I really don't know what I would have done if my house didn't already have appliances when I bought it. I probably would have spent at least a few weeks going over all the pros and cons and prices. Or maybe I would have found greenerchoices.org, where they've done all the research for you, including energy efficiency ratings.

Shown above:
Amana® Side-By-Side Refrigerator, (ASD2627KEW), $1649.00
GE - 25.0 Cu. Ft. Side-by-Side Refrigerator, (GSH25JSTSS), $1,199.00

[posted by katie]

Despite our occasional visits to Ikea, I have not yet stumbled upon their appliances. But the good folks over at GrassrootsModern posted this oven, and it looks like an excellent choice for anyone on a budget.

"True convection oven. Warmer. Pizza baking. Convection oven function. Convection broil. High and low broil. Fan defrost. Thermal oven function. Continuous cleaning. Tilting grill. If the food is not quite done after the set program time, the cooking time is easy to prolong without resetting the oven. Capacity: 3.1 cu.ft. 1 grid included. 1 fat pan included. 1 enamelled baking sheet included."

Width: 23 3/8 "
Depth: 22 1/4 "
Height: 23 3/8 "

[posted by katie]

The new Herzog & de Meuron designed residences for the new Ian Schrager project 40 Bond in NYC are nothing less than you would expect from the H & de M/Schrager design and real estate powerhouses. The kitchen features high-grade materials and appliances throughout, and to reduce cost, use GE in a hidden microwave and in the garbage disposal. Each kitchen features:

• Wide-plank oak flooring.
  
• Custom italian imported cabinets with a high gloss lacquer doors by Varenna (est. $20,000-$40,000 depending on configuration).
• Integrated sink with Corain countertop and backsplash. ($445 for sink, ~$2500 for counters depending on linear feet)
  
• Vola faucet and pullout spray in polished chrome. ($1096.00)
• Custom hand-blown glass pendant light fixture. For a similar effect, you could choose the supernova pendant light. ($1,774.00)
• Up lights and under-cabinet recessed lights.
• Miele 24” four-burner stainless steel gas cook top. ($1,249.00)
• Miele 24” stainless steel fully-vented exhaust hood. ($2,749.00)
• Miele 27” stainless steel electric convection oven. ($3249.00)
• Miele dishwasher with integrated panel to match cabinetry. ($1,249.00)
• 27” Sub-Zero refrigerator with integrated panel to match cabinetry. (price withheld by manufacturer, but prepare to spend > $4000)
  
• GE stainless steel microwave, concealed in kitchen cabinetry. ($170)
  
• GE garbage disposal.
• Also features the Miura Stool by Konstantin Grcic. ($296 each)

Of course you can cut some corners by switching the appliances to less expensive brands, or even sticking with Miele, but downgrading to a more affordable model. To reduce overall cost considerably, you could try the SOLÄR cabinets from Ikea with integrated handle, reducing your cost to $2500-$7,000 for cabinets. The construction technique for Ikea cabinetry is pretty similar to the Poliform cabinets, which also features full overlay doors on standard white-box frames. You could also go with the Axor faucet instead of the Vola faucet, saving almost $800.
Lastly, you could choose a different countertop instead of Corian, such as Silestone or another Quartz surface if you don't mind losing the integrated sink option.

I like how there are no buttons visible, just a handle. "Fully integrated controls provide a smooth exterior. This dishwasher also features a tall tub interior with 5-level/7-tier UltraClean wash system and Sensor Clean cycle with ClearScan™ sensor that determines the proper cycle based on how dirty the dishes are."