We are in the process of planning our kitchen with a wood hood similar to what you are describing.

Our KD recommended putting 6 inches on each side of the cooktop (check the specs for your appliance too since they tell you how much room you need) and our spice pull outs are 21" . Above the pull outs, there is a valance, a mantle shelf and a soffit (with crown molding) that goes all the way to the ceiling.

This is the one aspect of the kitchen that I "had to have".

I will try to attach the link but in case it doesn't work: check out wellborn cabinets- look under design ideas- traditional kitchens- and click on the link for "savannah maple." This is the hood we are getting.

http://www.wellborn.com/kitchens/traditional

We are just starting, but this is my inspiration photo. I will have about 12 inches on either side of my cooktop. If the wall cabinets are 18 inches above the counter, then these look to be about 21 to 24 inches tall. There are even little drawers in this one.

I'll be interested to know what others think as well. I did question at first whether to go with this look. I think years of countertop deficiency has skewed by judgement. I know I'll have plenty of counterspace in the new design.

For some reason my link to my photo isn't showing, but if you are interested, go ahead and e-mail me and I will send to you directly.

We have two 15" deep spice pull outs that are (" wide frameless and 36" high on either side of our 30" Wolf ( I call it a pup cuz it's little) range with 18" of countertop on either side. I wanted my largest pasta platter to fit next to the range for ready pouring. The overall space between spice pull outs is 66".

(We have inset cabinets everywhere else in the kitchen, but 9" was too narrow for inset. Since they are pulled out to 15" deep, it's not noticeable.)

On top of the 36" h cabinets are little 12" high upper cabinets and between them are a cabinet furniture panel that covers the ducting.

Our hood was interesting because I had originally wanted it custom fabricated out of stainless steel, but we went way over budget on the cabinets and Calacatta slabs. So we built it ourselves out of mdf and a piece of crown moulding. Then we took it to a local auto body shop who had recently worked on my husbands truck. He mixed up some leftover paints he had in metallic silver and sprayed it, clear coated it and voila - a very custom, very cool hood cover. We just put our old Viking hood inside.

We love the entire set up. There is a perfect amount of space on either side of the range between the spice racks.

Good luck!

crescent- i actually looked at that hood from wellbourne- beautiful-- my only fear for you is what i'm debathing-- if its 21 inches long that doesn't leave you with a lot of space to move things around the cooktop (ie cutting board) or if you are opening jars and want to put it in the saucepan -- so we are thinking of doing 15 inch now-- so that its not as closed in?? something to think about

Houseful- how far out will your spice pull outs be? 12, 15, 18, 21?
12 inches on either side sounds good- Our kitchen guy said 6 inches but i'm afraid that might not be enough room?

mindimoo- please email pics to patsuz@comcast.net I would love to see yours b/c i'm thinking of 15 inch spice pull outs. Can you fit a lot in there?

THANK YOU ALL!

hi suzie- i am confused- the 21 inches refers to to the height of the spice pull outs- not the depth so I am unsure how that would affect space around the cook top?

I am a little concerned with only having 6 inches between the cook top and the spice rack though. The KD reminded me that since the cook top is 36" and has 6 burners, I can cover 2 with a cutting board if more space is needed and I have a 30" expanse of counter to the left of the hood unit and 54" on the other side. Also, the 18" 3 drawer lower cabinet to the right of the cook top has a built in cutting board in the top drawer.

If I am missing something, please explain- I don't want to make a decision I'll regret.

Just curious- are you in NJ and what cabinet line are you looking at?

houseful- your inspiration picture is beautiful!

Where I'm located code requires 12 inches between the cooktop and flamable surfaces like wood. I really like the 12 inches - would not want less. 12 is good for plates, bowls, covers, etc. Or if I'm cooking an Asian dish I may have a bunch of little bowls of stuff sitting there ready to dump in. I have five burners and I often use 3-4 - so the cooktop itself is not good surface area for me. And though I have an island across from the cooktop, I wouldn't want to be turning around to get stuff - and my island is less than 36 inches away - unlike most people's.

crescent50 - sorry i thought you meant 21 inches deep for the spice pull out... how deep are your spice pull outs? (Do they touch the end of the counter or do you have some space in front of them? I think i need to talk to my kitchen guy - he said only 6 inches too.. but sounds like i might need more. We are getting Shiloh cabinets. Are you in NJ too? Sounds like you have a lot of room to the left and right so moving your hood to allow for more space ie 10-12 inches should be no problem.

