Are you saying that cooking next to the chute would gross you out even if its covered? Andd to use it for its intended purpose? In the first picture, it looks like the stove is directly underneath the chute, but I can see in other pics that it is not. I think it is far enough away. If everything is bagged properly, it shouldn't be that bad. You will have to check on local code regarding having the stove next to the window. Code may make your decision for you. People usually just put shorter cabinets above that type of range hood. I would recommend doing so because you need all the storage you can get. The hood--being different from the bank of cabinets--will provide relief to the eye. With cabinets above, it'll still feel balanced. And, as for covering the chute, do you want to cover it and restrict access or do you still need to use it for its intended purpose and just want to camouflage it? To help the room feel pleasant, cheery, and light, I recommend using a glass tile. Even though it's applied to a wall, the translucency still shows and evokes a sense of the adjectives above. I think it would help keep things light. Consider a slightly higher toe-kick underneath the lower cabinets. It helps to create a lighter-footed feeling. You could also consider cabinets that have furniture style feet. for a more open feeling. Your kitchen seems like an ideal room to use modern, lacquered cabinets. I don't know if you like the super-modern look, but I think it could be nice. Maybe just for the uppers. Use a medium-to-light toned wood on the bottom. A limestone floor might be nice. Or you can do wood or laminate. You could go with dark or light. I think it's mostly about preference.

The least expensive thing I can think of is metal roofing. It is available in 3x14' sections,@ $40 per ( it comes in smaller sizes,too), allowing a safer horizontal placement, and would need to be framed out. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Metal-Sales-14-ft-Classic-Rib-Steel-Roof-Panel-in-White-2313530/204255243?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cBase&gclid=CJu3t5iwzcYCFYsRHwodU8EFEw&gclsrc=aw.ds

I love the colour scheme of the whole room. Looks wonderful!

Stone Amperor Pte Ltd 2. HEAT-RESISTANT (~204 DEGREES CELSIUS) of quartz Just to clarify the following points with quartz any temperature over 80oC will cause microfissuring. Failure usually occurs at between 95oC and 125oC . Like any stone or surface, if you can not touch the heated object with your naked hand... DO NOT PUT IT ON the surface.