At this stage we are seeing all the little jigsaw pieces coming together.  Items we assumed would be chosen last actually must be selected quite early in the process.  Like plumbing supplies.  Or appliances.

With the help of our designer Laurel, and Matthew at Colony Appliances, we have made our choices. Keeping the bywords “sleek and chic” in mind at all times! The kitchen appliances will be stainless, the washer/dryer will be white.

Unlike a “standard size” house, we have to choose appliances not just for their look and function, but for their small size.  Small appliances are recent arrivals to the major North American manufacturers.  The ones we choose are actually from makers we were not familiar with.

Our gas range, gas dryer and washer, and fridge will all be Blomberg models.  Blomberg is a European brand (not much of a surprise) that has been around for over 120 years, and is affordable (always a consideration with us).

The dishwasher will be in a drawer! One of the problems I’ve had in the past with dishwashers is that with just two people, the dishes sit around for too long before they are washed (waiting for a full load).  That means they have to be really rinsed well so the food doesn’t stick, and then, well, why not just wash them?  But with this one we can run it after just one meal. It’s made by Fisher Paykel, a New Zealand company.

The microwave is a Panasonic model, and the vent hood is by Zephyr.

It’s important to pick out your appliances at this stage, so that the cabinet manufacturers can build around them.  If we chose a taller fridge (they can be about 60 inches up to 84 inches high) or a full-size dishwasher they would have to accommodate them.

We are chuffed to be able to choose what we need for our new home.  This is the first time we have been able to choose new appliances, and we have enjoyed it very much!

Now that we are getting down to the nitty and the gritty, we have to look at what we really want, and decide whether or not we really, REALLY want it.

F’instance, we got out the automobile this afternoon and drove out to Port Moody (thank you NOT Google maps!) to Modern Bathroom.  To see a backlit mirror.

Our designer, Laurel, had thought that we would like a back-lit mirror in the bathroom and she suggested this one:

It is lovely.  Also $900.  American!

But we loved the idea of a backlit mirror rather than a mirror with sconces on either side (I find a light above the mirror casts unattractive shadows on my aging face, and I like to retain what vanity I can as time goes on) and we thought we might be able to find something a little less pricy and closer to hand (I try to find local suppliers when I can).  And after an extensive search, we found that Modern Bathroom in Port Moody had this:

for $300.  And so we had to go out and look at it, and lo, it looked great. Plus it has a built in anti-fogging heater. So we bought it.  One more item off the to-do list.

And another couple of items ONTO the to-do list.

I fell madly in love with this lamp as soon as I started to look for design ideas for the laneway house.  Love at first sight.

or this one: