Wood Range Hood
This is my hood…
This is me trying to cook with my hood…
ok, so this is really me pretending to cook with my hood… Right before we took it down… But I wanted you to get the idea…
Also, ignore the fact that I’m wearing workout clothes…
Also, I have sunglasses on my head and not minnie mouse ears…
What I’m trying to show with my fuzzy iPhone pic hastily taken by my favorite 7 year old is that I am tall. Not crazy tall, but still I’m 5’9, and I have about concussed myself 32 bazillion times on this freaking range hood. You would think after 4 years I would have adjusted to the height of it, but no, every time I use the back burners, I nail my forehead on it. I couldn’t take it anymore! It was time to move it!
And I mean, if we are going to move it, we might as well change it just a teensy bit too right? (This was my argument to the Mr. anyways…)
I actually originally wanted a wood range hood, but the place we got our kitchen cabinets from didn’t sell any that would work with the open shelving we had. So, I settled on the stainless one that I never loved. I also hated that it didn’t really line up with the open shelving. You see, I have OCD symmetrical issues and when things don’t line up it’s like little “danger warning” red lights flashing every time I look at it. I know, it’s that traumatic…
Why I never thought to just have a hood custom built at the time I will never know, but believe me, it basically occurred to me every time I banged my head on the stupid thing. I finally had my uncle build this one for me and I love it!
I wanted a wood tone to break up all the white in the kitchen, so he used walnut to match our floors. I added 3 coats of satin water based clear poly to seal it.
I don’t have plans for how he built it, and it probably wouldn’t help you anyways because the dimensions would have to be very specific to your kitchen space. Basically, he built a a big wood box and then figured out the angles to cover the existing hood. He used a router to cut grooves into the walnut plywood to make it look like planked boards – it is a lot cheaper to go that route.
Then all we had to do was move the existing hood up to a more tall-girl-friendly height and pop the new wooden hood right over it.
I can’t even explain the joy it gives me to leisurely lean over my stove and not knock myself out.
Plus, I just love the cottagey warm feel the new hood brings to the kitchen.
 
 So, please fellow tall girls, tell me I’m not alone and that you have knocked yourself out cooking before? Now, if could just find a maxi dress that actually hit my ankles, all of life’s problems would be solved!
Could you please tell me where the freshly baked pies sign in from – thanks
It was from World Market 5 years ago or so.
We are thinking of doing this in our remodel but I have to ask…where are your buttons for your range hood and how do you access them?
They are right on the hood that is tucked inside the wooden part.
Hi Kelly,
Would I be able to
Commission your Uncle to make a hood for me?
Hey Renee, he made that for me during a slow period in his business. I think he is booked out through summer now. I would find a cabinet maker near you and show them a photo I’m sure he could make you something similar!
Hi kelly- just found your blog, we’re in the process of building now so I am devouring as much info as I can! In your old kitchen – you had a utensil rack for wooden spoons, etc. we are installing a chimney hood like your first one (short girl here, haha). I really want to install a bar like that to hold our utensils- did you find that the range hood affected the hanging utensils at all? Did they bag around when the hood was on? I want to hang utensils that aren’t wood, so they will be a little heavier. Would love your input on you liked that setup!
Thank you so much- I love your blog & your home (both of them) are stunning!
Hey Kate we have the same utensil rack in this home and I don’t have any issues with the spoons banging around. I think you will be ok unless you have a super powerful hood – thanks!
Hello:)
I am copying your gorgeous hood design. Did you originally put a stain or sealant on the walnut? If not, now that it has been a few years, has the walnut faded? I think I would love it either way—I’m just curious.
Thank you so much,
Amy
I believe it was just sealed with clear satin poly. We actually don’t live at this home anymore so I don’t know if it has faded or not :)
Love the look of your hood and open shelf symmetry! We are currently building and we’d love to know what spacing you put your shelving at and how far off the countertop? Have you liked the spacing or is there something you would have done differently?
Thanks!
Betsy (5’8″)
Hi Betsy, I’m not sure this is our old home so I’m not able to measure them for you. Sorry about that!
Hi, I have an existing SS hood that I want to build a box around to cover. How did you attach the wood box that your uncle built to the tile? Thank you!
I’m not sure Melissa I think he just drilled it in with a special bit that you can use on tile. This was about 3 years ago now so I don’t remember exactly – thanks!
Hi, can you share contact information for the person who build this for you?
Just want to be sure I’m understanding correctly..He built the custom wood range cover and placed it right over your existing stainless range hood? It is gorgeous!!
Hi Kelly,
I love your range hood cover and I’m hoping to have my father build one very similar to yours. Is it possible for your uncle to share tips on how he built it? I see tutorials for other styles/types of range hoods on line but none of them are like yours. If he doesn’t want to it’s not a big deal, just thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask.
HI Carin, I wish I had taken photos of it while he built it but I didn’t even think about it! Unfortunately he didn’t draw any plans up or anything so I don’t have a way to show you how he built it. Sorry!
Maxi dresses, jeans, short skirts that aren’t scandalous… I feel your pain! My 12-yr-old is also tall with crazy long legs and gets mad at me when I say no to some shorts and skirts. I tell her to get used to it – we can’t wear the same things our more petite friends can. But we can reach the highest shelves at the grocery store. Ha ha!
Well I am only 5’4″ so I don’t have any issues but I’ve also only ever had a microwave above my stove, not sure if that makes a difference…anyway…I LOVE your hood. The wood is such an amazing pop in your kitchen. Absolutely stunning!
Thanks Christine, I’m loving the change too!
I love your floors! What are they? Did you install yourself?
