Regarding mounting - with the ambient noise in kitchens, you would not expect to have optimal imaging, etc. So, it makes some sense to me to mount the speakers horizontally rather than vertially. Seems to me like you'd save quite a bit of space that way, as it would enable them to be closer to the ceiling, and closer to the wall while maitaining the same downward angle. The Axiom shape is uniquely suited to such an approach.
Really, either one of the smaller Axiom bookshelf models would be a great choice for that application. They are both slightly larger than your Atoms, but not by an order of magnitude or anything.
