Mine are only 11.5! We re-used our 80 year old cabinets (all new insides and refinished) and in 1927 when they built houses, that's what they did. The downside -- very few appliances will fit under, but that's alright with me because I want them put away off the counter. The toaster and the Breville convection oven both fit (the Breville, just barely). The upside -- the plates and dishes inside are very easy to reach. I'm 5'3". Now 11 would be way too low for most people but going lower than the standard 18 can have its benefits.

Everyone has been SO helpful. I am SO grateful for this process. If I was not caught in a bind, I would not have visited Westwood to stumble on the chance on finding my beloved beloved Mountain White Danby marble. Then my fabricator called the suppliers (VT Quarries) and they have slabs in the size I need (so I only need to purchase 2 slabs: yay), and they should arrive w/in 3 weeks! I also love the fact that I'm supporting local business (from VT - I've been to this quarry). As soon as I saw the Danby, I knew I that I have moved completely away from Carrara. The love for Carrara was gone. I really thank the Westwood marble and granite website. If it weren't for their pricing listed, I would have concluded that all Danby were out of my budget. So use the website to figure out what you may like... With my cabinets and medium stain flooring (but on maple instead): Mountain White on Left; Carrara on Right. See how grey the carrara slab is?

I bought mine from environmentallights.com and the light bars had diffuser covers that pretty much got rid of the glare and evened out the lighting. Perfect 3000k warm color and I am glad that I chose the in-wall line voltage dimmer since I use it all the time. That does require a large transformer but they sell everything. I sent in my layout, then consulted on the phone with my preferences, and they created a plan and a shopping cart for me. Great service with exchanges when I realized that my 14 inch cabinets could not fit a 12 inch light due to wall thickness and needing to fit the wire that comes out the end of the light bar (exchanged for LED puck lights instead).

Thanks everyone, you've given me some great input. Anitamo, Thanks for the photos, I had trouble finding any that showed a surround with open shelving! I agree the photo with the surround does look better. Crl and Ienazi, Unfortunately, I already bought a stainless steel counter depth model. But, those Big Chill and Smeg models look amazing! I have a terra-cotta Lacanche range on it's way which is European, vintage and I really want that to be the focal point of the kitchen. Oaktown and Designsaavy, I agree the finished sized does look best. And I like the idea of a cart or piece of furniture on the side. My overall design plan is more of an old world European style. If only I could find a surround that looks more like a piece of old furniture. Lavendar_Lass, I agree and many of the European kitchens I've been in that is the same today, appliances just out where ever they fit. Many of the kitchens appear as if the kitchen came together over the years (which I'm sure they did) This was the inspiration for my original decision to just leave the refrigerator in the open and the surrounds I saw, at least yesterday felt too modern. Amber, Crl, and Cluelesincolorado, I also gave in on the water dispenser, I hope I don't regret it! Thanks again!