Lions, and Tigers and Appliances, Oh My

Paul and I are such DIY geeks (or at the very least we don't have a life).  When we go to our local hardware store, oftentimes we meander about looking lustfully at countertops, appliances, tile, cabinets, etc.  I have even been known to on occasion to debate the looks of various ceiling fans and/or light fixtures.  Told you - we don't have a life.   So, when we started drawing up plans, one of the things I was most excited about was new appliances (with the exception of my refrigerator, since I love it).

One of the problems/charms of 1979 house, is that things have not been updated since 1979.  That is good and bad, since I'd feel worse about ripping out an updated kitchen as opposed to what we have now.   I am pretty sure the appliances are original to the house, see below.

One of the things I miss most about my other houses are my gas ovens, in Haltom City, I had a vintage 1940's stove and in Mansfield, we had a great gas oven.  I like cookin' with gas, I don't necessarily need a  fancy cooktop and an oven, just a nice friendly slide in range.  Did you know there was a difference between a free standing oven  and a slide in? I didn't, until we started on this quest.

The other thing we decided not to do was a built in microwave.  I know, it's space efficient, but you can never vent them properly and after having 2 of them blow up on us, we decided on a counter top microwave.  V, our kitchen designer, I am sure thought we were nutsy fagan, but came up with an alternative - a microwave drawer.  Although in theory, it sounded really cool, but I had the feeling it would go the same way as the retractable island, so I didn't get my hopes up. 

Another bone of contention in the kitchen was the vent-a-hood.  After banging his head on the sharp corners numerous times, Paul took his sledge hammer and took the corners out.  I would not recommend trying this at home.  The new plans have a wonderful wooden cover, that Paul gets to build. 
 
Taking our educated selves to the appliance warehouse, V suggested, we met with Mike.  Talk about the wants and appliance envy.  The first thing I saw was this vintage oven.

But at 7k, it was way out of our price range.  Although it would have gone well in our farmhouse kitchen.      The microwave drawer that I would have loved to have was $700 -$900 (good thing I didn't get my hopes up).  Another thing I have learned over the years, know what you can live without if it costs too much, but if you really, really, really want something, then go without something else that is not as important to you. 

Although we didn't buy our appliances from the appliance warehouse, since our local hardware store had a great no interest for 18 months promotion, this is what we ended up with, after Paul getting Consumer Report's blessing.  I didn't get a microwave drawer, but I got a warming drawer in my oven, and dishwasher that is stainless steel on the inside.

Right now it is resting comfortably in my dining room which acts as a storage closet, for insulation, doors, etc.

Next stop - lighting.