My elderly parents are planning to finally renovate their small 1970s u-shaped kitchen. Limited space, budget and desire to keep their formal dining set also limits the layout options. The recommendation is to remove the row of upper cabinets above the stove, move the stove ~12" to allow some counter beside it, and then install a range hood to hang over it. The fridge has no other place to go. FYI, the wall behind the fridge is where the back entry steps are.

Also, build a pony/half wall behind the stove, the full width of the counter to hopefully help keep splatter in. There's not enough space in the DR to move the table over much towards the window, and you can that it's already near the front door (which isn't regularly used).

A hanging fan would look modern but a bit industrial for the rest of the area and I anticipate loud (comparative to what they have and that no one seems to understand, but that could be a whole post on its own).

1. What fan would you suggest (we're in Canada) to reduce the noise? OR How can we muffle the sound?

The kitchen table will be removed and replaced with lower and upper cabinets (and a broom cabinet). The challenge there is that the house uses electric baseboard heating. I have seen under-cabinet "toe kick" heaters advertised but none of the contractors who have ever come to quote are aware of this. They barely know about baseboard heaters.

2. Can you recommend a heater or brand to check out?

3. What specs (aside from area that it will cover) should we look for?

Layout-wise, one other option that has been suggested is to have one open space in kitchen and DR. I've attached a picture I found online as well as the floor plan and drawings the contractor created on IKEA's site. Our space is much smaller and I think the DR table would end up more in front of the stove and sink. It may also block too much of the hallway (where the kitchen table currently is) and be unsafe for my dad who uses a walker. I also don't think they could have cabinetry where the kitchen table currently is. However, if that could somehow work:

4. Would it be OK to have their china cabinet near to the oven (with the minimum 24" of counter)?

5. Should a wall or other panel be built between the two for protection and division? What might it look like? I can't really envision it.

Thank you!
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