Lacanche Threads 21-30

Lacanche ranges part 23
Posted by AZdreamhome (My Page) on Thu, Jun 9, 05 at 14:20

I was Post #100 on part 22 so I thought I'd start us off a new thread. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to put a link into this post with the URL link to part 22. Can someone do this for me? Thanks!

Follow-Up Postings:

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: VeloDoug (My Page) on Thu, Jun 9, 05 at 14:58

Lacanche ranges part 22

Earlier messages are here.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: vedaZu (My Page) on Thu, Jun 9, 05 at 23:23

Did I do this correctly?

Here is a link that might be useful: Veda's Kitchen
o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: KLB_2000 (My Page) on Thu, Jun 9, 05 at 23:24

Ohhh...I'm so excited to see your kitchen, but the link won't work for me. You might have to change your options to allow people to view your album or something....?

o posting pictures--suggestions?

* Posted by: vedaZu (My Page) on Thu, Jun 9, 05 at 23:30

Sorry to be such a dummy--I'll go back and see if I can figure this out.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Pirula (My Page) on Fri, Jun 10, 05 at 2:21

Guess what everyone? I got in touch with Stan and we've arranged delivery of our Lacanche Cluny for January/February!!!

Yay!
Ivette

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Fri, Jun 10, 05 at 7:52

Julie1808...Congratulations on your purchase!! You will be thrilled even more when you are up and running! I have the black and brass combination and a FT, too. You'll find a lot of passionate owners here who love to talk about how we're cooking and enjoying our ranges. Looking forward to seeing pictures of yours in your kitchen!!
Deb

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: orchidluvr (My Page) on Fri, Jun 10, 05 at 9:33

Veda - I have Webshots, too, and I'm sorry that I am a paying customer of that outfit. I can't seem to post inline picture, and there are other problems too. My kids have the right idea and have Photobucket.

That said, I am **certainly** no expert, but I *believe* that what you need to do is make your album "public" when you set it up. I'm not sure if there is a way to change it after it's been created, though.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Julie1808 (My Page) on Fri, Jun 10, 05 at 9:48

Thanks, Deb. I'm looking forward to having mine up and running and being able to experiment with the French top, etc. In the meantime, I'm soliciting advice on color and countertop choices in the kitchen forum. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. BTW, I'm considering marble countertops and I was very inspired by your posting on how well your marble was holding up.

Pirula, congratulations!

VedaZu, I am also most anxious to see your pictures.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: vedaZu (My Page) on Fri, Jun 10, 05 at 16:46

May I try this again?

Here is a link that might be useful: Veda's Kitchen
o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: ela0427 (My Page) on Fri, Jun 10, 05 at 17:13

Hi veda, it is asking for your password still. Ela

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Fri, Jun 10, 05 at 18:15

VedaZu...on your Webshots album, you may have linked us to a page that's in your album for editing. Don't click on the picture in the album from the My Photos tab. Click into "Your Public Community Homepage" and go into the album, then the picture from there and we should be able to see it. If you click on the My Photos tab, just under the headings toward the lefthand side you'll see a clickable link to http://community.webshots.com/user/(your id here). Click that link, open the album, click the picture, then copy that address.

Sorry if this is what you did and it still didn't work. Just ignore me in that case!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Fri, Jun 10, 05 at 21:10

Ivette,
Congrats on setting your delivery date!
Veda,
Looking forward to your photos!
Orchidluvr,
YOU too!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: vedaZu (My Page) on Fri, Jun 10, 05 at 22:19

Third time is the charm!!! I got someone under 50 to do this for me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Veda's kitchen
o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: KLB_2000 (My Page) on Fri, Jun 10, 05 at 22:32

Ohhh...the color looks great! You'll have to take some pictures of the inside of the ovens so we can see what's different with the UK version...

Also, I seem to recall that you are going with undercounter drawer refrigerators/freezers.....where will they go? Under the counter opposite the sink, or somewhere else?

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: vedaZu (My Page) on Fri, Jun 10, 05 at 23:13

Thanks KLB--I don't know that there's anything interesting to see inside, except that the grooves for the racks are built into the sides, rather than being removable. So dark in there, I doubt any photo would work! (Miner's helmets, all'round!) Fridges will go on the fireplace wall, my baking center. I'll have cabinets there as well, and just picked out some marble for the top. (I'm sort of ashamed that I got sucked into all this glamorous stuff. But on the other hand, the infrastructure of this kitchen didn't cost me anything--the floor, the beamed ceiling, the cabinets. I guess I could afford to do what I wanted on the details.)

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Julie1808 (My Page) on Sat, Jun 11, 05 at 11:47

VedaZu, that is one gorgeous stove, and I love the blue with the ivory cabinets.

I'd say that in addition to not having to pay for your infrastructure, you were very thrifty and resourceful in saving money on your Lacanche. Besides, while a Lacanche and marble certainly have an element of glamour, they appeal to me because they are also hard-working and earn their keep; they are not just about looks.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Claire_de_Luna (My Page) on Sat, Jun 11, 05 at 15:31

Veda, Love your choices, in particular the Herbeau bathroom faucet. That was inspired, especially with your sink. I'm really looking forward to the finished product! Your French blue Lacanche reminds me of a very expensive European car.

Ivette and orchidluvr, Congratulations! It's been a long time coming Ivette; I know you must be thrilled. I know you both can't wait till you're cooking!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Andrea345 (My Page) on Sat, Jun 11, 05 at 20:39

It's beautiful vedaZu. Glad to hear you're already having fun cooking. I love that sink. And ditto Julie's point about the marble. Have you got any kind of "fudge factory" in your area? That's where you see that this is a working stone, not a "pretty pretty". It's the sensibility of "forever perfect", "show no wear", "toss it - it's old, outdated, out of style, looks used, been worn." What your kitchen looks like to me is that it's meant to be used, cooked in, wear well over time, be there for the next generation, have the next generation move in, work in it, wear it, use it for three hundred years.

