can the counter be fixed? this is why shims exist…

It’s an old granite. There is a big chance it may crack while tear out and reinstall and since the exact same is not available we may have to end up replacing the entire kitchen

It’s my understanding that tiling in a herringbone pattern is one of the most challenging layouts and calls for a skilled professional. The countertop should be absolutely level-and that starts with the base cabinets being shimmed and checked for level-ness before the countertops are installed. After the counters are installed the leveling should be checked again to ensure there is no problem with their installation. The uneven counters need to be addressed before any backsplash is installed-otherwise it will never look right.

What if you laid one row of tiles flat, but cut to fill in the dip and then did the herringbone pattern above?

Forget tile. Use a single piece slab, maybe porcelain, to create the backsplash. Another option is to wallpaper with glass overlay, or simply paint.

Your answer is to have a skilled tile installer; they will handle the variance from one end to the other.

I would NOT use tiles instead use the same as the counter ...and you will not see the problem , besides you can’t pick a more complex tile to put on an uneven wall .

Ask a professional tiler. They may be “able to do it” but ask what flaws might be visible. Some tilers will do what you ask but the result will not make you happy. If there is a chance that it will seem “crooked” to you, choose a different installation. I would be curious to know if a small herringbone (the kind of tile that come on mesh already laid out) would work for this dilemma.

Make up the unevenness at the top under the upper cabinets and not along the counter. You usually don’t see directly under the cabinets.

Is that where your stove goes? I think forget the herringbone pattern and just do a nice simple either stacked or brick pattern and do the corrections with a good tile setter.

We have already bought fairly expensive glass 2x8 tile that cannot be returned.
The place where there is no cabinet will be tiled to the top with gas stove installed and chimney hood.
The contractor says running along with counter will make the whole backsplash look tilted so he plans to add extra tile as the counter goes down from left to right … I’m hoping with appliances in front, the extra tile won’t show

Thanks everyone!

if you can't return the tile, then do like what Patricia says -- do a simple stacked or brick pattern. I think from what I understand, a good tile setter will be able to very subtly widen the grout lines a little at a time so that the top is level. it sounds difficult though. be sure to choose grout that is not high contrast so the subtle groutline differences are not noticeable.

or save the tile for another room, and just do a solid backsplash... or no backsplash.

Herringbone has the advantage of being able to gradually elongate as it moves down the wall while remaining level. That isn't possible with a stacked or brick pattern.

I would TOTALLY disagree with the comment about herringbone being difficult. In this situation it is a best case scenario. It will take a lot of tile cutting and you want to have it planned/balanced before you begin, decide where you want the small tiles...normally they recede into the upper cabinets so no one really even sees they are a different size. This is where a cad program can be of great assistance.

Thanks so much!