Giveaway~Third Step In A Worry Free Kitchen Makeover

 
At the end of this post, please leave a comment for a chance to win $100 Visa gift card.
Welcome to part three of my series titled, "Four Steps To a Worry-Free Kitchen Makeover."  As a design professional, I know firsthand that for many homeowners the thought of a kitchen renovation is accompanied by anxiety over all the decisions that need to be made.  I'm teaming up with Sub-Zero and Wolf to share my tips for each stage of a kitchen renovation to help put your worries to rest. 
 
Here is a look back at the other two posts in this series:
Step One: Define Your Goals. 
 Today's post will address the third step: Executing Your Design Plan.
 
In my experience the main topics that cause anxiety for homeowners at this stage of the game are; choosing the right professionals, making final decisions, balancing the budget and living through the actual remodel.  The design board shown here is from a client project I'm currently working on.  Using this project as an example, I would like to walk through the process of executing a design plan and offer my advice on each of these anxiety-inducing topics.
 
 
 
 
 

1.  Choosing The Right Professionals

  

The design board shown here is from a client project I'm currently working on.  Using this project as an example, I would like to walk through the process of bringing a kitchen design plan to life.  These particular clients are undergoing a complete kitchen remodel.  They hired a local architect to design the new kitchen layout and a cabinet maker to build new custom cabinetry according to the architect's plans.  They asked me to assist with material selection, finishes, paint colors, hardware, furniture, lighting, etc. 
 
 

 
 
 
In Step One and Step Two of the Worry-Free Kitchen RenovationI I mentioned, it's important to have the right professionals involved in your project from the beginning.  In this case the homeowners have had previous experience working with the three of us and knew we were right for their project.  If you are contemplating a remodel and aren't familiar with any local design professionals, trusted resources like Sub-Zero and Wolf's website can help.  Their "Locate a Designer" feature can quickly provide a list of award-winning kitchen designers in your area. 
 
 
 
 

2.  Making Final Selections

Once the plans from the architect were squared away it was time to start making final selections.  First we met with the cabinet maker to choose the cabinet style and finish.  Then it was time choose their new appliances.  My clients visited our local Sub-Zero and Wolf showroom where they met with a kitchen specialist and selected their brand new rangetop and refrigerators.  Visiting the showroom allowed them to experience and get hands on with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances in full scale kitchen settings before they prurchased.
Here is a look at their selections…
 
The refrigerator they chose is the 42" wide Sub-Zero Over-and-Under with French Door.  This particular model has the most interior capacity of any counter-depth French door model.  In addition to a full size refrigerator, they also selected the Sub-Zero UC-24BG Beverage Center.  This beverage center will be perfect for when they are entertaining as well as everyday family life.  It offers built-in refrigeration for their new custom bar area.  For the cooktop, they selected the Wolf 48" Sealed Burner Rangetop.  They love to cook and this gas range offers everything a chef could want including dual stacked sealed gas burners that offer two levels of heat control. 

 
 

After checking appliances off the list, it was time for the three of us to start shopping for materials.  The photos used throughout this post were taken during our shopping trips to local tile and granite suppliers Ciot and Gennesse Cut Stone.  The first selection we made was the granite. Choosing an important, main element like countertop material first can help make all the other selections easier. 
 
 
 
 
 
   Using the granite as our color guide, we were able to narrow down our backsplash options. 
 
 

 
3.  Balancing The Budget
 
Since countertop material was one of the biggest expenses, choosing the granite right away gave us a place to start the budget management process.  If sticking to a budget is a priority in your kitchen makeover, having your project managed by a kitchen design professional from the early stages will help keep you on track.   
 
 
 
 
 

 

Balancing the budget in a remodel is all about give and take.  If you find a slab of granite that you are in love with, but it's pricier than your original granite allowance, you may be able to make up the difference in other areas.  For instance, using budget friendly, off the shelf hardware as opposed to custom order could save enough money to make up for that more expensive granite.  If making decisions like this on your own has you worried that your end result won't be the same, a kitchen design professional will know how and where to make appropriate budget friendly substitutions within the design.
 
 
 
 
 
 
It's important to remember when you're planning a remodel that one change can sometimes lead to another.  It's a good idea to leave room in the budget plan for unexpected expenses and/or add-ons.   For example, while shopping for granite and backsplash tile for the new kitchen, we came across some beautiful tile flooring options for the adjacent pantry and mudroom.  The materials we found really complement the new kitchen design and got us thinking about adding on to our project.   
 