-a

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: vedaZu (My Page) on Sat, Jun 11, 05 at 21:26

Thanks, ladies. Interesting, I was thinking just yesterday that this certainly isn't everyone's cup of tea--but suits the house well. Low key, kind of beat up in advance, good things well worn.. .I look in admiration at some of the really slick kitchens and know I couldn't plan something like that--that requires a real designer. The very fact that this project has taken so long has allowed for this sensibility of accretion/acquisition of belongings over time. If I ever get the tile work done, it might be a nice kitchen! And in addition to the bargain of the Lacanche, I picked up my little leaded glass window on Ebay, saved a couple of K on my refrigerator drawers (also ebay scratch& dent), got my Sonoma tile in a rare sale (a result of having saved $3K on the plumber's bid), and got the absolutely bottom prices on all my fixtures online. It has been fun so far, all these presents arriving daily. It is possible to do quite well financially in these things if one has the luxury of time. I wasn't in a great hurry, didn't have to worry about feeding the kids three times a day. If I saw a bargain, I could pick it up or wait until the next one rolled around. Now as we approach finishing this kitchen, we move operations into the old one to build the pantry. My lovely Kohler Life in the Country sinks have arrived--onward!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: FrenchTeacher (My Page) on Sat, Jun 11, 05 at 23:16

Hi to all of you fellow Lacanchers,

It's been quite a while since I've posted a message, but I've been keeping up with others' progress. I'm happy for all of you as you're making your plans and seeing wonderful results. I am expecting that my Cluny will be installed this week. I received it in May 2004, so it's been a long wait. We didn't add any square footage to our home, but did take down the wall between the kitchen and DR. We're happy with the way things are starting to look; cabinets and countertops are now in and the sink, DW, and frig were installed this week. No handles or knobs, however, so nothing is usable. Floors should be refinished in a few weeks so we're holding off putting anything in the cabinets. I feel as if this whole process has been an odyssey of sorts. I just didn't want to write about my difficulties during the process. Dealing with them during the day was enough. I didn't want to rehash it again at night by writing about them (although I know that everyone hear can be so supportive). Demo was Feb. 14, so we're closing in on 4 months without a kitchen. Our temporary set up has worked well, but we're tired of eating in our son's bedroom! Thank goodness he decided to stay at college for the summer. I don't think he would have been happy with the state of affairs in his room. When he heard how we were using his bedroom, his comment was, "I don't ever want you to tell me again not to eat in my room!"

At any rate, does anyone have any advice about installation? I'm starting to read the manual this weekend (I'm sure the plumbers won't) and I want to be sure they don't muff anything up in the process. If you have any words of wisdom that you've gained from the installation, please let me know. I can't wait to start cooking again! I'm sure you who have been through the process can identify with how I'm feeling.

Thanks again.
Roberta

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Sun, Jun 12, 05 at 1:49

Roberta, glad to hear from you again after a long time. The Lacanche installation was really so simple and quick; don't think there will be an issue.

Veda, love that blue with the cream cabinets and farm sink. The finished kitchen will be worth waiting for and more delicious because you were thrifty.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: wasColette (My Page) on Sun, Jun 12, 05 at 19:58

Hi all,

I've been reading all your comments for the last couple of months. We are doing a major remodel and at first I came to this site to get info on pro-style ranges. But then, with excited surprise I happened upon your thread on Lacanche. I've absolutely falling in love. I received my brochure from AC, but my husband was not going for it at all. So I actually threw the brochure away! I forced myself not to even read the Lacanche threads.

But then AC sent me an email last week about the color sale that ends at the end of June. Of course, I had to go look at the reserve list. And the love affair bloomed anew. I spent all Friday evening reading the threads again. When I brought it up again with my husband, he wasn't so against it this time. He's the one doing all the building so he looked at the spec sheets and saw that he could easily install. He does prefer the look of the Lacanche over the SS pro-style ranges. So...he said YES!

I'm so excited. I've asked Stan to send me samples of the Aubergine and Ivory colors. I do have two quesions:

1. For those with the Cluny, are the oven sizes big enough? He said the height is only 12". I know the pictures show a turkey in a roasting pan, but compared with my old hotpoint oven, it just seems small.

2. I've read all the raves about Lacanche, but before I put down this much money, are there any here who have complaints?

Vicki Buttens
Redondo Beach, CA

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: orchidluvr (My Page) on Mon, Jun 13, 05 at 12:24

Hi, Vicki!

I have a Green Cluny with warming cupboard, and I am thrilled with it thus far. I have one convection and one regular electric oven, and the configuration is perfect for the way I cook and bake.

I haven't yet tried a turkey, but I have had 4 cookie sheets going at once. The regular electric oven can handle a half sheet pan - the convection is too shallow because there is a fan back there! Please keep in mind that from front to back, the dimension of the Cluny electric oven is deeper than my old Jenn Aire. The half sheet pan fits in the "long" way.

I'm glad you husband 'saw the light'. Good luck on your choice!!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Mon, Jun 13, 05 at 15:42

Vicki,
We have yet to complete our install, but we will move into a whole-house renovation by weeks' end that was a lot of "do-it-yourself"/act as our own GC, perhaps similar to your own.

Once we are up and running within a week or two, you are welcome to visit us in Riverside/'da Boonies and see a (another!) Green Cluny with a French top and one gas/one electric oven. Orchidluvr and I are apparently two of the four or five Green owners in the U.S... Stan can also find other area Lacanches for you to visit, and other SoCalifornians will likely pipe up here, as well.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: ela0427 (My Page) on Mon, Jun 13, 05 at 17:54

Veda. the blue is beautiful!!! It reminds me of my lovely blue LeCreuset dutch oven. Ela

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: wasColette (My Page) on Mon, Jun 13, 05 at 19:04

Thank you, Kitchengirl. Yes, Stan has put me in contact with someone nearby. I'm thinking I'll take over my roasting pan and my cookie sheet to see how they fit. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Vicki

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Mon, Jun 13, 05 at 23:01

Vicki, welcome!

Your first question was asked first by every new Lacanche buyer regarding oven size. We are a pretty happy bunch of owners, so I doubt there are too many people bemoaning the oven size. The French regard the smaller oven size (vs. the oversized American ovens) as appropriately sized to enclose the pan and create sufficient mositure for roasing meats. At least that is my understanding. Our experience in every aspect of Lacanche ownership has been really wonderful, especially with all our gas oven roasting results. We leave the baking of sweets to our good friends on the forum, but may break loose with our electric convection oven when we retire & have more play time.

Tonight my DH poached thick salmon steaks in a thyme/butter/chardonnay sauce in a copper pan on one burner, while grilling marinated red and green peppers on the grill plate, after having first sauteed crabcake appetitizers. I prepared a ceasar salad across the isle and everything was just perfect. A friend dropped by for the crabcake portion of the meal and remarked on how colorful the peppers were. But it is almost cheating: everything looks colorful against the backdrop of our burgundy (you fill in the blank with your own color) range.

Love your top two color picks. I have long loved the ivory, but now I am anxious to see how easily the aubergine will fit into a kitchen color scheme.

And yes, take your pans for the visit - but - know what? Even if no pans fit, it would be worth replacing them just to have a Lacanche in your kitchen. I suspect they will fit, however.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: NancyUSA (My Page) on Tue, Jun 14, 05 at 0:39

Just wanted to post the link to the Lacanche Website on the new thread.

All of he previous threads, Lacanche 1-22 and links to Lacanche kitchens from previous threads can be found at http://lacanche.blogspot.com/

Kitchen girl;
Thanks for the info about Warren Rakowski's kitchen, I have updated the Lacanche website accordingly.

Here is a picture from veduZu's kitchen in progress. Fabulous color.


