Wanted to update anyone who may be interested on our outcome. We purchased the Modern-Aire PSI1630-336 model and it is fabulous! We are totally happy with our decision. Best of all, the hood looks OK in our kitchen. There are two 600 cfm centrifugal force fans and they do a terrific job venting smoke and odors. I really like the infinite speed control. When on high, the fans do such an incredible job, that we had to have the spacers next to the baffles replaced - the fan would lift them. The spacers are now attached to the end baffles, so they are stationary when the fan goes on. The noise level is about what I expected - it's a bit loud, but not unbearable on the highest speed, and most of the time we use it on the lowest speed, which is just fine. We were concerned about lighting since we had to remove two of our overhead lights. I'm pleased to report the four lights on the hood do an excellent job, and best of all, they are on a dimmer, so you can control the brightness. Anyone installing an indoor grill needs to be careful about ventilation. Based on our experience, only an overhead hood will do an adequate job. I don't know if you really need something as powerful or large as we installed, but we were not willing to risk another under-ventilated solution. This post was edited by willaf on Fri, Dec 6, 13 at 15:29

momof2doxies: thanks for the photo! That helps me visualize. I think if I do BB there I'd have to do something contrasting -- either striped like yours or end grain. shanghaimom and ci_lantro: reinstalling the Jenn-Aire as a functioning cooktop is not possible. We have a stone house and the exhaust vent to the outside is already covered up and re-stoned, so I can't hook it back up. (We had a lot of stone work/patching done before we moved in and had the vent patched at the same time, before we really discussed options for dealing with the big hole!) This is a strange and quirky house, so the patched counters will just have to be one of its charms!

I'm making a pine countertop for my island. It will have a cooktop in it and I'm only using mineral oil on it. That way if something particularly ugly happens I can sand out that spot. I'd love to have that scrubbed look, but I think that's an age + multiple cleaning process. The sides have a chamfer so I'm planing the sides that will be glued & pocket-hole screwed together, then sanding for a smooth finish. $18 for the 2x wood in 8' lengths, which is the exact size of the ugly laminate that's there. I'm going for a rustic vibe and figure an $18 investment, plus the planer I'll use on other projects, is worth the experiment. The other laminate tops are painted and sealed. Unfortunately I have some areas that need to be retouched, after using Lysol Kitchen cleaner. I should have stuck with vinegar and water! Now, I have to figure out a top for my vanity. I'd love to have Water-loxed walnut, but DH is messy and leaves puddles on the current cultured marble. I might have to spend some dough for that one!

Fishies- Thanks! Any ideas? I really like the big sink, in Laura Calder's kitchen, but I have no idea what to do for the fridge and range. Should I go with a more vintage range and a modern fridge? Or a more modern range? I know I like white, but that's about it. LOL From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures White cabinets, blue countertops and wood on the island/work table...that's about all I've decided on. Don't know if I want the base of the island/work table to be white or a color, right now. I know I want an oven/microwave in the baking area...either white or even stainless steel, since it's not in the kitchen. Marble would be great...probably white cabinets, but not sure what to use for the countertop on the other side of the pantry. It will be fun to play with this concept. I also like the french doors into the sun porch. Very french country :) From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures And with a much smaller backsplash area...maybe I could bring back the bunnies! I've missed them...and they would look good with the vintage style. Even if I had to pay someone to paint the tiles, it would be much more affordable to just do them over the range and maybe use a little vine accent with the birds, on either side...and by the big window. From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures