DH and I custom built a 2000 sq.ft. contemporary home in Houston with all fixed glass except for the bedrooms where windows were operational with screens. We lived in that home for over 30 years and have absolutely no regrets. For those very rare times when fresh air was needed (after hurricanes with no electricity), we did fine. I'm preparing to go the same route in my little home that's being prepared for retirement, change out the single pane, operational windows in the familyroom to one big piece of fixed glass in each window, even if it means the extra expense of tempered glass. For me, it's all about the unobstructed view. However, if I lived in a more temperate climate where the weather was pleasant more days of the year, I would go the operational window route for the fresh air.

Keep in mind that almost nothing in your kitchen is "historically accurate" to the original period, except perhaps any original window sashes and possibly the ceiling if it's the underside of the floors above. This absolves you from any requirement to attempt a restoration or recreation. And also absolves you from any pseudo-preservationist need to have a "colonial" style kitchen, unless that's entirely to your taste. The "colonial" style dates to the very late 1800s through the 1950's. It can look odd in truly old houses, IMO. True 18th c kitchens wouldn't be considered workable by most, if not all, modern users. I live in a period early (almost completely intact) 19th c farmhouse and while I am deeply preservationist about the "bones" of my buildings, the interior fittings not so much. And anyway the "fittings" of 18th and early 19th c. kitchens would have been next to nothing anyway as those kitchens are the definition of the currently-popular "unfitted" look. The most useful advice I can give new owners of older buildings is to delay doing anything more serious than painting until you have been in your building for many months, preferably a year. Most early ideas are products of what you bring to the design, not what the house will teach you about what it needs. And old houses are very vulnerable to exogenous notions that end up being mistakes. If your kitchen seems too dark, then experiment with a lighter color(s) of paint on the cabs. This is the time to take risks with paint alone. It will alow you to feel that you are putting your stamp on the house without putting you (and your building) at risk for irrversible mistakes. And keep in mind that old houses were dark by intention. That lack of external light was inherent in the design, technology, sociology and style of these houses. Many old houses are severely damaged when new 21st c owners move in and start messing around with the fenestration to make modern "light-filled" rooms. If you must have such a space for a kitchen, or principal rooms, then consider building an addition to accomodate it. You can rarely go wrong by going very slow when renovating old buildings. You will save money, time and avoid the dismay that comes from later realizing your earliest plans (and hopefully, not alterations) were mistakes in the understanding and care of your house. I've lived in my 75-year younger house for decades and I am still discovering new facets of its long history. Yours has even more to teach you, if you take the time to listen. HTH, L.

Thank you sena01, Jillius and mama goose. My computer is down as we had to pack up the desk or the family room flooring so I had to take a photo on my phone of the plans I have with more dimensions. Since we are moving our kitchen to a new location, window sizes can be changed. I think a 48x36 would work above my sink window. Sadly, the window will now face the side of our house which isn't super attractive.. Just a fence and some vines. I have plans for a Prep sink on the island but I'm not sure what size I should get. I originally thought a 66" island might give me more breathing room as opposed to 72" but will that make for a functional island? A peninsula could be a possibility, but I worry that I will always be walking around it when setting the table or clearing as the new dining table/area will go to the right if the beverage bar. The family room/dining room is 28 ft long. The family room is long and narrow (11 ft wide where the fireplace is and 15 ft where the fireplace ends...where my family room will be. Where the plans show where the steam combi oven will go, I can chance the cabinet to a 24" as opposed to the 30" shown. Thank you so much for all of your suggestions! If you can see the attached photo, I would love more suggestions. -Susanne

