I would definitely go all the way up...I think shiplap needs some space. Your kitchen is lovely!

Why not use the same 7" quartzite you used everywhere else?

You mention not wanting too many beauty queens, etc. What you also don't want is a beauty queen on one wall and white tile on the other. Mixing too many different kinds of elements (even if they are all white) is distracting and makes a space look thrown together. Using a strong material consistently throughout makes a space look well designed. It's one reason mamdadpaige's bs looks so beautiful. Her boards are used throughout the kitchen, over long runs where you can appreciate their lines, not on one short run adjacent to another short run, in a kitchen with another strong bs material.

I hadn't thought about using the quartzite as a 7" backsplash in the corner but even if I wanted too, that stone is long gone.

I agree that I don't want a strong statement in this area which is one reason it remains unfinished...I can't decide. I also thought about large sized rectangular tiles.

Oh good - I'm glad to have given you a new idea! Can't you call your fabricator and see what he can come up with? You need so relatively little stone.

If you aren't going to be able to get it, consider 7" transparent or painted glass sheets, like those in the images from GlassKote below (link below).

pharoah did this DIY at the thread below:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0507524529536.html

Another option would be to use large format (12" x 24" or larger) marble tile, as decent a compliment to your own stone as you can find, and have them cut to 7" with as small a grout joint as your tiler can give you. By the way, what is your stone? A lot of "quartzites" are really marble anyway. You may be able to find the very same material in a different format.

Large Format Carrara Marble tile
{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: GlassKote

Thanks badger. It's ok unfinished but just feels unfinished to me , if that makes sense. It's a fun little space tucked in behind the main kitchen but it lacks the finished feel and needs some personality - calm , quiet, understated personality :)

EAM - I think the material should not have the movement of the marble tiles. The counter has some really nice veins and the marble will fight with it for sure. It is definitely quartzite though - white macabus - and has been maintenance free and a dream to clean. The space is maybe not as tiny as it looks - the wall dimensions are 4'9" x 9'.

How about some art work, or framed family recipes? Something that makes you smile?
Somehow I can't see the quartzite or any kind of wow -- backsplash.

What about a long, low (below the window) stainless shelf? That would add an understated, interesting element that would jazz up that corner but not compete. Something like this, but long and low...

https://www.houzz.com/photos/piedmont-residencevi-transitional-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~3082202-ResidenceVI-contemporary-kitchen-san-francisco

There are several sites (like the one below) that deal in stone remnants, and white macaubas is pretty common these days. If you like the idea pursue it. I think it will definitely give you the best look. The piece below measures 74" x 26" and would be more than enough stone to finish the job.

{{!gwi}}

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Here is a link that might be useful: Remnants

EAM - I am in Eastern Canada so remnant selection is not the best. I will contact my stone yard to see but it took almost a year of looking and holding out until the right counter showed up and it was only their second shipment ever of white macabus. Matching the vein color and the background white will be tough.

may - funny that you mention a SS shelf because way back in the design stage I had a SS shelf here. I could get my DH to hold up a pretend shelf to see what it looks like.

Why is this so hard?