Love those pix, Denita. My microwave is over my stove and I wish I did not put it there. It gets so dirty, even though I have a Jenn-Air downdraft vent in the gas stove.

I agree that it is much easier to maintain both areas. Plus if you have more than one cook in the kitchen it seems to be a traffic jam area..one on the range and the other just popping something into the micro for a minute!

Thanks! I live in Manhattan and given the layout of my kitchen it has to go above the range. One side of the microwave will be exposed so I was trying to see if anyone knew of a brand that was finished on the sides.

Did you find a microwave? I have the same problem, a contractor told me they make microwaves with finished sides. I think the higher end brands have sides that are meant to be exposed. A cabinet designer also suggested a trim piece but I might go with the exposed side. This is an LG microwave I am considering I think the side would look fine exposed. http://www.lg.com/us/microwave-ovens/lg-LMH2016ST-over-the-range-microwave

I have a Kenmore Elite with finished sides.

I've had no luck!