Clean edge for sure. Do NOT do partial backsplash in the countertop material. That's why he's a contractor and not a designer. By the way, looks stunning so far. Please share the finished product with us!

I sell the countertops and I still say no countertop splash. Bring the tile all the way down to the Silestone.

Countertop splash is very outdated. Tell him you want tile from counter to cabinets!

Echoing everyone's thoughts here. No 4" backsplash. Keep the countertop clean and put up a tile backsplash that runs from the countertop to the cabinets. It looks like all of your wall space is bordered by cabinets. If not, it looks nice to run the tile backsplash above the bottom line of the upper cabinets to "embed" the uppers in tile.

4" backsplash with tile above is horrible!! Don't do it.