I am so excited to be writing this post today! I have been keeping a secret from you all- we have been designing and building our forever home for the past two and a half years. And it involves thinking about which home appliances to buy and fitting them into our forever home. It has been a huge undertaking (hence the lack of new recipes in the last year!)
But it’s over, it’s here, and we finally moved in this October! Truthfully, I thought after the build and move were over, it would be all downhill, easy peasy. What a foolish thought, right? Turns out when you have moved three times in four-ish years, your stuff isn’t SUPER well organized anymore. From October 2nd until Thanksgiving, every day was some form of unpacking, sorting, trashing, hauling, moving, shopping, organizing, and breaking down boxes.
I’m thinking that it’s all worth it though, because each day I fall more and more in love with this Disney fairytale home that came 100% out of my own head. I can’t wait to share the details with you all- starting with my kitchen!
I have had dark kitchens since I left college, and while I was once in love with the beautiful look of dark cherry cabinets and gold granite-look countertops, I knew from the very start that this kitchen was going to be light and bright. I was picturing warm white cabinets, deep colored floors, brass metal finishes and light countertops.
After doing some research and consulting with my contractor, I decided that red oak butcher block countertops would be the perfect addition to my light and bright kitchen. Not only do they add warmth and texture to the space, but their durability and functionality make them a great choice for a busy kitchen. I love the natural variations in the wood grain and the way it complements the deep color of my floors. With the addition of some decorative accessories and a few pops of color, my kitchen has transformed into the light and bright oasis I had always dreamed of.
As you can see, I made that come to life.
I am so in love with everything in here, but the real showstopper is the range that I picked out. Doing what I do means spending a lot of time in the kitchen so, naturally, my cooking appliances were a HUGE deal to me. This led me to do my fair share of research on them, plus I also make sure to look for a home warranty that would cover all my kitchen, just in case, you can navigate here to get further information! I have always wanted a free-standing range rather than a cooktop/double wall oven combination – so that is where I started.
When reading online about the differences between several brands, someone mentioned the brand ILVE. A quick Google led me to utter out, “Oh. My. God. Yes. Please. All. Of. This.”
They are STUNNING! I loved the idea of having a colored range in the middle of the kitchen to grab your attention, and the finishes are unbelievably striking.
The more I read about the brand, the more sure I became that I had found the true love of my life (sorry, honey!) Described as “Italian workhorses,” these Italian-made ranges are built to handle just about anything that you can throw at them. The ILVE Majestic Range features a variety of custom cooktop configurations that you can choose from, each with slightly different functionalities. I opted for a 60-inch option equipped with both a fully removable griddle and a functional French-top plus 5 traditional gas burners- 2 high power, one high dual ring with a power burner and simmer option in one, and an oblong burner that is great for my extra large pots and oval cocottes.
The most surprising thing for me about this range was the stainless steel griddle. I opted for it because I knew even if I didn’t want to utilize the griddle, I’d still have the option of the large burner underneath as the grates were also included. To my surprise, I actually use the griddle ALL THE TIME. It allows me to bulk prepare food that I’d normally have to do over and over in a skillet. I’ve used this to make the BEST grilled cheese sandwiches, but where it really shines is breakfast time- think thick sliced French toast, fluffy pancakes, perfectly fried eggs and unbelievably crispy hashbrowns. It’s also my favorite for frying up bacon because I can lay out almost a full pound of bacon on it at a time! The fat drains into a grease catcher at the bottom, allowing it to fry up beautifully and fast!
I’m still getting acquainted with my French top (also known as a Coup de Feu,) as it is an entirely new way of cooking for me, and I love it! I find that with gas burners, sometimes the lowest setting is too high (think about making cranberry sauce or keeping mashed potatoes warm on the holidays!) The French top resolves this issue for me. The accessory is a large cast iron grate that is built-in to the cooktop and composed of 5 concentric rings with a single flame underneath the most central ring. The entire surface can be used as a cooking plate, with variable amounts of heat across the surface- the closer to the center, the more heat there is. The large cooking surface opens a world of flexibility in cooking – I can fit multiple saucepans/pots/sauté pans on it at one time and at different temperatures.
Now, on to the ovens. On my 60” model there is one full-size oven (equivalent to a 36” oven) and then another that is equal to a 24” oven – essentially, more space than I would have had in a separate wall oven and with tons more functionality. I really feel like you’d be hard pressed to find some sort of function that these ovens DON’T cover. The electric ovens come with a multitude of cooking modes that turn on and off the heat elements depending on the setting. You can choose anything from a traditional convection setting, to an exclusive rotisserie option, a pizza mode, a defrost setting and so many more. Each mode is specially designed for a specific kind of cooking, and boy- are they ever PERFECT! I made a batch of cookies last weekend, and they all turned out fabulous. I baked multiple trays at the same time, and all of the cookies came out evenly with no rotating required!
