We have been moving at a quicker pace over at the Fullmer Kitchen and I owe you so many updates–and as fast as I can carve out a few minutes to type, I want to get them to you. We have been really soaking up actually doing this renovation. It has been a therapy of sorts and I haven’t stopped as much to take many photos along the way. So while I want to share about the appliances that changed everything today, you’ll also see major progress on the cabinetry and some sneak peeks of hardware and I have a big post all about the ins and outs of the cabinets and our line with Semihandmade coming at you tomorrow.
When we lost the cabin a few months ago, there were a lot of unfinished and undocumented projects there that we never had the chance to talk about. The appliances we had just had installed was a big one. They were stunning black and brass appliances from Cafe and despite never even getting a chance to share them properly, the brand sent such sincere condolences and were just as eager to work with us again as we were with them. The design I had planned for the Fullmer kitchen seemed like the perfect opportunity. This time, we chose their clean matte white appliances and brushed bronze hardware and (shhh…I might love them even more than the black!) They are so stunning and fresh and truly show-stopping.
If you are not familiar with GE’s Cafe line, it’s pretty remarkable. They have a full lineup of appliances from refrigerators to every time and size of range, dishwashers, microwaves, range hoods—everything you need. But where it gets really special is you can customize the color and hardware combinations.
For each piece, you choose the base color you’d like–we chose their Matte White (which is eons away from the plastic textured white fridge you had growing up). They also have stainless and matte black options.
And then you choose the hardware color you’d like between Brushed Bronze, Black, Copper or Stainless. We chose Brushed Bronze which is a warm brass look.
The Cafe logo is in their signature copper, but the knobs and handle are all gorgeous brushed bronze. Mixed with the matte white–I can’t. I can’t. I can’t. I have a post coming about the faucet and sink, too, but we decided to go stainless with them to tie into the stainless apron of the range. Can you tell I LOVE mixing metals? For the Fullmer kitchen we went with their dual fuel 36″ range (natural gas cooktop + convection oven) . It cost about $800 for the Fullmer’s to have a gas line run to this spot (their last range was electric) and they already are saying how WORTH it that was. Cafe has electric, induction (that’s what we got for the cabin) and natural gas options, but Chris would always say go for the gas if you can and his favorite is the dual fuel option for even more even baking.
If you’re someone that prefers a clean refrigerator front, the line is stocked with options with interior water dispensers (magic!), but the Fullmers thought with their 4 young children, a water and ice dispenser on the front (we went with this one!) would be the most family friendly for them and I agree! But this thing does so much more than give you crushed or cubed ice and dispense water. It expands to fill a pitcher. It will give you exactly how many ounces of water you want. It will give you HOT water. It’s a dream.
I didn’t style the inside of this fridge at all before snapping a pic, but I wanted to show you all the room that’s inside this counter depth option (they also have standard depth refrigerators if that’s your jam). It’s roomy and the way the doors and hinges are manufactured, the french doors can actually open ALL the way. They stick out a few inches past the cabinets for that purpose, but they’re finished off so nicely, I don’t mind it.
The dishwasher is a workhorse with adjustable racks, controllable wash zones to save water, cycles and options galore. We, somewhat unconventionally, placed the dishwasher a step to the side and behind the sink (in the island) due to some space restraints on either side of the sink and I’m happy to report (and relieved!) to report it is turning out to be a terrific setup. Even Kelsi’s mother, who was a little unsure of the idea, completely approves now that she’s loaded the dishwasher.
We are currently working on building in this convection/smart microwave into the base cabinets (they have trim kits!) and building a range hood around this insert–and then tile around the whole thing! Everything is shaping up so beautifully. And although a lot of the finishes are familiar and things we originally chose or bought for the cabin (our cabinet line, the appliances, the backsplash), each thing has been tweaked or repurposed or designed just for here and it feels so alive and bright and Chris and I both agree–our favorite kitchen we’ve ever done.
Let’s talk cabinets tomorrow!
SOURCES
Refrigerator
Range
Dishwasher
Tile
Grout
Sconces
Bin Pulls (4″)
Cabinets : Ikea Sektion boxes with Semihandmade X Chris Loves Julia Cove cabinet doors mixed with Semihandmade Supermatte White doors.
Flooring
Runner
What about staining on the white appliances? I’m Indian and do a lot of cooking with coloured spices, and we are currently remodeling kitchen too, and are loving the white cafe appliances. Only being skeptical for the staining if at all any,
I haven’t heard anyone complain about staining from cooking yet!
Thank you so much for such a well-written article. It’s full of insightful information. Your point of view is the best among many without fail. For certain, It is one of the best blogs in my opinion.
How hard has it been to keep the white Cafe appliances clean? We absolutely love them in white, but we also have young children and when we were looking at the white Cafe appliances in the store, the salesperson mentioned that, while they don’t get fingerprints as much as stainless steal, they could show dirt more.
Hi there! Love you blog and following along on insta. I’m wondering if you (or the Fullmers) could give an update on how they’re liking the appliances (specifically the fridge) I’ve read some reviews that it’s very noisy and wondering if this has been their experience. Many thanks, and thanks for all of the wonderful inspiration!
Pretty, pretty please give us an update. We are in the process of purchasing new appliances and want to know how these have held up. Thanks in advance!
…or maybe reply via email?
Seconding this request! I love the look of the Cafe appliances, and I know it’s not fair to give more weight to negative reviews than positive ones, but I worry about the noisiness too. Hoping they are totally satisfied so I can follow your lead and outfit my kitchen with these!
Can we talk about installing an above the range microwave into a lower cabinet base? Have you ever seen this? Is it an option? We purchased one of those appliance packages that included one, but we really want it in a lower cabinet…any suggestions? #NeedYourKnowledge #RippingUpOur70sCharmer