OK, I have more details that may be helpful: As stated in the original bug report, having the file manager NOT handle the desktop renders the desktop black and without icons. Changing this back doesn't have any effect. However, restarting nautilus makes it work again, but the overview mode shows not only the desktop wallpaper (as it should), but also the desktop icons (as it shouldn't). The desktop icons that are shown on the overview are those that were on the desktop when restarting nautilus, i.e. if I change the location of an icon or create a new folder on the desktop after restarting the file manager, this won't be reflected on the overview.
Thanks in advance!