It all started with a Roper stove
I own two houses next to each other and am slowly renovating a 1909 Arts and Crafts house called the Dreisbach House. On the other hand, the Cressler House where I live underwent significant modernization in the 1960s, including installations. Roper stove.
With two rows of burners mounted parallel to the countertop, Roper was romantic, even sexy. After all, it produced visible fire and tangible heat. The most frequently used burner, located in the front right corner, sometimes needed help to ignite the flame. There is a special sense of satisfaction in watching a fire explode violently in the presence of a lit match.
Roper's pilot light lit up high. A plate set on a burner that was not in use quickly became so hot that I couldn't touch it with my bare hands while cooking on another burner. The Roper's pilot light could go out with the slightest breeze, and due to its proximity to the back door, it was often out.
Attractive but dangerous, effective but inefficient, Roper needed to be retired. I chose an IH stove instead of gas. Induction stoves heat cookware electromagnetically, so only cookware made of magnetic materials will work. Cast iron is fine, but aluminum is not. Most of the cookware I already own works fine.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, induction stoves are up to three times more efficient than gas stoves. Other benefits include the lack of pollutant emissions associated with gas stoves, and incredibly fast heating times, meaning induction stoves can boil water up to 40% faster than gas or traditional electric stoves.
When considering which stove to buy, I turned to Wirecutter, a website that reliably reviews just about everything. I chose the GE profile and it was more expensive than I expected. Like the Barbra Streisand song, I'm a second-hand rose. Most of my clothing (and my kids' clothing) is recycled, my car was used second hand when I bought it, and I've never been a first home owner. But for some purchases, especially electronics, it's wise to spend more money to get something better. We also found some rebates.
Before purchasing the stove at Lowe's, I went to Get-Go, a gas station owned by Giant Eagle, and purchased a hardware store gift certificate using a credit card that offers 3% back on gas station purchases. . And since I have a Giant Eagle points card, I also got a lot of free gas.
Now that the transaction is complete, let's install it!
It's not that fast. The induction cooktop is made of tempered glass, and the copper tile backsplash in the kitchen, which is probably as old as Roper's, has no amount of elbow grease or pink stuff (or barkeeper friends, steel wool, etc.) on it. , years of dirt were embedded. ) can be deleted. I had to replace the backsplash first to avoid damaging the new stove. However, a new backsplash will accentuate the depth of wear on the countertop.
That meant we had to choose a new flooring material before the countertop, backsplash, and stovetop because we would use the flooring to determine the color of the other components. And that's when I realized how out of sync I was with seemingly everyone else in America.
I would never install a tile floor in my kitchen. For those who work in the kitchen every day, tiles are too cold in the winter and put too much stress on the joints every day. If you drop something in a room with a tile floor, kiss it goodbye. Whether it's glass, plastic, or a small creature, it breaks when it lands.
I love linoleum, which looks unapologetically linoleum. At Akron's First Flooring & Tile, you can order his Forbo marmoleum, an old-fashioned plant-based linoleum. The material has a beautiful pattern, is environmentally friendly, has excellent durability, and is gentle on your feet. In 10 minutes, I chose an Asian tiger with orange swirls with red and gray. This is the perfect floor for kids to play with hot lava.
Next, I ordered a white marble-like quartz countertop with subtle veining of gray and brown to complement the lively flooring. So is the white subway tile backsplash studded with terracotta flecks.
Countertops, backsplash, and induction stovetops are all installed. When I walk into the kitchen and see them, I feel a small shiver in my chest, unless I look at the floor.
Home decorating styles change. Thirteen years ago, when I installed new flooring in the kitchen at Dreisbach House, First Flooring & Tile's showroom was lined with 12-foot rolls of vinyl linoleum. Today they have nothing. It's all ceramic tiles and floating floorboards (think Pergo). Both types of floors have their place, but not in my kitchen.
Once the linoleum sheets were lost, there was no one left to install them. Two flooring companies and Home Depot were unable to find anyone to install the marmoleum. At the suggestion of the flooring company, I emailed his Forbo and asked him to help me find a contractor. I was then told to contact the flooring company. Sigh.
Perhaps soon floating laminate and tile floors will reach their peak and sheet linoleum will return. In the meantime, the newly renovated kitchen will feature old flooring and strategically placed rugs to hide wear and tear.
Contact Holly Christensen at whoopsiepiggle@gmail.com.
