Where is the fridge in the existing kitchen? Is it behind the photographer? If so, then I think that would drive me crazy. It seems like it's a long way from your fridge to the action.

I like the plan to turn the alcove from your existing kitchen into a pantry/fridge area.

I'm not sure about the corner sink. What's the view in that direction?

Just to make it easier to see...

What nice light your table will have from all those new windows! I like your layout, but also wonder about the corner sink. You have so much room, why not make your island deeper and rectangle?
I'm also not a fan of the OTR micro... with all your potential space why do that? Possibly put it in a base cab, or make the space to the right of the fridge (left on drawing) a full depth column with micro built in at an appropriately ergonomic level.

The fridge is currently on the wall to the right of the microwave (as you are looking at the picture), it is hiding behind the pantry door that is ajar. (It is a small side-by-side fridge and a very small pantry-not so great with 3 boys!). I would still like to move the fridge over and make the pantry larger as in the new plans, but I am worried about getting rid of the current "free-standing" island and making one huge countertop.
In one of the pics you will see where the current bar ends-that is where, in the new plans, it would wrap around and continue to be a bar/counter top. The corner sink would then look out at the deck/backyard.

Now that I'm looking at the drawing, I think your sink should face those fabulous new windows!

(I agree with co-co about the OTR microwave. You have a good space for a MW to the right of the fridge.)

Never thought about the micro right next to the fridge. Would you put it in a cabinet below or above the counter? I have 3 little boys so I am not sure how safe it would be to have it in their reach (only 1 is still at the "unsafe" stage). Silly question, but does a microwave in a cabinet need to vent up? I am assuming not...sorry, I am so new to this process. Thanks for the great feedback.
I also agree about the sink facing the outside. That is what made me question whether or not I liked the idea of the new plans...I questioned one thing, which lead to another, and yet another. Are you always questioning yourself when it comes to a kitchen remodel, or do I just need to maybe consider hiring a kitchen designer??

You could do something like this:
{{!gwi}}

I really like this look-do you think I could go with an open cabine-maybe a wine rack, above the microwave? I am not sure having a cabinet above the microwave would look OK in the space I have it.
ANy input on the L shaped counter in the new plans versus the plan we currently have (bar with a detatched island)? Does anyone have the L bar and feel like it might "cut off" the flow of the room?
Thanks again for all your help!

Why are you remodeling? Help us out--what were you asking the architect to do for you? Do you need a second exit to table from kitchen? What else is changing besides layout?

Your kitchen plan with its L-shaped island looks like it has less counter and storage space than your existing kitchen. Add in a coffee maker and toaster on the counters and you have even less counter space. This is not normally the direction people move in a remodel.

I'm guessing the reason for opening up the perimeter L is to gain direct access from range to table. Is this a high priority for you? Tell us what you hope to gain. It's pretty hard to offer suggestions without knowing what you're flexible on and what are "must haves." That said, if you're open to lay-out suggestions, here's one for you:

{{!gwi}}

I ditched the L-island and went with a large (roughly 6x8), curved, one-level island with the sink facing your lovely views and a nice long stretch of counter across from the range for prep, in addition to the prep space on either side of the range. You could also use that stretch of island counter for party spreads. At the top of the island facing the DR is a cabinet (approx 18" judging by the size of the DW) facing the DR. Tucked under the island in front of the stools are cabinets for storage of items seldom used. I didn't add island seating at the top of the island because I thought this would crowd your DR table.

Nice photo, Co-Co! I would be tempted to create a "wall of tall" (what you see in the photo above) and build in lots of great storage on that wall but only if I gained counter space elsewhere. As for putting a wine rack above the MW, Coll_3, you could but it would be best for short-term storage only since wine stores best when kept away from heat - both MW and fridge create heat.

You may get more function out of your pantry closet (I'm assuming it's just a closet with shelves) by switching to a pantry cabinet with pull-outs or at least a better organizational system in the closet.

What a great room! Love all the windows.

I'm assuming the pantry wall is not on an exterior wall...I don't know if there's a way, but I feel like that niche where the architect proposes to put the fridge is screaming for a range and hood...maybe even borrowing space from the existing pantry? Then a double deep island where yours is currently with sink and dishwasher so you can face the view and then counter depth fridge where range is now with tall cabinets flanking it, built-in microwave on one side...

Otherwise, I like lisa_a's suggestion.

I love Lisa a's revision. It makes the space so much more inviting where as your current layout seems confining. Good luck!

Thanks for all the great comments. We knew we needed to update the cabinets (which remind me of the ones I had in college) and floors, so we figured we would have someone draw up plans for a different design. Another top priority was to have a larger space for a refrigerator (the one we currently have only fits a 21 cu ft. fridge, which is not large enough for our family) and a larger pantry (the one we have now is only about 14 inches wide with shelves). The new opening from the oven to the table was nice, but not a huge priority. That being said, the more I look at the new plans drawn up the more unsure I am about them. I do like the layout Lisa has suggested, I am just not sure where the sink is? Also, does anyone use a desk in their kitchen? I work from home on a laptop, and have 3 younger kids, but I am not sure if this will just be a place to collect papers?
Thanks again for your suggestions-

I don't think a desk is necessary since you already have some seating at the counter where someone can sit with a laptop, or a kid can do homework while you cook (and keep an eye on the progress of the homework). My friends who have desks in their kitchens hate them because they gather papers.

I think the sink in Lisa's plan is the big square next to the DW across from the fridge.

Sorry that I forgot to label the sink, coll_3. It is, as mcmjilly suggested, the rectangle next to the DW. I drew it up to have a 24" cab to its left and the DW to the right. I'm glad you like my suggested floor plan. I tried to give you back the expanses of counter I see in your existing kitchen that are lacking in your plan as well as more counter in general.

The counter seating is a great place for laptop work. Just be sure to add sufficient outlets to the island.

We don't use a desk in our kitchen. In fact, when we built this house 17 years ago, we ditched the desk immediately. We had one in our first house and it was dump central. We did add a command central type station as part of the cabinet that replaced the desk but we intend to improve its function when we remodel the kitchen. For one thing, we're adding charging stations behind doors so that cell phones and cords aren't stretched all over the counter.

If you feel you want some type of command central - a place for bills, schedules, phone chargers, etc - then how about fitting in a hutch-type unit between range counter and DR buffet/bench/storage unit? It can be a built-in but look like a piece of furniture. Or you can just extend the range cabinetry over, too. I would avoid putting it within your kitchen proper to keep that traffic out of your cooking zone.

But I see a desk drawn in on the left wall of your DR. Are you questioning its placement or wanting to add another to your kitchen?

You could swap the DW location from the right of the sink to the left so that it's not across from the fridge. I just thought a view of drawers coming down the hall would be nicer than a view of a DW. Now if you get a paneled DW, that's a different story. You could also make the fridge aisle 48" (hard for me to tell what your aisle clearances are). Or maybe you don't unload and load the DW while doing meal prep and it's location isn't an issue for you.