A chippy can create any kind of decorative effect you desire (its just fibre board and mouldings) and you can vent the mechanical hood under it. I have a godawful stainless steel modern hood in my vintage cottage. I'm sure the last residents loved it, but they failed to actually have the hood vented properly. It just vents into the roofspace. So I now have the opportunity to remove the largely useless anyway hood and start over. I'm planning the same as you. A faux hearth, boxed in with fibre cement board and then with decorative mouldings attached. The actual mechanical part will be properly vented outside.

No, I'm sorry, but it doesn't work for me at all. That unrelieved expanse of shiny white is quite disorienting. You don't quite know where the light is coming from. But the colour isn't the main problem here. Although it isn't pretty, the "before" kitchen actually has a lot going for it. The new kitchen has the benches all at the same height, which is a problem because different kitchen tasks are most comfortable at different heights. The surface that houses your sink needs to be relatively high so that when you're using the sink you don't have to bend your back. That's uncomfortable! Conversely, a cutting surface is better if it's relatively low, because that way you can control the knife better. It's a safety thing. The new kitchen has the cooktop and the sink under wall-mounted cupboards. You're absolutely sure the extractor fan whisks all the steam and particulates out of there? Most don't, you know. And with the cupboards at that height, if you're standing close enough to cook or wash up can you see to the back of the bench? No, it's not you, it's the design. Look at the old kitchen. It has surfaces at a variety of heights, and although the sink is under a cupboard you can stir the sauce on the stove without bumping your head, I think. I could be totally wrong about this. The featured kitchen might be a joy to work in. I do think, though, that this does not look like a kitchen designed by a cook.

Can i contact your sales agent on phone tonight?

Does anyone know if the Bosch stainless steel finish is similar to GE Cafe series? I'm thinking of getting a GE 36" Cafe range for our new home and love the Bosch stainless wall vent hood. Anyone know if the finishes are similar or would they clash? Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.