I would start with getting the specific grade (SAE 304 or 400 or whatever) and finish of the stainless steel that Fisher & Paykel uses on your dishwasher model. This way, you can compare âÂÂthe numbersâ to the other appliances. All brands should have that sort of information available to customers - if not online then call each company and ask them. Keep in mind that even though a lot of stainless steel types may look nice at the beginning, over time the cheaper grades of steel get discolored. So do some research on the quality, and go for good brands only - you get what you pay for.

Even from the same manufacturer, the stainless finishes may vary slightly from appliance to appliance. My KA fridge, DW and compactor all have brushed SS finishes but if you look really closely, they're all slightly different. Also my DCS range and GE MW have a shinier SS but it really looks ok. Generally, you won't notice the differences in your kitchen unless you get one of the fake stainless finishes. You should really pick your appliances by function and feature, not by matching finishes.

Usually you can call and request a sample from the company. I would make sure to tell them the specific appliance you are interested in because they can use different grades of stainless depending on what the appliance is going to be used for. Like heat resistance, corrosion resistance, etc. The stainless at the hardware store would most likely not match the kind that would be used on your appliance.

I can certainly understand that you'd like your appliances to match, I feel the same way. I do notice the color/finish differences in various grades of stainless (unfortunately) I say "unfortunately" because I wish they did all look the same to me. ItâÂÂs more of a headache to find the appliances you like and have them all match. I can sympathize with you, LOL.

Good luck with your choices! :o)

dandridge - Thank you and glad you understand my concern.

Yes, alexstanton & weissman both of you are right ⦠I should be concentrating more on the functions of the appliance rather then the finishes but hereâÂÂs my teeny issue.

I found a hood which I like the style and quietness of, its a Futuro Futuro Luxor, but after talking to one of the sales reps he said that the âÂÂFaSteelâ (fingerprint free coating) stainless steel is matte. Should I still be worried that the finishes arenâÂÂt the same? Have you seen any appliance with a FaSteel coating, and is it similar to the âÂÂregularâ steel?

I don't have any personal experience with the "FaSteel" coating, I have seen some stainless with the fingerprint resist coating/finish, and I know for me, it looked different than the regular more polished stainless. I don't remember the brand I viewed it on, but I think it was a lower cost appliance, so the finish is probably different than what you are looking at with the hood.

I know a lot of people mix finishes, and it seems to blend well. Do you like matte finishes, or do you like more of a shiny/polished look?

I looked up actual pics (versus the CGI looking ones that you see the manufacturers post) of the F&P D/W drawers and of the Futuro Futuro Luxor hood, and online the colors appear to look like they match well together. Also the F&P didn't appear to be overly shiny compared to the hood. That probably doesnâÂÂt help you much though.

Unless you are in a real time pinch, you might want to call F&P and Futuro and see if you can get samples of both, that way you can carry them with you when you look at appliances. I ordered a Kohler faucet color sample kit and I got it in about 3 days, I was very impressed! It made my decision much easier to see the sample and hold it in my hand. Good luck! :o)

Thank you very much for all your help. It turns out that the company does offer "samples" - so I'll take it from there. You're right it does should like it'll make my decide easier having the actual materials to look at. Happy holidays everyone & Thank You once again.

Oh, that's great news! Happy holidays to you as well and good luck with your appliance shopping! :o)

i know some appliances come in stainless and platinum

what is the platinum finish made of