You can have a higher backsplash on the normal wall and just fill in the 6 inches over the half wall.

Are there upper cabinets at all? If there are, take the height up to the upper cabinets and take that all the way around the normal walls. But if you don't have any, I guess you can pick whatever height you like.

If there are any upper cabinets, I'd go counter to cabinet with the backsplash and continue the line across even where there are no cabinets. Dilineate the top of the backsplash with moulding. The other course would be no backsplash at all. It looks clean and contemporary without it.

Is your kitchen an open concept? If so, doing a feature wall of glass tile to the ceiling wouldn't be too expensive. See below for an example:

http://www.housebeautiful.com/kitchens/dream/blue-island-kitchen

If is closed off, it wouldn't be too expensive to tile all the way to the ceiling around the windows in the entire kitchen.

I think six inches is pretty standard and would probably just stick w/that all around.

BTW, is that an IKEA Domsjo sink? Was it already in place, or did you have it installed? If the latter, I'd appreciate any advice/hints on technique, etc .... we have one that we want to put in, and are a bit daunted about the installation process (we'll be doing it in conjunction w/a new countertop). Thanks and good luck!

Go all the way up.

Don't do 6" - it will conflict unpleasantly with the windowsill. Go up to shelf height, or ceiling height, or top of window height. You can do a different treatment on the half wall, like a different size of the same tile, if you're worried about the transition.

I agree. A glass tile all the way up would look fantastic in your kitchen.

echoing the call for tiling the whole wall. that blue glass tile wall from ChicagoDesign looks great.

If you use something with a significant horizontal look (like subway tiles) you can put in the six inch backsplash as well as the taller backslpash and the eye will see the horizontal connection between the two. One of the real charms of older homes are nook and crannies as they are redone to meet modern needs. This will just be one of those charming inconsistencies one finds in an older home.

This is going to horrify some of you, but why do you need a backsplash save behind the stove and the sink? If you do want the same height everywhere, though, I would go all the way up and cut down round the half wall.

I've been looking into this for my kitchen as well. At Lowes I discovered that the standard backsplash is 18 inches, so I definitely think you need to go higher on the non-window walls. One other thing you might consider (can't tell from the pic if it will apply to your kitchen) is how far you want to tile (or apply whatever backsplash you choose) above the oven. We decided to take the tile up to the height of the range hood all around rather than just do a higher rectangle directly above the oven. This makes sense for us b/c we have a tiny kitchen and it won't really be that much more tile, but I think it will help make the look more cohesive.

don't do a 6" backsplash. it will look like you ran out of money on your renovation, which isn't a good impression to make nor is it good for resale value. i like the idea of a white subway tile too -- classic look.

I'd skip the backsplash. I didn't put one in and haven't had any issues over the last 2 years. Simply wipe down splashes after cooking and use magic eraser for stubborn oil sprinkles. I cook regularly, am a slight clutz, and cook ethnic foods that tend to stain, so can speak to the relative lack of maintenance of a simple painted wall.

I didn't put up a backsplash b/c I wanted the flexibility to change color schemes on a whim.

I'm with montoni--

Don't do a backsplash at all.

To showcase the lovely height of the room, I think you have to either have no backsplash at all and simply paint the walls, or -- as others have said -- tile all the way to the ceiling. Another option would be to use beadboard all the way to the ceiling, but that might be a little too country, with the pine cabinets.

A standard backsplash will just draw the eye lower on the wall, which would be a shame when the room's height is such a nice feature.

Ooh - we have Fagerland cabinets too! Yours look great, and I love the Domsjo sink with them.

We also have a dark counter and went backsplash-less for months before finally putting in a 3" high mosaic all the way around, with a larger area behind the stove. We like it, but the look isn't for everyone. I'm attaching the link just so that you can see one combo with your cabinets: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fisheggs/sets/883234/
Go to the end, that's where the backsplash photos are.

That said, I think that a small glass mosaic that is the same color as your wall color, run around at 6", would look very nice. The similar wall color would allow it to blend in a bit and would minimize the conflict with the window. If you stick with the white and use something that is kind of porcelain-like, it will tie in with the sink as well.

Are you going to use the fagerland toe kick or are you using one of the other ones for more contrast?

Go all the way up... i just did mine with natural stones, i was afraid of glass, too trendy for me. I did Subway tiles in stone, it actually has a straight cut, so you dont have grout lines!! it looks amazing and i feel i can live with my backsplash for years. I got it at travertineexpert.com.

All the way up...
...and remove the apron from below the windowsill so you can get some tiles behind the sink.

6" isn't tall enough. Go higher on the taller walls.

if you really want a backsplash without making the walls look choppy, just do tiles in the same color as the paint. this would also prevent the little 6 inch space from looking incongruous.

You wouldn't have images of your whole house? The kitchen is wonderful and I'd love to see what you've done with such a small home.

I don't think you have to go all the way up... just standard height (up to bottom of upper cabinets) with some fresh blue/yellow/green/white tile you like and bring it around on the corner on half wall, just continue the line.

I may be the only one who can't stand glass tile esp as subway tile though. I think it'll look dated soon...