Woot. We did it. We found a stainlesss steel range hood on craigslist. It’s an industrial strength pro JennAir one (valued at around $350) but we got it for… $60! Oh craigslist, I could kiss you on the mouth.
The listing said $65, but you know I did the old “how about sixty, we have cash?!” thing when we got there and looked it over… and… sold! It definitely appeared to be purchased but never used (it still had some of the white sticky peel-off stuff on the underside that new hoods have) – although it didn’t look like it had been kept completely protected while it was being stored (there are some scratches on the curved hood part). But those scratches are most likely the reason we got it for such a deal (in mint condition it could have been sold for at least $200). And since we’ll be building a wood hood box around it, those scratches won’t matter at all. We actually love them for allowing us to afford such a fancy pants hood. Wait, you’re stuck on that part about the wood hood box thing, aren’t you?
We’re basically going to try to build a wood frame to attach to the wall and house our new $60 JennAir vent since we looked up some prices for wood hoods that are built by someone else…. and let’s just say I spewed orange juice all over my computer when I caught a whiff of the cost (from here).
We’re not 100% sure on the actual hood-box shape (some are boxier and some have that little stem at the top) but we’ll keep you posted. Might just tape out a few shapes on the tile and see what we like.
Oh and as for the two pendant lights we’ll be adding over the peninsula, we hit up one of our favorite local lighting outlets (The Decorating Outlet on Midlothian for any locals out there), where we found the exact same lights we had been ogling in this post about a month ago! We couldn’t believe they had two of them in the same finish and everything. They’re currently $129 here, but the outlet was selling them for $60 a pop. So for less than the cost of one ($120 total) we got two! We think they’re going to make a huge statement in the kitchen, and considering that big box stores are currently selling similar stuff for $100+ each, we thought it was a great deal.
The finish that we chose may surprise you (or not, haha) but we actually went with oil-rubbed bronze. Since there are already a ton of nickel/stainless accents in the kitchen (hardware, appliances, the industrial stools) we thought it might add up to a more layered/interesting look to pepper in some ORB. We’re huge fans of mixing metals as long as both types of metal occur a few times so it looks intentional (so there’s not one odd man out while the rest is a different finish, which can look kind of weirdly accidental). So we’ll be bringing in a few other dashes of the rich almost-black finish so it’s nice and balanced looking – especially with the mocha cork floors. We also love that the pendants are hugely visible through the large doorway to the dining room, since that room has things like an oil-rubbed bronze door knob, curtain rod, etc – so they should layer right into the mix.
Now we just have to hang the pendants, wrestle that hood into place, build a custom wood range hood cover, add some floating shelves, finish the trim, lay some cork floors, install the dishwasher, and a few other things that my brain is probably intentionally forgetting to keep my blood pressure down. But we’re getting there! We’re like the blogging tortoises of kitchen renos. Picture us crawling along with little laptops tucked away in our shells. Oh and on the subject of hoods and lights, have you guys be dabbling in those areas lately? Any lucky craigslist or outlet scores lately?
Yay, Craiglist! :D
I’ve been having the hardest time visualizing the hood, so now I’m getting excited to see how it goes! Amanda from Our Humble ABowed did a fantastic wrapped hood in her new kitchen and it makes me weak in the knees… Can’t wait to see how it ends up!
OMG! $4k for a wooden box?! Are they drinking? That’s crazy! You could totally build that yourself. I recommend plywood with some trim on the corners and edges.. it’s probably more temp stable over time, especially with being over a rangetop.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with!!
Nice Craiglist score & Those lights are amazing!
I definitely have NOT been dabbling in hoods and lights area since I don’t have a house yet… :( But I’m working on that. Instead I’ve been dabbling in the burlap area a lot lately. Like decorating candles with it for V-Day: http://mailboxjourney.com/2012/01/23/burlap-wrapped-candles-for-valentines-day/ and burlaping the back of my bookcase: http://mailboxjourney.com/2012/01/11/burlap-bookcase/ (I bought way too much burlap, and now I have to find uses for it. No complaints though, I love burlap.)