Click on the picture to enlarge

Here is a link that might be useful: Lacanche Website
o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Andrea345 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 14, 05 at 0:43

hello wasColette -
Good luck on your visit. I, too, went to see the Lacanche in person, but here in Woodinville, WA. I took my cookie sheets as well as my favorite pans. Don't forget them as the cooktop layout really worked for me but you want to see how it works for you. I saw an aubergine Lacanche there. It was beautiful. We're talking drop dead gorgeous purple. I've gone with the Provencal yellow & while the Ivory is gorgeous, that aubergine was stunning. That is not a color you see over & over. Heck, their ivory is deep & lovely, but that aubergine. If I wasn't a yellow girl...

Anyways, my delivery date is the end of September but she'll be stored b/c we haven't even signed a contract to start work yet & my kitchen design isn't done - yet. AC is helping us out there as well. He's stayed in contact with us even though we only placed a deposit. He's let us know how lead times were looking. Holy Kamole, I'm very happy with them. They let you know the whole process & he's going to store it for us while we get the gut going. It's a great company to work with.

Have fun looking, but I vote for the aubergine.
-a

o Sorry picture will not post

* Posted by: NancyUSA (My Page) on Tue, Jun 14, 05 at 0:44

Oops sorry about the picture all. It was working in preview, but apparently access is denied.

o Using a Wok

* Posted by: VeloDoug (My Page) on Tue, Jun 14, 05 at 9:47

I've been experimenting with a wok on our new Cormatin. We have the four burner cooktop with neither the big 18,000 BTU burner nor the French top with the removable manhole cover. The wok ring we received with the range is tapered to fit the regular size burners. It looks like the generic ones that come with round bottom woks but it's made of heavy stainless and notched to fit the grate so it doesn't slide around.

First a disclaimer: There are just two of us to cook for and we watch our portion sizes pretty carefully. I use a small (12") carbon steel wok and never cook more than 8 oz. of meat. YMMV

My first attempt involved the "official" wok ring and the 15,000 BTU burner. It got very hot very fast, but the heat extended further up the sides of the wok than I liked. The wok ring holds the wok fairly high over the burner. Perhaps getting it lower would help.

Another day, another stir fry. This time I used a generic wok ring that lowered the wok almost an inch, still on the 15,000 BTU burner. The wok got even hotter even faster and the heat was a little more centralized but it still wasn't great. Could I get the wok even lower?

The good folks over on the Bluestar thread talk about removing the grate on their favorite range and nestling a wok right down over the burners. Hmm... I put both wok rings away and set the wok directly on the grate. I was pleased, and a bit surprised, to see that it sat there nice and steady and the height above the 15,000 BTU burner looked promising. I got out the last of the chuck steak to give it a try. I put the wok on the burner and turned the heat up high. Before I knew what was happening, there was a smell of hot steel and a circular blue area appeared on the bottom of the wok. I turned down the heat a little and made an good stir fry.

Based on my having to turn down the heat on the 15,000 BTU burner I decided to try one of the 11,000 burners instead for last night's moo goo gai pan. The wok was directly on the grate and the burner was turned all the way up for the high heat parts of the process. There was plenty of heat as I expected but it was more centralized, which made things easier.

There is nothing than cannot be improved so I'll keep an open mind on the subject but for now that's how I'll cook with a wok on our Cormatin. I don't know if the same setup would work with a 14" or 16" wok set directly on the 15,000 burner. The power and location of the flame would probably be good but the larger wok might not be located as securely by the fingers of the grate.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Julie1808 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 14, 05 at 9:51

Hi, Vicki --

The oven size was my DH's big question, and he was worried that the Thanksgiving turkey would not fit, but Stan assurred me he had cooked a twenty-something pound (26, I believe) turkey in his Cluny oven. I am unable to give you any first hand reports because I have only recently purchased a black Cluny 1400 which will not be installed until the end of the summer.

I have only seen the burgundy in person, but the ivory has long been one of my favorites -- although based on Andrea345's description of the purple, that sounds awesome also. Wow, sounds like a difficult decision! What a fun decision to have to make though.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Pirula (My Page) on Tue, Jun 14, 05 at 12:37

Please you guys:

I've navigated the Lacanche website six ways from Sunday and cannot find the new colors!!

Where oh where are they so I can see them??

Thanks! Ivette

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Tue, Jun 14, 05 at 14:09

Ivette,
I don't think the new colors (lime/pistachio, etc.) are up on the website. The aubergine has been available since sometime last year, but is not (yet?) shown on the color page -- it can, however, be seen on the Reserve page as an actual Cluny.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: wasColette (My Page) on Tue, Jun 14, 05 at 17:23

Thanks everyone for your good wishes. Had a little snag yesterday. DH is now back tracking and wants to wait until we've paid for all the major stuff to come...stucco, drywall, cabinets, counters, flooring, etc., etc. He doesn't want us to run out of money. My heart stopped while he was saying all this. He does have a good point, though.

But...I talked to the lady who Stan referred me to and she lives just a few blocks away from us! So I told my husband I still want him to come with me to look at it. I'm hoping that seeing it will change his mind. Plus it's not like he said we couldn't ever get it. Just not right now. He said he'd still build the cabinets to fit the size specs of the Cluny. I wanted to take advantage of the price cut that ends the end of June, but I guess for a few hundred more dollars he'd rather wait to place to order.

Andrea345-- Does the Aubergine look purple to you? In the pictures it looks like a burgandy color. I'm waiting for samples to arrive.

Vicki
(wasColette)

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: ela0427 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 14, 05 at 17:40

What is the link for the reserves at AC???? Ela

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: VeloDoug (My Page) on Tue, Jun 14, 05 at 17:52

Art Culinaire's Private Reserve

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Andrea345 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 14, 05 at 23:52

Vicki,
The aubergine I'm assuming is the purple I saw. It wasn't "pastelly", but rather royal with the brass trim. I'm not sure what you were looking at, but it had more blue than red, if I remember correctly. Words won't capture it. When your sample comes in, lemme know. I'd love to see someone work that into their kitchen. Lovely.
-a

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: KLB_2000 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 14, 05 at 23:59

Ohhh...I don't think the aubergine is on the reserve page anymore.....maybe Andrea345 did such a good sales job on the color that someone has already nabbed it?

Vicki, if its any help, they had the same sale in March--so seems likely they'll have another sale in a couple months, when you and DH might be ready to spend the dough. Don't give up!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: sea_cliff (My Page) on Wed, Jun 15, 05 at 11:22

Hi all,
I have ordered my Cluny - it will arrive late July. I'm still in the mid of kitchen remodel & I'm desperately trying to work out the details (and there are many). There was a great link with pictures of favorite kitchens - I can't find it anywhrere. Help, please.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Julie1808 (My Page) on Wed, Jun 15, 05 at 17:30

Hi, sea_cliff, congratulations! I think the link you are looking for is this one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchens We Love
o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: wasColette (My Page) on Wed, Jun 15, 05 at 19:31

SeaCliff--Congratulations! What color did you order?