 
 
 
 
4.  Living Through The Re-model Process 
 

Once all the design decisions have been made and materials have been selected, it's time for the work to begin.  Whether you are living in your home through the remodel process or staying somewhere else, expect to be met with some inconveniences.  In this case, my clients are living in their home through the entire process.  They are prepared to deal with a mess for a few weeks knowing the reward will be a beautiful kitchen they will enjoy for years.  Residential interior websites like Houzz.com are a great support center and resource for homeowners.  There are many articles, like this one, related to living through a kitchen remodel that offer a ton of great tips and advice to make things a little easier
 
 

 
 
No matter how much planning goes into a remodel project, it's always best to expect something unexpected.  As long as you go into your kitchen remodel project with realistic expectations and an open mind, the process will be much less stressful.  If you are managing your own project, be prepared for the possibility of things like contractor delays or product backorders.  If you are enlisting a kitchen design professional to oversee your project, they will help manage events like this.

Stay tuned for the fourth and final post in this series.
 

Join in the conversation and follow Sub-Zero and Wolf on Facebook. For more information on their appliances, visit Sub-Zero or Wolf online.

How would you design your dream kitchen with Sub-Zero and Wolf? Let me know in the comments below for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!



Sweepstakes Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1.     Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

2.     Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3.     Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

4.     For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 8/19-9/16.

Be sure to visit the Sub-Zero and Wolf  brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts.

  
 
 
 
 
 

106 comments:

  1. As always you have come through with another beautiful and inspirational design. I would be absolutely thrilled to have a new kitchen, but the thought is very overwhelming. You have broken it down to feel so much less intimidating. I would love the chance to win a $100 visa card from Subzero and Wolf to put towards my Kitchen remodel fund.

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  2. i wold have stainless appliances; wood floors and cabinets in dark stain; island counter.

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  3. https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/501742129572347907

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  4. I would get marble counter tops and all brand new smart appliances.

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  5. Would love a chance to win. Love your choices. We just remodeled our kitchen and then had to move. Would love to redo my new kitchen.

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  6. We are considering buying a home that will need renovating (including the kitchen), so these are all good things for me to be thinking about! Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances probably won't make it into my kitchen because they will be way over our budget. If I could design a "dream" kitchen, though, I would choose a double wall oven, a gas rangetop with a big vent hood, and a built-in fridge with a cabinet panel front.

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  7. Thank you so much for hosting! My boyfriend and I actually just purchased our first home, thus I have spent many hours reading your blog! My parents have a sub-zero and I LOVE it! A Sub-zero fridge and Wolf range are actually on my wishlist for our future kitchen...many many years from now ;)

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  8. Oh how I would love to be remodeling my classic 70's kitchen with this plan! Oh well, I'm happy with currently remodeling the bathrooms and getting rid of the 70's in those rooms! Winning a gift card would be perfect for the final finishing touches! Love your blog! :)

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  9. I would design my kitchen around the Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances! The refrigerator would be put in a much more user friendly location and the oven would require the removal of some cabinets. Love to dream of such great appliances!

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  10. I would get stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and new cabinets

    elena_istomina at yahoo dot com

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  11. https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/501766711893176320

    elena_istomina at yahoo dot com

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  12. My dream kitchen ... yes, it could include a Sub Zero fridge and a Wolf range. And it would be a lovely dream! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  13. We are currently in the process of remodeling our kitchen, and we've applied for a line of credit from our local bank to help finance this big undertaking. Every dollar will count, obviously, and I would love the chance to win $100 to help toward the purchase of new stainless steel appliances for my "dream kitchen." Fingers crossed! Great blog post. Very inspirational and helpful.

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  14. I'd redesign with a granite counter top in grey/white tones, new light fixtures, and a gas oven/stove!

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  15. I would love to change out the kitchen lighting!

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  16. I would like white shaker cabinets, a big gas range, French door refrigerator, black counters, white subway tile, a farmhouse sink, and lots of lights.

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  17. My dream kitchen would involve a center island, lots of granite, stainless steel appliances and a beautiful scenic view
    mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

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  18. Tweeted
    https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/501793133198200832
    mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

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  19. The Sub-Zero and Wolf Built-In Refrigeration & Wolf 36" Gas Range would be so nice to incorporated into my bright colored kitchen with granite countertops.

    Nicole.ddziedzic (at) gmail (dot) com

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  20. Shared on Twitter - https://twitter.com/lil_lady_dz/status/501805114936807425

    Nicole.ddziedzic (at) gmail (dot) com

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  21. Appreciate the chance to win! All of your selections are fabulous. That is going to be a gorgeous kitchen. I love the paint colors - what are they?

