Sunday, January 2, 2022

New Year's Projects 2022 - Part 2

Matthew Quinn - Traditional Home


Thank you for all your paint color suggestions for painting the exterior of CCC. I have been poring over them and am about to order a bunch of samples. I am really excited about getting this done. 


Project Number 2 for 2022 will be replacing kitchen appliances. The house has KitchenAid appliances and although it is a great brand and they are in great shape since this house had snowbirds previously, they are older and could use updating.

Of course with supply chain issues, it could be a year to receive them!!!! 

I know some designers recommend getting all the same brand so the finishes are all identical. I do love the G.E. Café Series and might consider all of them from that line.

On the other hand, all the same brand smacks a bit of "builder house" to me, so my instincts are to research and pick the best appliance in each category.

And although I love the commercial range in a different color look that is so on trend now, will that look dated in a few years?

So many questions...... LOL

Any appliance suggestions are most welcome. 






52 comments:

  1. Pick the best appliance in each category regardless of the manufacturer. As for stove color, I think most people still prefer stainless appliances so I'd go with a stainless stove. As for looking dated, IMHO the thing that will look the most quickly dated would be one of those too skinny stainless vent hoods. Vent hoods are the crown of the kitchen and that's where you should really splurge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Still debating all this as I am not a fan of stainless steel although I agree it is good for resale. I love a great vent hood.

      Delete
  2. And - if not doing a Built in Refer - PLEASE - Please - pretty please -make sure it's a counter depth;) One thing that will kill a good kitchen - is a regular refer sticking out 4-5 inches from the cabinets - YUCK - double Yuck. (just imho- lol)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Could not agree more. Instant turn off.
      The only way to deal with that is if you have the luxury of placing the fridge on a separate wall not adjacent to any counters. Make it look like a built in and part of floor to ceiling cabinetry, so the depth would not be an issue. I would prefer that look anyway and am trying to see if we can pull it off in our new build.

      Delete
    2. I will definitely do a counter depth although you do give up space in the fridge which is a concern for some people.

      Delete
  3. Worked for Viking. Their repairmen said buy GE Cafe series. Best long term value and few repair issues.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the GE Cafe series is beautiful. I am crazy about the Matte White with Bronze. The wait time is awful, but probably worth it.

      Delete
  4. Yes, please use a built-in refrigerator. It makes such a huge difference. I recently finished a kitchen for a client and we did so much research on stoves. We chose the Bertazonni and we both love it. It is actually what I wanted 10 years ago when we renovated our kitchen, but my husband wanted Wolf, and as he most of the cooking, Wolf it is. She got a Liebherr, as a slightly less expensive Miele or Subzero and she loves that, too. I have Miele refrigerator, it's beautiful and Bosch dishwasher. They are all on separate walls ad they "read" the same.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bertazzoni makes gorgeous ovens and stoves. So does Lacanche - my favorite.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for your suggestions. There is no gas in my community so all these sexy ranges are out unfortunately.

      Delete
  5. The La Cornue oven is far from a trend. It is handmade in France and is not only a work of art, but an extremely well built and very dependable oven. I had a white and brass one in New York and would have brought it here if there was a gas line in my new house in Florida. It KILLED me to leave it!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No gas in my Florida community either, so looking for electric choices. Thinking about the Cafe in white and bronze.

      Delete
  6. I think my Bosch dishwasher is terrific. I am ready to replace my three-year old Samsung French-door refrigerator because the ice maker (which was replaced for a defect after only a few months) is terrible, freezes up constantly, and dispenses ice cubes with slush every time I use it. Wish I'd known this is a common problem with Samsung before I bought it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agree about Bosch dishwashers. I have read about Samsung ice maker issues. What a shame.

      Delete
  7. I redid my kitchen in Chicago with a Miele range and oven. Loved them so much that when we had an unplanned move the following year to a new home build I did use the GE Cafe for the refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher that the builder used. However, for the oven and range I went with the same Miele appliances that I had in Chicago. I cook and bake using the oven at least 4 times a week as the oven does all the work. Counter depth for the refrigerator is a good tip plus I went with stainless steel with no fingerprint resistance. My daughter just with new appliances over the year and replaced with Samsung appliances. They all look great too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the ideas. How do you like the GE Cafe? I am thinking about getting them in the matte white with bronze that is gorgeous.