Love it so much! Have you seen Katie Bower’s burlap nursery wall? I love it!
xo,
s
Yes! I saw it the day after I made my bookcase. I showed her a bookcase, she raised me a wall. Amazing! She definitely wins :p
Haha- I love both of them equally!!!
xo,
s
Oh I LOVE the pendants! (And the hood, but the pendants especially.)
Also, I was editing a book last night (my book – and no it’s not good) and I was like “OMG Sherry is probably doing the exact same thing right now.
And my husband was like “You need to spend less time on the internet.”
Hope all of your editing is going swimmingly.
Haha- thanks Lauren! Got through my first pass, so now I’m going back through it to revisit all my little post-its. Of which there are like 200. Haha. Tweak, tweak, tweak.
Good luck with your book! I bet it’s hilarious!
xo,
s
What a great deal! Can’t wait to see where you end up!
I have a love/hate relationship with Craigslist – LOVE the steals we get from it, but hate that I’m so addicted to spending a lot of time perusing all of the categories in case their MIGHT be something that we ‘need’ :)
Congrats on the awesome find!!!
That blood pressure comment had me laughing out loud.
Holy cow that is an awesome deal! I know lots of people get really good deals on Craigslist and sell a lot of stuff as well, but the idea freaks me out a bit. Have you have any bad experiences on Craigslist?
Not one! I’m now going to knock on wood so nothing crazy happens. Haha. I always bring John and make sure he’s home if people are coming here.
xo,
s
What an awesome deal! I wish Montana Craigslist was that good. It’s too funny how similar some of our kitchen projects are. We chose a boxed in vent hood too. If you’re going to build a frame around it, here’s what we did: http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/ventilation/ Of course you can make it any shape and then you’re just adding pretty details after.
Oh, I love the pendants, too! It’s going to be so preeetyyy.
I love it! I would never even think to put wood over the vent, but from those inspiration pictures it looks awesome.
LOVE the pendants! Have you guys started looking for a light to go over the dining room table yet?
Not yet, but we’d love to find something or make something.
xo,
s
I love the pendants – and what a price! Are you going to use the Edison bulbs? I heard they’re not the best (they look great, but they use a lot of energy & aren’t great for the environment).
We contemplated it, but have also heard they’re really yellow and that’s not really our thing, so we think we’re gonna pass. It’s a shame because they’re so dang good looking.
-John
What kind of bulbs work with with those pendants besides edisons?
I’ve seen so many pendants like those and I always wonder: “what if a law is passed and I can no longer buy bulbs that work in the expensive lights I just bought….?” This thought has scared me out of buying many a pretty pendant.
Any kind- from CFLs to halogens and regular old incandescents. They’re just a standard little receptacle, which is nice and flexible.
xo,
s
Craiglist scores are the best. We sold our old oil heater on it and a fridge. Then we saw a Rinnai monitor heater almost brand new for about 1/4 of the cost as new so we bought it with the money from the oil heater (we got rid of oil entirely – we exclusively use wood with one monitor heater as backup for the {never}days we go on vacation). Then my husband saw some super high-end nice woodworking equipment for sale – in our town (it’s a small town, so that really is a find) and he went right over and bought them, again for less than 50% of retail with some of the money from the fridge sale.
Craigslist really is the shiz. I would be careful about kissing it on the mouth though, you might end up with an unintended disease. ;)
Haha- it’s true. Don’t want to get any cold sores…
xo,
s
speaking of CL…I just found this today. My dream stove, almost refurbished (just a few things to fix) and $1,000. These stoves are upwards of $5,000+ when completed fixed up.
||*drool*||
http://maine.craigslist.org/app/2802457117.html
Woah- that’s awesome!
xo,
s
I can’t wait to see the ORB lights in place! I think you made the right choice – it will look so snazzy with the rich, cork floors!
