After we moved the stove to its new location, we had 56″ of space on the wall where I had wanted to put it. We decided to put a base cabinet, which we just happen to already have, in that space, and have Home Depot install another piece of counter top to match the one they just did. We would also put a small base cabinet, about 12″ wide, between the stove and refrigerator. That little cabinet would also need a counter top.

We went to Home Depot on Monday to order the counter top and buy the small cabinet. BUT, the counter top installation has a $400 minimum labor charge. The amount of counter top we wanted to order did not meet that minimum. We also discovered that Home Depot wouldn’t deliver the little cabinet, and we have no truck to get it home with. So, we have come up with a PLAN B, which I am ok with. My kitchen will have a unique look for sure.

PLAN B is that we will buy a buffet, sideboard, or kitchen cart type of cabinet to put in that space. This gives me lots of options for either trying to match what we have, or to purposely mis-match so that it gives a unique look, and still give me some counter space to work with. I will also be buying a hanging pot rack, but that is another post altogether.

The problem with PLAN B, is that I can not decide which cabinet to buy. I have narrowed it down to four that I like, that will fit in the space, and that are a decent price. So, I am going to do a poll to let y’all help me decide.

Here are the choices. Or, you can see them on Pinterest. Which one do you think would work best there, or, if you have seen one you like better, link it in the comments below for me to check it out.

Broan Nutone sponsored this post.

The Broan Elite RM50000

Installing the Broan Range Hood

Yesterday was a big day for us with our remodeling. We finally found a handyman who came back to do the work after he came out to look at the job. We have been having the hardest time finding people to do the work for us when we are not using Home Depot for the job. This guy has had an ad in the local paper ever since we moved here, but we never called him until this week. Manny showed up when he said he would to look at the job and to determine if he needed any extra supplies.  He came back yesterday morning to install the Broan Range Hood for us.

First Things First. We Had To Move Some Electrical Connections.

In order to install the range hood, the handyman had to first move a 220 volt electrical connection from the kitchen to the enclosed back porch so we could move our dryer out there. The washing machine has been out there since we moved in, but the dryer connection was in the kitchen, so we have had the two appliances spread out between the two rooms. The dryer has been right next to the stove, so we have had to do careful planning about when to dry clothes or they would end up smelling like whatever I was cooking for dinner. Meatloaf scented jeans, anyone?

After the dryer was moved, Manny had to move the gas line for the stove as well. The area where I wanted to put the stove was too close to the electrical connection box, so I had to rethink where I wanted it to be. We chose to put it next to the refrigerator on the wall across from the sink. He left a 12 inch space between the refrigerator and the stove so that we can put a 12″ base cabinet there, so I will have room to put cooking utensils and other cooking equipment within easy reach of the stove.

The Broan Range Hood Was Easy To Install

After the gas line was moved, Manny and his assistant, Marino, set to work installing the range hood and chimney. They had to install a new electrical receptacle to accommodate the plug for the exhaust fan. After that, the range hood and chimney were so easy to install, I could have done it myself in my younger days. The hood part attached to the wall with metal brackets. Then the chimney part attached with more metal brackets.  The instructions that came in the box were very easy to follow. After they were attached to the wall, Manny caulked the hood with some silicone caulking. If you already have an electrical receptacle, you really can install this range hood yourself if you are good with tools.

I am very pleased with the style of the Broan Elite RM50000Rangemaster® range hood. There has not been a kitchen exhaust system in our house since we moved in. We have been putting a window fan in the kitchen window to draw cooking smells out of the house, but it didn’t work well, especially in the winter when it was cold outside. I am really looking forward to cooking my Thanksgiving turkey and dressing this year.

We still have some more work to do in the kitchen. As you can see, we haven’t finished painting, and there will be a base cabinet installed to the left of the stove, where the rolling cart is sitting now. The 12 inch base cabinet will be to the right of the stove, between the stove and refrigerator. It may take us another month or so to get it done, because we are very slow, but it is beginning to look like a modern kitchen. What do you think so far?

When we started talking about redoing the kitchen, I was about to explode with happiness. The old counter tops that were in the house when we bought it were awful! You can see from the photo above, that even when it was scrubbed clean three times a day, it still looked terrible. I was embarrassed for anyone to see it.

The wall behind the counter top was a mess as well. Fabgrandpa and I had both scrubbed and scrubbed on this wall, over the course of the two and a half years we have lived here, and it still looked like THAT! I have no idea what the woman who used to live here did, but it looked like she tried to splatter grease everywhere she could when she cooked.

We bought a gas stove when we moved in because I did not want to cook on electric. However, there has never been a kitchen exhaust system in this kitchen, ever. I know when I cook, we have to open windows and turn on a window fan to draw odors out of the kitchen. And the dryer is right there next to the stove–you can not dry clothes if you are cooking, otherwise, your clothes will smell like meatloaf or chicken. All of these things will be remedied when we are finished with the kitchen.

Last week, before the counter tops were installed, we took everything out of the kitchen, and painted the walls behind the base cabinets so that when the counter man arrived, he could install the counter tops and we wouldn’t have to worry about dripping paint on them after they were installed:

We didn’t get much of the kitchen painted–it’s hard work for two old people. But, we wanted to get the walls behind where the counters would be installed painted first.

The next day, the counter guy that Home Depot contracted with arrived to install the counters. He pulled out the sink first, then the old counters. He hauled them off too. We had to pay for that. It was included in the total price that we paid Home Depot. If we were able to take them out ourselves and take them to the dump, we could have saved $235.

I am still excited to just have this much done. After the counters were installed, we called the plumbing company to let them know the counters were in. They were supposed to send someone out the same day to install the sink. They told Fabgrandpa that they could not come until Monday. He told the lady on the phone that that was unacceptable, because this was on Friday. Fabgrandpa made a call to Home Depot about it, and 15 minutes later the lady from the plumbing company called back and said someone would be out that afternoon. Imagine that!

Now that the counter tops and sink are in, we have to finish painting the kitchen, and install our new range hood and exhaust fan system that I received from Broan-Nutone. I am super excited about that!