I don't usually give layout advice as this is my first remodel also, but I do have a couple of notes: 1. Strongly recommend you get that permit. It's a good idea anywhere, but may matter more in Madison. Our experience here has been great overall, but we have noticed that there is an emphasis on "following the rules" that has been a little bit of a "culture adjustment" after coming from Chicago. Things not done to code can really come back to bite you at selling time. 2. Don't forget to look at cabinet hardware at Ikea - I got a great deal on mine there after getting a tip from a GW post. 3. I bought the exact same garbage disposal at home depot for $159. I could have gotten it a little cheaper online but if there isn't a really big difference I try to buy local. 4. I haven't found great deals on sinks and faucets here. based on a tip from luvscritters I just bought a Ticor sink for $220 including grids and strainers from galaxytoolsupply.com which, oddly enough, I found out is headquartered almost walking distance from where I used to live in Chicago. 5. For granite, you might want to check out "The granite Shop of Madison". They just installed a granite island for me and it's beautiful. Post to me if you want more details positive/negative about them. 6. You could take your rough plan to any number of cabinet sellers here who will do a layout for you without any charge (just consider it giving them an opportunity to compete with Ikea), but you're probably going to get the best advice from the folks here. 7. Those cabinets look really nice - Hey! Those are the exact pulls we bought. Remodeling Encouragement: It's scary when it's your first time, but remodeling can actually be fun - hope it is for you!

After 21 years of use, I am replacing a white Franke composite sink, as I am removing worn laminate countertops and replacing them with quartz. I have agonized over the choice of a new sink and have done much research about them. While I love my current sink, it has developed many small cracks around the disposal drain presumably from hot oil poured into the sink. You cannot feel the cracks, they are not raised, but there is a web of them all around the drain. Of course, this has been after many years of heavy duty use. Since Franke no longer makes granite composite sinks,(which has me curious as to why they discontinued them), I am down to a choice of SS, Silgranite II, or Iron coated with enamel. After much research, most chefs and other serious cooks recommend SS sinks. In fact, many of the current sink offerings for residential use are channeling the sharp angled configurations of restaurant SS sinks. On line reviewers and the salesperson at my local plumbing supply have experienced staining and chipping with cast Iron sinks. The salesperson told me that many companies will replace them if they do chip or stain, but they only send you a new sink, the owner is responsible for the cost of installation. Some reviewers on line talk about scratches in Silgranite sinks, especially on the darker colors. One magazine editorial that reviewed sink materials even included a picture that was taken of a showroom sink that had a scratch in the bottom that would not come out when the editor tried to remove it while in the store. From my on-line research, the cracking with Silgranite seems to have been only during transport and installation, however people have written about scratches that occurred during use. Missing from the comments on this site is the type of cooking being done by those offering their opinions. There is a big difference in experience with kitchen gear between a person who makes light meals for one or two people versus a gourmet cook who executes complex multi-course meals for many guests. As for myself, the utility of a sink is a more important consideration than how it looks. If I am in the middle of preparing a complex meal, I do not want to worry that I might damage my sink if I lob a heavy skillet or pot into it!

Really depends on the cabinet finish, how much you see the DW fronts from other areas and other factorss -- including personal preference. I generally dislike black and like lighter cabinet colors, so it would probably be stainless for me. However, I went panels when I decided on a pair of DWs so I wouldn't have that much stainless on a single run of cabinets. I replaced one of the DWs this summer and kept the other one for now. I saw your other post and was going to say you could probably replace only one, especially if they have panels. How are you not seeing models that will take a panel? The big box stores will not have them displayed but may be able to order them. I did look there, but had to order mine through a showroom -- but it was quick, easy -- the delivery and install were flawless, panel and all.

In my opinion, there is no coating on stainless that will last the test of time, no matter what the manufacturer claims are. They have not been on the market long enough to get homeowner comments from what I have seen. We work with stainless all the time and have worked with coated metals just to see how they wear and none hold up during the rigors of constant use. Replacing one of these sinks is extremely costly if you have one that fails. It is always best to go with a product with a long history of positive testimonials after long use.