didn't have time to read all the answers. I have no backsplash and have never regretted it...been over 6 yrs. It is painted with BM matte...which has ceramic in it. It is as beautiful now as it was when first painted. I love the fact that I can showcase other things ...art etc in my kitchen and no competition. Also if I ever want to change it is as quick as a paint brush...expense is minimal..paint only ! All in all I think it is serene as you point out . Here is one pick. Since I have a lot of high heat cooking in my kitchen..built in deep fat fryer as well as gas cook top I can definitely speak to the longevity of paint only. c ( more at this album )

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.

Have you thought about stainless steel backsplash tiles? https://www.houzz.com/products/4x11-honeycomb-matted-metal-peel-and-stick-backsplash-tile-set-of-3-brushed-st-prvw-vr~100903589. These tiles would look great with your stainless steel appliances.

From the glimpse you've given us, you have a really nice kitchen. Your countertop is a "busy" pattern. Really like the painted wall (in lieu of high backsplash) you have with it -- that wall color is as perfect as it gets. Are you changing the countertop; if not, definitely would not add a backsplash. If your fridge is running well, would NOT replace it for a smaller (counter dept) one, the full opening of which could be impeded by the countertops, making it difficult or impossible to remove the veggie drawers for a thorough cleaning as needed. Would NOT b ox in the fridge -- you'd need to lose cabinet space to do that. Instead, invest in a few more magnets and fully embrace having the sides exposed. Dollar Tree sells some wide magnetic clamps that would let you hold a tablet for an ongoing grocery list, etc. Similar to this but black ... and a lot less expensive. The work and last every bit as well. I've had to glue the magnet back in to both the more expensive one and a less expensive one after dropping them. Still work well.