A custom duct cover is probably less expensive than getting an island hood to solve your problem. (The "chimney" on the hood is really a cover for a duct that the air flows through.) Because an island hood has to be finished on all 4 sides and has to support its weight from the ceiling, it normally costs more than a wall hood which normally has 3 finished sides and is supported from the wall. About the smallest price difference I've seen between the wall and island models of the same hood was $500 and it can be over $1000. The custom duct cover for our hood cost about $500. That was to get a duct cover made with trapezoidal sides because there was a sistered joist in the way of where we wanted to hang our island hood. Since it was for an island hood, that was for something strong enough to support the hood. That is a lot more weird request then getting a "flange" on a wall duct cover. A wall duct cover usually has 3 sides with just flanges at the back for screws. So what you want might be more like a small step or notch in the sides of the duct cover so that the sides are 1/4 inch deeper above the backsplash. I'd expect that to add much less than $500 to the duct cover cost. To ensure that you get exactly what you want, you should draw up a sketch with dimensions showing it. Independent, who made our duct cover, required a sketch from us before they would quote. There might be some practical problems with an island hood against a wall. If it is installed tight to the wall (so that its rear edge touches the backsplash, there might be noise from vibration since it won't be screwed to the wall like a wall hood would. If it isn't tight to the wall, it might be difficult to clean behind and some grease and steam laden air might flow behind it. If your backsplash goes behind the hood, screws will need to go through it that attach the hood to the wall.

thank you all so much! my kitchen is nothing fancy - we refinshed our 70's cabinets so they are now white with silver hardware, stinaless steel appliances, chilled wine colored walls, and butcher block countertop. Im not a very modern person and Im on a budget. oh what fun that is. :) Boxie what a great kitchen - whats the name of it on rate my space? Cooperbailey - i love that! what size is your molding? is it shoe molding? billv - i do apologize sir. :) just pretend that you never read this post and hopefully all will be right wihin your world again. ;)

You can paint Corian if you do it properly. I found two different recommendations when I was looking into it: clean it well (with a degreasing cleanser), sand (with a #400 sandpaper), clean it off again (to get rid of the dust) and then use either a) a two component epoxy paint or b) oil based bonding primer, oil paint and two coats of non-yellowing floor urethane. There are also countertop paint kits For refinishing countertops that say they will work with Corian.

I like the green and the cream coloured tiles, but not the grey tiles from option A. Option B is far too dark for my taste. I think I would try to find a backsplash that is lighter than your floor and cabinets. Darkest colour in the 'splash no darker than the doors. I do like the glass-stone combination, that does read modern to me. HTH, Petra