Stainless steel.

agreed, SS would be the most versatile option.

Everyone keeps telling me that SS ALWAYS looks smudged! How do you live with that reality???

I've had good results polishing my stainless with a little olive oil. It keeps the smudging down.

SS for a more dramatic look. Olive oil will keep fingerprints down or opt for a 'stainless look' for the appliance material if available.

Charlize. Stainless Steel. How were you able to take the two photos of the kitchen, one with white appliances, and the other one with stainless steel appliances?
HoneyB, Ek -- do you put a little olive oil on the entire stainless steel surface? On the whole fridge, the oven, stove top, and the dishwasher ?

Olive oil should be applied to the entire surface. The key is to use as little as possible.

HoneyB, thanks. What's the technique to apply "as little as possible" ? If there's a thin coat of olive oil on all the stainless steel surface, does it not get sticky and have an oily, greasy feeling to all the stainless steel surfaces on the touch ? And, doesn't the olive oil gather (trap) more dust ?

Thanks for all your comments, But I do know how to clean the stainless steel, my question is if you had a choice with colour of appliances which would you choose stainless or white in the above kitchen.

Stainless

Actually, I think the white appliances would look best in this small white kitchen as they give more continunity to the cabinets. Stainless breaks up the look too much. Nothing wrong with stainless, but sometimes I don't think it is the best choice.

If you do white I would do the white that looks like (or is) glass front so it matches your contemporary cabinets. I do like the white in that instance. Jenn air and whirlpool make them.

White opens the kitchen up visually.

Stainless.

white it will be so great and look clean and open space.

Stainless has become cookie-cutter boredom. On my kitchen remodel, I felt worried about the thousands it would take to switch to stainless when I have an excellent white fridge, a perfectly good white dishwasher, and an OK white microwave. Then I started seeing more white appliances on Houzz and the popular remodel TV shows. Then I stepped back and saw that my white appliances look great with my dark cabinets, and I refuse to engage with a consumer culture that drives people to spend spend spend driven by changing trends. I'm sticking with white for a range and, yes, even a white island range hood. I'm going with something that looks good in my kitchen rather than something some trend-maker tells me I must have. Let's break the mold.

I do agree with you goodforlife. Actually I think they both look good and it really ends up being a preference issue. The only problem I've encountered when appliance shopping is not every appliance in the brand I want is available in white. Stainless does seem to be more universal and provides a wider selection.

goodforlife.....Right on!

The newest color is called "white Ice" I think..2014---I have top of the line stainless 5 yrs old, I fell in Love with the white ice 2013 -2014 color...Stainless is ON it's way OUT...So buy accordingly. When I'm due I am changing. LOL

I really like the thought of the white ice, but unfortunately they don't have all the sizes available.

I decide on the stainless steel. But boy does it show the fingerprints. Good thing I live alone.

I think both white appliances and stainless steel ones are here to stay (black too). Styles of each will change (shapes, door handles, trim details), but all three are neutral enough to work in many different kitchens. White Ice appliances are simply the newest version of classic white appliances that have been around for a century. We had white glass front appliances in our kitchen (from GE and Jenn Air) in the 1990's. White Ice simply adds some nice lines and stainless steel trim accents. I agree, however, that these very specific details mean they don't mix as well with other white appliances that don't have the same accents. Stainless steel appliances from different manufacturers usually can be mixed and matched quite successfully, thus making them more versatile. But I don't think white and stainless steel as colors/materials for appliances are going out of style, only some of their detailing. And as others have noted, SS is the choice for professional chefs and restaurants.

I had white until a few years ago when I upgraded to stainless. When I had white, I kept hoping stainless was a passing trend, but it just doesn't seem to be passing :) I think it was Jenn Air that came out with bronze appliances a few years back and that trend just hasn't gathered much steam. I think white ice might be the same way. I finally gave up waiting and upgraded to stainless. I mixed and matched to get highly rated items in each category. I love them all and they really helped the look of my kitchen. Then recently, I replaced my large island Corian countertop with leathered quartzite. Now I really think my kitchen is looking great :) I think stainless will remain the most popular for a long while.
Charlize, with your cabinet hardware, stainless is perfect for your kitchen. If you have concerns about fingerprints, consider something like the Frigidaire Gallery line. That stainless finish is as easy to maintain as white or black.

Oops sorry Charlize, I see you've already decided. Glad you went with stainless.

I would go with stainless ... and a cool backsplash for sure!

Frigidaire and Miele are the only mfgs. who make a smudge-proof finish. Price difference (!) aside, Miele doesn't make either a French door counter-depth frig. nor an induction range-so I've chosen Frigidaire. Am going on Faith!

painted the kitchen, any suggestion for backsplash

Stainless, no doubt!

Whirlpool has the wire ice and its been out since 2012. Lowes carries it if you'd like to check it out. There is also a new GE colored called slate. Similar yo SS.