It looks like the Imperial 42" is the favorite. It is funny that most of my "inspiration" pictures have a similarly shaped hood, since I saved those images in my "backsplash" folder to try to help my choose the BS height (i.e., I didn't intentionally choose those pictures for the hood). The voting for BS height is mixed, with the majority so far choosing the 8' height. The image above with the tall gray glass BS is from the Smallbones catalog -- I love that look -- makes me wish I could have gone "topless." I think I prefer the taller glass BS, but I'm not sure how to overcome the technical difficulties with the chinmey extending beyond the glass. The glass and wall above will be painted the same color so the line will not be a strong contrast like most of the images above, although the shine factor will obviously be very different.

Hi! I went ahead and installed the hood after the backsplash. The kitchen designer people said it shouldn't be done that way, but I am so glad I did it afterwards. If I ever need to replace the hood, the stone behind it will be fine. The installer just made sure there was wood behind the stone at the points needed to secure the hood. Cutting the stone to fit around the hood would have been a nightmare, and I don't feel would have looked good. I will try to attach photos.

Chacha's solution is very good. Alternatively, you could have two little 3" long stainless steel pieces made the same height as the front panel of the hood (2"?) and use the to fill the gap between the hood and the cabinets. Then tile below that. You could even have a sort little rail attached to them to hang a spoon from... Or run a kitchen tool rail between the cabinets just below the hood and tile up to the bottom of that. I've linked to the expensive but cool Rosle system below. Ikea no doubt has something similar at a fraction of the cost. Here is a link that might be useful: Rosle Kitchen Rail System

Hi Katie, Demo starts tomorrow, so no pics on progress yet, but I'll post when I have some. I'm working a little bit with a KD, and doing the rest myself with cabinetmaker. KD suggested open shelving like in the inspiration pic (but in stainless, specifically). I think it would stress me out though, lol! Having all of my bottles and stuff right out there (the range area is the focal point to basically my whole downstairs living area). My pantry rarely looks fabulous, and I'd be moving the pantry out into the open. So, I think we'll be making the vertical column things on either side of the mantel style range area into pull-out shelves for sheet pans, spices, small bottles, etc. I considered the open shelving with a pretty display of white bowls and dishes, but then I'd lose the storage space for the stuff I really need at my fingertips. Feel free to email me, too, if you want to exchange more ideas. It's a fun process!