@HALLETT & Co. - These are all awesome questions.

Alcohol does bother me - I get asthma attacks when I used purell in the car if the windows aren't down. So the shellac does concern me.

Great idea to tile over existing tile. I hadn't thought about that and know little about tile. While I'd hire someone to do it, can you say more about the appropriate steps and materials that would be used to tile over the current tile? What will make the new tile stick to this glass mosaic?

Oh bummer. And there’s glass in there too.

I feel kind of odd recommending this because I’m a little OCD about tile installation in general, but have you considered tiling over the existing tile? I would limit myself to a thin tile (5/16” like Daltile Color Wheel Classic) to prevent a bulky appearance. You might have to use Mapei EcoPrim Grip (low VOC) and then consider using the Mapei ultralight mortar, but your tile setter will know what to do.

Any of these might work, but I like the Matte Arctic White a lot with your stone. Good luck!

Oh! Hallett recommended this too. Now I feel better 😂

How about plain peel and stick tile.

I would buy some plain peel and stick. It will stay on a long time, and when you sell, someone else can put up what they want.

@eam44 - Thanks for the product names and the Daltile colors. I'd much prefer tiling over the old backsplash instead of painting or using peel and stick tile. I think it will look better when I eventually sell. I'm slightly concerned that even the eco grip is going to be too intensely odored, but I can always buy a bucket of it to smell before I commit to it.

If I put subway tile over the mosaics, what do I do about the edges that do not end against a door frame where you can see the side of the tile? (Where the red arrows are in the pic.)

A wood moulding painted the wall color. It will fade away.

☝️Wood molding is a good idea. They also make an “outside edge” or corner trim in brushed aluminum (or other colors) that is made for backsplash installation. Schluter makes one, but you can get a pvc version at any big box store.

Like the wood molding painted wall color. Thanks.

Another option, (duh, hand to forehead) if you choose Daltile they actually make an impressive array of matching trim pieces. Check those out if you like. It’s one of the advantages of choosing tile from a big manufacturer that’s been around for so long.

Do you plan to paint the cabinets? They are much warmer than the countertop and a solid arctic white backsplash might emphasize that ( but still be a better look than the mosaic!)

The counters are most likely much warmer than the photos show. I have that same problem when I photograph my Taj Mahal quartzite counters. They are definitely a warm off-white/beige/brown, but 98% of the time they look cold/gray in photos.

For a backsplash, just set tile over what is there. Glass is thin to begin with. Get electrical box extenders, so your outlets won't be inset. You can useSimple Matto set, with no priming or anything else. You will need to mix grout, if you cannot tolerate a single component grout likeSimple Grout from Custom.

Outlet extender - I have an electrician coming in next week to do a bunch of electrical work including installing 3 new GFI outlets in this old backsplash. But, I'm not planning on having the new backsplash installed for another two months. (Gotta get electrical work done before moving in -- backsplash is cosmetic and I need to kick down the road to a slightly less hectic time.) Will a tile setter know what to do with an outlet extender or is that something that I have to call an electrician back in to do?

@chispa - The counters are grey when the lights are off and super warm when the lights are on. I'll get a few samples to try out. I think arctic white is going to be too cold and too white.

Nope, not painting the cabinets. I don't need this kitchen to look gorgeous. Just not super ugly. :)

@eam44 - I'll have to check out the trim pieces and see if they cover the two tile depth.