I am struggling with the same decision! I am planning white cabinets (with walnut island), and adore the look of Calacatta marble. There really is nothing else like it! I totally "get" your comment about the fluttery feeling-lol. After reading many, many posts in Gardenweb about marble etching, scratching, etc., and getting some samples and testing for myself, I decided that using marble on the countertops was really not the best idea for me, though I still want to use it on my backsplash (Calacatta subways) and solid piece behind the range. I have a butler's pantry and plan to use the marble on the countertop in there. That began my search for something else for the kitchen countertops that would go-with or compliment the Calacatta. I have never liked the look of granite much, as I prefer a more uniform "quieter" look. I looked for a uniform white granite--and there isn't one--I do not think any would look good with the marble. I do not like the man made materials either, (though I have to admit some of the plain white ones do not look too bad!) I found that Madre-Perla quartzite looked pretty good with the sample of Calacatta Gold I have, but was too beige with the Calacatta Classico (which has more grey veining and a whiter background). I also found that in searching on Gardenweb, looking at kitchens with Madre Perla (aka Mother-of-Pearl) the overall effect, seeing it actually in a kitchen as opposed to just a sample piece, while it is very beautiful, was not the look I wanted--or at least not with the Calacatta. I finally decided maybe a dark countertop was the answer, and looked at basalt (grey color would go well with grey veining in marble) but found that while very hard and scratchproof, it is very porus and staining is an issue. Then looked at honed dark granite (Absolute Black, Antique Brown), and thought I found my answer, until I learned (and proved with a test on a sample) that Absolute Black etches just like marble, and all the honed dark marbles show greasy fingerprints like crazy (put some hand lotion on and touch the surface in the stoneyard). Then I went on a soapstone adventure, and it does look really beautiful with marble, but soapstone is not readily available in my area, and always has a slightly greenish-tinge, even when oiled, which does not go with my planned more creamy palette. (Though I think it looks gorgeous with grey veined marble in kitchens with more blue-green palettes.) So what I am pondering now, is using a leathered black granite for my perimeter. I like the look of the Cambrian Black leathered. I am thinking of putting marble on my island and just doing the black on the perimeter so it will not overpower. Some other observations: I was never drawn to Super White, which is often suggested as an alternative to marble, until I saw Bee's recent post of her Super White install. Funny, I think Bee once posted saying she did not like the look of the "blobs" in Super-White, which is the same issue I have with it, but she found some slabs that just have gorgeous, uniform veining, and are so lovely. Wow--that kitchen is one of the prettiest I have ever seen, and could definitely make me a "convert" to Super-White! Those were some super-gorgeous slabs! I would not mix it with marble though, and I have heard that some Super White etches, and some does not, depending on the particular slab's calcite content--so it is not necessarily going to solve the etching problem, unless your particular slab doesn't etch. I think (and I say this having not experienced marble in a kitchen, though I do have it in a bathroom) that how good it looks (regarding etching) depends a lot on how much natural light you have in your kitchen. In some kitchens the etching is not noticeable, and in some it is more so because of the light shining on the countertops. If you like shiny, I would pair shiny on the splash with honed on the counters to minimize the visibility of the etching. I've read a lot in my research where people who had shiny marble countertops ended-up having them honed in place later. Sorry for the long post--let me know what you decide, or if you find any other options that appeal, as I am still thinking about what to use.

please wait until it is installed before you decide

I do not see the advantage of opening that wall it looks odd to me and galley kitchens are honestly one of the easiest to work in. I also can’t see the herring bone in the space I would choose a simple gray porcelan 12 x 24tile and use the conter top for the backsplash all the way to the bottom of the cabinets. I am really not sure what that picture is with the white cabinets.

Walker Zanger has great tiles. I'd select something with a handmade look, with texture. Maybe a crackle, or wavy appearance. Also something with a slight color variation so it's not totally monochromatic. This Walker Zanger tile comes in several colors: This is a glazed brick and comes in various colorways: Love these green tiles! These are Moroccan Zeliige tiles: Fishtail tiles in a dark color make a great statement: Hand Glazed terracotta in turquoise works beautifully in this white kitchen: You could also use a pencil liner for an accent: Staggered 4x4 tiles in a pretty blue: These are all from my ideabook "Backsplash tiles and patterns" if you'd like to see more.