What about decorative metal sheets. If you cut them the exact measurements I bet they would stay up on their own. Basically something like this or I bet you could find something at a hardware store.

http://thetinman.com/styles_generic.htm

I would probably give wallpaper or wrapping paper I really liked a try with double stick tape and if it was to cheesy then just take it off.

I agree with you though I could definitely live with the counters & cabinets over the tile.

I think the yellow tiles are nice and could have a totally different feel with new accent tiles via temporary tile tattoos. These aren't necessarily "French country", but will put a different spin on the yellow-black combo that you might like better.
http://www.2jane.com/mibo-6-inch-tile-tattoos-ventor-black-on-white

And then I would get some simple brushed nickle or black pulls for the cabinets, though you're limited to ones that only require one hole.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50138750
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00177211

yeah you are right this combo looks like nothing and especially anything close to french country with a twist...
well you could always change the cabinet doors and put them back before you go. you say that the cabinets is the least of your problems but frankly I think that this wood tone looks really bad with that orange. at least change the knobs pls. you could leave that orange and cover only the patterned tiles with small framed pictures that you will stick with 3m tape. if the row of black tiles bothers you you could order a narrow credenza that you will also attach with 3m tape (it will stay there until you leave the apt I have already tried that). for the orange tiles and the countertop I honestly think that nothing can be done.... I really feel for you I've been dealing with absurd-designed rental kitchens my whole adult life...

Funny, I would have said that the color palette in those tiles is very French country. Warm, buttery tones and somewhat crude, naive floral motifs in the accent tiles seem perfectly in keeping with Country French. What really fights the French country feel in that image for me is the *stove*, which looks like a defeated relic of the American 1970s, and the coffee maker, which is too contemporary. If you swap out the hardware on the cabinets, bring in some terra cotta and creamware crockery, hang herbs and peppers and a pan rack from the ceiling, put out flour sack cloth towels and bring in painted wood furniture, the potential of those tiles could be realized quite well.

The cheapest thing I've ever done as a back splash is cut corrugated plastic (you buy it in sheets at a hardware store...I got mine at Home Depot.) and cut it with an exacto blade to fit over the tile. Then I spray painted it and stuck it up with double sided tape. It looks way better than it sounds!

I don't think this is so far off from French Country - You've got "Country" in the woodwork and handles, and you've got mustard yellow tiles which appear rather Mediterranean...
...toss in some cobalt blue accessories and Provencal fabrics and you've got a French Country kitchen.

It could be far worse - You could be looking at 80's almond & oak cabinets with faux-butcherblock laminate countertops.

Thanks, thesmilequeen, for posting The Tin Man decorative metal sheets link, http://thetinman.com/index.htm .
Just returned from looking at everything on the site and yes I'm drooling and giddy, my mind awhirl with the possibilities, :)

i would take the cabinet doors off and line the interiors with black contact paper. Then I would buy some nice white or black dishes and keep them real nice inside the cabinet space. i don't mind the tiles.

i think there are vinyl self-adhesive tiles that look like the tin ones, too, and they are paintable and inexpensive. this is easy, inexpensive, and versatile...and it would likely tie in the cabinets and countertops a lot better....and maybe change out the hardware?

Covering the tiles with something does seem like the easiest idea. The problem isn't so much the tile (I'm not an orange fan, but I think they could grow on me) as it is that the speckled granite and tiles and cabinets don't harmonize with each other. A solid black surface would have been much better (or perhaps white, with white cabinets). If you don't cover up the tile, you might get some blue glass knobs to play off the blue in the tile.

Wow, I laughed when I saw your photo because I am currently living with exactly the same thing! My tile is a bit pinker, but the wood is a dead ringer.

I actually bought a bunch of white vinyl fabric that has some texture to it (and a wipeable surface) to cover it up. It looks a lot better than it sounds (bad 80's outfit).

Post pics when you're done!

I'm with Ulrika. The tiles look French countryish and if you follow some of her suggestions I think your kitchen will be beautiful....

I've lived with an "if you squint real hard, it looks OK" kitchen for 12 years, and am just about to re-do it, finally. It never worked, and I don't think this is going to work as French country, no matter how hard your squint.

