Make sure you can mount the required counter receptacles. You can try to argue it is no longer 'wall-counter space" with the AHJ, but may not get very far. Receptacles must be every 48 inches on kitchen counters (no place more than24 inches from a receptacle parallel to the wall). And no face up receptacles in a counter.

outlets turned on their sides take up more space than you might thing. I have one space where that was done. The outlet box needs to be above the counter a little bit to allow for the cover. And then there will be a double 2x4 on top of it for the bottom of the window framing. If you want your window at countertop level, insist on it!! that's what you are paying him for. Mocketts are a great suggestion. If for some reason you can't do them, then maybe use a plugmold at countertop level which will only raise your window a couple inches at the most.

I put in a counter height window after the cabinets were in, so any necessary shimming wouldn't mess up the height. The window should be installed before the counters are templated if you want the countertop to extend onto the window sill area. You need to know the exact heights of everything ahead of time so it all matches up. It is nice for the counter to extend onto the sill but unfortunately, it snowed the day of my window install (the only snow of the whole year) and the counters were templated before the window was put in. So I ended up with the counter being installed the same day as the window. Talk about chaos. I still haven't filled in that tiny strip of sill because I am still irritated about the chain of events. I am hoping when I get soapstone counters put in my bathroom, they can add the strip to the counter. Since soapstone has an invisible seam, it should look okay. It was one of the few things I paid for because I was nervous about the height of the cutout but it was not a big deal for the guy that did the work. by the way; shezzy; I love your butcher block piece!!!!

I must not have checked "send me an email when posts are made" so I didn't even check until today. D'oh. Anway, our family is short (Husband 5'7, I'm 5'0) if that makes any difference. There are many good points people have thought of that I haven't. The first is a plan for a t-shaped island, 2 heights. The second is a one big island, counter height. You can see the living room would be behind the eating area. A bit awkward to watch TV I suppose. The nook is to the right of the kitchen near the arched doorway. It will be our "formal" dining room. We have a dining room off the kitchen, but I know we'll never use it, so we're making it into our workout room. I don't really expect to be eating as a nice little family, the kids are busy teens and we eat at different times. When we do eat together, we'll sit at the dining room table. I like the big one piece island best. I'm even thinking of hanging a flat screen TV on the wall with a swing out arm in the nook by the arched door. I know. We're pathetic, but I must be honest about our life-style. This will also be pretty cool for when I'm cooking. I think I'm leaning toward the counter height. I'd like to fit 4 stool/chairs there. Not sure if there will be enough room. Maybe I can make the counter hang over a bit on the side closest to the nook. Thanks for answering!