no matter if you going to modern or classic design .. try to buy dishwasher and fridge that you can apply custom panels is much more clean look.

please stay away from bisque... I really don't know the reason why they start making that color back in the '70 or '80.

my 2 euro cents :-)

We chose to panel for a couple of reasons. My husband wanted an integrated look, and I didn't want to clean fingerprints off of more stainless. Our built-in ovens and microwave are stainless. I like stainless and the ovens, in particular, with the features I was looking for were not offered in colors. I think stainless works even in a kitchen that isn't contemporary, but you should get what you like.

I like a panel for the dishwasher, which keeps the focus on the sink.

With the refrigerator, it depends on where it is located and how it looks with the rest of the cabinets. Sometimes the panels look fine, sometimes they look horsey or piece-y.

But if the refrigerate was viewable from the doorway or another room I might cover it up.

For me, bisque is a bit like a stepchild. Please don't be offended by that and certainly get what you want. But it's not a choice I'd consider over white or stainless.

I got cabinet panels for fridge and dishwasher because I'm just not a big fan of stainless. However I got stainless oven and cooktop because that color was the best option. I have very dark cabinets so didn't want more dark (black) appliances and the color scheme in my kitchen was more ivory/cream and white didn't go with that either. Plus I knew from past stainless sinks that smeary spotted stainless bugs me so the less of it the better for me.

Our KD convinced me to panel the DW. I've never been a big fan of cabinet panels on appliances (they're appliances and should look them), but DH was into that idea, so in the interest of keeping the look of symmetry that our KD was trying to achieve, I finally agreed. I figured it would be one less SS thing to clean in the new kitchen anyway (I happen to like the look of SS, but knew the front of the DW would be a major collector of smudges, fingerprints, and water drips). I am very glad I got on board with that idea after seeing how nice it looks and after using the kitchen these past months, BTW (and that's with just me and DH here, no kids!).

There are times I regret not having panels on the fridge (and that look I really don't love) because the KA SS is a bear to clean without streaks. Luckily, our cleaning lady does a better job on it than I do, and I am getting better at buffing out the fingerprints on the inside door edges and around the handles with a dry micro fiber without having to use the SS cleaner (which would mean applying it to the entire front of the fridge). I have gotten better at using the SS cleaner on it when I do need to clean it myself, even though the cleaning lady busts my chops when she can still see some streaks when she comes to clean!

I am proud to say that I've gotten the hang of cleaning the front of my Wolf range without streaks, and I love the look of a SS pro-style range in any style kitchen.

I paneled my 48" fridge because I wanted it to just blend in with the cabinets, same with my dishwasher but my trash compactor, warming drawer and microwave are all stoniness and my range is a black and stainless viking (my favorite thing in my kitchen...) I think everything goes together great.

I did a mix- my dishwasher, rangetop and double oven are stainless, and our 48 inch fridge is paneled. I didn't want a full stainless fridge given how big it was , the d/w I was torn on but am glad we went with stainless as it ties the room together a bit. also there were costs to consider. the bosch dishwasher was more to get the paneled front, and then I would have had to pay for the cabinet front. The sub zero 48 inch fridge was cheaper without stainless doors and the cost of cabinet doors was almost same as doing stainless.

Here are pics if you are interested:

We will be doing a mix too. We'll be doing a panel for our DW but keeping SS for the fridge. I love stainless, but it wouldn't look right for us to go with SS for the dishwasher. Like goutgrec said above, it would take the focus off of our sink. We're trying to make the sink a focal point.

Seems the consensus is the cabinet fronts, and if not on both appliances, at least the DW, and the bisque color has been ruled out.

I'm leaning toward the Absolute Black granite for all the counters, but do you think I should use something different on the bank of cabs that will be stained? The appliances will all be in the areas where the cream cabs are. With this in mind, would it look better to use a black cooktop/stove, and if so, does that mean a black sink also? I think that if I were to go with a SS sink, the cooktop/oven would have to be also.

I didn't realize I had so much to think about, but will be meeting with the builder's rep in two weeks, and for the most part, would like to have my choices nailed down.

You've all been great so far!

ok, I'll be a dissenter. There are times when I do like covered appliances-but usually if they are small, such as a dish drawer. But typically, I like the way appliances break up the wood in a kitchen and add interest, much as glass doors on cupboards do.

If you're on the fence, why go with the more expensive, less flexible option? What happens if you design the aesthetics of your kitchen around using panels but then change out some of the appliances later on? It would be difficult to get the same aged look on new panels and your options would be limited if you tried to stick with your old panels.

Maybe I lucked out with our stainless steel appliances, but I think ours are incredibly easy to maintain--much easier than anything I've had in the past. And I'm not the type of person who is constantly on top of the cleaning. Stainless looks great in a contemporary kitchen but I don't think it detracts from a traditional kitchen.

Zelmar, i'm not too concerned about the cleaning part either(I live alone), more about the aesthetics. Did you get the type that's not brushed and easier maintenance? I know there's a SS on the market that doesn't show fingerprints and such.

As for the appliances breaking up the look of all wood, that's a consideration. But then again, I think the thought process behind the panels is to keep the flow of the entire kitchen. Do I *like* the look enough to be happy in the long run? That's something I won't know, but I could remove the panels and do a stainelss or black. As for replacing the appliances should they break down, I could probably replace with the same type that hold the panels, or 'dis' them cpmpletely.

