When we began our kitchen wish list, a nice gourmet gas stove was at the very top. A dual oven no doubt as we imagined the hustle and bustle of holiday cooking, birthday dinners, large dinner parties... A pie baking on one side, the entree simmering away in the other...I could smell the aroma already.
But it was not meant to be, at least in our near future.
For the things that took the place of this beautiful gourmet range were:
insulation,
a new roof,
some new wiring,
updated plumbing,
updated heating,
new/old windows,
sill repairs,
paint (removing and adding),
etc.,
etc.
So instead, we found ourselves purchasing this Frigidaire electric coil top stove.
What we really love about our new 40-inch Frigidaire is that it was very affordable, purchased at a scratch and dent appliance store for more than 60% off retail. It is brand new, but indeed has a scratch, and a dent, located on the right side, which will be conveniently out of sight.
Due to all of the budget reasons I listed above, the stove was not the only thing on the kitchen wish list to go. We also canceled our cabinetry. The cost was of primary concern, but also, it felt premature to invest in a substantial kitchen design when we had never even spent a night in the house, nor shared a meal at the table.
So it's off to Plan B.
Plan B is for us to do a more temporary kitchen plan - less expensive appliances, self-made lower cabinets/shelving, self-standing furniture...and those IKEA counter tops. They have been a theme in our house renovations, and so the theme continues.
We're not sure how long this 'temporary' kitchen will be in place...There is new siding and paint we need to do this summer...But with our dual electric oven, I can still imagine the hustle and bustle of holiday meals...a pie baking on one side, the entree simmering away in the other.
And that wonderful aroma...
The space between the burners will come in so handy. An electric griddle, fry pan, wok or any number of things could easily fit there as well as pans that need to be pulled off the heat, like caramel! Can't wait to see your temporary kitchen. I imagine a great big old fashioned country kitchen.
ReplyDeleteI have a hunch your new temporary kitchen will be every bit as wonderful as your last kitchen, coiled stove and all! Can't wait to see it.
ReplyDeleteYour new stove looks a little retro, so that's a plus. We're in the middle of a budget kitchen (whole house) re-do, ourselves. My current dilemma is trying to add personality to our plane Jane IKEA cabs. Good luck with your project!
ReplyDeleteMy dad and stepmom bought that exact same Frigidaire stove, for exactly the same reason. I'm happy to report that it *does* hold up lots and lots of baking and cooking, plus they use it to make ~5 quarts of maple syrup every year. It's not a beauty, but it does the job.
ReplyDeleteIf it's any consolation: I'm in a similar situation. My old stove is on its last legs, but due to other necessary projects (ice damming,which necessitates new windows, roof, flooring, etc)..arrgh! we have to make do with what we have for the time being.
ReplyDeleteHowever, one good thing: you bought a stove which is roughly the same size as the one you really want, so replacing it won't be a hassle..
You're doing a wonderful job on your home; I know it'll be beautiful..
I'm sure your kitchen design will be lovely. I love an unfitted, freestanding design in a kitchen. To me, it looks as if it has evolved over time. You may find that your "temporary" kitchen is the kitchen of your dreams!
ReplyDeleteWe purchased Frigidaire appliances when we moved into our 50's home 11 years ago, and I couldn't be happier with the set. I love the vintage style, they work perfectly for our needs and were very affordable. I love seeing a simple, lovely, humble country kitchen in the most beautiful of homes. To me, love and the best food comes from them ;) Deni
ReplyDeleteI've never had a new kitchen...or new anything really. I have dreamed of a large space with a lovely AGA purring softly all the time. Just like in Rosamunde Pilcher's books. Like you...life, children and other expenses have come first. I admire your priorities and am so looking forward to what you do in your kitchen. I am quite sure it will be wonderful. :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes these decisions have to be made. It just might just be that you'll now run in to the PERFECT piece of old furniture around which your incredibly personal and unique new kitchen evolves.
