Another thing I saw is that you did match the handle of the oven/stove to the fridge, that is some times a slip from the developer and when the handles don’t match, it looks bad. Home owners do that all the time and it does reduce the eye appeal. The most challenging thing I did for my mom’s place is to install the oven under stove top, it was not a stove with oven. The oven weights 150 lbs but the opening needs be shimmed even I bought the trim kit. It took two of us with many tries to fit that oven . We worked until 12am for the cleaning and the open house.
I purchased the trim kit from Micro Trim (shipped) on the Internet, they make them custom to fit. I did want to get the manufacturer’s trim kit but it did not fit the cabinet opening. The biggest issue with the Micro Trim kit was that they built it with microwave sticking out the full door width. It looked stupid. I wanted the microwave to be flush, so we had to make some new holes in the stainless steel and fudge the left hand side a bit. Original screw holes show, but “it is what it is” - more important to be flush. Try explaining that to the carpenter and workers, they don’t get it. They were very frustrated with me.
I don’t like the louvers either, I prefer a different style.
Yes, expecting big rain. It may put a crimp on trying to finish out the side yard with the clean up and mulching. But we will continue to persevere inside. I agree that a crisp day right after the rains with mountain views would be stunning for photos.
Cannot take photos from the ‘deck’, because we are just starting to build it on Monday. Had to wait until final inspection to get it started. It should be done by Thursday Broker Caravan, which I consider the most important date for showing. I really don’t care about public open houses (although I will slave getting everything perfect for each Open House). It’s mostly neighbors coming to look.
Oh, and our windows are perfection clean right at this moment. The rain will probably turn them back into a mess
Yes Micro Trim. But how could you make the door flush to the trim? I am looking at it right now, if you made the door flush with the trim you cannot open the door.
Yes, that was the issue. The door catches on the left hand side trim. We unscrewed the left trim, moved it further left about 3/8" (which wasn’t a problem because we had filler to the left of this cabinet - it didn’t impede with any cabinetry to the left. Also, it is still within the cabinet width) and drilled new screw holes on left. The two pieces are about 3/8" apart but there isn’t any gap in the stainless steel. The only part that is noticeable to the eye is the original holes showing.
So, essentially we made a wider air gap to the left of the microwave door allowing the door to open. It was a real sticking point with me, did not like the microwave sticking way out of the cabinet. It was ruining the lines - not flattering to the design!
My kitchen design motto is: Just say NO to sticking appliances!
The MW looks fabulous! And the house numbers! It is not like the house # sign has to be approved by the Postmaster General. Oh my! 
I think ours were rigged using a cheapo plastic lit up sign to pass the inspection and get the CofO signed. 
People with a single digit house numbers don’t know what a $$ saving feature that is!
Next time I order cabinet I will order it to the size of the manufacturer’s trim, essentially, you have to “buy” the appliances before order the cabinet. To retrofit a hole with micro trim on a new construction is stupid, but it is a must for a remodle.
I cannot live with that gap you are talking about, so I had it stick out.
Don’t forget the earth quake gas valve! you will need that for CO
My permit is not new construction so I don’t need a Certificate of Occupancy. I am done, no more visits from City. I had a combination building permit for extensive remodel.
I used a Blum hinge lift in my kitchen remodel for the microwave.
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/hinged-micro-cabinet-panel.jpg (Not my kitchen, but same microwave cabinet configuration.)
Before the remodel we went through a few microwaves over the years and always found the trim kits lacking. Gotta say I love this solution so much that I used the same hinges for a coffee/toaster area in the breakfast room.
CB did a great job with that microwave!
You really don’t have to order a special-size cabinet. All you need is a face trim from the cabinet maker. Any decent cabinetry place like Kitchen Craft will make you one. I will be ripping ours out because we got a standard 30" oven - the old one was 27" and the standard oven cabinet needed the face trim. But the main trick is not in the trim, it is in the appliance. Some appliances are meant to be flush-mounted (the door handles open in such a way that nothing sticks out of the appliance). They are usually labeled as “built-in” and cost more.
Yes, this is a standard countertop microwave, with a large capacity and high wattage. I couldn’t afford built in microwave. Microwave was a demo at $240 and trim kit was $115 shipped. Its mounted on a stand inside the trim.
I love the opening hinges. I’m doing that next time!!
CB, I dunno about CA electrical codes, but here in WA, a built in MW has to have its own dedicated circuit! Price in that lovely project of running a new electrical line… and we are talking big $$$ or major PIA. Been there, done that. The wire did not cost much, but it was a PIA to run it, indeed. So if the code is the same in your area, you probably avoided that issue as well! Well done. High five.
HI CB – on the “Front Landscape” picture, I think I can see french doors above with a board preventing the doors from opening. What is the plan for this?
That’s where the deck is getting built next week. The board across the door keeps the doors from opening temporarily, for safety. I had to put it up to pass inspection.
Chiming in to thank you for this thread! I’m planning a kitchen renovations soon and am getting lots of ideas and a better understanding of what it might involve.
About the house numbers–couldn’t you just paint them on the retaining wall? Any size, any way you want.
getting back to the microwave.
The Micro Trim kit does not come with some thing to secure the microwave on to the cabinet. the two “risers” under the microwave has a stop in the back to prevent the microwave to slide back. The trim is designed to hug the rim of the microwave behind the door so to make it stable. By mounting the microwave behind the trim so the door is flush with the trim will leave room for the unit to move if some one pull on the door. Also, I don’t have the 3/8" gap on the left side in my cabinet to allow the door opening.
I think the microwave looks great. And I think it is a really good idea not to use a built-in one, but have a standard space that can accept a standard replacement. Our kitchen was built with everything customized and built in. It has been incredibly difficult to replace appliances as they wear out, involving tearing out and rebuilding to gain a half an inch here or there because nothing is available in the original size, or nothing affordable, anyway. Only the dishwasher has been easy to replace.
Can’t wait to see photos of everything with the baseboard on and the construction materials gone. The place is gorgeous!
I am sorry to say that if you use a standard counter top microwave to fit the cabinet you will have a bigger problem:
- Standard countertops are cheaper and perhaps made of lessor quality.
- Five years later, if it breaks down, the model will be discontinued and the replacement cannot use the same trim kit to re-install. In other wards once it is in the cabinet, it is like a customized built in unit.
- using the micro trim custom kit has some problems as professed above.