I'm depressed, frustrated and about ready to scream

This has been the weekend of frustration and anger. After not getting the flooring on Friday and not being able to move the new table in to the kitchen we decided to continue unpacking the kitchen and trying to decide where to put what.

During this we discovered a major problem with these cabinets. They're to low, we can't get the coffee machine, the bread maker or any of the small appliances to fit under the cabinets and still be useable. And to think I was frustrated on Friday, that was small in comparison. Mark's already make it crystal clear that he'll complain about this each and every time he tries to make coffee. I'm not at all sure what can be done, but I'm telling you, I won't be able to listen to Mark complain for the next twenty years about this. We have e-mailed the general contractor about this, but since it's the weekend I'm sure he's not going to see the note until Monday.

According to the paperwork there was an 18" clearing before the light rail and there is 18". That 18" would allow all the appliances (including the Kitchenaid which by the way is 17") to fit smoothly under the cabinet. The problem is the light rail and the trim at the top. They bring the cabinets down so you can't use the appliances without having to move them each and every time (and forget the Kitchenaid completely, you have to move it out to the counter's edge to use that). It seems to me, though I'm not a carpenter, the solution is to remove the top trim piece and maybe downsize the light rail. Though as Mark pointed out that the cabinetry around the microwave and oven are not going to match no matter what they do since it's one solid piece. I can only guess how much this is going to cost us to fix and how long will it impact getting or using the kitchen. What I'm worried about is whatever the fix there is, how will it effect the back splash? Will I have to have the tile removed, the wall repaired, and new tile installed? How is this all going to work out? Can it work out?

They tell you to expect some problems and unforeseen difficulties when you do a remodel, how can they prepare you for something like this. I so want to rant and rave (I guess I'm kinda doing that here) and ask why it wasn't made clear that the light rail would seriously impact using the kitchen.

For any future remodelers out there reading this, measure your appliances and how you use them. Do you need to open your bread machine under the cabinet? Do you need to open the water reservoir on your coffee machine while it's under the cabinet (or if you're like me and use the Keurig machine can you lift the arm?) Is your kitchen aid a fixed base or does the top tilt back, how much space do you need for that? Before signing off on the design make sure that those measurements will be accommodated, it'll save you some heartburn.

I guess I should have been prepared for these problems, we've had a relatively smooth remodel so maybe this is where my glitches will happen.

On the only positive note I can muster for this posting, they're going to install the new counter top and sink in the bonus room on Monday, so rather than deal with the kitchen any more and just add to my feelings of hopelessness, we've cleared the cupboards and top in the bonus room in anticipation of the new top.