Need to see much more than you're showing, but, for me, the backsplash should be the same from counters on up. The color of your penny tile and top row aren't working together. Top row appears a soft white on my screen, and the bottom tile looks too yellow-ish.

Both tile patterns were installed at the same time using the same grout and grout color

I would start over with a new back splash from the counter up to the bottom of the cabinets............A simple subway tile would work well. Keep the grout color as light as the tile.

If the top row is a bull nose tile, it would need to be removed before going up to the cabinets. A bullnose tile has a rounded, finished type edge compared to a regular tile. I don't see any problem with the penny tile - looks the same color on my monitor.

Is the pattern just subway and penny tile? The bottom row in the pic looks bigger than the top row - might just be an illusion.

lizo, on my screen the tiles look like different colors. Are you saying they're are all the same color? Both the lower tiles and switch plates look more yellow than the top row of subway...?

They all look like the same color on my monitor too. It would be nice to see a picture of the full countertop and backsplash and cabinets.

I think you should remove the entire back splash and redo. Don't let that quick 2-day job hold you back from making your kitchen look finished. Don't patch it or add to it.....no, no!

Pick something you love and enjoy it!

The penny would be super cute, or a simple subway, but definitely (IMHO), NO to liners or inserts. Herringbone in a 3x12 or so many choices here:

https://www.flooranddecor.com/backsplashes-decoratives

Honestly speaking, I think it would be a lot of work to remove the top row of tiles, and then try to match new tiles and grout to the old tiles and grout. From what I can tell, the original lower tiles were probably 4 x 4 ceramic tiles, neither particularly expensive nor unusual.

Just start over completely over and get a more polished, cohesive look.

Do over. All of it. This time around, get a pro tiler who didn't major in LAZY. That's what he was and that is why he talked you into the gap.

If you go with a white tile again, change your outlet/light switch covers to white. The outlet itself looks almost definitely white, while the cover is off white. I never would have caught this, except an electrician at my house who moved a light switch recently noticed I have the same (white outlets/switches, off white covers) when I was wanting to go all white. Fortunately, the covers are the easy and much cheaper part, compared with replacing outlets and switches themselves.

What is your countertop made of? My DH and I recently removed most of our backsplash ourselves, and I can tell you from that experience that the penny tiles will be a pain to get off (because of their mesh backing). The bottom row of tiles were also REALLY attached, but since that's the foundation, that makes sense.

Btw, the tool we used to remove most of the backsplash (except tight areas) was the Trim Puller at Lowes. It was much easier to use than other methods.

Thanks for all the great comments. The countertop is honed black granite. All tiles & all outlet covers are white too.

Granite is pretty strong so cardboard would protect it from flying tiles if you chose to remove them rather than cut out the drywall. Do you have a 4" granite splash under the tile? Or does the tile go all the way to the counter?

the tile goes all the way to the counter

Look at it this way - You have had 7 years out of your investment - Just tear out and do over. Happy Birthday

The tiles all look the same color to me. But in any case, I would have the backsplash redone. I can't believe someone talked you into that. Another "pro"?

There's only 1 place the tiler did the tiles all the way up and that's underneath the stainless steel range hood. How difficult is it going to be to remove the tiles there without damaging the hood. Any suggestions? I'm thinking we'll do the work ourselves. We have never removed/installed tile before.