I'm also happy with my Elux Wavetouch double wall oven, for 3 years now. Watch for rebates, I received some percentage back on mine. I have a Miele Dishwasher that I also love, found a discontinued model in a clearance room for half price. (!!) with full warranty. It really is all that and a cupcake, so what you read is pretty much true. I really like the third rack on top for silverware and utensils. My cooktop is a Miele induction, so I can't help you there, other than to say that it totally rocks and I love it. :-) Seriously, though, if you're looking at the Electrolux, again, watch for rebates. I also have an Electrolux front loader set, and for the last year and a half it's worked very well for me. They also make the Frigidaires, I've heard, they're just a bit smaller. I'll let others chime in on hoods--lots of discussion about those here, and with 6 gas burners you'll have some requirements to meet. Mine is a 42 inch, but it's not all that quiet, though I like the way it looks and works. Best of luck to you! Have fun. Cj

thanks everyone for the suggestions! We have lived here since May, and have been pondering the kitchen ever since we had our offer accepted on the house. I think that I essentially like the room's layout to answer fori's question. The thing I'd like is a bit more counter space. I have considered getting rid of the island and putting in a peninsula, but I have a couple concerns at doing this, first and foremost, not totally sure whether the flooring runs under the island. I'm not at all interested in redoing the floors just to move an island. Second, and most importantly, but the cabinets, drawers and counter space on the end of the island closest to the stove & MW get used a TON because the counters, drawers and base cabinet storage is very limited directly to the right and left of the stove. Some folks asked about the room beyond the stove, through the door...it's our laundry/mud room + 4th bedroom and a bathroom and connects the house to the garage. Only place in which to access these rooms is through that door. So unfortunately it can't be blocked off. All the other doors are necessities too. One is to the DR, other to our front living room, the other to the basement. Im definitely toying with the idea of removing those goofy banisters between the kitchen and family room. I need to wait until I'm ready to extend the flooring into the family room though because of the piece that the spindles attach to on the floor. Regarding removing the soffits, I don't believe there's anything in the soffits above the refrigerator area, however I do believe that there's plumbing in the soffits above the main run of cabinets...our bathroom is directly above there and have heard water sounds running through the pipes (which I believe hide in the soffit). So, I'm thinking if I paint, the soffits will get crown molding... Thanks again for all the suggestions!!

You say you still are not sure you understand the differences between panel-ready and fully-integrated fridges. Please look at the photos on this thread of the fridges. A panel-ready fridge simply tacks the panels onto the fridge, and the fridge's trim, hinges, venting, and water dispenser (if you choose one) will show. Also, as Joe Henderson pointed out above, panel-ready fridges usually have black sides, so you have to be sure your cabinetry will cover the sides. A panel-ready fridge cannot be completely flush with the cabinetry, because the hinges are on the outside of the fridge, and there have to be a couple inches sticking out from the cabinetry so that the doors can open. As I mentioned, I do not understand the purpose of spending money to panel this type of fridge. IMO, it looks nicer just to have the fridge be a fridge. Alternatively, a fully-integrated fridge means the fridge disappears entirely into the cabinetry. No hinges, trim, or venting show. The fridge is totally flush with the cabinetry, and the hinges are hidden. With a fully-integrated fridge, usually the homeowner installs the same handles as the rest of the cabinetry (just bigger - cabinet hardware companies sell fridge handles exactly for this purpose). When a fully-integrated fridge doors are closed, it is hard to spot where the fridge is in the kitchen.

You can continue saving up for a Nanawall (starting at $1k per linear foot), or use a combo of fixed panes with a door placed at the end. Nana's don't come cheap but I suspect they are the look you want. Good luck.