The windows can absolutely be changed - but it will cost money.

If you provide a measured layout of both the kitchen space, and how the kitchen relates to the rest of the house, perhaps the talented folks here can help you come up with a layout that works.

Of course the windows can be changed. And should be. That awkward kludge will never look high end anything without it.

That doorway shouldn't be there either. You appear to have a really poor design that you are trying to bandaid, rather than rip off that bandaid and redesign the whole. It is just going to end up as a disaster without a full redesign.

So, this looks like it’s being done without a thought out plan, and without the guidance of a kitchen designer.

For one, the windows were newly replaced (labels are still on the panes), without considering the height needed for lower cabinets and countertops. A major mistake, and what happens without a pro guiding the plan.

Then, there is the island situated facing the fridge, instead of the range. None of this looks convenient for prepping, or as a place to set down hot pans/pots taken off of the stove.

The doorway almost abutting the window on the left, is also poor design. This will have foot traffic walking along the cooking zone.

You need to stop now, and correct the flagrant design errors. Bring in a KD. At the very least, provide the good people here with an accurate, measured floor plan. And, show us more of the room. Will this be an open floor plan? Where is all the storage/cabinetry going? What material are you using for the floor?

what space is on the far right [not shown] ?? if you are proposing a walkway between the door on the left on over to a living zone on far right with the stove in the walkway..please come up with another plan. More info is needed / the stove with a wide bit of counter on an island directly behind can be okay but a general walkway passing as well , is detrimental.

If people understand why the city won’t allow the windows to be changed, they might move on with the solutions.

Same, that would make my life so much easier and I wouldn't be here asking for ideas on how to make it look better. :(

Can you submit a revised plan to the city to change the windows?

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Regardless, to give you any meaningful help, we need a fully-measured layout of the space, a sketch of the entire floor the Kitchen is on, and the answers to a few questions. Please see the Featured Answer in the "New to Kitchens? Read Me First!" thread (https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5972404/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first-2020-interim). I'll post an excerpt below.

********** Read Me thread excerpt **********

Please post a fully-measured layout of the space under consideration and a sketch of the entire floor. Both can be either hand-drawn, computer generated, or drawn up with computer/app tools.

By "fully-measured", we mean a layout with the widths of each wall/window/door/doorway and the distances between each wall/window/door/doorway labeled. See a sample below. If something cannot be moved or changed, label it precisely on your layout (see post in sample) and tell us why it cannot be moved/changed -- we may have some ideas for you.

The sketch of the entire floor lets us see how the Kitchen relates to the rest of the home. It doesn't have to be to-scale, but it should accurately show how the rooms relate to each other and should include all interior & exterior doors. In addition, it will help us see how traffic flows in, around, and through the Kitchen. Label the front entry and family entry. The family entry is usually a garage or side entry, but it might not be. It's helpful to know which door you use to bring in groceries.

Regardless of how you draw it up (by hand, computer, etc.), please be sure all measurements are labeled. (Note: Computer generated layouts often lack key measurements and, sometimes, measure to/from things like the middle of a wall or the middle of a window. Neither are useful. Measure each item and the distances between each item.)

Other questions...

• Tell us about you and your family and how you plan to use your Kitchen. All-adults? Empty Nesters? Children (now or in the future)?
• What appliances (& their sizes) do you plan to have?
• Where are you flexible? Can walls/windows/doors/doorways change (move, change size, add, delete)?
• Do you have a basement under the Kitchen or are you on a slab?

What is "CITY" ?

Really need a floor plan with accurate measurements. The photo shows a large opening where you're showing cabinets.

Use an experienced cabinet layout designer to account for cabinet offsets, spacers, drywall, and window trim thickness - all of which can ruin inaccurate plans.

following

I think the OP is just capitalizing for emphasis. If using the app, I don't think you have bold or italic options. (I prefer my laptop!)

Lay out

That design provides for very little usable counterspace. I'd highly recommend pumping the brakes to see if you can get a kitchen designer involved to rework the design.

What is the city's reasoning on the windows? I'd apply for a variation.

Have you considered switching the ref and the stove?

Shame on the architect that designed this for you and the kitchen designer that didn't tell you to push back.

How high are the windows above the floor to the bottom of the sill?

It looks like your picture was showing a hidden pantry idea. Both those doors swing out and they don't fold flat so they will be very awkward in the position they are in. Not a great option for function.

I completely get the feedback. And if this were a main home, I’m sure a lot of this would’ve just been gutted and changed.

But we’re working with the layout and structural elements already in place without wanting to spend the money to move windows/walls around. We’ve already made several changes for better function — smaller refrigerator,for more counter space, changed the pantry layout/door, etc.

