Stop in for a cup of coffee

With the window casing where it is Mike, I'd say remove the panel up to the height of the refrigerator and cap it with a piece of trim or something. The shelf would stabilize the top portion. Matching a cabinet might be a PITA

That'll avoid the footprint on the ceiling I'm guessing is there.

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My thoughts exactly. We do have a cabinet that may fit that void above the frig. (made by the company that made the cabinets). Either way, that wall piece needs go get moved or removed. If we do, the frig can be slid back in the hole another 3 inches making it more counter depth and there will be some better ventilation back behind it which will be easier on the unit.