Thursday, January 27, 2022

A Mini Kitchen Renovation at a Mini Price

LG Induction Range


Kitchen renovations are of course a very costly project.

"In its annual Cost vs. Value report for 2019, Remodeling Magazine puts the national average for a midrange major kitchen remodel at $66,196 and an upscale major kitchen remodel at $131,510. In the Pacific region (Alaska, California, Washington and Oregon), according to Remodeling Magazine, that same midrange major kitchen remodel jumps to $72,513 and an upscale major kitchen remodel jumps up $11,823 from the national average, to $143,333. Compare those costs to the South Atlantic Region (Maryland, South Carolina, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Washington, D.C.) where a midrange major kitchen remodel prices out at $63,387 and an upscale major kitchen remodel is $126,307. The addition of luxury stone or marble countertops, high-end faucets and flooring, a commercial-grade range and luxury faucets can all significantly increase the cost of a renovation." (HGTV)

When I moved into this house, I knew that I was quite happy with the kitchen's custom wood cabinets, granite countertops, stone floors, and layout. What it lacked was a backsplash, an island, and updated appliances except for a brand new LG stainless steel microwave. I really had no set budget in mind. I was just trying to find things I loved within the confines of my existing footprint and with no gas lines where I live.

Several months ago I had a beautiful honed Carrara marble herringbone backsplash installed. 



I have also ordered this marble topped kitchen island. The bottom shelf will house my collection of Le Creuset cookware.


French Kitchen Island

Much research and your many helpful comments reinforced my selecting an 800 Series Bosch dishwasher. Bosch dishwashers are renowned for their quality, longevity, and extremely quiet operation. 


Bosch Stainless Steel SHPM78Z55N

I was looking for a highly rated, very quiet, counter depth, four drawer, 70" high French Door refrigerator with nothing on the front - I do not care for the visual of the water and ice dispenser on the door. A veritable needle in a haystack. I found this one and it fit the bill perfectly and was even on sale through yesterday.


LG Stainless Steel LMWC23626S

And last but not least, I needed a range. I love the beefy looking commercial gas ranges, but I have a 30" wide space and an all electric house. Your comments and my reading online led me more and more in the direction of an induction range. They are more energy efficient than gas or electric, are considered by many superior for cooking to gas or electric, and cleanup is a breeze. I encourage you to click on and read this really excellent article on induction cooking from The Rational Kitchen - 

Is Induction Cooking Better than Gas (and if so, why)?

If you live somewhere where there is no gas, you are not stuck with electric - there is a wonderful option out there. So I began looking at induction ranges and had narrowed it down to the LG and the Café. When I saw the gorgeous cobalt blue enamel interior of the LG, I was sold. And it was on a substantial sale as well! It has the styling of a commercial/professional range, is indiction, I love the blue interior, and the price was fabulous. It is also WI-Fi enabled - you can, for example, preheat your oven on your way home from your phone. Too cool.


LG Stainless Steel LSE4616ST


Interior

So everything is ordered. Projected delivery dates are of course crazy with the typical supply chain issues with the range due in March, the island in April, the refrigerator in June, and the dishwasher in September. These are guesses right now and will tighten up in few weeks. Frankly, it is what it is. My current appliances are all working fine, and time is not of the essence. 

Patience is a very necessary virtue especially now.

At any rate, when everything does get here, I will have a kitchen I love for a price tag of about $8,000 all in for the appliances, island, and backsplash as opposed to tens of thousands of dollars or more, so I am thrilled. By the time my exterior power washing, painting and then some mulching, pruning, and sprucing up of the landscaping is done, the appliances should start rolling in. I will share the before, during, and after photos along the way.

My own version of the "no demo reno." Something to consider as an option.







22 comments:

  1. Kudos for your no demo reno! I love your choices and I can't wait to see the final look!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much. So happy I will have no mess to deal with.

      Delete
  2. Congratulations on putting together a great kitchen refresh. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. The induction range is beautiful. The learning curve on using the cooktop won't be long. If you are in the market for ferrous metal pans check out Cuisinart. Mine have been going strong since 2110 and I love to cook.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the head's up on the cookware. Luckily, my Le Creuset and Staub will work fine, but I need some basics.

      Delete
  3. Talk about bang for your buck! I love all your choices and can't wait to see your pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I am very pleased and excited to see it all too.

      Delete
  4. Love induction! It's the best!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am excited and thrilled to get rid of the electric range.

      Delete
  5. Just curious -- will your Le Creuset work on the cooktop or will you be limited to oven use?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Le Creuset will work perfectly on the cooktop. Cast iron is a ferrous metal that is necessary for induction cooking.

      Delete
  6. Looks like you did an amazing job of picking out stunning appliances and excellent price tags. Best of both worlds! Looking forward to seeing the finish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much. No instant gratification, but they will be worth the wait I think.

      Delete
  7. WOW! I am so excited for you I can barely contain my enthusiasm! Supply chain issues are, unfortunately, just another part of life. Back in 2019 when we bought our Bosch dishwasher we had to wait about 9 weeks for it to arrive...and we were without a working dishwasher the entire time. Yes, we are very spoiled with all our modern conveniences but washing a few dishes every day was a small price to pay; a dishwasher is the easiest appliance to do without for a short period of time in my opinion. Thankfully, this is not going to be an issue for you. And if you have a Habitat for Humanity Restore in your area you can donate your older appliances and they will pick them up from you. Win - win! Can't wait for it all to come together!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much. I will definitely call Restore. I loved them in NOVA. In NOVA, interior designers donated to them and they had wonderful things - fabrics, wallpapers, etc.

      Delete
  8. The carrara marble backsplash is just stunning!

    Congratulations on your wonderful finds, Beth. You're fortunate that you have a layout and many existing surfaces that you are happy with. Was that one thing that motivated you to choose the house that you chose? I'm anxious to see the finished results.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. I really liked everything about this house. The most important things to me were the location, the view, the layout and flow, the soaring ceilings, and the stone floors. But the fact that I liked the bathrooms and kitchen and would not need to redo them was a definite plus.

      Delete
  9. High FIVE on choices - LOVE, love, LUV a COUNTER DEPTH fridge - CAN NOT stand when people have their fridge stick out 5 inches or so from their counters - ugh - BARF ! AND - the blue interior LG RANGE is OFF THE CHAIN - if I didn't just have a kitchen reno in past 4 years - I'd be getting what you're gettin - just sayin' Really awesome IMHO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for enthusiasm. I am looking forward to their arrival.

      Delete
  10. I bought the exact oven for its blue interior in November. It arrived last week, ready to be delivered to our home in Mexico. Did you know when baking, if you knock on the oven door, the light will come on? How can a range have so much personality?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I mentioned that feature in my previous post about it. The was quite a wait! Mine is due in February. I think it's quite chic.

      Delete