Isn't it fun making decisions? So, so many decisions? The classic approach is to keep the tile at 18" all the way around the kitchen, and that is my vote. Of course, the more narrow the "strips" and the greater the contrast between the colors (trim, tile, and a saturated wall color), the more likely you are to notice them as such. Even so, it's a classic for a reason...

If it bothers you, the stripy look, keep your wall color unsaturated (toward the top of the color strip) and choose a window trim that is narrower and less complex for the outsides of the window.

Very nice--love the soapstone! I'd take the tile all the way to the ceiling. You'll never need to worry about repainting the little strips between the cabinets and window trim--and make sure the tiler understands that the same pattern needs to be carried to the ceiling. Yes, we've seen window walls where the installer decided to just stack the tiles to avoid extra cuts. (Unless the stacked look is what you want.) The pattern should be centered under the window, so that it is equal on both sides. Don't take anything for granted.

Sh has a considerable wall space above the window as well. If you want a comparable image to your situation you'll have to look for one tiled with only trim at the top.

The order in which you'll most likely do the work is paint, trim, tile. You can mock-up the look with paint first, then decide. Good luck!

I couldn't find too many examples with window all the way to the ceiling and the couple I did had the wall color very close to the cabinet color. Good idea to paint it first to see. I'm dreading finding a tiler I don't have to stand over, I'd rather just check in once in a while.

I've only had the soapstone a little while but I love it light and dark and everything in between. I'm fully aware of the cons, but I LOVE it!

Your counters are beautiful!

That is a very cool sink! Who makes it? Many people can't bear the thought of drilling holes in their counter and that solves the problem.

I would tile it. Those strips of wall between window trim and cabinet will be a pain in the butt to paint in the future. I supposed that is only a concern however, if you do you own painting.

I too vote to tile it. It will look more cohesive, especially since you're planning on a white or off white tile

The sink is a Kohler Indio. It's cast iron. You can get it with one, two or three holes. I'm waiting on my soap dispenser. The soapstone installer did put metal rods to reinforce the strips in front of and behind the sink since they are pretty narrow. And you do need to be aware of the reach of the faucet since it sits so close to the basin. I like it a lot more than the giant triple basin I had before.

Beautiful sink too. I can't wait for the reveal!

Keep in mind you have another window on that wall that will be trimmed and surrounded by paint. These will be trimmed in white and surrounded by white tile. It's a different look. Contrast can be prettier than a wall of white, and if you like green, don't you want to see it?

Yes, that's why I included the long shot. The other window is making it more complicated. I definitely don't want to tile that whole wall around the single window. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't making an obvious error either way. Some color on that run wouldn't be a bad thing at all. Right now it seems like it's really a matter of preference. I prefer less work, lol

The other window appears to be in another room or extension of the kitchen, so I don't think it will need to be treated the same, unless the cabinets on that wall leave only a small strip on each side of the window.

The only cabinets in the small part are going on the wall with the hole in it. I deliberately didn't run the cabinets to the window trim to avoid it looking crowded, especially going from white cabinets to stained, now I have another decision to make, but I'm still having fun :)

I agree with mama about the single window being a different "unit". It will look fine if you run the tile to 18" in the other room and completely to the ceiling with the double windows.

My window wall looks very similar to ssharris'. I hadn't really considered tiling all of the way up, but it seems to make sense as that would be the only place paint would show through on that wall. I have 4" crown molding at the top though that the tile would lay against. How would that work? Thanks.