That’s a great idea, thank you! Which do you think would look better? I’m so tempted to try and cut/sand it down once the countertop is removed but you’re right - this way is probably less risky (if we cut it too much it would look even worse and dirt would get under it)

Pull the panel, template and install the tops, reinstall the panel trimmed as necessary, please. The panel must die into the top; no caulk 'n cut-around.

You’re right, that would probably be the best thing to do... easier to cut the panel and control where it lands on the countertop if we take it off. I’ll see if our handyman can do that. Thank you!

Yes, pull the panel, then if necessary cut it down. It might be that you can just reinstall the panel and then adjust the door up a little, after the counters are installed.

Another vote for removing the panel, installing the countertop, then trimming the panel to fit. Actually, if it were me, I'd run the back splash all the way to the front of the glass-doored cabinet and let the panel rest on top it.

another vote for removing the panel and trimming it properly. Perhaps a sliver off the bottom and the top, or if it's 1/8"- 1/4"or so, trim the top where it's less visible. I would want the rails to be the same width.

Thank you all! This has been so helpful! I met with the guy who’s going to redo the tile backsplash and he said he can take it off and trim it no problem. Good point about taking a sliver off of the top and bottom or taking it off of the top. I like the idea of carrying the backsplash all the way over to the front of the hutch but I think it could cut in to the decorative panel at a weird level. (And we’re going to do white subway tile so it won’t clash with the panel like it does now, maybe blend together more)

two more questions: 1. should we remove the electrical outlet to the left of the decorative panel? We don’t really need it because there’s another one under the window, and it looks kind of odd right there in the middle of the wall...

and 2. How high should the tile go between the window and the decorative panel? Right now it’s 12” tall and over the stove and sink its 21” tall (yes I know we have a tiny kitchen and this is just an intermediate upgrade while we save up to add on :)

thank you all!!!!

And trim the panel at the ceiling, not the counter.

Will the new countertop interfere with the drawer that abuts the counter?

I think it would look nice to remove the panel and use a thinner trim piece, like the one on the right side of the cabinet, then take the subway tile up to it, and all the way to the ceiling. You could then add storage by using shallow open shelves on that blank wall, for spices, cups, pint jars, etc.

I think that code requires you to have an outlet over every section of counter. The white cover will disappear more with your new white tile.

As others have said, remove panel, install new counter, cut as necessary at top to re- install.
I would either move the receptacle down into the splash, or up and out of it, not half and half. Or run new back splash higher to include outlet and plate within tile field.

Thank you all! There’s already another outlet on that wall over the counter (under the window) but we might as well keep the second one. I think we’ll do 6 rows of subway tile which will bring the top of the tile to about 3.5” above the outlet.

Interesting idea about adding shallow shelves! Open shelving makes me a little nervous in earthquake prone CA! I wonder if it might feel too crowded with shelves too but we might do a mock up and see.

thanks again for the input!