There are plenty of micros on the market that are less that 16" tall. You can get a custom trim kit any size you want from Micro-Trim in Cali., or have the cabinetmaker fashion one from wood. The Panasonic linked below would work. This Sharp will also fit 16" and is perfect for micro aplications in base cabs like yours. Unfortunately neither are convection units. http://www.homeclick.com/web/catalog/product_detail.aspx?pid=268462 Here is a link that might be useful: Panasonic micro under 16

Thank you! You have given me a lot to think about (that is why I posted!). Re-reading my OP, it is obvious I am not a very good communicator. If we sell this house, it will not be for 10-15 years. My resale fear comes from the fact that this house sat vacant for upwards of 4 years and the realtor said it was because everyone hated the kitchen and did not want to buy a house for the price the seller was asking and have to go in and do an immediate kitchen remodel. I have a set of plans from a local renowned KD commissioned by another potential buyer. I did not like them because it got rid of the island. Although our kitchen is not big enough by NKBA standards to have an island I really love its functionality. I just do not like the way this one looks. We tried to cosmetically update it by painting it black, adding corbels, and putting on a cherry butcherblock top and it was a huge FAIL. It looks too stripey. So that is why I am trying to find something "timeless" and that will appeal to the masses. I know that eventually we will sell but it will not be anytime soon. This kitchen overhaul will not be an investment. It is for my pleasure alone. I am actually the one who convinced my husband that the kitchen was purely functional three years ago and there was no reason to rush into a remodel. Simply stripping the 90s wallpaper and replacing the plastic wire cabinet pulls and lighting made a world of difference. The most unappealing and dated effects are the awful gray laminate countertops with PVC edging and the soffit above the island that we affectionately call the "Tumor." At one point, we WERE planning to just paint the cabinets the same color as the living room walls (looks a little different when it is semi-gloss) and replace the countertops with granite, but after perusing the beautiful kitchens on this website we decided to go big or go home! Then we decided we really, really wanted an open burner gas range. I still do, but think I could compromise with a 30 inch model as I really only need 6 burners over the holidays. That area below the current cooktop is nothing but wasted space because of the Jennair downdraft (all the rage in the 90s!). I could also fit a 30 in under cabinet range hood. I do not like that look and that is not an ideal size, but again I guess this is about compromise. I could probably even get along with a 30 inch rangetop, but would really like to have the extra oven. Again, only necessary on holidays. I will think about that one and compare prices. Thank you for reigning us in! I had planned to pay cash for the high end appliances and charge the cabs because the appliances would deplete our reserves. You can always get 18 months same as cash at Lowes, so as long as the cabs were under $18K that would be manageable (perhaps I am being naive though since I never actually priced the cabs, but it is not a large kitchen.). Greendesigns: My brother is the most skilled HVAC person in the U.S. and since his wife does not cook, his labor charges are usually only a home cooked meal or two. Just outside this window is my husbands grill porch (we pass food through the window). Gas is piped there, so I do not think it would be too difficult for DB to run it around the corner to where the gas range would be. I am checking with him, though. The ventilation would be no problem for him and make up air can come from cracking the nearby window. Again, maybe I am being naive! Ginny20: Thank you for the info on the butcher block. That is exactly what I was looking for. I went to BN and they already had the Aug This Old House mags out, but I will see if I can order a back-issue of the July mag online. So! Is this a better plan: - Replace cabinet doors only. Should I put glass in any of them? If so, which ones? The local cabinetmaker who installed the current cabinets is still in business so I have sent them an email asking if they can do doors only. That is a great idea and I wish I had thought of it!! They also have a beautiful style of door called Painted Classic that I love. My concern with replacement doors is this silly curved door. Hopefully they will agree to build a replacement since they installed the original. Also there is a lot of cracking. Not sure if it is the paint or the actual wood. I can live with it. Some pay extra for distressing! - Replace 30 in downdraft cooktop with 30 in range or rangetop. Add under the cabinet hood. - Replace sink with ss undermount and ss pulldown faucet. - Replace countertops with antique brown granite. - I will replace the fridge/wall oven/mw only as they fail (we have just had to do this with the workhorse ka dw as parts were no longer available) and not upsize. - Add BS (already have a great tile guy) and paint kitchen Tweed (already have an awesome painter). - Remove tumor. DH can build something less belligerent to mask the area. I can swing this with cash dependent on the price of the cabinet doors. Thank you for your concern and, of course, you are right! In the future, will remove soffits and add crown to cabs. I have already confirmed with the builder/previous owner that there is nothing behind them. Also want to replace the desk area with drawers so it looks more like a hutch. That desk is unused except for a messy drop zone. Thank you again! Michele

pbrisjar... The home we'll be remodeling is similar in size to yours... in fact, smaller. Do you have a decent amount of property? My guy got a 12x24 shed, complete with 3 windows, a garage door, and a regular door. Now granted, this was given to us and we just paid to have it shipped and moved into place (maybe a grand or so). DH is doing the rest of the work to retrofit what he wants. My point is, they have a ton of these things on craigslist. Maybe you can find one to put on your property to have him use as shop. Our garage was turned into a bedroom/music room so our laundry will now be in a mini extension/shed that was built onto the house by the renters. It butts onto the old laundry room which will become part of my kitchen. Hold your ground on this one. And if it helps... we orginally had planned to build a glorious bedroom/bathroom/laundry room extension. DH had a meltdown and we decided to go with the existing footprint. It'll work... I've conceded enough... and I'm going to hold firm with what I know will work for what will essentially be my space. It's ironic... yesterday I was helping him with plywooding (new word) the shed walls. He started talking about running electric, layout, etc. I said, so you're going to do what it takes to make it functional for you? And he said he needs a work and then hobby space because he enjoys it so much. I pointed out... how then can you look at me and say "what's the difference if you get an electric or induction cooktop or why do we have to move the stove... can't you just have a counter to the right and none to the left.. it worked for me?" I said... cooking/baking... my space... my hobby... my enjoyment. He stuttered a bit and then got real quiet. From the tone of my post... I guess I"m still harboring some resentment over all his reactions thus far... sorry guys... I've had a REAL rough couple of weeks.

“A middle of the road quality kitchen remodel without structural alterations costs around 70K” I completely disagree. You can get a middle-of-the-road kitchen done for $35-40k - that is with no structural changes, and also knowing clearly what you want in advance, and shopping carefully. Plan, plan, plan, and read, read, read. Even with a kitchen designer, it helps to be educated - particularly in how to spot a good kitchen designer, because there are bad ones out there. What jacks up the cost really fast are change orders. Examine your kitchen carefully so there are no surprises. For example, is the flooring you recently installed running under the cabinets or stopping at the cabinets? Or if you are removing soffits, do you know what is under them? You say you want to replace electric range with gas - have you explored the cost and logistics of that? Where are the plumbing lines, and HVAC returns and ducts, and will they fit with your new design? Is your electric panel up to the task of modern appliances? These are the kinds of questions (and there are many more) you need answered, and with resolution, before plunking down your money. What you need to do is curb any urge to jump in before you are more educated, or your costs will climb to the $70k that Celadon said.