ReplyDeleteThe salvage place from whence most of my home came gets closeout fancy-schmancy stoves [la courneau at present I think??] Greendemolitions.org
ReplyDeleteI always suggest looking at arch. salvage to source materials
In the 1970's I lived in a home built in 1900. An old southern home in terrible condition by today's standards. The only modern convenience was electricity. All walls were boards laid horizontal. No insulation. No heat. No running water. It was the best years of my life. We got a wood cook stove to hook up to the flue and a used GE white electric coil stove. I like cooking and having the two different units. The wood cook stove was of necessity due to no heat in the room. But really what I wanted to share is the charm in a "deconstructed" kitchen. Looking at the beautiful modern cabineted (made up word) in some ways reminds me of closets. Not many closets have personalities and would that they did! I like a kitchen with furniture in it and only the basics. Knowing how beautiful your last kitchen was, I can only imagine how pretty this one will be and how lovely your little ones will think it is. And I do like your range!:)
ReplyDeleteYour temporary kitchen will require a thousand times more creativity and ingenuity. I'm more interested to these results than if you were doing a conventional kitchen.
ReplyDeleteThat stove is so much like the ones I grew up with - with the 'little oven' to the left side and the space between the burners. The kitchen of the 50's ranch of my childhood was very small with hardly any counter space, and my mother really used that stove area. As for my own experience, I can remember so many times with our old house that I wanted to spend money on furniture or decorating or something for show, but instead would say to friends, 'would you like to come to the basement and see our new furnace?' You're taking care of the most important things first.
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you as someone who owns a similar stove to the the "fancy" stove/oven at the top -- it's not all it's cracked up to be! I have had much less expensive stoves and ovens that performed waaayy better - as a professionally trained cook I'll just say -- higher price tag doesn't always equal better! Can't wait to see the new kitchen!
ReplyDelete(I do love VIKING though -- great company)
Very smart of you to renovate in stages. I know that your "temporary" kitchen design will be lovely and I look forward to seeing it. That's an interesting stove, by the way. All that space in the middle of the coils could come in very handy!
ReplyDeleteClaudia
I have lived in my old house for 20 years and not everything is done yet. A home takes a while to evolve and maybe your kitchen ideas will change once you are living there.
ReplyDeleteCheck out Sarah Sherman Samuel's kitchen on her blog smitten studio - she used IKEA cabinets w/ custom door fronts by semihomemadedoors.com
ReplyDeletehttp://www.smittenstudioonline.com/tag/kitchen/
http://www.semihandmadedoors.com
This is real life. I know you will be happy with your decision, no matter how long temporary is. I bet you will find some beautiful furniture pieces that will function well in your kitchen past the temporary phase.
ReplyDeleteAnd love. Always, LOVE.
ReplyDeleteThe best is already there in each of you.
Garden & Be Well, XO T
Kudos for keeping it real. I read so many DIY/decorating blogs, and it seems like everyone has an endless supply of funds for their projects. I'm sure you are making prudent decisions for your kitchen.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, we are saving for three years to do our kitchen. You're not the only one waiting. Haha. In this instant gratification, everything perfect world, there are many people doing things the slow sensible way. The only difference is that, in the meantime, you'll make your kitchen look perfect as it is, with your lovely taste. Great things come to those who wait. Or so I've been telling myself for years and years. Xo Terri
ReplyDeleteAt his post is a breath of fresh air. It's so nice to be able to relate. Thank you for being real!
ReplyDeleteKudos to both of you for not going into debt. As someone else mentioned, the owners of the home blogs appear to have an in less supply of cash for expensive French ovens, doors, furniture, etc. Thank you for being honest and stating, "can't afford it now."
ReplyDeleteCheck out Vintage Whites Blog! A home tour with a similar stove and beautifully edited spaces is shared! Your blog is a delight!
ReplyDeleteSeems to me that food cooked with love (okay...let's be honest...love and some skill) tastes just as good no matter what type of stove was used! Wise choice!
ReplyDeleteI actually really like that little stove! My sister-in-law just took out a bank loan to buy a Viking stove. Oh, no! Frankly, I feel that the entire kitchen cabinetry business is a huge racket. We just did our little 64 sq. ft. townhouse kitchen remodel, using white Ikea cabinets, the double farmhouse sink, and the wood Ikea counter tops like you used in your last house. And yes, we have a used white stove and a new little white fridge. I love our kitchen, and it cost us less than $5,000. (We did absolutely everything ourselves from planked ceilings to flooring to plumbing and electricity.)
ReplyDeleteStill, when I looked at those Ikea cabinets, I couldn't help but think we were paying a lot for a box with a door on it. It is the same with all cabinets--thousands and thousands of dollars for this outlay. And don't get me going on expensive counter tops! If I had a big, empty kitchen as you have, I would definitely avoid the entire costly cabinet route and do exactly what you are doing with your "temporary" kitchen. Purchasing a couple statement pieces of antique furniture for storage will be a lot less expensive than cabinetry and will be so charming! Catherine, I know you will end up with a beautiful kitchen that is personal, cozy and beautiful! And it will be entirely original.
