I have looked and liked the stone print, but have been told that prints will quickly date and when costing, it doubles the cost of the splashbacks (which would blow the cost out to over 7k just for the splashbacks). Hence I am stuck for ideas.

conduit can sometimes be recessed into a brick wall and rendered over if you need an extra powerpoint or hidden inside wall cabinets for a built in rangehood but the other prob with range hoods is that they make so much noise and i'm not aware of any that completely removes cooking smells but i agree, unless there's some regulation that demands a rangehood, it's probably easier to clean the wall. The colour of the tiles is such a personal choice but for your kitchen i prefer the same white subway tiles for the splashback and the column as i think that the dark tiles would feel closed in up the side wall but, perhaps the subways could be laid vertically (200mm x 100mm subway?) around the benchtop and horizontally for the column with one vertically tile up the sides of the column and a tile trim around all the raw tile edges...then you have to decide if you like the horizontal tiles laid in a brick or stacked pattern or a quick look at "subway tiled splashback" on HOUZZ revealed these photos...good luck with it!

I think the look you are going for is gorgeous! But I admit that I too am surprised your considering a smoky mirror splashback if you dislike glass? But again, it all depends on the vision you have for your kitchen. As Dr Retro has wisely pointed out, depending on what is opposite, will depend on what you're reflecting... or, what you have on your kitchen bench and if you want to see it doubled. I think in certain applications, smoky mirror splashbacks can look really beautiful but if you're not fond of glass, why not start with a material that you love and go from there? I have developed a bit of a thing for Southern Cross Ceramics and all the different tiles they have available - in beautiful colour tones, patterns.... aaaaah it's hard to make a decision! It doesn't need to be a dark colour if that is not where you heart lies, but some soft muted colours could work beautifully. I also saw a designer recently laid I believe it was a mix of matt and gloss white subway tiles in a herringbone formation (correct me if I'm wrong anyone??) so that it had a little twinkle here and there... it looked beautiful. As much as I love a mostly white kitchen, I think a little colour & texture that compliments your marble would be a great way to go.I even saw some silver/copper foil looking tiles as part of a splashback to give a kitchen that bit of glam. Before you commit to smoky mirror splashback, maybe have a look at some other options that will compliment your style and see if anything else grabs you :) Good luck.

The benchtop in the kitchen is the hero piece. Go neutral so you don't draw attention away from the benchtop into the butlers pantry. The splashback is usually well hidden in a butlers pantry by things on the benchtop. You have enough happening already without adding yet another feature. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls