[sabine]

I really loved Eva's idea to move my cooktop away from my crowded fridge wall. But if I do it by the rules, I lose the simple horizontal lines I liked about the design.

So, I was thinking to get a downdraft vent and plop the countertop down under the cabinets anyway. I could move the cabinets up a couple of inches from standard, the cooktop will be electric and I don't cook all that much. At least not four burner at a time kind of cooking.But, is that silly and impractical? Will I ruin the underside of my cabinets?

I'll post a couple of schemes to illustrate

Here is the design with the horizontal cabs that I like

[sabine]

And here is a scheme with a hood

I know I could do something fun with this too, but it just isn't the look I was shooting for. Also, this is the more expensive of the options (because I would get carried away with hoods and backsplooziesplash)

also, there is a 18" header beam hanging from the ceiling across the kitchen (over the peninsula) that limits the size of cabinet I can hang on the far end (only 26" of width in this space) I plopped a cab here for symmetry, but with the horizontals I would just have a couple of open shelves.

I'm hoping to make a decision in time to buy during the kitchen special that ends soon!

[DesignDiva]

Sabine, how about a retractable undercabinet hood? They are practically invisible until you slide out the cover to use them. Broan and GE Profile have them. You might have to rearrange your cabinetry a bit to accomodate the ducting if you're going to have it vented to the outside, but you should be able to come up with a solution.

Do keep in mind that your range/cooktop will require a certain clearance above it so check the specs before you decide where you're going with the cabinetry above.

[sabine]

I have thought about those, but can't figure out how to arrange the horizontal cabs to accomodate.

And it looks like most cooktop manufacturers' spec sheet require 30" of clearance between stove and unprotected cab.

If only my kitchen didn't need a stove or fridge I'd be fine!