an island. I struggled with where to put the microwave as I didn't want to put it over the range. I decided to put it in an upper microwave cabinet to the right side of the refrigerator. That's the one cabinet I had to have replaced which is why I don't have a picture of it. The microwave that I bought is the GE Spacemaker that you can use countertop or hang under a 12" cabinet. I'm putting it on a shelf. Once the cabinet is installed I'll post pictures of it. Good luck with your kitchen!