MizLizzie, you are much too kind, lumping me in with "other induction cooktop experts". I just couldn't get that GE cooktop 'cause it needed so much free space below, and ended up (happily) with an E'lux induction range instead. Anyway, looking at your E'lux cooktop PDF, I see on page 2 it says: "It is not recommended to use drawer underneath cooktop. Empty space is needed for installation purpose." Unfortunately, it doesn't say how much empty space it wants below there, as far as I can see. You may need to call E'lux customer service for an answer on this, unless Gary or somebody else smart around here knows. On the Jenn Air site, I found an installation PDF (see link below) for their two induction cooktops. Not clear that it says anything about the free space needed below, though. AJMadison doesn't carry JennAir, but they carry other cooktop brands and tend to be good about having specs and installation PDFs available. You might look there for other possibilities. Here is a link that might be useful: Jenn Air induction cooktops

My kitchen work isn't finished, and there is one issue that rankles me. My GC told me I'd "love" puck lights under the cabs, as do all his clients. Before he started work I told him over the phone that I was considering fluorescents instead. He dismissively said they were more expensive and changed the subject. I guess I expected to revisit the type of UCL before they went in. Suddenly I had low-voltage wiring and 5 xenon puck lights. The pucks gave off harsh shadows, slightly heated the shelf where I keep my chocolate chips and when on resulted in horrible radio interference. After a few days, I told him I wanted them changed. He got pissy, then called me back to apologize and the wiring and lights were changed. I went out and bought new lights myself and he charged me extra to replace the wiring. My KD is furious about me paying extra. But I'm choosing to bide my time. There's still work that needs to be done that I want done right and not under a cloud of resentment. I still owe him money. When everything else is done to my satisfaction, we'll discuss the pucks. Depending on how I feel, I'm even prepared to let the $260 extra go by the wayside. While it irritates me, I need to put it into perspective.

Hmmmmm. Remind me again what the DR color is please? Looking at the 2 strips (very lovely colors BTW) to my eye (w/o) seeing the formulas) Himalayan Trek strip looks quite close to my SW Requisite Gray strip and those colors have maroon and/or gold in the mix. The 1542 strip may look very nice w/ your chocolate DR but can't say for sure w/o knowing the DR color. But then there's a little voice in the back of my head that says maybe too maychy-matchy? Now this is very sad but an ancient time ago I sampled 1465 (Nimbus) off of the Smoke Embers strip. Going down the strip the colors seem to be picking up more brown so maybe this strip would be a good combo w/ your DR - still different enough. I'd love to hear Funcolors professional take on this as there is always so much I pick up from FC. I do love the technical side and always want to hear more. Gotta run - cleaning for a kids B-day dinner today.

I also had my kitchen trim color computer-matched by the painters at the paint store using a piece of extra cabinet trim. Here is a photo showing a doorway trimmed, as well as our cedar board ceiling (painted with a translucent white-wash) and heavy beams that were painted the trim color. The color is extremely close to the "Swiss Coffee" color of my Kountry Kraft cabinets (which is NOT even close to BM's "Swiss Coffee" btw.) Personally, I think matching the trim is the way to go with the traditional, clean lines of a painted white kitchen. Good luck to you! PS. The blue tape in the photo is marking areas the GC still has to deal with. We redid our entire house and had a TERRIBLE painting crew!!! They got paint on the floors, faucets, sinks, toilets, new doorknobs, etc., etc. AND they DIDN'T paint the tops of ANY doors, any tops of door trim, basically any place they had to get on a ladder to do, or any place they didn't think we'd notice. BEWARE your GC's "finishers"!!! Make sure they are experienced professionals and won't bring in a crew of day-laborers who can't speak English!