The early stages of design are always a bit overwhelming. So many choices and you can feel this burden to "get it right". You are dreaming of an off white kitchen - great! Now, think about how it feels to stand in the kitchen. Where is your traffic flow from outside and to the dining room? Do you want a large open plan? Or more defined rooms with doorways? These are the types of questions you need to focus on now. Shades of color really should be the last thing on your mind (as tempting as it is to dream of them). Think about your family, get specific about what you need, make a separate list of wants, and spend your time creating the spaces of your home. This is what an architect does. You may need one, or you may not. I got caught up in details when we started our design process, and my DH had to remind me to focus on the big picture, not the details. Houzz really is your friend at this stage. Just go through and click everything you like. Soon, you'll see patterns emerge, and you get a real sense of what speaks to you architecturally. From there, you can search plans online within that style. Lots of people have already done a lot of planning and hard work, and there really are some good plans out there to use and learn from. As far as your original question, I think the interior trim will have a much greater impact visually, than the actual window. Will your cabinets be directly next to your window? If you have a plan you are working on, you might get more help if you posted it separately for overall design feedback. Good luck!

Go to houzz.com and look at kitchens...you'll probably find a variety of solutions... [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Raleigh Interior Designers & Decorators Driggs Designs

There's basically three designations that are recognized: architects, interior designers, and interior decorators. To be a licensed architect you need either a Master's degree, or a 5-year bachelors of architecture degree, plus X number of years of work experience, plus passing the licensing exam. In all, this can take anywhere from 5 to 7 years after graduation to become licensed depending on whether you have a masters or a bachelors. Most architects do both building envelope and interior configuration. But they may not always specify interior finishes. An interior designer generally has a bachelors, plus 40 to 60+ additional credit hours in an accredited program. To be certified you also have to take an exam, but it's not nearly as rigorous. A CID can work on interior reconfiguration, spec finishes, and stamp their own drawings IF there are no structural changes. If there are, either a structural engineer or an architect provides supplemental drawings for permitting. Interior decorators fill the spaces; they don't create/configure the spaces. No education is required for this and if they are involved in remodeling, they generally outsource construction docs. So, when I was in design school, I too was told there's no such thing as "Interior Architecture". You're either an architect who does interiors or you're a designer. As far as I know, there is no government recognition of "interior architect" or a separate license/certification. To confuse you further, many people who have gone to architecture school never take the exam to be licensed. In those cases, they are "architectural designers" and often work at architecture firms where someone who is licensed can sign off on their work. There are indeed real differences. Someone passing themselves off as an architect without the training or experience is overselling their capabilities. But not all projects require an architect. A kitchen or bath remodel, for example, can be comfortably handled by any reputable, certified designer.

Hire a color consultant for advice. I don't think the current white is right--too much contrast--but there are warmer whites and other colors that will bring out the beauty of the wood. Here's a great, classic Houzz article on wall paints that work with wood. Your floors are beautiful and echo the wood trim. https://www.houzz.com/magazine/11-terrific-paint-color-matches-for-wood-details-stsetivw-vs~9025200