I don't know if this helps you. We are doing same window layout. One at sink is existing and two flanking cooktop. This is the old kitchen but sink window is staying. It's 54" tall and mounted 6" above counter. We have 9 ft ceilings. The space between top of window and ceiling is approx 12 to 14"

Hopefully someone with a finished kitchen can chime in

Just one thing I would recommend. If the window is all glass, not a double hung, any height is fine. If double hung, I would be sure that there is no wood in your line of vision. Our window over the sink is about the size you listed for yours. Our wall height on the window wall is 8 ft. In a vaulted room. If we had put it at counter heighth, your husband is right, it would look too short. Our cabinets are 36 " also and the window is about 8" from the top of the cabinet crown and 12" from the ceiling. Considering counter height is about 3 ft, I would put at least a 4 ft window. With trim it would give you about the same as mine from the ceiling. Hope this helps. Here is a pic of my window. Not a great pic with the lighting but it gives you an idea of spacing.

Forgot to to mention the window is about 8" from counter to bottom of trim.

Our window will start at counter height. The nominal size is 8'w x 4'h, that would be frame size: 7'11.5" X 3'11.5". It goes as high as our outside soffit allows, which happens to be 12" below the kitchen ceiling.

Differences between our kitchen plan and yours that may (or may not) affect aesthetics:

• our cabs are 40"h and our molding is very minimal,
• our window is bumped out 8" and will not be trimmed, and
• we do not have cabinets next to our window.

The chart below is from our window specs. It shows widths across the top, and heights along the side.

HTH,

Cheryl

Thank you for all your input. I just spoke with our cabinet designer and was told the cabinets can go up to 39" and have a cove crown at the top. I have to look up what a cove crown is.

I came across this picture and going to ask from our GC how much would it cost to have this type of a window, looks like its custom made. If that works out to be too expensive then I'll go for a standard casement window that would sit about 12" below the ceiling.

I have French windows. The 2 on the back wall are (approximate RO) 48w x 41 t. The window on the right wall is 41 x 41. They sit about 3 inches off future counter. Wall height is 8 ft. Due to required headers, windows could not go any higher towards ceiling.

before/after kitchen · More Info

I think the decision on the window height should be a function of of the overall kitchen layout and position of the windows.

I renovated a 1923 Sears kit house with 9ft ceilings, and the windows all had to be custom because no standard size would fit. The kitchen had only two windows, the top of which aligned with the top of the 30" upper cabinets. Taking down the wall between the dining room and the kitchen was going to provide light from the dining room windows, but the kitchen windows still looked miserly to me.

So, for the kitchen windows only, I ordered windows that went nearly to the ceiling, without thinking about the heights of the cabinets to be installed. I am still pleased with the look, as well as the resulting daylight,

I don't have great photos of before and after, but there are some that at least show the change. They are the fourth and fifth photos down at http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2421625/heres-my-recycled-kitchen-show-me-yours .

Best of luck with your decision-making.