So, as part of fixing up the house, we are finally "forced" to replace the range with the non-working oven (seriously, it takes an hour at 500 degrees to cook a frozen pizza, and even then the center will be cold) and the refrigerator that simultaneously manages to freeze any carrots put on the shelves and let the yogurt melt into thick soup, as well as let any meat spoil. I think we've decided on the range (this one here), but we are having an issue with the fridge.
Apparently they stopped making the size fridge that we have room for sometime in the 19 years since we've had this one. This one is 31 inches wide, but nowadays most of what you find are the big honking side-by-sides that are 33-36 inches wide. So we have to go a little smaller, which is 29.5 inches wide. That's fine. But BigDaddyFish and I are having a bit of an argument -- over color.
We are agreed we don't want white. He wants stainless steel. While stainless would look good, I am cheap and I don't want to pay the extra $150 to get stainless on the same fridge we can get in black for less. He thinks our kitchen is bright and airy (which it is) and if we put a black fridge in that space it will create some sort of black hole that will suck in all that is happy and joyful in life. I only exaggerate slightly. So I asked Uncle Orca/Agincourtdb, who said go with the black because we'll just cover it up with kids' drawings anyway. He has a point. I guess it comes down to the overall effect and what is going to be more desirable to a buyer.
So I'm doing what any self-respecting blogger does: I'm asking you guys. Here's the space:
So, picture this stove in the spot, and then tell me, which do you prefer? Black or stainless? Is the feeling about the stainless strong enough to justify paying the extra $$? Am I just a cheap wench? Keep in mind we also need to have the budget to paint the entire house, sand and refinish the hardwood in the kitchen, get a new subfloor and other flooring in the entryway and powder room, get a little drywall work done, replace two more floors of carpeting, and get the whole place deep cleaned. I have a minor panic attack even thinking about it. For the record, our dishwasher is black. The current stove is black with a stainless top, the new one will be the opposite - stainless with a black top.
Vote in the comments and there just may be a prize involved if I get, oh, say ten or more comments.
can I change my vote to hot pink with bruise-blood purple polka dots? and canary yellow trim?
Posted by: Agincourtdb | June 23, 2008 at 02:34 AM
Stainless steel fridges look great, but I've heard/read that they show every little fingerprint and smudge. So, with kids around, I'd go with black to reduce cleaning requirements. I hear they have "smudgeless" stainless now, but you are leaving this fridge behind, so I'm not sure I'd pay the extra for someone else! Here's a link with lots of discussion on the same topic:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/phoenix-area/174411-black-vs-stainless-steel-appliances.html
Posted by: Fish-flopper | June 23, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Definitely go with black. We had a silver finish on ours that looked like stainless (but wasn't, so maybe I'm wrong??), and it was so hard to keep clean. The smudge factor was a pain. It just wasn't worth it.
Posted by: ktjrdn | June 23, 2008 at 09:07 AM
Go with black. You can't stick magnets - and little kid art - to stainless. We have friends who found this out the hard way.
Posted by: hokgardner | June 23, 2008 at 10:19 AM
As much as I love stainless, if I was selling my house I would go cheapest thing possible. You are selling it, you don't have to live with it.
Posted by: jodifur | June 23, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Black.. Black. BLACK.
Posted by: Carmen | June 23, 2008 at 04:42 PM
i'd go cheap, therefore black. you can't use magnets on the stainless and it gets all scratched and fingerprinty. if you husband is deadset for the stainless get the black and get some stainless steel contact paper for 20 bucks. :)
Posted by: keira | June 23, 2008 at 05:18 PM
I vote for the black. Stainless is just too much work to take care of with all the kids running around.
Posted by: Shannon | June 23, 2008 at 06:34 PM
New and either black or stainless is going to be a hit with buyers. And, because of the dishwasher, I'd go black so everything matches.
Not to mention it's cheaper. Would allow you to spend the $150 somewhere else too.
Posted by: Robin | June 23, 2008 at 07:53 PM
But... will magnets stick to hot pink with bruise-blood purple polka dots? With canary yellow trim?
Posted by: Agincourtdb | June 24, 2008 at 03:22 AM
I've heard not so great things about stainless too...but never had it myself, so can't be sure. Black would be my choice too.
Posted by: angi | June 24, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Hi- We have a stainless and it's always covered with hand prints and smudges. Another big downside is that it it not magnetic, so if you want to hand the kids' artwork you need to use tape instead of magnets. Good luck finishing your kitcher - either choice will look great!
Posted by: Cecilia | June 26, 2008 at 02:27 PM
I really like the stainless. We recently bought a stainless refrigerator with the patina finish. It doesn't show fingerprints as badly as the regular finish. It really dressed up our 23 year old kitchen. I now use a bulletin board for the kid's drawings.
Posted by: Karen R | June 28, 2008 at 10:10 PM