I don't think we can tell you. The method used to lay the tile varies and your tiles can be more stuck than mine were. Sometimes, its construction adhesive, sometimes thinset or "mud" - a very thick layer of mortar. Sometimes, the plaster is in great condition and sometimes not-so-much. My experiences run from the PO's bathroom floor tile which can up with a roofing shovel and didn't even injure the plywood subfloor vs. another small floor that was a mud job that I needed to beat to death with a hammer. At least it was a replacement mud job. Mud jobs run from 1/2" to 3 inches thick. You should be prepared to lose the entire thing. Having said that - trying to remove some is the only way to know. Do something like rent or borrow a dremel type tool with the masonry bit and dig out the grout around a tile or too. Get a stiff bladed drywall knife and work it behind the tile and pop. Good luck!

Thanks for the ideas and pics remodelfla and jb1176. I took a look at Lisa's oatmeal tile and subway backsplashes, and really thought they both looked beautiful in her home. I've actually been leaning towards using a plain white subway, but I believe my husband would like some color in the mix. I also really like (but not sure these would look good in my kitchen): ljsandler's diamond backsplash... meg's subway tile... Would a white subway or diamond tile work in my kitchen? I don't have as fancy a kitchen as Lisa, LJSandler or Meg. I'm still open to color, but I've visited a few tile stores and am having a heck of a time finding a tile that really picks up a color in the granite. There are so many beautiful stone tiles that just look too gold/yellow to suit this granite. Sigh, this little decision seems to be consuming so much of my time lately.

With a granite backsplash, you'll still have a seam so it defeats the purpose stated by that granite guy. Only time I see tile over a 3" granite backsplash is when they are done at different times (change in homeowners or you decide to add tile in the future). Most people getting new counters will just tile from the counter up.

I am not a fan of adding tile when there is a four inch BS. You can google kitchens and show your husband that it is not on trend right now. There might be meaningless, but maybe he will understand that you want to update a bit. I would remove the four inch and yes wrap the BS around to the fridge wall. I would not do a feature wall. Just tile under the cabinets. If your husband is not in agreement, I would then leave it as is. You have a lovely kitchen. Your husband "did good."