I’ve always been a huge fan of the rotisserie chickens at Costco and Sam’s Club, so I was ecstatic to try out the included rotisserie option that comes with every ILVE range. I thought it was going to be difficult to learn how to use the accessory, but I made TWO beautiful chickens in about an hour on the very first attempt. They were juicy, with a beautiful skin, and I roasted them over potatoes and Brussels sprouts that were equally delicious.
The appliance itself is stunningly beautiful. Impressive in its own right due to its size and stature, it is even more beautiful set off against my white cabinets and light countertops in the finishes I selected. I opted for the Matte Graphite color with brass finishes. As soon as I saw the finishes in person at Custom Distributors I was in love. The brass finish is gorgeous, and I LOVE the matte graphite color – it hides my kids’ fingerprints, and the deep color masks my splashes and splatters!
If you’re heading into a new build, a kitchen remodel, or even just replacing your appliances, I can’t urge you enough to consider the ILVE Majestic- there is simply no contest. You won’t find anything out there like this range – and it is offered in various sizes that will work for any kitchen space, not to mention the 100’s of colors and beautiful trim colors. My new range has elevated my cooking experience, and made me passionate about being in the kitchen again. You can read all about the Majestic line, as well as the brands other offerings on their website here.
Chris says
Thanks for the article. We are building our first (last) custom dream home and feeling the pressure of finding the “perfect” everything that we then have to stick with for the next 30 years. The standard, of course, is wolf / subzero throughout, but my wife ran across ilve and fell in love with the look. I’m trying to research it all, from literally zero to pro, and the ilve site is terrible. We really want the look, but not at the price of a sub-par range for the same price. It’s hard to know if it’s “really” as good with all they hype on one side, and very little info on the other. It’s good to hear a professional review it so well.
Sarah Hart says
HI! I am currently researching Ilve after my appliance salesman suggested it as an alternative to la cornue. I’m loving all I am reading so far. Does the matte graphite have a hint of blue in it? The photos on your post are showing up as sort of blue on my screen and I want to know if this is accurate. I have had my eye on the midnight blue color, but perhaps he graphite would give me a more subtle blueish option. Thanks for reviewing a product that we have so little personal recommendations for!
Jacqueline says
There is definitely a hint of blue. Its a gorgeous color- think slate. Look at Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore. I would say thats a pretty good representation of the color.
Sarah Hart says
HI! I am currently researching Ilve after my appliance salesman suggested it as an alternative to la cornue. I’m loving all I am reading so far. Does the matte graphite have a hint of blue in it? The photos on your post are showing up as sort of blue on my screen and I want to know if this is accurate. I have had my eye on the midnight blue color, but perhaps he graphite would give me a more subtle blueish option. Thanks for reviewing a product that we have so little personal recommendations for!
Jacqueline says
Hi there! Yes, the matte graphite does have a hint of blue, but is much more navy than the midnight blue color that they offer. Look up Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore, I think thats a very good comparison of color- like a deep slate blue. Its definitely more subtle than the midnight blue. It is *sharp*! I love the range more and more as I use it! And the matte finish is excellent.
Audra Hoynacki says
Thank you for all of this information. I too and remodeling my home and am deciding between the Wolf and Ilve. It’s so beautiful so I’m leaning towards it. Pirch in Orange County sales it and they said they service it too. That was one of my biggest concerns…and the lack of a warming burner like the Wolf has…I wish I was great at timing but my old thermodor had a warmer burner and I could set dishes on it that were already cooked and they wouldn’t continue to “cook” while I waited for the other dish to be ready.
Katie Geller says
I am limited in space and wanted the 36 or 40 inch double oven ILVE – Has anyone determined how reliable these gorgeous ranges are or the best places to order them from? Do you know the depth of them – and whether all accessories come with them?
Jacqueline says
I can tell you that the range is reliable- I am almost a year into owning mine and still love it. Not sure which accessories specifically you’re referring to- if you let me know, I can tell you!
JSS says
Thank you for the article. I’m a little worried about scratching the surface of the range. With two little ones, I’m worried they could scratch it. Have you encountered this? Thanks
Jacqueline says
I have not had this happen, and if it doesn’t happen with the 6 year old and 3 year old Tasmanian devil little boys running amok, then I think you’re ok 🙂
Diana Salter says
Hello,
We are about to remodel our kitchen and I have been looking for a dual fuel range that is black and brass…….saw your article and said that is it! My husband and I went to look at the ILVE in person to make sure. Well, he saw the La Cornue and now it is under consideration. Did you consider it too? I had ruled it out as both ovens in the 43” range are medium sized. However, I am considering it again too as I truly don’t need huge ovens anymore. Can you help me with my decision?