      Delete
  8. Definitely go with Bosch for a dishwasher; they are the best. Also, if your appliances are still in good condition, please consider donating them to Habitat for Humanity's ReStore which re-sells furniture, appliances, tools, home furnishings and other things to support their mission. They will even pick up your donations! www.habitatsouthsarasota.org/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will definitely donate them to Restore - I have donated to them for years both in NOVA and here. Agree on the Bosch. Thanks.

      Delete
  9. I agree with the comments about a counter depth fridge. Just redid my (1970's) kitchen with a Fisher & Paykal SS with freezer on the bottom. My small galley kitchen now looks so streamlined and larger. Another benefit, since it is so shallow, nothing gets lost in the back! Everything is within sight and reach.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree although you are giving up cubic feet. I hate a crowded fridge. But it definitely is a better look.

      Delete
  10. Have not had luck with our Thermador wall ovens - two expensive repairs in 5 years. Also, wish I had gone with a Wolf range like we had in our previous house - it worked great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not surprised about the Thermador based on reviews and terrible customer service ratings. That's a shame.

      Delete
  11. We've had GE Cafe appliances for five years and there have been no problems. Really happy with them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am thinking about the Cafe in the matte white with bronze as I am not a stainless steel fan at all. So good to hear.

      Delete
  12. I would not worry about different appliance makers as you should put panels on most of them which match the cabinets.
    I have had many clients who had problems with Viking and Sub Zero refrigerators. A fancy stove like La Cornue will never go out of style.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am not using panels as I am keeping my cabinets. Love La Cornue but I have electric and no gas in my community.

      Delete
  13. We ordered a new Sub Zero refrigerator around Thanksgiving to replace our 28 year old Sub Zero we put in when we built our house. We were told not to expect the new one to come in until at least JULY!! We do love our Bosch dishwashers and give them quite a work out. I have them in three houses. I do love our Wolf gas range in our Dallas house as well as the Wolf wall ovens. We have a 16 year old Viking range at our farmhouse and I am looking for a replacement now--so will watch suggestions with interest. A new Wolf range is in the $11,000 range. Do I really want to spend that for our farmhouse? My husband says yes--but I will look a the GE Cafe Series which I was not familiar with. Our farm is in the rural area and sometimes getting repairs of high end brands is problematic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wait times are crazy. I was told up to a year on the GE Cafe that I love. No gas in my community which is typical here.

      Delete
  14. Does anyone have an induction oven and how do you like it? We've had a gas range most of our lives (Thermador) loved it but it's a PITA to keep clean. I hear great things about induction just not sure how people really feel about it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love my Bosch dishwasher too, which I've had for a few years now. When I was shopping for a replacement for my old DW, I also looked at Miele, but the price was 50% more than the Bosch, and I couldn't really see a difference for that 50% more. I'm really happy with the Bosch.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Agree on the Bosch dishwasher -- THE BEST. Stay away from anything labeled LG!

    ReplyDelete
  17. We inherited a Wolf 60”range when we moved 28 years ago. 3 service calls, all minor, and still going strong. Last repairman said good for another 20 years.
    Two Kitchen Aid DW in that time had to be replaced for corrosion in our hard water area. Replaced with Miele with built-in water softener. Best dishwasher I’ve ever owned and worth every penny.
    Ditto inherited SubZero refer. Finally gave up 3
    years ago. Replaced with Thermidor side by side to fit old space. Love it. All in stainless steel.
    My best friend and her daughter just bought LeCornue and both hate them. Never checked sizes of ovens. Both say impossible to roast a large turkey. They have to cater them for holiday dinners.
    Pays to do one’s research before hand.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is wild about the Le Cornue. Yikes. Luckily I hate turkey. LOL

      Delete
    2. I did look at La Cornue a few years ago, and was surprised to see that the interior of the ovens were so small.

      Delete
  18. I need to replace my wall ovens, so it's good to hear that GE Cafe series is highly recommended. My main stove is a Wolf restaurant range. No bells or whistles, just good even heat on burners & in oven. (We did have to install a fire wall.) A roast chicken comes out great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am off to look at appliances this afternoon. The Cafe series is a fabulous look and price point and very well reviewed. I like that it is customizable.