I WOULD LOVE TO see more pics with peoples spice racks touching the counter.. and tell us--
1st- how many inches did you leave next to the rangetop to the hood/spice rack (so how much countertop is showing)

2nd-- how deep are your spice racks from front to back?

Thank you!

Any other pics or advice

Does your hood touch your counter (with spice rack pull outs?)

1- how much space did you leave between the spice rack and the rangetop (So how much space do you have to the side of the range top?)

2- how deep is your spice rack?

3- Do you like it - pros/cons?

suz

This ? has come up here in the past - seems that many KD's like the idea - from what I recall - there are varying opinions irl as to how practical they are
Sorry I didn't read thru above responses -

To me, my design was to create better function in my old kitchen - I have a lot of counter space and love to have unobstructed space on either side of the range as that is where a lot of prep goes on right up against the range - I like the front to back unlimited/unobstructed space w/corbel type hoods/hoods that go to counter - you limit your counter space - it is another area that is exposed to cooking affects -so will require more cleaning & may not be good for spices to be so close to heat

when prep & cooking is done - I use the other side of range for plating - so no obstructions there either

link below may help - btw these type mantle hoods seem to be in expansive kitchens - it seems like they may overwhelm a smaller kit
Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: mantle hoods gallery

Hi Suzie- yes we are in NJ too- new construction that is taking way too long but exciting none the less.

I spoke with the KD and I asked her to do the cabinet mock up with 10" on each side of the cook top. I'd rather err on the side of it being more spacious.

Our spice cabinets do not go all the way to the end of the counter- I don't know the exact depth but in the picture, there looks to be a little space. We are also bumping out the whole piece and including legs on both sides of the lower cabinet. I'm thinking that will also create a little more room.

I'm hoping other people will chime in with their pros/cons- I love the look but don't want to sacrafice the function.

Do you have a picture of the Shiloh hood you are considering?

crescent i don't have a pic yet... still working on it...

We too are building a new home that is taking FOREVER!! We sold our house and we moved into a rental b/c we thought we would be out soon-- now we are praying to be in by xmas. They are in the permit stage now... so we are busy picking everything.

I would love to hear more about what poeple think of their hoods that touch the counter- are you glad you did that or is it to heavy of a look? Does it get in the way of your cooking?? More pics if you have

We are also in a rental and keeping busy with agonizing over all the decisions we have to make. Our foundation is in but nothing else has been done. I'm really hoping that we don't have to put up another Christmas tree in this condo.

GL to you and heres hoping we get some more responses- I love the look but would love to hear opinions on whether the spice pull outs get in the way of cooking!

Hi, here's a picture of mine. I love my kitchen and this mantle hood is the focal point of my kitchen. But, I probably would not do it again. In my old house I liked to place my slow cooker on my griddle cover on my range and plug it in next to my range (in the backsplash). I can't do that now, since the cord won't reach. So, I have to use my slow cooker on my island since I don't really want to use my slow cooker under a cabinet. (Silly rationale, huh?)

Also, I really am not crazy about the obstruction in my way. I know my hood is beautiful and the slight inconvenience is not a deal breaker, but if I had it to do over again, I would not have gone all the way to the counter.

BTW, my columns are non-functional--meaning no spice racks, etc.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Suzienj, Sorry, I thought you meant "how tall" will they be. I am thinking of doing regular cabinets with doors that open to reveal a regular shelf. I am also working on a new plan that will give me hopefully 15" on either side of my cooktop.

Red Lover, Could you have installed outlets in your corbels? I don't know what code is, but since you brought that up, it might be worth installing outlets in that area if Suzienj decides to go with the cabinets down to the counter. Yours is very pretty, BTW!

I've been living in my new kitchen for about 2 weeks (posting soon) - i have spice racks on either side of the range and I love the look ... I definitely felt I needed it to break up a long wall of cabinetry ... I have a 48in range top, with a griddle with a cutting board top, so I have places to put a spoon, jar or tray - I think it would be slightly more convenient to have counter space directly next to the range - but i'm willing to adapt because it's so pretty!!!

Red lover- your hood is beautiful and I'm glad to hear that you like it (for the most part). It really is a gorgeous focal point-exactly the look I am hoping for.

houseful- great idea about the outlets in the spice rack- it would be perfect for a griddle. i'll be sure to mention it to the KD.

Gail- looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Thank you-- i love you ladies!! We are meeting with the kitchen guy tomorrow to discuss the kitchen and the "hood"-- we came up with 3 ideas... so hopefully we make a decision. I'm on the fence with going down the end b/c i like having room next to the rangetop... so i will keep you posted!! Wish me luck!!!!