FWIW, I think the black appliances will look fine with the style/type of kitchen you described. A visual from the other ajoining rooms would be fine (unless your fridge is cluttered like mine LOL). My new Kenmore Elite FD fridge has the water dispenser inside on the side, so no kids playing and lots of door room for storage. I also pruchased a convection oven, never had one before.......now I rarely cook with the standard roast/bake!!!! LOVE IT, same as the fridge!!!
The style of kitchen you described sounds nice. There are a few like that on the FKB, maybe take a look through a search of "black appliances".
Once you post your floor plan, lots of ppl with give you great ideas. If I did it over again, I'd post a open dimensions only plan and let others "go to it" for ideas, probably most I wouldn't have thought of on my own : )
HTH

Hi- wish I could be more help, but I am not done yet myself. I am about 2 weeks out from being "almost done" with a mostly DIY remodel. I have dark granite counters, tile-like laminate going in this week, and unstained mahogany cabinets that are a warm reddish tone. (Not too far off from "cider") I purchased a new SS fridge and black/SS range, but I'm keeping my old black dishwasher until it dies. I was worried about how it would look not only with the other mostly SS in the room, but with the wood and granite, and funny thing is, now that it is in, I LIKE it black!! Even when I buy new, I may not go to SS. I'll post a pic when the floor is done.

I have a hot-only water dispenser that I LOVE but I did see hot and cold models. They will be at least proportionately more expensive.

1. Black is fine, and I think will look especially nice with the dark counters.

2. As Sas. girl said, I think your only other option are the fridges with water dispenser inside. I know JennAir has that.

3. I do think the convection is worth extra money, especially for those baking jags of yours. Also, I honestly think it might be worth it to go a step beyond Frigidaire for the best, most consistent performance. The appliance forum is your best friend for such advice. I cook and bake a lot and have a large family. I've learned through the years that purchase cost and 'value' are not the same. Sometimes it's worth it to spend more at the outset to have a truly wonderful and lasting appliance. You have to consider the cost difference over the life of the appliance, and try to ignore the initial 'ouch.' Not saying you have to jump to Wolf...There are lots of options in between. Maybe check into Bosch.

Convection is especially great for multi-rack baking and for roasting meats.

4. It is nice to have fridge and pantry in close proximity to each other, and, of course, the prep zone. But it's more important to have the fridge handy to prep. There are a lot of priorities in the kitchen, and each room has its limitations. If the worst thing you have is that the pantry and fridge are separated, I'd say you're doing well. It's not something to make a big deal out of, I don't think. My pantry used to be in my basement and I was just happy to have it!

gangreen -- I absolutely concur that your black appliances will look fine in your new kitchen. (this is so exciting!)

About the convection -- DO IT! I'm an avid baker (and shall be again whenever our kitchen is done ...) and it makes a wonderful difference. Nowadays, convection ovens are really smart, so you won't have to do any adjusting of the temp / time. (in years past, you'd have to either bake at a lower temp and / or a shorter time to compensate for the efficiency of the convection oven)

Wait, I don't know how much more a convection is than a standard and I don't know your budget, but if you have the extra money then I'd like to strongly suggest you do it.

About the faucet for insta-hot / cold, you bet they make them! This is just one example (and I think it's the one we have in its box down in the basement awaiting installation ... cannot remember now!). Brasstech also makes it in many different styles (click here) as do other manufacturers. This is just what I could remember right now ....

Have fun planning -- you are without-a-doubt in the right spot!

SK girl: Frankly, I'm hoping that the fact the fridge will be visible from the LR will help me eliminate the "clutter" that appears on it. BTW - We have good friends who live in Saskatoon as well as my lifelong best friend who just moved from Southey to Calgary. Small world!

SK and rhome: I looked at the models with the water dispenser in the fridge. At first I thought they were cool. Then, I wondered if they might be a bit more problematic, especially with the kids. Wouldn't they drip more? As we've never had ice in the door before, getting ice for my weekly vodka/soda isn't at issue. For me, it's all about the water.

muscat: Please post pictures when you've finished - I'll be watching for them! I did see the hot/cold dispensers. A bit spendy. Still pondering.

rhome: I'll look into the Bosch. I had to laugh at your multi-rack baking. I can hardly wait! Our oven is so small I can only get one small cookie sheet in there at a time. Drives me insane! Holiday cooking is ever-so-special here. I'll have to revisit the plans. In thinking through things, it sure would be nice to have the pantry close by. I can see that it would be very convenient, both in terms of meal prep but also in terms of putting away the groceries. My mantra currently is "priorities, priorities, priorities." Off to do some searching.

Thanks everyone!

Gangreen- I have a bosche dual fuel range with convection......it is the main reason I'm so eager to get the floor in so I can plug that thing in!!!!!!! It has been sitting in my garage for 6 months :). Now it is sitting in my diningroom.....My parents have exactly the same model(have had it almost 2 years), and they LOVE it. Cost effective, too, compared to a lot of other mid to high end units. I have used my parents' one a few times, and I was super impressed. So hopefully soon I'll have pictures AND a range review!!!!!

Okay, you've convinced me. I'm off looking at other options.

I am, however, more comfortable in my decision to go with black appliances.

I've also just finished speaking with my BIL who is executive chef at a private yacht club in the Pacific NW, and he highly encouraged convection.

Thanks

I have the duel faucet Everpure system with a filter, instant hot and chilled water. I love it and it is one of the best things about my remodel. I didn't want to get through the door ice/water because that breaks quickly. Here's a pic of my sink area--the duel faucet is on the right. It all fits under my 33 inch sink base but that is all I can put in there.

Here's exactly the components that I have:
EverCold Everpure Undersink Water Chiller # WIC302S
ICE COLD Clean Clear Water at the Touch Of a Button,

EverHot Everpure Instant Hot Water System # LVH600
(Tank and Faucet) Can get another style

EV9282-01 / Everpure H-1200 Cartridge Set # EV928203 / EV928201

Here is a link that might be useful: Superwater

Definitely go with convection if you can afford it! I use (or used when I had a kitchen!) it for just about everything...baking, roasting meats, baking potatoes, etc...pretty much anything you put in the oven you can use convection for!

You've had answers to most questions already, but I will put in my 2 cents...

1. Yes, I think black appliances will look fine w/dark granite, etc.

2. Yes, you can get hot & cold water dispensers. As to ice, if your budget and design allow, have you considered an ice maker? If you only use ice once a week or so, it's probably not worth the $$ or space it would take up, but it is another option.

4. Ditto what Rhome said! I wouldn't sweat it if the refrigerator & pantry are separate.

Good luck!