I’ve wanted to remove the cabinet and range hood over the gas stovetop in our kitchen for a more substantial range hood since we moved in almost two years ago. But I didn’t want to rush into any big design changes. I wanted to live with this space for awhile first. So I put that change on the back burner (see what I did there 😉 ) and made a few small-ish tweaks in here like changing the cabinet hardware, replacing the kitchen faucet and adding a couple of pendant lights over the island. Those small but mighty changes definitely made an impact, and now I feel ready to bring in a larger range hood and really up the custom look of our kitchen.
Before
Here’s a look at our open-concept kitchen as it was shown in the real estate listing. I fell in love with the hardwood floors. In addition, the cabinet color and style was a big selling point for me. I especially liked that the island was a different color from the rest of the cabinets.
Currently
We were grateful to move in to an already beautiful kitchen. And just the few little changes we’ve made so far have definitely stamped this open-concept kitchen with some major Phillips family style.
(chandy, pendants, upholstered chairs, metal chairs, dining table, bar cart, cowhide, natural fiber rug)
The red barstools not only add a happy punch of color in this all-neutral kitchen, but they also lighten the heaviness of the black island. Painting the pantry door was an easy way to add interest to the back wall. But I’d have to say the lighting changes are the real stars of the show. The chandelier and pendants over the island add so much personality to the space and really help to visually distinguish the dining area from the kitchen.
I know that removing the cabinet and range hood currently over the stovetop isn’t a “necessity”, but I also know that bringing in something with more visual bang will really up the custom look of the whole space.
As it stands right now we don’t use the cabinet over the range at all. There is absolutely nothing in there. So we won’t be losing any needed storage space. We also have extra backsplash tile on hand, so we can raise the height of the hood without issue. Elevating the hood will showcase the backsplash so much more.
Decisions, Decisions
Now that I’m absolutely certain that I want to remove the cabinet and hood currently in place, I need to decide what style hood with which to replace it.
Stainless Steel?
With the all stainless appliances, going with a stainless hood seems like the obvious choice. However this is also an open-concept floor plan and I’m not sure stainless is the right option for the overall design of the space. If this was a stand alone kitchen or even one that is just open to the dining area that would be one thing. But this is a stacked kitchen – dining – living room floor plan, and I feel like maybe a stainless hood will be a bit too industrial looking. I’m trying to keep all the functionality but down play the utilitarian look of this space.
Match the Antique White Cabinets?
Considering a cabinet style wood hood, I originally thought matching the white cabinets would be a nice look. But then I wonder if matching the cabinets will blend in too much. It probably wouldn’t look much different from what we have now, so then what would be the point in changing it at all?
Black to match the Island and Pendants?
So I’m leaning toward going with a cabinet style hood in black to balance out the black island and pendants. I think a black hood in the middle of the antique white cabinets will be bold but classic and really bring together all the black elements in the space.
What Do You Think?
As per usual, as soon as I think I’ve made up my mind, I change it again. 😉 So I’d love to hear your thoughts! Would you choose option 1 – stainless steel to match the other appliances, option 2 – black cabinet style to match the island and pendants, or 3 – walnut cabinet style to match the dark-stained wood floors? Or are you in the camp that thinks I should go with a white cabinet style to match the rest the cabinets on that wall?
I’ve been pinning lots of kitchen inspiration images lately, and most of them do have black hoods among white cabinets. But the all-white spaces are really pretty too!
So what do you all think? What option do you like best?
Black all the way. I thought I the wood would make it look like you tried too hard to match the floors. The stainless will be too cold. The black would be stunning and look purposeful.