Make sure your AHJ is not going to raise a fuss over counter receptacles.

Just because it was done once does not mean it will pass again.

Would it be possible to put in a bow window? That would make the middle of the window where the faucet is a few inches deeper - enough to protect the window from splashes and the sill from crumbs, etc. But, I doubt you'll be able to open it...but I'm not sure as I don't know much about bow windows.

The other possibility is to have the window just an inch or so off the counter and trim it w/corner round or other small trim. It would keep the "window to the counter" effect while still raising it a tad off the counter and perhaps be less prone to collecting "gunk". It probably won't help with the splashing though.

Is it possible to add a 6" bump-out? Something like MamaDadaPaige's or ErikaNH's windows in the threads linked below. They also offer some architectural interest to the outside of the house...assuming it fits the house (or see what you can do to make it "fit".)

We have a bay window behind our sink & faucet that's down to the counter and we love it! It gives you such a great expanse of view and you don't feel like you're being cut off from the outside like a raised window does.

counter height window pictures please

Counter window h[e]ight -- please help!

Counter height window owners--Help!

Counter Height Window Installation

This kitchen has a bow window...

Another Finished White Kitchen...But I have morgue drawers

brickeyee -- what is AHJ? I don't see it on the forum acronym list.

buehl -- I don't have room for a window that bumps out beyond the existing exterior wall due to the stairs from the deck to the backyard. Thanks for all the links, though! It's great to see pictures of others' windows. Not everybody has extra space between the sink and the window, which is good to know. (I gotta imagine they are all cleaning up splashes like I do, though!)

My sink is in the old bay window of our old breakfast room (much like Buehl's). Your contractor's solution of a fixed center window & side sliders may be your best bet. We installed PellaPro shorter than original windows (but are able to use casements for side windows). We installed the windows about 3 to 4 inches above the counter (normal depth so sink fits with faucet next to window). The contractor installed a smallish sill & I have about 3 inches of backsplash below the window. I have a little splashing, but since my new sinks are deeper I think less splashing than old set up. With tracks on side perhaps it will be a more tolerable situation for you.

You have a beautiful view! I'm enjoying my new one, too.

Not sure if I have missed something here...
Can you not bump the sink area into the room 3 inches or so?

florantha -- the shape of the kitchen is designed with just enough space for the existing layout. So, if I brought that row of base cabinets in three inches, it would leave a really weird three inch corner sticking into the room....

{{gwi:1867799}}

Why not a picture with casement windows on the ends, or would the one of the left hit the railing? You could also do fixed window to the left, casements to the right in an asymmtrical arrangement, which would work in your style of house. If you need to do outlets you could explore a pop-up, or maybe explore putting an outlet like a Sillite in a widened vertical between the various windows.

I think the wider fixed/picture window in the center is a good answer. As far as splashes go, the actual glass in my kitchen window is about 9 inches above counter height and it still gets splashes. We don't have the extra space that you have behind the sink, which should help with yours. What I'm saying is that if you did a shorter window, you'd just lose your openness and probably not gain much on the splatter issue.

Why not a casement in the center and two fixed (picture) windows to either side? That would clear those stairs to the deck and still be able to open out and give you a nice breeze?

sorry for misunderstanding...when I said bump into the room, I only meant the sink area. This is a commonly seen technique these days.

But... now that I think of it, why not use a 3" bump on all of that countertop EXCEPT the part by the dishwasher? In other words, make the dishwasher seem like a bump-in? If the sink and prep area to the right of it were more generous, you'd have more space for that mixer, too.

You could even define that right-side area by using one big window or a pair of matching windows; you'd define the left side area by the dishwasher as a different window unit, perhaps with a different character with regard to shape and method of opening. Yes, you'd have a wall spacer between the two window sets and you'd cut up your panoramic view a bit, but the utilitarian aspect might be worth it. You seem to have plenty of floor space between the island and the other side of the L of countertops.

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

palimpsest -- I think I should have described my deck stairs better -- they go right along the exterior wall, and they are slightly less than one story in height. I am not worried about a casement window hitting a railing (there isn't one) but hitting someone's head or shoulder. Ouch!

I took a photo of my 9 year old going down the stairs below. She is wearing a Halloween witch's hat to make her more adult height. You are about halfway past the windows before a tall adult would not be endangered by an unexpected casement window corner sticking out into the stairway.

{{gwi:1867800}}

rhome410 -- That's my experience, too. My current splash marks are higher than I would ever want to raise the window.

I think the original suggestion of putting a picture window by the sink and windows with moving parts to the sides is the best strategy here. The tracks will stay much cleaner if they are not in the center of the work area.

But, thanks again for helping me make sure I've considered all the possibilities.