Scale is not right but the second is better.

Toe kick radiators exist and are worth paying for.

Yup, the second version. You're in and out of the fridge from the table far more often -- getting drinks, condiments, etc. Plus, you'll use the counter space around the stove much more than you will around the fridge.

Since you can't use the wall across from the sink, have you considered putting in an island? You could put the stove there and open up your counter space immensely. I disagree with others, and think the fridge should be away from the table, but I don't think the stove should be right there, either, especially with no counter next to it.

What is the door marked just before the kitchen table? Because if you could close that and put the fridge there, you'd solve both problems at once...

Hey guys, sorry the scale is off- I was just guesstimating and using mspaint. :)

Some follow up info:

watchmelol- there will be room for a very small counter on each side of the stove- I like to cook & that is super important to me. But it is a small kitchen so counter top space is at a premium. We can move the dishwasher-- for some reason it's on the right right now. I'm not sure why they put it there.

Milly Rey- a toekick radiator still wouldn't allow us to put something in front of it- would it? There's no central AC and when we got bids, everyone was super against taking out the radiators for us. We decided to hold off on the AC/changing the radiators to focus on taking down these walls now-- we might change it in a year or 2. The previous owners had cabinetry above the radiator and it makes the room look really cluttered, that's why I was planning on leaving it blank-- I'll post a pic below.

Toronto Veterinarian- Thanks 1 vote for my pick. :)

Julie B- 1 vote for my husbands pick, lol. It's a pretty small kitchen, so while we could put a small island, I think it would make things look very packed & not really have a ton of clearance around it-- I think the best answer to that is just put a piece of furniture there that could be utilized like an island if we decide we'd like one.

acm- the door is just to the dining area- we are knocking down that wall. There really isn't space to add the fridge there-- I couldn''t figure out how to get the spacing accurately in my drawing, but I've attached some pics. Behind that left wall (which is load bearing) is a stair case to that goes down to the basement.

And thank you for the advice so far. :)

If you remove the whole wall to the dining then you can place the fridge next to the radiator. It will just go a little past the kitchen into the dining room. It would clear things up for you to have 2 areas of usable counterspace next to the sink if more than one person wants to help in the kitchen.

...and you are keeping that sink, correct? It's amazing!

A toe kick heater would allow cabinets on that wall.

lyfia- I'm going to measure the wall today to see how much it would stick out & if that would work- it's certainly an interesting idea. The sink isn't my cup of tea-- it's a little too large for the space and can't be centered properly under the window which kind of drives my OCD nuts. I did promise to let the previous owner know when we take it out so they can put it in their new house. Or maybe we can repurpose it in the basement laundry room. It won't go to waste. :)

I think by having your refrigerator by your table, it will feel like you have cut off your kitchen. I would rather it on the wall where the old fashioned radiator is, if possible, and just countertop on the end or the stove, whichever.

Measured the left wall next to the radiator-- it's 34" and the fridge is 36" darn. The way the other room is set up, it would be weird for it to jut out past the wall (there is a little pantry it would run into). Even thought about putting it in the pantry, but that is also 34".

Here's what my parents did in their Victorian over their radiator. The had a piece of granite installed like the other countertops and then had the cabinet maker build a shelf over it. It worked great and was nice extra cabinetry for dishes. It seems to be similar space to yours. Sorry, this is the only picture I could find of it and only shows part of the radiator. They put induction on the island, and it really is a very functional layout.

While you can't put food in the cabinet above the radiator, if you put dishes in a cabinet like apetz's parents, in the winter you would have nice warm plates!

@Sophie Wheeler There are toe-kick *radiators*? How does that work, without roasting the cabinet above? I've definitely directed a duct into a toe-kick, but I usually figure radiators need to be removed or replaced with forced air to get those extra walls into play. Would love to know otherwise!!! Are these electric beasts?

Refrigerator closer to table.

If you don't want the look of a refrigerator bumping out past the cabinets, consider pulling the cabinets on that run out from the wall and having deeper counters; looks like you have room. (Or custom cabinets could be made deeper; then you have more storage as well as more counter space.)

I'd also panel the table side of the ref or do something like a shallow broom or spice/soup cabinet opening toward the table. Handy.

Thanks for the ideas & pics! Putting a build out on the left wall is an interesting idea... I will have to think more about that--do you guys think it would mess with the flow of the room? All the doors give you a visual shot down the house from the front door (although of course we are messing with that anyway by taking down the walls). Here's the pics the designer sent me (& some super high-tech mspaint pictures I made myself so that I could visualize it better).

I prefer the refrigerator on the far side and the stove near the dining room. (sorry.)

But I also think it is worth exploring how you might be able to put the refrigerator on the radiator wall.

I suggest checking on the Kitchens Forum...design is one of that Forum's strengths.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath