If the rough window openings are 22”, then you aren’t allowing nearly enough room for casings. Add another 7” to that for the room they will occupy. Reduce the cabinets to 15” so you are not crowding the casing too much. You also aren’t allowing for the size of the needed fillers. 1” is too small for that. Even at 1 1/2”, you will still need hinge restrictor clips.

I don’t think that who ever is designing this understands about window sizes, rough openings, and casings. You need to get your KD to work with your GC and get that straightened out. Plus, any dividers in narrow windows like that never work well at all. You may want to just eliminate the cabinets and do bigger windows when you understand how small the actual glass will be. That is brand dependent also. And dependen on whether you are using remodel or new construction windows.

Excellent (fast!) feedback GreenDesigns, thank you. The windows will be (single) casement windows (KD didnt have that choice in the system). Your feedback echos my concern that the window glass gets narrow once casements are considered.

The upper cabinets have restrictor clips and the walls are only 27" deep but, you've a good point. We may need to space those a bit further from the wall.

You are in single casement territory, not double. And your cabinet seller is not a KD and is not knowledgeable enough to be designing this without working closely with your GC for more specifics on the correct window dimensions, including casing choices.

This has a “Help my vent hood won’t fit between my windows!” post in your future otherwise. Plus, that vent needs to be a 42” hood, with at least 3” to the sides before the casing. That’s 54”+between the rough openings, to start, if you’re not using oversized casing. You’ve got a lot of design issues here. I’d post the wider design than just the elevation. I bet there are more.

Yeah, I agree a 42" hood would be ideal for function but, I really think that would overpower the wall. It's the whole function/form balance I'm trying to achieve so, there's some give and take. 36" is kinda it on that front.

The windows are actually single casement, the KD has the pic as double.

Below is the rest of the floorplan but, I'm happy with everything else so, unless there's something completely glaringly wrong (yes, I know the fridge could be closer), I'm really focusing my efforts on nailing down the upper cabinet to window ratio (this whole design process is driving me completely nuts). The kitchen will be open to the family room on one side (LHS) and the dining room on the other. Putting additional walls there is a non-starter.

Window-wise: the windows will be new construction (minimal frame-to-glass, maybe 1 1/2" frame?) but, the rest of the house will be retrofit so we're considering "milcore finishing" the new window openings so the new windows will look the same as the retrofit windows. That likely means a 2 1/2 frame...

I need some uppers on that stove wall so, would it matter if the window cut-outs were the same 24" as the cabinets? That means ~19" glass if milcore finish/retrofit or ~21" glass with a new construction window. I'd center the windows between the vent and cabinets.

Here's an image example of something like I'm trying to achieve:

Just spoke to my GC and window guys. We'll definitely go with new construction casement windows as the frame size at ~2 1/4" is MUCH smaller than using a retrofit window (frame size ~4"!!!).

Since you don’t have much of a view, could you do windows all along the backsplash instead (and then uppers around the cooktop)

Like this (CPArtist’s beautiful kitchen window)

Or something like this (tho I wouldn’t put the window behind the cooktop)

Your island acts a barrier between function points. You have to go around it to get to the fridge. It also has very little prep space in the right spot. It only has 18” of room where you will prep, and ideally would have more than double that amount. Just switching the cabinet to the side of the DW to next to the trash would help. But I’d also suggest a smaller sink, so the recaptured space can go to counter space, and a longer island also, if that doesn’t impact aisle clearances.

I don't really have an issue with the window size. I do feel the hood should be 42... My bigger issue is the single door 24" wide cabinet. That is a very large door! I have a 21" wide in my kitchen and I feel like I have to step back when opening it up.

As far as the fence - hang some pretty flower boxes on it or climbing morning glories - that will make for a nice view....

Thanks TCK and Debbie! Plants/vines against the fence would definitely improve the view. Natural light is kind of my first priority, I will definitely "fix" the view later.

And, I'm also thinking the 24" single door is a bit big. I can go with double-doors or drop the cabinet down to 21". But, my wife thinks having the window size too close to the cabinet size might be a no-no. With a 22" window opening and a likely 2 1/4" per side window frame, the actual glass would be ~17 1/2". Thoughts?

Prep space: I envision the prep space either on the LHS of the sink (51" of space) or, on the end of the island (between the fridge and stove) that has 68", including overhang. In my current kitchen, I do all my prep on the RHS of the sink and 51" would almost double the space I have now. I'd imagine the 18" on the RHS of the sink might be tougher if I were left handed.

could you use a corner cabinet like shown in your inspiration pic to create some balance and give you more room for the windows and hood?

