Thanks for the advice. I've added another photo to show the rest of the area being tiled, as it gives a bit more of the full picture. We are starting the tiling behind the sink under the window, then across the wall (under the microwave cabinet), then behind the cooktop, up to the extractor. So if we also tile above the extractor to the top of the cupboards, I'm guessing it would look best to go to the top of the cupboards on the left side next to the window? Or what about keeping it all at the level of the bottom of the microwave cabinet all the way across, or would that look unfinished?? Any advice is very appreciated, as I'm a total newby at this!

It's probably personal taste - my opinion is that it would look great going to the top of the cupboard - from your first picture it looks like there is another cupboard the same height on the right hand side, so it would all line up and look nice and finished. It'll save you having a piece of painted wall that splatters can get to - fat splatters from frying can go far further than we like!!! And paint doesn't wipe well.

Up to the bottom of the curve but not following it's line, would be my vote :)

Just saw the updated photo - in light of the position of the microwave I'd have the tiling run from the bottom of the microwave and run it at that height/depth across the back of the cooktop and continue around the wall the window occupies so some of the tiling is coming up the sides of the window but remains at the same level all the way around.

My two cents worth would be to extend the tiles to cover everything below the canopy of the extractor (could go higher but that would be the minimum) and use that as your level on the other wall. So you ignore the curved glass (I assume that that's kind of the point of being transparent) and go with the straight edges of the tiles. You certainly wouldn't want a funny little segment of painted wall below the curved glass – it will look awkward and be very difficult to keep clean. My remaining concern is – have you already installed the rangehood or can it be easily taken back down to allow the tiler to do a really good, neat job and then the rangehood can be installed nice and tight against the tiles?

Thanks for everyone's advice. The tiler had a gap in his workload this afternoon and put our tiles in! I've attached two photos ... one showing the tiles with the most likely finished layout (grouting to come tomorrow), and one showing an extra temporarily placed layer of tile(s) between the microwave and the window (which my partner prefers), so it's all the same height right across. Now, need to decide on which layout and colour of grout.

I have a similar rangehood going into my new home and we are having glass splashback but it is going up to the cornice. I think it will look incomplete to the bottom of the glass. Have just seen your tiling, if that's the height you are going with then match the height on the window side.

Janine,

I like what you've done and agree with your partner, go with the extra tile beside the mic and window, looks better.