This one is looking great and exactly matches your kitchen style:

Transitional Kitchen · More Info

You already have a 4” backsplash. Paint the area the same as wall color in a durable washable finish.

Ok, that just occurred to me that part is a backsplash. So adding additional tile backsplash on top would look bad and wrong I’m gathering.

Now I’m thinking of removing those 4 inches if possible.

The cabinets look very nice. Countertop with small backsplash works. Just paint and done.

Thanks, we added the crown molding and new hardware and beadboard too. I am worried about this little backsplash, though. I know it’s already a dated looking kitchen but doing what we can. I guess we can always just paint first and see how we like it before trying to do big changes to the countertop.

What's so dated about it? I think it's fine. I'm not a fan of the 4" backsplash and think that is an element that is out of style but plenty of other folks have them and are quite happy with their kitchens and don't consider them dated. So pick one or the other -- 4" backsplash and paint, or tile all the way down to the counter -- and call it done.