I have the combo units in each bedroom and I would call them area lighting, not accent. They are convenient to use when you enter the room and want a light on so you can get in and out quickly, but you will still need table or floor lamps for task lighting. I would install them again, but not spend very much on the light itself. You could also install switched outlets, but I have found that arrangement seems to confuse guests (and sometimes spouses). You must have the light itself and the wall switch both on, and one or the other always seems to be off. Using the small ceiling light on the fan seems like its more foolproof. Bruce

I have never been a fan of banquet seating. Uncomfortable in restaurants and whoever gets stuck on the inside corner usually needs to get out first. I know that the HGTV shows put them in often, probably because the space is limited for a full table and chairs - not your issue as you have extra space. I would use that extra space for a nice loveseat that can be moved out later if you want to add a storage cabinet or something else, or you just get tired of the "look" and want to change it up with new pillows or a different piece of furniture. Nice loveseat or a couple of small stylish chairs and a teeny tiny table for coffee. Someone can sit there and chat with a drink while another is cooking. You already have seating at the island for meals.

Cabinets are likely a stock size, which uses 3" increments, rather than custom. Your original designer likely thought that a slightly different mounting height would be better than 3" of a straight molding on top. It was a discussion that he should have had with you, and let you make the call. He should also have had installation diagrams, showing how he envisioned the molding to be installed with the height of your soffit. It is Never a good thing to have a kitchen designed without running it by the person who will be doing the installation. Design World isn't always the Real World. Sometimes adjustments need to be made in the design phase so that the install phase can actually work. If this were my kitchen, I'd take the cabinets down, and use a plain jane 1" straight molding mounted about an inch back of the doors, straight to the box, in order to create a shadow line, and keep dust out. Yes, that would leave the cabinets mounted lower, but that extra 1/4" to scribe to the soffit can make all the difference in the world if it is out of level. Which even new construction is. IF the installer views the in person situation and says that he could do the same thing with the 3/4'' molding, then I'd go that route. Boots on the ground rule.

Nidnay - I remember reading this post at the start of building our new home over 2 years ago. Although I thought your microwave looked fine the way it was, I did like the inspiration photo that you showed. So I filed in my brain to be sure and have my microwave set back into the cabinetry because we also were getting inset cabinets. Guess what...I never gave it another thought!!! Now in our house for over a year and I saw this thread had popped up again. I had to go into my kitchen and see how my microwave drawer was placed. Well, apparently the position has never bothered me. 😁 PS - My dishwasher is on the opposite side, but within the bump-out area of my cabinets, It is inset into the cabinetry. When the dishwasher (Bosche) was first installed, it was sticking out like the microwave (I still cannot believe that I have never noticed 😀.) I had my builder set the dishwasher into the cabinetry.