Custom Range Hood, Chalkboard Tray, and Butcher Block!

 

There's a story behind my custom range hood.  It wasn't in the kitchen plans or even in my mind.  When I met with the cabinet shop, I had actually requested a spot for an above range microwave/fan and a small cabinet above that. 

 

Then one day I had the conversation with both my daughter and daughter-in-law (neither of whom have microwaves) about how I wondered if maybe I didn't need a microwave, but then what would I do since I didn't want an ugly old range hood?  Immediately upon saying that I remembered reading Miss Mustard Seed's blog post on her custom range hood. 

 

 

Source

 

I'm sure you've all read the post, or seen the picture but here it is just to remind you of how beautiful her range hood is. 

 

This is where I would like to say that I love to look at magazines, read blogs, and look at pinterest and I really love the inspiration they all give.  However, I also really like to have my own ideas and implement them because its what I like, not because its what is popular at the moment.  BUT, I will admit that I printed the above picture and drove right down to the cabinet shop where I changed my order!  I did ask that they not copy the range hood exactly but the one request I had was that I wanted the shelf on the front!

 

 

I did prepare my husband, I even showed him the picture and tried to describe it.  However, I was absolutely NOT prepared for the range hood when it was delivered.  It was huge, heavy and actually sort of foreign looking.  It sat on the floor for a few days where we ignored it while we installed the cabinets.  Finally, it couldn't be ignored any longer and Eldon got started. 

 

 

By then he had a plan... wall was penetrated to the outside where a vent cover went up, duct work installed on the inside wall, the correct hole was cut in the range hood to fit the fan we had special ordered.... 

 

 

and the range hood went up!

 

And, oh my goodness, I love it!  I have been dreaming about all the things I can put on the shelf....  seasonal decorating will be so much fun!  Then.... an idea hit me!

 

 

I bought this awesome huge tray at a tag sale for $2.00 and really haven't found a great use for it. 

 

So I bought some chalkboard paint....

 

 

Did a 10 minute paint job....

 

 

Brought in the professional artist in the family (my grand-daughter, Jillian)...

 

 

Perfection!!!  Since I don't like my handwriting or my (lack of) artistic skills she'll have to be the one in charge of changing this out each week! 

 

 

One last bit of news.  We made a trip to Atlanta (I've NEVER in my life seen traffic like we saw in Atlanta - oh my word it was crazy) and had a great time at IKEA where we bought our Butcher Block planks for the counter tops!!!  Eldon has been fitting and cutting and I have my work cut out for me in sanding and oiling - I will let you know how it all goes!

 

Hope your week is the best! 

 

(P.S.  I'm still in manual mode on my camera but I really need some help from my daughter... its getting worse instead of better!)