Thanks! I was also leaning to leaving the short wall alone but wanted some outside advice :) appreciate the opinions!

Yes they do have similar styles in porcelain, but to me it doesn't look the same. Search around that site and see if any of the other tile designs in other materials strike your fancy. I know you said you don't like the subway, but you could get a glass tile in a 2X8 and lay it in a herringbone or find shorter ones and do a chevron. Don't know if you care for mosaics, or penny rounds, those would also look nice. You are going to have to narrow it down to a look you are drawn to, and then go from there. Search kitchen backsplashes on here to get some ideas as well.

If you love the marble tile, go for it! You can always buy a stainless or white range hood backsplash like this http://www.wayfair.com/Air-King-Range-Hood-Back-Splash-SP2430-AXK1174.html to slip in place when you are cooking something really messy. I have a travertine backsplash and use a stainless sheet when frying. It works great and no worries about stains ruining the stone.

@ Divya Sreedar. You will have to contact all of the ceramic boutiques that deal with imported tiles in Chennai. Attached below is a photo from AMSET ONE store in trivandrum with the subway tiles on display as I have seen. It takes 3 weeks to arrive from order date. If you like us to deal with the purchase please contact us or you could call them directly to find out.