Architecture: This Kitchen

While browsing through my usual design blogs, I got hung up on this kitchen photo:

[Robert Mills Architects via desire to inspire]

I love the light and airiness created by placing huge windows above the counter.  The more I admire minimalist kitchens, the more I think that upper cabinets are overrated.  Removing the upper cabinets must be the easiest, fastest way to bring a stream-lined feeling to a kitchen.

Anyway, I liked this kitchen so much I made a quick sketch of the plan:

While examining the photo, I made a few notes.

1. I assume the refrigerator and freezer are in the white wood wall at the end of the island.  I like how the colors and textures of the different woods compliment each other.  It's hard to design with different woods and not have them look like they were haphazardly thrown together.
2. Judging from the foliage outside, I get the feeling that the kitchen is on the second floor.  I really like that arrangement for tall buildings or sites that have a steep slope.
3. It looks like the window progression goes like this: Giant picture window, Slider, Picture window, and then Slider again (after it turns the corner).  They went to some trouble to detail the glass so the top of the frame is hidden in the soffit.  I think they could have kept it exposed all around since the frame around the slider is unavoidably visible anyway.  If they kept the frame of the picture windows exposed, there would be a continuous black line that would run all along the top of windows.  I think it would actually be less intrusive visually.
4. While we're on the subject of windows, the windows here would turn into a giant black wall at night.  I would want something to cover them for privacy and to keep the space warm and inviting at all times.  That's one problem with modern, minimal houses; I love huge windows, but they're black holes at night.  I think there are ways to dress a window without becoming overly traditional, but it takes some extra planning and detailing.
5. There are strange alignments here.  I wonder why the stove doesn't line up with the side of the oven (red line below), and the side of the solid wall doesn't line up with the island (blue line).  It's just one of those things that would drive me crazy if I lived in this house.  (Not that I would complain; it's undeniably gorgeous.)

6.  Lastly, I hope this photo will be a reminder to me that while I admire big, freestanding stoves (like these ones from Viking), the overall 'look' I really want calls for built-ins.