KLB--Thanks for the tip on the sale.

My aubergine color sample came today. Andrea345 was right. It does tend more toward a purple than a burgandy or maroon. I thought it would have more red in it. But I still think I like it. I'm still deciding. Is there anyone here who has an aubergine lacanche? What do you think?

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: spacific (My Page) on Fri, Jun 17, 05 at 0:06

VedaZu,
I love the blue... It's beautiful... So glad you're moving along. wasCollete, I know you have a Cluny in mind, but I'm not far from you (in San Pedro) and if you'd like to see the Cormatin, send me a note.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Andrea345 (My Page) on Fri, Jun 17, 05 at 9:26

Vicki,
I'm designing around the Provencal Yellow (one friend called it 'roadsign yellow' - heh). Both my husband & I love the color. It is considered a "difficult" color to plan around, yet I think of my yellow as the flag I planted on the mountaintop, 'This is my kitchen.' My range sets the baseline for what will work in there.

Whether or not you get someone from this specific board who's worked with aubergine is almost irrelevant b/c their style might not be your style. Obviously people do have the aubergine range in their homes. I saw one on the floor & they are being sold. The bigger issue is gathering the elements which will work with the color. It can be done & it can push you to a place you never expected. The yellow has done that for me.

Currently, we're considering shaker style fronts with a beaded inset for the cherry cabinets. The bases will be stained a "cabernet." My husband thought the color was black. No, it's not, heh. He loves "Italian modern," so he was happy. We're trying to lean towards the modern aesthetic and still nod at the traditional. The uppers will be a natural cherry, or something along those lines - light & reddish (I forgot the stain name at the moment). The bases will have their bead stained in the lighter color and a receded toe kick so that we can put straight chrome legs on them to give a less fitted effect. We aren't having a backsplash go all the way around between the uppers & the lowers. We'll have a super heated copper backsplash only behind the range & the sink. One of the ways we're planning to "nod" at the traditional is adding a kitchen rail around all the backsplash area. I plan to mimic what I can of the rail on the Lacanche - a chrome rail with brass supports & rounded end guards kind of thing. Again, on the "modern" side, we're going to use a Franke PSX-110-30 in the 9" deep version, but we are going to use a goosenecked bridge faucet. We're getting the panel front 30" Subzero glass-front & I'm planning to use the copper as the panel.

Any & all of these decisions might change, but I love the colors & the idea of how they'll come together. While I enjoy looking at other people's kitchen, I want this to be "my" kitchen. That was a HUGE reason I went with the Lacanche. The color & style were appealing to me. I found it inspirational and I love taking chances.

If you love the aubergine, see where it will take you. If you wanted the burgundy, that will push you as well. I don't have to worry about resale considerations & wouldn't anyway. This has been a fun & exciting "trip" for me to find the elements which will work for me. The Provencal Yellow Lacanche started me on that journey. I hope yours will do the same for you.

-a

Here is a link that might be useful: one of my countertop possibilities
o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: KLB_2000 (My Page) on Fri, Jun 17, 05 at 10:23

(and FYI--the Aubergine is back on the reserve list!)

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: sea_cliff (My Page) on Fri, Jun 17, 05 at 11:31

I first wanted the red - chickened out & bought the black. I really want to do a red marble island & the colors look awful next to one another. Construction on the sunroom started last weekend - the kitchen demo should start mid/early July. I bought my husband a digital camera for father's day, so hopefully I can figure out how to take pictures & post the process for all to view & critique.
So far the plan is as follows:
Varied wide-plank wood floor by Carlisle.
Cream cabinets - shaker style with a bevel around the inside frame.
Wood countertop - I think cherry, although I am debating a slightly darker wood - looking for suggestions if you have.
Upper cabinets - very few with divided light doors.
Backsplash & entire wall that includes the sink & stove - off white/cream subway tile with grey grout - from the top of the countertop to the ceiling.
The ceiling will be wainscot
Cluny - black
The hood will be wainscot
On either side of the hood will be open shelves made of the same wood used on the countertops.
I will use it to display my many Le Creusets - which I use all the time.
The rest of the kitchen will have a paneling around the walls in an arts & craft stlye - approx 5 ft high.
The fireplace will have an equally simple mantel.
I am looking for an oversized kitchen cupboard to go on the opposite wall (I'll use as a baking station) still can't decide on color - debating black to complement the stove.
I haven't entered in many discussion on this site but I have eavesdropped ALOT - so thank you.

To Andrea345 - my friend has the Sully in Provencal - it is beautiful - enjoy!!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Julie1808 (My Page) on Fri, Jun 17, 05 at 12:13

Andrea345, I love the Provencal yellow and I think the rail around your backsplash will be a great look. Have you considered using the same rail that is on the front of the stove? You can purchase it from AC, although it's a somewhat expensive option -- the brass supports are $100 each I believe.

sea_cliff, you are describing many of my favorite details in a kitchen. I've always loved kitchens with tile that runs to the ceiling and I love wainscot ceilings. Open shelves and wood countertops sound like a perfect choice for the kitchen you are describing. Have you considered walnut for the countertops? It is a beautiful dark wood, although I was told it can fade over time. When you say you are doing a red marble island, do you mean you are going to have an island with a red marble top, or do you mean the island will be red, and topped with marble. Both sound lovely. I am a big fan of red and wish I could work it into our kitchen.

I am sort of stuck at the countertop question. I've been thinking I didn't want to do all of my countertops in wood, but maybe a combination of wood and a stone, probably marble. If anyone has suggestions to offer, I have a link to a thread currently in the Kitchen Forum. BTW, Andrea345, I like the countertop choice you linked to but don't recognize the stone.

Here is a link that might be useful: Design Assistance Request Thread
o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: sea_cliff (My Page) on Sat, Jun 18, 05 at 7:39

Julie1808 - I love the wood/marble countertop combo - I just don't have the right set up for it. I am going to do a wood/table island with a red marble top.
For ideas re: wood/combo countertop - look at the Christopher Peacock site as well as Crown Point. Good luck.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Julie1808 (My Page) on Sun, Jun 19, 05 at 8:28

sea_cliff, I have checked out both those sites -- lots of things I like on them. Still wavering in my decision and probably will be until the day I actually am forced to commit to something.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: wasColette (My Page) on Tue, Jun 21, 05 at 13:04

I'm almost ready to place my order for the Cluny. I've decided against the Aubergine. It's a beautiful color, but won't fit into what I have in mind for the color scheme in the kitchen. Actually, I'm still vacillating.

We're going to do white cabinets, soapstone counters, and probably off-white subway tiled backsplash. The wall color above the cabinets and on the few walls you can see will be a soft yellow and the island will be painted a bluish turquoise. We're also thinking of brick for behind the range. So I think the black Cluny with brass will fit better.

