Kitchen - new build appliance package - feedback?

10 years ago

We are about to break ground on a new house - this is the first time we have built a home - and will be the house we raise our 2 younger (8 & 10 yo) kids and ultimately retire in over the next 7 - 8 years. We just sold our 1935 Tudor in our old neighborhood in anticipation of building our new home two lots down the street - we love the area and street just wanted the construction and layout and square footage a new house will afford us. So we bought a neighbor house and torn it down. The house will be around 5500 Sq with an open layout on the main floor - kitchen open to great room and dining area. We are not adamant chefs - just a family of 4 that needs the space - and do want a nice kitchen with a large eat around island for family time with our young sons.

I am not all about 'labels' or 'brands' - just looking for appliances that will both look nice and perform well for years to come - would rather spend the $$ for reliance vs a trophy appliance. Just trying to avoid repairs and needing to replace appliances in the first 10+ years if possible.

Would like to get some unfiltered feedback - our main cooking will be just with a range - we don't cook enough nor does the kitchen layout lend itself to wall ovens etc.

So here goes - in the kitchen
American Medallion Series 36 inch DF
Leibheer 36 inch freestanding fridge
Leibheer RU500 uncounter fridge for the island
Sharp Microwave drawer for same island
Bosch SHE3AR7 Dishwasher
Vent-a-hood chimney style ventilation

Game room - entertainment area/wet bar for the kids
Same Bosch dishwasher
GE undercounter beverage center - GVS04BDWSS
Simply upper cabinet mount microwave - just for popcorn and the like

Laundry- LG Front Load washer and dryer - DLEX3470V
WM3470HVA - got very high marks from consumer reports, which I know is not the end all be all authority necessarily.

Putting together a full package with AJMadison that is saving us a bunch of $$ from local retailers - we are right at $20K for the whole batch all in - shipping and no tax

Any thoughts or anything that jumps out that we should either not consider or substitute?

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Comments (6)

mark_rachel
10 years ago
Have you had front load washer & dryer before? I personally hated the front load washer and I'm now back to a top loader that I LOVE!
Megan Meyers
10 years ago
We loved our front loader LG washer and drier in our previous home. I ended up with GE profile set for this one, because I got a deal too good to pass up. That said, the control board on the GE washer went out after ony 10 months and thankfully was still under warranty.

I ordered a Bosch 500 series dishwasher from AJ Madison yesterday. I thought long and hard about upgrading to Miele or the Bosch 800 plus series, but there were so many good reviews for the 500 series and it seemed a much better value. I looked at the Ascenta line and was willing to spend a little more to get a full stainless steel tub and a third rack. You may not want to go with Bosch's entry level line as I have read that they are not as well made, but who knows!

