After months of dreaming and planning we finally kicked off our kitchen renovation last week! It’s definitely an it’s-going-to-get-worse-before-it-gets-better situation since we’re demoing our kitchen down to the subfloor and studs. The crew started last Wednesday and unfortunately because we lost power on Thursday and Friday after getting hit hard by the nor’easter that came through, they were only able to get in that one day of work but even in just a single day they made some serious demo progress:
The next step is to demo the floors which they’re going to start into on Monday. My contractor warned me that taking out those red tile floors was going to be the dustiest process ever no matter how many dust containment strategies they put into place so I know this week isn’t going to be fun (and the fact that yet ANOTHER snow storm is heading our way doesn’t help either!). But that doesn’t lessen my excitement about the good things to come with this space because the closer we get to finishing tearing it all apart, the closer we are to putting it back together!
A few weeks back I shared my kitchen layout and cabinetry plans (you can catch that post {here} if you missed it), and since then I’ve had lots of questions about the appliances and countertops I’ve chosen for my new space. While I’m still flip flopping between two final contender countertop choices (I know… I’ve got to make my final decision asap!), I have my appliances nailed down and wanted to share those with you today since I put a lot of time and thought into that decision.
Before I even started planning our kitchen reno, I reached out to a local real estate agent to find out what kitchen features she thinks are most important to buyers in our area. We plan to move in about 3-4 years and the real estate market isn’t all that great here so it was important to us to not only create a kitchen we love for ourselves but also one that will help with resale down the road. To be honest, I was kind of surprised to hear that higher end appliances were a biggie. I’ve always thought that appliances wouldn’t matter too much for resale because the buyer could swap them out with exactly what they want but apparently the name of the game to selling around here is to have your house 100% move-in ready, including premium appliances. So with that in mind, my appliance shopping began! I started by simply looking at the design and looks of appliances because let’s be honest… no matter how many functions or cool features an appliance has, it was also going to have to be pretty too for me to want to use it in my kitchen! And one that stopped me in my tracks and that I kept going back to time and time again is this stunning lady:
Umm… did Monogram custom make this range with me in mind?! LOVE those chunky knobs and handles, the clean lines, and the idea of having a smaller sized second oven because half the time that’s all that I need. After finding that same combination of elevated, purposeful design in Monogram’s dishwashers and refrigerators, I started researching appliance ratings and asking friends about their appliances and found two that owned and loved their Monogram appliance suite (including a designer friend of mine). So after being convinced that Monogram appliances were the perfect fit for our new kitchen, I reached out to Monogram about partnering on my kitchen remodel and was thrilled that they shared my excitement and vision for the project and loved the idea of working together. I’ve since learned so much about the Monogram brand and couldn’t be more excited about my future appliances and the crazy number of innovations packed inside their beautiful exteriors.
One of my favorite innovations with this soon-to-be-mine Monogram range (I chose {this model}), is that the oven has a temperature sensor probe that plugs into an outlet on the oven’s interior wall. You insert the probe into the meat you’re cooking and once it’s reached the desired internal temperature, the oven will signal that’s is done. How awesome is that?! I’m also pretty excited to have a built-in griddle instead of having to store and haul out the big old electric griddle that I currently use for weekend pancakes:
And given that I’m a girl who hates to hand wash dishes, I love that the oven roller racks are designed to stay in the oven during the self-clean cycle and that the burner grates of the range are dishwasher friendly. Plus, the grates are reversible so you can use the flat side for regular pots and pans and then flip them over to their contoured side that perfectly cradles woks – I make a mean stir fry so it’s a feature I know I’ll use a lot:
Sharon P says
You won’t regret choosing Monogram appliances. I purchased an entire kitchen suit including compacter in 1991. Obviously no appliance lasts forever so I have replaced various pieces since then, again with Monogram. But my cooktop which is induction only failed in 2015 and my 42”built in refrigerator failed in 2016. I think for these two major appliances to last 24 and 25 years respectively speaks to their quality. You made a great decision.
Kris Jarrett says
Sharon, that’s so great to hear – that’s a crazy long time for appliances to last!!
chantal says
Hello. Great appliances! Especially the range… You talk about the resale value of appliances in a home. I had already noticed in HGTV shows that potential buyers always complain that the appliances do not match, or are not stainless steel… And whenever someones says that, I roll my eyes and say “here they go again”! LOL
Here, in Québec (I don’t know for the rest of the country), every time we moved, we took our appliances with us, that’s how it was. I would say people might try to include the washer/dryer in the deal, but not the other appliances. Once, the sale of our house almost fell through because the buyers insisted on keeping our very old washer/dryer. That was the strangest thing… We finally gave in and bought new ones, which was very useful with a new baby and cloth diapers!
