Our new blue Ilve range—affectionately named Beatrix—has finally found her place in the kitchen. There are still a few finishing touches left, like paint touch-ups, caulking around the marble, and some millwork and baseboard adjustments, and we haven’t cleaned or styled the space yet. Still, I couldn’t wait to share Beatrix before the full reveal.
A little story about Beatrix: when the contractor unboxed her and rolled her in from the garage, I got an unexpected surprise—she had brass feet! I hadn’t ordered them and wasn’t expecting such a glamorous detail, but it felt perfectly fitting. The brass feet gave her a regal look, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the serendipity. Her new “heels” even prompted a small change to our baseboard plan so her feet would remain visible.
If you missed the backstory on her name, I shared it previously in a post about adding character during our remodel. Beatrix is an Ilve Nostalgie 30-inch dual fuel range in a blue-gray finish. I ordered directly from a local appliance store that had the color and size I wanted in stock—after the recent supply chain challenges, I preferred not to risk delays or cancellations.
Choosing the right range felt like a big decision. I researched sizes, finishes, price points, and reviews to make sure this was the best fit for our needs. Although it took time and deliberation, I kept coming back to this model, so we knew it was the right choice.
We haven’t cooked on Beatrix yet, but we’ve tested the oven, burners, and controls, and everything works well so far. It’s beautiful in person, and we’re excited to start using it once the kitchen is complete. I’ll share impressions after we’ve had some real cooking sessions.
Renovations require a surprising number of decisions—choices about finishes, hardware, and layout can feel overwhelming. Still, seeing each element come together and imagining the finished, decorated room makes the process worthwhile. I tend to overthink big purchases, but it helps me feel confident in the choices I make.
I’ll be sharing more about why we chose specific details in future posts. If you have questions about the range or any part of the remodel so far, please leave them in the comments and I’ll respond.
While we wait for the final touches, I’ve been collecting items for the kitchen shelves and plate rack—small things that make a new space feel like home. I can’t wait to put everything in place and show the finished room.
Related Posts:
11 Things I Bought for Our Kitchen (Decor and Organization)
Catch up on all of my kitchen remodel (+ tiny cottage) posts here