These are the same color cabinets we are using!

Deborah, we recently did our kitchen. My husband and I made a list of what appliances we had and what we wanted - features, colors options...etc. Pros and cons of each. ( I made a folder to hold every thing...from magazine clippings to pintrest print outs). I rarely cook. but he is more creative when he does. That said...we wanted to keep the Fridge which was only 2yrs old...stainless steel, Samsung - so that kind of forced me to stick with that look. the new dishwasher, oven/microwave wall unit were also Samsung...what we chose for the stove top was not Samsung as they do not carry a 36" electric cook top, that is touch button only, no bevel, adjustable range size and in black. I think the designer was having palpitations...over that wee fact. but are super happy with the results.

Thank you for the information, so you have any pictures of the outcome?

One thought--go to an independent dealer. You'll save money over the big-box stores and have an increased selection.

Most 'independent' dealers are members of huge buying cooperatives that buy more appliances than the big guys, so their buying power is great and their lower overhead is passed along to you. We saved a few hundred dollars on both the stove and fridge, slightly less on the dishwasher.

They also carry lines by the manufacturers that aren't sold through the big-box stores, as well as the lines that are. More variety and options (i.e.: washers and dryers that are designed to easily come apart and reassemble to get into cellars).

What's your budget? $2000 for the package or $20,000?

For electric a Bosch 800 slide-in induction range has 17 power levels of power control for the cooktop. 800 Series. Benchmark is also available. Bosch and Miele have induction cooktops. Miele here. and Bosch here. I have a Miele dw. with the cutlery tray. like this one. Bosch also makes good models. Both these suppliers are open to further price negotiation on packages beyond what appears on their websites. Free shipping and no tax in most cases. I wouldn't install an OTR micro.

I'm in a similar situation - all new appliances - for a remodel of my future home, not new build. Regarding refrigerators, research has been very disappointing in that essentially every brand and every price range has mediocre reviews at best for reliability. The only models that do better in that department are the standard freezer on top types without an ice maker or water dispenser. (That explains why the fridge in my current home is still going strong after 19 years.) I will be going with a French door model, but will forgo the ice maker and water dispenser and hope for the best.

Since you are building from scratch, you have the opportunity for proper exhaust of your cooktop. Don't do an OTR MW. Put in a proper hood, and while building, make sure the exhaust duct that goes from the hood to out the house is an 8" diameter. Don't let your builder tell you a smaller size is fine. You will be happy with your exhaust the minute you make a hamburger.

I just finished a remodel of the kitchen which included all new appliances.

As others have posted, what is your budget?

My kitchen is relatively small but I deliberately didn't get a OTR microwave for several functional reasons: - venting doesn't work well; over the stove means that the height isn't convenient. If the stove is being used, there is no good place to put things. A lesser consideration is that steam and heat from the stove seems to cause the appliance to break down more quickly.

I opted for a Bosch side opening wall oven for ergonomic reasons as it is placed at the optimum height for me - not too high and not too low. Because it opens from the side, I can reach in from the front of the oven versus having to access from the side.

Because I have limited space, I put a microwave drawer under the oven. It has tilt up controls and so it works well for me functionally. I don't have to stoop to access the controls and I don't have to lift items above my head.

I am also limited to electric appliances and opted for a Bosch induction cooktop. Mine is the Bosch Benchmark which I chose because I liked the flexible burners. I also liked the way the controls work as I can access the heat setting directly instead of having to run through all the settings. If my budget was "unlimited" I would have gotten the Gaggenau induction cooktop because you can literally place a pot any place on the surface but I didn't want to pay $10,000 for it.

I went with a Bosch dishwasher because I was replacing a Bosch dishwasher that was purchased in 2004 and was still working fine. It was quiet - so quiet that you can't tell it is on and I have to place my hand on the counter to see if there is a slight vibration. Miele dishwashers are also excellent.

Refrigerators were the hardest appliance in terms of making a decision. I ultimately went with a KA because the model I chose is 72" instead of the more standard 69" which gives it more of a built in look. I also opted for one that accepts panels as I didn't want the wall with my refrigerator and dishwasher to be dominated by stainless steel since that "wall" is the first thing one sees upon entering my condo and I wanted the wood cabinetry and the copper farmhouse sink to be the visual "stars".

I think that one should select each appliance based on the individual merits rather than just buying the same brand. However, as it turned out, my dishwasher, induction cooktop and oven were all Bosch because they were exactly what I wanted anyway.

Purchase from an established independent retailer - one that has their own service techs on-site. The so-called "service contracts" offered by the Big Box stores oft require you to wait weeks for service if it is needed.

Get induction, not radiant heat electric. Induction is super responsive, powerful and does not allow anything to bake onto the surface, making cleanup a breeze. New induction compatible cookware (magnetic) is available at Costco or Amazon relatively inexpensively.

Thank you everyone for the input! Our budget is between $3,000 and $4,500 I'm not sure about doing the drawer type microwave and absolutely don't want it on the counter but the ventilation is definitely not what it is with the vent hood. I'll go look at the independent stores for sure!

I use Tramontina cookware (available on-line and at Walmart) on my induction cooktop, very reasonably priced. Independent retailers change their displays every so often, the display models are frequently offered at a discount...ask.

While I really wanted to support the local independent guy, I created a spreadsheet and I just couldn’t beat my net cost from Best Buy including installation and delivery. Especially since Best Buy/Pacific will match any local price. The savings was over a $1000.

I didnt take up any sales people time as I pretty much did all my research in the internet amd then called various places with the appliances I wanted to get their best all in price so I didn’t feel guilt.

I had had no issues with installation and if I need repairs I will just use whatever the certified repair person was.

here it. sorry for the mess...my grandkids cooked.

"sorry for the mess...my grandkids cooked."

Isn't it funny, nobody ever says "my grandkids cleaned." ;-)