Of the two hoods - I like the one with the exposed duct the best, but I don't think that it will look great between two banks of cabinets. To me it looks like it wants to be in a fairly open lofty/industrial space with maybe some open shelves on either side, if anything.

The more solid looking one in the big picture is still very nice looing and would fit well between cabinets. It has a reassuringly substantial air about it and seems well-proportioned. It's not going to compete with other things in the room for attention.

But...they are both nice and you really need to follow your own instincts. You have chosen nice things so your eye is probably better than you realise.

Just wanted to make sure you have also seen the Vent-a-hood "Excalibur" model, which is a almost the same as the Rangecraft Canterbury that you like. The Excalibur comes two ways: in an undercabinet style, but that one is only 9" high (#XRH9), and a wall-mount style that is 18" high (#XRH18). Unfortunately, the pics on the VAH website for the Excalibur are TERRIBLE. But note that you can change the black bands that come standard on the Excalibur for bands with rivets like the Canterbury's. The bands can be in a number of different finishes too. Of course, the bands with rivets are an upcharge, so I am not sure if that makes the Excalibur go out of your price range. You can also use the Excalibur with a duct cover (like your second pic) or as an undercabinet style.

There's also a pic on the VAH website that's a little better. Under the "Range Hood Styles" tab, click on "Design Ideas", and look at the bottom row of pics for the Excalibur. It's still not the greatest photo, but you may be able to see how similar to the Rangecraft Canterbury it is.

Here is a link that might be useful: VAH Excalibur Hood

I like the second hood better. I think it will look fine b/w the cabinets.

I have a chimney style hood b/w cabinets and I think it looks fine. However, I have a Euro-Style Wall Mount, not a Contemporary Wall Mount.

Although, you do have "hutch-like cabinets" instead of regular wall cabinets...that may make a difference...but, I think that applies to both styles above. Is there any way to enclose it completely instead of having it "out in the open"?

Beuhl, I don't know if I could enclose the duct, but I was actually drawn to it because I like the way the duct looks, though as sailormann said, it might not work with my very traditional, vintage looking cabinets. I'd been looking through design books where 2 styles - period and contemporary - were mixed with great results, and I was actually hoping to achieve something like that but I don't want it to end up looking "off." akchicago, I have looked at the excalibur but it is only 18" long and the convex (1st photo) is 30". I like that I would be able to stick it right under the row of stacked cabinets at my ceiling and not have to bring it down at all. The specs call for this model to be 30" above the stove.

Definitely the second one for me. I like breaking up the bank of cabinets with something with a little more visual interest. Both will be nice, but I think the second will be more eye-catching.

I, on the other hand, like the hutch like hood (rather than chimney style) We have a the chimney style and for me the upper exposed wall area's always look unfinished. I know you indicated you may tile all the way up and that would help finish out the wall.

Here is our Wolf hood, which has a much wider chimney

I like either of them, but understand why you like the first one better.

Have you selected your backsplash tile? If you have something very traditional, consider taking the tile all the way up to your crown moulding and mounting the hood over it. That way, it will carry through your traditional look with a contemporary twist with the exposed duct. I like the duct on the second one too.

Also, even though the specs say 30 inches above the range, I would play with the height a bit so it's not a head knocker if you are tall. A few inches one way or another won't make a difference IMO.

I do like the second one, but I like the first one best for that "industrial" look. IMHO, A massive metal hood gives that look. I also really liked prettykitty's hood (which looks a lot like the first one) in her vintage kitchen.

Here is a link that might be useful: prettykitty's hood

Prettykitty's hood would be my ultimate hood (heck, her kitchen would be my ultimate kitchen!) but the rangecraft is out of my league, and anyway it would be a bit of overkill, I think, with my 36" American Range. But that hood is my inspiration and I'm thinking I might get at least a hint of that with the canopy hood. I also like that it is suggested to be mounted 30 inches from the cooktop as opposed to 24" with the chimney one...I'm planning to do a subway tile backsplash on that wall with a kind of simple, framed backsplash above the stove (either a herringbone pattern with the same tiles or a copy of something I saw in a book with square white tiles with raised celtic knots on them - lovely). 30" above the stove give me more room for that. But if I do the second one, I will definitely carry the subway tile straight up to the molding .

Opinion... FWIW. I like the first hood best. I think it still gives the industrial feel. I can just picture it better somehow with your hutch style cabs.

While I like both, the first one is my favorite.