I'm by no means an expert on this type of issue, but with as great as the frame looks, (and it does) I can't see it working when you add the over hang which from what I understand is about an inch to an inch and a half from the counter edge. I'd push to have them change it to your original plan so there is room for everything. I'm also perplexed over why they are refusing to use the marble you want to use. It will be interesting to see what others in the forum have offer in that regard also. (big sigh) Boy Charlikin what a challenge this has been for you. I sure hope it works out.

Firstly, any wood windowsill that repeatedly has cracks in the paint wasn't prepped and painted correctly with the right products. Or the window has issues with incorrect flashing leading to moisture infiltration that's a much bigger problem than the paint bubbling and peeling. So, don't compare the potential performance of this new sill to your old one.

Secondly, if you really do like the frame, there is no issue with templating a countertop with a clipped corner so that your counter doesn't meet the window frame. Now, if that had been done after the counters had already been templated, it would have been an issue, but even so, it'd still be a minor issue to any decent fabricators.

As live wire said, they can template around the sill, but the thing I don't like is that it empasizes that the window isn't centered. Your countertop will run into it on one side but not the other. That would really bother me. I can't believe how difficult this remodel has been for you. I hope they're finished soon so you can forget about how hard it was and enjoy your beautiful new kitchen.

Thanks, everyone! I just had a *long* talk with my mother in Florida, and without even seeing any pictures, she was able to take me step-by-step through the decision-making process.

I've decided the frame is really too beautiful to take down. It's unexpected, it wasn't in my plans, it wasn't my *vision* of the kitchen - my vision didn't include the window as any sort of focal point. It was just a kitchen with a window. Now it will be a kitchen with a big, beautiful window. I should be able to get my head around that.

In terms of the window not being centered - that's unfortunate. It was looking so nearly centered without the frame and countertop issue! I think I would live with that, though... it's one of these fact-of-life things that happens in tiny NYC apartments. You get used to seeing all these little compromises (like windows that are shoved all the way to the side and half-obstructed by refrigerators).

My other funky little compromise is that they had to hang my upper cabinets 2" lower to fit under a concrete beam under the ceiling. But I also had a tall broom closet. They couldn't "hang" that lower, so they cut the toe kick. You look down near the floor, and the toe kick for the broom closet doesn't line up with the cabinet next to it. Doesn't bother me a bit. It's one of these imperfect details that lets you know the job was real. :-)

I think I'm going to have lots of those...

Well, I hope this is the right decision. I'm second-guessing myself already, but I already called the contractor, and I really can't keep calling him back and flip-flopping. That would be like rolling the dice to see what I end up getting. (Which is how this reno feels to me sometimes.)

As for how difficult all of this is for me... I appreciate everyone's thoughts. I do seem to overreact to a lot of it... I don't know if I overreact more than other people. Maybe this reno really isn't so difficult and it's just me? My contractor keeps saying it's a big complicated project.

Next time I do this, maybe I can be more chill.

you are not over reacting.
you should get the job you paid for.

Charlikin, I think you're absolutely right and you'll be very happy with your decision. There are many quirky elements in my house that I have to accept as "charm". And, no, you're not over-reacting. I can't wait to see your kitchen once it's done.

My DH calls them "features"..LOL> In our 1890 house of renos...we have more "features" than I care to recount to you. After all is said and done I am the only one who knows where they are. I think the window looks GREAT. I am a big window fan. Get a stained glass piece to hang there...or suncatchers...or a fern...you are so lucky to have a beautiful window. c

Caroline, we have a joke about that in software development - "It's not a bug, it's a feature!"

Hope those are the only kinds of bugs my new kitchen has. Have to make sure they close up all the holes (like the ones left behind by the plumber when he moved the shutoff valves yesterday...).

I've spent all night second-guessing myself about that window frame. Without it, I might have been able to get them to give that new "cabinet"-like thing next to the stove a hinged door so it could be used for tray storage as well as just being a support for a countertop. I *had* mentioned it to them, but they didn't seem to understand what I was talking about. Now they wouldn't be able to do it because the window frame is in the way. Templaters coming in a few hours. Too late now.

Where do you find "chill"?

Charlikin, you don't need a door to use that cabinet for tray storage. I'm putting an open 6" base cabinet (framed so the opening will only be 3") in my prep area to hold my cutting boards. I currently store them in a 5" open wall cabinet and love the convenience of not having to open a door, especially since my hands are often wet when I reach for one. Even if your cabinets are frameless, he can trim out the opening to make it look finished and you won't need a door. Consider adding a shelf while he's at it. You need to utilize every inch of your kitchen.