Oooh, I agree. The ORB will definitely compliment the floors.
Alright I’ve felt like an idot for months now. What the heck does ORB stand for? I’m finally cracking and publicly sharing my ignorance.
Haha- no worries! It’s oil-rubbed bronze. Just a dark sort of chocolate finish that almost looks black sometimes! Hope it helps.
xo,
s
Oh…well that makes perfect sense! Thanks for clearing it up :D
@Kasey M., I was wondering the same thing!! I ended up googling it too :)
Wow, screaming deal on the hood…great going guys! Love how things are progressing!
I can’t wait to see the ORB lights in place! I think you made the right choice – they will look so snazzy with the rich, cork floors. Yay! :)
We buy EVERYTHING
Hahaha… I saw that you finished your comment below, but this just cracked me up. Especially on a DIY blog. LOL. Awesome craigslist steal on your kitchen!
Hahah that made me giggle also. Hhahahahhahaha.
I was hoping the in progress shot would be of the kitchen… I want to see the hood! Did I miss something?
Oh no, it’s not up yet! We have to wrestle that baby into place and make sure it’s into studs and reinforced with steel to keep it up! Big project. Pics to come when we get ‘er done!
xo,
s
OOPS, We buy EVERYTHING off of CL, we even bought out house off CL, our best buy was our 12K kitchen for $3500.00
Wow- that’s amazing!
xo,
s
WOW!! I think ALL the readers of this blog want more details on buying a HOUSE on CL??? You have to share what you can about that!! We have begun our house shopping (very beginning stages) and I NEVER EVER thought to look there…
Yes! Do tell!
xo,
s
My brother once sold his house on Craigslist but I don’t know the details!
You make my frugal heart dance for joy sometimes. This is one of those times.
My husband had an amazing thrift store score: A steering wheel accessory for the PS3. New, in the box. The pink price tag said $8. He gets to the register and discovers pink tags are 50% off. He snags it for $4 + tax. He brings it home, checks Froogle for the retail price: $60-85. We do the happy dance because not only did we score an awesome deal, it is now easier and more fun to play Grand Tourismo 5.
His thrift store mojo is legendary. The last time I took him with me, I found four pairs of Gap jeans (two with tags), a wool sweater and four winter shirts (one with tags) for $30. That’s almost half my son’s fall/winter wardrobe, baby.
Those pendant lights are gorgeous! And a great deal, too!
I am so excited to see your kitchen coming together! It’s looking so great and the finished product will be unbelievably beautiful! Great job on the choices guy!!! Love seeing the progress!
I’m so glad you guys are building that box yourselves, I can’t believe those prices- Ridiculous! Nice score on the hood, I can’t wait to see what you build to go around it!
I stalk craigslist daily, love it! Deals make me hyperventilate. In a good way. ;) We are at the end of a kichen remodel ourselves, and someone just directed me to your blog, it’s amazing and I wish I would have known about it months ago! Thanks for sharing!
Ohhhhhh I LOVE those pendant lights. So pretty!!! Drool. And your hood will look amazing- I can’t wait to see how you guys build it!
We’re not doing any lighting or hood building- but we have been moving A LOT of gravel around! Gotta do it while the weather is cool! http://davenportdiy.blogspot.com/2012/01/28000-pounds.html and http://davenportdiy.blogspot.com/2012/01/finished.html
We’ve also got some flooring projects in the works- so things are definitely busy around the home front :)
Holy cow, that’s a lot of gravel! You go, girl.
xo,
s
Thank you, THANK YOU for demystifying the cost of electrical work. I have been avoiding adding can lights to my kitchen for years now due to cost but after your earlier post, I’m all over it like white on rice.
Love the pendants. That is a miracle outlet store you have!
