Wow, thanks for the responses. Today was the decision day for us. First stop, we went to the local fabricator. He is going to make me my duct cover for the hood. (42wx12dx24h) for about $80! Then we decided to do a 36x36 piece of stainless steel for behind the range. (around $40-$50), man I love the Amish. Next stop the appliance store. Ordered the 36" rangetop with the 24" high backguard with shelf! I figured if the rangetop ever was pulled out, what would be behind it? Do I want to spend $$$ on tiling behind it? Not really. So this way there is a piece of ss behind backguard The stainless sheet will go from the hood to below the top of the rangetop. Kellienoelle: I did look carefully at the showroom, and they tiled right up to the stainless and then just end it with a line of grout. It looks perfect. bacin0--what rangetop are you looking at? shappy-this is good, no, great to hear! will, I remember that shelf. My cabinets are quite a distance out from the range, I don't think it would look right. But I do recall it looked really nice in that kitchen. polie, my range is 36" wide the hood is 42" wide. The backguard is 24" high. Sorry for the confusion! westiegirl, ah yes, the streaks....I'll try antiquesilver's tip too! motherof3, can't wait to see that! thanks fromthesouth--yep, that's the look---ss from range to hood! Can't wait! Thanks again everybody!

My .02 - If you cook a lot, having grout lines behind the range just makes things worse to really keep clean. Have you considered a SS sheet - either smooth or embossed with a pattern? SS shows dirt quite easily - which could be good if you really want to keep the dirty stuff clean, or could be bad if you'd rather have something that hides a bit of the dirt.

There are modification drop lights for the ones over your sink. Many options and not expensive. Which i have done and really like the look. Yes to texturing the rest of the walls if there are other areas as large. You are going to need to paint as it is, so taping the cabinets will be needed. Texture isn't difficult, although I don't know what your's looks like.

I would think if you do the ss first, the tiler will slightly overlap the tile over the edges of the ss for a seamless appearance. If he does, though, it might make replacing that ss difficult if not impossible without removing or damaging the tiles. So I guess if you ever foresee replacing the ss if it ever gets scratched or dented or whatever, then I would make sure to let the tiler know not to overlap them and to just go right along the edge of the ss. Otherwise, if you figure they are equally permanent, I think you do have the order right for the most seamless installation. I guess if it were me (and it might be in the future) I would not do the overlap with a thinner piece of shiny ss that might get dings or dents or scuffed from scrubbing, but if you are using a heavy piece of brushed ss I would do the opposite. Just me, though. I want to know if I am trying something I am not 100% sure about, I want to be able to change it down the road with less destruction, money and angst. (A certain amt of commitment phobia here that you probably don't share.) I am sure you have the right order for the best look. Sue