Thursday, June 3, 2010

The Unexpected…

I selected my appliances months and months ago and range-wise I landed on a variation of my “usual” Professional Viking (above top and below right)– but this time a bright white over stainless so it blends into my cabinetry.

At that time I was ordering a new Viking designer series was on the way – a more contemporary style model with some variations in the standard features. It was only available online - even the Viking Showroom didn’t have it. Not ready to buy sight unseen, I passed.

Ordering white means – it takes much longer. Six to eight weeks was the expected delivery timeframe or more in my case. My kitchen was going in and the stove was still MIA, so I called to check in….

I was told the product is new so there’s is a delay. New???? Long story short, they placed the order for the Designer Series by mistake and not my usual. Uh oh…and if I want to change my order, it will be another 8 weeks. This means no counter tops for 8 weeks too. No deal…

Sooooo with much anticipation I went into see my future range, and find out what I’m getting into… I felt like I was on a blind date. I wonder what it will look like? Will I like it?

I Like…
Continuous grates cover the entire top surface and are flush with the counter top – much better design. I also appreciate the more streamlined front and the symmetrical knob placement. The biggest improvement in my book - the surface under the burners is not the former gloss black. This for me was impossible to keep clean. It’s also a little less expensive.

Not Sure About…
The burners vary in strength. I’m not a big cook and probably don’t need 4 full strength burners, but what if I do? Doubtful…so I asked my friends that are “real cooks” and they were absolutely fine with this, throwing in that I cook very little anyway. OK, true.

The Big Question…
I still have no idea how this thing will look. They have absolutely no pictures of it in white except online, where you can click on the base model and the front changes colors. According to the specs, the top is white, not black, and grates and the knobs are grey, BUT nobody has seen it, so nobody knows for sure. Sounds good on paper, but blind dates usually do…

The Unblinding…
It’s here and it looks great. I now know the truth - it’s white on the top, sides and door. The grates are black, and the knobs match the stainless front apron. This model is much more sleek and the white blends right in – well, as much as a stove can. My only issue is the finger prints already on the stainless. I hate that, but luckily I have very little metal to worry about.

So it turns out the unexpected is right on target. Cheers to a happy accident.

4 comments:

MaryBeth said...

Isn't it great when mistakes turn out in your favor! I have the old viking and I wanted the big, chunky look, some how I thought a professional looking stove would equate to me being a cook, it didn't happen, I still only burn Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. I think this will be perfect for you and your new apartment. I love the knobs and OMG the color is fantastic.

Unknown said...

I am so happy to hear you chose a white range! I know stainless is all the rage. I have a small kitchen with white cabinets and all white appliances. I love the look. It's not chopped up and everything flows together. I can't wait to see your kitchen! You are so brave to order sight unseen!

Dream Mom said...

Glad it turned out for you. I've always loved white in a kitchen and I can't wait to see it with the countertops and cabinetry.

As for the rest of the appliances-will your refrigerator be covered with wood cabinet fronts? Also, I would assume you would use all Viking appliances to keep everything looking the same? And finally, are you still keeping all of your countertop appliances in stainless?

Any ideas on when we might see some of the space? Is anything totally done yet? Waiting with baited breath, lol!

Kelly Giesen said...

I plan to panel the appliances again yes and go under counter with everything to maximize the counter space and keep the room feeling open. The friges are sub zero, one double drawer and one regular frig - good for standing up wine bottles. I tried uline last time and went back to subzero - expensive but quiet.

I will see if I can get some shots once the counter and backsplash go in. It's hard as there is so much in going on here that it's difficult to get a clear/clean shot. Also I am waiting on some additional pieces of millwork so it looks rather unfinished - aka messy.