I am suffering some of your dilemma. I have decided to mix and match appliances to get the best of each. That's the most important thing to me. Based on my budget, much advice, and lots of reviews, I think I've settled on a LG fridge. You can't beat a Bosch DW, IMHO. I will probably keep the one I have. As to cooking, I have a current KA range, only 7 years old, and it has been a piece of junk. I swore never again, and yet . . . I keep looking at their wall ovens. All the local appliance shops recommend them. But AJMadison shows few reviews for KA. Reviews for Electrolux Wave Touch ovens are glowing and plentiful. KA styling is flatter and more integrated into the cabinetry, perhaps. It is bland in a good way. Elux is much more distinctive. Well, not much help here, but some things to think about. Good luck with your choices.

For the most part, the standard advice is to shop around for the best of each appliance regardless of manufacturer. For instance, while GE makes a great range, their refrigerators tend to be lacking. Both Icon and Monogram score high in my book for dual fuel range/gas rangetop, & wall oven. I am not at all impressed with either brand's refrigerators. Everytime I open an Icon refrigerator I am disappointed--the exterior wrapping looks so nice then the inside is just a let down. I didn't want to be depressed everytime I went for something in the fridge so I crossed them off my list. Anyway, back to the topic at hand--manufacturers want you to buy all your appliances from them and that's why they run those rebates. Often you can find just as good an overall deal by shopping piece by piece. The only place I find it common to have all one brand of appliance is in builder houses where they are getting a killer deal with no sales tax either by doing so. In our home, we went with the Monogram 36" 6 burner rangetop, Monogram double oven, Monogram hood (only got the hood in Monogram because of the $1,000 rebate with that combo and I really didn't have a hood brand preference), 2 KA dishwashers and a Samsung refrigerator. Mom has a Viking 36" 6 burner rangetop, Miele double oven, 2 Bosch dishwashers and a KA refrigerator. The appliances coordinate nicely in both homes and neither of us have anyone comment on whether or not they all matched brandwise. Hope this helps & happy hunting!

I would stay clear ofElectrolux refrigerators. I was told that Electrolux products were good quality. How far from the truth! Mine (E23CS75DSS, side-by-side, counterdepth) has been a major disappointment. Many of my problems started right away. * The seal on the freezer must not be tight, because shortly after I bought it a had a pound of dead ants on the bottom shelf of the freezer. * It is very loud and runs almost constantly. My 30 year old GE was less noisy. * The coating, that is supposed to make the stainless steel smudge-proof works very well, but shortly after we bought it it started to bubble up. *The doors are not aligned. One is higher than the other and sticks further out. * It is supposed to a counter depth. That is absolutely not true. When the doors are opened all the way they will hit the edge of your counter top. * The doors are supposed to have a mechanism that prevents them from flying open past a 40 degree angle, unless you want them too. That "stop" does not work anymore. Now we have to hold the door in a position that will keep it from hitting the counter top. * By year two some sticky brown fluid had leaked out of the bottom right door hinge, causing it too creak very loudly when being opened. I get sick to my stomach when I think that I paid over $2000 for this. It is not worth more than $500. Unfortunately due to the reputation of Electrolux in Europe we did not think that we needed to buy the extended warranty.

I very rarely post but have been researching the same items for some time. This site is so wonderful and has been a great resource for me the past few years. Just a little background: Im in my mid-thirties, single and a Realtor(15yrs). Since I was 17, I have renovated (by myself) old homes (often historic) that most other people would have given up on. I move every 2-4 years and purchase all new fixtures and appliances for every property as I restore it. I'm a stickler for quality over all else. Makes it easier for everyone. They have high quality, nearly new everything! and I get to buy my newest appliance fetish (even better). Here is my take on the research I have done. Certainly, its just my opinion but I hope that there is something helpful that you can glean from it. * I STRONGLY AGREE with members (lascatx, plumbly22,et al.) who suggest going to a local small appliance store and asking questions. They are a wealth of knowledge and most have first hand experience of their product (esp. if the carry high-end products). One time I saw a lady come in w/ a whole chicken to "test drive" an advantium oven! Generally, small stores are extremely accommodating, they want you to be HAPPY- Their business relies on it. *The capacity of Electrolux models (above) are the largest available. In other words, If it doesn't fit in ELUX,then it won't fit in any other W/D that is currently offered. Most companies offer machines of comp. capacity. *Electrolux owns Whirlpool. The lower end of Electrolux kitchen appliances and made by Whirlpool and branded w/ both. The higher end kit.appls are not- (sim. to designers lending their name/designs to affordable retail stores- same name but not the same product from that designer at a boutique). Electrolux is price protected and won't do'scratch and dent' if an item is delivered and has blemish/flaw they send an entirely new item to replace it, not parts and pieces. *I too was concerned about ELUX being new to W/D manufacturing. After research and visiting their site, I learned that they are not new to W/D. They have been making them for the european commercial and residential markets for 50 or so years. (I know that it doesn't ensure that new design will be without flaws- but that does make me feel better that they didn't decide last year to make w/d because it really sounded like a "good idea"). * I have decided to purchase the IQ-touch and not wave touch. They will be stacked in my Laundry (dryer door reverses so they can open the same direction). After a year or so of contemplation, I don't think the steam feature is for me. I actually like the LESS expensive one better- that has never happened! :) I originally had purchased an LG steamwasher(red) specifically for the STEAM feature from Box store. I suffered a severe hand injury while doing renovation work and couldn't have it delivered for some time.Only after very helpful reviews here- decided not to purchase and fought tooth and nail (for nearly a year to get my $$ back). Obviously, I don't want to be in that same boat again. Its the only time I haven't bought an appliance from my local store (they didn't carry LG- and more recently have decided not to due to such mixed reviews and customer service issues). * Please don't think that I am saying that the Electrolux is the best, but I think that it is the clear choice for me and it should bode well from years to come. FYI, I have heard GREAT things from my appliance people about the SAMSUNG w/d and the balancing system, They also have very good things to say about the MIELE W/D. Mind you they do not sell either brand but keep up-to-date on their ENTIRE industry. Sorry this is so long, I hope its helpful. Ive learning after purchasing nearly 7 entire kitchens and laundry sets in the past 18 years, that there will be some items I'll love and be thrilled with and others not so much. So the more hands on research, asking questions to the people who know first hand, and diligence will payoff when you're thrilled with your purchase. Wise choice coming here, ppl have such good ideas and are so sharing. Best ofluck and let us know what you decide- :) September.