I looked into installing a single wall oven under an induction cooktop (I ended up getting an induction slide-in range though). What was interesting was that most induction brands allowed it IF the wall oven was the same brand as the cooktop. This included Kitchenaid - don't know where you got your information, but the installation instructions do allow for it with certain ovens - it turns out it is the Kitchen Aid single ovens. Two brands did not allow for a single oven under the cooktop even with their own brands (well, it voided the warranty so the same thing): Bosch and Thermador. No problem with Jennair, Kitchenaid, GE, Electrolux, and Frigidaire. I think Whirlpool also didn't allow it, but I wasn't considering that brand. Don't worry about the venting. There is some venting in all ovens - whether built in wall ovens or ranges. The vents aren't any more hot for a wall oven than a regular range. The reason I chose a slide-in induction range had nothing to do with the height of the oven. The wall oven under the cooktop would have been about the same height as a range's oven. Rather, I really liked the Kitchenaid induction with its (albeit small) second baking drawer. I cook a lot and could see using this. Plus, the cost was much less for a slide-in than a separate cooktop and wall oven. Our house is being remodeled and we haven't even been able to move in yet - so I haven't used it. I hope I love it. It does look nice.

syllabus and bleigh - I am going to check out ikea - usually the stuff they have is in chrome or some other silver color which I do not have anywhere in my house at the moment, but I will take a look. Patser - that is one of the problems I have with the huge rack/basket I have now. I think it does leave bruises on things. busybee3 and southernfrenchie. I do love the idea of those hanging baskets. I would love to find some that are two tiered and shorter and hang them from under the cabinets. I could just see DH's face if I told him I wanted to hang that from the ceiling in our kitchen. :) I just don't think we have a good place for it. Hmmmm well maybe over the island sort of area. I will ask him what he thinks. oh and syllabus - I will link the item below. It is from a company named America Retold. I have fallen in love with half their stuff. Especially these.... Hopefully that thing I did order will be in soon and I can either decide I love it or rule it out and keep going on the search. I thought of about 4 other places I could use it if I love it so I am hoping it is not too small or to poorly made. Here is a link that might be useful: rack for syllabus

Reshal: It has been years since you installed your butcher block counters and I was wondering how they were holding up? Water spots? Scratches...etc.....I'm in love with your treatment of these counters. I love how expensive they look considering how inexpensive they are. If I had unlimited funds and was in our "forever home" I would love to have a kitchen exactly like yours white kitchen, marble, soapstone, butcher block all my favorite things. But we are in our starter home which will be our next 5-10 years home so I dont want or have the ability to spend the money on marble or soapstone so Ikea butcher block will be it. BUT I still want to have an expensive looking kitchen. I am hoping to get our butcher block soon and I want to try your treatment. This Benite sealer? Where did you get it? Why did you use it prior to staining? Do you think that helped you achieve the "faux" finish you were going for? In your opinion would that be a must do for me to attempt to copy your results? Any advice you have would be great! Love your kitchen! Thanks for posting! :) PS: What did you end up going with for your backsplash?

In terms of overall length, I have from left to right: 48" Freezer(18")/Fridge(30") 3/4 inch side cover panel 120" counter top, therein 36" induction cook top 3/4 inch side cover panel 30" wall ovens 48" pantry (2x24" high cabinets) 2" cover panel to the wall = 249.5" Total I've been going back and forth on the hood. It's probably the most discussed item. Originally we planned to get a custom hood liner built for an insert hood, but now we are leaning towards this very basic BOSCH pull out hood. Minimum mounting clearance over cooktop is 25 3/5". There is no maximum clearance given in the spec sheets. It should come in right around 30-32" clearance (math: 84" tall cab (incl. toe kick) - 36" base cabinets - 15" wall cab to mount the hood to - 2" for the hood hardware = 31"), which is very average as far as I can tell. I was planning to build a custom open cabinet left and right of the hood cabinet which will probably be around 16-17" high to seamlessly integrate the pull-out. See inspiration below.