Hola,
I'm jumping in late, so please remind me: how many people in your family? How many youngin's?

1. My DR table is pretty far from my kitchen, but because of the open floor plan, I can still see and yell at my kids to eat their veggies or whatever.
W/ young kids, I'd suggest keeping that door to the DR.

2. Is there a reason why you can't do a little weird U-shaped layout, so that you can get some more storage/countertops along that North window wall?

3. How do you use your microwave? I really like having a MW right next to my fridge, since I'm usually warming up cold food.
In my previous house, my MW was where your wall oven is - away from the fridge, and I often had to go back and forth many times (w/ 2 young kids wanting oatmeal or warmed up sweet potato sticks, etc).

Sorry, I'm not a designer, just thinking about how I live w/ my kitchen/DR, etc.

Thanks for the response. No young ones here. Just a 17 year old who will be moving away soon! I do use my microwave a lot, though, but for cooking veggies and defrosting. No, we can't modify the windows.
Those windows except for above the sink are long 72" windows, and they are on the front of the house. It's an Acadian style house, with the long windows, 4 of them. I'm afraid if I shorten one, it will mess up the outside look of the house.

bump

I like it, but I would also want the MW by the frig. I think you should probably have a doorway to the DR, so what about putting a 30" doorway at the very north. If you are standing at the stove, it would be to your left. It looks like you'd still have plenty of counterspace around the cooktop.

I like it except for the position of the microwave. Its not that far of a walk to the dining room with the doorway closed off, its still really right around the corner, and the informal eating area is still right there.

Nice idea, I never thought of that. There is going to be 48" of countertop on each side of the cooktop. So, if I took out 36" for a doorway, that leaves me with only 12" of cooktop counter to the left of the cooktop. I have more than that now and it drives me insane.

I thought about a half wall with a ledge for stacking dishes, serving food, etc. But for that to work properly the sink and cooking areas need to swap. Drats. Seems like everywhere I turn, this kitchen, my budget and my stubborn hubby are against me! But, it is what it is, and built back in the day when sinks just HAD to be under a window, period.
Is it THAT expensive to move plumbing??

It boils down to this:
Gains by closing off door: 3 ft more counterspace, and appliances all together, and fridge landing zone.
(The fridge and pantry will move to their new locations regardless.)
Right now I have just a little over 8 lin ft countertop with the micro on the counter and the fridge in the corner. After this, I should have 18.8 lin ft. Leaving the door means only about 15.8 or so lin ft. I have no idea what is considered "Wow, lots of counterspace!"

And one less traffic pattern.

how about you compromise and put a pass-through where the door is. You will have lots of counterspace and make setting and clearing the dining table a bit easier.

Now there is an idea to mull over, thanks!

It looks like you will have more than 48 on either side of the cooktop without a doorway. You only really need 30" for the opening rather than 36. I still think a doorway is important. I would think you'd want more than one path to the kitchen while carrying hot and/or breakable dishes. If this is accurate, then you'll have 30" on either side of the cooktop.

Thanks, houseful! Yes, you are right - it would be exactly 30" on either side. I'm going to go measure that out now and see how much it would actually feel like. Anything is better than the 17" I have now.
The only problem with this plan is getting the floor guy back out for such a small job. Oh well, this will be his 2nd time out here cause of a busted out wall!