Updates
Sarah
I really must applaud your effort and commitment to this project, it is shaping up really well. I am really pleased to have been of some help in getting to the best solution for you.
I know I suggested putting an appliance in front of the window but from your drawings I can see why you would not want to do so. I don't know the height of the window from the floor but is there enough height to perhaps build a window seat under it? Apart from having somewhere to sit, and it could provide extra storage too and, with a small, fold-up table (stored elsewhere when not in use), it could also be a spot to work with your laptop or even a for a light meal for one or two persons - just an idea.
Don't forget, when attending to the insulation of the walls, to ensure that there are sufficient wall studs and cross members in the correct position to support the weight of the wall fridge as it will have to be screwed into these. It would be simple to do it at the same time as the insulation.
I can see how the wall cupboard over your peninsula is completely appropriate to the age of the kitchen but I would re-consider having it as it would obscure the vista over to the window (to left of oven) which I think, from your drawings could be very attractive, it may make the kitchen look less spacious and could lead to a sort of tunnel effect in front of the Americana.
If you have room, the cupboard to the right of the Oven sounds great as do the shelves - with one proviso - will they go right up to the kitchen window over the sink? or will there still be a little bit of room in either side. I mention this because, if you plan to have curtains at the window will there be enough space to pull them back over the wall so that as much as possible of the window as possible is clear when they are pulled back? This also helps give an illusion of the room looking wider. Finally, if used for display, their proximity to the sink (and steamy water) may mean that they, plus whatever is on them, will need frequent washing.
I am sorry, but it is time for a reality check on one item.
I referred to taking the combo out of the peninsula so as to avoid "fixing" the design (and more correctly the finished kitchen) on it. My suggestion (which i see from your drawings is not appropriate) of putting it in front of the window was so that when it goes wrong, as it almost certainly will, it could be easily replaced, even with a top loader. Well this holds equally good if it is to the left of the cook top. Of all the kitchen appliances I would say the washer is most complex - mostly because it has to cope with heavy, water saturated items as it goes into its spin. Add to this that it must be getting on for 60 years old, if not older, and it was not even a mainstream product when it was new! So parts are going to be even harder to find than say for a Maytag or Kenmore top loader
Had your layout accommodated a top loader I could have seen past it as there are still many around which would have looked fine, even if they were a bit younger. Do you even know if it works? You may be several hundred dollars into parts and labour if not, if you can even get the parts. Not to mention what hauling it in and out would do to your lovely floor.
I know you love it, but frankly you would be crazy to incorporate it within any of the runs of cabinets for if it goes wrong and cannot be fixed you will be stuck with a hole that you might not be able to fill easily. So, I would leave it out of your kitchen scheme entirely and replace it with a cabinet which will give you more useful storage by the cook top too.
Is there anywhere where you could build a large closet (longish and deep enough to accommodate a washer and dryer and possibly awkward things like ironing boards, upright vacuums, mops & brooms) or even take a corner to make a separate laundry room - it could even be vintage too, it sounds like you have enough cabinets - which might be laid out so that if the combo reaches a point it cannot be repaired it can be replaced without having to pull the whole thing apart. Frankly, if this is your only laundry appliance, then I would invest in new ones which will likely last a great deal longer and can be repaired if necessary.
I am sorry to close on such a negative note but I really feel it has to be done. You are spending a lot of time, effort and money on a kitchen that will look absolutely wonderful and, at the rate you are going, breathtaking. I am really looking forward to seeing this project progress to, what i am sure will be, a magnificent conclusion.
Best wishes
Al
