"remodeling on a shoestring budget"

[toggleswitch2]

Why were you tasting him?

Tell that realtor *itch that the excesses of granite and SS are no longer in vogue. It does not impress anyone to have the "right" toys in one's house when the house itself has no equity in it at all because one borrowed against it to redecorate it so it would no longer be "dated". Serves no one if it has to be foreclosed upon.

As for the Gaggenau thingie-- I have to agree-- it is pointless, especically when the whole pot that one uses stove-top can go in the DW.

I'd say you kitchen is in very good taste and looks great. I agree that the gold color may look better replaced with something silverish.

 

[scott55405]

Twintub, I think your kitchen is delightful, cheerful and functional and I like the updates you've made to it. White it is/would be for me as well, barring any cool mid century colored sets.

Should anyone remark negatively again, suggest that perhaps you will consider installing stainless steel if she is willing to come over and clean it daily. Even so, I know only one person I think that actually knows how to do it right, and he has ss only because it came in a house he otherwise liked.

I do like my stainless steel sink, but that's all the ss I need to be cleaning, thanks very much! As for the builtin steamer, my personal opinion would be no. 220 and a drain plus a hole in the counter seems a bit much for something like that that you may not even use that much, given other available alternatives.

How do you like living in Palm Springs, after having lived in Northern CA? Did it take time to get used to the heat?

Danemodsandy, I think your friend handled that situation most graciously, considering. Clearly not much of a real estate person if she can sell things only state of the art in the last few years, not to mention showing no courtesy or respect to a prospective client.

Volvoguy, I think the d/w he's talking about at his mom's was before reversible panels. Painting would probably work fine, or perhaps another panel will be located.

 

[twintubdexter]

The Hobart KitchenAid does not have reversible panels, it was slightly before that. They are easy to mask and paint.

I will probably install the steamer. I love anything that's built-in...period. Since I am planning on having new countertops installed later, if I decide I don't like it I just won't have a hole cut for it. There's about 100 sq ft of counter space (counting the island) so there's plenty of room, and it may come in handy for steaming the wrinkles out of my face.

 

[jeffg]

Wow Joe, maybe the attached link will change your mind about the steamer.

This one's a combo rice steamer from the same company, current Buy It Now price is $2000.00, and it looks like the seller has already sold one of the two he/she has:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260459505198

 

[frontaloadotmy]

And of course when your friends say,

"Joe how do you keep your face so youthful, so wrinkle free?"

You may smirk, " I simply Gaggenau every other month!"

I think your kitchen is very nice; white appliances are
very attractive.

 

[appnut]

I think your kitchen is beautiful either way. I am sad a little bit you got rid of the Maytag dishwashers. I do believe those were the Mechanical (not electronic) IntelliSense models. I wanted one of those really bad, they were so fasscinating, but oculdn't justify giving up the GE GSD1200 with rapid advance timer.

 

[twintubdexter]

JeffG

That's the same steamer I paid $25 for. I knew how pricy it was but I think just about all Gaggenau is a rip-off. Show me where there's even $500 worth of parts there let alone $2000! Same with that U-Line wine refigerator, not worth half of the retail. And that Monogram ice machine....all of the parts say FSP, that's Whirlpool.

 

[jeffg]

For us it comes down to cost vs. benefit. If we could sell that steamer and pay for an entire remodeling project in our kitchen, we'd do it in a heartbeat. For $2000 we'd boil the cup of water to steam our veggies.

 

[kqkenmore]

I am not a fan of white but in your kitchen i think that it looks great.You have done a excellent job on it.I do not care for stainless steel appliances either I prefer black.You have an awsum kitchen.enjoy

 

[spankomatic]

Cool kitchen! Love the boxes on top of the frige/freezer for the built in look. Great idea! Drawer microwave looks really "metro". Love the steamer and would install it. I too noticed the cabinet hardware. It's not bad......but could be a lot better. The hinges are hidden so not really noticeable. Great thing about cabinet hardware is it is easy to change. Some reason I think black hardware would look good. It would be fun to get a couple different knobs and experiment. Thanks for sharing the photos. They are great!

Jim

 

[countryguy]

Joe,

Your kitchen looks great! I love having the full size fridge/freezer side by side like that. Personally, I don't like stainless steel appliances. I have all black in my kitchen.

Well done!

Gary

 

[rayjay]

I think you kitchen is beautiful. I also think that if you stay with either WHITE, BLACK, OR STAINLESS STEEL, that it will always be in. My parents bought their house in 1962 and it had a Hardwick Stainless stove top and wall oven. My mom had replaced them twice since then will all stainless. Always looks in. I know you get scratches on stailess, but this adds to the patina. Other finishes just chip.

 

[twintubdexter]

thank you so much...

...for all the kind comments. I hope no one thought I was bragging because there is nothing in my house worth bragging about...however...you people with the wonderful retro kitchens, great vintage appliances and those terrific collections of mixers, coffee makers, toasters and the like have plenty to brag about. Please continue to post photos