If I go with the Aubergine I was thinking I'd do the walls in a soft celery green, and maybe the island in a bit deeper shade of that green. I like both color options, but the first has a more beachy feel to it and we live just a few blocks from the ocean.

The only thing with the black is that they only offer it in matte black. I'd like it to be a bit more shiny. For those with black Cluny's is there any way to make it look more shiny?

Another thing I'm thinking about is that our kitchen opens up to the great room which looks west toward the ocean. We're moving the kitchen upstairs to take advantage of the view. I was thinking of continuing the soft yellow into the great room. It's such a neutral color that I could furnish it pretty easily picking up the turquoise as accent on pillows, etc. If I go with the Aubergine and green, am I then obligated to carry the green onto the walls in the great room? Ugh. This is my first time doing any of this. Usually I just move in and live with white walls. It's a bit overwhelming.

Vicki
(wasColette)

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: VeloDoug (My Page) on Tue, Jun 21, 05 at 13:37

wasColette: We have a black Cormatin, does that count? :-)

The black isn't really a matte finish. The color chip we borrowed from AC was labeled NOIRE SATINE and that's a more accurate description. In US paint finish terms it's more like Sherwin-Williams' eggshell (shinier than Benjamin Moore's eggshell). Wax might make it a little shinier but that's probably not a good idea what with the heat and all.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: VeloDoug (My Page) on Tue, Jun 21, 05 at 14:37

Looking at the black Cormatin again this afternoon I have to adjust the shininess quotient upward. It's almost a semi-gloss.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: cooking_SB (My Page) on Tue, Jun 21, 05 at 16:13

I may have exited the prehistoric age. I will try to link to a few kitchen remodel pix. If successfull I can add some more. Here we go....lacanche cluny +1 black. Pardon the blue tape, still awaiting some hardware.

Meryl

Here is a link that might be useful: Meryl's lacanche
o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: cooking_SB (My Page) on Tue, Jun 21, 05 at 17:33

Well I'll try again to enter the electronic age. If it works all credit goes to my evil twin Deb. One more try...

Here is a link that might be useful: Meryl's lacanche
o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Tue, Jun 21, 05 at 17:40

Your kitchen is SOOOOO beautiful! I love everything about it! The mix of materials and colors. WOW!! Meryl, it is truly stunning! Cooking any biscotti? I'll be right over!! Deb

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: wasColette (My Page) on Tue, Jun 21, 05 at 19:17

cooking SB -- Your kitchen is beautiful!!! What is the countertop of the island made of?

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: cooking_SB (My Page) on Tue, Jun 21, 05 at 19:41

The island counters are 1 and 1/4 inch honed carrera (white venetino). The sink is fabricated from the same material. The perimeter counters are honed black absolute granite. The backsplash is honed carrera (3 x 6) to match the island stone.

Thank you for your kind words.

And I LOVE my Lacanche!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Tue, Jun 21, 05 at 22:26

WHAT A KITCHEN! Totally wonderful, Meryl! I love the planked ceiling, the backsplash and the contrasting warm wood seen from the great room. Perfect inset cabinets, too.
You've created a charming space to suround your beautiful black range.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: orchidluvr (My Page) on Wed, Jun 22, 05 at 0:12

Meryl, your kitchen is just *gorgeous*! I love everything about it!! Great idea with the butcher paper, too.

Hopefully I will have pictures tomorrow...

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Pirula (My Page) on Wed, Jun 22, 05 at 1:34

Oh Meryl!!! Your kitchen is just FAB!!! You must be so delighted!!

May I ask who did your cabinets??

Brava!
Ivette

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: anna_chosak (My Page) on Wed, Jun 22, 05 at 8:34

Meryl! I remember our phone conversation when you were sitting in the carpool line, telling me about your kitchen. I love it--it is so simple and so beautiful. Congrats on a very well-done design and implementation. (And I'm so glad I was able to play a small part in convincing you to go with the Lacanche. *g*)

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: cooking_SB (My Page) on Wed, Jun 22, 05 at 12:48

Thank you everyone for all the kind words and support along the way. These photos are old and now that I know how to post them I will update the albums and add the rest of the rooms when I have time, which seems like never.

Pirula: In response to you question about the cabs. We (my DH and I) designed them and had the working drawings drafted by a KD. The cabinets (and the table, desk, and mahogany buffet cabs with ballisters) were custom built and installed by a local (Santa Barbara, CA) company and were finished and painted onsite.

Our inspiration was a combination of a Christopher Peacock kitchen published in a mag and old Art's & Crafts kitchens featured in some architecture books. Hence the inset cabs without the toe kicks etc. My favorite detail hands down is the slight bevel in the shaker door. We did that on all of our doors (interior and exterior). It is not evident from the photo but after having shaker doors before in white which are impossible to clean (especially in the corners) it was an absolute requirement this time around. Having them all custom made allowed me flexability to get the angle I want and we wanted them all painted / finished on site anyway. The very best part is that is was less expensive than any semi custom factory made brand and no one else has the same thing!

Thanks again for all the nice complements. It was and continues to be a long and exhausting process. Definately not for everyone, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

meryl

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Pirula (My Page) on Thu, Jun 23, 05 at 1:40

Cool. Our cabinets will be painted on sight as well! Unfortunately, I will be the one painting them. LOL!!

What a great tip on the bevel. I'll have to think about that. We're still in the throes of deciding between Crown Point and a local custom shop DH loves. They're each working on quotes. We designed the kitchen ourselves as well. It feels like we're getting so close now. Ours is inspired by a couple of Mark Wilkinson kitchens, and 14 years of British House and Garden magazines.

Great job Meryl!
Ivette

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Fri, Jun 24, 05 at 21:31

Hi all,
I really missed keeping up with this thread/hearing your voices during the past week: we finished an arduous local move from rental to our remodel-in-progress late Monday, and I just got our new web access set up WITHOUT assistance from DH, who's a prof of comp sci -- LOL!! (The female tech support person was fantastic.) (If anyone is a sane person during moves, please email me with frank advice.)

As soon as DH returns from Miami to a house stuffed to the gills w/ packing boxes (he left @ 4 am the morning after we finished the move - it's all about good planning ;-] ), we will be hooking up our green Cluny and moving along on getting the kitchen functioning! Then it will be a bit of time before DH as woodworker adds detailing, but I'll be thrilled when we get cabinet doors on and drawers installed + temporary countertops. (If anyone would like advice on the pitfalls of acting as one's own GC, or having a too-handy DH and its implications, please don't hesitate to ask...)

Meryl, I, too, love your kitchen -- truly lovely!

Orchidluvr: are you ready w/ photos?!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Julie1808 (My Page) on Fri, Jun 24, 05 at 22:01

Meryl, that is a beautiful kitchen and I particularly love the cabinets.

