Why not just get a panel dishwasher and put the shaker front on it?

Would be ideal but it looks like this is a pricey option (from what I've researched so far)...

either white or stainless would be fine. I notice that white dishwashers are often noticeable with white cabinetry because whites are so varied......it's not likely to be the "same" white. Stainless dishwashers with hidden control panels look better in a way, to my eye.... but either choice sounds okay.

It's personal. Either it bothers you or it doesn't.

A white dishwasher against white shaker will not be that noticeable, but if you are the kind of person that everything has to be "just so," it will make you crazy. I think the real question is whether your other stainless is all stainless or has black on it? Black on the appliances is what will be noticeable.

I think the bigger problem is having the microwave over the stove

We did this - went with the white dishwasher to blend with the cabinets, while our range and fridge are SS. However when we re-do our kitchen we are planning to change to wood cabinets, and I will be ordering the SS faceplate for the DW, since it would look odd to me left white with darker cabinets.

Thanks to everyone for all your feedback! I'm happy to go either way (SS or white) but just trying to visualize what will look best in the space. I think SS would look great but wonder if it won't segment things a bit... I hear the feedback about the whites never truly matching, so either way the dishwasher would stand-out/break up the run of white cabinets... I can't seem to find any dishwashers that are in the mid-range for price and panel-ready (would answer all my dilemmas;-) If only life were that easy! Maybe Santa will bring me a panel dishwasher if I'm really nice this year!

The least expensive option I found for integrated was Bosch 300. Around $750 (after a discount We got) for the Dw then around $200 for DW panel. I'm doing a face frame with three drawer fronts for my panel, though, so I'm sure you could do it a little cheaper.

Thanks for the info Amber! I'll look into this option. I'd love to do it if the budget allows....!!

Argg, everything is so so much more expensive in Canada! The Bosch 300 (panel-ready) starts at $1400.... Anyone have experience on DIY panelling???... Sounds hokey but am thinking if I got a flat-front DW with controls on the top (not front - obviously!) and handle that's either removable or full inset so that I could cover right over it...... Hubby would kill me if I suggested defacing a brand new decent dishwasher!! But perhaps he could be convinced......

I have no idea if these exist any more, but at one time (like 20 years ago) there were dishwashers that had a thin insert that could be reversed (black, white, almond). Just throwing this out there, but if those do exist, would it be possible to put a thin veneer (you'd need like 1/16" maple) and then paint it to match. I'll go look around and post if I find anything.

Okay - so showing my age, it would truly be an antique dishwasher, but my idea was based in reality, just old reality!

Decorator dishwasher panel

You should work on the Santa option. =)

Thanks Jennbo! This link is food for thought - though maybe not the "vibe" i'm going for in a transitional kitchen! LOL. The thin veneer idea is interesting though. I could experiment with my old junker DW and see if there's anything that would look remotely good (or perhaps passable until Santa can up his Christmas budget......!).

Other panel ready for less than 700.00 in the US are Blomberg and Fisher-Paykel.

Ikea Canada's panel ready is about 1K

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/20825/

Also, the Canadian Home Depot sells wood veneer dishwasher panels. Paint it?

I faced a similar white versus SS decision recently when we undertook to update our kitchen. While new SS appliances were in the mix, I was torn about replacing the white dishwasher we had installed the year prior. A designer friend assured me that a flush white dishwasher situated in a bank of white cabinets is barely noticed. Perhaps the photos below will help you decide on the look that is right for you.