This is the the backsplash

My preference would be to take the tile up to the bottom edge of the upper cabinet.

Personally I would like to go around the door to mask the lack of symmetry in the kitchen. My contractor thinks it's a bad idea. I dislike asymmetrical situations.

Listen to your contractor and the above advice. You won't mask the asymmetry with tile. In fact it may accentuate it. I didn't notice it until you brought it up.

If you don't go around the door, you should end it even with the counter tops, NOT the cabinets. Tiling around the door is more expensive so most people don't do it, but there's nothing wrong with it.

Here are some photos with your two options. Go with your gut, it's usually right:

Victorian Home on Mt Tabor · More Info

East Side Eden · More Info

KitchenLab · More Info

Amy Alper, Architect · More Info

Kitchen Ideas · More Info

Thank you all so so much! I really appreciate the time you took to comment on my dilemma. Hope you have a great day.

If you stopped it at the base of the cabinet height, what color would you paint the walls? Can you throw some paint up and see how it looks? The white tiles with the white cabs will be pretty neutral. I just did a kitchen and put a matching marble "pencil" to edge it where I wanted the tile to stop. I did take it up and around the kitchen window to the ceiling but there was little else going on in this small kitchen and it needed a little wow factor. For me there wasn't much added cost due to the way I had to order the tile, there was lots of waste so this way it was used. I didn't see the uneven wall width until it was pointed out. If you trust your contractor give his advice some weight.

I would stop were the top cabinets end.