Ivette, your cabinets also sound wonderful. I'm such a fan of painted wood, inset cabinets -- there's just something about them that I find truly timeless.

Kitchengirl, it must be an enormous relief to have the move behind you and your Lacanche almost working. Wow! This must be a big moment.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Andrea345 (My Page) on Fri, Jun 24, 05 at 22:20

Well, my Provencal Yellow has an arrival date and I think we're going to sign our contract to build in the next week or so. My KD is wonderful. I can't believe how quickly she helped me make it over the hurdles of putting this thing together. Between what I've learned on this board & The Wonderful Beverly, I want the contract to start so that we'll be ready to accept the range when it arrives.

I've heard that the ship date out of France is The Ship Date Out of France. I'm just asking if that's been everyone's experience here. I could understand delays in customs, but this will put me with a gutted kitchen during the rainy season in Seattle. Would it be wiser to delay the start of The Kitchen Gut until we're sure the range has shipped, or try to schedule work before the range ships so that the kitchen's ready for it on The Arrival Date.

I'm sooooo excited. I don't have a single horror story to tell about run-amok KDs, Big Bad Pricing surprises. I've been through the remodelling process twice before, so it's not like I think anything's really laid in stone. AC will help out in storage, no issue there. I guess I just, I don't know, I just want to know if it's crazy planning The Kitchen Gut around The Arrival Date.

Thanks guys. Without you I wouldn't be in such a dither. Heck, I wouldn't have made this purchase without your raves. I was trying to talk myself out of falling in love with a range.

-a

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: spacific (My Page) on Fri, Jun 24, 05 at 23:38

Yeah! Another provencal yellow. You won't be disappointed. Mine still makes me smile every morning when I walk in the kitchen.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: FrenchTeacher (My Page) on Fri, Jun 24, 05 at 23:39

Good luck to all of you with your upcoming plans. The end certainly justifies the means!

Yesterday our Cluny was finally connected. I excitedly turned on all 5 burners. They all worked and then promptly had to leave to attend HS graduation exercises. How difficult to leave home without even boiling water!

The compensation came today when I had invited my graduating seniors over for a celebratory meal. I had extended the invitation over 2 months ago with the full expectation that we'd have been up and running for a while already. (It's been 4 1/2 months since our kitchen demo!) At any rate, I ended up with 5 students actively participating in the preparation of profiteroles with home made fudge sauce. They had a great time and I was delighted to see my range at work.

BTW, can anyone tell me how long I'll need to run the electric oven to burn off the smell? I turned it off immediately realizing I wouldn't be able to bake the puff pastry in the electric and then promptly switched to the gas oven. No startup smell there.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Sat, Jun 25, 05 at 1:40

FrenchTeacher: Congratulations on powering-up your Cluny! (Je ne recorde plus comment se dit "congratulations" en francais. Corrections, please?)
Sorry all -- I can't help myself from trying out my rusty high school French! ANYhow, how apropos to make profiteroles on your brand-new range! And such a fun item to make. Good question re. the electric oven and odor: I hope to face that same issue no later than Sunday.

Andrea: I have not heard of any ranges being held up or delayed in customs in the 10 months I've been reading this thread. I would ask Stan that question in an email and he would give you a straight-up answer. And you Provencal Yellow owners: please don't get me started (again, as some of you know) on that gorgeous color which I was afraid to buy!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: VeloDoug (My Page) on Sat, Jun 25, 05 at 9:47

Wow, all these ranges getting hooked up!

Andrea345: We ordered our Cormatin on January 27. The estimated delivery date was April 27. It was delivered on April 25.

FrenchTeacher: Our Cormatin gas oven didn't smell either when we briefly fired it up after installation. Later that week we did a high heat run (550F for an hour) and it _did_ smell. Not bad enough to drive us out of the kitchen but pretty bad nevertheless. Since then we haven't run it above 450F and we've noticed no smell.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Andrea345 (My Page) on Sat, Jun 25, 05 at 10:05

I've always seen them hit the floor like clockwork in this forum m'self. Stan says they arrive on time. I'm just nervous about trying to get everything lined up so that the schedule arrival date is what we shoot for. In fact, Stan let us know that lead times for the ranges were increasing. Based on when he told us, we went ahead & placed the order for the range delivery. I just can't can't believe that we made it this far in the planning & are ready. The guy is more on-top of it than we are. Now, I'm glad I went ahead & placed that order those few weeks ago.

Kitchengirl, no joke, I looked at my husband and said, "No backing out of the color now." He nodded to me & off we went. It did feel like a big step.

Doug, clockwork. I love that.

Have to let the KD know "I want to be ready to snug this range in during the week of 26-September-2005." I just can't believe we'll be starting. Now to go dither about the cabinets in the kitchen forum.

-a

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: FrenchTeacher (My Page) on Sun, Jun 26, 05 at 9:40

Kitchengirl: On dit félicitations quand on veut féliciter quelqu'un. Merci beaucoup! Et bonne chance avec votre Cluny aussi!

Velodoug: Thanks for your experience re: gas oven odor. I'll post again once I've tried using the range more.

I won't have the time for any more experimenting for a while. I've been busy all weekend emptying our upstairs and main floor of everything in preparation for the hardwood floor refinishing which starts tomorrow morning. The movers moved the furniture to the basement on Thursday and we're moving everything else. It's a good time to get rid of those things we didn't even remember we had and put aside memorabilia from the kids' growing up years.

We planned for the floors to be refinished during our vacation. We'll leave after the process starts. I'll stick around to verify the stain color and then off to St. Maarten. Hope to pick up some enticing recipe ideas from some local French Caribbean restaurants! I'll post more about burnoff when I return in a few weeks.

Good luck everyone and have fun discovering the central part of your kitchen, your Lacanche range. I'll look forward to hearing about your experiences.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Mon, Jun 27, 05 at 10:35

Who bought the Aubergine?

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: wasColette (My Page) on Mon, Jun 27, 05 at 13:54

I was going to get the Aubergine, then changed my mind.

In fact, we're putting off the order for a few months while we concentrate on more fundemental aspects of our project...windows, stucco, etc.

I'd love to see a picture of the Aubergine installed.

o All Four Burners

* Posted by: VeloDoug (My Page) on Tue, Jun 28, 05 at 14:04

We've been cooking with our new Cormatin for a month. Last night was the first time we've had all four burners going. We had pasta water on the 15,000 BTU burner, brussels sprouts in a steamer on the 5,000 BTU burner and burgers, vidalia onions and tomatoes on the grill plate over the two 11,000 BTU burners. What a nice range!