At this point I’m really just looking for ideas specifically for the upper portion of the stove wall — cabinetry, hood design, shelving, etc. 😊

how many exact inches between your chosen window trim? you are proposing a 30 in range and 18 plus 18 of counter for 66 inches.....but your sketch doesnt indicate the inches available. what is the rationale for a five foot aisle to the right of island. I would stretch the fridge wall and island into that 5 ft aisle space......maybe a foot.... then I'd grow the island ..skooch the sink away from the stove side of things and allow pivot space and counter use at the island along w drawers maybe facing the stove. then put in standard wall cabinets left and right of hood and drawers to left and right of stove. you need to provide inches if you want plans for this. the customized wall shown w cabinets all above the windows to the ceiling doesnt seem wise. I'd skip that. Now we know there is a pantry and what is the actual fridge size you are proposing? as said..inches matter if you want help w a plan....one wall under discussion ? okay ....but what is done on a wall is related to everything else. Dont fault people for looking comprehensively at the proposal. Besides..... that image shown would be very expensive ....better to maximize standard things before entailing costly unusual executions in your space.

fairly standard approach below.....cabinets between hood and window trim w no spare space [setback] at the window.... stack to ceiling if you desire [what style of hood is important] ....the need to fill every inch around hood/ stove should be calculated once all the other storage spots have been carefully configured.

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Did you get the information directly from someone of authority that works for and represents the city or did someone not affiliated with the city tell you what the city says?

Who designed the addition (architect? draftsman? builder?) ?

The usable space on the stove wall is 72”/6’ total as shown on the plan, which is why the current thought process was a 30” range with approximately 18” of counter space on each side. The windows and overall footprint are already fixed structurally, so at this stage we’re working within the layout that was originally designed rather than completely redesigning the kitchen.

Several adjustments have already been made to improve function and budget — downsizing from the original 60” refrigerator idea, changing the pantry layout/door, etc.

And I definitely don’t mind the questions at all — I completely understand that dimensions/details matter when trying to help with a layout. Happy to answer anything that helps generate ideas for that particular space.

What’s your ventilation above the stove going to be?

The ventilation will definitely have to be ventless/recirculating, so we already know that part for sure. Right now we’re mainly trying to decide what style hood will make that wall feel the most seamless visually within the space — likely either an integrated/custom hood blended into cabinetry or a simpler statement hood that doesn’t make the wall feel too busy with the windows

Perhaps i missed this info, but will the stove be gas, electric, or induction?

i think the hood needs to be known. There are various styles and the cabinets around depend on the style of hood. back to a question..do you have a 5 foot aisle over there for a reason?

Electric range, and as mentioned above the hood ventless that aisle 5 foot, goes down to a hall where there’s the restroom, first bedroom and the entrance of the home with stair staircase…

here are some hoods...1st pic I believe is a pull out range hood. I might consider the low profile like that.

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I tend to appreciate the look of understated hoods.

I am an outlier around here, in many respects. Another one is: the cabinets to the ceiling thing. I do understand that it makes total sense in some spaces, and can be the right choice. But I mostly don’t care for it. I am probably biased on this subject, overall; and feel free to disregard any and all of my input- including my not being on board with the cabinets over the windows. This is the first time I have seen that.

Do you have a layout with the measurements of the space itself - not cabinets, aisles, etc. The space. Please see the sample above to understand what we're asking for.

By "fully-measured", we mean a layout with the widths of each wall/window/door/doorway and the distances between each wall/window/door/doorway labeled. ... If something cannot be moved or changed, label it precisely on your layout (see post in sample) and tell us why it cannot be moved/changed -- we may have some ideas for you.

Things aren't easy because of the windows. They'd work nice as a view feature in a dining area. And the much more functional kitchen can be a simpler design if placed across the space using the corner and wall opposite. This also puts the kitchen in the center of the space for appropriate integration with whatever is going on. That's the basis for open concept.

You said you want to make the space look intentional and high end, so as much as I personally don't like what I call "big-nose" hoods, that's what is cool now, so go for it. Get something wider than the 30" stove. Don't get an industrial-looking one. It can still be a simple "box" style like the one you showed, but it will be wider than the stove. Forget any wall cabinets or busy shelves between the windows. Forget anything that "looks" useful or handy. For the wall area, find a stone-look large-format rectified wall tile for that whole wall that coordinates with your whole-house color scheme. The wall tile can end at the end of the window trim. For a boundary between this area and the same-plane wall in the TV room, continue the ceiling beam material down the wall or create a little bump out in line with the ceiling beam.

​An intentional high-end style will have a whole-house color scheme with real colors, not all neutrals. I'm not saying the color(s) can't be muted. Even "neutrals" have a color base. Wood often is some version of orange. If you want to talk more about it, give an indication of your flooring wood and stain, and your appliance color (stainless steel?). And some idea of favorite colors wouldn't go amiss.

when you say not a main home, do you mean a vacation home? if it were me, I’d nix all that cumbersome and expensive cabinetry and do more of am unfitted kitchen (more popular in europe than in the US) - they can be rustic, cottagey or modern depending on the style of your home - can offer a lot of flexibility and style if done well

A window seat with a drawer underneath is what we did with a window situation that could not be changed. It stores pots and pans.

Let's try an out-of-the-box thought:

These windows cannot change. We'll just accept that.

Does THIS SPACE have to be the kitchen? Could this space become the dining area and the adjacent space (which I assume exists) become the kitchen in its place?

