GC agrees and is fantastic - I use them on every project. My post was to get some objective viewpoints because after looking at it for a week straight, I've lost perspective on the two options. Faced with an option to just "accept it and move on" as live_wire stated is appealing on one hand because we are several weeks behind schedule (COVID supply chain issues) and without even basic use of the kitchen for 10 weeks now - so the thought of just plowing forward and getting this done is enticing. However, we did pay a premium for an upgraded feature from a reputable and experienced fabricator...having to look at something that is "a solid B" when that isn't what we paid for nor were promised, and doesn't match the quality of the rest of the project will probably irk me to see each time we walk into the kitchen. Again, was looking for some perspective on if this is acceptable or poor from professionals or people with more experience with mitered edges than myself. The chastizing over the inherent pitfalls of renovation and "overdone fad features" really is just white noise - this isn't my first or even 10th reno, but I'm also not a stone fabricator. But then again, who doesn't enjoy armchair quarterbacking other peoples' projects from behind a keyboard? 🙂

Thank you @millworkman and @Kristin Petro, CKBD for your responses. Here are some photos. I tried to capture the issues but it's less obvious in photos than looking in person. This piece of cut tile is not the same width along the niche, and the cut itself is also not straight or smooth. The tiles are not flush. I know there is a bit of buckling on all tiles, but most of the pieces do not have this issue so I am pretty sure this could have been avoided The contractor said that he is not able to make the cuts so they are the same height across the top (he kept blaming the uneven ceiling and the shadow from the mud, etc., but I am just looking across the tile tops). Maybe the caulk will fix this, but I won't know till it's done. I am rather skeptical he is saying it's "impossible" to line up the tiles. It may be difficult or unnecessary, but to say it is not possible for someone who's done this for 10 years seems a bit unreal.

Other than the perimeter of the floor when horizontal meets vertical--the seam should be caulked and not grouted, the floor is acceptable. I've seen far worse jobs. Meshed backed sheets of small tiles are not the easiest things to lay & get right. Yours looks pretty good. There does seem to be uneven color variation in the floor tiles but that isn''t on the tile layer. That goes back to who ever picked the tiles and didn't inspect the sheets before the tile was installed.

Whether it's a mistake or a feature of the different paint types, it sounds to me like you'll want it redone (and I agree - I couldn't abide that visual). I'd go reorder a pint of the trim paint (perhaps from a different store) and check it for a match to what's now on your trim. If it is indeed just a difference in how the paint materials present, you're on the hook for the change and finding a color that actually works. If the paint was actually mixed incorrectly, then you can probably negotiate with the painters to redo the work at their cost (if they sourced the paint), or go to the paint store for any damages/reimbursement (if you procured and supplied the paint). Either way, sorry you were disappointed with the results and no you're not overly picky!