Oh my gosh, you guys hit the jackpot on the hood and the lights!!! Color me jealous! Can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Wow! What a surprise. I can not wait to see how you build this. Putting Johns woodworking skills to good use ( quit a challenge as well? Or is it simpler than I imagine?)
Oops, that was meant to say quite. I am not implying that John would ever quit!
Haha- I knew what you meant.
xo,
s
A wooden hood! I can’t wait!
Are you buying a different style pendant light for over the sink area?
Yes, we think it should be something else, but we’re not sure what! Will keep you posted!
xo,
s
Love the lights! Make sure to research the construction of those wood hoods to make sure it’s heat safe! I work at a custom cabinetry company and yes- they are expensive to purchase but there is a lot of work that goes into them.
Thanks for the tip!
xo,
s
We have a wood box over our hood and I love it! I had to fight for it some when we built the house because the hidden didn’t have my “vision”. Totally worth it!
I love CL! I’m holding off perusing until the move because knowing my luck I’d find something, fall in love and have no room for it at the apartment!
ohhh I hope you do a tutorial on the hood cover. I have always wanted one!
We got a midcentury hutch for our dining room on Kijiji (same idea as craigslist) for $60 last week (down from $75)! It’s super simple but cute and totally suits ou house!Now I’m just toying with the idea of whether to fix the few nicks and scratches in it and leave it stained, or to paint it a fun, funky colour.. Welcome to my life, I can’t decide what to do, so I do nothing :/ hahaha
I have never been to this Decorating Outlet. I think it’s where the old Pier One used to be. I’m excited to check this place out. Is it super-awesome? I need so much stuff for our new house. Drapes, lights, etc. Do they have light fixtures for bathrooms?
Oh yes, it’s all sorts of fixtures (sconces and overhead lights and pendants and flush mount and all that).
xo,
s
We were at Ikea this weekend and got a good deal on a SS hood for our kitchen… It wasn’t $60, but it wasn’t full price either. It looks similiar to the hood you had in your last house. It’s the final SS appliance conversion for our kitchen. I’d love some BB counters, but can’t convince the husband the ones from Ikea are worth it.
I have to say though – I thought it was interesting that the penny tile is almost identical to the color of the cement board you guys put up before the tile… But I’m sure in person it isn’t as close.
Haha- it’s sort of the same tone but a whole lot gleamier. Haha.
xo,
s
Someone bought a house off of CL? I wanna read that story!
Excited to see the big reveal, I love kitchen redos probably b/c my kitchen needs a major redo reeeaaallly bad. But for now we live vicariously through other blogger’s redos and dream :)
So far we’ve only bought a car and leather (part faux) furniture off of CL, oh and a fridge. That was the best deal. These days CL is our first go to…it’s the thrill of the hunt, just to see if you can find what you need.
What a great deal! We’ll be painting our range hood soon…can’t beat the $8 price tag. Probably the best CL deal we’ve gotten so far was my hubby’s car. $1400, bought a year ago, and we’ll probably get at least another three years out of her. (Yes, it’s a she.)
We scored on Craigslist last weekend. After stalking the electronics stores for a good bit, we finally upgraded our 1980s floor model for a 42″ flat screen. Yes!! But that also brought us a new problem–where to put it. (It can’t sit on top of the old floor model forever…) After dutifully searching Craigslist for a week, we found the perfect media center–from IKEA, no less–for a mere $60. It just goes to show you that awesome does NOT have to be awesomely expensive!
Wahooo!
xo,
s
Wow… Y’all are so lucky. The people in my city generally believe that their old stuff is worth its weight in gold, so it’s very hard to find deals. Seriously, who wants to pay $600 for an eight year old couch, regardless of what the seller “bought it for?” I’ve gotten lucky a couple of times though (authentic vintage mid-century light fixture for $10 — it even works!)