      Delete
  19. We love our built-in SubZero fridge. Double doors up and freezer below. I still marvel after three years that it really does keep food fresher longer.

    I also love my high-end Bosch dishwasher. It’s quiet as a church mouse and wildly spacious. I especially like the tippy-top rack for slender lids and wee pieces that never fit anywhere else.

    Finally, I will never EVER have GE appliances again. They have failed us across the board, and the customer service from GE was appalling. Best wishes.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Interesting. I had a SubZero at the last house and had mixed feelings. Agree on the Bosch dishwasher. A shame on the GE - I have always had wonderful experience and had GE for decades in many homes.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Good morning!

    I installed the Bosch dishwasher and love it as I have an open plan house. When it is running, we cannot hear anything while reading or watching tv. Keep in mind, the Bosch dishwasher does not include a heating element to dry the dishes. Rather the heat in the stainless walls will dry the dishes. Takes a bit longer. Still a great dishwasher. I found the comment on the Miele dishwasher with built in water softener interesting; especially here in Florida where the water contains so much limestone residue from the aquifers. I had a Siemens dishwasher while living in Europe. There was a receptacle at the bottom to install a box of salt periodically as a softener. This actually worked so well. Dishes were clean as a whistle. I am guessing the Miele is a similar product.

    I have the Wolf duel energy 9 burner stove which I love as I have a gas line to my house. Works very well and I love cooking on on the gas cooktop. Oven is electric and provides both convection and traditional heating. No double oven here; I don't do that much cooking. That's what Publix is for! ;)

    If I did not have gas, I would certainly have given the conduction cooktop some good thought. I only hear good things from those you have this in their kitchen.

    I have a cabinet paneled Sub Zero that is awesome. As is the case with most frigs, the Ice machine is quite noisy.

    I have a Zephyr vent which is great. At its highest setting, it would suck everything out of the kitchen! Two light settings and easy to clean.

    I agree, integrating all appliances and countertops if it is possible is wonderful. Cannot always be accomplished though.

    There are so many options to choose from it does pay to research for sure. And...the wait times are discouraging.

    Happy New Year!

    best,
    teaorwine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for all this information. I did some looking and research the last few days and it is overwhelming. My biggest issue is the electric range that really narrows my options. As far as noise, I am also concerned about refrigerator noise with an open floor plan. They should do decibel ratings with fridges as well IMO.

      Delete
  22. In our NYC apartment, we have a Liebherr fridge, Bosch oven and dishwasher, and a Viking microwave drawer. The Liebherr ice maker is a problem like our Sub Zero's icemaker was,and the Viking microwave drawer is absolutely stellar. Happy 2022, Beth!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. It's funny how people rave about Sub Zero. I had one in the last house and ended up making my own ice in ice cube trays because of the awful ice maker. I looked at Bosch yesterday and loved it.

      Delete
  23. Beth, you like to entertain and LG has a refrigerator that makes craft ice, which, I think, is very cool - no pun intended. To my knowledge, there is no other fridge out there that does this, which surprises me. I have not read any ratings so I can't tell you anything about them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't bring myself to buy LG. LOL

      Delete
    2. Because? What is it about LG that you do not like? I have never owned an LG appliance, so I am unfamiliar with them.

      Delete
    3. I think they are a poor choice for selling your home - they are not cheap, and people would much rather see Bosch, KitchenAid, Ge Profile, or Cafe. Bu I wouldn't drive a Kia or Hyundai either.

      Delete
  24. Beth, Your project replacing appliances coincides with mine. While you are on the Gulf side of Florida in a gated, we are on the Atlantic side in a gated. I will be replacing cabinets well and am wondering if you have suggestions for color that you would use with the Cafe range in matte white? Love your ideas and wish you the happiest of New Years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have not seen tons of examples, but have seen them used most often in an all white kitchen. I also like them with painted cabinets like a soft blue. I think a wood cabinet would be pretty in a light to medium wood picking up the bronze handle tones. I saw the whole Cafe line the other day in the matte white and it is very pretty.

      Delete