Good luck on the build.
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Just from reading about Bosch and knowing someone who has one I would not spend that much money on that DW. My friend said it doesn't wash any better than her old one of different brand and there have been so many threads about a funny smell, draining problems, having to use special RA etc. Too many to ignore. I honestly think I'd get a GE before a Bosch and I'm very conscious of brand but have used the new GE's in a condo we rented at the beach and it was great. I have a Kitchen Aid that I think is wonderful but it's 15 years old and still like new. It's a Superba Whisper Quiet. I'm not sure they are going to be as great these days but I'd still choose it over Bosch just because of the concerns I've read on here and other places. I realize it gets high marks as well and there are devoted buyers out there. I have the Panasonic Inverter MW and I like it just fine. I don't really cook in it but it's fine for what we use it for. My husband will make frozen dinners or casseroles in it if I'm not home. It's a little louder fan wise than the older model I had but that's ok because it's also smaller and I like that. I have the KA fridge, French Door, counter depth, SS with water inside and am very happy with it. Good luck on your choices and your new kitchen.
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Wow! @opaone…so, people who enjoy cooking only buy Bluestar? The fact that I have a Thermador rangetop means I don’t enjoy cooking? Or, perhaps I just didn’t want to deal with open burners. What about people who love to cook, but can’t afford a high end appliance of any kind? Sheesh. And, btw…KitchenAid isnt even in the same ballpark as Thermador. I agree with @Shannon_WI. Built in microwave ovens are way more money than you need to spend. As Shannon suggested, we bought a large countertop GE mw, and put it on a shelf, next to the fridge. We didn’t order the ”built in” trim, and saved $250. We love our Bosch 800 dishwasher. Almost 6 years, not one issue, cleans really well, and is quiet. I think (?) Bosch makes Thermador dishwashers, but I wouldnt lay out more $ to get the Thermador name. While I don’t have a stove/range, our Themador rangetop…also almost 6yo, has served us well, with no issues. The thick black enamel top is a breeze to clean. Despite not being a Bluestar, it’s turned out some mighty tasty dishes. Going from a 4 burner 30” to a 6 burner 36”, has greatly improved the convenience of cooking. We have Miele double ovens…one is a combi steam, which I wouldn’t give up for anything. They reach pre-heat temps in about 90 seconds, maintain an even temperature, and the cooling fan is so quiet, I can’t even tell when it’s on. As for fridges…I wouldn’t get anything other than a Sub Zero. Best fridge on the market, with the best insulation, and customer service is tops. This is our second SZ. The first was still going strong at 25yo, when we sold our former home. The 42” FD SZ we have now, again, almost 6 years old, has not had one problem. Food stays incredibly fresh for long periods. Well worth the extra $$. Good luck with whatever you choose!
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Certainly the front could have overhang added and windows changed I would think - it isn't set in stone. And the windows are going to heat the house up some anyway. Doesn't matter what is in those rooms, the same amount of a/c is going to be used to cool the house. Truly, with modern windows and a/c, it isn't like rooms with south facing windows are going to bake. West facing windows are more challenging. But yes, large south facing windows without overhang are going to cause an a/c load. But a properly designed a/c system can handle it pretty easily. West becomes more of problem because it is really bad for several hours as opposed to a moderate load throughout the day. Even East can be an issue because it heats up the house early before the rest of the house needs a/c. OP, I commend you on your stamina and open mindedness. I hinted at the gender issue with this before and most architects are men. At some point, with large windows and high ceilings, someone who isn't well versed and in tune with sun will feel like a room is bright even with north facing windows. And it won't be terrible of course. As I look at the elevation, the architects are trying to bring light to the public areas. But you would do better with lower ceilings, less windows, if the rooms were just on the south. Looking back on the elevations, it looks like the dining room will be 2 stories? That would bring light into the kitchen if it was more open. But it also is going to be a bit of a challenge temperature wise (and I am contradicting myself a bit ... but 2 stories). Easy enough to a/c but I am thinking about warm during shoulder seasons - while the public areas are somewhat cool. When we have warm Feb days like this entire month, that south glass will get a lot of heat. So a/c will run and your north facing rooms may be a bit cold. Not as much of an issue in the summer when the sun is higher. Elevator? At some point with some of the money in this design, you should consider it. It would be expected with a 3 story house of this caliper in my area. 11 ft ceilings mean a lot of steps to your bedroom with an injury.
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In the previous house , in a very HCOL area, family house, we did: SZ 36" integrated fridge column SZ 24" integrated freezer column Wolf 48" Dual Fuel Range Wolf 24" MW drawer Miele 24" CSO XXL Miele coffee machine Miele DW U-Line 15" under counter beverage fridge In the current house, built in 2022, nice area but overall lower COL than previous city/state, retirement house, we did: SZ 42" FD fridge/freezer SZ 24" under counter beverage fridge Wolf 36" Induction Range Miele 24" CSO XXL Miele coffee machine Miele DW Sharp 24" MW drawer (all made by Sharp, so not worth going with name brand ones) I don't like large expanses of stainless steel, so I paneled every appliance that could be paneled. SZ now makes a 48" FD fridge/freezer, so I would have gotten that instead of the 42" if it had been available. Love the Miele CSO. Hardly ever use the 36" oven, except if entertaining large groups.
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Davis_Helen
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the feedback - as for the Front End loaders - no we have not had them before - but my wife does about 80% of the laundry and is on the shorter side at 5'2 - and we were thinking with the front end loaders on the pedestals they would be easier on her back than top loaders

As for the Bosch dishwashers - off to read a little more about the 500 series.....

Thanks again for helping evolve our thinking!
kam76
10 years ago
We are planning on a microwave drawer too and have read here that many folks have gotten refurbished ones with success off of e-bay. About 1/2 price. Do you use your microwave a lot? I am just wondering why you would want two? The drawer makes it nice and hidden but looks like you are going to have one in an upper cabinet anyway?
joaniepoanie
10 years ago
We've had a top load LG Wave Force W/D for about 15 mos and I'm very happy with them. We debated on front loaders, but on this forum it seemed to run 50/50....half loved, half hated them, while not many haters for the traditional top loaders. We could not do pedestals because they sit in front of a window and I thought it would be too much crouching; however, I am also 5'2" and the tub is very deep. I keep a pair of tongs handy to scoop out smaller items from the bottom like socks.

We also have a Bosch DW and have been happy with that as well. We almost went for the Miele but Bosch got good reviews so couldn't justify spending nearly double.
User
10 years ago
You don't mention the model or the CFM of the hood, only the brand. With a pro level range, you will need a really good ventilation package. Also, what about the make up air for the hood? Is that in your HVAC package or is it in the appliance package?

Kitchen - new build appliance package - feedback?

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Kitchen - new build appliance package - feedback?

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