Thanks for all the comments. I will post final BS pics Monday after they clean up the tiles and finish, caulk, etc. I like seeing threads with updates and resolutions, so I try to follow through with things. I'm going to give it a chance. It's all sparkly and patterned, with several interruptions from obstacles. It may be ok. If it gets redone, definitely going to fix the short wall start point too. Even if it's a more subtle effect of making the room look "off" or like it was a DIY gone wrong, it will go. I am not trying to make the room look "expensive", but it should look well done for what it cost (not nearly what the many gorgeous rooms here cost, but for our area and income it was a significant outlay!). 1Littleladybug, the color is PPG Montego Bay. We don't have a lot of wall space, so it works well for us. I'm almost finished, then I can post a reveal. More pics in the link below. Eam44, thanks for the Masonite board tip. I may need it! Gpraceman, I'm very interested to see how many of my friends and family notice when they come over to break it in! I might have to post a tally board. Thanks, jams! kaysd, I'm that type also. That's part of the reason I haven't tried knitting or crochet, and will on rare occasions when feeling crafty break out some plastic canvas. The plastic is easier to keep even. Legallin, the tile is from builderelements.com. It's PEM0056. I was surprised that it didnt look as white as the web pic even though the sample looks white. But then placing the sample on the sheets it matches perfectly. And the sheets do look white from just a foot or two away. It's an odd effect! Be sure to use the discount roulette thing if you buy there, saved me another 8%! You should allow some extra time when ordering, it can take 10 days to make the sheets if they are not in stock, then shipping on top of that. I wasn't keen on brick shapes for some reason, but I couldn't figure out how grout less tiles worked so I skipped them. Very intriguing though! Post some pics! Thanks, sixtyohno. I haven't had to compromise on much, thankfully. I guess time will tell with this one. I soooo wanted a piña colada tonight after stressing about this for two days, but I have to go get our take out :-(. I've been thinking about one all week after checking a liquid Rx that smelled like piña colada! (Knowing what it was, it probably tasted horrible though) Here is a link that might be useful: Williamsem progress photo album

Whew! Busy weekend and not much computer time left over so I could reply back to all the replies. Wow, thank you all!! I am afraid that I don't have the greatest outlook right now. I talked to the fabricator this morning. He is still pretty certain the granite bench piece is not going to come out in a manner that will allow it to be reused. UGH! Hopefully after a job they are on now they will have time to stop by tonight and take a look and do some measurements. I don't want to think about the alternative. :*( Angie_DIY- Wow, you have been through the ringer as well with trying to decide the best option for you and your kitchen. I agree with the thought to get what YOU like. I wish I had spent more time making a decision the first time around. I saw a backsplash in Bedrosian's when I first chose my granite about 4 months before it was put in. It was in a mock kitchen with the same granite as mine and a similar backsplash. I thought I scored when I saw that and all my choice was made. Didn't even dawn on me that the cabinets were cream vs. my dark stain, etc., and that things might not look the same. ;-/ drbeanie2000- and if they did mention it they shouldn't be offended by your obvious eye roll because they deserved it! LOL breezygirl- are you going to do a backsplash in the rest of your kitchen? For some reason I thought I read here that you intended not to. I think it looks gorgeous without. Very clean and streamlined. I have pondered over your kitchen many times in the last six months. I love the drawings on the wall...so precious. ;) And yes, I will certainly consider a 4" backsplash vs. a 6". I love the look of a 2" however with two messy male teenagers in the kitchen at all hours of the day I think that 2" wouldn't be enough of a shield to their messes. Another reason that white cabinets weren't an option. I spend enough time wiping fingerprints off the wall, doors and light switches. Who knew basketballs could be so dirty? O_o ellendi - thanks for thinking of me. :) What would you do instead if you had a chance to do it over? I know you feel that your granite is a bit dark but what your hubby preferred, is this correct? Would you even entertain using the Rixi again yet with a different granite...? Would you go with a lighter GO granite or something different? Just curious. kailuamom- what a lovely and spacious kitchen! Your granite looks similar to mine - what is it called? IowaCommute- welllllll we're not so sure it will be able to come up. My fingers are crossed...and my toes. Where are you in the process of your kitchen and counters? hags00 - the spot factor on a more solid color of granite or quartz was an absolute concern for me as well. Prior to the island we had a table with a glass top. For five years I windexed that thing several times a day. It's such a blessing when the waterspots, etc., can remain hidden somewhat and only need to be cleaned once a day! iroll- spills going down the back of the cabinets is a very valid concern! So interesting that they tiled the walls but not the backsplash. Trends sure do change. What we have right now along the bottom 3 inches is a non-grouted round faced onyx mosaic. I am constantly wiping crumbs that get caught in 'valley' areas where the curve of each tile meets. Not to mention one wine glass spill and down the back of the cabinets it will go. I need to figure this whole thing out sooner than later....

Hey a2, thanks for continuing to be a fan of my kitchen. Emajination, love your granite and love the mosaic too. Mosaics don't get a lot of love on this forum. It seems that the majority of GWers think that mosaics are too busy and/ or that they will look dated. There would be nothing wrong with doing something simple, plain, and neutral but if it doesn't make your heart sing then you may want to just go with what does. As a2gemini mentioned above, I have a mosaic behind my cooktop. It is a mix of glass, stone and stainless. While my countertop does not have flowing veins in it, it does have lots of splotches of blue/green, black and gold in it. I opted to put the mosaic just behind the cooktop and vent hood all the way to the ceiling. I wanted it to be a focal point in my kitchen. I thought that having the mosaic between the rest of my countertop and cabinet areas would be too much of a good thing. My sink is in my island (another thing frowned upon by many GWers), so no need for a backsplash there. I think that the mosaic you have would look great behind your range and hood but would be mosaic overload if you put it everywhere. If you think you need protection behind your sink maybe could you get another piece of you granite to put in the location. I would make it just the width of the window and have it go up to the window trim. If you can't get more granite maybe you could use a piece of clear glass or back painted glass in that area. Can't wait to see what you decide to do. In the meantime here is a shot of my mosaic.

Autumn, I think both of your options would look great! Did you see this reveal thread by toddimt where he did a herringbone framed bs area? (I have never posted a link so hope this works) http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2932005/kitchen-house-reveal-diy-with-scherrs-rta-better-late-then-never?n=55 He graciously posted step by step instructions with pictures on how he accomplished this. I loved it! My DH said he would probably do it a little different with ours. (something about tiling the board first flat, leaving out a few tiles where he'd screw it to wall?) I will let him figure that out. :) I just thought you might like to check it out. Todd did such a great job explaining it so that someone DIYing could easily follow the process. Your awesome that you can tile girl! I definately understand how herringbone would be harder then a brick pattern. Do you think it is only due to the extra care it takes to plan it out and the extra cuts? I'm just wondering if there is something else in particular about installing this pattern that makes it advisable to only use a professional if you want it to look right? I know you want your gorgeous tile to be perfect, so that's why I would want to know the potential problems. But in my uninformed mind anyways, I don't see why you couldn't do a great job if you take it super-duper slow. I think Todd said it took him like 3 weeks! However, I think it was those little glass mosaic tiles that were the lil' buggah's on his project.