Here are the drawings to flesh out the look of the kitchen.

First is a sketch of the hutch/clean up sink wall with the big wall opening to the sunroom and the stools to sit on:

And here is a sketch of the cooktop wall with uneven cabinetry, and the doorway to the right that leads to the wine fridge on the right:

And finally the wall with from left to right, fridge, 36 inch baking counter, wall ovens and pantry with a desk to the far side (desk juts out 22.5 inches from the pantry wall):

Thanks for reading this far. What do you think?

I am guessing, but maybe the KD means that the hutch shown with 12" sides on the uppers (pull outs?) looks too elongated and thin relative to the hutch size as a whole.

As for the space next to the sink, I am not sure about the depth, but I have a 36" countertop next to my fridge and it is bordered on the right side by a wall that protrudes beyond the countertop and is the side of a coat closet (which is the end of my original house pre extension and could not be eliminated). Anyway, it is a similair set up to your fridge, 36" countertop / baking area / pantry design. I wouldn't use this space for baking. It seems closed in and too narrow, especially considering I have an island to use with alot more countertop. Also, this is a busy area for traffic with everyone going into the fridge and using the walk way. I thought I would show you this picture to help you visualize.

Maybe you could make the 36" between the fridge and pantry a command center or beverage center. If you made it your command center, you could have the desk space for a larger hutch. Just an idea.

Why doesn't she 'balance' the cabinets on either side of the stove, so they're the same size? Isn't that part of design? Where does the wall end to the left of the stove? Does it go all the way to the back side of the sink run? If so, I think I'd add cabinets there to balance the entire wall. But I don't see a reason to have the cabinets flanking the hood and stove to be different sizes.

I agree that the hutch design isn't good. I wouldn't do the thin cabinets on either side of center on the top or the bottom. Was this design your instruction to her?

I think the problem with the fridge wall is the drop of the upper over the cabinet. I don't think it's necessary, and all should be level, and the doors designed to look nice together. I agree that 36" would be narrow for baking, but for using the mixer in order to use the island across as main baking workspace, it serves an important purpose.

There is no reason those cabinets facing the stove can't be 24" deep so that your sink is in the right spot. Your work triangle would be GREAT if the sink was put where you asked. Maybe the other cabinet sizes need to be adjusted.

She has now insisted on charging you by the hour, instead of the original agreed fee, right? And has given you plans that need revision and more time... You've reported that she has given you argument and attitude previously, and I think she still might be...

Yes, it is possible that the KD is just giving me grief and messing with me. But, in her defense I sent her photos of items that I thought would work in the revised sketch, such as this hutch:

And I also sent along the cooktop with a clean, minimal look above:

And a pantry that I thought would work with my ALREADY EXISTING pantry, with a deep storage area on the right side that could have some pullouts:

And yes, there is 36 inches of wall space remaining, if you go all the way to the backsplash on the sink wall. That is, 36 inches of wall space to the left of the upper cabinet that she has to the left of the cooktop. What would you do there?

I know she disagrees with my decision to move things around at this late date. I just feel like she is not even attempting to make it look aesthetically pleasing, as far as making the design look good. What should I do?

At some point, you cut your losses and move on. After paying the fee, trying to work with the KD, and not getting what we were looking for, the last straw was when she said her latest drawings were as I "directed." So pleased with the other local custom company we went with,,,it was a true partnership in finalizing the design and seeing it come to life.

The upper cabinets she put up aren't that minimal look by the stove. If you want that minimalist look, I wouldn't add cabinets, but would come up with a plan for balancing the whole wall, not just immediately around the stove. They get away with that in the inspiration pic, because there are cabinets and shelves on the adjacent wall that narrow the view.

Your inspiration hutch is way larger scale than what you have room to accomplish, so the proportions won't work. I'm guessing it's 8 1/2' or so. You'd be better served to find something closer to what you have room for, so you're not having this fight with her. Maybe even get out some graph paper and draw something that pleases you. Those little squares are wonderfully helpful for getting things to scale.

If you give her no room to play games, because you know exactly what you want, then it might save you time and aggravation. Not what you should have to do, maybe, but at this point...

I don't understand why you need a kitchen designer, when you are the one essentially designing the kitchen anyway?

I am not trying to bash my KD. I like the cabinet maker she partners with, and the construction company she aligns herself with, so I am happy to have given her a shot at the kitchen design. I am just trying to come up with the best design for the space, functional/efficient/pretty, and not too costly. I could have very easily have signed on for one of her earlier designs, and been done with it, but I decided to check in with all of you to see what could be improved. I am just worried that she is being passive-aggresive with me by submitting these drawings, which were a week late, and did not incorporate my changes as written. Thanks rhome410 for your advice, I will study hutches and find something that is within the 48-50 inches that I have room for, and send her a picture!

I am just worried that she is being passive-aggresive with me by submitting these drawings, which were a week late, and did not incorporate my changes as written.

If you're now paying her by the hour, this is not cool, professional, or acceptable. You should have the best you can for your space, and it seems she is offended by you not accepting her first effort. It's your kitchen, and her bruised ego shouldn't get in the way of the best possible final product. Deedles is right that you are now designing more than she is.

Good news, I found two hutches that I like, that are much simpler in proportion. One goes to the ceiling

And the other stops shy of the ceiling:

I presume drawers are better than doors on the undercounter portion of the hutch. That way you can stack dishes.

I think those are much better, more appropriate for the space, choices. I love the drawers under my hutch, for the reason you specified.