Most people like the shelf. But things to think about: if you make the shelf too deep it could interfere with your hood exhaust. The shelf will need to be cleaned regularly because of splatters and grease that do not make it up the hood. Don't store perishables like herbs and spices on the shelf because the heat from the rangetop will spoil them.

I suggest that the stainless backsplash behind the rangetop be quilted stainless. You will see this in restaurants. The quilting pattern will not show splatters as much as smooth stainless. You can buy quilted backsplashes at Home Depot, or have them custom-made. I will link a picture below; I don't know anything about the company, it was just the first one that came up when I googled.

Here is a link that might be useful: Website with Pic of Quilted Backsplash

We have stainless behind the range because I have white crackle subway tile everywhere else and didn't want to worry about cleaning spaghetti sauce off of it. I used fold-down wire shelves (I worried that permanent solid shelves would interfere with venting) that came from a Ventahood backsplash that I bought be decided was too short, at half-height. A local guy make me a similar but full-length unit and attached the VAH wire shelves to it.

Here is a link that might be useful: