Yep... just use some kind of border or bullnose to make it look finished off.

Yes, we used bullnose on the ends - it looks great! I was just worried that people would think that doing the whole backsplash was the "norm" and why would we leave it half done...

curlyjbs....i just posted my finished kitchen pics.....try to check that post out. we only put backslash behind our cooktop and i think it looks really unique. i say go for it!!!

Since you love the way the painted surface looks (others here, including me, also really like the simplicity of that look), why don't you just try painting with a good-quality washable paint and then letting it age and harden for a few weeks before scrubbing? If you should decide later on that you want an even more durable surface, then you could bring in tile.