Backsplash Quest

We've decided it's time to get a backsplash.  It's been nearly 2 years; we re-did the whole main floor including the kitchen but never got around to the backsplash. To be honest with you, we're kind of sick of looking at the food splattered wall behind the stove.
The kitchen is painted a grey-tinged white and the whole roon is flooded with light the majority of the day. It is my favourite room in the house.  Everything happens here.  It is my office, where we cook and eat, where we meet with friends and talk, where we do arts and crafts, where we dance and sing it is truly the heart of this home.  It just needs to be finished.

top 4 images via House and Home

via schindler metalworks

cooking lite via KitchAnn

So now the big question is: what is the perfect backsplash for our little kitchen that could?  What do you think?  Any thoughts?  I'd love to hear!