Alternatives to Stainless Steel
Is stainless steel fridge and other kitchen appliances really the way to go? It seems to be all the rage on HGTV, but not sure I trust the source. I was looking at some old-fashiony looking things (Big Chill) but they are so expensive (more than run of the mill stainless steel). Where should one…
Is stainless steel fridge and other kitchen appliances really the way to go? It seems to be all the rage on HGTV, but not sure I trust the source. I was looking at some old-fashiony looking things (Big Chill) but they are so expensive (more than run of the mill stainless steel). Where should one look for ideas and decent prices?
Thanks
Maybe white appliances, farmhouse sinks, and white subway tile will be the next mass-market cliche? Not that I’m not completely swept up in its enchantment right now or anything.
Loved the burgundy Viking range we installed in our DP house. Went with panels that matched the cabinets on the oversized GE fridge and Miele dishwasher. Loved it.
New house and now I’m yearning for a blue enamel Le Corneau.
“”Cherry” colored cabinets, granite countertops, and spread some stainless around, that’s the formula.”
Don’t forget the downlights and sauna.
i agree with dibs’s last comment — i think the way to go is stainless steal with a custom panel for the refrigerator door. that cuts off a huge mass of the visible stainless steal which can be really overbearing (especially in city kitchens where there is a lot less cabinetry to pad around the appliances). plus the custom look is appealing to just about everyone.
however i definitely have a thing for enameled aga ranges or those gigantic copper ranges.
I’m with tiptoe- I don’t agree that stainless is necessarily ‘trendy’. It’s not like it’s a faux-finish. Appliances are by nature mostly metal – stainless is metal. Stainless is the material restaurants use and will continue to use.
At any rate, it’s certainly a lot less of a fad than my parent’s wood grain brown fridge, and by far less trendy than fake antique appliances.
actually a new alternitive to SS, to me is Jen-airr, they make appliances in Brushed Oiled Bronze….. hence the old fashioned Coppertone that I still like.
Soapstone sinks are nice. Farmers sinks in white are nice too.
In my opinion, nothing is more timeless that integrating as many appliances into the cabinetry, as you can. Kitchen were well in existence before refrigerators, dishwashers etc.
Stainless is absolutely a fad, a long-lasting fad but there will be a point when we’ll look back and say “that was so 90’s/aught’s”
Appliance companies have already started making appliances in dark oil rubbed bronze, another fad.
If you really want your kitchen to look traditional (or modern, for that matter), hide as much as you can and buy an oven /stove that you personally feel meets your cooking needs. Just be honest with yourself 😉
Subzero isn’t the only company that makes integrated refrigerators these days. Liebherr makes one at half the cost.
Modernists can use induction cook tops and traditionalists can use any number of great enameled, stainless, or cast iron looking things. Try to place them in a location as they would have when they were wood or coal fueled ranges – away from everything else, in a tiled, brick or stone niche (if you have the room…)
Just some strategies, hope this helps.
Drew Stuart
Incorporated Architecture & Design
http://www.incorporatedny.com/
Get what you like. I know on HGTV they almost make it like it’s mandatory to get stainless. My preference is the black. I do not care what anyone says. It is your home, you have to be looking at it. HGTV is constantely reminding of of re-sale, ummm, how often do people really move???
I made the mistake of that 15 years ago when I got my kitchen sink, I got white because I thought if I sold, or rented out the apartment not many people would like a black sink, so here I am 15 years later with a white sink that I really do not like…..
In a few years people will be saying, eeewww, stainless, that is so 2010…….
PS: I know I am older than dirt, but I still like the Coppertone appliances…..
***sticks toungue out***