Lots of great ideas, thanks! My original plan for SS was that it would look simpler than tile, and easy to clean. But I'm reconsidering, since blending SS and tile might be too much. jodi- I agree with you about 1:3 rations being better, but the heights I posted were based on the cabinet level and the hood. pllog- funky-artsy is definitely ok, as long as it isn't "too much." I was thinking about some irregular tile border- tendrils, as you said- but I got lost after the initial idea when I tried to go from vague idea to concrete plan. pllog, sweeby, cindilou, sailaway- all of you voted at least to some degree positively for "#2" and I just want to make sure that were talking about the same thing- tile that goes up 18" along the whole wall, but then goes all the way up to the hood just behind the range. My BF will love that his idea, which I scoffed, got votes. :) But I have to admit, I was too quick to judge, and it might work, especially if I soften it and make it a bit more like #5, like sweeby said. sailaway, if I did #5, the angles would be symmetrical, or maybe they'd "stairstep" down rather than being a cut angle, but youre right, the tape is messy. vw- yes, it is a bit cost prohibitive, at least with the tiles I like so far :) chinchette- I do need some sort of wall protection, since I do cook alot, and I'm not always that neat and tidy. jillypie- I did briefly consider just doing a 4" of the countertop granite, but I was concerned that that would look odd with the other walls tiled. The countertops are a dark granite, and the backsplashing will be something relatively light, since other elements are dark (counters, floors) rosie- I have SS, copper and black pots/pans, and I think the rack will have the ones that I use most often, which will represent a little of each color. I'm really glad you guys got me thinking about this more. I'm going to try to plan it without SS for now, and see where that takes me!

Oh I don't know...some vertical glass would be really neat. Home depot has some great pricing on glas actually. As does overstock. Here is a link that might be useful: [vertical glass[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/woodside-residence-contemporary-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~45376)

That's going to be nice, Snarkyinla. I'm pretty sure if it were mine I'd go with painted drywall. Rather than carry a utilitarian kitchen look to the main living areas, it'd continue the more elegant living room look through to the kitchen. Especially since you're doing the 4" rise. Actually, I'm hardly unbiased. In my separate kitchen room I have only painted drywall above the counter (no riser), which I really like for its elegant simplicity--no jumping from one surface material to another to yet another, and I think this would work well for your space. I do know I definitely wouldn't end the tile as it is now. I just have never cared for the look of tile terminating willy-nilly instead of at some terminating feature. Plus, in this case the cabinets themselves continue on. Now, tiling the entire back wall with something gorgeous that was appropriate to your living room decor... If you ever wanted to do that someday, though, the wall would be ready for it.

Of these two options, I like the lighter one too BUT, BUT, BUT and you didn't ask for this, I think long narrow glass tiles might be too trendy for your kitchen. Are you totally opposed to 3x6 matte or crackle tile that so many people are doing (yes, I know, also trendy but they are a better match for a more traditional cabinet style and color.) Or doing something with a unique shape but all one color - maybe grey? As the photoshop renders show, this backsplash will be very, very busy. All this IMHO. I don't want to hurt feelings. Perhaps I am just being too influenced by a designer's color blog that I have be devouring lately. She posted about this exact thing (linked below) and also a great one about the undertones of beige - which are either yellow, pink or green - that is what Marcolo was getting at, not just are the related beiges. http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-everyone-should-know-about-beige.html (I might add, the photo used in this blog post is none other than GW's very own Beekeeperswife's kitchen.) Here is a link that might be useful: Trendy backsplash advice from designer Maria Killam