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  22. I love your design choices....we are getting ready to paint our kitchen cabinets and counter top. Anxious and excited for the project to begin. The $100 visa gift card will come in handy for our upcoming kitchen make-over.

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  23. Besides fab new appliances, I would love a farmhouse sink and more counter space and outlets.

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  24. I would add a new gas cook top and new granite or marble counter top, some hardwood floors, and a bumped out window about my sink to let in extra light and add more space for some plants and décor.

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  25. and I would add a built in warming tray like shown on the FB page.

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  26. what a wonderful post from you....if i ever do a complete kitchen remodel these will be some great tips to guide me through it.....and i will certainly consult an expert such as yourself!

    i love all of your design boards....they are very much my style

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  27. My dream kitchen would have white cabinets some with glass fronts on the uppers to show off a few pretty and colorful things, white quartz counter tops, gray backsplash tiles similar to those in the Moroccan pattern you show in this post, wood floors and a Wolf stove would be icing on the cake!

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  28. Our kitchen cupboards desperately need a make over!

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  29. I need a kitchen makeover at a lakehouse! Love your blog!
    Jane

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  30. I'd love the 42" wide Sub-Zero Over-and-Under with French Door and gray/black granite counter tops.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  31. tweet:

    https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/501847841745412096

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  32. I would install new appliances in my kitchen such as the Sub-Zero BI-30U Over-and-Under Refrigerator/Freezer and the Wolf 30" Single Oven - L Series. I would also install new counters and cabinets.

    Kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

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  33. tweet
    https://twitter.com/kellysaver/status/501849962054160385

    kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

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  34. I would design my dream kitchen with sub zero refrigerator and wolf range and dark granite counter tops.
    heather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com

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  35. Great advice and I like what your client chose!

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  36. I'd love to have new appliances - mine are so outdated and on their last lives!

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  37. Tweeted! :) https://twitter.com/momhomeguide/status/501885767279706112

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  38. I love this design board....especially the granite....that would be the first change I would want to make in my kitchen.

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  39. Oh the materials that you have picked out for this renovation are fabulous & I love the color combinations. Oh how I covet the kitchen with a sub-zero refrigerator.

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  40. We are moving back to Flushing from Phoenix, AZ and we close on the Flushing home this Friday. The home we are buying is a 1957 ranch, original owners. It is a great home, but can we say "dated"!!!! The kitchen and bathrooms most definately need a total renovation. I do not want to go to Home Depot or Lowe's and buy our appliances for the kitchen so this post was written in perfect timing for us to see that in Auburn Hills we can find a Sub-Zero/Wolf showroom to look for our new appliances. I am so thankful that I found your blog to help me with suppliers and locations, and I hope your schedule opens up to receive new clients when we get back there and start our renovations. :)

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  41. Beautiful design board. I've been thinking about upgrading our counters and backsplash for years but haven't been able to pull the trigger.

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  42. Would have loved to have had the Sub Zero Beverage Center this summer. If I had a nickel for every time the fridge got opened just to get a cold drink out

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  43. Oh my gosh, I love everything on the design board! Great choices.

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  44. I'd redesign our kitchen using Sub-Zero and Wolf appliance and bright whites with dramatic black accents.

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  45. I'd get a fancy new stainless steel Wolf range and plan everything around that. My kitchen in from the 30s so it has tons of charm, just needs solid updates to our appliances.

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  46. tweeted- https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/502557583261966336

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  47. I really like all their products, but I would especially like to get an outdoor grill for my husband.

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  48. I shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dandidaffyhill/status/502652311542706178

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  49. I'd love a Wolf, a double wide fridge a farm sink an island and a colorful tile backsplash.

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  50. tweeted
    https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/502736505492611072

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  51. I would love custom tile flirting in my kitchen.

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  52. My makeover would have all new appliances, custom cabinets, granite counter tops and new flooring.

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  53. My whole kitchen needs a make over -- a total redo. I would love to start with some of that gorgeous back splash as we have none and it drives me crazy.

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  54. Tweet: https://twitter.com/SavingForLater/status/503138624939229184

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  55. I would get all stainless steel appliances and a classy new granite counter -- maybe brown with some blue in it?
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  56. I would like stainless steel appliances and lots of cupboard (and counter!) space. Your post is excellent! I think it was good that you mentioned "...that one change can sometimes lead to another." which can certainly lead to more time and expense. I would love to equip my kitchen with everything from Sub-Zero and Wolf!

