I don't understand why you found the Bosch dishwasher dark inside. Is it the stainless steel versus white plastic? We have had a Bosch for a few years and just installed another one at our new build. We don't have any problems seeing inside either one.

Staying with one appliance brand is difficult. So many of them are junk that you have to pick and choose carefully. Here's our list of brand choices for major appliances.

Dishwasher...................Bosch 500 series
Double Oven..................Frigidaire Pro
Induction Cooktop............GE Profile
SS Hood......................Broan
FD Fridge....................Electrolux
Washer.......................Speed Queen TL
Dryer........................Speed Queen

We did not purchase a built in microwave.

Good question Highjump! I too was planning on going with GE in our new build. I hadn't heard they were phasing out their appliance division. I hate that, cause I've been so pleased with their products over many years! I'm having to purchase appliances in the next couple weeks, so I'm anxious to see what others think. Creekside, I looked at the Bosch dishwasher but didn't like that it doesn't have a automatic dry... at least the one I looked at didn't. I have looked at Samsung French door frigs and have heard good things about them though, so might go with that for my frig.

I think you are smart in going with more moderate appliances. My BIL and SIL used all GE (but the high end lines like 42 inch built in Monogram frig...) and they really hate their appliances. Especially hate their GE dishwasher and GE front load washer and dryer. They say the frig is ok.

If you do cook simply but for a crowd, you might consider a double oven or 36 inch range/cooktop if you feel you could use more space in these appliances. You can save on the double oven by purchasing a regular range and then adding a second wall oven.

I didn't want the built in coffee maker and have no need for high end ovens and stoves because I have absolutely no desire to become a gourmet cook. We had no preference for a brand. We went with all GE Profile appliances because that's how our builder based his allowance. I had an appliance garage put under some cabinets so I can hide the coffeemaker and toaster.

We like functionality and so we went with black appliances instead of stainless steel. It matches well with our granite and hopefully, won't show fingerprints as bad. It was also less expensive than the stainless steel. We used the difference, the builder's discount, and the $500 rebate to buy the refrigerator with bottom freezer.

BTW, at least some GE FD fridges are now made by Samsung, but they don't don't have the twin evaporators like Samsung's own models do. That's a real shame.

The GEs look better, though. They have a solid stainless handle on the freezer drawer, rather than the useless tilt handle and plastic front piece of the Samsungs.

Try browsing the appliance or kitchen forums for reliable appliances. I have read several posts from folks happy with their GE Profile cooktop or range and Monogram ovens. I don't think any of the refrigerators or DW brands are complaint free-though the higher end models within a brand may be better than the cheaper ones. I would factor a responsive customer service into any decision.

I ended up with Frigidaire. I found a packaged deal on ebay, and the place ended up being in St Louis only a couple hours away.

The only trouble I have had, I ordered a warming drawer that didnt make the trip and I havent been credited for that yet.

But I feel like the prices were good. I don't cook just a whole lot, and when I do, it is nothing fancy so for the money I think I will be happy.

Gopintos, I'm glad to hear someone else that has purchased appliances off eBay. That's exactly what I plan to do. I went to Metro and picked out what I wanted and will buy thru an appliance store on eBay, saving hundreds! I'm not a cook anymore, so no high end appliances for me.

First of all, I don't think "high-end appliances" are necessarily purchased because the owner is a "gourmet cook". I have friends with Wolf or Viking ranges, and their idea of a gourmet recipe often involves a can of cream of mushroom soup or packet of taco seasoning mix. One can cook perfectly fabulous meals on a very basic range.
That said, I also do not think that GE appliances will become extinct. Yes, GE is phasing out their appliance division, but I have to think that some other company will pick up where GE left off. For that reason, we purchased a GE electric slide-in for our new house, and I love it! We had all GE appliances in our old house for the past 25+ years and they were very reliable.
For a refrigerator, I chose a Kenmore Elite bottom freezer. It's basically an Amana with an ice-maker, and I liked the pull-out freezer, rather than the swinging door.
I have a Bosch DW...no problem seeing inside of it. Maybe the lighting in that kitchen was not well planned? As I understand it, the European dishwashers do not have a drying cycle, but rather rely on the heat of the water and dishes for evaporative drying. It hasn't bothered me...put the dishes in at night, and in the morning they are ready to come out, although I sometimes have a little water collection on items that didn't drain off or evaporate.
Panasonic countertop microwave, set into a shelf above the counter works great now, but I did have an issue with it shortly after we moved in, and had to send it out for repair under warrenty.
Broan range hood with fluorescent lights...no heat like with halogens.
Where feasible, we chose Energy Star appliances.