I’ll have to check if the appliances you chose are sold in Canada!
Thanks for the interesting article.
Kris Jarrett says
That’s so interesting! I’d say if anything I’ve had the opposite experience – I’ve actually never bought or sold a house where the kitchen appliances went with the seller but I’ve had the seller leave the washer/dryer before. And so funny about the HGTV eye roll – the things that they come up with as reasons for not wanting the house (like some wallpaper that can easily be removed) are pretty crazy!
Jane says
I am just embarking on my own reno. Thx for the recommendation of Monogram. I love them, too. I’ve been agonizing over which range to go with and this looks like a really great choice. Thx.
Kris Jarrett says
That’s exciting! I’m pretty giddy about that Monogram range – I don’t know your timeframe for making your appliance decisions but once I get mine installed, I’ll definitely share some more thoughts on them!
Karen B. says
What beautiful appliances. In our last house we remodeled and put in a Viking stove. I never regretted the extra expense. It was the best range I’d ever cooked on. I’m sure your Monogram appliances will perform beautifully. I hope this weeks work goes forward without a hitch.
xo,
Karen
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Karen – glad to hear that you felt the extra expense for higher end appliances was worth it! And thanks for well wishes on the reno – I think this week is going to be the hardest one so I’ll be glad for it to be over!
Brenda says
How exciting !! The oven and cooktop have a lot of the same features that my Wolf cooktop had…except I think yours is prettier!! I’m so excited for you regarding your kitchen reno. It’s amazing the progress they made in the one day….let’s keep our fingers crossed that the next snow storm bypasses you so progress can continue! Thanks for sharing this project!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much – she’s a pretty little thing, isn’t she?! I was surprised by the progress in just one day so fingers crossed that the project keeps moving right along at that rate!
Nancy Borchelt says
I have the Monogram refrigerator and freezer and range in our new house. All are 6 years old.I hate the refrigerator and freezer. I feel like there is a lot of wasted space on the inside with the design of the shelves and the storage on the doors, even though you can move them. I’m comparing these to my old Sub Zeros. The door compartments on the Sub zeros are full length of the door and I feel you can fit more condiments in them instead of the smaller ones on the Monogram. Same with the shelves in the main compartment.
Also I would suggest if the range come with removable pans under the burners , that you get that option. It is really hard to clean otherwise. I had a DSC RANGE in my old home and I could remove everything off the top and put it in the dishwasher. Very easy!
Also he the Monogram dishwasher. It shorted out one night and caught fire. Replaced it with a Bosch, which I have had good luck with in the past.
Kris Jarrett says
Having good in-door storage for my refrigerator was definitely something I looked at because it’s horrible in my current refrigerator but the Monogram refrigerator I’m getting has quite a bit of deep storage in the doors – I think appliances are always changing and improving over time! And you’re a girl after my own heart about loving being able to throw parts in the dishwasher – the less I have to hand wash the better! 🙂
Kelley Nan says
Kris, I had cabinet envy and now appliance envy- jets for water bottles?! Ah-ma-zing! And you are so right – I have a full double oven and don’t come close to utilizing all the space- I had no idea there where aeeet little half sizes- perfect! It is going to be so so good!! Maybe you can show some Instagram video when the fridge comes in- like a little tour- I despise ours and love the way yours looks!
Kris Jarrett says
There are constantly water bottles sitting on our kitchen countertops waiting to be hand washed because we use them like crazy so the water jet feature is definitely something I’m pretty excited about! I’ll definitely share some videos on IG Stories once I have everything installed – stay tuned!
Gigi says
We just replaced our 12 year old Monogram side by side refrigerator with a new Monogram french door with European handles. Unfortunately the water connection to the 12 year old model had a slow leak and we had significant water damage to the wood flooring in front of the refrigerator. This was a “slow” leak that we only noticed because the wood in front of the refrigerator had started to “cup”. Apparently, the “tab” where the water line connects into the back of the refrigerator broke loose from the refrigerator and the slow leak occurred (also water went to the basement with minimal dry wall damage. Whew!)We still purchased the new Monogram partly because we needed counter depth and the refrigerator is adjacent to our Monogram wall ovens. We wanted our appliances to “match” with the same door handles, etc. Oh and we did have a terrific flooring company replace about a 25′ by 5′ area of wood flooring which looks great!
