The Depot here has an 18" ceramic called "Nevada Sand" for $0.70 sq/ft under the "buy more, save more" deal.

You need some sort of edge or border to contain the backsplash where it belongs.If you are using a ceramic or porcelain tile you should be able to get a pencil edge in the same product line.If you are using a glass or mosaic tile the only option often is aluminum edge trim which any tile store has to offer.  

I would buy leftover ceramic tile as long as there was about 12 or more square feet.

For a 1500 square foot house all to be ceramic tile...How much mortar would I need?

Will ceramic tile floors in kitchen and bathrooms appraise for more than luxury vinyl floors? 

Cheap commercial ceramic tile . 

I went to look at an REO and when I walked in I noticed that several of the ceramic tiles were cracked down the middle.

I had a house that had a ceramic tile counter top and it was done in 72 according to the guy who did it, still looked good for the old country kitchen thing, not my style, but it's a long story about how I remember 72 and that house...I would think the granite would last just fine.

My rule for rentals is...Clean concrete subfloor....stained concrete.Dirty concrete subfloor....tile.Wood subfloor....laminate.Wood bathroom or kitchen subfloor... ceramic tile or linoleum.  

Its an old cast iron tub with ceramic tile surround that was re-glazed a few years ago.