Okay, this is where I'm at right now. Let me know if you think I'm on target now. The only thing I'm unsure about it where to go refrigeration wise if I can't make the Thermador Freedom columns work in my kitchen. What's the best fridge quality wise if going with a side-by-side while not having the stomach to pay Sub Zero money. Kitchen Aid or Jenn Air pro? I have a two year old Jenn Air in my current kitchen (Amana with the fancy handles). Also, is it a no-no to do a built in look and have the water and ice in the door? I know it looks better without but man I'm going to hate to have to open a door to get ice and water. Appliance worksheet Option 1 1. Wolf Range top RT366 2. Wolf single or double wall oven SO30F/S - Classic Stainless Framed or DO30F/S - Classic Stainless Framed 3. Sharp microwave in kitchen island 4. Thermador dishwasher (Bosch) DWHD64EP 5. Thermador freedom collection fresh food and freezer columns Option 2 Wolf Range DF366 - 6 burners Sharp microwave in kitchen island Thermador dishwasher (Bosch) DWHD64EP Thermador freedom collection fresh food and freezer columns

I was on a similar quest for a washing machine and after reading Consumer Reports and reviews in this forum and talking to everyone with a new washer and looking at the models, their features and how there were made I selected the FL Bosch 500 washer in May. It is well-built with higher quality door, top, gasket, than the others I viewed. I liked that I don't have to stoop to get the clothes out like other FL's. I didn't have space below cabinets for a pedestal, which costs more anyway. This model rated very high in Cons. Reports and the local store had not seen any come back for problems, as you will read about other products. However, be prepared to spend more time getting through your piles of laundry. With heavy cottons, no problem--they come out dryer and the increased wash time is made up with less drying time. Often it's an hour and ten minutes for a cycle with an enhanced rinse. It handles a lot of towels and jeans. However, perma press (50 minute cycle) is not as wrinkle free, even with a reduced spin and smelly clothing or dirty clothing [kids in sports, gardening clothes?] need more than one cycle. In Minn. I like having a machine to wash down comforters, hand wash wool sweaters, winter jackets & mittens. This machine was great at each of those--pillows too. Clothes can be dried extremely well with an engine like a jet plane spinning them as dry as you choose, saving drying time. The water and energy efficiency seem to come from the reliance on gravity more than immersion in water. Your clothes will be sprayed with water and once dripping wet, they bounce and sit, and bounce and sit in a small puddle of water for a LONG time. I have this machine on a second level and the noise and spinning are not much different than my previous machine, but I did ask the installer to come back and level it because there is vibration from the high speed spin and you want it level, from every direction. My kitchen is next to the laundry and I close the door if I'm using the fastest spin on heavy items. Good Luck.

First I want to ask, have you gotten a chance to see these appliances in person? If not I highly recommend you do so. Just looking at appliances in person will often reveal "deal breakers" that you may never have found online. This is a great way to narrow your list quickly when you're overwhelmed with choices. I've been reading a little more on hoods on garden web. From what I read, it seems a 600 CFM should be sufficient and 24" depth by 42" length would be best...does that sound about right? If we go with 600 CFM we won't need makeup air correct? What do you think of vent-a-hood? Looks like that would not require the separate blower.Or do you think baffle is preferable? I think there may be confusion here as to some of the terminology. Baffle refers to the type of grease filter in the hood. It is the same type of filter as found in commercial restaurant hoods. The alternative to a baffle filter would be a mesh filter, which are mainly found in lower end hoods. Baffles are what you want, especially for a more powerful hood. Internal vs. external blower is a separate issue. Internal blowers are cheaper and easier to service, but external blowers can be quieter. Most inserts can be ordered with either an external or internal blower option, including the Faber you were quoted, so you don't need to go Vent-A-Hood to get an internal blower. I have never owned a Vent-A-Hood, but my overall impression of them from reading Gardenweb is that some of their advertising claims ("Magic Lung") may be a bit far fetched, but that they do make a quality product. It is true that best case scenario, the hood should overhang the cooktop by 3" on each side, so yes 42" would be the optimal width hood for a 36" cooktop. As for depth: remember that you are NOT buying a hood here. You are having your hood custom made, and buying an insert to put into it. The depth of the insert for example, could be 19" like the Faber you were quoted, but the overall hood depth would be 24" which is what you ultimately want. Still no idea on the fridge. Thinking of probably doing the 36" french door style and having a second cheap one in the garage or pantry (would add in the future, not now). There are too many options for french door! It is completely overwhelming. Do any stand out? Do you think the columns would look nicer than a typical 36"? "Nicer" is a subjective word, but the columns would definitely give a higher end look than a typical 36" (even if in reality they cost about the same). You're right that the french door options can be overwhelming. If you go that route, start by narrowing down your options. Do you want it to be counter depth or do you need the extra capacity of a standard depth? Do you want ice and water thru the door? If no, do you want an internal water dispenser? If yes, do you want dual icemakers? Which ones do you like the layout of the most? Work from there. Thanks again for all of this guidance. Sorry for all the questions. We have a very short time line to figure everything out and I am starting out with a knowledge level of close to 0. No problem. You came to the right place!

The front door could be red or russet. Paint all the trim and the side lights white. Paint the railing, and the step risers white. Paint the treads a light gray with grit to help prevent slipping. The pale green is not bad. You could keep it or paint it white, too. Lovely home. Duplicate post.