It's called an "Accent Wall" and in some decors, it works. http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Accent%20walls has a good discussion of them

If you think that you can't get leverage with the long paint pole, then that is a sign that you are pressing too hard with the roller. You should be able to load up the roller sleeve and roll without pressing much at all...the loaded roller sleeve should do all the work for you. If you want to carry the paint up the ladder with you, then what you need is a bucket with a grid and a bucket hook. The hook enables you to attach the bucket to the side of the ladder while you are up there and then you can roll from the bucket using the grid. You should only put less than a gallon of paint in the bucket though because more may make the bucket too heavy to carry up and hook onto a rung of the ladder. There are some multi-matic type ladder out there that you can place on stairs but most times you should be able to reach with just small extension ladders.

oops, hit enter too soon. I almost would like to get all new though because I have to buy a new microhood and want to get all the same and don't know if I want white. DH had mentioned replacing them one at a time but I don't think I want to do that because of the microhood (and because when I get this kitchen done, I want to be done because there are lots of other projects we need to do!)

Thanks, weed. I was curious because the Tropic Brown in your pic looks very similar to the granite we first picked out and ordered (forget the name but it wasn't Tropic Brown), but then they told us it was no longer available. When DH first saw it, he said, "Now THAT'S granite!" It just looked more granite-y, if that makes sense. While I love all the granites, including the swirly ones and the ones with movement, I imagine our original pick would've been a lot more impervious to absorption. But I haven't had any problem with the SC Gold and I love it too. I guess it's not a true granite, maybe a gneiss or something.