I would change them. They may not bother you, but they do look off. I'd make them bigger and bring them down to the counter, centering both of them if possible. I don't think greenhouse windows reduce light--I've never had one, but I've never heard that. Wood will look much better with the great sliding door you've got.

I know I've said this before, but I love, love, love my greenhouse window. My greenhouse window fit in the same opening as my previous window, but lets in way more light - even with plants in the window. This may be because my previous window was a piece of cr@p double casement that was lots of sash & hardware with tiny panes of glass. Even so I feel like the greenhouse window with it's large pane of glass and side glass would let in way more light than even a normal window. Plus I can't overemphasize the sheer joy of fresh basil and cilantro in the dead of winter.

So without feeding into the "while we're at it budget-killing frenzy," my vote is to replace the windows.

When your kitchen is new and gorgeous, the windows may bother you then? I'm with the others and say do it all 'right.' It's hard to say which style, because that has to do with your personal taste. I think it'd be cool to be able to pass through to the outside.

Get new windopws. I'd be very surprised if you didn't realize afterward that you had to have them. The larger window down to the countertop sounds very attractive. What does your designer say about that one?

LOL! Laxsupermom, I'm in L.A. so dead of winter isn't usually too hard on the herbs once they're well established. :) Thanks so much for the "love, love, love" since I've been time-shocked for months and missed them elsewhere. It's very reassuring! In fact, in looking at why I don't need the greenhouse window, I'm realizing it's not because I need it for the winter thing, or even for the beauty thing, and it's not even the light thing (though I'm reassured that there won't be less light). It's the LOVE thing I want!! If I do this I want to love my windows as much as I love the newish french doors on the studio, rather than, eh, it's a window.

Raenjapan, I hadn't thought of doing the greenhouse window at counter level. Interesting idea! It could be very cool. I don't know if it's possible. This one might be only standard sizes. But I'll check.

Rhome, Good point! I don't know if the shape and placement of the old windows would bother me, but the yucky oldness might! Thanks for pointing that out. And the kitchen has looked like crap with stuff being packed piled everywhere for so long I forgot how pretty it will be. :)

With the slider right there I don't really need the pass through window and counter, especially since the penninsula is turning into an island so there won't be the walking around it, but it'll sure make entertaining out back easier.

Rosie, thanks for the straight answer! Part of my problem with the decision has been that I am the designer. My contractor--one of the guys wanting this--has a design background and has contributed some excellent and important ideas, and I daresay the cabinet maker will contribute some more (different one than the also excellent guy who said to change the windows). Mostly, the design is mine however, with a lot of input, help and encouragement from the folks here.

Yes... we got new windows (almost the entire house - will do the 4 remaining ones that we can't access well soon) and love them - we started with the kitchen when we did the remodel as it made the most sense - once your new kitchen is in, you don't want to tear it up. Makes a huge difference with the comfort of our house.

If your windows are 20 years old, they're probably not very energy efficient...so I vote to change them...and while you're at it...put in what you will love (like you mentioned above) so you'll be happy with the extra money you'll be spending (but then you'll save on energy costs down the road).

I like the "down to the counter" idea, but then that's what I did so of course I like it! But, I do have to say that putting in a counter window was one of the great things we did in our kitchen and has really made my DH happy (he does the dishes & the sink is in front of the window). In our case it didn't increase the amount light since we actually made ours shorter (used to be 22" off the floor, it's now 36")...but it still lets in plenty of light!

plllog, in LA you definitely don't need the greenhouse window. My sis is in Chino Hills and I'm completely jealous of her year round garden complete w/ lemon tree. We're actually experiencing a heat wave right now(40 Woohoo!) but it was negative numbers all last week. I agree with the above posters that you should look into counter height windows. That's my one regret with my new window. I hadn't read enough gw.

Okay, I'm pretty convinced that the new windows are a necessity (and this is the only kitchen remodel I expect to have in this house, ever, and I don't plan to move until I can't climb another step).

Re counter height windows: I do agree they look pretty swift with granite extending across the sill. My perimeter counters and backsplash will be handmade tiles. Very pretty ones :) Options for a serving counter would be to continue them, use the same surface as the island (likely fused glass) or a piece of the contractor's scrap stone (if it matches). I don't know if I can tile the bottom of the greenhouse window. It depends on the height of the casements. I'll look into it.

Does this change any of your opinions about the looks?

PCJS and Buehl, all the old windows are duopane, so there shouldn't be a big gain in efficiency. All the reinforcement that you love your new windows really helps!

Laxsupermom, I've been so cold! It's been pouring rain and the high today is projected for the low 50's! I can't even imagine a "Woohoo!" for 40! But then I have a similar thought about snow as the King of Siam's children: It's something from picture books! (Well, I've walked on glaciers, but it was summer...)

Besides adding depth and visual interest, I thought the greenhouse window would give me a nice place to put something living. There will be shelves over the larger (patio) window, where I could probably put a plant or two as well, but most of the spaces will be vertical.

Thanks to you all for the great advice!!