Final Hood Post!

This is absolutely what I would do to Ree's hood at the Lodge. Have I said that before? Anyway, I would purchase a wooden onlay and have a faux painter match what was done to this medallion. I think it is gorgeous. It would look good with the cabinets and with the stainless steel. This faux treatment is called antique bronze.

I found this carved wood onlay at Osborn Wood. I don't know the exact dimensions of the lodge hood, but this one looks like it might work.

This is a rough mock up of what it could look like.

Is there a ten step program for hood decorating?

Back to the hood.

I got an email from Ree at ThePioneerWoman.com this week. I do get to have a compassion child. She gave me instructions for getting started.

She also said she is going to use my idea for the pendant lights and has been searching for the right ones. The Texas Light Smith has one that might fit the bill or they will make custom lights to any specifications. Another option would be to use outdoor light pendants, Lowes has some that could work.

The piece of ornamental iron on the hood border came from The Wrought Iron Decor Store.

What about a large rustic metal clock on the hood?

This clock has an easel to hold it verticle. I Googled large wall clock to find these. Any suggestions?

Ree's hood again. It's Bonnies fault.

Last hood post then I have two real posts planned. My sister Bonnie found this exquisite wooden hood border and I had to share it.

Is that about the most gorgeous kitchen you have ever seen? Notice the different counter tops used? And the rock wall? Gorgeous!

We think the Lodge kitchen area needs some curving lines. Right now everything is short straight lines. The hood doesn't need the fancy carving. Something simple would look better, but keep it curved. And it has corbels to tie in with the bar and laundry! I bet Mom and Pop cabinet makers could whip this out, stamp a large ranch brand in the center, distress it, stain it and have it installed in no time!

The wood border is from Woodlandfurniture.com. They don't list any prices on their site and you have to go through a interior designer to make a purchase.

This one is white tile to match the existing subway tile. It is from Southcypress.com.

What would you do if you had to make the 'hood' decision?

Ree's Lodge.

Downloaded more pictures from Pioneer Woman. I actually had her permission this time. I found some borders that could be used on the hood in her Lodge kitchen area. I love this hood border, it's made of iron.

But I think it might be a little dark for the Lodge hood.

This is darkened copper, but I'm sure they would use whatever finish the buyer requests. They don't list any prices on their site, that always scares me.

This one is bright copper. These lovely metal borders can be purchased seperate from the hoods at the Texas Lightsmith.

Does copper clash with stainless? I'm not sure. I definately like this border though.

I found some cool tiles . These are 6"x6" engraved terracotta tiles. I'm afraid they could be pretty hard to keep clean so I probably wouldn't use them in a kitchen. Maybe another area of the Lodge?

They are from TerracottaCorp.com.







These tiles seem perfect for a Lodge/ranch.

They can be grouped together to form a herd running across the hood.

I found them at Linda Paul's Studio.

I like the horse tiles best and I think they would be easiest to clean. Let me know if you have a better idea for the hood. I will try to show what it would look like on The Lodge hood. I also like the windows with the stained glass panes. Keeps the windows from looking like dark holes. They could be back lit to give a warm glow at night. I also lowered the subway tile to line up with the refrigerator tops.

What do you think? Do you like the metal hood borders? Tile? Stain? Talk to me.

On a different subject, I bought these barstools online from Target. We like them alot. I think they could look nice in the Lodge.

P.S. I found a web site that makes tiles from your photos. It's called Tilepix. Ree could put her own wild horses on tile! I love that plan. It's less expensive too!

I used Ree's photo titled "Spirit", it seems perfect for a border. The mock-up is rough, but you can get the idea. She could make tiles of cowgirl pin-ups or the birds she loves to use in her blog banners. What fun!

Pioneer Woman Contest!

Ree is giving away her own fancy camera for a prize at Pioneer Woman today. Good luck. You'll need lots of luck because I plan on winning this contest, thank you very much!

Lodge kitchen from PW's place.

This is the Lodge kitchen area from over at Pioneer Woman. I probably broke 1,100 copyright and/or infringement laws by downloading these. What the heck, take me to jail PW! I could use a break, catch up on my reading, maybe play a little cards with the other bad a$$ ladies.

I really hope she doesn't mind. I just had to try out some ideas I have been tossing around. I used Photoshop to make some changes.


I took the hanging lights from her inspiration room and put them into her kitchen. I though it needed something to break up all the lines going on above the refrigerators. Also I think it helps lose a little of the eyes and nose appearance of the windows and hood.


I went with stained wood on the bottom of the hood, kept it simple.

I would like to see some ornamentation on the hood though. Something metal with flowing lines for relief from all the straight lines in this area.

I would lose the side windows. I think they confuse the eye. (I heard someone on HGTV say that once and I've been waiting for an opportunity to use it. For a minute there it almost felt like I knew what I was talking about!)

Notice how the tile only reaches the fridge tops in this example? I'm glad she went higher, I think it ties everything together. I ditched all the windows here too. I don't like it. I think I would keep the windows above the refrigerators. Maybe put textured clear glass in the dark colored frames P-dub mentioned they had ordered. The textured glass would let light pass through while blocking out the beams, ceiling and skylights you can see beyond the openings. The windows in the inspiration room kinda sorta have the look of textured clear glass.

Maybe a couple of spot lights could be focused on the windows from behind at night to create a warm glow in the windows. This kind of stuff gets me all excited! If I have some time later, I will try to make an example showing the glass and dark window frames. I know, I know, if I was any kind of blogger at all I would have done that already and posted that picture now. I have been busy alright! The tax man cometh people! We have a pre-year-end tax appointment Thursday morning and I'm not ready! So get off my back! Just kidding. I must save my real ranting and raving for my husband who can't recall why he wrote a check to TXP for $1,137! Anyone know who or what TXP is? Anyone? Anyone?

Maybe cream colored stained glass like the background glass I used in this piece would look nice and blend in a little more with the wall color. What would you do with this area? Do you like the hanging lights? Or would they collect dust and grease? Give me more ideas and if I have time I may try them out tomorrow.

See ya later!

OK, so I couldn't sleep. I went ahead and added the cream colored stained glass and the dark frames. I like it! What do you think? I also blocked out the stainless refrigerators with stained wood. It looks warm and inviting, doesn't it? Oops, I left the side windows in. I'll be right back.

There. How's that? Do you like it better with or without the side windows? Now I think I like it better with them.

Here is a version with a light paint treatment on the hood band. It looks good, but I'm not sure it looks right surrounded by all the stained wood.

Keep the lights or lose the lights?

Here I tried to take the tile all the way up. Too much tile. Definately like the glass though. And the hanging lights.

This is what I would do. Final final final.