A 24" single door will be huge and heavy and normally, a cabinet that size will have two 12-inch doors versus one door. I would probably go narrower on the window (18" casement) so that with the trim, the window is about 25" and possibly even do a single door 21" cabinet on each side. Definitely make sure you do a 42" hood for your 36" range.

Seems like for best functionality, you'd want the cabinets near the cooktop to have a single door that opens towards the cooktop (vs double doors) - so going smaller than 24" will make that easy.

I'm not sure I understand where you're describing your prep space... I see 18" on one side of the sink and 39" on the other (although that includes the DW which makes it less desirable as prep space)... if you go around the island 90º, then there's additional space, but that's secondary prep at best (plus it overlaps with where people could be seated)

also, the distance from in front of your fridge around to the sink is like 12 feet... that's a lot of walking ... You have a wonderfully large space to work with, but fitting in two walkways (on either side of the island) really limits your available wall-space. With a 12' wide kitchen, you have room to put the fridge and stove on the outer wall, with a really nice sized island facing it (and then have pantry / coffee / etc along the bottom wall)

Your kitchen design is trying to fit a 10 lb bag of flour into a 1 lb bag. You can only do so much in such a small space.

You need a redesign. And you need someone on board that actually understands why this design won’t work, including the island, and the proposed window sizes and cabinet sizes. You are still not understanding the differences between rough openings, and finished sizes with casings, vs actual glass size.

What you have drawn will not physically work with the dimensions that you are providing. I am not kidding that the range and hood will not fit as shown. You can just ditch the 2 flanking cabinets on install day when they don’t fit either, but not fitting the hood is a MAJOR problem.

Window and cabinet door size are really not something that gets compared. The window is in the wall and has depth - you look out to further spaces . A cabinet will be 12" in front of it and will be solid. It really doesn't matter...IMO

That was a little rough but, I do appreciate everyone's feedback! Two changes in particular I'm taking to heart:

1) 42" vent instead of the planned 36":

While some say matching the vent to the stove width is adequate, many more say to go +3" on each side.

2) Not enough wall space for 22" window framing with 24" cabinets and 42" vent (thanks GD):

I can address this by both reducing the cabinets to 21" AND mounting them on the side wall instead of the back wall (yes, the upper back shelf will be hard to reach, we'll also need door restrictors to avoid hitting the wall).

While #2 above gives me ~24" more back wall space, I lose ~6" to the wider vent so, I end up with 18" more back wall space.

I spoke the the window supplier and he said there's a 4 1/4" (!!!) overall space from window edge to actual glass for a vinyl casement windows. I may consider an aluminum frame as the frame is much smaller (but, it only has a 10YR warranty). The window guy mentioned the GC can bury much of the new construction vinyl frame in the drywall so I could get more glass (and the frame won't look as big). Has anyone ever heard of that before?

Here's the new elevation:

Have you confirmed in your area if there is any stipulation on how close an operational window can be near a gas range? There may not be one, but I have dealt with areas where you wouldn't be able to do this. The windows would have to be architectural.

I feel like you are overthinking this...When I look at these pictures I am not comparing the size of the window to the size of the cabinet next to it or the hood.. It just is...have your designer put a "view" into the windows - that may help you as well.

Thanks Debbie! And, yes, I am completely overthinking just about everything. I aprecciate the pictures and the feedback.

I would think a minute on your island. You have 4 across on a 96" countertop. That is the bare minimum for seating. If you plan on eating there it is a little snug. I would change and have 2 people on the end ( remove the cabinet next tot the dishwasher ). The I would remove the 4th seat all the way to the left and put a 15" wide cabinet ( facing the ref ). This will keep the seating away form the ref and be a more comfortable situation as well as more social. This would also allow you to consider moving the island 3 " or so away from the stove so 2 people can try to work in there at the same time.

Good luck!

Good suggestion Debbie. The only downside it it puts a seated person in my prep-space on that side. Or, maybe we just go with three seats on that side instead of four.

I've spent a lot of time figuring how we entertain and the typical traffic flow (guests getting beers/drinks...), prep areas and clearances. Plus, natural light (windows) and a somewhat open floorplan was important to us. Based on what we want, cause we're not ever moving, the overall footprint appears to fit our needs well. We may tweak things a little (moving the island a few inches left to give more sink/stove clearance, moving the 15" cabinet) but, I think we're pretty done with the design.

I've REALLY tried to keep an open mind in considering all of the expert comments as this is a stupidly expensive project. Based on the advise, I've made some changes and am, at least, aware of potential issues I can stress about. Thank you all for the help!

Or make the island a little longer. It looks like you have the space - although I don't know what the adjacent rooms are.

It is a huge project... hang in there!!