newbieremodeler -- I think I should have your screen name! Definitely describes me, too. I love my Bosch dishwasher, Evolution 800 series. It has tons of flexibility, with fold-down and height-adjustable racks, short/light cycles, etc. The "quiet" factor was also an issue for me, and Bosch dishwashers are great for quiet functioning. You can't even tell it's on when you're in the same room! Some GW members have complained about loading a Bosch -- but the model I chose had the max flexibility. It wasn't as "pretty" as some of the others, but a great appliance overall. Some models that look nice don't have the adjustable racks. I also posted this on the appliance forum & got a good response, with lots to think about -- you might check it out, if you haven't already. Here is a link that might be useful: Bosch dishwasher

So glad to come across this post. I am in nearly the same position. A 30" gas Kenmore Elite is supposed to show up next week and I am not excited! Nearly all my research on the Kenmore was positive and price wise it was good. I wanted a 30" gas burner, convection oven, slide in. Reading not so good reviews on the GE Cafe or any others such as KA or Electrolux (and and a significant up in price from the Kenmore) - sent me to the Kenmore. But honestly I don't trust the back control panel to last long & really don't like the look or need the features. I just want to turn the stove and burners on and off. We seriously considered the Bertazzoni but the oven was way too small (it is very pretty and basic functioning) and next thing we know are looking at Wolf for more than 3x the price of the Kenmore! It is amazing how you can mentally upgrade. We love to cook but spent the last 4 years with an ancient hotpoint that only had three functioning burners and was fine (my husband not so much :) I am glad to hear good things about the Cafe & others. Any more input on those 30" slide in "mid range" stoves - KA, Electrolux, GE - would be wonderful. And I am going to check out the NXR. Thanks.

Yes, as Sayde notes, I have a red range and hood. It's not on the FKB as yet. But it's here: To me, you're either up for a red range and hood or you're not. I think that's why, as Breezygirl notes, you won't see that combo around these parts -- or anywhere for that matter-- very often. I recall labeling that design decision as having taken "the plunge." I knew for sure that it would set me apart from the crowd and that some would see it, judge it and hate it. Others would see it and love it. But most of all, it was what I loved and wanted! BTW, the inspiration for such came from Redrange, a former active member here on GW. Once I saw her fantastic kitchen, I was convinced it would be more than alright to solicit and listen to the advice of the crowd but in the end, to follow the beat of my own drummer -- one who was insistent on banging out a red range and hood rhythm for my kitchen. I've never since regretted getting down with that beat. :-) I do hear your concern about what to do if you ever change out the range. To be honest, when I began this reno, I went into it thinking that this would be my forever kitchen in my forever house. As such, I did not put much worry into the "what ifs" with respect to moving, appliance failure, resale, etc. In the end, that may be short sighted on my part. But, for now, and for as far into the future as I can see, I'm living in the kitchen of my dreams -- red range, red hood and all! :-)

You know, I agree with you that the island perpendicular to the window wall doesn't feel as right as the island parallel to the window wall. Interesting. I stopped and thought about why that would be. My first thought was that, with the island perpendicular to the window wall, the end of the island closest to the living room now feels as if it's intruding into the walkway between the kitchen and living room. Even though the island ends in line with the side of the fridge closest to the living room, the island still feels as if it's intruding. However, when I look at the island parallel to the window, I also think the end of the island closest to the dining room feels as if it is intruding into the dining room. Even though the island ends in line with the side of the perimeter cabinet closest to the dining room, the island still feels as if it's intruding. So when you're standing in the living room, you like the perpendicular-to-the-window-wall island orientation less (because the island feels as if it's intruding towards you). And when you're standing in the dining room, you'll like the parallel-to-the-window-wall island orientation less (because the island feels as if it's intruding towards you). Given all that, I actually think this shape island (posted earlier upthread) feels the best from both perspectives: That is because the island is completely and clearly inside the invisible borders of the kitchen as delineated by the side of the fridge closest to the living room and the side of the perimeter cabinet closest to the dining room. A square (ish) island doesn't even touch the borders -- it's well inside them by a foot or two, making it impossible for the island to feel as if it's intruding into another room. This home layout is so open that it lacks some of the normal cues (walls/doorways/floor changes) marking where the kitchen ends and another room begins. So in this island's case, a setback from the technical kitchen border helps to clarify things. The island's definitely in the kitchen and only in the kitchen. Here is an edited version that stops the island a foot or two short of the borders in both directions: I'd recommend having seating just on the living room side of the island. Seating on the dining room side puts those chairs back to back with dining room chairs, and I always think that looks/functions a bit oddly.