SFGate

olldroo Sorry, It isn't much good saying you have no faith in your designer, your designer should be ensuring you are happy and completely comfortable with what is planned and it is up to you to ensure you understand what the designer is trying to achieve and you are getting what you want - it is your home and you are paying for it, so it IS all about you and what you want.

Sorry I can't help you with granite and your other questions are over my head. I am assuming that the microwave will be going in under your bench top in lieu of drawers. I have seen photos of this on Houzz - but it really comes down to what you are comfortable with. It would mean you would possibly be bending to check your cooking and lifting heavy dishes up to the bench. Are you comfortable with that, if not say so. Would young children be an issue with the microwave at that level too.

Love how kitty is giving everything the seal of approval.

[houzz=Design Savvy]

[houzz=Blue Kitchen]

bevballew Tell her you don't want the microwave that low. I would not want it either. She can come up with another suggestion. I don't get these low microwaves. It seems to be the new craze. I think it is dumb. She is a designer so she can come up with another idea. That is what she is skilled to do.

bevballew Not sure what you mean about which one is b24 and b21. There are so many beautiful granites that will go with your cabinets. Just picked what you love. I once picked a granite I did not like but went well with the cabinets and I regretted it. Your cabinets are beautiful. You can go black, light colors, or many brown color granites. It is what look you want.

Laurie Babcock The cabinet maker does not make a 21 inch wall cabinet that is short to accommodate a microwave underneath it. That was my vision. I found this out after the fact so I can either skip the decorative range hood and put a larger microwave there or settle for microwave low. Neither decision I like.

White Lotus Interiors Laurie, how often do you use your micro and for what? For example, I use mine mostly to heat water for tea, to reheat small dishes and to steam the occasional veggie. For me, the low micro would be fine, I'm not lifting anything heavy. If you are doing casseroles for 12, that is different. Also, don't just 'pick a granite you like'! You need to consider lots of things like how much pattern you can stand, and what the undertones are, then pick a granite that works, and that you like. Take a door from the cabinets and a floor sample, and presumably your designer with you to look at slabs. You've already got two colors here, gold and red, and you don't want to mix a third undertone or you won't be happy. Speak up for yourself if you are unsure, and ask your designer to show you reference photos if needed...

Norm Walters Construction Inc. This is a stock wall cabinet for a microwave oven, only comes in 24" or 27" though.

Norm Walters Construction Inc. here is the photo

Norm Walters Construction Inc. .

Laurie Babcock Thank you "White Lotus Interiors" - You bring up a good point with the gold and red undertones. I was looking at Bianco Antico because it had a whiter background and I thought it would be better to not "matchy matchy" the floor, and introduce something else. Is that a bad idea?
"

Norm Walters Construction Inc. As far as the filler goes, stock cabinets come in three inch increments. If there is no room to add three inches to a cabinet width on one of the cabinets in the run, then a filler has to be used, even if the space is 2-7/8" There is a decorative overlay filler that can be attached to the standard filler to finish flush with the cabinet door.

coffeefiend I agree with everyone not to put the microwave low. For the granite, you could use a lot of colors, but here's a great picture of the Bianco Antico with similar cabinets and floors as yours (plus it shows the microwave above the fridge so you can decide if you like that look or not.

Nancy Black We have one of the undercounter microwave drawers in our beach house, and LOVE it! It's clean, out of the way and efficient. Takes a little getting used to the "drawer" aspect, but once you do, you will love it too.

bevballew Did not know they are like a drawer. So you slide it open to get the food?

Laurie Babcock Mine won't be like a drawer. They are using a drawer base by removing the too two drawers. Still not sure i will like it. Wish someone had a picture of this.

bevballew To clarify I meant of course the granite should coordinate but not pick one just because it goes. You don't pick a granite you like if it will not work. Sorry I was not definitive about that. Good catch!

olldroo Laurie, wouldn't it look like the white kitchen I posted above??

Laurie Babcock Yes olldoo.. The white kitchen is my hope but it all depends on the dimension of the drawers and microwave. I bought a 21.87 inch kenmore elite microwave. The drawers are 24 inch. I will send the photo to my contractor. I'm just disappointed I have to pay for and give up two drawers :(.

bevballew I say if you have to bend down I would hesitate. Most people don't bend down properly causing potential damage to their back. As for looks, to me it is not about just the look but the convenience of living and not making,things difficult for the sake of what looks good.

olldroo Don't blame you Laurie and personally I couldn't handle a microwave there, but I'm getting on in years and trying to avoid bending and lifting.

Not being in the US a lot of things here are a bit alien to me, but it seems you are very locked into stock sizes, too much so. Did you select your own designer who has then selected the firm supplying your cupboards or are you using a kitchen specialist company who has supplied you with a designer. I'm not feeling any love here at all and the fact you feel the need to seek outside assistance here suggests to me you are definitely not getting your money's worth.

White Lotus Interiors Laurie, I think as long as you co-ordinate one of the tones, likely the cabinets and the counters/splash you'll be good. You just don't want to inadvertently add yet another. The photo posted by coffeefiend is a good example. The Bianco 'matches' the cabinets and the floors stand somewhat alone. I used Bianco in this kitchen as well, as there was just enough rust/red to help it work with the cabinets, and enough gray-green to help it blend with the walls. The floor is used like a neutral because it is at a different sight line.

Laurie Babcock /olldroo. I made a huge mistake. I was bamboozled by price... Bought them from a flooring company that sold a line of cabinets. He talked the talk and kept saying. Trust me trust me. I was so sick of looking so I chose him. It has been horrible. He quoted me a price. Insisted on paying in full. Hen the order finally came 6 weeks later and missing two cabinets ie the one to the left of the sink and the one over the fridge. Now I have to pay $1200 more. I've been had and I have no faith in him.

White Lotus Interiors He's not a designer, he's a salesman...unfortunate.

Laurie Babcock I know. I am very depressed about it.

bevballew I thought you had a medium tone brown stained wood cabinet?

bevballew Actually they look like a dark cherry. Oops.

olldroo Gosh Laurie, I'm really sorry to hear that but I know how over things you can get when you are constantly looking, looking, the brain goes into mental overload and bad decisions can easily be made. How much do you have in writing? Is there a parent company you can lodge a complaint with or a regulatory body that may be able to help you?

I'm wondering if it might be worth cutting your losses and for the long term benefits and your peace of mind, pull the plug and have a professional come and build exactly what you want for the missing pieces. Even a good handyman would be able to do this. Surely what you have can be easily matched. You are going to have to live with this for a long time and with the amount of time you spend in your kitchen, you don't want to be feeling angst every time you walk in the door - it isn't worth it.