For those that will listen, I fear this is a situation where the builder does not want to make the changes and uses the city as a scapegoat. The home owner attempts to make the best of a bad design by making it look good. From the advisor's point of view the answer is redesign the kitchen; from the home owner's point of view she is between a rock and a hard place (or two windows). Unfortunately the advisors do not know all the facts and the homeowner will be cooking in a compromised kitchen.

2 votes so far to use the window space for a table and chairs. Anyone else?

Could the island be narrower in width and a bit shorter length; plus, flipped so that it runs horizontally to the range and windows? From this view of yours, the island seems a bit large- and in an awkward spot.

I tried to do some edits, but AI was excited and generated the pic before I was finished. I was modifying the size and also wanted to change the placement of the island, as I mention above. I did not intend to remove quite so many cabinets. I was simply removing the ones over the windows- and AI decided more of them had to go. I like the openness, but I would at least keep the pantry closet. Also, I planned to hang Roman shades on the windows, mounted at the ceiling. I am glad AI basically deleted the hood; I like the more low profile suggestions from @herbflavor.

And actually, AI is absolutely brilliant. Arguably, the smartest SO I’ve ever had. Plus, much less drama. ;)

Seriously, though, as I am looking at your setup, I really see why AI ”cleaned house“ and removed a lot more than just the cabs over the windows, as I had requested. Beyond your runs of lower cabinets and the two full-sized upper cabinets flanking the range (plus, the tall pantry closet) - other than that- you seem to just have the gazillion tiny cabinets at the ceiling... which vacillate between barely useful and useless- plus, inconvenient.

Unless you are married to an NBA player... and if you are- is he always home? Other than that, it’s nothing but a waste of cabinetry and or ladders.

Not to mention, a waste of money. These cabinet makers and sellers are really cleaning up from these goofy designs.

I think three of the four images above that has a countertop or sink in front of the window when viewed from the outside would look like a mistake, more so than in the inside. They are design flaws that fall short of doing it right.

I agree, Mark. Things definitely went awry in those first three setups/images. I noticed it, too. But I understand some of the ideas that @Olychick was conveying.

I have done some kitchens years ago that were in pre war buildings and they had those windows that were a bit too low. We ran cabinets across them and made sure to finish the back of them and polish the back side of the countertop as well. We also changed the sills to be stone. While not ideal, it did give a lot more to those tiny kitchens.

Unfortunately, that just won't work here. Those windows are way too low, then you have the issue of that pantry.

It's just a bad design all around - I feel bad for OP.

I haven’t rotated the position of the island as yet. But I added some textured Roman shades.

Where is your dining space

If you are not changing the windows, @Marialfred Quispe, I really would not worry about it. To tell you the truth, I did not even notice any issues with the windows! I didn't understand what all of the screaming was about.:) My issue was the cabinets over them. I am very familiar with older homes/older buildings, and that is likely why low windows would not grab my attention. I would just hang shades, as I show above; I like the enhanced height, and the texture.

I understand that with modern kitchen design elements, featuring tall cabinets, etc.- people find the low windows to be a challenge. It’s a non-issue for me.

Here is a Houzz article about ways that some people are working with low windows:

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/great-solutions-for-low-kitchen-windowsills-stsetivw-vs~25381595

One of the featured article pictures is of a space that was actually built and designed to ”look like” an old house. It grabbed my attention, because this kitchen has a window and range setup like you have; plus- the island placement I have suggested. This space is significantly smaller than yours; but still, it shows the general island placement idea.

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And please, don’t get me wrong... I am in no way trying to make light of your situation. If this is a new build, and if you wanted and specified one thing and the builder delivered another thing- then that is ‘a thing’. And it should not have happened. I have not read through the whole thread, so I do not know all the in‘s and outs of this. And even if I did read through the whole thread- you have your own history and relationship with the builder. I see that you clearly stated in your post description, though, that you were not changing the windows.

In any case- the idea that some designers and people have that every inch of a kitchen needs to be covered with, and/or surrounded by cabinetry- including the windows; and that everything needs to line up height-wise and symmetry-wise like a line of soldiers- is fine... if that is the desired aesthetic. And, if it even works in the space in question.

My main point was/is: If I lost sleep about low windows/sills- I would have had very little sleep in my life to this point. :)

In fact, I currently live in (yet another) ”old house”. A townhouse in NYC that was built in 1940. So there are relatively low window sills here- especially given the high ceilings.

AI is still not flipping the island and counterstools. We seem to be having creative differences.

As I mentioned, I haven't read through the thread. I notice that the pantry was recently mentioned as being an issue. I tried to re-install a bigger pantry closet into the image I did. I think it would be better on the other side of the lower cabinet run, if possible.

Along these lines; but a taller (to the ceiling) closet, and placed on the other end instead.

ETA: https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/decorate/kitchen/g27318935/kitchen-larder-ideas/

Just to add: Pantry cabinetry does not necessarily have to go all the way to the ceiling- but it could.

Also, of course cabinet does not have to be this wide - but perhaps it could be. It really depends on your preferences- whether you prefer more counter space/open wall area there, or more pantry/storage.