The hood is not necessarily an issue - you can get chimney hoods which go straight up to the ceiling and can be a decorative feature, or use a popup or downdraft hood like is used in islands, so there could theoretically be a window behind it.

Windows behind ranges are more of a safety issue, as I understand it - leaning over to open a operable window, and window coverings catching fire. I have seen glass block used behind a range, with a chimney hood, which solves both issues as they don't open and don't need covering. Although you couldn't see through the glass block, it could blend in as part of a window wall.

If the whole wall wasn't windows, you could still have some upper storage. And the place on the W wall where the range is now, could be a tall pantry cab with lots of storage potential.

Kevin

Thanks for the thoughts Kevin, we're on the same page.

My husband really likes the look of the chimney hood and wants that. I just can't visualize how to incorporate that, plus windows to the backyard and wall cabinets all on that east wall.

Right now I have the new yellow section on the north end of the west wall as a tall pantry and the rest next between that and the fridge as counter with wall cabinets.

Even if you moved the range over to the sink wall, you'll still have plenty of room for a very big window. From my rough guess based on the picture, you could probably fit in a 6-8' span of window(s) easily.

When we did our kitchen, we chose to have the windows come down to counterheight to maximize their size. That would be a good option for you as well.

You don't say how wide your kitchen is or how wide or long you intend to make the peninsula.

So roughly, from left to right, the long counter would be about 2 feet of space, 3 foot cooktop, 3 feet of space, 3 feet for sink, three feet of space and two feet for peninsula. I thought of alku's solution, but you won't be able to have wall cabinets.

What would be nice to have would be a few more measurements - for instance, where is that sink? Where the doorways go and a few pictures of existing room would be great too.

There might be something else to do that you would feel comfortable with - maybe the "other side" should have the cooktop and a prep sink and perhaps the peninsula. Maybe the sink side should have the ?pantry? thing with the mw and the ovens or the ref.

How do you feel about storing dishes in drawers?

alku50 - Could you post a pic of your windows? I'd love to see it!

bmorepanic - The E wall is 19', width is 10' and W wall is 12'. The peninsula is 3'x7'. I'm planning on using drawers for most of the storage.

The area to the left of the kitchen is our eatting area. The ares to the right is currently a breezeway to our garage that we are closing in to add the peninsula, mudroom and 1/2 bath (still working on that layout as well).
The area on the bottom is all family room but I forgot to add the stairs to the basement which are on the 12' wall where the current fridge and oven area.

If you click the link below, you'll be able to see Seekingadvice's counterheight window that inspired mine. It's much bigger and better than mine.

Here's mine:

Here is a link that might be useful: seeking advice's bigger and better window

Does anyone have a link to BNA Flyer's kitchen? It doesn't seem to be in the FKB and I can't find it in a search. I thought it'd be a good example of what Sarah wants to do. It had the range and main sink all on the same wall with lots of windows, cream colored cabinets and green walls (I think?), and some lovely cabinetry on the back wall...maybe a bar area?

{{!gwi}}

Could be completely wrong. Window shown at almost 6 feet. Adjust window to whatever width - it just takes off wall cabinets.

Seating area as drawn could be less wide. If I had "real software", I would try angling the seating a bit - more like 120 degrees instead of 90.

Malhgold found the link for the kitchen I was thinking of...it is below.

I like Bmore's plan very much, too.

Here is a link that might be useful: BNA Flyer's kitchen

Thank you all! We met with the contractor we're likely to go with and I showed him all the pictures and layouts you provided, especially the link rhome410 gave. I'm sure I'll be back once his layout is complete for review.

Thanks again!