I think if the walls are tiled, you shouldn't have an additional backsplash, but it's really a matter of personal preference. The only thing is that eventually -- and when I say eventually, I mean, we're talking YEARS -- you will have to re-caulk that joint where the back of the countertop meets the wall tile. This is simply to ensure that water doesn't start seeping into that joint when the caulk eventually dries out. But that little, teeny, tiny, miniscule maintenance issue is not, in my opinion, a reason to sway you one way or the other. I personally didn't want the extra backsplash, and I blissfully enjoyed my vanity configuration for 4 years (until I moved!) without once needing to perform any maintenance work on that joint.

If this helps, (and this pic is when we were still working on the kitchen, but it's the only one I have on the computer right now), this is our kitchen. The original cabinets were a light oak (I disliked them a lot!)I painted the cabinets and was worried about the grain showing through. I sanded and primed, and re-sanded and put two coats on, and can't see wood grain. In the pic though, the cabinets facing you still needed another coat of paint! We went with Fiesta Gold granite--but it looks exactly like New Venetian Gold. The fabricators change names sometimes from what I understand. As I was trying to explain above--I personally like white with darker floors. But you mentioned that you are planning to replace the floors. For what it's worth, painting wasn't bad. :) And we've got two kids and a dog running around! Again--bear in mind that this isn't a completed kitchen. No backsplash, pendant lights, bar stools, etc...but it will give you an idea maybe. Here's the granite if it helps at all:

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, we splurged a bit on this stone and won't regret it a bit. The material cost was under $4K, which is quite a bit for a small-ish kitchen, but heck, we're spending over $3K for a gosh darn hood. After the final slab layout was complete, we realized we had enough material for a 6 ft by 13'' shelf that will replace a wooden shelf that sits below and just outside our kitchen window - to the eye that will extend the counter top while you are standing at the sink. Our granite contractor was so excited, he suggested we make some buttons or 4'' x 4'' tiles out of the remnants to incorporate into our backsplash. Our GC thinks he would do so at no additional charge, or a very moderate charge. As I mentioned above, we've chosen a walnut stain with a dark brown glaze to add contrast and depth. Dark enough to be rich, but not so dark to hide the wood grain. We looked at samples with red and orange tones, and it seemed to compete with the granite too much, and they did not go so well with the dark burgandy-like colors in the stone. The more neutral walnut help set it off quite nicely, where the granite is lighter colored and where it is darker colored. We have not met with the tile guy yet, but after a conversation with our GC, he suggested something along the lines of a light colored (cream?) honed marble tile with deep burgundy accents. Perhaps a bottom row or two of 4''x4'' tiles set horizontally, then an accent color trim, then 4'' x 4'' tiles set on the diagonal above the trim, with accent colored buttons (either granite buttons or tile buttons the same color as the accent trim, or both). I'm liking that idea, but we'll wait until we see the cabinet finish take shape. Gosh this is fun! I took a chocolate desert cooking workshop a week ago...I need my kitchen back! Jon

You might want to consider a tumbled marble. We found a perfect match for our granite. We also choose some complimentery inserts. There is a wide selection of beautiful tumbled marble to choose from that will give you that warmth/natural look your after. Good Luck!