That design is for someone who really doesn't cook. 30" above the counter is just ridiculous. It makes the uppers unusable. Better have a giant hidden pantry elsewhere for everything that a kitchen needs to store.

You might look into a slide out vent hood to increase capture area.

(and I would look at an induction cooktop for all of its functional advantages and because it would look so perfect in a slick modern kitchen like that.)

Pull Down Shelving ???

Crl_ I would love a slide out hood. , but I can only find low CFM ones.

How many cfms do you need? I can find up to 635. If you are going more than that do you have a make up air plan?

We are in Austin. No mua

Even if code in your location does not require make up air, I'd still look into the issue if you haven't already. There's an underlying reason code requires it many places. The appliances forum here has some detailed explanations. I couldn't even begin to explain it properly so I won't try.

I used to follow a blog--Austin Cubed--when they were building their modern home in Austin. Heres a link to their kitchen posts:

http://austincubed.blogspot.com/search/label/kitchen

Michele at Swanx helped design their kitchen.

Personally, I'm on the shorter side at 5'3" tall and I wouldn't want my cabinets any higher than 18" off the counter. I have trouble even reaching the second shelf of my cabinets. We had 20" in another house and I was constantly calling DH to reach things on the second shelf.

Just because they build it that way for pictures, doesn't mean it's functional. I'll take function over that look any day.

I disagree with Sophie on this one.

1st - those cabinets aren't 30" above the c-top.

2nd - that design can function very well for accomplished cooks. It all depends on perspective. That kitchen won;t be great for the American yuppie suburban family with three kids , a big dog , a Denali SUV plus two other cars , a boat , and a second home - and delusions of an appearance on top chef or another food porn show.

But, it has plenty of counter space, storage , a large sink, and entertaining space. I'll assume a pantry and fridge are out of frame.

I'll bet you a dollar and a donut that's an induction top and the door above it tilts open to increase a capture area of the hood. Fine for that top, maybe not for your lifestyle or a fish fry or tandoori shop.

It's a look - you like it or you don't, and maybe it functions for you or it doesn't. Same as the overdone Tuscan or M.Stewart kitchen.

A Blue Star gas range isn't typically part of a modern European kitchen such as you pictured above. The Blue Star range will try to steal the show, and as you're finding out, it will not work well with this type of design. IMHO this style of kitchen really demands an induction cook top, which will play nicely with a 600 CFM slide-out or tilt-out exhaust and also fits into the overall look.

Plenty of Europeans do serious cooking in just such a kitchen.

If you have a large kitchen and no need to use the uppers for any commonly used items I guess it would work. But if it was that big I would go with the trend of getting rid of the uppers completely! Even going from the 1920s 12" to a standard 18" above made a big difference in how much of the cabinet I can use. I'd second pippabean on the induction being the way to go to complete the look too - we just switched from gas to induction and LOVE it. And it doesn't match our kitchen like it would yours! I'm also not sure what you mean by 18" cabinets. That's really deep for uppers - seems like it would block light and you'll never be able to reach the back of them anyway.

This wouldn't be the first time an architect has allowed function to follow form. I'd rather be able to easily grab a coffee cup than have an architect with a cool portfolio.

It doesn't make sense to have the upper cabinets 30" above the countertop and have 8' ceilings. I think there is a serious miscommunication and they are doing you a huge favor to bring it to your attention.

Thanks everyone. We met with the kitchen designer yesterday and are very happy with the changes we made. The cabinets will start at 20" and the vent hood will not be placed in the cabinet. It will be a typical vent hood. Here is my inspiration kitchen. More contemporary than modern, but I am happy with it.

Ours will have the walnut island, the white cabinets on the other wall and the grey counters

Contemporary Kitchen · More Info

It sounds wonderful.

Really like your inspiration picture! Good luck and keep us posted:)

The walnut cabinets alone will steal the show!