so much info to parse. thank you all. Briana, i personally like the more open look with no uppers. i feel that the fridge and the baking station balance out and even the fridge / double stack with baking station on the end of the other cabinet would balance out ok. I can ALWAYS add uppers later just as easily as i can right now. plus it will save me a chunk of money. I agree about the seldom used double ovens, but when its needed its sure nice. I'd like to find a microwave sized oven (maybe 1.5cuft) that would fit a baking pan/dish. we'd probably use that 85% of the time. I'd MUCH rather have a 36" cooking surface for pots and pans than a double oven. i hate cramming four pans on a 30" cooking surface. I think 36" is an absolute must for me over anything. Cheryl, i haven't decided what goes in which drawer yet. i'll leave that for another day. that one site linked above pretty much lays it out though. we currently live in a house literally the size of the kitchen right now so at this point, i can't even fathom what will fill the drawers. I built a 2x4 framed island the other day for size reference... it will defintely be at least 42" deep (24" front cabs with 18" or 24" on the back side. Everything will be at least 1.5" higher than normal. My other house and cabin i've set the cabinets on 2x4 on it's side (i'm 6'6"). I will do this again, perhaps even 2". No one has ever complained and i feel its more ergonomic for normal sized people too. MW drawer looks awesome. I wont be spending a grand on one though. We literally haven't used a microwave in 10 years i bet. the only way one will get installed is if it's a convection oven with a microwave. Im going to try to find some real life examples of a single wall oven installed under a cabinet... the steam convection really caught my attention as well. might play around with doing an island with a raised end to get the oven up a little higher then a bar height sitting rim (however to explain it). just a random thought i might explore. As drawn, the island is 11' long. something like this in the island maybe... i can run the wiring now and hash it out later. bbtrix, the peak of the room is 15'3" give or take outside wall is 9'., I've debated that last design you posted. The double ovens are losing their appeal and are starting to feel forced. (though there is the thermador range top on craigslist for $1400 right now that i've had my eye on for two years) I'm aware ikea doesn't have the type of doors i want. I have a cabinet maker in the extended family and i know i could twist an arm to get one custom done for me. hes a state or two away so my whole kitchen isn't an option! Yes, i'd say if i had to pick a style it would be contemporary... rustic contemporary perhaps. but not over the top. I really, really like how [sochi did her kitchen.[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/modern-walnut-kitchen-v-long-many-pics-dsvw-vd~2670263) Seeing that thread put a lot of my worries to rest. I love the floating shelf with puck lights (definitely stealing that for my counter top lighting, love the art above them (i have a lot of glass art and also dabble in photography). My family used to raise Bison back in the 80's and i have a large bison head that can go in the peak of the room if i cant figure anything else out. I'm going to look into the ledge sinks. I dont think i could do a single basin sink as a main sink but i see there's tons of other options. I agree, wherever dishes are they are seen and ugly. My girlfriend is horrible with them on top of it (granted we have a 4year old and no dishwasher too). i like the second sink idea just so they are, in fact, out of the way. Once i get to that point, i'm going to try to do a retractable/fold in type door on the baking station. I know that on huge cooking project type meals, i'm not going to want to stand in a confined cabinet type area to use the mixer and stuff for hours... i just want something where if i want to whip up a batch of cookies, or chop some walnuts or make a quick smoothie, i dont have to go on an indian jones style mission under my cabinets to find stuff. I have no problem pulling the items out if it's going to be a large meal type prep. Ive used forums like this for decades to learn various stuff, i'm pretty good at picking out the useful info, taking peoples opinions for just that and not paying much attention to people that dont offer any insight and just have negative things to add. I see us eating at the island 85% of the time (contrary to my girlfriend insisting on needing a dining area and that we'll eat at a table. typically one person cooks, dishes get left for that evening or following morning *cough* night *cough* (again we have no dishwasher so it turns into a chore). we currently cook 85%+ of our meals. this super important baking cabinet will be used 1-3 times a week and barely worth this hassle (barely but still worth it). id say i'm at a 85% happy rate with where the kitchen is at right now, and i could probably flip a coin to make the last remaining decision and hit 95% content. I'm leaning towards: running extra wire to the island for a future single wall oven or fancy steam convection oven. I'll leave a big enough loop to the right of pantry door in case second oven/convection location appeals to me there. 5' baking station on the fridge wall (that gives 5' baking, 40-45"cabinet, 36" stove, 40-45"cabinet, and a fridge...) single basin prep sink in island double basin on side wall wish dishwasher, plates/silverware in drawers to the right. I'm honestly just trying to get the layout mostly dialed in so i can start wiring next weekish. Other details will flush out later. Pot fillers? yay?