[RickM]

I'm in the middle of planning a kitchen as well.

IMO

$30k does not get you top of the line appliances in a remodel. A 48" Wolf, Viking or DSC stove/oven combo will hit you for around $10k at most places. (Luckily I can get at cost but still in the $7-$8k range) More if you do a high end stove top and separate wall ovens. Forget about the prices of a high end fridge.....the prices are sick.
While on a spreadsheet these high end appliances may depreciate they hold their value very well at resale time.

A kitchen is one of the better selling points of a house....as mentioned. Tabs nailed it best. A couple of years ago a sunroom gave best returns followed by bathroom and then kitchen.