<p>I want a royal blue Viking, which I will design my new kitchen around.</p>
<p>Of course, I am not getting a new kitchen, I am getting three college educations, but why quibble?</p>
<p>But if I were getting a kitchen, it would have a blue stove, white cabinets with those little half moon pulls, one counter of white marble, one of either stainless or butcher block, a slate floor and a cool backsplash in cool colors in an array of colors like white, black and blue.</p>
<p>I’m not getting all the comments about how hard it is to take care of stainless and granite. We have stainless sub-zero and viking appliances and have no problem with fingerprints. They get wiped down once every couple of weeks by my Merry Maids, but they don’t really look dirty at all between cleanings. I don’t do anything to my granite other than wipe it down, so it has not been any more of a maintenance issue for me than formica would be and in 15 years, I’ve not managed to chip it or damage it in any fashion.</p>
<p>" Will give a fridge allowance when I sell, if that is soon. "</p>
<p>Here in WA a fridge is not considered a built in appliance, and sellers are not under any obligations to include it or offer a fridge allowance (DW, stove and ovens are built in and have to stay).</p>
<p>A friend has the bisque appliances with close enough cabinet color- and it looks spectacular. Of course, her kitchen is spacious and overlooks the water. When we looked, Sears said they were discontinuing (and the prices were higher.) Now I have something more to bend my mind around, since I will want to replace the appliances in the next few years. </p>
<p>But I knew if I waited long enough, the SS fancy would calm down.</p>
<p>Need to say that, in an area near me, my KD friends bemoan that people spend a fortune on the upgrades, SS, granite-- and the new owners rip it all out, do what fancies them.</p>
<p>My off white cabinets are a bear to keep clean, esp around pulls and edges. Anyone recommend a product that won’t mar the finish?</p>
<p>re Formica- it doesn’t matter that I know how to treat counters- H is the one who caused the burn. There’s a story there- H couldn’t find the heating pad one night when young son had an earache and heated a dishtowel in a frying pan which then touched the counter in three small spaces leaving white spots on my blue fiber counter (chose color knowing no one else had to want it by the time we moved). Who knows how many times knives were used on the surface over the years- just one small cut, why bother with a board… Same reason nonstick pans get scratched- just using the metal tea/tablespoon to remove food instead of a proper spoon, sigh.</p>
<p>Just finished renovations of a 1986 house. 1986 was a good year for interesting contractor’s choice in colors here- blush pink kitchen counters and cabinets for this house (along with the original mauve carpets, pink in tiles/vinyl and pink wallpapers in kitchen, master bedroom and half bath). Neighbors report white, peach and other themes. Oh- and the turquoise cabinets in the laundry room cum hallway to the garage- love that color, just not in cabinetry I see everyday. In twenty some years the next owners can decry our choices although there won’t be the same wear and tear.</p>
<p>I find the smooth stove top harder to look clean, but no burner trays to clean as a tradeoff. Stainless reminds me of the hospital surgery areas I worked in and the dorm food service job, too much is too industrial and not homelike to me.</p>
<p>wis, I’ve seen those pink counters/mauve carpets here in FL. When looking for a house I’d walk out of them, cuz I knew I couldn’t afford to change everything. My Aunt bought a condo with the pink kitchen, and a stove “that was never used”. Not uncommon for FL.</p>
<p>At this time of life, I’m not going to invest in high end appliances. I wish I had looked harder for the bisque/bone appliances. My redo began just to replace an oven after a small fire, and a d/w that leaked. I disliked the harvest gold formica countertops, but never cared if someone added to their discoloration.</p>
<p>I think it would be a great gift to the young ones to have a Viking range when they own a house, and cook/entertain a lot.</p>
<p>
Best kitchen design: a window view of the beach, ocean or marina. </p>
<p>I don’t have a problem cleaning my stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. It takes only a second to wipe away smudges.</p>
<p>Zoos—that’s exactly the one I want, and I have no hope of getting it either. What about just a photo of it on the fridge? Oh, that’s right, magnets don’t work on stainless steel :)</p>
<p>My H like metal, because that used to be his job ( now he works with composites).
I like copper pans or molds & love my retro chrome toaster, but too much stainless looks like a science lab.</p>
<p>Although perhaps that is the look you want.
[3</a> Reasons Why You Should Start Using Lab Beakers In the Kitchen | The Kitchn](<a href=“http://www.thekitchn.com/why-dont-we-use-lab-beakers-more-in-the-kitchen-189036]3”>http://www.thekitchn.com/why-dont-we-use-lab-beakers-more-in-the-kitchen-189036)</p>
<p>EK, that’s hilarious! Thaaaaat’s the reason Mr B insists on replacing our dying white appliances with stainless stuff! It makes the kitchen look like his labs. :)</p>
<p>BB, keeping the exterior of a stainless fridge fingerprint and splash free is a hassle. I like the look of stainless, but I don’t like maintaining it!</p>
<p>You have to use special stuff to clean it off. I do, but it’s a pain.</p>
<p>There is an SS finish that resists fingerprints.</p>
<p>Well then, I would be sure to get that.</p>
<p>Oh if you are going to get a royal blue Viking why not spend the real bucks for this: <a href=“https://bellacucinadesign.com/kitchens/portfolio-items/provence-blue-8600-b/[/url]”>https://bellacucinadesign.com/kitchens/portfolio-items/provence-blue-8600-b/</a></p>
<p>EK might start a new trend. Beakers as drinking glasses and pitchers.</p>
<p>Will this match the beakers? I remember this one from the coffee thread. I don’t think it has the little lines on the side, but it could work… ;)</p>
<p>[Chemex</a> Glass Handle 8-Cup Coffee Maker | Peet’s Coffee & Tea](<a href=“http://www.peets.com/equipment/equipment-pour-over-brewing/chemex-8c-glass-handle.html]Chemex”>http://www.peets.com/equipment/equipment-pour-over-brewing/chemex-8c-glass-handle.html)</p>
<p>I haven’t looked at appliances in some time and hadn’t followed the thread closely when I posted above. An experience person more than a thing person. So there’s spiffier stainless, eh? A lot more or a little more? Yes, I know I could bother to do the research myself, but why not ask someone who is into this stuff. :)</p>
<p>As fabulous as that La Cornue is, I don’t think a Thanksgiving turkey would fit in the oven cavity. Maybe an AGA? Dream on…</p>
<p>Mathmom, I love the Provence Blue. Excellent choice.</p>
<p>If I’m going to fantasize, I might as well fantasize big.</p>
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<p>Well, maybe that’s what we have, because in 15 years, I have never had a fingerprint issue on either the fridge or the other appliances.</p>
<p>The people that seem least satisfied with SS usually have kids (finger prints) or dogs (nose prints). </p>
<p>Per granite, I worry about daily issues (super shiny seems like it would need more careful cleaning than matte. And also maintenance (I keep hearing it needs re-sealing each year - yuk). Feedback?</p>