"Perhaps you are used to a smaller deli drawer in a freestanding fridge and having a hard time seeing how it will work to have something different?" lascatx-yes-guilty as charged ;) I guess I don't need them exactly eye level, but so many just seemed to have only the drawers at the very bottom and I'm trying to get away from stuff rotting out of sight/out of mind in the bottom of the fridge! If I'm remembering right, reasons I ruled out the Thermador were: 1) It didn't have the higher deli drawers 2) the curved, contemporary Thermador logo panel on the exterior and 3) I didn't find them to be quite as well lit inside as the Viking and the Monogram. Honestly, if I could get the Theramador without their curvy logo but with something more "commercial" looking like the open grille look of the Viking/Monogram, I might consider them. I have read good things about their fridges, so thanks for encouraging me to take a second look. maks 2000-That is interesting. I was quite shocked at the high price tag of the Monogram fridge. I still think of "GE" as more budget friendly because it doesn't enjoy the cachet of the higher end brands, but it cost almost as much as the Viking. Thank you both for posting! Dawn

"but then I read about the repair and reliability issues, and am back to square one" Don't know where you got that tidbit - but it's not a very accurate picture at all. I don't doubt you've found a bad review or two about a 700 series, it's 15 years old now but has a great track record. EVERY BRAND has bad reviews, period. You'll never want to buy anything if you're searching for an appliance that has all good reviews. Bottom or drawer freezer models are no better or worse as a design in terms of reliability. FWIW , Miele and Thermador both make bottom freezer models with the same EXACT internals as their all fridge/freezer models !!! Like I said in the other thread, the reason to not get a 700 series is it's 15 years old and sched. for replacement in a few minutes. I have two of those units( one 1999 vintage) with nary an issue except light bulbs. Have also designed 500+ into kitchens over that time too, and can't recall but one or two that called for service. Burnt up motors because of dust/lint/ hair buildup on the coils - in other words - operator error. You also need to be sure to buy your cabinet maker / designer / AND installer before you even contemplate one of those armoire units - especially at 2 x 36" fridges. You best have a sizable wall or a very long cabinetry run to accommodate a 84" wide armoire unit. Lots to go wrong that can derail the look.

Hi all, very much appreciate the responses. I have been reading and thinking them over. itsallaboutthefood - yes, you are correct, if I make the right wall shorter then I can slide the fridge over a tad and build a panel on the left. However... do I really want to go to all this work for my current fridge? Shorter wall I think will mean the black is even more visible. camphappy - thank you for the measurements. I do not have 3" to spare. Regarding the French door(s), where do you put things you take out of the fridge? Beyond the French doors or behind you? Thanks for the compliment, the view is very nice but as I've said before, I am now the ultimate nosy neighbor :) Hi buehl, your pictures were extrememly helpful, thanks. I do see how to build it now. (Love your cabinetry btw). Motherof3sons - you definitely identified my hesitation/quandry. Yes, building and paneling existing fridge would be an improvement but if if I had my druthers and the budget to match, what would I do with this space? Is it really worth the expense to order panels and build a structure around a temporary fridge? EAM44 - it is all about the fridge, thanks for the reminder about the free-standing fridge vs. integrated fridge different requirements. I think that's part of why I am struggling - I can't design the space until I know what fridge I'm using, old or new. The island makes it hard to pull the fridge forward enough and still get the door open. Glad you like seeing the wall colored grey again, I am quite pleased too... Still, I want Rome, now! hags00 - great description and I do follow. We do have an overhang on the side of the counter, your solution makes sense. Off to put the kiddos to bed. Thanks to all. I am still thinking about solutions and what I would do for a long term solution, with all the money in the world. Oh I know this answer!! Take out wall, insert fabulous, paneled Thermador (not white, definitely contrasting color, maybe match island but probably wonderful pop of new color) fridge. One of the ones which looks like a huge piece of lovely furniture. I should probably start a new thread to ask this but - does anyone use all drawers for a fridge/freezer solution? Leaping in yet another direction, I do also like the idea of a glass fronted fridge. Best, wafflingOldbat2be

Built in is INSTALLED and can accept panels or be SS (ie Sub Zero). Panel ready accepts panels to match cabinets and is a free standing unit, NOT installed. But you can make it look more built in by enclosing it with cabinets and end panels. When I design a kitchen for someone with a non-built in refrigerator., I make the end panels deeper....up to the box depth, for a more built in look. (27"-30" deep usually). Integrated is when you can't tell if it's a cabinet or an appliance.