How To Theme With The Queen

One of the most common questions that comes up is can you mix and match appliances and will the stainless steel finishes go together? I generally tell customers that I will very willingly give opinions on functionality and reliability, however, I remind the customer it is their home and they need to look at the appliances and live with them on a daily basis. For the most part, true stainless steel finishes even between manufacturers, will blend nicely. Sometimes within a particular manufacturer’s line-up, the direction of the stainless steel grain on the different appliances (horizontal vs. vertical) can cast different shadows and look dissimilar depending on the lighting, whether it natural or artificial. If you are looking for a whole kitchen, oft-times the manufacturer offers kitchen or laundry “package rebates” which incentivizes or influences the purchase of a suite. If that is not the case, tell your appliance sales person your needs and let them show you the products that most closely suit them. When I am selling kitchens, I try to obtain as much information as I can about the way a customer is going to use the product, and then I try to educate them on the pros and cons of the various brands we discuss. There are so many aspects to consider. When putting a package together, I ensure the products complement one another, but the appliances that fit the customer’s needs best, may not all be from the same manufacturer. It is the same with plumbing fixtures. Most satin nickel or stainless steel finishes will blend with one another even though they are not a perfect match. Other finishes such as oil rubbed bronze are a completely animal and warrant a separate discussion! Also, there are some brands that do not offer an entire line-up of kitchen plumbing fixtures including soap dispensers, air gaps, air switches, hot-cold filtration faucets etc. and one is forced to mix and match. Your sales rep again should point you in the right direction with respect to style and of course budget. With that in mind, you should really try to get appliances and plumbing fixtures that best suit you functionally and aesthetically, regardless of brand. 


Never just settle! You will no doubt be much happier with your choices in the long run.


The Queen has spoken!