yep that's my kitchen. Sorry it's not in your budget, but gpraceman does have a good idea about granite tiles. I have seen these used in place of granite slabs for the counter, when a budget dictated it. "To Me", they did not look that bad. I had to redo the area of the granite where the cook top is, due to a bad choice I made about cooktops, a 36" semi-circle Caldera. It died in about a year and the company went broke, so I had to replace it with a rectangular induction cooktop, Hence the granite rework. Well I could find Granite remnants (Arandis Gold) for next to nothing, (I paid about $75 for a little less than a half slab. So you may be able to do that too, and then have it cut to sizes you want for the tile, myself, the bigger the better, and the less grout lines. Thanks for your kind words about my kitchen, it is pretty unique, and as we tell folks here, Do what makes you happy, after all, it's your kitchen. For those of you that do like tiles and grout, that's great, as long as it's what you want, and you're not following others or doing what you "Think", might help sell the house later. Gary

I am planning a small kitchen going in this summer and am having the same debate. For cleanliness, I struggle with no backsplash whatsoever. We slop around too much or someone spills and I am always wiping the countertops back to the backsplash. My painted walls would not hold up. You have a better chance of getting away with it with your prep area and sink on the island. I am going with Cambria and what I like about them is they offer a thin backsplash. I am seriously considering the thin Cambria behind the range and 4" up all the way around. I like the look of the thin backsplashes vs the chunky ones that come with granite. If I do decide to tile it is going to be a simple solid, probably small brick pattern that highlights one of the colors in my Cambria. Palimpsest - interesting idea back painting glass especially behind the range. How did you attach it to the wall?

I'm not too clear on your details, but it is my understanding that only exposed edges are polished. I would guess that the granite edge that is against the wall is not polished and that is normal. The bigger question is whether or not your counter was scribed to the wall so that there is a tight enough fit so that any backsplash you eventually choose will cover the union of the counter and the wall. I don't think it would be a big deal for a fabricator to remove a 4" splash. It's what is behind it that is the question.

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 :)