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:

@Caroline Lachance - I think the open shelves look better than having nothing there at all. I know this isn't ideal, but many people still mount a microwave over a stove (especially in a tight space), with cabinets on either side. You can then use the open shelving above your sink. I fear with the wall to the left of the stove needing to stay that whatever you do in that section will not be the most open. However, I'd rather have the stove in that location than the fridge. I still think I would switch the fridge and the pantry. I would also be using a counter depth fridge, especially if leaving the pantry to the right. Hopefully your KD can do computer renderings of these options so you can better see how things will function for you. If you haven't already, you may want to think about a pull out trash cabinet, as there is usually no place to put one in a spall space.

Assuming you felt at ease with all three, I think I'd pick the Designer. My logic to follow.... Works with low-mid to high end projects [...] Likely to respect your budget. Two thumbs up. [...] sole practitioner with no employees/helpers [...] Carries 100% of design responsibility; can't blame someone else for mistakes. [...] but will contract 3D designs out [...] No biggie. PPF and Res (from the forums) do this. ;-) [...] has designed several hill country style houses [...] YES!!! This carries a lot of weight with me; I'd be nervous the entire time if my architect/designer wasn't intimately familiar with my style, because I'd be trying to research all of the design elements (to ensure accuracy) while s/he was designing. And that's just bad juju, right there. [...] and showed me them as well as one very similar to our project with of course some specific differences [...] I think we have a winner. <3 [...] would travel in from a large city 75 miles away for site visits. [...] This also is super important to me; I need someone to back me up if things aren't built according to the drawings, and offer assistance in either compromise or demands for repair. [...] but not sure we want to go just the designer route as there is no construction "supervision." Wait, does he or does he *not* do site visits? :-) Is there another professional who can be brought on board, to offer this service to you? [...] Not an architect, but has an architecture degree. Very detail oriented as well. I recall Mr. Doug/ARG specifically saying that there are architects out there who he wouldn't trust to design a dog house for him, but there was an intern he had one time (who decided not to complete formal architectural education) who had enormous talent. Cost: $4/sq ft. I just realized I forgot to ask which sq. ft this is based on - target or final. I'm not crazy about per-square-foot fee structures (there's no incentive to keep square footage down, and I value smaller houses, lol), but there's no reason you can't exert discipline in this area, yourself. :-D

Thank you, Cpartist. Yes, I have read much of your journey here on Houzz. I very much appreciate your attention to my project. Your points about the exterior are things I agree with. Esthetically, again: we are inspired by the northern European architecture of my husband's home country, which also repeats in the original German settler architecture in this area. But my husband likes really modern architecture. So we are imagining/aiming to create a look as if an old-world stone building was discovered and modernized. So many beautiful examples of this... I also hate the look of the many small windows on the north elevation. But my conflict/compromise is that each of the interior spaces really improves with the window there. And they are all small spaces. (Bathroom, stairwell, playroom nook, playroom loft and upstairs dressing room). What do you recommend? Making those spaces windowless? I had thought to just let ivy grow over/around the front around the door, to emphasize it. Staircase: I agree. We hate the spiral staircase, but a long, straight one just wouldn't fit. I agree that it would be way better to have the stairs all in one flight. But the problem there was a conflict between: 1. the third floor needs to open onto it's deck, over the covered outdoor area (which is to the south for many reasons) 2. The best place for the stairs are near the entrance so the living spaces aren't interrupted (right?). Which means that to have both, the 3rd floor would be huge, spanning the length of the front to the back, which we don't need and couldn't afford. I totally agree and I am irked by the waste of space between kitchen and living room. Do you have suggestions? The architect thought it was okay and would end up being used as an entry space for people to gather/say goodbye at gatherings. The outdoor grill: there is a passthrough window from the kitchen on the south east corner... (So looking forward to that feature.) Powder room: yes, the location of this room is the thing I dislike the most. But every other spot I put it seemed worse: with a door potentially opening to a main living space ... Smells, sounds etc. Where would you put it in this plan? (I am 100% influenced by older architecture scale of this room... I just think it's enough... Though I also hear the note about accessibility, and would like to improve that aspect.) TV spot: Again, we aren't watching TV much, and when we do we are all together. The architect thought it would be awesome to be so close and tight. He said it "will feel like you are in your movie" (also it's about as far away as we are now) Thank you, Cpartist! I appreciate your input.