Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen appliances aren t what they used to be and that s a good thing.
Today s appliances are intelligent, efficient, and most notably, stylish. For those of us
who survived the days of avocado green refrigerators and harvest gold ranges, beauty
isn t everything, but it certainly counts. Of course, quality is the most important
consideration, and the good news is today s appliances perform as beautifully as they
look.

Built-in or Free standing?

When designing your dream kitchen, one of the first decisions you ll need to make is
whether your appliances will be built in or free standing. What you should ask yourself
is whether you prefer integrated appliances that blend with cabinetry, professional-style
appliances that look like they belong in a restaurant kitchen, or unique appliances with
character, such as restored or reproduced antiques.
Built-in appliances have been around for some time, but not in the form they are now.
Today s built-in appliances are designed to blend with the kitchen cabinetry to the extent
that it is difficult, if not impossible, to tell the difference between a cabinet and the
refrigerator. If you re looking for a warm, furniture-like d cor for your kitchen, built-ins
may be just what you re looking for.
In recent years, free standing, professional-style appliances particularly those made of
stainless steel have become very popular in custom homes. Once reserved for homes
with an industrial or contemporary design, stainless steel has quickly become the new
neutral, comfortably fitting into homes of any style, from Mediterranean to Colonial.
If you re looking for something with a unique charm, you may want to consider restored
or reproduced antique appliances. An enamel-surfaced, porcelain range from the 1930s
and a hand-carved wooden ventilation hood will add character and old-world appeal to
any kitchen. However, if you take this route, keep in mind that restored or reproduced
appliances may not offer the same modern conveniences as new appliances.
Once you ve decided between free standing and built-ins, you can begin to explore the
exciting and innovative features found in today s kitchen appliances.