I was railing about that fourth kitchen then it ended up winning. Also I couldn't figure out how you were supposed to load the dishwasher when the door opened up in front of the sink.

I couldn't help noticing none of the refrigerators had panels on the sides. Looked pretty tacky for supposedly spiffed-up kitchens.

They do the same thing on Flip and Flop...these guys are trying to get in and out with materials that are low cost but look nice on initial inspection. A OTR microwave is a big cost saver because it is much cheaper than an elaborate range hood. Many average buyers consider it to be an upgrade over a plain jane range hood, not understanding the ergonomic and ventilation downfalls. Definitely not the kind of stuff that the detail obsessed people on here would go for.

I was wondering how they're handling the (non) venting of the range in the winning kitchen, "moved the stove and cooktop to the kitchen island in order to make the cooking space more functional in this newly-renovated space."

But, who cares? Pretty floors and colors.

I'm so glad I found you all here at GW or I would have said "cool kitchens!" and never noticed the functional issues. Or aesthetic details like lack of fridge enclosures. Or understood why OTR micros are a bad idea for both venting and safety issues due to height.

Modern Beach House Reno: One-butt kitchen. No room for one person at sink and another at the range. Useless over-fridge cabinet. No landing space for fridge or to the right side of the range. Love the fun mural.

Traditional Beach Chic: No fan. Is there any overhang on the bar for the folks sitting on the stools? I sure can't see one. How comfy would that be? Not.

Traditional Nautical: DW really far from sink. No landing space for fridge or to the left side of the range. Ropes on the cabinet pulls? Can you say dirty, filthy, grease-catchers? Maybe 2-3" overhang for bar stool seating.

Blue & Gray: Yet another not enough overhang for seating at bar. And no room to walk down that space behind bar when people are sitting there so people will have to walk through the work zone instead. Or kick people off the stools. Or squeeze. Probably the most functional layout of the bunch though.

Ye gads! And these were designed by pros, eh? KD's or just decorators? Well, they are all pretty anyway.

Too bad there isn't a "none of the above" choice.

I still like the Red and Grey the best but would figure out something with the island. I mean with the eating area so close by, do you really need to sit at an island? So probably would scoot it against the opposite wall or add some narrow cabinets there.

Gotta say: I really love the furniture in that little eating area. Are there any sources listed anywhere?

I believe all the furniture is donated by Joss and Main, and the flooring is donated by Lumber Liquidators. They have to use their budget to buy everything else, including hiring contractors.

Okay - pardon the hijack for one second.. OTR micros are bad!? I did my entire kitchen using this site as my sounding board. How did I miss that? I have one. I guess I'll just have to suffer the shame. Although 2+ years into my new kitchen and it's not been a problem. I purposely put it there because with young kids, I didn't want in my peninsula, where they could push buttons on it all day or accidently microwave something unsupervised.

The major arguments against are that they don't move enough CFM's and are noisy.

The other concern with an OTR microwave is that the position is not ideal for use as a microwave--too high. And that is compounded if you have short people using it or if you microwave anything heavy. My twelve year old is capable of fixing things himself in the microwave and has been since he was ten, but he is just now five feet tall which is still too short to safely use an OTR microwave, IMO. I am five seven and I disliked getting heavy casseroles out of my mom's OTR microwave--I was always afraid it would slip and I would break her smooth top cooktop.

OTR microwaves are pretty heavily discouraged around here. But I do think there are some times when they make sense and if you are happy with yours that's great!

crl is right, Rebecca, there are no rules. It's your kitchen. In my DS's Upper East Side apartment with its tiny kitchen, an OTR MW was the only real option. My DD and I are both too short for OTR MW. My MW is on the counter, next to the toaster oven, and that is considered a (double) no-no by many. But we use both appliances every day, and that's what works for us. So hold your head high in your new kitchen (especially when getting things out of your MW!).

But it is funny - whenever I look at kitchens on TV, the first thing I look for is a hood. Forget the OTR MW, many have nothing up there at all, like in that picture.

What about the blue stripe where the cabinet over the fridge doesn't even go to the end of the fridge?

Thanks Ya'll! I think I am going to hold my head up high - 5ft.7 inches high:) And my DH is 6 ft. 2 so after reading this I think having the OTR micor is actually a good decision after all! I don't ever micro large quantities of feed - mostly just popcorn or beverage re-heat or, spaghettios for the kids.

What night does this show air, I"ll have to criticize it to pieces - ahem, I mean, check it out..:) !

There's not much of a backsplash for the unvented range. I wouldn't want to be sitting across from it when someone was frying bacon.

It's on HGTV Sunday night at 9:00 pm eastern time.

I have a similar layout in my small kitchen, but put a higher bar top behind my gas cooktop. I also hung an island hood. Originally, the counter was all one level and there was no exhaust :o

We own a condo by the beach and opted for no vent above the range as we saw some of the other units were doing it. It's perfectly fine and we have had it for 10 years! We have 10 foot ceilings and there is nothing above the range, just like in the pic. You have to consider that these are vacation homes where mostly light cooking is done. Also, you are at the beach, presumably good climate where the windows are open and you enjoy the ocean breeze. All cooking smells are drawn out. Even when we got a cold snap in the winter in Miami and cook with the windows closed, it's still fine. There are no stains on the ceiling whatsoever above the space where you cook, and it's painted with white flat paint. Ventilation is overrated at the beach lol.