I think a tiled area behind your cooker would be a good idea. It might give a good range of texture and colour. A nice french blue / Grey for a splash of colour?

http://bedrock-tiles.com/collections/wall-mosaic-tiles/ortem/#prettyPhoto[gal]/4/

Or see here if you want something more neutral.

http://www.rtimmons.co.uk/hampshire

Good Luck!

I recommend hiring a local kitchen designer. Houzz if full of people who don't like the backsplash that they have chosen for their kitchen. Good luck!

I would stick with the white theme and go with a white tile. It will keep it classic.

Thank you all for the lovely complements. We just finished this kitchen about a year ago when we had a flood and had to start over again. The last time we used white subway tile, and it was just too plain and stark. We were hoping to use something more traditional, like a Brittany and Coggs porcelain but were just not certain it will work with the marble counters. I'm considering bead board? Is that boring too? I really would love to see something fresh and new. Love all the suggestions, thanks again!

Bead board might give it a too relaxed look. Sorry about your flood! B and C porcelain would be classy! Maybe :

http://www.brittanyandcoggs.com/collection/detail.aspx?id=45

or

http://www.brittanyandcoggs.com/collection/detail.aspx?id=49

And how gorgeous:

http://www.brittanyandcoggs.com/collection/detail.aspx?id=38

We visited 100% design yesterday which was fantastic for ideas.

here are a few tile companies who have a beautiful range.

http://www.hesmith.co.uk/products/ceramic/period/period-embossed

http://bedrock-tiles.com/collections/classical-tiles/heritage/

Since your kitchen is fairly white maybe a patterned or textured tile would really give it an interesting feature!