Well, your countertops will be almost even with the windows. I'd run the counter material back into the window, all one surface, which should keep it below the level of the glass.

Warning--unsolicited advice ahead: The most functional prep space is between the water source and cook top--on the same run, or across an aisle on an island. Even if you have to center the sink on the right pane of the window, I'd try to make sure you have at least 36" of prep space (but 42-48" is better). Also, since you won't have upper cabinets to help contain the grease and steam plume, the hood should be 6" wider than the cooktop.

I'm sure that wall is going to look amazing!

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Discussions--Extra-deep counters

Discussions--all drawer bases

Your cabinets will not be a standard 36" + countertop. Standard is 36" including countertop: 34-1/2" is a standard base cabinet + 1-1/2" countertop material is usual, equalling 36".

I doubt there is anything in Kentucky code regarding kitchen countertop height and 36". This would go against American Disabilities Act Guidelines for Universal Access which sets countertop height at 32"-34". This is not to say that you should not have 36" countertops, which is the standard height, it's just saying that it's doubtful that there is an actual code requirement that is both 1) so specific and (2) contradicts a National guideline.

Thank you @mama goose_gw zn6OH! Those are all great tips! I hadn't thought about the hood needing to be wider.

@palimpsest Thank you for the clarification on standard height. That's really great to know and I feel much better that the counter won't be on top of 36 inches :)

For the code part, the person who spoke to me today said that having the countertops higher than the bottom of the window might not be up to code, rather than the counters not being standard height. This was the person testing some of our floor tile for asbestos who had done a lot of home renovations in the area, so I'm taking it with a grain of salt but it did give me pause. I live in a small town and red tape isn't as much of a thing here as it is in other areas, but still. Thinking of a possible future buyer being put off if their inspection says the entire kitchen isn't up to code because of the counter/window situation.

Well if it's an inch, you could probably modify the sill height of new windows that much without having to modify the brick, without it looking too obvious.

Shouldn't be a problem if you're doing custom cabinets. You can just have the cabinets made to a 33 1/2" height so you have a 1 1/2" counter which should align with your window sills.

But if you're not doing custom cabinets, standard cabinets are made to 34 1/2" with room for a 1 1/2" counter for a total of 36". In that case, you might either have to raise your windows which will require reframing or get new ones that are smaller to allow for the 36" height.

Not sure if semi-custom cabinet lines will allow you to change the height, but you could ask.