How to Choose Your Kitchen Appliances

When we start a project, the first run at the budget generally represents an "ideal" situation. From there, we work together with our clients to come to a more "realistic" budget. But, hey, that is why they call it planning.

One area that I do push my clients on is appliances. I believe that if you are going through the process to improve your kitchen, you really need to purchase the best technology out there. Let's face it, most of us don't remodel the kitchen every 5 or 10 years, so you really need to put the money in to making sure that the appliances you purchase today will not be dinosaurs in 10 years. Let's talk about one of my favorites for refrigeration - Sub Zero.

There are some products I believe that you pay for the name, but then there are some that you are paying (up front at least) for the technology. Sub Zero's refrigeration is pretty amazing, for many reasons. If you want to know more go to http://www.subzero.com/.

The air purification system, my favorite, helps to purify the internal compartment of various items such as ethylene. What is ethylene you may ask? It is the off gas from fruits and vegetable that promotes ripening. One of the worst producers is apples. Do you have an apple in your refrigerator? Well it is helping all the other fruits and veggies to ripen along with it.

It today's climate, I hate when I have to toss fruit or veggies due to over-ripening. Sub Zeros air purification system slows all of that down, extending the life of your produce. Don't believe me? My friend, Cathie has a 600 series Sub Zero. She says she just threw out a bunch of celery this week. But she bought the celery in the beginning of December. Hmm, that is 3 months. Think of how much you could save on your grocery budget with a Sub Zero in your house. I have two boys & a grown man in mine - I'm always looking for ways to do that!

Sub Zeros also last FOREVER! I'm sure there are cases where they don't, but I can't tell you how many kitchens were we update the Sub Zero not because it doesn't work, but because it is over 20 years old and just needs to be updated to fit with the rest of the kitchen. For most people it is a fight to get them to update them because they love the one they have.

Sub Zero is also making several new product and design introductions over the next couple of years. So when it is your turn to remodel your kitchen, think hard about your appliances. Buy the best you can and you'll be glad you did down the road.

For the Love of Something With Soul

OK, when it comes down to it, I'm probably a bit more down to earth than Madonna. But I would kill for those arms! And as much as I like my labels, I love sitting in the dirt with my boys. So, it is no wonder that I feel a heart string pull to older homes. I can't help it. I read articles about historical restorations and I get all sentimental. I am in the business. I am fully in tune with the meaning of restoration or renovation of an historical style, and still I get all romantic about it!

I blame my mother. My mother and This Old House. I was drawn to watch This Old House on PBS with Bob Vila, then Steve and Norm when it was the closest thing to an interior design show there was. And then being who I am, I watched New Yankee Workshop and The Victory Garden afterwards. It was entertaining to go back to school after a success stint in interactive and traditional marketing, to hear that fellows students favorite show was "Trading Spaces". No offense to the show or the talent. There are definitely ideas and talent there. But as I told my husband - "Do not put me on any show that redecorates in 24 or 48 hours!" I'd be afraid of what fell apart in the next 24 or 48 hours after everyone left.

Good design just takes time. And unfortunately, what most people don't see in the show is the time that it takes to put it together. It's not just a little....it's more than you think.

So as I ponder and research details for our little kitchen and how to bring in the right modern touches, I wax over the "good ol'days" when homes where built to last. I romanticize what it is like to live in a much older home and design my new kitchen to live.

I hope you are able to find your sunshine among the news of rainy days!