I know it is risky, but most everything I have bought for the house has come from eBay. Appliances, lighting, flooring, bathroom fixtures, furniture, decor.

I research, study, compare. So much info comes from this forum and I research the products or resources mentioned and then try to find the best price.

So far so good.

Here is a link that might be useful: Here are my appliances

Our home is over 4 years old and we have the GE Monogram dual fuel (6 eyes/griddle) and SxS. Love them both and haven't had any problems.

Love my F&P dish drawers.

Bosch Axxis w/d in main level laundry room. Have our bigger set from last house in DH's lower level laundry room.

No icemaker, no fancy coffeemaker.

Vent a Hood liner.

Here is a link that might be useful: my kitchen photos

After much thought and research, I too did not want to spend mucho dinero for the "pretigious" appliance brands - quite frankly because they didn't seem to be worth it. I had all the trendy high-end brands in my last house and had just as much, if not more, issues with them. And they cost a fortune to fix!

So I went with the ones that my friends had and loved - LG. My entire kitchen is the top of the line LG stainless steel appliances - french door fridge, stove and oven, microwave, and the quiest dishwasher I've ever owned. Although they were not cheap by any means, they costs thousands less than the prestigious brands and so far, they work better and quieter. I liked them so much that I also decided to replace my washer and dryer as well, even though they were only about 3 yrs old. I bought the LG steam washer and dryer in bright red and love them too. They are whisper quiet, get my clothes much cleaner and save water and detergent. I couldn't be happier with my LG appliances and would buy them all again in a heartbeat.

I saved about 15 thousand dollars on appliances and like them better than the "prestigous and trendy" brands I had in my last house.

Post this on the appliance forum. I'm not much of a cook, so I went with nice, but not professional appliances. My only regret is my cooktop. I have the cooktop in the link below and I do not like it at all. If I was doing it over, I would get a dacor, GE Monogram, wolf, or some other pro styloe cooktop that have high btu burners and where all of the burners are the same btus. If you are considering the cooktop in the link below, email me and I will tell you all of my complaints with it. My convection oven, microwave and refrigerator are Kitchenaid stainless, and I have no regrets with going with them. I have a Bosch dishwasher which is ok but I liked the Maytag dishwsher at my old house better. Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: my cooktop

I have Kenmore Elite range and French door fridge (made by LG). They're OK, but I *love* my Bosch SS dishwasher! Both the DW and the range were highest rated in 2007 by Consumer Reports. Sometimes I have water on the bottoms of the coffee mugs, but everything dries fine.

The one thing I don't like about the fridge is that the dispenser is too short to get our tall water glasses under. Oh, and the handle part of the deli drawer (white plastic) cracked after 2.5 yrs - I don't know how since I never put anything heavy in that drawer. Sear replaced it under (extended) warranty, but the new drawer has different color writing on it so it doesn't match the vegetable and fruit bins.

I'm still looking for a good MW. We've always had Mr. Coffee drip coffeemakers, bought a black one when we moved (white one all stained, didn't look good with SS and black appliances), and this one (from Target) *drips* when you pull the pot out, drives me crazy!

I went upper middle (I think ???) We are going as energy concious as reasonably possible, due to trying to rely on solar power.
Our fridge is a Liebherr
Dishwasher - drawers (ours are Fisher Paykel, others are good too). Have had them for many years and love the convenience!
Range is Blue Star, because it is a very simple unit - not too many bells and whistles, and should last forever.
We use simple coffee makers and counter top microwaves. This way, when the $25 coffeemaker dies, we can just replace it. Same with the $100 microwave.

Good luck!