How about a combination of a backsplash and art. The French "twist" with your modern kitchen along with the large focal area behind the stove would lend itself well to using a great tile art or mosaic there. I see the third one as reminiscent of a harlequin print in a mix of stainless and gray or black to blend with the wall. The last is way over the top but wanted to offer some jumping off points that could spark your imagination.

Thank you for the comments!!! We are excited that the project is coming to an end soon and we are enjoying the new space. I will look at some back splash options and will repost after it is complete!

need backsplash for sure!

Yes, it's the one missing piece!

Maybe behind the cooktop. But keep it simple, with clean lines, like the rest of your kitchen. No need for fancy tile mosaic. Also, if you cover the entire grey area with tiles, you'll lose the ability to change color in the future. You can always just place a piece of stainless steel behind your cooktop - the width of the cooktop and height to bottom of cabinets or so; for now at least. See how you like that. Don't feel like you have to go with trends and/or with what everyone else is doing.

There are some gorgeous blue/gray glass subway tiles that would look fabulous. What a GORGEOUS kitchen!

It's a beautiful kitchen the backsplash would complete it!

Yes, a back splash will make your kitchen pop!!

Backsplash definitely would be the icing on a very sweet cake!

Yes, add backsplash but use a subway tile similar in color to your cabinets - Something with a little sheen. Look at all the cabinets and back splashes on this site for examples.

I agree with previous posters - a classic subway tile backsplash similar to your cabinets with a gloss finish to bounce off light :-)

Your kitchen is beautiful! Love everything about it-sleek but very warm & welcoming. Interested what you choose for a backsplash.

Yes, yes, yes...backsplash...or at least a stainless steel panel behind the cooktop...try to remove grease from painted walls: not easy !

Have never had a backsplash and not hard to wipe down wall as no greasy cooking! Love your kitchen as is, but go for it if you feels it seems unfinished.

These are some samples from the net.

You can try white shiny subway tiles to lighten up the kitchen or even white marble with faint grey veins

If you keep the dark wall the way it is the counters would blend in and it would make the kitchen look very dark in my opinion. But If you prefer more dark shades then light, you can add a simple shiny dark greay tile such as the example in the last picture attached.

It would look nice to make the wall using the same marble that you used on your island table

Its beautiful!! a backsplash behind the cooktop will add such a beautiful detail and complete the look

All white is the safe and expected choice, but the wall looks so good the way it is I'd be inclined to do the splash in a similar color. To achieve a finished look, don't forget the electrical outlets. They should not stay a contrasting color. You could find a matching Lutron color or use something like a metallic bronze plate with a charcoal device. You could also have custom plates fabricated, or best of all, move them to an angled power strip hung under the back of the wall cabinets. In the case of a coffee maker or toaster oven which resides more or less permanently, I'd move the outlet to sit behind it.

I like it without a back splash. My kitchen looks similar to yours and I like to use the area over the cook top to hang pictures and change the decor with the seasons. I would be limited with a back splash. As far as getting dirty, it can get splashes but I just wipe it up or change the picture.

Definitely a back splash Ceramic or glass, something simple that would tie the room together. If you like the current paint color you may be able to find glass subway tile in a similar shade or perhaps a color a few shades lighter than the lightest color in you counter top.

White subway tile would look great!

Your kitchen looks fabulous! Definitely needs a splash back - why not be daring and add a bit colour behind cooker to give it a lift!

I used subway tile laid traditionally with a herringbone pattern behind the cooktop and I love it. Daltile has several beautiful colors that would look great in your kitchen.

Sorry for the three pics! App went wackadoo:)

How about these tiles?

Yes to backsplash, it will protect your wall (especially behind the cooktop as mentioned before). I'd go with something classic like subway tiles.

What a perfect kitchen!!!

No tiles - they are SUCH a pita to keep clean, and persistently so busy and fussy, even simple ones, that they'll just aggravate your otherwise rather serene kitchen. They always make me think of a tart who didn't know when to stop applying the turquoise eye-shadow, ugh.

How about glass over a stunning fabric, or just scrubbable gloss paint? There's nothing easier to keep clean than glass! http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2523276/list/Glass-Backsplashes

Nice back painted glass done to fit in one piece would solve the problem behind range and sink where all the goop goes and be really simple even in the same color as wall to keep it simple.

It is so refreshing to see a new kitchen without a backsplash. I have used glass and it gets scratched easily. I almost wish I had left it as it was.

I think you need a simple white subway tile backsplash. You can't go wrong with that! We are in the process of building our new home and I am going to pick out counters next week. What is the countertop on your island? It looks like a quartzite?

So many people are suggesting white subway tiles, but if you do that, then you have an ENTIRELY white kitchen.

Why not go with a beautiful marble with black marble accents (like basketweave design)? It will tie both countertop materials together. You could also go with a solid marble piece behind cooktop, like the second of four pictures saraanceriz sent. Beautiful!!

My island countertop is White Macuba- it is really beautiful in person and looks similar to marble with the veining.

I'm leaning towards a grey glass subway tile to match the paint color- but still bouncing around ideas! Thank you for all of the suggestions.

Beautiful kitchen! Since your kitchen's design aesthetic is classical, how about a granite slate? Or something similar? It would be ideal to keep the aesthetic clean and continuous.

I would say yes, it is a good idea. It completes your kitchen. You could go with small glass/stone tiles that take on the colors in the granite and the wall color. Even some copper into them is a nice contrast.

This would look stunning in your kitchen: http://www.glasstilestore.com/alloy-deco-surf-gray-1-2-x-1-2.html

go something simple and muted but that adds a bit of style; my choice would be a latern tile in grey something along the lines of this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Merola-Tile-Lantern-Grey-12-1-2-in-x-12-1-2-in-Porcelain-Mosaic-Floor-and-Wall-Tile-11-sq-ft-case-FKOLB810/203655362

Having a backsplash is the best way to protect your walls from grease and other unwanted negative effects on your walls. Some of the best and least expensive options are wall tiles, subway tiles, and mosaic tiles, more expensive options are stone, such as Granite, and other natural material.

your kitchen looks really good without backsplash. within your budget, I would recommend the backsplash as below

Love the tile mwiecz01 suggested! It's beautiful!

Yes you need a backsplash! It is the focal point in your kitchen and if designed right it will pull your kitchen together. Show your style, make it timeless, its easy... and it can be inexpensive as well. Turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by adding a mosaic medallion, frame , onlays or accent pieces. See images attached for some great ideas!

Subway tile

Love the finishes you have chosen. The kitchen looks great. If you are not ready to commit to a backsplash perhaps a antique mirror with a painted finish in high gloss would look nice behind stove. Or for a full backsplash mirror antique subway tiles. Again you could just limit them to behind the stove and create a frame around them. I would have a hard time covering up the paint color you have chosen it really is a perfect choice.

I think a stacked stone would look really nice and add texture and dimension.

I like the color you selected for the wall, I think a subway tile in that color family might look great!

Here we are 2 years later...what did you end up doing? How's it holding up?

A unique back splash with a pop of color would look great in you new kitchen!

Beautiful!

Very Nice!