The 6 Best Appliances for Your Kitchen Renovation, According to an Expert Design Duo

James Veal and Christine Stucker, founders of New York– and Connecticut-based architecture and design firm Stewart-Schafer, know their way around a renovation. The duo take a holistic approach to their projects by emphasizing the interplay of light, natural materials, and classic forms. 

While the team’s knowledge extends to both the residential and commercial realms, we’ve been particularly taken with their recent kitchen remodels and gut renovations of old brownstones and prewar apartments, as well as their own Brooklyn townhouse. Because kitchens are the heart of the home, we asked Veal and Stucker about their top picks for appliances that’ll help transform your own cooking space into a well-oiled machine.

"We love using these panel-ready refrigerator/freezers in our designs—they’re a good value option. This brand now also has a stainless-steel interior option for a sleek and modern look."

"Cooling drawers are a great addition for people who want food storage solutions in different areas of the kitchen. This panel-ready option has five different food mode settings—refrigerator, freezer, pantry, chill, and wine. We love storing our cold drinks here."

"Dishwashers have typically been an unattractive item, but now, they can be completely hidden behind millwork or custom paneling. We’ve had the best experience with the Miele integrated dishwasher—it performs well, and with its panel-ready capabilities it can be fully integrated with your kitchen design."

"This timeless piece is one of our favorite ranges to use when designing kitchens. With its elegant lines and variety of beautiful colors, the options are endless. The versatility of sizes and configurations makes it easy to incorporate the appliance into a wide range of design aesthetics."

"Gaggenau is a favorite of ours, not only for the precision of the products, but also for the clean lines and timeless appearance of each appliance. The options for steam ovens and microwaves give us the ability to configure our kitchen designs to incorporate appliances that our clients will use regularly."

"We love using Pitt cooktops for an integrated gas option. The burners can be cut directly into the countertop for a seamless and minimalist look." 

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