the spice drawers do make it look strange. if you have room to store spices in the other cabinets I would eliminate them.

Are you planning to have a gas cooktop? if so you should check the required clearance's from combustible materials. Most require about 8 - 10" on the left and right of the cooktop for cabinetry lower than 18" in height.

Graham

I think the spice drawers do need to be removed. They look like they will severely restrict movement on and around the cook top. Where will pot handles go when you are cooking? Also agree with the concern about combustion mentioned above.

That is truly odd. I think the whole thing needs to come out and you need a different hood solution. The side cabinets are a fire hazard and you will hit your head on the hood while cooking because it is so low.

Is there going to be crown molding on the hood as the cabinets have? - I assume so. It will look better than - but agree, the spice boxes appear to be too close to the stove top for safety

Nope!! Get a stainless hood with a customized chimney. Better suited to the elevation in your home as well. That's too fussy in your kitchen and in your house.

I do not like the spice drawers on the side more because they will be in the way but I am sure when its done with the crown it will be beautiful.

I get the white hood idea. I do not think this is the one for your kitchen. The spice drawers are too close to cooktop. Here are some ideas on Google Images..

https://www.google.com/search?q=white+kitchen+hood&biw=1506&bih=1029&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiVrL_66rHPAhUGZCYKHXV8DzYQsAQISw#imgrc=_

I really want to have a built in hood with my kitchen and ceiling. Would a rectangular hood work better? I'm happy to eliminate the spice racks. Everything is to code so there are no fire hazards...thanks so much!!

Here's some pictures of my friend's without the Spice racks:

Yes they haven't added the crown mounding to the top because I told them to halt installation but it will be there after.

The spice units appear that they'll sit way to close to the range top.

If I take the spice racks off will it be ok?

Your friend doesn't have your ceiling detail. Nothing about that hood works with that ceiling detail. I'd get rid of the ceiling detail. It isn't suitable for a kitchen unless it started with a soffit above the cabinets. The transition from cabinet boxes to ceiling is much too awkward.

yes get rid of side spice things, and it should be fine

In addition to what others have said, I think it is not a good idea to store spices so close to the heat source - they will go bad sooner.

My personal preference would be stainless steel hood, the wood hood looks way overwhelming for the kitchen to me, but that is just a personal aesthetic, if it's really what you want keep it without the spice racks.

I'm no pro but I do love the look of your friends and if you take off spice racks as hers appears I don't feel your ceiling difference matters. Once crown molding goes on it will be tied in and beautiful, IMO. I like the matching wood as opposed to metal as some suggest. Looks more custom.

More than just the spice legs needs to be addressed. Removing them won't have the underside won't have that area covered in non combustible material. The entire hood design's logistics. needs to be reworked. However, on an aesthetic front, it is not proportionate to your kitchen. That needs addressing as well. Unfortunately, with the ceiling detail, there isn't a lot that works WITH that detail. I think a plain stainless hood with some mass might be the best choice.

My other friend has this - would it work with my kitchen? I don't want a stainless steel hood - was so happy that they could bump my ceilings up and now I'm upset they're causing this design dilemma :(

No, that square thing does not work. And your other friend with the curved hood has a taller ceiling overall. Chop off the top of hers and it wouldn't work either. It's about proportion and mass.

Ditch the ceiling and do something a bit more squared. But not that square thing above. The odd tray could conceivably work if it started with a deep soffit above the cabinets. It does not work at all with the angle beginning at the rear of the cabinets.

Who designed this space? They are the ones who need to be hauled back in there by the scruff of their necks and raked over the coals. And not just for the ceiling detail, and incorrect hood. Anyone who would design that hood to begin with needs to turn in any obviously self applied designer label. and make sure they actually have insurance and a license. because that would have burnt your home down. And you could have sued them.

If I had to choose between the 2 wooden hoods, the first is better to me.

A bit sad from a design perspective that your kitchen and your 2 friends' kitchens all seem to be nearly identical ...

I like this one also but like original better. If you prefer wood over metal, go for it. I think what you chose looks great (minus spice columns):)

Kim, as others have said, once the moulding detail is applied at the top of your hood, it will have the look that you are after. And if you are ok to get rid of the spice cabs, the look improves. But the look that you and your designer have created is unique and lovely. Be happy with your choices, it really looks like it will be a beautiful space.

I think the top of the hood vent should have been built taller to look like its built in to the ceiling

I agree with everyone else, believe it would look better without spice cabinets. But is going to be a beautiful kitchen! May I ask what paint color you used on cabinets?

Seems like the spice cabinets will be in the way of cooking, pan handles, etc.

I think it will be fine. Take them off and take another pic. I bet you will like it.

Boy, everybody's a critic, aren't they? I think your hood is one of the more successful I've seen, elegantly conceived and NOT the conventionally and hideously impractical stainless steel. Maybe the spice cabinets are a trifle much visually, but they won't burn down the house, they match the cabinetry, and they will no doubt prove handy. Try to stop second guessing yourself and trust your decisions. Knowing your own mind is a definite design virtue, particularly with a plan that looks so carefully considered. Although the hood seems a little overwhelming in the half finished kitchen, remember you will have a stove top and counters and a back splash to balance things visually. I predict that it will be lovely! Courage!

Thank you all so much for your help! We are going to move the hood up six inches, of course we will be adding trim (after the backsplash) and we removed the spice racks. I'll use them in my studio for art supplies instead. Here's a picture of today's work:

Kim it will look beautiful please post finished pictures soon

Perfect advice from Franklin Kakies of "knowing your own mind is a definite design virtue"...so true!

Kim, I love your counter....what did you use?

I think it will be a very handsome kitchen. The spice racks were a great idea 'in theory' but deleting them is admittedly a vast improvement. Nothing wrong with a little 'correction in the field'. It also looks as tho you have a very professional contractor who is doing meticulous work.

beautiful!! please keep us posted after it's all done

Kim, I like it!! Good job! I know what you mean about not necessarily wanting a steel hood. I think this blends in and does not stick out!

Although Susan was lamenting that your kitchen looks like everyone elses, nothing is truly unique and if this is the kitchen of your dreams....go for it!! You can individualize it with soft decorations that can be changed at the drop of a hat. Much easier than trying to change hardscapes.

Definitely better without the spice racks and with some degree of separation between the side cabinets and hood.

What is the plan to cover the vent above the hood to the ceiling?

@kathi thank you. I've always wanted a classic white kitchen and modern art and pops of bright color so I'm not too concerned that I'm the end the cabinets are similar to two of my friends (I have lots more friends with different kitchens but these two are my favorites). Anyway, my plan is to move the hood up 6" and attach crown moulding to the top. My backsplash is quartzite Slab. I promise to post pictures when it's done! Thank you all so much everyone for taking the time to help me!!

We redid ours last summer. You will LOVE it when you are done! Everyday is a joy to cook in the kitchen. Fixing chicken and noodles now!!!

You made the right choices moving the hood up and getting rid of spice racks. Now you just need to figure out how to tie the top of the hood into the sloped ceiling. I did a lot of research on that before designing this hood for a client. We decided the best approach was a simple stainless hood. We had to measure and remeasure to make sure the hood would fit the sloped ceiling perfectly!