Daily Dose Blogger Bios
Back to the Kitchen
Okay, let's leave half-women and half-beasts alone for a minute and return to the kitchen. Here's what it looks like now.
First the ugly wide shots:
And built-in cabinets, which will stay:
A neighbor stripped his cabinet doors and said I could have them. Would you go that route or try to install new glass front cabinets or foofy curtains instead?
I plan to put a colorful SMEG (tee hee) or Big Chill refrigerator in that nook between cabinets. I think SMEG (gosh I can hardly say that) is Italian and likely to come in the right size. But I wonder if they work in the US. Anybody know?
January 30, 2008
A fridge is just an empty metal box. It's not worth pouring tons of $$$ into some way-overpriced cool-colored import, esp. since parts and maintenance might prove hard to come by in the States. If you need a new fridge, just look in Consumer Reports and get the most dependable unit for the best price and call it a day.
If you're still hankerin' to a buy super-stylish imported version of something, get a gorgeous Italian sofa or armchair or living room rug. You'll get more bang for the buck.
Your cabinets still look pretty nice to me. Maybe its just the photo but I wouldn't replace the doors unless you need to.
I'd give the cabinets a fresh coat and color of paint, get new hardware and put the rest of your budget toward upgraded lighting, countertops and fixtures.
A fancy fridge, while a total splurge as the last poster suggests, really makes a vintage kitchen look pretty fabulous. So if you still have money in the budget for it after you've done all the other things, go for it.
If your budget is very limited, I wouldn't suggest getting high end appliances. It will just highlight the age/wear of the other finishes.
Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do.
Every once in a while I’ve come across a Big Chill at my local Home Goods. I’ve never bought anything big like that at Home Goods, so I have no idea if the warranty would still be valid. I don’t know if you could be that lucky to find one in the color you are looking for, but it might be worth keeping an eye on if you have a Home Goods nearby. A bargain fridge means more money to spend elsewhere….
I love your kitchen cabinets. You probably could rout out the door panels and install glass in them.
I was looking at both SMEG and Big Chill - Big Chill was too big for me; and I could NOT have a fridge with the word SMEG in big letters on it in my kitchen.
My Northsatr was pricey, yes... but there isn't a day when I don't open that bull-nosed, butter yellow darling that I don't feel happy for having gotten it. The heart wants what it wants! If a snappy, colorful, vintage fridge gets your heart racing - do it!
And I love your cabinets. A little paint and new hardware and you're golden.
I agree with germi except i'm dying for a SMEG which are being imported to the USA starting this year. In Wallace and Grommit (Curse of Ware Rabbit) their fridge is a SMUG. It's only Americans who are weird about the name. I think your cabinets look great.
Finally, the kitchen! You have great storage and a good amount of space there. I'd go toward the smeg, it's smaller and will be proportionately good there. Love the built in. I'm not clear on where you are thinking about curtains, but they look really great on the bottom, under the countertop. A cheap and very nice look. I did it myself, so I'm completely biased! Tons of potential there. To have a window in the kitchen is a huge plus too. More plans/details woman!
susan, thekitchendesigner.org
Well, one thing I do think about is that the kitty cats can't ruin a fridge. At least I don't think they can. I kept my imperfect old couch for now because the cats are bound to ruin a new one.