I think this needs to be removed. Not only is it too busy for the counters it also seems cool in tone while the counters look warm. It also looks much too contemporary for the cabinet style. (And I personally dislike these busy glass mosaics and I understand they are going out of style).

Crossed with sooz :)

Yes. Take it down & paint until budget recovers.

Definitely change the counters :)

Certainly not a builders grade 3x6 but from the image it doesn't appear that you have too much square footage so a reasonably priced handmade white or off white 3x6 is a very nice background to all the nice details of the kitchen, including the granite... see image for example of tile even if kitchen is a different style.

get it off. no helping that.

Unfortunately I have to agree, your poor friend has to start over, a simple cream subway tile would do the trick.

This whole kitchen is confusing. Seems like a Tuscany kitchen in a mid life crisis trying to go modern??

Wrong backsplash chosen. Mid/dark cabs + mid/dark counters should have a simply light backsplash. I would have it removed and the drwall painted for now ('cause she's over budget).

Have her save up for another 5-6 months while at the same time finding better solutions for this. It needs to be lighter, less intense and in a warmer tone. A cream limestone tile would look lovely here.

So sorry for your friend....it's tough when something like this just doesn't work. The cabinets are way too ornate and traditional for the modern, busy mosaic backsplash. I would encourage your friend to find a way to pull the backsplash out when it's in her budget, and find either a cream limestone (as suggested by Cancork Floors) or a taupe, beige, or cream colored ceramic subway tile-very simple so it will not fight with the granite. Not much she can do but live with it until she can replace it...unless it could be painted. Not sure if glass tiles can be painted or not. Something to consider, though, until it's in the budget to rip it out.

Same thing happened to me. Spent so much time and money on what we thought was the perfect backsplash until the tile guy installed it in one part of the kitchen. And it was wrong. So wrong. I had a hard time even looking at it. I hired an interior designer (more $) to help me choose a cheaper tile. We found a great porcelain tile at Lowe's. Ripping the hideous backsplash out was really tough since it was glass. He ended up taking out some of the drywall. I will never special order tile again because there is a no return policy. I say rip it out and look for something very simple.

Thinking subway tile is the best choice here! So sorry for friend, so heart breaking to spend money and then hate your choice.

New backsplash needed.