With the hood creating a block in the light flow across the space, I am wondering if two tracks of some kind wouldn't be more effective than one regular light on each side? I know you said inconspicuous, so they wouldn't fit that desire, but they might allow you to create better lighting in the overall space by focusing light in different areas.

Something like this would be as inconspicuous as you might get:

orb collection

As for track lighting, perhaps something like this? With all the stainless appliances in the kitchen, I think this finish would work.

4 light track

Will you be updating the cabinet hardware to brushed nickel or black?

I also wonder if you have considered tiling or faux painting the wood vent hood to create a stone look there, perhaps to compliment the backsplash you are installing? Or you could have it faced with brushed stainless panels, inset into the wood trim on all four sides.

I agree with the track lighting suggestion; Les saved the day for us with her suggestion. The light is not overwhelming but it's more than sufficient. We LOVE it and get a lot of compliments!

light before

light after

Les, Thanks for your ideas. We will be having a new light fixture for over the kitchen table that is Imperial Bronze. We probably will be changing the hardware on the cabinets too.

I am very interested in the idea of changing the wood hood. I know it is quite dated but didn't want the expense or mess of putting in a new one. Tell me more about how to stone coat it? Can it be tiled like the backsplash? Very interesting idea.

I don't know about tiling it with the same tile - it might be too heavy once you tile and mortar the whole hood.

What I was thinking of was a faux stone. I have seen it in the home centers, but here is an online site that has a lot of information. Each 2x4 foot panel weighs less than 5 pounds, so that should not be a problem on the hood, imo. Here's a link to the FAQs.

Take a look at the interior pix gallery on the site. You will see a lower wall done with stone panels inset in wood, which is what I am envisioning for your hood. Stone on the panels, with the wood trim still in the oak to tie in with the cabinets. Not that particular kind, of course. I am thinking perhaps the Coral Block, seen on the stone panels page.

faux panels

les, where would you get stainless panels cut to fit the hood?

Les, Do you have any experience with those stone panels? How do they look and feel? Hard to tell from the pics if they are look real or cheesy. If they look good, they could be a good solution for a bunch of different issues.

If you're wanting to cast light thruout the kitchen, why not install recessed? For additional lighting above the cooktop you could install a pendant on each side of the hood.

Sorry, no personal experience with the stone panels, except for having seen them in home centers and in a model home or two. If you look on the site, you can order a sample.

You should be able to get stainless panels cut at a metal fabricator. Or, if you are handy, I think you could buy them and cut them yourself. Here is an online source that looks interesting as well, tho I have no experience personally with them:

quickship metals

Cattrug, I love the new track light for the kitchen. Maybe that is what I need also. I dislike the old fashioned flourescent light in my kitchen that is always filled with dead bugs. I Just worry about changing it since the ceiling is that popcorn ceiling. I wonder what I should do. I will have to take pics.

We are going to try the brushed nickel track lighting suggested above by les.

Can I still use dark (black or ORB) for the cabinets kitchen chandelier and other accents with the stainless appliances and lights?

Our hood was built for us by a stainless steel fabricator. I'm quite sure they could easily surround your hood with stainless for very little money :) Just call a fabricator and ask for a home visit to see what they can do.

You could also plaster that hood easily. Then add a simple tile trim to the edges, or a nice wood edge (ie a crown molding.) That's what I'm doing with my hood (my metal portion is an insert). I'm also adding granite tiles but as someone mentioned, the weight is an issue. I had to do a great deal of reinforcing to make mine strong enough to hold the stone and the insert. It's actually hung inside the box from heavy chains set into ceiling joists and then bolted into the wall joists as well on the backside. It's the kind of thing you do before you hang a hood, not as an after hung fix. I can plaster right over this box, so I'm sure you could do the same. Plaster isn't like paint...it sticks very easily. I'd probably do a coat of primer first, but then you could go for it! I think trying to pick a light color from your granite would be the way to go...I will be doing my wall color to try to minimalize the size of this monster:

{{gwi:1428547}}

I'll have tile on that flat portion, then trim above and below that, and on top will be the venetian plaster. You could easily work with something similar...and even change the shape a bit if you wanted to by altering the wood frame and replacing with plywood. (We used marine grade ply to avoid warping and add stregnth).

You have a stunning kitchen...why do you want an inconspicious fixture???? I personally would put some dough into that portion of your kitchen. It's the final thing missing from a great spot.

I'm a bit late posting. But we have some lights in our hallway that we just love. They hug the ceiling, and don't have the usual overly round dome. They kind of just flow with the ceiling.

{{!gwi}}

igloochic.
I am anxious to see how your project progresses. I am very intrigued by the idea of modifying the hood. WE just bought this house a year ago and are trying to update it. I haven't had much experience with updating as I mostly have had new homes. Everyone....keep the ideas flowing.