How about build the wall behind the range out with a dummy wall between the cabinets on either side. You could pull it out 6 inches and build the wall to a height just a few inches above the cook top height and then have a tiled (with your counter material or backsplash material) shelf built there on the top of the dummy wall? Does that make sense?

Here is a pic I found in an old thread here . . . http://s794.photobucket.com/user/histokitch/media/kitchen/DSC_0011.jpg.html

Here's the old thread I found. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0315350623826.html

I'm doing the same thing. I intend to use island trim on the back of the range and just have counter run behind it. (I am also having 18" deep upper cabinets so that they can be pulled forward the same amount as the lowers--at my height having the uppers 3" further back than standard would be painful!)

The fridge--if built in--will just have extra space behind it. The installer will figure it out. If you aren't married to the built in fridge, you can get a 36" standard depth fridge in and reclaim a foot of counterspace and probably not lose much (if any) fridge storage. It'll look counter depth (ish).

It's not a big deal to pull a range forward. The bigger issue that you're not thinking of is the hood. That will need a custom stainless spacer behind it to pull the hood forward as well for proper coverage. Any local metal fabrication shop can do that, but you must supply the measurements and shape to them fo that fabrication. Look at oldbat2b's kitchen fo visuals.

Thanks everyone.
live_wire_oak - we actually have a Miele DA220 island hood that we'll mount in the ceiling there. It's already 27" deep, 40" wide. Will that work ok?

As long as you think through cleaning, it's centered over the cooktop, and are OK with the chimney not being attached to the wall as is traditional, the functionality should be fine. It's the visual aspect of an island hood next to, but not against a wall that would bother most people though. Mock it up with cardboard hung from the ceiling to be sure about it for yourselves!

You don't need to build a wall. For the range, you just put 3" of countertop as trim behind the range. It's a nice look; I am posting a pic.

As to the hood, it sounds like with your island hood you are doing what is pictured here. For anyone reading this thread who does not have an island hood, and bumping out counters 3", you simply put a couple of flat 2x4's behind the hood and it is pushed forward. You cover the plywood behind the hood in a piece of narrow sheetmetal. It sounds harder than it is. A couple of people on the Forum have done this.

I have not seen a photo featuring a range that was not a "slide-in" range, a regular depth range with a back will look odd with 30" cabinets....The only way that I think you could do it is if you put the range in its own demarcated area an example is attached (not mine).

I like the look of the island hood pulled out from the wall. It allows the backsplash to run behind uninterrupted.
Your 27"x40" should work fine, I have a 27"x36" island hood over my 36" Bluestar with no problems.

Just be sure your range is available with an island trim, as akchicago's and practigal's photo's show. Chris

This post was edited by ctycdm on Sat, Jan 24, 15 at 11:02

Thank you all so much for the comments. It is so tremendously helpful.

second the 18" deep uppers with the 30" lowers.

I love that Live_wire_oak mentioned Oldbat2b's kitchen. I had forgotten how amazing that kitchen was.

To the OP - Oldbat2b bumped out her base and upper cabinets like you are doing. Her kitchen is exquisite. I hope that she doesn't mind that I am posting a pic of how she handled the bump-out of her rangetop (surround of stainless steel rather than using her countertop material). I will also link her reveal thread. Be prepared to ooh and ah.

Here is a link that might be useful: Oldbat2b's Kitchen Reveal Thread

This post was edited by akchicago on Sun, Jan 25, 15 at 10:07

Oh my, that is gorgeous! I think I have an addiction to reveal threads. Is that a thing? :)

I think you got your answer about pulling out the range.

My question is: do you have trash between the range and the prep sink?
That's where you need a trash most.

With some tweaking, you can do a pullout trash under the prep sink, or one side of the prep sink.

Amanda

lwo, akchicago -- Huge smile on this end:) How nice to be remembered!

kassjs - Agree with others, pull forward range, same countertop for the back. You state you have a 40" wide hood but you show a 36" wide range. Are the adjacent cabinets lowers only?

That said...the stainless steel surround we have (and large hood and sump - hood capture area) are incredibly useful. Trays come out of the oven and there's always room for them, despite what's already cooking. No smell or smoke in the house, ever.

Good point huango - trash on the other side of the kitchen is too far away. If that's your prep area, I'd suggest an inset composter and trash in the 36" cabinet. Note that you can combine trash and composter in the same 12" space.

Glad you are considering/planning the 30" counter tops. I suggest you go for 18" uppers vs. 15". This way you have the normal 12" difference between the upper cabinet edge and the countertop. The extra space is wonderful. Good luck!

To add to Huango's suggestion, I suggest you reduce that 36" base cabinet to the left of the range to no more than 30" and add that extra 6" b/w the prep sink and the range. That would give you 42" - a much nicer space for prepping than 36" (36" is the bare minimum recommended).

That would than allow you to have:

30" base cabinet + 36" range + 24" cabinet + 18" trash pullout + 24" prep sink base + 18" cabinet (for cutting boards or tray storage)

Also, don't forget the fillers you will need b/w the walls and cabinets next to those walls - probably around 1/2" or so. If any are cabinets with doors, you'll need more like 1.5" to allow the doors to open fully (and be careful about those doors' handles hitting the wall). If they're all drawers (highly recommended!), 1/2" or so should be fine if there's no door or window trim to clear.

I was planning on trash in the prep sink cabinet.

oldbat2be - The rendering just shows the lowers, yes. Also, could I ask how high your hood is mounted? I'm still concerned about DH hitting his head.

buehl - I've been going back and forth on this in my head. I was thinking of using the 36 to the left of the stove as my baking station. Even if I leave the mixer on top of the counter, I should have room to roll out dough I think, or fill cookie sheets/muffin tins/bread pans/etc. I'd love any thoughts on that.

Lowest point of wood hood surround is 70.5" from the floor. DH is 6' and does not hit his head.

Thank you. My DH is 6'4" - I tell him I married him to reach the high stuff. ;)