Woot — we did it. We found a stainless steel range hood on Craigslist. It’s an industrial-strength JennAir model that would normally be valued around $350, but we walked away with it for $60. Craigslist, you beautiful thing.
The listing listed the price as $65, but when we showed up with cash we tried the classic negotiation line: “How about sixty?” The seller agreed. The hood looked like it had been purchased but never really used — it still had some of the white peel-off protective film on the underside — though it wasn’t stored in a bubble. There are a few scratches along the curved front, which I’m pretty sure are the reason it was priced so low. In perfect condition it could have easily gone for $200 or more. Fortunately, the scratches don’t matter to us: we plan to build a custom wood surround, so those imperfections will be hidden. In fact, being able to get a high-end hood for such a bargain is exactly why we’re happy about the minor cosmetic wear.
Our plan is to construct a wooden frame mounted to the wall that will house this $60 JennAir vent. We checked prices for ready-made wood range hoods and nearly spat out our orange juice when we saw the cost. Building our own will save a lot of money and allow us to design the exact shape we want. Right now we haven’t finalized the hood’s silhouette — some designs are more boxy while others include a little stem at the top — so we’ll probably tape out a few shapes on the tile to visualize what will look best with the rest of the kitchen.
While we were working on the hood situation, we also scored two pendant lights for the peninsula. We visited one of our favorite local lighting outlets and discovered the exact lights we’d been coveting recently. The retail price for similar pendants is typically in the $100–$130 range each, but the outlet had them for $60 apiece. We bought two for less than the cost of a single new fixture — a steal. These pendants will make a bold visual statement above the peninsula and help balance the room’s look.
For the finish, we surprised ourselves by choosing oil-rubbed bronze. Since the kitchen already includes a lot of nickel and stainless steel accents — from cabinet hardware to appliances and industrial-style stools — introducing a darker, almost-black metal adds depth and contrast. We’re big fans of mixing metals when it’s done intentionally: each finish should appear in multiple places so the overall look feels cohesive rather than accidental. We’ll sprinkle a few more ORB accents throughout the space so everything reads as a deliberate design choice, and the warm mocha cork floors will tie everything together. The pendants are visible through a large doorway into the dining room, which already features oil-rubbed bronze details like a doorknob and curtain rod, so the new fixtures should integrate smoothly with the adjacent space.
Next on our to-do list: hang the pendants, wrestle the hood into place, build the custom wood hood cover, add floating shelves, finish trim work, lay cork flooring, install the dishwasher, and tackle a handful of other tasks that I’m probably conveniently forgetting so I don’t freak out. Progress is steady, though — slow and steady wins the race. Picture us as the tortoises of kitchen renovations: methodical, persistent, and maybe typing updates from our little shell-mounted laptops.
Are you working on a hood or lighting update in your space? Have you found any great scores at Craigslist, an outlet, or a local salvage shop? We love hearing about creative finds and budget-friendly upgrades, so share any recent jackpot moments or design tips that helped you stretch your dollars while still getting the look you want.