Jacqueline says
I did consider La Cornue, as I loved it way before I discovered ILVE. I have no regrets about not going that direction. I think the capabilities of this range are second to none, and it delivers the wow factor without as much sticker shock. The LC would have killed my appliance budget, and this stove is the first thing that is commented on when someone walks in this kitchen. We just hosted an open house a few weeks ago, and EVERYONE was talking about it.
Lindsey says
Did you look at Lacanche or Bertazzoni prior to Ilve? What tipped Ilve in your favor? Also, these seem very similar to Hallman ranges….do you know any differences between them?
Jacqueline says
Hi Lindsey, I’m unfamiliar with the other brands that you mention, so I can’t speak to them. I do love my ILVE though 🙂
D Brannon says
How do you cook on it without ruining the soft metal surface? The picture above shows you using Metal tongs – I barely touched plastic to it and it’s PERMANENTLY SCRATCHED!
Do you keep all silverware, pots and pans at the opposite side of the kitchen? I thought it was made from stainless steel – what grade? Here I am 15 minutes after completing install considering RETURNING IT!! – any advice?
Jacqueline says
Oh no, thats so terrible to hear! I would contact them immediately and let them know. I just went and checked mine and there isn’t a mark, ding or scratch anywhere on mine, and I use it every single day PLUS have three boys in the house.
Melissa says
D Brannon,
Can you be more specific please? This is the range we had decided upon but have not yet purchased. What do you mean by the “soft metal surface”? Are you talking about the grates or the oven doors or the bottom part of the cooktop itself? How would a plastic vacuum component scratch a stove top or range? It doesn’t make sense. Thank you!
Melissa
Jill McKenna says
Hi. My salesman thought the interior was too small…when compared to the Thermador. Said you can’t cook a Thanksgiving Turkey. Please lmk ur thoughts
Jacqueline says
Ask him how many he’s made then *eyeroll.* I made a beautiful 25# turkey in mine last year. It takes up the whole oven, sure, but don’t they always? I’ve never been able to fit anything other than just the turkey in the oven at a time.
D. Brannon says
We JUST finished installing our Ilve range. Decided to vacuum the dust off the surface before dusting with a cloth. The plastic of the vacuum wand brushed gently along the “stainless steel” surface. NOW, IT LOOKS AS THOUGH WE SCRATCHED IT WITH METAL KNIVES!!!!!! – the soft plastic of the vacuum. We haven’t cooked the tiniest thing on it and it’s surface is wrecked.
Is this range made of inferior metals? Fifth grade or something? How do you cook on it with UTENSILS??!
richard cadena says
hi, I’d like to hear an update on your one year of having the ILVE dual fuel range…. I have a cabin I remodeled in Southern California area mountains and think the 48″ blue dual fuel would a a tremendous “rustic chic” feel to the cabin. I cannot take my mind off it. all the other appliances will be stainless steel—THE RANGE WILL BE THE “SHOW STOPPER”.
thanks for your blog post on it….very informative.
SALLY A HAMPTON says
I purchased an Ilve, which is an upgraded version of the Hallman range (sold at home depot) and it was installed in late March of 2017. Initially I was in love because of its beauty. I also got the Magestic in blue. No doubt a gorgeous stove. But after I discovered the oven doesn’t light or, if you light it manually, won’t re-light to maintain temperature, and I have experienced their version of “customer service” I absolutely hate it now and would tell anyone considering an Ilve (or their Hallman) to run to another brand. Long story why I never needed to use the oven initially – have used the stove top (irritating that burners are hard to light but have gotten used to it) and the rotisserie/broiler which lights OK and used that with great success. But, the oven at bottom doesn’t light and once I found it won’t work it was already out of warranty for 8 months. But, after spending $8000 for it, I assumed they would take care of me. Especially since I had noted, days after it was delivered, that it didn’t seem to get hot when I called for service about the burners and asked the service guy to please check and assumed all was well when he left. In my attempts to get it fixed, I was told by one certified Ilve service guy that there are a lot of problems and some factory defects that can’t be fixed from his experience. He won’t work on them anymore and the distributor in New Jersey no longer distributes them. Ilve provides zero customer support and I do mean ZERO. And it seems from BBB that its the same for their Hallman label. Since Ilve doesn’t have any factory contact in the U.S. the BBB doesn’t have a profile for them but their Hallman label does maintain an office in Texas so they have a profile. Anyone thinking of buying should first read the countless complaints about the problems and lack of support here: https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/smithville/profile/household-appliances/hallman-industries-0825-1000103679/customer-reviews And if you already got one of these, make sure you test it while still in warranty and make sure it is actually fixed while in warranty or you are going to be paying a lot of money in repairs and parts and still may have an oven that doesn’t work properly.