I've decided to have one bank of cabinets stained~they stand alone on an outside wall, a nice area to use as a buffet for a dinner party. There aren't any appliances on that wall.

i go back and forth on paneled appliances. the last kitchen i did, i chose to keep all the stainless showing. i preached about how a refrigerator is a refrigerator so it should LOOK like a refrigerator. now we're building (hopefully!) our dream house and the kitchen is much larger and i'd like it to be a bit "dressier" or formal looking. i was originally going to panel just the dishwashers, but now i think i might panel the refrigerator and freezer as well. who knows for sure though, ask me again in six months!

theresab1,

Very nice pictures! I just had a quick question for you. On your rangetop... it looks like the two vertical strips on the side of the face are exposed beyond the cabinets... mine was installed back further and all I have exposed in front of my cab is one strip... i.e the top part that comes out at your is partially recessed into the counter top. Is yours flush against the wall in the back or is it supposed to be installed out further like that?

My front panel with the knobs seems to be very loose... if you tap on the top edge of it, it just flaps around (moves about 1/8" but enough to rattle when you tap it) like it should be secured... does yours move like this?

How far is your sink set back from the front edge of your counter top?

I appreciate your help...

Absolute black is beautiful granite and will be stunning with the white cabinets.

Not knowing the configuration I can't make a specific suggestion but was wondering about oiled wood counter over the wood section to really break it up rather than mix it up.

Sometimes, I find, with 2 different colors, there needs to be a counter variable. That's easiest to do with an island but also it can be done in sections -- such as hutches -- or on an end, if that works.

The black granites can become very dominant. They are great with white and all painted cabinets but I also think they can sometimes (not always) upstage some of the natural woods. Something to think about anyway.

KATESKOUROS, that's where i'm at, or up and down like a yo-yo. LOL I'm strong on the visuals, and can see things in my 'minds eys', but there are so many ways I could go with this.

THERESAB1, you have a beautifull kitchen, and it's clearly obvious you took the time to plan it out. That's where I want to be before ground has been broken, if possible. They'll be many other minor choices to make, such as light fixtures, plumbing /kitchen fixtures, and those are small things that can always be exchanged. Kitchen cabinets/appliances are a one shot deal!

GOUTGREC, I love the Absolute Black because of it's lack of pattern. I'm not crazy about granite or any of the solid sirfaces because I like don't like all the swirls, dots, and all the busy-ness going on. I want the cabinets to take center stage, not the countertop. I was thinking about something other than the Absolute for the stained portion, of cabs but couldn't come up with the answer. The idea of an oiled wood is great, but it isn't a custom home, so I have to stay withing certain perameters. It's not a tract either as I can make changes, just not something that might require special skills. I was thinking maybe a solid creamy corian, more the color of the cabs to bring light to that area.

I'm leaving for Austin on the 18th of this month and need to have solid plans in my head.

I'm putting up another thread on 'master bathroom shower' and am going to need some input there also. Some of you may think it's quirky, and I haven't a clue if it will be approved by the builder, but I have to have those plans solid if it's a go.

Thank you all for some great suggestions! Keep in mind this is my dream home, but I can't spend a million $$$, so be reasonable with me. LOL

I want a panel on the DW and stainless range. To me, its about the feel/use of the objects. The range can look like a range, because its where you prepare wonderful meals for the people you love. You cook something yummy as a gift for others (Sure, most times you do it because- ya gotta eat. But when you have guests for dinner or special meals, etc- this is where you show the love.)

The DW, otoh, is merely the place where you clean up the mess. Sure, you might clean up the mess as a gift to someone (your spouse) but its just not the same kind of gift. In my family, the love is in the food. Cleaning up afterwards is just a part of life. So, anyway- I like the dw to take a lesser visual role in the kitchen. Also, my kit. is small, so the percentage of visual space the dw takes up is larger than it would be if I had a larger kit, kwim?

I'm doing all 3 of my appliances differently (sounds sad--only 3 appliances?). Fridge SS (probably). Range painted, probably something bright (but SS top). DW paneled. It's a small kitchen so no need to break anything up.

If we had a larger fridge, we might panel it--once they get over 36" or so wide they can be rather intimidating in a small space unless black or white go well with cabinets.

I prefer something plastic or metal on a DW as they get so much water exposure, but ours needed to be replaced before we had cabinets picked out so we decided to panel so we'd know it would match.

And of course, period kitchens are often more cute if the appliances are subtle. But even in those, if they don't stick out, they don't need to be paneled. Theresa's kitchen is a great example of a period inspired kitchen that looks fine with unpaneled pieces--but that fridge would have commanded the whole room if it were black.

You've all given me some great insights that have made me really think this through. I've decided to go wth the cab fronts on the DW/fridge, and have the built-in-oven/drop in range in the SS. When I envision a black oven/stove, it comes across as being too dark and distracting against the light cabs. I think the black countertops will be enough 'dark'.

Thanks to all of you for your input. ;o)

I think paneling the frig depends also on its dimensions. Some accept them more gracefully than others. Side by sides can take a panel well. I think the narrower doors in general look better sporting a panel. Wider, boxy refrigerators stretch the frame and panel concept too far. And large stretches of plain fronted (not frame and panel) wood aren't so nice either, IMO.

I also think some woods don't match well with stainless. SS is obviously is a cool, silvery color, and I don't think it usually works well with warmer colored wood.

Just my opinion!