Thank you all for your responses! The plan is to tile the wall from border to the floor. Tile installer said it will be easier to do that than to make cuts to fit tile around vanity. I am using marble look alike ceramic tile, so it will not cost much to do just that. I have spent a lot of time on Houzz and it is where I came with idea to do tile backsplash instead of quartz. My struggle with going all way to the corner is that I will have to finish edge off somehow and it will look different than edge by the door which will be hidden by door frame and not require any trim. Another option is to tile the central wall all way to the ceiling. Drywall will have to be removed anyway. I have a giant mirror glued to it. So I am trying to picture the entire wall of polished tile, big framed mirror and 2 crystal pendants hanging from the ceiling. Is it too much? Crystal pendants came to the picture an hour ago when I was browsing lighting fixtures store. Originally I was going to do sconces on both sides of mirror and talked myself into downsizing mirror to leave 3-4 inches on each side of the sconce. But with pendants I will not need as much room on sides. And thank you for not criticizing me for putting 48 inch vanity into 60 inch alcove. I really love the look. Also inspired by Houzz...

I love my tall mirrored medicine cabinets - 37 inches tall but didn't think about the need to reach high to wipe/clean. Guess this doesn't need to be done as frequently as the bottom part of the mirror, but still in our next bath remodel, I'm getting cabinets that aren't so tall. I have to get on a step ladder to clean now. As far as the backsplash, I've seen many on houzz.com without a backsplash. I like the look. What about using some vinyl/waterproof wall paper of a neutral pattern? Also, regarding the mirror being installed low, ours got water between the glass and the silver. Takes as much to repair as it did to buy the thing and it was an expensive medicine cabinet. I've learned from the glass people that there is a spray you can use to keep water from working it's way into the silver and messing it up on a frameless mirror. I think I just got a bad cabinet. I suspect most cabinets come already sprayed around the edges but can't hurt to ask.

I would love a gold/amber glass so I am sad your husband nixed it. I would prefer a higher than 5" matching splash with a cap. I also think there are some interesting ways to use the matching granite and not be tied to standard 5" Cant remember if you can use your glass sink as a vessel? [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/gomulka-residence-traditional-powder-room-atlanta-phvw-vp~64783) [Traditional Powder Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-powder-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_713~s_2107) by Atlanta Architects & Building Designers Frederick + Frederick Architects Here's using a thick cap as a narrow ledge/shelf: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/seeley-master-bath-b-traditional-bathroom-chicago-phvw-vp~214118) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Michael Abrams Limited Higher, with interesting edge detail: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/lake-michigan-retreat-traditional-bathroom-new-york-phvw-vp~405723) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Shane D. Inman Cutting the stone into a deliberate shape: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/powder-room-rustic-powder-room-los-angeles-phvw-vp~298247) [Rustic Powder Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/rustic-powder-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_713~s_2111) by Encino Interior Designers & Decorators Dayna Katlin Interiors [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/vanity-top-with-vessel-sink-eclectic-bathroom-new-york-phvw-vp~91290) [Eclectic Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2104) by Norwalk Tile, Stone & Countertops Casatelli Marble [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/relaxation-traditional-bathroom-columbus-phvw-vp~123710) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Los Angeles Kitchen & Bath Designers Jenny Campbell Love how this cut, nestles the mirror [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/master-bath-remodel-traditional-bathroom-houston-phvw-vp~116549) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by The Woodlands Interior Designers & Decorators Carla Aston : Interior Designer With a busy granite, like yours [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/catamount-ranch-traditional-bathroom-denver-phvw-vp~2295120) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Steamboat Springs General Contractors Amaron Folkestad GC Steamboats Builder

Ack, sorry again for my very delayed reply. As usual, LIFE got in the way - how annoying! ;) rebunky: I was so disappointed by how pricey the Calacatta tiles were that I didn't even want to take photos of them! Wow - I didn't know that $20/sq ft was on the low end for Calacatta. I think that nixes it for me then. :( namarie: I know your kitchen so well! ;) I didn't realize your tiles were Calacatta Gold - I always thought that CG had more brown tones than grey? I did some Googling and I see lots of tiles with the same colours as your tiles so it looks like I assumed wrong! I think your choice to do tile with very narrow grout lines makes for a nearly-slab-like look! I'd love to get the slab look too but it is WAY too pricey, and I wonder how the heck to remove a slab BS should I ever tire of it?? Kitchen Magic: I did really like the look of some mini bricks I saw at the tile stores I visited. I like how the ones like in your photo have muted colours so it gives me a multi coloured backsplash without being too busy. cpartist: how gorgeous are those cement tiles?? I've never seen cement tiles before and it looks like the design possibilities are endless, if you get them with some graphic design printed on. smm5525: Good idea. I will do that instead of dragging all of you along with me as I think aloud!! Sorry for that... I just really love to see all the different ideas you all share! mayflowers: Hmm... I agree that I can't have both the BS and the counters look busy. The London Grey is staying so I think I'll be going with a solid BS for most of the kitchen... but I'll still consider putting in a more "busy" mosaic tile somewhere, most likely in the hutch area. :) barncatz: I agree - I love the tiles everyone's shared! It helps me figure out and narrow down what I want for my BS tile.