Someone just showed that, a woman in anchorage? I like it.

I don't like B/s, they too often look overwrought

Backsplashes are not, IMHO, a necessity. In our kitchen remodel, we had granite counter tops, a stone wall oven cabinet, porcelain tile floors and an adjacent stone fireplace. A back splash would have been overkill, so we just put in the standard 4" granite trim for functionality and painted the dry wall above the counter tops a complementary color. Works great.

I painted stripes in my old little kitchen. I actually like it so much I can't imagine anything "installed".
I keep thinking "what if I'm tired of it in a year" and have to tear it out? Paint? That's easy.

Our "backsplash" will be about 3 inches high, if plans hold.

I think backsplashes are more about appearance than function. I think it's a good idea to have one behind the stove and behind the sink. Most of my past kitchens have had only a 3 inch backsplash, and it wasn't often that I needed to wipe something off the wall back there. And I'm a messy cook. I agree that they are often overwrought and can detract from the look of a kitchen.

I think the window-as-bs idea is interesting as long as there's seating from which one can gaze out the window. If there isn't, then the only time anyone is going to look out the window is when they're bending over. A similar example is that art is usually hung at eye level unless it is near a seating area, in which case it can be OK to hang it at the seated person's eye level.

this sounded so intriguing I googled - love it!

Here is a link that might be useful: window backsplash

I think it is a very cool idea, in the right house with the right views, privacy, and climate. I suppose opaque glass could address any issues with people seeing in.

Why not make it operable - an awning-type window? Great ventilation.

Note there are some structural aspects - the exterior wall is by definition load-bearing, you will need headers and some engineering, it will cost more. Also check if there is plumbing in that wall. Also there are code requirements for electrical outlets every so many feet (I don't recall exactly), you may have to use purpose-made countertop outlets or have a short horizontal strip of wall for outlets to live in.

I would respectfully decline her offer on that one. lots of edges that can harbor things, glass to keep clean, is the insulation of the glazing going to be adequate, or are you introducing a vector for cold/heat penetration. Windows
need replacing-sometimes sooner than people like-that sounds a bear to replace in that area. I think the light glass mosaics would create a light, airy effect, if that's what you seek.

In my mind, you can't have too many windows.

Oh, maybe outlets under the upper cabinets would work as well. (Forgot that option.)

I have been seeing those windows quite a bit lately in fact, had we not been as far along as we are in our remodel we probably would have gone with a variation of those windows. I'm thinking those are going to become quite popular IMO...

As someone who manages to splash mud on my walls when I am repotting plants, I think any wipe-clean surface between the upper and lower cabinets is a great idea.

I am not sure how they would work in a more "traditional" kitchen, but the windows look great in the kitchen sallysue posted.

The only other considerations I can think of are security (yes, some people in my neighborhood would install bars over backsplash windows) and the heat loss or gain in various seasons.