The only complication we've encountered so far is perking coffee when the griddle plate is in operation. The flame pattern of the 15,000 BTU burner is too big for our little percolator and the 5,000 BTU burner is awfully slow bringing it up to an initial boil. The best solution I've come up with is to preheat the water in the tea kettle which IS big enough for the 15,000 BTU burner. The camp we go to every summer has percolators that flare out at the bottom. I'm looking for one like that for our home kitchen.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: wasColette (My Page) on Tue, Jun 28, 05 at 16:52

VeloDoug--
Is your Cormatin black w/ brass?
Would love to see a picture of your kitchen w/ the Lacanche!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: VeloDoug (My Page) on Tue, Jun 28, 05 at 18:24

wasColette: Yes, our Cormatin is black w/ brass. It currently resides in the cheap and nasty kitchen we threw together in 1978 so we could sell the house. In the end we didn't sell the house, and we are still living with the throw-away kitchen. I'll post a full set of Before photos when the new kitchen is done (hopefully early next year). DW would be very unhappy if I posted them before then. I did get her approval to post one photo of the Cormatin in situ. The wooden thing over the range is a mockup of the bottom of the future range hood. The percolator on the simmer burner is borrowed from a neighbor (another experiment).

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: wasColette (My Page) on Wed, Jun 29, 05 at 11:15

Wow! What a jewel in your old kitchen! The light shining on the brass is beautiful. Can't wait to see the whole remodel next year.

o Percolator Issue Resolved

* Posted by: VeloDoug (My Page) on Wed, Jun 29, 05 at 13:01

Thanks! We're really happy we installed the Cormatin in the old kitchen rather than storing it until the new kitchen is done. It's such a pleasure to use.

On the percolator front, DW borrowed a Farberware percolator from our neighbor. It's quite a bit bigger in diameter than the no-name one we've had for years. This morning I filled it with water, put the coffee in the basket, and put it on the big (15,000 BTU) burner at about three quarter power. I placed it off center, still keeping the flame under the bottom, but keeping the handle as far as possible from the flame. It came to a boil quickly and I was able to pick it up and transfer it to the simmer burner without a pot holder. All this while I was making French toast on the two-burner griddle plate. We made a quick trip to Linens n Things to buy the same percolator for ourselves and we're in business.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: mpsteil (My Page) on Thu, Jun 30, 05 at 18:07

I've been reading this forum and you all area amazing source of reference. All your kitchens are beautiful too. Thank you so much Deb for all your great emails and help. Based on everything I've read I put my order in today for the Sully +2. I can't wait - Delivery will be sometime in November.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Thu, Jun 30, 05 at 18:48

Welcome, Pamela! A Sully + 2 - that will be a tremendous addition to your kitchen. What color?

For current Lacanche owners:
I bought an oven temperature gauge and stuck it in the drawer last fall, forgetting to check on our oven calibrations. My DH just discovered it today and checked it out. Turns out, the electric convection oven is 25 degrees too low and the gas oven is 35 degrees too high, when each was set for 375. Are your ovens all on the money? If not, did you have them adjusted?

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: dlmmath (My Page) on Thu, Jun 30, 05 at 19:07

VedaZu and DeirdreLouisville,

Re: the discussion on importing a Lacanche yourself:

Did the homeowner's insurance issue ever get resolved? Would having a non-UL approved appliance (or one with a non-standard gas fitting) void a homeowner's warranty if there ever were a fire or other disaster? My agent knew nothing about this. I'm not sure where to get an answer.

Thanks for all the research and helpful information.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: AZdreamhome (My Page) on Thu, Jun 30, 05 at 20:17

mpsteil -- congrats on your Sully +2. How cool! I too would like to know what color you ordered. Enjoy!!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Thu, Jun 30, 05 at 20:59

Pamela-
I am sooooo excited for you...you'd think I'm buying it!!! I'm so happy I could help you. I will get back to you tomorrow re: cab clearance, etc.

You'll really enjoy your range. Now it's the anticipation!

Congratulations and welcome to "the family."

Deb

o RE: AnnaLeeF...Oven Temps

* Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Thu, Jun 30, 05 at 21:02

AnnaLeeF...no my temps are off, too. About the same amount and in the same direction as yours. I assumed there was a way to adjust them, but I've been so busy since we moved in that I haven't done it. I just allow for it when I set them, but I AM determined to figure it out! If I do, I'll let you know; and if you get there before me, please let me know!! Deb

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: VeloDoug (My Page) on Thu, Jun 30, 05 at 22:32

AnnaLeeF: Our Cormatin's gas oven is pretty accurate according to an inexpensive oven thermometer I borrowed from a friend. I let the oven run through four cycles, looked at the temp just as the gas turned on, let it run through another cycle, looked at the temp just as the gas turned off, and averaged the two readings. The control was set as close as I could estimate to 350º and the average was just over 340º. The thermometer was hanging from a rack midway from front to back and from top to bottom.

More to the point, DW says that her cookies turn out right when she sets the oven according to her recipe book.

There are instructions for calibrating a gas oven in the Harper-Wyman Field Service Bulletin on the AC support web site.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Thu, Jun 30, 05 at 22:46

Thanks, VeloDoug and Deb. I'll look at your reference on the AC site, Doug. We have no complaint about baking/roasting results so far, but it never hurts to get it right.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: mpsteil (My Page) on Fri, Jul 1, 05 at 3:51

Thanks, I can't wait!! WOOHOO. I bought the Matte Black with the Brass and SS. I totally copied Debs, even the stove configuration - except I only got 1 w/c. I just made the accessory sale too. =) I can't wait to one day post our final kitchen pictures as you all have. It was fun to read your posts back from 2003 and be able to see the results immediately.

Anyone have any scary delivery stories? DH is not too excited that the stove weighs so much... and our driveway (very steep), should be a VERY interesting site to see..

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Sat, Jul 2, 05 at 20:46

I'm curious to check our electric and gas oven temps (as soon as we get turned on, which is taking longer than we anticiapted ;-[ ). Us West Coasters have our ranges go thru AC's office for calibration and checking out and then the range is delivered to us -- I think that is done for all West Coast orders. My range had some notes written on the wrapping saying what had been done there. I believe the cooktop and ovens were checked for accuracy, and I think they also changed the electrical to this mega cord there. I don't know if this is a way to do ongoing spot checks, or b/c of shipping differences to East and West Coast, or b/c it improves quality assurance, etc. If anyone out here took delivery straight from Lacanche, please chime in.

Pamela, congratulations, and enjoy the anticipation! Re. deliveries, I thought Deb had a scary one off the truck.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: AZdreamhome (My Page) on Thu, Jul 7, 05 at 15:46

Hey! What's happened to this thread? I've been traveling the past few weeks and haven't been able to log in much but I found this thread on Page four! Guess Summer time is slow even for the Lacanche folks.

Nothing to add other than it's going to be a long time til January when we will finally be able to enjoy our Cluny 1400!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Julie1808 (My Page) on Fri, Jul 8, 05 at 11:23

I am still trying to bring my kitchen together. Currently struggling over lighting and of course one of my big questions is how it will look with the Lacanche. I've looked at so many fixtures my eyes are crossing.

