Here is a visual.
Without the cabinet. Backsplash to hood.

Backsplash height visual.
Without cabinet. Low backsplash.

I prefer this one.
With the Cabinet. Low backsplash.

With Artwork

You all have been incredibly helpful. I can't thank you enough. I will post a picture when this is completed. It's been a challenge for us because the house (foreclosure) was pretty much gutted before we bought it. I am surprised the cabinets were left! Again - thanks so much!!!! K

Kaundrea24 - what are you thinking of doing?

Hi! We're leaning towards the plain stainless backsplash but I'm going to get gray and charcoal tiles to check out that too. I love the idea of removing the entire backsplash at some point, but with all the big projects going on throughout the house- we will have to wait. Removing the current backsplash is more in line with our style. After seeing the virtual pics- I don't think we'll remove the upper end cabinet but may do something to draw it in. Again, the help is so much appreciated. I only wish I had the talent that you all have!

Go with the stainless....

It sounds like you will probably keep the right cabinet. I hope so : )

do the whole lot in the same granite as the benchtops then it wont look messy.

Very hard to match existing granite after the fact. It may look like a patch job.

Well, I think the plain stainless option stopping at the bottom of the hood isn't bad - just like the picture of the "moss kitchen" above. I think that will look much better than any tile choice since you don't want to do the whole backsplash at this time. I'd also keep the small upper cabinet on the right.

I may not be in the majority, but I think doing a stainless steel backsplash up to the bottom of the hood will actually accentuate the empty space between the top of the hood and the cabinets. I think it's going to make it look more out of place. I would suggest taking it to the top as in the photo rosecottagehome posted [houzz=]

My concern is this - your stainless steel backsplash will look great, but it will be the only contemporary touch in a more traditional kitchen. I think that's fine, as long as you plan to update with more contemporary tile when you remove the existing half backsplash. I'd also consider getting more contemporary cabinet pulls when you do that to modernize the feel of your kitchen a little. I think you can still have a great finished product. But do not choose a backsplash for the hood that you will not like when you finish renovating your kitchen. I suggest finding a style you like now, and choosing the backsplash you add now according to your long term renovation goal. Then you will be much happier with the finished product.

Notice how most kitchens with stainless steel hoods continue the backsplash all the way to the ceiling.
[houzz=]
[houzz=]
[houzz=]

I think it gives them a more finished look. Rather than empty space above the hood and cabinets.

The cabinets stop before they reach the ceiling. I think if you continue the backsplash all the way to the ceiling it will look odd to have the tile not attached to anything.

In all of the sample pictures the cabinets go to the ceiling.

Keesee and Associates - I see your points but kaundrea's situation is a little different since the cabinets don't extend to the ceiling. That is also the case in the "Residential Gallery" photo, but in that picture, the tile backsplash also goes to the ceiling. If kaundrea takes a stainless splash up higher than the hood, do you think it should be taken to the top of the cabinets or the ceiling? If it were me, I'd simplify the issue by just going to the bottom of the hood, but there are three different options regarding how high to take it. I certainly agree about not introducing a tile that will just be above the range in the future. Stainless would be much better.

Ann - that's a good point. But I still think it's a better option to go to the ceiling than try to cut it off somewhere in the middle. I think stainless steel typically looks best when either the cabinets go all the way to the ceiling, or when surrounding tile is carried both above and below the cabinets as in the "Residential Gallery" photo. I agree that running the backsplash to the ceiling isn't the best look if the tile above the cabinets does not match the tile below, but I would suggest that they tile both in the same.

This is exactly the point I wanted to make. Kaundrea, your kitchen has great bones, but you need to find a solution that will work for your kitchen, and you need to keep your long term goals in mind when finding that solution. I attached two photos of your kitchen with photoshopped finishes just to give you an idea. (The first is stainless steel backsplash and charcoal tile surrounding. The second is all charcoal tile.) I understand that you're looking for a temporary solution, but I'm wondering why you want to spend money on a backsplash now, rather than leaving it as is and conquering that task when you take the rest of the existing backsplash out. Unless you love stainless steel, I'm wondering if you might rather have one tile for all the backsplash areas as shown below. This is what I mean about deciding what you would put it your kitchen if all the renovation was done at one time. Once you decide what that is - stick to it. Even if it means living without a backsplash for a while, or if it allows you to do one step now and one step later.