I like the idea of the backsplash in tin (I think white beadboard would also work), and I think that will solve 90% of your problems. With the right accessories, the countertop will fall right into line, and the cabinets are fine, imo, with your intended look.

I think if you added some white pieces, terra cotta and perhaps some pale blue as well to the kitchen decor, then you may like what you have to a degree. I think the tiles seem more french country than not.

You could order white or cream vinyl squares from etsy or something to place on top of them if you wish.

Why don't you get some Provencal-pattern oilcloth (possibly cut down from an oil cloth table cloth) and glue it to the granite counters. Then the tile and cabinets would seem to "go" with the counters, and you'd have an approximation of the look you like. (Lots of French country kitchens are casual and imperfect, so you have some leeway to be visibly DIY.)

Pierre Deux fabrics are expensive, but a good approximation of what could work in your kitchen.

I agree with either the beadboard or pressed tin to cover the orange tile. And then plain black porcelain knobs can help un-countrify the cabinets at least a little bit. The granite is a really unfortunate color/pattern. The oilcloth comment was interesting, but I don't know if that would be an improvement. One idea I found is big floor tiles in a basic color with a layer of felt to protect the original counter. The weight of the big tiles will keep them in place. And then some kind of tape or ribbon around the exposed granite edge. Or, since they're easier to cut to fit, mosaic tiles that come in sheets - B&W hex could be fun, if unusual as a counter surface. Mind the gaps though - I wouldn't want to have to clean stuff out of ungrouted hex tile. Since it's impermanent, maybe caulk instead of grout? Tilers, could that work?

http://www.thesmarttiles.com/

The question is, what is your landlord like? Do you know for a fact that they would be dead against the place being revamped a bit? (After all, if it was well done, it would improve their revenue in the future). And are you planning on sticking around for a while (i.e. it being worth your while to spend the money yourself rather than beg the landlord to do it)?

I would make a list of the things you would ideally do with it, if it were YOUR kitchen. Then approach the landlord with the most realistic and neutral ideas, and sweet-talk him into letting you put it into practice!

I am not sure if this would work on tile... but what you want to do is cover it somehow. A Fabric that you like, cut to area. Liquid starch. Soak fabric in starch. Ring out..start at top and smooth wet fabric down the tile surface. Smooth air bubbles and wrinkles. Apply next fabric piece.

On a panelled wall this worked very good. When it dries, it is 'glued' to the wall. (easily removable, just pull down) You would have to wash residue off to get deposit back. I am not sure if this will work for tile though. You could try.

I would never suggest a flammable material in a heavy duty work space that includes heat and electricity. So, I'd steer clear of paper or fabric as a solution.

You could accessorize to disguise the lower portions of your back splash with colourful jars, containers, that would hide the thicker black band running along the bottom. A couple of small potted herbs might be nice, too.

Another quick, and temporary fix would be to change out the knobs on the cupboards. Head to Target or Home Depot, where you can find a ton of inexpensive cabinet hardware. Should you decide to go with the storage jar idea, you could get handles to tie in with them somehow?

I actually like the tile. What I would do is darken the cabinets. I think if they were a rich mahogany or cherry it would all blend in nicely.

Stephanie, I can commiserate, but I live in provincial France, and this stuff minus the granite (ooh lala!) is standard here. So, I say, make do, add the porcelain as mentioned, pretty fabrics curtains, pillows, the oilcloth is a good touch, authentic, some bunches of dried herbs and garlic braids. Do some research in design books.Oh and don't forget the chicken accents, and a cat or two. ;-). Red or blue gingham oilcloth on table like Jacque Grange's Provence Mas in Provence Interiors book from Taschen. Belgian Pearls site http://belgianpearls.blogspot. OK, not quite french but has some good kitchens. Before you know it your bowl of onion soup or cafe au lait will feel right at home. If the color of the tiles offends that much, cover them with french country style back splash. Metal sheets, painted to look like zinc or chalkboard would be as authentic as the tile. I have slate chez moi. Bonne chance!

be careful of anything flammable, including the tape goo that could melt into the grout joints. know someone who found individual stick-on stainless tiles at a hells' kitchen hardware store to put behind the stove; worked well, except the cooking/cleaning seeped between the tiles, left perm marks, and part of deposit was lost.