I have a similar problem--window wall that has upper cupboard walls on either side. We tried drawing tiles on wall and using paint to experience different heights for tile backsplash when we were drywalling. I think we've decided to go minimal with a 3" marble trim piece for the backsplash and just put as much paint as possible around the windows. I may go without much of a backsplash on the adjoining walls also. The windows are more important to me than the two bookending walls. But, unlike you, I have a countertop bumpout into the room for 3 more inches of sink splashing. I will have plain top-down&bottom-up honeycomb shades for gentle light and privacy and west sun control (think summer) and lined, printed roman shades for insulation and aesthetic and psych reasons (think winter). Layering the latter over the former, I'll be able to make combos of the two for heat/cold control. Last winter when I was doing the planning, I found a number of photos that showed various heights of backsplash tile surrounding windows. You need to do some digging but they're out there. Try the Finished Kitchen Blog-- it will take a couple weeks to look and think about all of them-- but also look at the websites for some of the kitchen mags, etc.

I really hate to say this, but the majority of us are from the USA and we don't "think" in metric. I suspect the metric measurements are keeping people from commenting. I'm not saying you have to re-post with "English system" measurements (feet/inches), but it may limit your responses. If this helps you and others: 18mm = 0.71" 30mm = 1.18" 350mm = 13.78" 450mm = 17.72" 600mm = 23.62" 850mm = 33.46" 900mm = 35.43" 965mm = 37.99" 1000mm = 39.37" 1199mm = 47.20" 1260mm = 49.61" 1400mm = 55.12" 1836mm = 72.28" 2350mm = 95.52" 3298mm = 129.84" 3700mm = 145.67" In general: # mm / 25.4 = # inches . Keep in mind that normal Kitchen workflow is: Refrigerator ==> Sink for cleaning/rinsing food ==> Prep Workspace ==> Range/Cooktop --or-- Refrigerator ==> Prep Zone ==> Cooking Zone Your Kitchen should be planned so you follow this workflow without criss-crossing back and forth. There are also minimum recommendations for things like seating overhang, aisle widths, etc. Minimum recommendations for counter-height Seating: Seating overhang -- 15" (381mm) for short to average height people Linear space per seat -- 24" (609.6mm) for average people Note that two people may not share a corner since their legs cannot occupy the same space Minimum recommendations for Aisle Widths: One-person work aisle -- 42" (1066.8mm) Two or more people work aisle -- 48" (1219.2mm) Between island seating and table seating -- 54" (1371.6mm) [60" (1524mm) is better] Note that aisle widths are measured to/from the items that stick out into the aisle the farthest -- appliance handles, counter overhangs, etc. They are not measured to/from cabinet boxes. Cabinet box depths do not account for doors or counter overhangs. Most counters overhang the fronts of cabinets by approx 1.5" (38.1mm) to protect doors/drawer fronts and the insides of cabinets from spills (the extended counter overhang forces spills to fall in front of the cabinets/doors/drawers and straight down to the floor). Walkway -- 36" (914.4mm) -- no work counters, appliances, seating, etc., on the aisle. Minimum recommendations for Workspace: Prep Workspace -- 36" (914.4mm) with 42" (1066.8mm) or more even better. This is the usually the space b/w the range and sink as that's the most useful place for prepping. It could also be in an island across from the range IF the island has a water source (e.g., prep sink). Prep Sink -- 12" (304.8mm) on one side and 36" (914.4mm) to 42" (1066.8mm) or more on the other side. The larger is for the actual prep workspace. (see above) Only sink -- 24" (609.6mm) on the Cleanup Zone side of the sink (side with DW) and 36" (914.4mm) to 42" (1066.8mm) or more on the Prep Zone side (the side b/w the range and sink and no DW) This is your prep workspace. (see above) Minimum recommendations for Landing Space: Cleanup/Prep Sink Landing Area -- At least a 24" (609.6mm) landing area to one side of the sink and at least and 18" (457.2mm) landing area on the other side. This is not workspace, it's landing area. For workspace, see above Refrigerator Landing Area -- At least 15" (381mm) of landing area on the handle side of the refrigerator or no more than 48" (1219.2mm) across from the front of the refrigerator Cooking Surface Landing/Emergency Landing space and Safety buffer -- At least 24" (609.6mm) on each side. If on an island, 24" (609.6mm) behind if there's seating behind the range/cooktop or 18" (457.2mm) if no seating.

My guess is that they were possibly used to support potted plants. The reason they are at an angle is probably because the supports for the shelves are flimsy and, when you add the weight of the pots, the shelf will move down to a near-horizontal position. I know that might sound weird, but I've never seen something like that in 45 years of home ownership and remodeling, and I can't imagine they serve any critical purpose. In addition, they're obviously something cobbled together by a home handyman, they're rather unattractive, and I'd remove them if it were my house. I thought about party_music50's idea and agree that that is a possibility, too, but the way they are mounted means it's more likely to cause splashback against the window than serve a purpose of protecting the lower part of the house that is hidden behind that brick wall. I don't know what was in the mind of the person who installed those, but it's definitely goofy. :-)

I have a mirrored splash in my kitchen and I love it- mines not by my sink though... my kitchen is pretty modern, mirror doesn’t really say farmhouse to me?