Hi there - I could have written this request!! Thanks for posting it...I joined Consumer Reports for the month because of all the purchases we'll be making, and I also was looking at the KitchenAid fridge. After looking at the reviews, I'm shying away from that choice. Now, we're looking at Samsung...and I'm also thinking of Bosch, though it has ice/water in the door which I don't really want. Another possibility is the GE Profile 23 cf, though it won't be available until August.

I think you could but then I'm notoriously unhandy and have been set straight a number of times by DH or contractors on the exact was to accomplish something. In my old kitchen with an L-shaped arrangement the range sat a one end of the short leg on a raised platform. The sink was in the middle of the long leg and the dishwasher sat next to it on a raised platform. All of the base cabinets were built with a standard toekick and an extra 2 inches in the useful space so that the countertop sat at 38" high. I don't see why the cabinets couldn't also sit on a raised plywood base along with the appliances but you're probably better off asking the cabinet maker as they would have the practical knowledge of how to do this.

I don't think there is, and even if there was, it wouldn't really help you. Everything looks different depending on the size of your kitchen, the windows, the ceiling height, the floor, the light. It's not just about the color of the cabinets. What you need to do is go to a good stoneyard with a large selection. You may have to make an appointment in advance with the stoneyard, give them a call first. Bring either a sample of your cabinet, or don't be afraid to bring a cabinet door. Most people do if they are trying to match existing cabinets. You might also bring a sample of your floor if you have it. Find 2 or 3 stones you like at the stoneyard. Take photos of the slabs with the cabinet door leaning against them to refer to later. Get samples of those stones from the stoneyard. Take the samples home. You may find they look very different in your home setting. But you will be able to choose once you see the stones you like in your home. That is the only way to find stone counters that go with your existing cabinets.

That is a difficult one! If you only need a few, consider having some made for you. It is easy to find ones that can go from counter height to barstool height, so the issue is not the lack of ability, it is the lack of need. You can probably find the hardware at LeeValleyTools.com. Or look for a set of counter-to-bar-stool ones that could be cut down to chair height by simply having their legs cut shorter!