We didn’t they are real hardwoods so that’s a little beyond my expertise! If you go to my FAQ page it has all the info on them – thanks!
Ha, I’m 5’10” and am trying to avoid the same problem in my kitchen. Do you mind sharing how high the hood is above the stove?
Hello fellow tall girl! Just measured and it’s 35 inches from the counter top – good luck!
The walnut is absolutely stunning! What a great choice to go with that instead of white!
HI Kelly, your kitchen is gorgeous!! You really have a talent for arrangement display. Will there be any more posts from your friend that you featured at the Project Farm blog? I keep checking and there hasn’t been anything new in some time.
Hi Rosemary, she has been taking the summer off (like me!) but I just spoke with her last week and she is planning on getting back into it this fall – thanks!
HI Kelly, I love your house and all your decor. I found that we have a lot in common. hahaha. Could you tell me who your builder is? And the name of your floor plan? I am planning on building a house within the next year or so and I keep going back to your website for ideas. Thanks and great job on all that you do.
Hi Celine, our floor plan was actually custom designed with an architect and our builder was just a local guy, but thanks!
It is REALLY beautiful! Good job to your uncle! Love your whole kitchen. So white and bright – my ultimate favourite!
Thanks Antonella! He did a great job!
I feel your pain! I am even taller (6 feet) and I took down my over the range microwave and ALL of my upper cabinets this summer. I feel like I gained so much space. It is such a relief not to have cabinets looming in my face all of the time.
This is gorgeous Kelly! It totally warms up the kitchen!
You have no idea how much I love this, actually I love your whole kitchen, so if it goes missing in the middle of the night then I may or may not have stolen it…..your whole kitchen that is! I just need to work out the logistics. Seriously, the hood is a thing of beauty, so happy you are now concussion free!
Love it!
Ooohhhhh, I just love your kitchen, Kelly! The range hood is beautiful. I’ve been thinking of adding something like this in my kitchen when we do a little makeover/reno in a few weeks. You’ve definitely given me some extra inspiration! It turned out so lovely and it looks perfect in the space.
This is truly stunning. I’m adoring the change and looks perfect next to your open shelving. Happy you won’t be damaging yourself anymore
Cindy
Love it kelly. It makes the kitchen cozy.
It’s beautiful! I love the contrast from the white to the wood.
I love it! You have my dream, favorite kitchen! I always show my husband your blog photos, “This is what I want when we finally settle down and stop moving!” It looked great before but the wood looks fabulous!
We are in the process of renovating a 1956 home. This hood is my DREAM!! I can’t wait to show it to my SIL or my contractor or someone who will make it into a reality…….
p.s. thanks for sparing me the head banging on a regular range hood!!!
Oh, and if it’s ok with you, I am deffinitaly using your kitchen as inspiration on my New Dream Home! Better yet, will you be my Designer? I absolutely love your style!
What a brilliant idea. I really like the wood look and I love that it matches the floors. Your kitchen is gorgeous!
Sidenote – You look like a supermodel in your workout clothes!
Your new hood is gorgeous, Kelly. Even though I’m only 5’2″, I can relate. Every time I scrub my tumble marble backsplash behind my slide in oven, I hit my head on the microwave on the way out I guess I lift up my head too soon! Lol! I have a forever indentation on top of my head. We are going to be building a house in the Spring. I’m choosing a double wall oven this time for sure. Hopefully, my head will have time to heal!
It’s really beautiful. I love the warmth and richness it gives the kitchen. Plus, no more headaches!
Love the new hood. It is gorgeous.
Looks AMAZING!! love it. Was wondering how difficult it was to move the utensil bar up? Do you have it screwed into the tile? I have often wanted to put one of these up but was afraid of the damage it would leave if I wanted to remove it. Thanks Kelly.
The new hood does look fabulous !!
I have the same question as Gloria about moving the utensil bar.
I am completely in love with your kitchen, range hood and all! Love that cute sign above the stove too!
Kelly it looks beautiful! I love how you make us laugh with your posts! I’m only 5’4″ so my husband and teenagers do all the “reaching” for me. So glad you will enjoy cooking again. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Absolutely love the upgrade! The custom hood really adds a bit or warmth into your kitchen. It’s also a nice change from the standard stainless steel you see everywhere. Thanks for sharing.
Kelly, I am the same height and so feel your pain. When we bought our house it w as sized for someone 5’2″. Needless to say there were a lot of head slams & ouches. When we redid our kitchen I had everything sized to my height. All I can say is woohoo no more headaches, lol! Enjoy your new found freedom from headaches it looks fabulous!
Well I guess the old hood “knocked” some sense into you and you made your move. I figure if you whine long enough someone will listen – guess your uncle did. Great uncle!! I’m not tall but I’m short either. My hubby is tall and puts all of my spices on top shelves. I can’t reach the darn containers. I have a little step stool I have to carry around with me. Now Kelly, I’ve been a loyal reader for quite some time and somehow I can’t believe you didn’t think of putting on a HUGE bandaid on your forehead once a week, only when hubby was home. He would have gotten tired of seeing your poor abused forehead and gotten the hint :-)
Absolutely beautiful!! Although I have no idea what you are talking about at 5’1-1/2″ here! I have step ladders all over the house! LOL
Wow, that is gorgeous!! I love love love the warm wood in your beautiful white kitchen. I’m 5’10” and on the eternal search for an appropriate length maxi skirt too! :)
Sorry, I don’t feel your pain…I am 5ft lol! I do understand it must have driven you nuts! I love the look with you kitchen it’s perfect!
LOVE it! It’s gorgeous. I’m the same height and really really hated the hood over our stove
And kept hitting my head on it too. Wasn’t until we replaced it that I cooked again! Sad…