What is your budget for appliances?

Definitely mix and match. For example, if you look at Consumer Reports, you'll see some brands that have great reliability for a washer and dryer have bad reliability for a dishwasher. Or a company makes a great fridge but not a great cooktop.

I am gutting my kitchen and have been studying appliances for months. I'm also going foe a clean, contemporary look.

Here's my choice.... Electrolux Icon Designer series for the DW, oven, speed oven, warming drawer and induction cook top. My refrigerator is the new 4-door 36" FD style by Samsung. Also going with the Electrolux vent, wall with the curved glass, I'm doing the 36" over the 36" induction cooktop... and the vent glass is smoke instead of the recycled green that so many use.

Check out induction for sure, it not only looks modern but truly is modern.

My budget is 12-13 thousand.

beckyg75, great points, thank you.

I was thinking induction but I read many complaints on the ticking sound, and now I'm "on the fence" about it. Unless I see a really great review on induction, I think that's pretty much over for me. I understand the appeal of ultra-clean, ultra-modern look, but my wife loves to cook, and I like to try out recipes once in a while, so comfort is a priority, and it seems that "modern" and "comfort" usually don't go together.

Wizardnm - since we're already on this topic, does your induction cooktop "tick" ? If not, please let me know the exact model/series, I would appreciate it.

Think about repair costs so get the extended warranty offered by Lowes. It gives you 5 years worry free. I like Whirlpool brand and KitchenAid on the higher end but it's owned by WP.

"I was thinking induction but I read many complaints on the ticking sound, and now I'm "on the fence" about it. Unless I see a really great review on induction, I think that's pretty much over for me."

From reading just about "All" the posts here, (GW), there is just one, or maybe 2 manufacturers that make induction units that "tick", and this is usually at low (Simmer) settings. Those companies are turning the induction unit on/off, trying to maintain a low temp.

Most manufactures don't use this method, they just feed the induction "Less Power" in order to maintain a low temp.
My Elux icon is such a unit, Dead Silent whether on boost or simmer (119 F).
You can verify this for yourself by watching the "Great Race", on Utube. The camera which is very sensitive as far as picking up sound, is placed right by the induction cooktop, and as you will see, there is no buzzing on boost (even with Cheap Emeril-ware--which we love) and no clicking during the 119 F simmer which went on for about an hour.

I can't recall any complaints about Miele induction units clicking either.

You will find many positive posts here (GW) about the satisfaction users have had with their induction units, Even former "Gassers"--usually a "Hardcore Crowd" (LOL)!

Wife made tacos last night, covered the cooktop with paper towels first---so cleanup was "Toss The Towels"---how can you beat that????

Our last Electric Bill was $47, and I'm told $150 is pretty much a "Normal" Electric bill in Yorba Linda CA.---so much of this is due to the induction units efficiency, as well as our oven and speed oven and fridge and our "Energy Efficient House" and of course the climate.

So don't let a "couple of clicks" scare you off from a great technology--Super fast boiling, Incredible controllability, Ease of cleanup-(Nutin come close)!
Clicks are "An exception to the rule" rather than the "Norm" , for Induction.

Good luck with your pending purchases!

Gary

Spend some time in the kitchen forum. (".... modern, geometric, clean lines.... ") Function first, and form follows. Layout. Drawers.

People who post first about appliances before anything else, end up going into the kitchen forum. Layout is more important than anything else at this stage.

Buy nothing in advance. Do not even plan to buy anything yet. It's OK to start making decisions about future appliances. To buy just because of special deals (that keep recurring anyway!), is not good. Once it's bought, your basic warranty starts running out. Renovating takes more time than you idealize. When you do start buying, you can get things gradually. Sink and dishwasher first, hood later.

Here is a link that might be useful: Defining the 'GW Kitchen'

Broaden your scope to include more appliances and devices.

Here is a link that might be useful: Out of the Ordinary

Below, each point can be supported with references to other threads where the points were discussed extensively.

1/
A freezer on bottom is ergonomically good. They make them with clear plastic drawers inside so you don't lose much cold air when you open the main drawer. At 36" wide, the upper portion is single door if you approach the fridge mostly from one side, and possibly french door if it's 50/50 from both angles.

2/ Consumer Reports has its limits. Widely documented in this forum.

3/ In threads past, many gas owners were happy to have switched to induction. Read http://theinductionsite.com/ (".... Unless I see a really great review on induction....")

4/
The two links in the two posts above contain a lot of information about your other topics
. warming drawer, microwave (built-in), ovens, toaster oven, etc. Look at speed ovens and convection ovens.
. dishwashers
. "vent hood over the cooktop": canopy capture volume. Not Futurofuturo type.

5/
It's sound and profitable to use your own money to pay for your own repairs when repairs are needed. Buy extended warrantees if you like blowing your money away to get the feeling you've done good. It's charity given to others. These pieces of paper produce a high yield to the salesperson and to the issuers. If you love doing good for the world economy, buy them. You will help others have a better lifestyle.

HTH