Someone a long time ago put in flip down warming shelves on their tiled backsplash...I can't remember who though. That could be a nice solution for you though, especially since it seams like it's the shelf part that you like best.

The shelf rules! I love it, but we have the SS hood and backsplash combo.

Have you tried looking through the FKB for ideas? Somebody out there may have what you are looking for.

here's mine :)

Yanalg,
We have the same setup as you do now. however since ours is 15 years old it is a Viking White hood to match the white kitchen. I wanted to change the SS hood to wood when we remodeled, instead of going to expense of purchasing a SS hood.
I don't think anyone has done what I was planning from what I can tell. I can't tell if it will look odd and I was hoping to see a pic.
I have checked FKB, and magazines and didn't seem to find any pics.
thanks for your response.

you could maybe get a fabricator to install the SS backsplash and to attach a shelf? A number of folks here have gotten their backsplashes fabricated for a very reasonable amounts out of SS. This way, I would imagine, you would be able to do the wood mantle with vent inserts.

BTW, in my experience, the SS hood with the shelf was a lot cheaper than getting a wooden mantle for the hood and then buying the insert. And I did not have very expensive cabinet line either (Decora cherry, not cheap by any means, but it's no Woodmode or Crystal). So you may want to shop around.

cheers, Yana