IMHO, disagree with your GC. The all-the-same brand-loyalty thing has been dying for several decades. Even the up-scale houses I look at during the "street of dreams" tours have kitchens that are mixed brand-wise. People doing renos, especially, tend to buy appliance-at-a-time depending on what they think is best for themselves.

The other side is that brands certainly DO try to make their stuff go together appearance-wise. I suspect that's what your GC is keying on. If that's important to you, then I yield. Certainly is IS important to many people. But it's your choice.

Doesn't make a bit of difference, just buy the best Range and best Microwave you can afford, if you buy stainless as long as the stainless is the same type (430/304/316,etc) then they should look fine together. Just make sure the "grain" of the stainless is all going the same way.

I got an NXR range for $1799 and a LG Microwave for $395, so $2200 total and then spent $70 on a stainless backsplash to tie them together and it looks good to me which is all that matters.

Thanks for the responses!

Nunyaiz1 - your cabinets look about the color ours will be. Dis you put in the floor and if so, could you share what it is? I love how they look together.