when you're 70, you'll have already lived with it for so long that you won't even notice it. it'll just be the thing you use to heat up your oatmeal.

go for it. a fire-engine-red range is kind of a timeless classic, imo. they're so garish they just kind of fit into any decor. (the wine-colored one, not so much).

it might be a consideration for resale value, but that doesn't sound like it's an issue for you.

I think the red ranges are Beautiful!!!! And I think you better consider matching red nail polish.

As one who is in her mid-50's and installing a red Aga in her NYC galley-style kitchen, I'm with you all the way on this one, poodlemom! LOL! I personally believe that a red range will introduce some drama and will only "stick out like a sore thumb," if you don't properly develop the accompanying story line of your kitchen design. So, for example, in my kitchen, that red range will clearly be the focal point with all the other pieces playing to it. The cabs will be creamy white and the appliances will be either paneled or off white. The backsplash is a white marble mosaic and the countertops are soapstone. The floors are oak parquet.

I'll admit that sometimes I wonder about the long term wisdom of such a purchase : How dare I be so dramatic? :) OTOH, I can't tell you what a thrill it is to come into my kitchen and look at my (still uninstalled) red range every morning! I tend to think that Edlakin has it right -- that after 20 years of living with it, you won't even notice it. Think also about how hot the red Chambers stoves are these days (hate to channel Rachel Ray to prove a point. . .but).

In the end, I think kitchens say alot about who we are. If you've got flashes of red flowing through your heart, mind and soul -- go for it! There will always be those who "get it" and others who think you're "losing it" -- no matter what color you choose. So, at this point in my life, I'm finally figuring out that it's time to start choosing for myself. :) Hope you do the same. Good luck!

Love it, love it! And I completely agree that real primary red (not the wine) is as timeless a basic as black or white. I think it will wear better over time than any other color you could pick. Go for it!

any 70-year old with a fire-engine-red italian range will certainly be the coolest grandma in the neighborhood, i would think.

That's one drool-worthy range --

I saw it in this month's Kitchen & Bath Design News (trade publication) and pointed it out to Hubby with the note that "This is the range we're having in our next kitchen." His response. "Oh. Yeah - You're right."

It's a classic.
And that red range will be what sells your apartment when the time comes.

I felt the same way. I was unsure whether to get a color range or play it safe with Stainless. I wanted my kitchen to be different. Well, I just received my burgundy (weinrot) 48" Blue Star range and I LOVE IT. Even the delivery guys, along with my contractor, loved it!!!!! GO FOR IT!!

If I had the $$ to do it, I would have gone for a fire engine red range in a second!! It would be a blast to decorate around and will be a timeless classic. YES YES YES!!!

If I had a range instead of a cooktop, I would have done a color. I love them. I think every kitchen needs some color -- your choice where to put it, but something you use daily and love is great for me.

Go for it! It will be a focal point that everyone will admire. It will not stick out like a sore thumb at all.

I would also love to have a red range in my kitchen. Don't even stop to think and order the bright red.

-Robin

We almost did it in our new home, and decided against it because of the extra $900.00 (or so). We got the stainless 36" Berta, and we DO love it, but I still wish I'd gone for the red...

Easy to say now that the house is complete, and I'm not spending money as fast as I was when we made the decision! ;)

I got a big red kitchen rug to give us the shot of color, but it's not the same. I say GO FOR IT.

PennyLaney

Responding as another 50-something who is generally conservative in her tastes, I say "go for it", too.

I'll bet you'd regret not getting it more than you will question having it when you're 70.

I would go for the red over the wine. I agree with others who see red as both making more of a statement, yet being more classic.

Please post pictures when/if you get it!

Emphatically, without a doubt, in a heartbeat, yes. I think that if you don't do it, when you're 70, you'll seriously regret not getting the red range. Make it the real, fire-engine, look-at-me red -- your dh will be happy and you'll have an easier time matching colors to your focal point.

Someone (holligator or hollylh?) recently finished a kitchen with a red range and black marinace granite -- very striking. Make your countertops something relatively simple and classic, ditto backsplash (perhaps with small red accent tiles), and you'll have a knockout kitchen.

Just in case you need a bit more nudging, check out the Finished Kitchens Blog for photos of kitchens with red ranges. Redrange's kitchen, at the top the list, gave me the initial inspiration to let go and go with red!

Here is a link that might be useful: Red Ranges in the FKB

Yes to a red range. No to a Berta. Not enough firepower to be a real "pro style" range, but it's a lot more expensive than a standard consumer grade range. IF cooking were the priority, I'd go for a Bluestar for more capability, or,if looks were more important, I'd buy a plain jane stainless consumer grade range like a GE Profile and have the doors powder coated in red.

I'd do it. I needed a rangetop and wanted a red one but they don't come in red. Yet.

I have a cobalt blue range in my garage waiting to be installed. I say, go for the red Berta!

The only advice I have is to limit the red to just your range and then other things that are fairly easily changed. I have seen a Viking ad with a blue range, wall ovens, warming oven, microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator... WAY too much. Why would you want your dishwasher to be a focal point? Just the red range will look great. I personally plan to panel my refrigerator, warming drawer and dishwasher with wood, and the microwave will be stainless. You could also use stainless, since the Berta also has stainless on it. Also, if you ever tire of the red or need to sell to someone who doesn't like it, a range alone can be relatively easily changed.

I obviously prefer blue to red, but if that red range will make you and your husband happy, if it will make you smile every morning when you go in to make your coffee, go for it. Why should your kitchen look like everyone else's?

Thanks for all the encouragement -- I ordered the red Berta yesterday!

When I surprised hubby with the news last night, he looked surprised and admitted he'd since gotten nervous about it. I sat him down at the computer and had him read all of your replies and his mind was instantly put at ease.

Thanks again -- will definitely post picture when I get it!

If Bertas were available where I live I would have gotten a red one in a heart beat. I had to settle for a stove with big red knobs! :) Go for it! You will be the envy of everyone on GW!

Question for live-wire oak -- how do you get a stainless range powder coated? Doesn't it void the warranty to paint the door? And is pwoder coating sufficient for high-heat resistence? Who would you take the range to for painting? An auto body shop?

If you can't tell, I love the idea, but not so sure how it would work IRL.

I'd remove the door and the back guard and take them to a specialty powder coater. (This assumes someone is handy enough to do this.) There are a few powder coating shops around here in my area. They have high temp coatings available that lots of car hot rod enthusiasts use for engine coatings. Red or blue would be easy. Yes, it would probably void the warranty, but as most manufacturers only offer a 1 year warranty anyway, what's the big deal? I wouldn't be losing much and the punch gained in a kitchen would be great! (This is on my list of "to be done one day when I get time" kitchen mods. THe cobbler's children have no shoes, and this KD has a half finished kitchen. LOL!)