Kris Jarrett says
Gigi, I would have done the same thing – I know you can mix up different brands and styles of appliances but I prefer having everything match too!
Misty M says
I’m such a psycho about having a matching suite of appliances 🙂 I put KitchenAid in our current house and last house. We’re getting ready to move again and I’ve had so many issues with my KitchenAid fridge I am going to switch brands. I was planning on Bosch, but this line has me intrigued. I’ve never heard of it, but it looks amazing. I’ll definitely look into it some more!
Cindy says
Beautiful high end appliances. Just curious about your partnering with Monogram. Because of that are you getting your appliances at a big discount, or are you getting them for free? Either way, that was a great way to go.
Kris Jarrett says
Some of my appliances are complimentary of Monogram as an exchange of services (for example, I’m providing them with high res photography of their installed appliances for their marketing use).
Cindy says
How nice. What a cost savings for you. Looking forward to seeing your completed kitchen. Everything you’ve chosen so far looks great.
Bree says
Kris I’m so excited about your new appliances!! My mom actually has their range and LOVES it!! Can’t wait to see all of this installed soon for your to enjoy your beautiful new space ?
Kris Jarrett says
That’s so great to hear! I can’t wait either! 🙂
Haneen says
Kris, these look like AMAZING choices!! They’re all gorgeous and I love the features you described! I’m hunting for a microwave drawer for my new kitchen so I’ll definitely be browsing the Monogram site! Thank you for introducing me!
Kris Jarrett says
I wasn’t sure about going with a freestanding microwave in my island (which is what I currently have) and a microwave drawer but almost anyone I asked who has a microwave drawer loves it! The Monogram one is beautiful!
Tamara says
Kris!! I am so excited for you!! And I seriously want all of these appliances – especially that range! What fabulous technology and features and the professional styling is to die for. I’ve heard wonderful things about the Monogram line, I know you’ll be thrilled! I cannot wait to see them in your finished kitchen! I’m so happy for you!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Tam – they’re the perfect combination of beauty and function – can’t wait!
JENNIFER PROCK says
Oh how I love your selections! I have major appliance envy! That range is so perfect. Now I’m even more excited to see your new kitchen come together!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much Jen! I can’t wait to get out of this demo phase and get going on my cabinets and appliances!
Erin says
Kris! I’m so excited for you! These appliances look AMAZING. Seriously you have done well! I always hear great things about Monogram. And we love our microwave drawer so much – I know you will be so happy with it too. Just picturing that stunning range in your new kitchen makes me giddy! I have a prediction that this kitchen will turn out so beautiful you’ll decide not to move down the road. Remember who said it first! 😉 Loved this post! xo
Kris Jarrett says
Ha! We’ll see about that Erin! I’ve at least got several years left here to enjoy it! 🙂
Cindy says
I can’t wait to see how your beautiful kitchen design, colors, cabinets and appliances all come together! I have the 36″ Monogram profession all gas range and I love it. My Monogram range replaced a Bertazzoni all gas range which came with the house. For an avid cook and baker the Bertazzoni range was worse than useless. The only good thing about it was that it looked really stylish and the cooktop had high BTU’s. The oven burned the bottom of everything from lasagna to chocolate chip cookies. If I could change anything about my Monogram range, I would have gone with dual fuel–electric ovens with the gas cooktop, but there was no electricity at the range site because the previous range was all gas. I had GE electric ovens in my old house and they were better for baking–no heat spots, but the Monogram is pretty good for all gas. I hope you will enjoy all of your Monogram appliances for a long time.
Kris Jarrett says
Love hearing that you love your Monogram range so much!! So crazy that your Bertazzoni one was so useless considering the cost of it!
classic casual home says
Such great, useful research, Kris.
Mary Ann
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks MaryAnn!
Ivory says
Wow, what fabulous appliances. I would love owning any of these. Thanks for sharing. I love this post
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Ivory! I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Diann Cohen says
I am remodeling our second home to become our retirement home. I purchased the double ovens with French oven, the Advantium microwave, two dishwashers and the stove top with the griddle. I am so sad they no longer offer the grill with infrared, when you live in the Pacific Northwest BBQ-ing outside isn’t an option most months.
I couldn’t decide on a brand but, felt I got the most bang for my buck with the Monogram so I am so delighted to see how happy you are with the product and am happy to have read your article.
Kris Jarrett says
Your kitchen sounds like it’s going to be amazing!!! Good luck with the remodel!