Things are really progressing with the new house, so much so that we are already making appliance selections. Just so you know, when I use the term ‘we’ here, I mean it in the royal sense. It’s just me; Mr. CH, thankfully, isn’t interested in making all of these decisions, so he’s letting me go wild in the appliance store without adult supervision. (Maybe not the smartest thing he’s done, but shhhh, that’s a ‘blog secret.’)
I picked out the appliances this week and went over my appliance allowance a teensy bit. (That’s if you define teensy as ‘100% over’.) When we bought the house I honestly thought the contract price would be what we would spend. I now realize how very naive that was. Personally, I blame Pinterest and the blog world. Let’s face it, 2 years ago, I would have basically been happy with an electric cooktop and a Fry Daddy. But not now. Now I have a picture of the perfect kitchen in my head, and do you know what is in the middle of that perfect kitchen?
This.
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| Photo Credit: Thermador |
A 48″ pro range. I went into the appliance store with one thing in mind, procuring a new 48 inch range for our new house. My budget included a 36 inch range, not a 48 inch unit. There is a big difference in price, I soon learned. (Okay true confessions here; they are twice as much, *gulp*.) Apparently there aren’t lots of choices when you want the 48 inch range, so not a lot of competition to keep prices in check.
I did casually mention to my builder that the appliance prices were high. He sounded concerned and said he didn’t understand why I was so over budget.
Then I explained that I selected a 48″ Thermador range. “Oh,” he said, “you went with the BIG BOY.” He then seemed to understand why I was over-budget.
I didn’t have to explain why I wanted this amazing range to him, after all, he has one in his kitchen. It’s not the French stove that Linsey has, click here, but it’s definitely making me giddy.
I tried to fall in love with the 36 inch, I really, really did. I backed up to look at it, squinting WITH the full head tilt; even framed it with my hands, but it was no use, my heart was already set on the big boy. I want the 6 burners and the griddle, and the two ovens. It will definitely get plenty of use, and the builder says we should get our money back when we sell the house. The problem is going to be that we (royal we here) may never want to move away from our 48″ range.
Mr. CH was fairly easy to convince on the range. I pointed up in the air, and waived my hands about talking animatedly about all of the mouth-watering dishes I could make with a 48 inch Thermador professional gas range, like pancakes and burgers on the griddle, pies, peach cobbler, fudge, brownies, homemade biscuits, enchiladas, beef roast, mashed potatoes and gravy. Then I added more arm waving and flourishes to emphasize my points.
I mentioned how I could do all of that with a Thermador 48″ range, and how this one unit will take the place of our current two wall ovens, our electric cooktop, and the electric skillet. Yes it costs much more than all of them combined, but he doesn’t bring that up. He also knows I currently cook and bake quite well with my current very functional but boring basic equipment, but he doesn’t mention that either.
As I finished on what I felt was a high note, I dramatically turned toward Mr. CH, bringing my hands gracefully to my sides, like a ballet dancer finishing Swan lake. I let my eyes drift slowly toward his in a most convincing way. But he wasn’t looking at me. He smiled, with a far off look in his eyes saying, “That sounds nice… Dear.” He seemed happy… content; was that a tear in his eye? He knows there will be some good eats coming, and this is a small price to pay.
Did you miss any previous posts on the construction progress? You can catch up here.
Congrats on the Big Boy. The tears in hubbies eyes may have been “how am I going to pay for that?” but he’ll get over it. Just cook something really good your first night in the new house. We recently bought a big new fridge. I love her. Don’t know how I ran a kitchen without her for 30 years. Her name is Big Bertha. My other choice for a name was Large Marge, but went with BB. Have a great day! Carol
Anita,
Big Boy…You really did it this time, dear friend!!! Amazing the meals you can make, bake and photograpy…let alone feed your family,friends and guests!!! Congratulations are in order!!!
You are such a hoot!!! Finishing Swan Lake, eh…where’s the TuTu???
Happy Valentine’s Day from my~heart~to~yours!!!
Fondly,
Pat
I can’t wait to see what wonderful dishes are created on the bOG BOY!!!Mr. CH is a DEAR!!! But I am sure all the hand waving surely convinced him:):) Congrats!!! And, happy Valentines day! XO, Pinky
Lucky you. I don’t like to cook because I have that yucky cook top. We don’t have gas. Sigh.
Oh how fabulous. I am totally envious. Great post and super cute story. Hugs, Marty
Congratulations on getting the Big Boy! It will be fun to see you posting photos of all the great things you are making on it. 🙂
Looks great! I can just see all the yummy meals you’ll cook! Love it! Great choice!
nice range! We just bought a dual fuel Viking range, but alas, we only had room for a 36 inch. I’m jealous of your 2 ovens!!
I don’t blame you one bit for going with a 48″ Thermador Range! I wouldn’t want anything less than a 48″ either.
After having the opportunity while on vacation, to cook and bake using a 48″ WOLF range – loved the “PROOF” setting on the small oven – I wouldn’t want anything else.
Happy Valentine’s Day…
Jan ♥
Mr. CH sounds like the perfect husband. 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day!
-Revi
You will not ever be disappointed, Anita that you chose the 48″ professional range. I, too, debated and researched before I got my GE Monogram 48″ range. I’ll never go back to the “common” range and ovens again! Good decision (maybe the best one you’ll make on this house!!!)
I totally get it-that would be my dream range also 😉
Happy Valentines Day
Hahahahaha… You have me laughing so hard. All the arm waving and gesturing.. the swan lake like finish. Go you!!! Congrats on the purchase. That is an impressive buy.
House is coming along splendidly!!
Hugs, Gee
A wise man, and it proves the old adage… The way to a mans heart is through his stomach. Or is that, ‘the way to the table is through a Thermador?’.
Bliss
Wow, that is a thing of beauty! We just bought a house and all the appliances were supposed to be included, but after signing and come in to our new home…NO appliances! An expense we didn’t account for so I got a nice but boring stove, for the following reasons:
1. I don’t cook very good.
2. The BIG Boy is bigger than my whole kitchen.
3. Finances.
4. I don’t cook very good.
I can hardly wait to see your kitchen done.
Happy V Day!
~Pendra
If you ever move just take it with you! I made that mistake once (so what if there wasn’t natural gas available, it wasn’t going to be my forever home). Which is what happened and I ended up buying its ‘next generation’ because I had loved my sold with the house one soooo much. And guess what?! Well the 2nd gen one sucked. I hated it and cursed it and finally in 5 yrs when the warranty ran out I kicked it to the curb after too many repairs in its short life. And I went and bought something totally different, a 2 oven induction and we are in love with each other. Forever. It’s coming with me no matter where I move to next. I hope you and your new stove are a match made in heaven too. Here’s to wishing you many happy times together. Patty/BC
Way to get a Big Boy! I’m going to learn from you and try that hand waving in the air and see if I can get some wood floors. 😉 Or maybe I should try for an invitation to dinner….
Oh you are so lucky! You are going to be cooking in style!Your home is making such progress how exciting!!!!!!
xx
Anne
Oooh, the Big Boy sounds like a wonderful addition to the family.
Just catching up on all of your progress. SO fun to see what you’re up to here! You’ll get miles and miles out of that range. I still miss my La Canche every day of the week, but we love Thermador. {I had both in Houston. Spoiled rotten!}