You're both right! It took us 4 years to decide on a BS for our kitchen, so we just painted the walls with an extra coat of paint, and it was fine. However, since you have such a neutral vanity and mirror, you could really add some punch with a fabulous tile and it wouldn't cost you much. I would just do the few inches between counter and mirror and carry it along the side wall. There are beautiful white textured/embossed/patterned tiles out there that you could really have fun with. Here is a link that might be useful: textural white tile backsplashes

I just went for a tile consult today and am in a daze from sticker shock. My initial choice of tile was almost $30 a sq foot. Now that may not be bad, but I was doing a full wall of tile on my sink wall (6 feet x 6 feet) and 2 - 17" x 36" backsplashes on my island, 1 on each side of the stove (am appreciating its high back with no backsplash needed now, lol). I am starting to think I may shorten my sink wall and have the tile stop below the open shelves instead of going almost to the ceiling. It sure would save a hunk of change! Of course, I would not dream of going with the almost $30 tile anyway as I am also tiling the kitchen floor, den floor and master bath floor. Doing approx 280 sq feet of floor tile is going to kill the bank acct before even worrying about the backsplash ticket. I had found bathroom tile for $12 a sq foot (marble basketweave) and I thought that was pricey. The tile person today says her store pays more than that for the same tile, so I guess that is a good price after all. So glad our master bath is modestly sized now, lol. BTW - shelayne, that tile is simply inspired! You make a very good case for a shorter backsplash, even if you don't need the savings ;) (which, of course, we certainly do!)

SECTION P2705 INSTALLATION P2705.1 General. The installation of fixtures shall conform to the following: 3. Where fixtures come in contact with walls and floors, the contact area shall be water tight. This requirement has not changed since the first edition of the IRC in 2000 and was also in the predecessor code (CABO 1 & 2 Family Dwelling Code) since the early 80's. There may be other ways to make the joint water tight but a backsplash is the easiest and most effective method since counters and cabinets move and shift over time. The code appears to be concerned with water running down the wall and causing deterioration of the wall and perhaps even the structure. Local codes can vary so much from county to county, you might try calling your local building inspections department and actually TALK with an inspector about it. Function of the backslash is to protect the drywall from mold. Whereever counters with water touches walls some type of waterproof barrier is required. Another option is tile.

It's actually built up and routed. I did not want any hard corners in my bathrooms. I don't believe the coving was $40-50 per foot upgrade because a couple of my shelves weren't much more expensive than that, total. I will try to look back and see.