Comments on: Looking Outside the Stainless-Steel Box

By: Nathan

Nathan — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:08:08 +0000

I like a fridge and freezer to be the colour of the cabinetry, but I like the stove/oven to be stainless steel. I do like the bronze but think it would really depend on the room to whether or not it would work. Retro I’m not sure about. Some days I like it and other days I don’t. I like the idea of it. And the look. But I would never have a crazy coloured appliance in my kitchen.

By: barbiefish

barbiefish — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:25:37 +0000

It’s a matter of taste — folks need to get the look that pleases them. Of all the comments, what Denise describes sounds the most appealing to me. But deep down, I really want to have a heavy-duty, restaurant style kitchen, with some quirks so it’s not too cold. The industrial kitchen look has had me hooked since the mid-80s when it was being pushed in the NYC area (where I lived at the time). Here in southern Virginia that might be a little too audacious to pull off. After living with a yucky 50s (and obviously done on the cheap at the time) kitchen for 22+ years, the overriding agenda is to remodel the kitchen so it is very functional for two people who like to cook. I don’t think the stainless look, and tiled backsplashes as well, will ever be “out of style” if cooking is the main function (as opposed to decorating).

Of course, white and black appliances seem as timeless to me as stainless so I wouldn’t argue with anyone who prefers them. We all know that the bronze/brown, avocado, and gold appliances from the past do date kitchens. So if you go with SS, black, or white, you’re pretty safe on that score. But what about cabinets? Pickled cabinets from a decade ago are now dated. Elaborate Tuscan kitchens may have already exceeded their “sell by” date (I hope . . .). And mixed-mosaic tiles (glass or otherwise) are going to date today’s kitchens pretty soon. Granite or other stone countertops do offer a lot of color and pattern options so they could be around for a good while, due to the diverse choices. (I love some granites but not enough to make the kitchen a “showcase” at the expense of functionality and greater debt!)

If you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, buy what you like and what looks good to and works for you. If you are outfitting your kitchen primarily with resale in mind, try to crystal ball what will be in and out.

By: Diana@TheDevineHome

Diana@TheDevineHome — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:55:55 +0000

I know I’m late to this post but wanted to chime in anyway We’re at the tail end of our kitchen remodel and I have helped many a client remodel their kitchens. While personal tastes (and budgets) always dictate, I have to say I’m a bit tired of creating “Stepford kitchens” as I call them for clients. . . you know: granite, stainless and perfect cabinets. All a variation on the same theme and no real personality. I’ve also got a concern that the granite/stainless look will become a “design fingerprint”, if you will, that IDs the time those kitchens were created – kinda like the avocado appliances of the past.

Personally, I went with all white appliances in our kitchen. As many have stated, white and black have withstood the test of time (and it’s funny – quite a few clients have regrets about their stainless. They have kids and even though they “bought the good stuff” it’s not fingerproof despite the claims and they are soooo tired of wiping off fingerprints.) We selected an AGA 36″ range in vintage white – it was a splurge but not nearly as much as a Viking or Thermador and sooo much personality! It perfectly complements the old-fashioned wall mount sink and gives the kitchen a timeless look as opposed to a period look. I’m hoping to be able to post pics soon!

Diana@TheDevineHome’s last blog post..A Mouse (or Two) In the House

By: ida

ida — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:21:02 +0000

i picked the black. i really like red in the washer and dryer. i personally have white in the kitchen becouse i was super poor when i bought them. same with my own washer and dryer. but, i have a red microwave that matches my red 1950′s counter tops in the kitchen. but, then i do have the hello kitty toaster. lol

even though in many of my entries i have talked about red and black and going a little wild with color under no conditions do i ever say hey lets get the stove with the flower on it. now, that is just tasteless…………lmao…..lol so hard i’ll die.

By: Bettsi

Bettsi — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:03:39 +0000

I voted for the cabinetry look, but when that’s not feasible, I love good old basic white. It’s like toilets! White is never wrong!

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:41:53 +0000

I totally agree with Denise – my island has a stainless steel top that really takes a beating!I just don’t worry about it – I “Simple Green” it to clean and that’s it. In fact, I think the more wear w/ss the better! Kinda gives it a patina .. . and I think it looks great with warm woods especially.

Distressed and slightly imperfect – Denise’s home sounds lovely to me!

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:24:49 +0000

If the man in your home loves to cook - consider stainless steel. Yes, SS appliances and counter tops (we have both) can look industrial, but they will stand up to the wear and tear of two cooks in the kitchen. Simple pine cabinets warm up our room and I love my white farmhouse apron front sink. A 19th century Canadian hutch with a time honored crackled patina and an old painted back door (also aged by decades of use) compliment the polished look of the SS. Stainless steel counter tops will scratch with use and I was forewarned before we had them installed. I don't mind. Our home is more than a century old and everything about it is distressed and slightly imperfect. Denise’s last blog post..The Geek Squad hits Seattle

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:28:53 +0000

I am such a fan of a non-fitted kitchen. I don’t want what everybody else has or everything matching. I swore when I moved into this house that I could NO way live in such a small kitchen (has exactly two small, narrow drawers a two tiny counters). But I have made it work. Up until recently I had a Craftsman tool chest on wheels, with a butcher block on top, for an island. But my husband wanted it back and bought me a island on wheels that holds a ton of stuff! A $15 hutch I found at the Salvation Army (that came with two matching side tables – a bedroom set) that I have never repainted, holds dishes and below has four huge drawers for pasta, bread – you name it. I have two white appliances and when my built-in range died, I just about died at the replacement cost! Over $800 – and that was five years ago. Well . . my husband found an ad in the local newspaper insert for a FREE oven – just like mine! It has glass door with almond color surroung and stainless steel top. Has worked like a charm! It’s not self-cleaning, but so what? And to to really get everbody gasping, I love my kitchen carpet! With many critters running around and living in the country, it’s been a life saver. It all works and people tell me I have a knack for putting things together. And I didn’t spend a fortune. PS – but I do think those bronze appliances are pretty:)

By: le

le — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 06:02:24 +0000

I love the florals if they were just decals you could whip on and off …. but I am a retro girl at heart so do love the cream and silver with rounded corners – too cool for school …

Julia as a side bar I took MIC on a Vday outing inspired by you – see you work magic across the blogomiles hugs le

le’s last blog post..Frugal Date – with Julia Influences

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:42:58 +0000

Here are some more appliance re-do ideas:

http://www.piercedtin.com/appliance-fronts-collection.htm
http://www.dishwasherart.com/kitchen-decor.php