We're just coming to SS,... the DW was first and we just got the frige in last week. I must say it adds another dimension to our kitchen which is a welcome. The only thing that concerns me is the warping on the SS doors,... looks like a Fun House Mirror. I'm thinking it's not a characteristic of SS because I haven't noticed this on other SS friges,... just mine! I like the black though, especially the few black glass appliances I've seen. I will say this,... it took almost an hour to clean all the prints and smudges off after the delivery. Hope that's not a preview of what's to come!

I debated the same issue and decided a cleaner look (no smudgy fingerprints & streaks) and easy maintenance was more important to me than having everything match exactly so I ordered a Samsung platinum. When viewing in the store, it definitely looked much cleaner than all the SS refrigerators that surrounded it. It has a matte finish so doesn't have the "shine" of SS and is also darker in color. Initially, no appliances were going next to my frig my layout changed and I have a SS/black microwave right next to the frig so we'll see how they look together when frig arrives. Fortunately, the saleswoman said I could return it for a SS if I really didn't like how the finishes look together so decided to give it a whirl.

I think you can definitely mix them. However, I wouldn't mix them on the same wall. For example, if your fridge and your range are on one wall in black stainless, you could add a regular stainless DW and microwave in the island. If you're going this route, carry the mixed metal idea through to your faucets, hardware, and lighting, too. Lots of great photos on this site with mixed metal finishes in kitchens. All that said, I wouldn't do this if you're planning to sell the house in a few years. If it's a look you love and you will be in your home for many years to come, go for it.

This is going to be beautiful! I'd go with stainless to lighting things up a bit. Also, I'm suspicious of the coating they use to make black stainless and I think the stainless will wear better.