I can't tell from your description whether you are going for a "vintage" design throughout the kitchen, or a more eclectic design that just happens to be using the great antique stove you found. If you are looking for an authentic vintage design, then either subway tile (doesn't have to be white) or 4" to 6" square ceramic tiles (very 1950's like your stove) would be the most appropriate and simple (in a single color, or with a contrasting border). Subway tile just means a rectangular tile shape in any material or color, though the classic use of it is white. I suppose if you want a different shape all together, but still in white, you could use an arabesque tile. I'm not fond of them, but many people seem to love them and they too have a vintage feel. Or you could use white hex tiles on the backsplash.