What type of fixes are you thinking? Cosmetic or structural?

Are planning a gut job? What is your budget?

Not sure how extensive you’re looking to change but have you considered swapping dining area for kitchen? Looks like more space and could include island.

Def needs a gut job because the cat smell is hard to live with. dont like open kitchens so would like to keep the kitchen on that side. budgetwise , would prefer to stick with cosmetic and minimal structual changes, but would consider larger changes if it isnt too expensive and has a big impact. thanks thanks!

How about removing the peninsula and running a line of two or three base cabinets and uppers along that wall? That would give you more storage and better flow and sight lines into the kitchen.

Unless you know for certain that the sellers had unruly cats, it's possible the smell is caused by mold, especially considering it's an enclosed porch. We installed a radon remediation system in our basement and suddenly had a very strong cat urine odor. We have a well behaved cat but thought he may have had a accident. Turns out that the negative pressure created by the radon system was drawing air from one of our window wells. As soon as I sealed the window, the smell was gone. Just something to be mindful of when beginning your remodel. Congratulations on your new home!

If you’re going to gut the kitchen you would benefit from the services of a certified kitchen designer. I would try to find one that would respect the period of your home while updating it with modern conveniences. You can certainly renovate it within the current footprint to keep costs down. Keep in mind that the space may need some structural work since you stated that it was formerly a porch.

I'd be tempted to put the fridge where the peninsula is, flanked by shallow cabinets. That would actually give you more walkway, even though it would feel tighter at head level. You would get a better U-shaped kitchen, with the right sight recovered, and/or might be able to get range on same wall as sink.