I can see the merits of both designs. While I like the stand-alone hood look, I also like your original design. If you're getting custom cabinets, you should be able to (1) use a round chimney vent (I think) inside the cabinet rather than rectangular, which would use less space and (2) have the cabinet maker make it functional even if there are only 5 or 6 inches on either side of the chimney. I suspect, though, there will be more.

If YOU want the cabinet and you know you'll use it, then go for it!

BTW...you might ask for pics on the Excalibur thread of the inside of the cabinets above the hoods

Good idea--and if anyone reading this thread has pics of the inside of their cabinets, I'd sure appreciate them!

Keep in mind those cabinets are fitted around the exhaust duct of the hood so there's less and less flexible storage up there than you may think. That said, I like the ductwork hidden myself, said the girl with the peninsula hood showing all its ducting...

Hmmmm. That cabinet on the left looks a little lonely with just the hood next to it. I also like how the curves on the wood trim in your orignial design (as well as the window cornice) are cut in a way that accents those vertical side curves on the stove. It is subtle, but nice. So I think I prefer your original design. You can probably squeeze a teeny bit of storage out of the cupboard. But with the new design, there won't even be a teensy bit.

Francy

In reading range hood specs I'm almost certain that I've seen some vent pieces to convert between a rectangular and a round vent pipe, if that's the concern. My worry is everytime you do that sort of maneuver, you open a weak area in that join--weak to leakage, misalighment with time, whatever. If you let them deviate too much with adding bends in that vent you lose range hood power, too, if you're thinking of trying to squeak out space that way inside the cabinet.

Will those above-range cabinets be within your reach? Even with pots cooking away on the range? If so, then I would go for the cabinet there. It's pretty wide and will leave enough space, less the vent, to stash the limited things you want there.

I'm doing the open hood myself, like your second design, but for your functional purposes I'd go for the cabinet. The design is equally attractive to me, if not more so.

Maybe you have finalized your decision, I don't know. But in case this helps, the cabinet is 30" wide and the duct is 6" in diameter. Plenty of room for what you want to store. "Decorative only?" Sounds like the cabinet guy doesn't want to be bothered with cutting into the cabinet. Get what you want. You have to live with it, he doesn't!

Oh, suska6184, thank you SO much! That is even better than my current setup space-wise. I put off the decision when we met today, in hopes of getting a bit more info. I think you just sealed the deal for me with that pic.

Woohooo!! I have found my hood! :)

Glad I could help. I have gotten so much assistance on this website, so I know how great it feels when you arrive at a decision based on info presented here. I can't even imagine what kind of kitchen I'd have ended up with if I had to do it on my own without this site-LOL!!

Exactly what manufacturer and model is that hood - or did I miss it in the postings?

Thanks

That is a Vent A Hood product, the model is called Excalibur.

While I have not decided on what hood we will use, I too was wondering about this exact decision. Thank you suska6184 for the picture. It is very helpful to see there is some true storage up there.

holligator, the two sketches helped me too. I too will only have a single narrow cabinet to the left of the hood. While it is certainly personal preference, seeing the sketches together I now know I like your first way best.

I also like the tie-in to the valance over the window.