As expected - the design for our kitchen has changed again, as we had a contractor in to have a look at our options and, we can't move the pipes for the drains and lifting the window is going to be far too expensive, and we still won't be able to match the external wall render accurately enough. So, we went to IKEA today, to have a look at some pieces, as while we know the range pretty well already, it still requires "touching" the products to make sure that we are happy with our choice.
This picture is not from IKEA however, it is from some new furniture place that we happened to see a grand opening sign for on the way home and we checked out. Looks promising for some items at least.
And here is the design we have "settled on" (it will likely change a lot) so far:
We have had an IKEA kitchen before, so we know what to expect and the quality was very good. Last time, we also took all of the machines from them, which are Electrolux-made pieces and they were decent too. But, since we are planning on being in this place indefinitely, we want more than decent, so we are contemplating extending our appliance budget and getting brilliant - we are looking at Miele.
For the stove top, we are thinking something like this:
This is an induction cooktop with an inbuilt ventilation unit, which removes the need for a rangehood above. This allows us a bit more freedom with the backsplash wall space and cleans up some of the lines. They have got decent reviews and from my own experiences, Miele have very rarely failed to disappoint anyone, with their products last well beyond the average lifespan of whitegoods and appliances.
But, they are expensive.
However and it looks like for the next month or so, there is somewhat of a sale on them, which means that once we take out the appliances from IKEA and workout the difference, it adds about 50% more to the price of the appliances, but not a massive amount more to the overall price of the kitchen. It is still significant though. We would likely take the integrated IKEA fridge and freezer, with cooktop, integrated oven, microwave and dishwasher coming from Miele.
There is one major issue though - we can't find a place to actually see them, feel them, touch them. So far, everywhere we have tried do not have any display models available. It is very hard for me to spend so much on "sight unseen" products, even though I am quite certain that they will do the job and we will be happy with it. But, I am seriously considering biting the bullet and making the call, especially since it is getting increasingly hard to get pieces in, as the already disrupted supply chains are even more volatile now, due to the conflict in Ukraine.
IKEA are having trouble getting pieces so we are going to have to order relatively soon and the wooden benchtops are sourced from Russia, so there is no hope on that at all, as IKEA has pulled their production and retail distribution already.
It is interesting to me though, as we will likely end up spending a huge amount of time and energy making these various decisions and weighing up price, but not consider the cost of the effort. Also, if we do sell the place, the difference having Miele products fitted in the kitchen will make will likely more than cover the extra cost. It seems like a no-brainer decision to me, but I also have to think as to whether I am just blinded by the prettiness of these products. Still... the reputation of Miele definitely precedes it.
Price is important, but reputation matters. In the past I have been far more price sensitive and have often made the mistake of overvaluing a low price and had to buy again, buy sooner than expected or - live with something that doesn't function the way I want it to, or expected of it.
Behind the bathroom we have built from scratch in the upstairs, and the changeover of the heating system, the kitchen is going to be the third largest most expensive outlay to date. And, like the bathroom, it is going to be utilized daily. If we are going to be putting so much into it, we should make sure that it functions the best it can and we are happy with it, as we are going to be living with it for decades to come.
Now, the next problem is... because of the supply chain issues, we have to order soon, but our contractor doesn't have availability until August, which means we have to purchase and store an entire kitchen for six months in a way that it isn't going to get ruined. The only space we have available is in the basement, but I am worried that if there is any moisture, panels might warp slightly and it will all end up going together a little bit crooked. That would suck. However, we have to take the risk, because if we wait until closer to the date, the risk is we won't be able to get anything at all. Which will suck more?
This is only the second kitchen I am designing from scratch in my life, but I am hoping that it is at least as functional as the first, because that worked very well. While that was an L-shape, this space is far more challenging due to the pipe and window limitations, plus the radiator (positioned under the window) and wall lengths that don't quite fit cupboard components. It also has two doors into it, making one wall almost entirely useless. Still, these are the conditions so while perfection is not possible, perfect based on the conditions is.
Well, close enough to perfect will do me - I'm not fussy. ;)
At the end of the day though - I am almost 100% sure there will be major concessions that will have to be made and we will have to rethink and then rethink some more. Life is full of compromise.
Taraz
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