Learn from my mistakes. I put in a natural stone mosaic 7 years ago that had several different colored stones...all earth tones so it wasn't crazy, but was busy. At the time, we had plain cream formica counters, so it looked pretty good. This past January I put in Giallo Ornamentale granite, thinking that the backsplash would still work b/c all of the tones were the same. Boy, was I wrong! I now hate my backsplash and am tearing it out and redoing the whole thing this summer. There is just way too much going on and it really gets under my skin. This time around I am going for a crackled glazed subway tile. Everyone is different and has their own tastes and styles, but my mosaic and granite, even with the same color pallettes, just didn't work. Good luck!!

I'm not sure how I came across this post, I think it was displayed on the right side and I clicked on it being intrigued by the tile making. I was at one time interested in working with papercrete and hypertufa. But after enlisting my brother, who wasn't as enthusiastic, and my niece, who poured cement down my laundry room sink, which original to the house had lasted 70 years, and ruining three blenders, my interest waned. True to form, if I come upon difficulty in a project, I think of it as a sign for me not to continue. And really, after all these years of trying various crafts that result in crap, I should know better. I also should have known better than to ask my brother, who always says it can't be done to any of my unique design ideas. And I should have known better than to ask my niece, who once stayed up all night before having to drive to LA for an art show, cutting mat after mat after measuring once, twice, sometimes ten times, but always coming out with the wrong size. I think we both have math dyslexia. I should video us trying anything crafty to see where we go wrong. I think both of us having ADHD might have something to do with it. Sorry for the backstory and run on sentences. So, I just wanted to see if you continued with your venture. And to say sorry for whatever tragedy occurred to cause you to have to move to Florida. Not that there is anything wrong with Florida, but it isn't Panama. Which is one of my favorite places in the western hemisphere. I hope no one is upset that I brought up a seven year old post.

Thanks for all of the input. I'd like to keep it simple (both visually, and remodel cost), so I think everything at the wall cabinet height (D, F) will just be painted drywall (color matched to the cabinets?), with some art hanging there. It sounds like for the B, C and E, any of these options would be acceptable? 1. painted drywall. This maintains the clean lines but requires a high quality countertop install with no gap. 2. 4" backsplash (same as countertop material). This adds a another visual line, but can cover a not-so-great countertop install. 3. 20" (up to wall cabinet height) subway tile. Might be too much tile? 4. 20" backsplash (same as countertop material). Is this too much gray along the wall?

If I understand correctly, the wall cabinets on the sink wall will be replaced. Give that, I would run the tile to the ceiling, like the range wall