I agree, be practical and add the backsplash.

Here is our kitchen in a previous house, cabs and granite were done in 2001 and then the cream colored subways were added about a year after the granite. The backsplash made a real difference in practicality, especially around the range area. I think it looked good and the neutral subways faded into the background.

Go ahead and add your backsplash, it will look fine.

Exactly what I pictured Taggie! I think it will look great- go for it!

Exactly what I pictured Taggie! I think it will look great- go for it!

That looks really nice! It does help to see it. I think what helps in the photos above is that your cabinets are white and the subway tile really fades into the background very nicely. I have medium toned wood cabinets and a black countertop, so I am afraid that the white tile will not have enough height if I keep the 4" of granite in there.

It is what it is. It will be a 4" splash that you added tile to. Some people will think it looks like an afterthought and some won't care. What's important is what you think. If your main concern is function over aesthetics, then leave the granite slash and add tile.

Aesthetically it is going to look better without the 4" granite splash. I can't imagine it's that hard to remove it. I'd spend the extra effort to take it down.

Here's a post on how easy it is to remove :

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/01/take-it-away/

Oops, iPad duplicate post

This post was edited by karen_je on Mon, Dec 31, 12 at 2:41

It's not ideal, and I completely understand your concern, but you have to deal with what you got. I did, but went with calacatta gold honed 4x4's.

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If you don't like it, it's not a big deal to remove the 4" bacsplash. Especially if you don't care if it breaks during the removal process. Just put down some protection on the counter like some masonite to keep from scratching it and have at it! Or pay a handymand $150 to do it. You might have a bit of wall repair to do after it's down, but since you're putting up tile, that's not a big deal either.

Or, if you don't mind the 4" splash, keep it and put the tile above it. It's all about preference. So, don't settle for something you don't care for either way when it's so easy to remedy either way.