We're with Valduff. Shades of purple and plum can really add depth to a chic scheme like yours. Particularly with your gorgeous counter top. Grey is also a good call, as it will coordinate with your kitchen units but allow room to add coloured accessories. It can depend on the light quality in your room- we always recommend grabbing some tester opts in a range of shades. Paint your walls or A4 sheets, and see what the colours look like as the light changes throughout the day.

Tiles are one way to introduce some pops of colour in your kitchen. If you are worried about the grout discolouring, use epoxy grout which is more resilient to liquid staining. Also, if you use a coloured grout, discolouration will be less noticeable. If you choose textured tiles with rectilinear edges, grout lines are almost invisible. Using tiles can look more traditional compared to glass or stainless steel. The problem with stainless steel is keeping it looking good. Drip marks and grease are instantly noticeable. Glass is less obvious when splashed. They are both more industrial and modern looking. What about using the same material that makes up your worktop as the splashback? Most manufacturers of manmade worktops also do an 11mm thick splashback and upstand.

I feel your pain as I did the same with my stainless steel oven. I rubbed some oil gently on it and it did help, but the t cut idea sounds good!

Do you like patterned tiles at all? Doesn’t have to be garish and you can keep the pallet simple. I’m thinking tile the whole wall, the same width as the vanity unit, up to the ceiling, similar to first picture. Or if that’s too much, then just tile the space from the sink to the mirror. I would raise the mirror a little so that it doesn’t get too splashed.