18" is the "standard" distance b/w countertop and cabinet bottoms OR the bottom of your light rail, if you have it. Yes, you can buck the standard and go with a shorter distance but, be sure all small appliances you might use there (not just "plan" to use there) will fit. It doesn't really matter why the standard is 18", the fact that it is a standard means that manufacturers use it when designing small appliances for kitchens. My KA mixer, for example, is 17" tall... The other thing to keep in mind, as TresGirls also brings up, is that you need room to work under the cabinets...and if it's too short a distance you will be "cramped" when working there. If you and your entire family are short, it probably won't be a problem, but if any of you are at all tall (or even average height), it may very will be an issue. Do you plan to sell in the next 2 or 3 years? If so, then I would think twice about lowering the cabinets. OTOH, if this is your "forever" home or you plan on being in your house for many years to come, then do what works for you and your family. However, this is what I recommend you do: Measure the height of the tallest appliance you might use on that counter. Add 1/4" for "wiggle room" This is the minimum distance you need b/w the top of your countertop and: If you will have light rail on the bottom of your cabinets, then it's the distance b/w your countertop & the bottom of the light rail (and remember to account for the light rail in all upper cabinet measurements & installation!) If you will not have light rail but will have undercabinet lights, then it's the distance b/w your countertop and the bottom of the cabinets OR the lights...whichever will be lower. If you will not have light rail or undercabinet lights, then it's the distance b/w your countertop and the bottom of the cabinets. Even if you think you won't be pushing the appliance under the cabinets, you must still have room for them under the cabinets. It is very difficult to confine your work area to the 12" or so in front of the upper cabinets. You will at some point need to move your mixer (or other appliance) out of the way so you can work and you don't want to not be able to b/c it's too tall to fit.

Heatheron40, very nice. I asked a question about doing a tile countertop in our guest cabin recently as I feel like the look would complement the cabin aesthetic. Also I’m dying to learn to tile and thought it would be a fun place to start as it’s not an everyday space and I could take my time. Most of the responses were against. Basically stating the grout would make me crazy. The guy at the said what you’re saying I think, he said that modern grouts are more resistant to staining and such, and also to go with a tinted grout of some sort. I love your use of pattern to give it interest and intention!

I have posted a picture that shows the layout, and sorry I didn't think of that earlier. The picture shows why I asked the question. I have 9' ceilings, with nothing at the top to align anything with. The kitchen is a U and the stove is centered on the "bottom" of the U. The wall cabinets do not go over to the hood on the back wall. I am not sure yet how high the tiles will go by the stove, but I want them to line up all the way around. So if I can adjust the height by an inch or so, I am good with that! Thanks to everyone who graciously took of their valuable time to give me such good suggestions.

I'm going to take a complete guess here and say that the installer made a judgement call. What I mean is; chances are that your window, floor, ceiling and walls are not perfectly plumb, level etc. Again, I'm guessing but take a look at your window. Often, if the cabinetry is close to your window trim an installer may install something slightly out of plumb in order to keep the cabinet & window trim parallel with each other as your eye will see 1/8" more between cabinet & window trim than 1/8" between cabinet & countertop. I would look at everything in this set up. With the age of your house, there may need to be some give & take in certain areas. You need to decide what will be noticed or bug you more. You posted more in your other thread about many things being out. It's unfortunate that things have only come to light at such a late stage in your reno process. If your floors, walls & ceiling were out so much, there should have been some conversation between you & the contractor as to scope of the renovation well before starting this project. Or, at very least, at some point when it was noticed how out things were. To level ceilings & plumb walls is not simple or cheap. Levelling floors is a huge project by itself. 18" between cabinet & countertop is an industry standard & also a building code standard depending on your area.