I didn't see your original post, but I can see why people liked your tile. I like it!

What kind of product was used on your tile? "Peeled off"???? That doesn't sound like a normal kind of sealant.

I'm no expert, and I hope actual experts chime in, but I can tell you that good quality sealants (we used 511 brand and 20 years later, it's still cleanable). But it's a penetrating sealant, and not a surface thing that would peel.

I'd call back the company and ask them why you are having this result and which product they used. Because they ought to re-do it using an excellent quality sealer (after they get those stains out). And in the future, take photos of their products and ask questions about the products that workers plan to use in your house, so you can research the products yourself, and compare in that way.

And, my honest opinion (easy for me to say, since I don't have to live with it/pay for it), is to have it fixed and re-done, because I like that vintage look so much. But that's my opinion, and you're the one who has to live with it.

I would do a new countertop and get some new vintage look tiles for the backsplash.

There are types of grout that are non-porous and don’t stain. Epoxy grout, resin grout, etc. And you can use a color other than white.

Removing and replacing sanded grout like you have is not too hard. I don’t know what it will cost to have it done professionally.

I like your tiles too.

This is a stone look laminate countertop I had in a kitchen years ago, they still sell it...

I has a very slight texture, hardly any veining, and looks very good!

Just found a picture of above product on line, it's Formica Basalt Slate. If you don't have the budget for quartz, it's a nice option...

Ugh tile counters!

In my previous house I remodeled 5 bathrooms with tile counters. No regrets at all getting rid of all those tile counters.

Can you safely have the counter tiles removed and keep the backsplash tiles? Will removing tiles damage your cabinets? I'd try to remove the counter, keep the backsplash, and get a solid surface Corian that either matches the cabinet color perfectly or the backsplash color perfectly. Corian is a great, forgiving surface, and it is completely solid - no flecks or swirls. Inexpensive as far as counters go too.

If the splash has to go then I'd get Corian for counters and a new splash that you love.

That’s what I’m not sure of. I don’t know if I can remove just the counter and keep the backsplash. How does Corina hold up? How does Formica or soapstone hold up?
I have. A large family and need something that is durable.

I am trying to keep the budget down so looking at options that are not to pricey

Corian is awesome in my opinion, and to find what you'd want to know, just enter the search term Corian in the search bar.

But it will be pricey. Formica is going to cost a whole lot less. My childhood home had Formica, and it survived many years of hard use. It will work great, as long as you use a cutting board with knives.

What would really save you a lot of money is using pre-fab sections of Formica (or formica-like laminate products). They are sold at a standard depth for kitchen counters, probably at Home Depot or similar big box stores and maybe lots of other places, too.

Maybe Corian can be purchased like that too? I'm not sure, but I haven't seen it.

Lately it seems like granite is out of favor. Find a super easy granite (honed absolute black perhaps or virginia mist) and just do it. There's a ton of competition in the granite space and it has slightly fallen out of favor - but it has such a wide variety it isn't all "out of style" (whatever that means) Quartz is trendy and it's getting priced that way.

In my experience looking at alternatives like Formica - if you want one of the nicer looking prints or patterns, square edges (and not that one piece thermoformed stuff you get in bulk at home depot) the cost to do the customer work will be as expensive if not more than a level 1 or 2 granite.

Corian same as above - and still hard to find good fabricators unless you are a large commercial job.

you're not keeping any of the backslash tile if you replace the counter... at least, not easily.

you mentioned re-grout but you didn't attempt that. i'm not a professional but know that re- grouting is not a big deal and i've had it done in areas before. the original grout is brought back with an electric tool and then new grout is applied. an epoxy or other more resilient grout can then be applied.

thats going to be far cheaper and less hassle than having your entire kitchen ripped apart.

having said all that... i've had tile counters before and keeping them clean is so much harder than a continuous surface.

I’ll get some quotes for regrout BUT, yes it is so much more upkeep than a continuous surface which is why I’m looking at my options for other surfaces.

Well I got some quotes and cheaper to regrout was $1000. I’m going to look into Corina and see what the options are and compare. I love my tile but cleaning it has been a pain