You'll be much better of going with a hood having a larger capture area, than increasing blower capacity. A larger hood will allow you to operate the range hood at a lower (and quieter) speed. If you have the room, you might even consider a 42" hood, especially since you want to mount the hood at 30" above the cooktop. I have a 48" Vent-A-Hood mounted 27" above my 36" cooktop. It's vented straight up through the roof, a total duct run of about ten feet. I operate it on the lowest speed setting about 99% of the time, and it performs perfectly with little or nothing escaping, even during stir-fry or pan-searing. I've been entirely pleased. If you have the option of venting straight up though the roof, with no turns in your ducting, that will provide you with the quietest and most efficient exhaust performance. Just be sure you specify a proper roof jack, sized to match your ducting. If you're interested in investigating an "in-line" system, you might check out the Fantech products. They are extremely reliable, so repairs and maintenance on the blower shouldn't be a major consideration. You can visit their website at www.fantech.net Vent-A-Hood also has a very good website with lots of good information, even if you're considering different brands. I especially like the video at the link below, although it is very definitely a Vent-A-Hood marketing piece. Here is a link that might be useful: Vent-A-Hood video

I love the look of chimney style too. But, since I'm in the middle of a chimney vent nightmare for my 10 ft. vaulted ceiling, I'll share with you what I wish my KD/Contractor had discussed with me: If the design you're considering calls for a long chimney (over 20" or so, I think) be aware that the duct cover will come in two pieces, not one. So, there will be a visible horizontal edge/seam in the middle where the upper portion slides into the lower one. Also, very importantly, either piece of stainless steel duct cover can be very easily bent by a clumsy or heavy-handed carpenter or other installer. If that happens you'll have a seam AND the chimney may look bowed or wavy, not flat and sleek. Had I understood this during the planning stage, I surely would have asked for a different design incorporating a cabinet even though I love the clean lines and contemporary look of chimneys. HTH

Yes, as Sayde notes, I have a red range and hood. It's not on the FKB as yet. But it's here: To me, you're either up for a red range and hood or you're not. I think that's why, as Breezygirl notes, you won't see that combo around these parts -- or anywhere for that matter-- very often. I recall labeling that design decision as having taken "the plunge." I knew for sure that it would set me apart from the crowd and that some would see it, judge it and hate it. Others would see it and love it. But most of all, it was what I loved and wanted! BTW, the inspiration for such came from Redrange, a former active member here on GW. Once I saw her fantastic kitchen, I was convinced it would be more than alright to solicit and listen to the advice of the crowd but in the end, to follow the beat of my own drummer -- one who was insistent on banging out a red range and hood rhythm for my kitchen. I've never since regretted getting down with that beat. :-) I do hear your concern about what to do if you ever change out the range. To be honest, when I began this reno, I went into it thinking that this would be my forever kitchen in my forever house. As such, I did not put much worry into the "what ifs" with respect to moving, appliance failure, resale, etc. In the end, that may be short sighted on my part. But, for now, and for as far into the future as I can see, I'm living in the kitchen of my dreams -- red range, red hood and all! :-)

ccoombs1, as all of the above posters have said, you are not alone! DH and I have been going back and forth for months about wood or tile on the kitchen floor, we've decided wood for the past few months, DH installed the sheets of plywood on the kitchen floor to prep for wood floors...and now, after the cabinets and counters are installed, we've decided to go with tile! The primary paint color for the interior...well, let's just say I bought 13 different colors and tried them in different areas before I decided on a color! Then I went ahead and faux finished right over the color, so it changed the end color anyway...but I love it so I'm happy. :) I've gotten better about decision-making as things have progressed, thankfully. Call me crazy, but now I have this little designer voice that speaks to me and she's a big help in my decision-making! When I spotted my granite slabs, she told me in 2 minutes that these were IT. She helped me pick colors for all the other rooms and bathrooms in the house without having to order quart samples first. Hmmm...maybe as minac says, "she" is my coping mechanism? :p