Polar with is a stark white and is more contemporary particularly if glossy, but it could work in a semi gloss for a more traditional feel, depends on your overall colours... I feel a warmer white or even a very light grey picked up from the veins in the stone top might work better, particularly if you're going with shaker style cabinets

I agree that it's hard to choose the style without seeing the rest of the house but that a charcoal colour (same as the island cupboards) would tie in best with the colour scheme you have. Depending on the look of the house you have a lot of options to choose from and a lot depends on personal taste or budget. Glass is easy to keep clean and is a modern look if you are not wanting to draw attention to the splashback. Mirror (plain - modern or distressed - character) is lovely if you have something nice reflected in it. If the kitchen is messy though, it doubles the mess. Subway tiles (regular or irregular, tiled in brick format or herringbone) are always a lovely classic choice - but be mindful of grout issues. Arabesque or patterned tiles add more character if you're after tiles with a wow factor. I personally love stone, marble or quartz for an elegant, timeless look and in a charcoal or grey with veins I think would look stunning with the lamps as well as tying in the white and grey cabinetry. You can also do marble tiles that are a little less exxy than a slab although in the end I was surprised that the marble didn't cost much more than the caesarstone. Choices, choices!! Good luck. Your kitchen looks lovely!

What a difference. I love all the improvements and changes you have made to this kitchen. This is exactly what my tired kitchen needs now as it is over 25 year old. I need to start getting some quotes and see what I can do to make improvements to my house on a tight budget.

I actually think a mid-silvery paint would work well for the walls , and fit your brief , better than any off-white . Tied in with the charcoal and wood , it will look industrial , and you can add almost any tone of accessories and kitchen fittings , from blacks and wrought iron , to brass , copper , rose gold , and/or reds ,oranges , blues , yellows , most greens , etc .