[Please excuse the crooked tile, its hard to match finishes between photos.] :)

Just for reference, I pulled the tile from this West Island Kitchen that has colors similar to yours.
[houzz=]

After reading all these suggestions it seems the easiest and likely least expensive solution is for you is to cut stainless steel sheet to be installed around the existing granite and continue up to the bottom of hood. I don't think it will be so obvious that your existing granite backsplash extends length of counter, but past the bottom of cabinets. This seems to be the best way to pull it altogether. I agree that there is no tile that is going to work in that space.

I don't know how to do these renderings using a picture of kaundrea's kitchen but gosh I think they're helpful. If anyone has the time and is willing, it would be very nice to see a rendering of kaundrea's kitchen as is with a solid stainless splash (only above the range) stopping at the bottom of the hood. Everything else as is. That idea is growing on me as something that might look pretty darn good, but seeing it would be very useful, especially since kaundrea is considering that as a possible option.

@Ann, here's an example. The only issue here is that the existing backsplash extends a bit past the cabinets, but she might be able to have them trimmed when a stainless splash is installed. Then I did the same effect to give an idea of how the tile could look if she chooses to renovate in the future.

Stainless steel is very easy to clean, which is great for a backsplash.

I misunderstood that backsplash granite is up. Thought it was lying against the wall. Use the same granite and continue at the same height. It is not necessary to change out the backsplash.

Thanks! I sure like the second example! I think the first option works if the stainless can go straight down as it does in the second picture. Could the stainless be mounted out from the wall (the thickness of the granite) so the stainless covers those areas where the granite extends past the sides of the cabinet? Maybe just with shims or something behind the stainless - I know nothing about construction, but it seems like it could be done fairly easily.

LB, they bought the house with that granite and don't have more of it.

Hi! I uploaded additional pics to help you see the granite and the kitchen a little better. We don't have anymore of this granite. I have someone coming Friday to help me with my crown molding as it doesn't fit the hood well right now. Thanks again for all help and comments!!!

One last pic....

Also, I am waiting on island lights. I just happened to fall in love with a light from Restoration Hardware that has now been on back-order for three months!!! I know the former owner had a stainless steel backsplash there but I am going to have to dig through old zillow photos to see how far it went up.

I like the plain sheet of stainless going up to the bottom of the hood. It relates to your hood, beautiful stove and other appliances. You won't be able to match the granite and stainless is low maintenance. I would prefer a stainless sheet over stainless tiles as it is less busy. What are you thinking of for a wall color?

It's a very nice kitchen! Now that I see more of it, I'd also be reluctant to remove the backsplash. I think rosecottagehome had the right idea way up at the top of the discussion when she suggested the stainless. I think it would look very nice.

I agree with saratogaswizzlestick:)

Thanks Ann, I misunderstood. Now that you say that, I remember reading it. Got confused along the way : (

I think I would still use a granite or tile complement and level with other granite. I think the stainless is too flat and too smooth. I think the backsplash needs a bit more texture feeling, but less than the granite. Maybe too much stainless in one section of the kitchen. Too focal.

Or .. All the way to the top of the cabinet crown molding.

Think of your backsplash as if its fluid. It needs something to "contain" it or "hold it in". The more "frame" or "boarder" the better!!! If your cabinets do not go to the ceiling....where do you stop? It would then have to spill over above all the cabinets in order to look finished. My rule of thumb: If the cabinets go to the ceiling, so can the tile. If not, let the tile flow up to the next natural "boarder"....your hood fan. (I hope this makes sense....hard to explain)

Backsplash to cabinet top with added crown molding.

LB has given you another way to "contain" or create a "boarder" for your backsplash. P.S. I wouldn't recommend art work unless you don't care if it get's dirty! :(

'What's Inside", I saw your last post and agree. I was drawing at the time : )

I agree about artwork, if it has a glass or is of metal to carefully keep clean : ) Maybe stainless type art?

I like tile in 'What's Inside' photo 'Exterior Deck and House Renovation'

LB - I love the border idea. Thank you!

You're Welcome kaundrea24 !

Can't find 'What's Inside's' photo exterior deck and house renovation. Any way you can post a link to it?

Aaron West, 'What's Inside' has it posted on this thread up just a bit : )

a water supply to fill pots and back splash tile.

Ahhh, thanks!

Aaron :))

I would use a 1"x2" light travertine tile, honed, laid vertically to the ceiling. I would do an inlay above the stove all in the same color stone, such as a harlequin shape framed by a 2"x12" chair rail. Simple, yet pulls together the cooking area and looks structural. Now you have a focal point.

Just stumbled on this thread. Anyone find out how this ended?

Ended up with a stainless steel backsplash. Looks very nice. I can post photos soon.

Stainless steel