Before she took down her blog, did you see Rie Sterling's kitchen remodel? They had a big empty space like you have and bought a complete English Smallbone Co. kitchen on craigslist for $5,000! This kitchen would easily be ten times that cost retail. The beauty of these cabinets is that they are freestanding pieces like furniture. I believe you can still see her kitchen on Pinterest under her name.
ReplyDeleteImagining all the love that will go on in your kitchen, I think Plan B will be wonderful as well. linda r (phila burbs)
ReplyDeleteYou are smart to live in your kitchen a while before moving on to your Plan B. After living in it for a while, you'll know exactly what you want. I have no doubt everything will look beautiful when you are done.
ReplyDeleteI moved into a townhome that had been totally redone almost two years ago. They put in all Frigidaire appliances. They are the worst appliances I've ever owned. I have a stainless steel gas range-it emitted a toxic fume when I turned it on...the smell was so bad it burned my lungs and I had to open all of the windows and doors to let it out. After googling it, it appears it's from one of the chemicals they use on the oven interiors-they claim it will go away after the first few times and I think they even address it in the manual. I rarely use it because I use my Breville Smart Oven (convection) most of the time (which I love) however at almost two years late, my Frigidaire oven still emits a chemical smell when using the oven; I still have to open all windows even in the winter. Because of this, I've only used the stove maybe 4 times. The oven design is poor. When I turn on the oven and set the timer, the stove will turn the oven OFF when the timer is done. So, you assume just the timer went off when in reality, your entire oven was turned off. This is an especially nice feature at Thanksgiving. Also, the stove heat cycles on and off so the "on" light goes on and off, initially, I thought the whole stove was turning off when it did that. Next, the gas knobs turn easily even when you just brush them. You have to make sure you didn't accidently turn them on. I'd hate having little ones around with that! Also, the stove knobs go from ignite to high then countdown to the lower numbers. So if you have something on a level 3 and it's too high and/or starting to burn, to turn the flame OFF, you have to turn the flame up before you can turn it off since the off button it before the highest level (button reads off, ignite, 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 and you turn if counterclockwise to turn off so you essentially turn it up before you turn it off making it a fire hazard). Anyway, I know you purchased an electric model but there are fire complaints on the electric stoves so just make sure that Frigidaire is what you want. My Frigidaire stainless steel dishwasher was brand new when I moved in. The control panel went out after one week of use. Hope this helps.
Oh my, that's horrible! We'll have to look into further. Thank you for taking the time to write. Best, Catherine
DeleteA very sensible solution. Way back in the seventies I lived in a house with the exact stove in avocado green! A neighbor took it off my hands ,when I moved on to white, from which I've never strayed. Love your beautiful posts.Thanks for sharing. Annette
ReplyDeletePlan B will be beautiful, I have always found when faced with lack of "funds" your imagination is usually leaps ahead you just have to catch up! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/531706299732655334/ This is a kitchen by Eleanor Cummings - no doors (huge saving) and cement worktop for example so simple and genius.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link!
DeleteI think it is better to live in a house for a while before make big decorating decisions. You might change your mind once you get to know your home.
ReplyDeleteHow I empathise with this post! We have just finished renovating a big French house in the South West of France. Like you, I had a list of all the things I wanted to do, high up on my list was adding a swimming pool. However, the house is finished I am happy to say, the pool is a long long way off. Instead there were unplanned things that needed doing, the roof, leaking windows, replacing ancient plumbing, these were not on my to do list at all when we bought the house, they didn't even show up in the inspection but they have taken priority! Am new to your blog and so glad I found it, you have a new fan and follower!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, how we do indeed share a similar story! I look forward to visiting you in France (via your blog), it sounds absolutely magical. Best, Catherine
DeleteI have to say I find it quite refreshing to hear that you are only able to afford the simpler stove for now. Most of these blogs out there seem to have no idea of a budget or have endless funds. Your kitchen and home will be beautiful. Thanks for keeping it real.
ReplyDeletei love that you took a step back and created a plan b. i always thing my first idea for a room isn't my best anyway. looking forward to seeing step b...it's going to be lovely, i know!
ReplyDeleteLove, love the stove!
ReplyDelete