I kept showing the range and range hood with a little asterisk. *It’s not quite finished, yet! We will be adding some stainless steel trim to the back of the range and around the underside of the hood. Well, that was finally installed last week and it was just the perfect finishing touch. For you to fully appreciate these finishing touches, you have to see where we started.
Our contractor built the frame and installed the range hood, but the way he built the frame, some of the lumber would be exposed when we added the panels and trim. Of course, painting it would be an option, but he suggested having a stainless steel frame made that he would install and seal with silicone for a cleaner look and one that would protect the wood better against moisture. It would also be easier to clean.
You can read about how we built the range hood HERE.
While we were having a stainless steel piece fabricated, I asked if we could have a small shelf made to put behind the range. If you notice in the picture above, we initially lined the range up with the frame of the cabinets, but that meant it was set back from the counters and the cabinet doors. I lived with it for a while, but I wanted to pull it up so it was flush with the doors and counters. I don’t think it was a case of right or wrong, but just what I thought looked best. Pulling the range out, though, meant there would be about a 2″ gap behind the range, but a little custom shelf would address that and even add a little function.
In the photo below, you can see the wood frame under the hood, but I would generally try to crop it out or take pictures from angles where you wouldn’t see it.
Ilve range review | pot rail | staub dutch oven | olive oil bottles | brass pulls
But now, I have the little shelf, and the range hood insert is trimmed out.
antique kilim rug runner | range hood insert | brass hardware | antique baker’s table
Here is how it looks if you peek under…
Doesn’t that look great?! (Those are my grits for breakfast simmering on the stove.) And the little shelf is just perfect…
I don’t really want or need to keep a bunch of stuff up there, but I could use it for spices and such or leaning up a breadboard or something. It just gives me options, makes the placement look more intentional, and it prevents things from falling behind the range.
No more asterisk about the range area. It’s always going to evolve. I’m sure I’ll eventually try hanging something on the hood and/or perhaps flanking the hood. I’m also still considering backsplash options but it’ll be a while before we do anything with that. As I’ve shared before, I’m not really in a rush to figure it out. I have the plaster primed and painted with high-quality scrubbable paint, which will serve just fine. (I used Emerald in Matte by Sherwin Williams in the color Pure White.)
A couple more things checked off the list…
11 Responses
I think it’s all perfect as is, but someday a backsplash would be lovely too.
What a great idea! Seeing bare wood under cabinets and range hoods has long been a pet peeve of mine. It looks so unfinished and I’ve painted them in the past but this is such a better solution❤️ Thank you.
How do you turn the exhaust fan on and does it have a variable speed?
Your kitchen is wonderful! Crate and Barrel has a kitchen that looks very similar to yours.
Yes, I am going to share a full review of the range hood insert, but it has a small row of buttons on the front, and underside of the hood. They are very sleek, so you hardly see them. And yes, it has three speeds and a light.
I love the tonal mixture of metals — it adds so much interest and richness, especially with the green (my favorite) cabinets!
Your stainless steel shelf is a great idea! And it does have a more finished look with your stove being in-line with your cabinets. You made some great choices, it’s a beautiful kitchen!
I love the shelf and the trimmed underside of the fan. They definitely looked planned and intentional. How did you find a fabricator and was it difficult to convey your ideas? I’m looking to cover an existing island top with stainless steel and don’t know where to begin.
My contractor took care of this, so I didn’t have to go through the process of finding one. I would ook up local metal fabricators in your area and start making some calls. My contractor initially had the pieces done with one fabricator and the pieces were very rough and not brushed stainless, so he worked with someone else.
I’m so glad you mentioned the paint color you used. We just had our bathroom re-done & I wanted to go with a white by Sherwin Williams. And you are driving me nuts by showing all your delicious copper pieces! I’ve been on-line shopping & don’t want to look at my credit card bill this month, but I love the antique/vintage copper pieces in your kitchen!
Talk about sleek and stylish! What you did with the small shelf behind the range is absolutely smart and on point. It’s amazing how such a small detail can make a big impact on the overall look of the kitchen.
Lovely, lovely, lovely! The little shelf was a good idea, and will come in handy. The whole kitchen is really coming together, and I can’t wait to see your choice of backsplash. I think I have an idea of what’s coming, but I’m not telling! Marian, I was glad to see that you didn’t put in a “pot filler” on the wall behind the stove. I don’t see the appeal of them, but I seem to be in the minority. Yes, it might be convenient to not have to carry a full pot of water from sink to stove, but what about when you empty it? Don’t you still have to carry a mostly-full pot of water to the sink? I wonder if pot fillers are used as often as anticipated. Maybe someone can explain it to me, as I am keeping an open mind about them. Thanks! Again, I love your kitchen!