What to do with this ugly stovetop island?

I think a good paint job and covering that wall paper will changethe whole look!

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Where do you live?

Removing the stovetop would not be a problem. Turn the gas and electric (if there is any) to it, disconnect the gas and electric, and it should just lift out. There may be some brackets holding it underneath. You may need to replace the countertop to accommodate the slide in stove if the current opening won't be covered by the slide in. You will also have to modify the cabinet for the slide in. Instructions would come with the slide in. Removing the exhaust fan is simple. Turn power off to the fan. Screws within the hood hold the fan to the cabinet. I assume the exhaust fan cabinet is screwed to the bottom of the trapezoid box from the inside. Do not remove the trapezoid box. The fan appears to be vented to the outside. You can tie in the new fan to the same exhaust pipe. As for the kitchen cabinets. You can wash them down, lightly sand them, prime with a stain blocking primer, then paint with your color. Seal them with at least three coats of a water based polyurethane. Removing the doors and hardware would make painting easier. Use a foam roller and foam brush for a smooth finish. You could change out the hardware also.

What you suggest is exactly what I had planned. I guess I was looking to see if anyone had re-configured a kitchen like this by moving the stove from the middle of the room. My son will most likely be in a wheelchair at some point and this big ugly island with that horrible cabinet above it blocking views will be an obstacle.

Hi! I was thinking that if your Son is in a wheelchair or can't stand for long then I would just lower everything so he can reach it comfortably by sawing it down - and moving the island so that a wheelchair can pass comfortably - and just lowering the cabinets! Sounds feasible and cheap! And if you want to go further then instead of wallpaper you can get some great looking contact paper!! Hope I gave you some ideas!! ((*_*)

Ok the reason I asked is sometimes state shave re-sale stores which offer home improvement items at a discounted rate.Here it is called Habitat for Humanity.

I would remove the island and the exhaust fan and cabinet above to be more accessible. Place a stove in the counter toward the living area. I agree with Tara, make the cabinets lower to improve access. I've used paintable wall covering very successfully to restore damaged walls and ceilings. Good luck.

I had forgotten they had stores, there is one near me! Thanks!

You could put a slide in stove oven where the wall oven is if there is a gas line there that will save work. You will just needcto remove cabinet around/ below oven. Then you could remove island/ exhaust fan altogether. We painted the wall board in our mobile home, you just need a good primer and some sanding so the paint sticks. You can paint the cabinets the same way or replace with inexpensive stock cabinets like we did.

We bought a kitchen full of cabinets off craigs list for 200. dollars... My daughter covered some cabinet doors with bead board and molding and painted the back board in a burgundy. They were beautiful she trimmed them out with dark green and burgundy. We got an electric stove to go back in our kitchen Sometimes they give them away on craigs list. GOOD LUCK

how about a picture

Nice. We have decided to gut the kitchen and remove the pony wall, reposition the stove and use a similar exhaust fan like you have here and replace the cabinets. Thanks.