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  57. Tweet! https://twitter.com/lexiquin/status/503415136892489728

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  58. With three football-playing, teenaged boys, I'd love a giant fridge and a larger oven. We can only buy four gallons of milk at a time in order to fit the other necessary items in our current fridge. I love both of those product lines because they withstand the test of time.

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  59. Great advice and love the appliances and materials listed.

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  60. I've always loved the look of gray cabinets and black counter tops with stainless or black appliances!

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

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  61. I would love dual fuel ranges and electric cooktops from Sub Zero Wolf in my modern dream kitchen.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

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  62. -https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/503743417848193024

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  63. I’d love to cook with a Wolf Steamer! Your kitchen inspiration is beautiful!
    aleksnearing gmail com

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  64. White cabinets, new stainless steel appliances, knobs and handles and curtains!

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  65. I'd add a convection oven and huge fridge!!

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  66. I tweeted about the giveaway under @yarbr012 : https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/505106704359772160

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  67. My dream kitchen would have a center island, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and a Wolf Steamer!!

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  68. My dream kitchen would include a Wolf 36" Sealed Burner Rangetop and a 30"-wide Sub-Zero over-under model with a glass door.

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  69. Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/505977719642140672

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  70. I would love to have stainless steel appliances, rich dark cabinets, white/grey granite countertops, and dark flooring. Thanks for the giveaway! Those backsplashes are gorgeous!

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  71. I would love to have new granite countertops, tile floors, new appliances new cabinets and an island.

    s2s2 at Comcast dot net

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  72. i would add warm colors to my dream kitchen

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  73. https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/509062185583386624

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  74. https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/509062185583386624

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  75. We are in need of a complete makeover/renovation in our kitchen, but are just in the planning stages.

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  76. Thank you for the board information. Valuable!!! Love your blog and follow you on FB. Have a great day.

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  77. my dream kitchen would be designed with ease of cleaning and working in mind more than style and i'd have a Wolf Dual Fuel range too
    pryfamily5@gmail.com

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  78. I tweeted here https://twitter.com/thepryfamily5/status/509400092701241344

    pryfamily5@gmail.com

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  79. I would buy a top of the line Wolf oven range, just in time for Thanksgiving!

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  80. I would be happy with a new stovetop and a new sink.
    MCantu1019 at aol dot com

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  81. How? I think I would hire you! I love your choices above!
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

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  82. tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/510221484044713984
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

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  83. https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/510393594319237121

    s2s2 at Comcast dot net

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  84. MIne would be in whites and dark green with stainless steel

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  85. https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/510439786763784192

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  86. I would like to have a big kitchen with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances. Lots of cabinets and counter space.
    neiddyruiz@gmail.com

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  87. tweeted -https://twitter.com/neiddy_ruiz/status/510459220026982401
    neiddyruiz@gmail.com

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  88. I would get granite counter tops, new tiles on floor, stainless steel appliances, and new cabinets.

    rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

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  89. I would have the e series and the steam oven and a kitchen island

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

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  90. tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/511312217484959744

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

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  91. We've considered a kitchen remodel, but I'm not sure I could cope with the mess and upheaval. Your tips are super helpful though.

    My dream kitchen would have built-in over-and-under Subzero refrigerator, dual-fuel Wolf range, and a transitional drawer microwave. Thank you.
    sharonjo at gwtc dot net

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  92. Tweet: https://twitter.com/sharonjo2/status/511359121023438848
    sharonjo at gwtc dot net

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  93. https://twitter.com/kathryn729/status/511884425840181248

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  94. I would love to do marble countertops and put in all stainless steel appliances.
    POKERGRL8 at gmail.com

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  95. https://twitter.com/aes529/status/511903058440515584
    POKERGRL8 at gmail.com

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  96. If price was no object, I would have the Wolf 15" Fryer module inserted into the Wolf 60" Gas Range. I would then also add the PRO 48 with Glass Door! ah..dreams. LOL
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

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  97. I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/511908402856226817
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

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  98. I would get all new stainless steel appliances.

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

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  99. https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/511960737254629376

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

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  100. i would have new EVERYTHING: range, fridge, and dishwasher

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  101. https://twitter.com/raggammuffin/status/511963135561846785

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  102. I would love to have all stainless steel appliances! That would be a dream come true!
    stoopidgerlart (at) gmail (dotcom)

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  103. I'd get a new stove as mine is from 1950 and WAY too big!

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