Breasley, I think you have it backwards. Clad cookware usually means stainless, with a layer of aluminum (or copper, on really high end stuff, or both, sometimes) sandwiched between the SS. This serves several purposes, the most important of which is evening out the heat so there are no hot spots. The better pieces have the nonferrous layer rolled a little up the sides, in a tub-like effect. If you haven't used stainless cookware before, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First and foremost, read, and understand, the manufacturer's instructions for use and cleaning. Never use high heat. It's unnecessary, to begin with, and can cause problems with the finish ranging from staining to separation of the laminates. Do not put stainless in the dishwasher unless the manufacturer specifically says you can. When buying stainless, get items with metal handles, so they can be used on the range or in the oven. But here's a strange thing: Because it's totally made of metal, stainless can be used on top of the range or in the oven. However, some makers caution to _not_ use their products under the broiler. Almost all manufacturers, and certainly all the high-end ones, offer sets. While there may be some cost savings with sets, buying them is usually not a good idea, because they may not have the products that fit your cooking style. It's better to buy the ones you need, from open stock. Keep in mind, too, that you might find Brand A's skillets more to your liking, while Brand B's sauce pans fit you better. Obviously, you cannot mix and match with sets. There are lots of great companies out there, making all sorts of stainless cookware across the full spectrum of prices. I won't make any recomendations except to point out that in my experience All-Clad's customer service ranges from slim to non-existent. As a result, I'll never have another All-Clad product in my house. FWIW, Emerilware is made by All-Clad (in China, though, not domestically), so I'll never buy any of that, either.

Thank you gsciencechick for the information on Lowe's even willing to cut the tiles for me if I mark them since that could be an option for me after my busy season since there is a tile another member liked that is reasonably priced and special order that I would like to buy a few pieces as a sample to see if it would look nice in my kitchen. The blue pearl granite you used that includes the washer cabinet buildup and the plumbing connection sounds reasonable but you are right that you live in a more reasonable cost State of NC. I will have to look into this. I love hidden hinges and that is what I want if possible if not I will live with new hinges that are seen. Congratulations on three happy years of marriage! I am happy for you. I hope one day to meet my soul-mate or someone that I would want to spend the rest of my life together with and who would love fixing up our home together. Of course if he is handy, that would help.

My white fridge had a few dents in it...it's not that textured surface, it's a smooth surface so that may be the difference. The dents annoy me though. My stainless appliances don't have any dents yet and fingerprints are easy to wipe clean, they don't bother me much and are limited to the handle area. My kids don't paw at the stove (they know not to touch it because you never know when it's on) and they don't use the dishwasher because I'd rather just load that myself so little fingers aren't on the appliances. With toddlers I can see fingerprints being an issue but my youngest is 3 1/2 and he doesn't bother with the appliances. Now the handle on my old white stove was YUCKO all the time as is the white handles on my current fridge. I wish they could make those out of a material that doesn't look dingy and yellow after a time. I know my microwave had a nicer handle, smooth and easy to clean.

ginny20, I couldn't find a link to the TED talk. Love TED. I love the look of SS appliances and have never understood the fuss about keeping them clean and finger-print free. Maybe I lucked out and got better finishes (even though my stainless are lower-end ones). I dunno. I'm also the first to say "screw trends" (and I've been known to say it with more "colorful" words!) There are some kitchens that just scream for white or black appliances. Or fun colored ones. So get whatever you like best and what works for your space. I've found HD to be reat to work with. If your item hasn't shipped yet, I bet you can cancel without any fees. Or if there is a fee, it will probably be a small one. I'd pay the cancellation fee before I'd pay for something that I know I'm not going to like.