Need some design help-

Plans call for an 18" bar, set atop a 42" 1/2 wall, and slightly overhanging
the counter backsplash. Builders are now telling me they *think* I need
brackets under the remaining 13" overhang. I know it is possible to fix the
counter to the top sill of the 2x4 half wall, but need some real ideas - any
suggestions? We really don't want brackets to detract from the clean lines
/ look that we are going for.

Any thoughts / suggestions / experiences would be great!

~Keith