When we did our kitchen I did not look at prices at all or just at what was "Premium Brands". We looked at Everything!! Fortunately we have a Pacific Sales store very close to us so we could see the Appliances instead of just pictures on the Net. Course we Looked at the Sub-Zero, but then we walked a little farther and saw the Jenn-Air, The Sub-Zero looked pretty austere, and didn't have near the features that the Jenn-Air had(at least in 2006). I also took the time to read ratings on these products and at least, at that particular time, Sub-Zero was having Reliability problems. So went with the Jenn-Air , couldn't be happier--although since we have bought the Jenn-air, the company was bought by Maytag and Maytag was bought by Whirlpool--so maybe today the newer Jeann-Airs are not comparable to the older ones? and Sub-Zero has added more models with more Features. Best thing to do is do a search of this site for the Sub-Zero you are considering(or maybe any Sub-Zero). The folks here are a wealth of information and I would believe more what you read here, than just going to the net and searching Sub-Zero reliability, or GE Microwave reliability etc etc. We used the same Techique for buying the ovens, checked the net first, then down to Pacific Sales again. Looked at every oven and Microwave they had, Then came across the Electrolux oven with the Cobalt Interior, the hidden blue touchpad and the ball bearings shelves---"what the Heck is Electrolux , we thought"----so back to the net (We did recall their vacuum cleaners thou. Anyway we used this same Technique except for the cooktop and if you "Excuse the Expression" we got burned on that one. I loved the curved shape of the thing, and the fact that it used a thing called "Thermo-cycling" so instead of the thing going on/off etc etc at low temps, it would just "Blip the heated element many times a second" so low temps were precise, worked great until the touch controls got dirty and never could get them operational again. As far as a Microwave goes, don't pass up looking into the "Speed ovens"(sometimes called "Combo ovens".That is the most used appliance that we have.Does everything, bakes, microwaves, even does toast, and due to the size(which is still big for a Microwave)we use it more than the full size oven---should be more efficient to run since less area to heat? I mean why put one turkey leg in a full size oven, when it fits just fine in the Speed oven. Anyway good luck with your choices, use the resources on this web-site and try to see the appliances in person before ya buy and I hope like us, You will still be completely enamoured with your Choices as we are,(even after 3 years)(cept for that curved cooktop) It has since been replaced by an Induction cooktop which we absolutely Love. Gary PS When you do a search on this site BE SURE to use the Search at the bottom of the page and not the top,or you won't get many "Hits"

joy20, all your appliances will have spec sheets and your contractor/cabinet builder should be fully aware of the specs(measurements for depth and width) and if you are having inset doors, they need to accommodate for the doors shutting flush within the cabinet box by building the cabinet box deeper...this is so simple, but critical if they screw it up. Most spec sheets only allow for "overlay doors" - doors that close on the outside of the box, not into it...make sure your carpenter takes this into account! labradoodlemom, benjamin moore's coppermine is the red cabinet...the white cabs are custom to match our trim, but very close to Sherwin Williams Navajo white 6126 Good luck!

Heather, I agree with the posters that 5 years is a long time, and your plans may change and you may stay there longer, so if an Lacanche is what you really want go for it. I do have to concede, however, anything other than a basic stainless steel oven will be a negative to some buyers. If you watch any of the house hunting programs, they will walk in and see a low end stainless stove - like a entry level GE, and say "wow, really high end appliances". Anything out of the ordinary, like bold colors on the walls, or appliances, or anything out of the ordinary will throw some people off and be a negative. That is why real estate agents want you to paint the walls in neutral colors. If you are pretty sure you are moving in 5 years, try to get one in a standard size, and take it with you when you leave, and put in the most basic stainless steel range you can find, would probably be a good option.

Jamie, Yes, the rest of the kitchen is very modern looking. I think the previous owner wanted the contrast of the vintage when he did the remodel. The house was originally built in 1950 but the only thing original left is the wood floors. The rest of the house has a mid-century feel. I like the uniqueness of the stove and the fact that it is not another stainless steel one that you see everywhere, but I tend to agree with you. I do feel like I need a pop of color and don't want regular stainless. The counters will be replaced hopefully in the next year or so as they are the lower end granite and I would prefer white quartz or maybe even the recycled glass. Of the colored ranges available, what gives the most bang for the buck? Blue Star, Bertazzoni, Ilve, Lacanche?????