And the saga continues.... After the service tech came out last week and said the rattling sound from the non-return valve is "normal" and ordered me a new one, I called Miele service in NJ and talked to them about. The guy put me on hold for several minutes so he could ask other people there about it, and came back saying that it should not be doing this rattling sound. He said that once I get the new non-return valve the tech ordered, for me to go on in install it, but he scheduled me for a new service call next month with a different person (but still a Miele tech) as I told them that the guy that came out last week seemed to have a attitude. They are going to send this other tech another non-return valve and a pump for the unit, as he said the pump is really the only other moving part that is involved with the drainage. On Tuesday I recieved the new non-return valve that was ordered by the tech last week. I took the old one out, and use the turkey baster to suction all the water out, and used a towel to make sure it as all dry. Once again I got a flashlight and looked down there where the propeller blades are to make sure there was nothing "stuck" in the area, but like before there wasn't any particles there. I installed the new (now the 2nd) non-return valve and tried the dishwasher on the express cycle. It did 3 fills and drains, all with non rattling sound. About 2 hours later I tried it again, the first drain was silent, but the two following drains did make the rattling sound. That night I ran the Normal wash mode, and once again it was rattling on all 4 of the drains. Wednesday night I ran the Pots/Pans mode, and the first two drains it was silent, but the two final rinse drains it rattled. So as of now it's back to doing the same time it was before. I guess at this point all I can do is wait for the different Miele tech to come out in a few weeks and see what he thinks of it - if he says its "normal" or not. I still find it weird that from the end of April last year when the dishwasher was installed, until Feb of this year, it was silent, then started the rattling in the non-return valve. It's been replaced twice now, and it hasn't solved the issue. The only way for it not to rattle is to use the one where I removed the metal ball from, as it is silent when it drains. The only bad part is that the ball is not it place to prevent some drain water from returning back into the bottom sump area. At least I did purchase the 4-year extended Miele warranty ($250).

Yes, you can use generic hose. Just make sure that there are no kinks when you run it. Dishwashers pump the waste water out (as opposed to just gravity), so 10 feet will not be a problem.

I am more in Anglophillia's camp. I want a backsplash that is part of a whole. I did fall in love with some gorgeous handmade painted tiles. But, when I really thought about it, as gorgeous as they are, I don't need them to get where I am going. We ended up choosing an inexpensive off white taupey crackle subway. Mobuddy said: Less is more will be the new trend in my opinion. Quieter, simpler, calming. That is exactly what I am going for. A quiet calming kitchen with a little bit of eclectic quirkiness. No focal points or stars of the show. Rather than adding color, we going with textures. Everything is the same color, a pale taupe, cabinets, walls, beams, posts, tile, beadboard. I think that should add enough interest without being too busy and keep that calming Zen feel. Hopefully, I'm making the right choices.

I recently had a total kitchen remodel and layout change. I spent a huge amount of time on the kitchen forum and got great ideas. There are some great people there who are wizards with layout! If you post and don't get response try a new post Title, Layout help! I found it very helpful to tape off my "new" layout with blue painters tape in the correct size and dimensions in my actual kitchen then try walking it and cooking in it as if that was where things were. You will quickly see what does not work for you, make notes. Hopefully the designer gave you a blueprint with specs. As for your main sink, I would put a dishwasher to my right and a trash/recycle on my left as I face the sink.We separate trash and recycle here but only into 1 recycle bin and 1 trash bin. I empty both as needed and cook from scratch so for a family of 4, I can empty 1 time a week. I move left to right with dirty dishes on left, trash below counter to scrap into, rinse in sink then right to DW, no dripping. Then I would locate a second dihswasher, if needed, near the storage cabs for glassware and dishes for large loads or parties. Look at your daily patterns, trash needs and dish use to decide IF you really need 2 dishwashers and 2 sets of trash pull outs!