Haha yeah I was thinking that too, Craigslist totally depends on where you live – we used to live in Seattle and Craigslist was *amazing* – but now we live in Oklahoma for grad school, and people definitely want to get $100s for random old broken things lol. Sometimes when we go on a roadtrip I scout ahead at the Craigslist in those cities in case we can find anything while we’re there! ;)
What a steal of a deal for the range hood! Craigslist is the best. The pendants you chose are really nice. The round shape will tie in nicely with the penny tile and it’s neat how they mimic the shape of the big vase on the dining room table. Yay – it’s all coming together!
I love Craigslist. As I always like to say, my house is decorated in the early modern Craigslist style…
Haha, I love it.
xo,
s
Sweet deal!!!
I also love those pendants!
We actually almost bought similar ones from a site we found (http://www.thelampgoods.com/products-page-2/new-arrivals/biddeford-clear-large-pendant-light/) but ultimately decided the schoolhouse pendants would “go” better with our kitchen.
You guys are doing such a great job with every step!
Great choices, as always!
You seem to have such good luck buying and selling on Craigslist, but I’ve had no such luck! I never see anything on there that seems like a deal, and whenever I try to sell something I usually hear crickets :( I’m in northern NJ (suburbs of NYC), maybe Craigslist isn’t a big thing up here?
And, on the contrary, I don’t think you guys are tortoises – I’m actually super impressed with how much you’ve accomplished in your kitchen remodel! I’m sure it feels like forever to you guys, but considering how much of the work you’re doing yourselves (and how much other stuff you have going on) I think you’re making great progress!
Aw thanks Karen! We originally thought we’d be done by New Years but we’re so happy with how things are going so we shouldn’t complain!
xo,
s
I’m super impressed with your progress too!
I’ve realized one thing about home renos – I take however long I think it will take and triple it. I have unrealistic deadlines sometimes (like me saying, “so our entire addition will be done by fall right?” and it’s crickets as Andy stares at me since with an eyebrow cocked.) The other day I asked if we were having a structural ridge in our open bedroom (defined as “that thing so we don’t have beams”) on the second floor of the addition and he said, “no – collar ties” and I got bummed because I wanted it open (though I knew he had a reason for doing it that way and not just saying it). Then we watched Holmes on Homes and they were putting in a structural ridge and I was like HOLY #$%#. No way. So so so so so so so much work (and our house can’t hold it, and it would require all this expensive prep work). My husband laughed at me and gave me the “what am I going to do with you” look when I the light bulb went off. So needless to say, I’m painting those collar ties white haha.
This is why he estimates our stuff and not me. I’m all in lala land with no idea how long/difficulty/cost it takes to do stuff haha. Sooo I think you guys are doing awesome. Sometimes I forget that my husband can’t snap his fingers and have it done haha.
Haha- I’m like you. I’m the dreamer and then John brings me back down to earth. Haha.
xo,
s
Great craigslist finds!! I pretty much search for every large purchase online before checking in stores….or sometimes after I realize how much it costs in stores. I can’t wait to see those pendants in place. They’re dreamy.
haha! That’s an awesome Craigslist deal! How amazing! I haven’t scored on craigslist lately, but I did experience the most amazing Goodwill haul a couple of weekends ago. I blogged about it here http://willowbeehandmade.com/2012/01/23/the-greatest-goodwill-haul-ever/ but basically I got enough stuff to almost completely redo my son’s nursery for less than $50! It was amazing. I’m still in awe.
Wow- that’s an awesome haul indeed!
xo,
s
OH, Sherry — you crack me up!! I totally was stuck on the whole wood hood box thing! I know you had mentioned this in the past, but I never really understood what you meant until you showed these pictures! They look gorg! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Also — Fantastic deal on Craigslist! Is there anything more exciting you think than getting that amazing deal from someone!?!? We once bought a brand new air conditioner for like $50, that retailed for over $300. We were so excited!
Wahoo! I totally feel ya on that deal! Back in NYC I was dying for an air conditioner and I think I paid $150 out of desperation- $50 is awesome!
xo,
s