As I ascend Mt. Scott in southeast Portland, I curve around a tight bend, dip down, and then make my way up a driveway that feels like a 45° incline, covered in autumn leaves. I wonder if I can even make it to the house.
When I arrive, I’m greeted by a kind and attentive homeowner who needs help with a kitchen remodel. Specifically, the kitchen in their basement rental requires modification to allow for a range hood fan after weeks of smoke alarms blaring from their new gas stove. My client was convinced this would be a difficult job, considering the unique way the previous homeowner or contractor installed the upper cabinets.
As a kitchen remodeler in Portland, OR, I’ve seen my fair share of unusual designs, but this one was truly a puzzle. Rather than using standard prebuilt or custom upper cabinets mounted on the same wall as the lower cabinets, this kitchen featured a wide bookcase with custom doors and face trim. This bookcase was installed into the wall so that the doors were flush with the wall, instead of a typical 12” depth, where the back of the cabinet would be against the kitchen wall.
Before.
A Custom Kitchen Remodel Challenge
In a typical kitchen, upper cabinets are mounted about a foot away from the wall, providing ample space to open the cabinet doors and access the contents inside. However, in this kitchen, the front of the cabinet was at the wall, making it difficult to reach inside the cabinet. The cabinet face also covered the range width-wise, and there was a small duct register, typically found on the floor for HVAC systems, with an inline fan installed in the wall.
This unique setup meant that mounting the new range hood fan directly above the range wasn’t feasible because of the uneven surface. My client expected this to be a big ordeal, but as a professional kitchen remodeler in Portland, OR, I saw an exciting challenge ahead.
Finding a Solution: Kitchen Remodeler Creativity at Work
I started by carefully opening the cabinet face covering the fan above the range and removed the existing inline fan. Next, I redirected the ductwork to the location where I needed it for the new range hood fan.
To match the unique cabinetry style, I sourced wood that closely resembled the existing doors, then cut and stained new face trim. The trim was wide enough to span the entire range width, providing a stable mounting surface for the new hood fan. Once the trim was installed, I mounted the range hood, connected the ductwork, and called in the client.
The Result: A Happy Client and a Smooth Kitchen Remodel in Portland, OR
When my client saw the finished product, he was blown away. Not only was he impressed with the speed and quality of the new range hood fan installation, but he was also amazed at how quickly I completed the project. He said, “It would have taken my previous handyman two weeks to finish this, but you got it done in just three partial days.”
After.
After.
As a kitchen remodeler in Portland, OR, I thrive on solving unique challenges like this one. I love taking on complicated projects and delighting my clients with creative, high-quality solutions.
If you’re facing a kitchen remodeling challenge that seems impossible or you're not sure where to begin but want to make your space better, I’d love to help. Reach out to me through my contact form today to get started on your own kitchen renovation!
After.
Serving the Portland, OR Area Since 2009: Quality Kitchen Remodeling That Delights
Happy remodeling, and keep rocking your home!