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How can we handle 3' space to the wall behind freestanding range

16 years ago

We would like to have 27" deep counters and 15" uppers on one side of the kitchen. This will allow us to put our deep microwaves in the upper cabinets (recessed into wall too) without having any upper cabinets stick out farther than any others. The problem is that we have fallen in love with the Bosch freestanding duel fuel range. However, if we use it the back control panel will be 3" away from the wall. The KD suggested a slide in model so that we can simply put a strip of counter behind the range. Unfortunately we don't like those models.

Does anyone have any suggestions about how we could handle the 3" space? Could we bring the wall out 3" there and put a decorative design on it? Maybe some kind of a utensil rack? Or?

I know there have to be some clever ideas out there...

Jim

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Comments (4)

heimert
16 years ago
What about a little shelf? Basically create a box behind the panel of the range that's the same height, put countertop material on it or tiles that match the backsplash. Then you can use it as a "warming" shelf (not really) or keep things like spoons and such there. (The wall will be continuous across with this plan)
Jim Peschke
Original Author
16 years ago
That's a good idea. I had been thinking I'd have to bump the wall out all the way to the ceiling behind the range, but, really it would only have to be from counter level (or the floor) up to the top of the back of the range control panel. Would that look silly though?
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nuccia
16 years ago
It will not look silly if you make it look intentional. I like the idea of a bottle shelf. Rather than bumping the entire wall out, consider an interesting tile or mosaic backsplash design at the current wall plane, then build the rest of the wall out around it so that it is framing your design. You could then use the bottom edge of the frame as a shelf for bottles, spices, etc.

I watched Christopher Lowell on Discovery Channel for several years, and one of the major lessons I took away from there was that if you could not change something you really disliked, rather than masking it, you should change your decorating to make it look like it was always supposed to look that way.

I think this problem you have will present an opportunity for creativity that will ultimately look better than your original plans!
muscat
16 years ago
Do you know what sort of backsplash you'll do behind the range? If you are doing tile, I wonder if you could create sort of a tiled shelf back there, and it'd be perfect for bottles. You know how some people have little shelf areas carved "into" the wall? Yours could sort of be the opposite. If that makes sense.... I think this is similar to what nuccia is saying, but Im not picturing a framed mosaic, so much as I am a sort of alcove- thing.

I have the dual fuel Bosch range sitting in my garage now, and I'm ACHING to be able to use it!!!! I also prefer the free standing to the slide in. Has more presence.

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