While searching for appliances to use in my luxury investment home kitchen, I came across many good options. Ideally, your entire kitchen appliance set is manufactured by the same company, but this can be difficult due to the strengths and weaknesses offered by each.  Below, in my opinion are the top 5 luxury appliance brands that I considered using:

5. Viking

Viking is a US company that has been manufacturing ranges since 1987.  In the 90s and early 2000s, Viking ranges where present in most high end kitchens due to their stellar marketing.  Viking started making refrigerators in the late 90s, an area in which they do not stand out.  Their core product and strength is the range/stove, in which they continue to release new technology and a great looking product.  They are at #5 due to their bad reputation with service issues.

4.  Thermador

Thermador, another US company, has been in business since 1916.  They invented the first wall oven and cooktop in 1947, and introduced stainless steel into home appliances.  Most affordable on this list with an attractive line makes Thermador a great choice.  They have had poor reviews based on lack of customer service.

3. Gaggenau

Gaggenau is a German company founded in 1681.  They specialize in cutting edge built and designed home appliances.  Gaggenau was the first on this list to come out with the convection oven.  Style and sophistication coupled with a 7 year warranty make Gaggenau a great choice.

2. Miele

Miele, another German company founded in 1899, has many milestones in the industry including the world’s first dishwasher with a cutlery tray in 1987.  Their quality is second to none, and their sleek design is perfect for the buyer that wants a “European look”.

1.  Sub-Zero & Wolf

Leading the US market in sales, this family owned Wisconsin company set the standard in home refrigeration.   Sub-Zero & Wolf, synonymous with excellence, luxury and quality, offer some of the best ranges/stoves and refrigerators on the market.

Choices for my kitchen:

I considered Gaggenau or Miele but ultimately went with Sub-Zero & Wolf.  The price difference wasn’t much, and considering the fact this home will be on the market soon, I needed to make sure my kitchen appealed to a large audience.

• Refrigerator: Sub-Zero 72 inch combo 36/36 side by side stainless steel refrigerator and freezer.
• Rangetop: Wolf 48 inch 6 burner with griddle.
• Oven: Wolf double 30 inch wall mounted.
• Warming drawer: Wolf 30 inch.
• Cooling Drawer: Sub-Zero 24 inch double drawer.
• Dishwashers: 2 Askos built-in.
• Microwave: Wolf built-in.
• Ice maker: Sub-Zero 15 inch panel ready.

Whether in new construction or a major renovation project of a luxury home, one of the largest line items you will encounter is the cabinetry. It is easy to underestimate how important a role your cabinet provider plays.

In most large estate properties you have to install custom cabinetry. The scale of the rooms, the incorporation of appliances and other fixtures cannot be solved with the traditional stock cabinets. Filling a room is simply not a matter of a 42 inch cabinet here, two 24 inch drawers there until the lego set is competed. Also, high-end finishes of the cabinets themselves just aren’t readily available until you progress into the custom level.

We are currently redeveloping this residence at 586 Lairmont Place, Henderson, NV just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, and are installing all new cabinetry and mill-work throughout the entire house. We selected a local specialty cabinet company who will design and coordinate with us and our other contractors to ensure not only the look we want, but that the cabinets and other mill-work fits precisely into the existing architecture.

One major recommendation I can make is to stay involved in the design process, learn their language, learn how to read the drawings, and constantly think of how a drawing on paper or computer will translate to functionality. If you simply assume they have it covered and check in at the end you could make costly mistakes that could mean more money and lost time. Custom cabinets can easily take 9 – 12 weeks, waiting for replacement pieces or redesigns can dramatically affect your project schedule.

Tips:

1. 1. Get your cabinet designer and other sub contractors such as the electrician and plumber to coordinate closely between you and the cabinet maker. Nothing is worse than seeing finished cabinets that don’t line up with your plumbing lines for example.

1. 1. Allow enough time to complete the cabinet production phase so it doesn’t disrupt your project timeline. Take into consideration if your cabinets are being produced outside the U.S. the shipping time and potential delays.

1. If you are putting in both flooring and cabinets, decide early which is best for you. There are pros and cons as to whether flooring or the cabinets should be installed before one another.