I'm curious as to those of you who have a kitchen with a Lacanche or are planning a kitchen with a Lacanche would describe your kitchen -- French, country, traditional...? What was the specific look you were aiming for and how did your Lacanche fit with that?

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Claire_de_Luna (My Page) on Fri, Jul 8, 05 at 12:49

I have described my kitchen as, ''where France meets Arts & Crafts.'' I had an antique swing arm lamp with copper flashing I wanted to use which has an Art Nouveau element (early A&C) that also looks very French to me. Using it as extra task lighting near the Lacanche along with a corner bakers rack (with similar features) brought my cooking corner together for me. The pattern in the mantle style hood is A&C, yet the stone also makes it feel French. The copper works the same for me; the hand hammered effect incorporates both elements. All those things have a transitional look, and that corner is one of my favorite parts of the kitchen.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: AZdreamhome (My Page) on Fri, Jul 8, 05 at 17:35

I finally received our kitchen plans in elevation format and thought I'd share them here with my Lacanche friends (adding to the last two posts asking for descriptions of our Lacanche kitchens). Last month, I put in an order for a Cluny 1400 (matte black).

I'm really not sure what you would call this kitchen. The home we are building is described as spanish colonial but really just falls into the mediterranian category. Therefore, this kitchen is ?? Not sure what you'd call it but it feels like forever until we will be able to enjoy it. We broke ground in April and at that time our builder said late January would be our completion date. We shall see.

Also not sure we will be able to afford every detail that is shown here (all the leg turns, other details, etc.) but it will be close. I am sending this out to bid now. Somewhere down the line I will share the finished product!

Here's the link to the photobucket album where I've posted the kitchen layouts. There are eight pages total.

http://photobucket.com/albums/y91/sally016/

Here is a link that might be useful: Lacanche kitchen plans
o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Oetgirl (My Page) on Fri, Jul 8, 05 at 20:13

Hello, ladies! I'm actually a Blue Star junkie whose curiousity took hold and I had to snoop onto your forum!! We Blue Star people are going to catch up to you soon in threads....yup! ;) You all should really be buying the good ol' American workhorse Blue Stars instead of those pretty, frilly French ranges.... Be patriotic!! ;) Okay, I think I will hightail it back to my forums again before I'm detected!!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: KLB_2000 (My Page) on Sat, Jul 9, 05 at 10:26

Awww, Oetgirl....all the folks on THIS thread are too well mannered to take the bait! (I'll bet if you go to one of the Miele threads you could get a rise out of someone, though....those Miele folks are testy!)

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Julie1808 (My Page) on Sat, Jul 9, 05 at 11:20

Hey, Oetgirl, I seriously considered a Bluestar but I have venting issues in my kitchen. I love the fact that they are made not only in the United States, but in Pennsylvania by a family business. I actually visited the factory and they seem like very nice people.

AZdreamhome, I don't know what style to describe your kitchen as either but it looks wonderful. Lots of space and that Cluny 1400 will look super in there. Will your cabinets be a painted finish or wood finish? Particularly like the cabinet details like the inset beadboard panels
by the sink.

Claire_de_Luna, that corner is my favorite part of your kitchen as well -- the copper pots, the lamp, the stone work and the parcel delivery door, not to mention the stove are a warm and charming mix. I also see what you mean about having elements that say both Arts & Crafts and France.

Still working on details like lighting for my kitchen and anxiously looking forward to the day when it is finished and operational.

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: AZdreamhome (My Page) on Sat, Jul 9, 05 at 12:24

Claire de Luna -- I love the copper pots and stone work around your Lacanche also! I also love your kitchen and doggie (and dog food drawers). Great idea!

Julie1808 -- The best I can describe what we are going for is Old World. We will have stone work around the entire alcove area on the range wall. The hood will probably be drywall but with some kind of artwork painted on it. I'm hoping we can afford some pretty tiling on the range wall (inside the alcove). The exterior cabinets (sink wall, range cabs, and desk wall) will most likely be stained alder and the islands will be painted with a glaze. Countertops will be granite (one kind for the perimeter and another kind for the islands). My best friend is an interior designer so she is guiding me completely in how to do all this. Otherwise I would be completely lost!

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Andrea345 (My Page) on Sat, Jul 9, 05 at 17:17

Hey Oetgirl -
I was a Bluestar person until I saw the enamels of the Lacanche. heh. This just turned my head, but the Bluestar was my first entree into the world of range lust. Have fun with yours!

My Provencal Yellow will be integrated into as modern a look a kitchen as we can get using rich colors (reds, greens, browns) which have a lot of texture. I'm keeping the lines very clean and there aren't any corbels, tile inserts, or mosiac, the colors themselves will be textured. The cabinet doors will be a 'shaker' style instead of slab, but that will be pretty much the only traditional element besides the range.

I'm leaning towards a stainless steel / zinc handle at the moment, but I'm not committed. The problem is that the European style pulls only seem to come in light metals. I might go back to the idea I had to use the Hafele rail system to make my own @#$% pulls, but that would be some kind of crazy. That's the only thing I've been able to find so far which would give me the clean ends (no apron catchers please) in brass with a stainless steel pull.

So, here's the website for my current plans. We went & put some slabs on hold today. The place we think we're going to buy the slab from calls the stuff 'Green Peace'.

Here is a link that might be useful: Our current kitchen plans & planning
o one last thing

* Posted by: Andrea345 (My Page) on Sat, Jul 9, 05 at 17:33

rats, AZdreamhome,
I hit return too fast. I wanted to give you some links to some of the modern versions of Venetian plasters. I've done a drywall version of plasterwork & this stuff is easier to use and you get better results for depth. It's also not as soft as drywall.

When you use the drywall to create a plaster "look", the best you can do is glaze over it. It's not the same color depth. These plasters you can tint up using even regular paint (experiment a lot with it). There's also professionals out there doing the stuff. I took a class. Anyways, I think you'd be more satisfied with the result. Also, there's no reason why you can't get someone to paint over it - fresco paints (lime compatible) are appropriate.

Myself, I'm working out the plasterwork detail for my walls. I won't have a backsplash, I'm gonna have this lime-based plaster built up in layers of milk chocolate brown, waxed with different color iridescent waxes & then finished off with Briwax. The intention is to have it work with the copper backsplash behind the stove & sink, so that it ties that element all the way around the walls.

http://seattleafs.com/process.asp
http://www.texston.com/plasters.html

This is the stuff I use.

-a

o RE: Lacanche ranges part 23

* Posted by: Julie1808 (My Page) on Sun, Jul 10, 05 at 9:54

Andrea345, wonderful choices -- that backsplash is stunning, and the granite is a wonderful match. Also love the glass-fronted refrigerator.