Usually when you get side panels you automatically have space on the sides. If you have a full depth cabinet on the top, you automatically have space at the top and in most cases you will have leave at least 1 inch of extra room for the back of the refrigerator, so there is always air circulation since everything is enclosed. In the 70's they use to make a small recessed space behind like Fred said, today you don't have to do that, most Ref have flat backs, recessed wiring, not to mention the supply for ice-maker also comes in a flush mounting kits for the wall... so pretty much everything is recessed and only space you need is for air circulation and 1" is more then enough. In addition, if you make recessed area now and you push ref to far you will never get your doors open so doing all that is a waste of time, in addition most manufacturers starting to make 30" side panels.

I would get rid of the upright cabinet it is not even the same style or color as the lower cabinet so really don’t work together then get a long shallow glass door cabinet to hang above the base

classic example of cowboy builders. no other way but to make it one nice big common bathroom with door from living/dining

My wife has been getting all kinds of conflicting ideas about the living room furniture we're thinking of buying. So we want 2 leather couches in taupe (whatever that is) which will face each other and then 2 recliners side by side. The recliners are the same model. I want mine is Blue leather (muted) and my wife wants hers in a fabric that has taupe and blue. She said she'll have the ottoman in the same pattern as her recliner and pillows that will match her recliner as well. We're being told that the recliners must match and that she also get the leather. We don't have a formal living room. We have a large family room. Do the recliners have to match as some or telling us or can we do this the way my wife wants. I just want her to be happy, I'm not that big on everything matching. Ideas?