I recently finished a kitchen with dark base cabinets and off white uppers. The DW, range and microwave are black and the refrigerator is white, because it sits in an alcove by itself under an off white upper cabinet. I am not sure anyone has ever commented to the HO that the appliances don't match (although they have given their $0.02 about other things). The "rules" are subject to interpretation of context. That realtor rule has been beaten into our heads on shows like "Designed to Sell" I am not sure that people were so excited about it ten years ago.

I went through the same thing...only reversed. I have a black range and everything else is stainless. I have natural cherry cabinets which will darken over time. Initially, I didn't know what to do for the DW and fridge. I guess that I could have done paneled, but I am not a huge fan of hiding the appliances. My decision was made for me, because I bought them at a warehouse sale and stainless was what was available on sale. Here are some pictures. It is kind of hard to get the overall impression, but I think it looks OK.

I have a small galley-type kitchen...The house is old...I replaced with white kitchenaid dishwasher yrs ago and a white maytag with black top stove. Our frig is old and so this was the next appliance to replace. It was white also. However, I hated this big white side-by-side Sears Frig. I didn't want to buy stainless steel...thought it would stick out like a big bullet in my galley kitchen. Didn't want white either...too blah and hard to clean. So, I bought a pretty black stainless steel (sorta muted black on front) Whirlpool french door-type frig...I LOVE IT..it's the kind that doesn't show fingerprints...So, now....I wonder what color to paint my old oak cabinets with this old, but nice beigy, salmon color corian countertop...Anybody want to take a stab at this???? I can't replace the white other appliances...they are too new...but the black top stove does look nice with the frig...the dishwasher is across the aisle from them in white...

Stainless finishes have improved so much in the last few years. They are much easier to maintain than they used to be. When you go to look at appliances, look for a brushed-looking finish, and touch them everywhere. You'll see at once which ones will show finger prints. Avoid those. Otherwise, cleaning is pretty easy. By the way, that Samsung in white definitely dents, so just being white doesn't mean it's going to be low maintenance. As for the overall look, I don't think of stainless as fancy, it's more of a commercial look, or in your case, just consistent with your other appliances. Another alternative - scour ebay and Craigslist for panel-ready refrigerators. There are lightly used SubZeros and KitchenAids all over the place just waiting for panels. Just out of curiosity, what are you doing with your old fridge? Here's what I did with mine in the house I'm now living in, and the dw of the beach cottage I sold in 2010. No one else will recommend this by the way. I bought maple PSA (self adhesive) wood veneer, applied it to the front and sides of my bisque fridge and painted it white. It is absolutely beautiful. I like it even better than my sister's integrated panel fridge. You can try it on your old fridge and see if you like the effect. Painted wood next to painted wood is lovely. Don't do this on an appliance you're keeping if you haven't practiced first, or at least, start in the back. Just a thought.