Appliance Savings

Combining utility, manufacturer, store and state rebates when buying a single Energy Star appliance can save hundreds of dollars.

Depending on where you live, the savings on new appliances this spring could be very significant.

Major appliance manufacturers such as Thermador, LG, Monogram and Sub-Zero are making the dollar go further with large rebates on appliance packages (Ovens, Ranges & Cooktops, etc.) that probably do not fall under the Energy Star requirements in the State Rebate programs.

Rebate Programs Overview

Thermador’s One, Two, FREE

Purchase a Professional Series 36- or 48-inch Range, or any Rangetop, or any Masterpiece Series Cooktop, with an accompanying Professional or Masterpiece Double or Triple Oven and get a free Thermador Emerald Dishwasher.

New for 2010, step-up to Thermador’s top-of-the-line Sapphire™ 6-program Dishwashers for an additional $500 or $750 (depending on model).

Add any Thermador Refrigerator or any two Freedom Columns and get any size free Ventilation System.

Thermaodr Freedom columns are Energy Star Qualified while the built-in refrigeration is not and will not qualify for state rebates.

LG’s Buy More, Save More

Homeowners who purchase an appliance within 2, 3 or 4 categories qualify for a $200, $300 or $500 rebate. Add a LWS3081ST or LWD3081ST wall oven and get a bonus $500 mail-in rebate for up to $1000 in savings.

Monogram’s Luxury Has It’s Rewards

Buy any pro range and hood OR cooktop, wall oven and hood and receive and instant rebate of $1,000. Add a built-in refrigerator and get an additional $1000 rebate.

Monogram’s list of qualified refrigerators appear to be Energy Star Certified making them eligible for State rebate programs.

Sub-Zero and Wolf National Consumer Promotion

Purchase a full-size (600 series excluded) built-in integrated or pro refrigerator plus any Range OR any wall oven with accompanying range top or 30″/36″ cooktop and receive an instant $1000 savings.

If you purchase 6 additional appliances you can receive an additional $1,500 in savings ($250 each). Eligible appliances listed here.

Not all of Sub-Zero’s refrigerators such as the Pro Refrigeration and the Dispenser models are Energy Star Qualified. Check your selection for eligibility in State rebate programs.

* Subject to retail participation.

March 1, 2010

Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend

I’m sure you’ve heard that diamonds are a girl’s best friend but did you know it applies to the functionality of a kitchen?

I don’t mean that the “little woman” will be happier slaving over your dinner if she’s wearing a giant rock. I am referring to DIAMOND™ Seal Technology from Brizo.

You may recall from an earlier post that I was recently flown to NY as a guest of Brizo. While there I got to learn about the incredible technology going into faucets and future technologies that will come in the near future. I can’t give away what’s coming in the next few years but I can discuss the relevance of what’s available now.

Brizo faucets use diamond-coated valves to keep water from coming into contact with outside contaminants. This advanced functionality adds to the durability of each faucet to stand up to the rigors of everyday use and have less leaks over time. The DIAMOND™ Seal Technology reduces the number of leak points and lasts up to 10 times longer than the industry standard. (Industry standard based on ASME 112.18.1 = 500,000 cycles.)

It also satisfies California statute AB 1953 mandating that by January 1, 2010, the weighted average (average amount of) lead content in pipes, fittings and fixtures used to convey drinking water cannot exceed 0.25% on wetted surfaces. The DIAMOND Seal Technology effectively keeps the water as pure as when it enters the faucet because there it keeps the water free of contact with potential metal contaminants.

Less leaks means more water conservation. Less contaminants means better water purity. These two benefits play a vital role in Brizo’s commitment to Green Design. A third part of their Green initiative that you can’t taste or see in your home is their commitment to environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.

Brizo has taken steps so all of their manufacturing plants recycle the water they use, recycle any excess brass from the manufacturing process and they use a water-based metal cleaning methods that eliminates the need for ozone-depleting solvent degreasers.

Your faucet with DIAMOND Seal Technology will keep working well for years since it has no internal parts with lubricants that can get gunky. It’s stylish design and smooth operation will allow you to enjoy it in your home instead of replacing it and having it enter a landfill which makes it easier for you to be environmentally responsible.

Brizo®, the faucet brand for the fashion forward, meets the demand for aesthetics and performance with a collection of distinctively designed faucets and related products that create a fashion statement in the home.

I’ll be posting pictures of the NY trip on my Facebook page.

February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day from KitchAnn

February 12, 2010

Around the Web

I can’t easily post while I’m out of town, thanks to the generosity of Brizo, so I have compiled some interesting posts from around the web.

There’s a great post from HGTV.ca Style Sheet Blog on small dining spaces. The photos are quite lovely but what really caught my eye was the folding table that doubles as a picture frame. These tables are not a new idea but the way the legs disappear when upright is nice and the poster insert adds a modern touch.

Staying on the modern theme, Modern Home Interiors features a sleek glass vanity by Antonio Lupi. The Briliante vanity features 20mm thick glass top and sides with an integrated bowl. A small storage cabinet situated below the vanity holds bathroom necessities. The Dama mirror is featured above the vanity.

I personally need much more storage in my bathroom and I could probably never keep the glass clean.

Michelle from My Notting Hill talks about mosaic tile as art. With large format tile the trend for interior floors, we often don’t think about putting beautiful mosaics anywhere other than the bathroom or the kitchen backsplash.

Her blog features some new patterns from New Ravenna Mosaics and Stone – which I am a huge fan of.

For an in-depth look at the history of Mosaic Tile Linda Merrill posted a great article on the Surroundings Blog.

These days it’s best to invest your money in the areas of your home that will get the most show. Showing off your expensive taste is best done without trying too hard, unless you are a Hip Hop Mogul, but instead investing in a few special pieces.

I highly recommend checking out the Magic Rug. These gems from Sicis combine the beauty of hand-cut, artistic Italian mosaics with the flexible format of a throw rug. The glass mosaic is mounted on a polyurethane base that can be attached to the floor or left as a movable object. Seemingly endless possibilities include florals, classic patterns, and contemporary motifs in a variety of formats—including circular, square, and oval—can be customized with 80 colors and an assortment of effects (iridescent, transparent, or opaque)