For some designers, appliances are little more than a finishing touch on new builds or home renovations. With standard dimensions for each type of appliance, all contractors really have to do is carve out the right amount of space so that the homeowners can slot in the appliance of their choice. The nature of the appliance – including its appearance, its functionality, and its compatibility with other elements of the home – is often framed as beyond the scope of the build. For many builders, the assumption that something will fit the room’s overall palette and requirements appears a safe one.
At White Sands, though, we believe that any truly complete home – one that’s built with both aesthetics and practicality in mind – should take into account all elements of the home, including appliances, from the very start of the build process. And while higher-end products require a bit more upfront cost, what they offer in functionality, appearance, and longevity is nonpareil. Conventional brands, for instance, will typically have lifespans of 5-10 years, whereas luxury appliances can last over 20. Maintenance is hardly an issue, and their resale value, thanks in large part to their sleek appearance and name recognition, hold steady for much of their existence.
If you’re in the process of planning or designing your next home, we strongly recommend including appliances as part of the visioning process. The more you learn, the more you’ll find that buying an appliance that’s built to last is a worthy investment. Below, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite luxury appliance brands, along with a few of their most popular products:
Thermador: Having just celebrated their 100th anniversary as one of the most innovative brands in household appliances, Thermador doesn’t have much left to prove. Today, they offer everything from high-end refrigerators and freezers to an island vent hood that looks more like a hologram projector than an everyday appliance. Their induction cooktops, while not inexpensive, could help provide precision and speed to your next culinary undertakings.
Dacor: Dacor’s products are well-regarded for being on the cutting edge of new technologies, but their color-match program is perhaps our favorite thing they offer. With nothing more than a color swatch, Dacor can chromatically customize your appliance so that it complements every other hue in the room. Their ranges even offer smartphone connectivity so that you can get that pot roast started as you’re on your way home from a day on the beach.
Viking Ranges: Viking is most widely known for offering the power and capacity of commercial-grade appliances in smaller, residential forms. Their combination steam/convection oven presents an innovative solution for anyone who prides themselves on creating dishes that are rich in both flavor and nutrients.
Monogram: Owned by GE, Monogram prides itself on a wide range of aesthetic possibilities – their Statement Collection, Minimalist Collection, and Designer Collection all offer different touches to ensure that there will always be at least one Monogram product to appeal to any homeowner, no matter their sensibility. Monogram’s technologies are also state-of-the-art: their ovens feature precision cooking modes, which automatically track the progress of food being cooked and make adjustments to cook time and heat accordingly.
Miele: True to their German roots, Miele makes a number of appliances, from coffee machines to washing machines, that exemplify a perfect harmony between pragmatism and striking appearance. Their dishwashers are highly versatile and give homeowners the ability to adjust configurations to better fit on the objects being washed.
La Cornue: If you plan ahead and have a deep appreciation for artisanry, then La Cornue is almost certainly a great choice for your home. All appliances are quite literally built by hand, marking a level of craftsmanship that almost no other brand – not even luxury brands – can match. That being said, La Cornue’s turnaround time is not always ideal: seeing as each appliance is custom-made, you can expect to wait at least two months to receive a range after making your order.
Lacanche: Another French brand that prides itself on its craftsmanship, Lacanche focuses exclusively on ranges and ovens and has an unmistakable style of trim that sets it apart from similar brands. Their products are finished with a kiln-fired porcelain enamel, making them extremely durable and easy to clean. Lacanche’s only major drawback is that they only offer gas stove tops – as cities across California consider taking Berkeley’s lead and prohibiting gas stoves, buying a gas stovetop may soon be out-of-fashion.
Hestan: Based out of Anaheim, Hestan designs their products for professional chefs and passionate home cooks alike. Their outdoor pizza ovens present a great opportunity to entertain, and their wine cellar is a more affordable alternative for oenophiles who aren’t quite ready to devote an entire room to storing wine in the perfect conditions.
When building a custom home, picking out the right appliances should be no different from every other stage of the design process. That’s because your new home should resonate with you on every level, and your appliances – what you use to cook, clean, and entertain – are a vital part of the equation. If you’re interested in building a new home in coastal California that reflects who you are at every turn, feel free to reach out. We’d be delighted to hear about your vision.
Hawlie Ohe heads White Sands Interiors, and she and her husband are raising two boys along the South Bay coast. Hawlie brings the curiosity that fueled her first career, as a journalist, to her interior design approach: Who are you, who do want to be, and how can this space get you there? Great design makes you feel present and engaged, and Hawlie is here for it. Because she wants to help you be “here” (in this space, in this moment), too.
