Update to the 6 & 10 Rule: It only applies when the 1/3 - 2/3 Rule of Cantilevering applies (1' can cantilever over 2' of cabinets). If your slab is 2 cm, you can have up to a 6" overhang without support. If your slab is 3 cm you can have up to a 10" overhang without support . If you are using a pony wall or cabinets with a depth of less than 2 times the depth of the overhang, then you need to provide support to equal at least 2/3 of the total depth of the countertop. . Thank you Joseph Corlett, LLC for the additional information!

Given your time frame and the expense of tile I don't think you should tile at all. Tile is a very personal choice and very expensive and no matter what you do you probably won't recoup the cost of tiling. Some on this forum have used a specialized paint in lieu of the backsplash and have been very pleased. I can't remember the brand or the technical details of the paint but Trailrunner sticks in my mind as someone who did this. Her kitchen is quite beautiful and she had no intention of ever tiling, if I remember correctly. My advice is to save yourself some money and just use paint. The eventual buyer will tile to their own taste if that is what they want but your tile choice won't enhance the resale value.

We do use the fireplace regularly. We're going to go with a slate slab (thank you everyone) that the contractor is going to try to recess. Even if it can't be recessed the only reason to walk into that area is to access the fireplace so hopefully it won't be too much of a problem. I've gone back and forth about wood in the kitchen because it would eliminate the problem with the fireplace hearth. But, the wood would blend much better with the rest of the house, especially since we entertain in the kitchen as much as in the living/dining room. I like the feeling of wood under my feet more than tile and the tile would also have to work with the slate entry. I could do slate throughout, but the cost is a bit much. Thank you everyone.

You have a lovely bungalow. As others have said, the stone is inappropriate for your house. In the short term, I'd focus on installing a period-appropriate front door -- the one shown by houssaon is perfect -- and repairing and painting the stucco. Any color in the Sherwin-Williams Arts and Crafts Historic Color Collection would be appropriate when you paint. You might check out the book Bungalow Colors: Exteriors for ideas. Down the road, if it's in the budget, I'd consider replacing the windows with Arts and Crafts style windows with true divided lites. I highly recommend the book Bungalow Details: Exterior to guide you in your efforts.