To Aga or not to Aga? That is the real question!
And, to be honest, I'm still not sure what the answer is....
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| Kitchen painted in Farrow and Ball Lichen |
Let me lay out my quandary for you, while you feast your eyes on the Top Ten Modern Country Kitchens With Agas...
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| Kitchen painted in Farrow and Ball French Gray |
The main point is the look of the almighty Aga. Yes, there is not much that beats the Aga in terms of cosy, country kitchen looks. Agas have become a quintessential part of any imagined rustic idyll.
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| Try Farrow and Ball Hardwick White for this look |
They deliciously dominate the room, with their warmth, their size, their amazing design: chunky, curvy, timeless.
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| Top kitchen units painted in Farrow and Ball Shaded White. Base units in Farrow and Ball Pigeon |
But, but, but....through extensive research, I've come to realise that the look seems to be the only true advantage.
You might say, what about the heat? Many people find them unpleasantly hot. You're basically paying for a massive radiator to be on whether you like it or not. Not really eco-friendly.
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| Walls and kitchen units painted in Dulux Dusted Moss 1 |
And then there's the fact that when Agas get unbearably hot, you have to turn them off for half the year, so you need another oven anyway. That seems crazy-thinking to me.
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| Try Little Greene Normandy Grey for this kitchen style |
And who could forget the cost. Not only the initial outlay but the ongoing an,d frankly, hefty running and maintenance costs. This can easily run into tens of thousands of pounds...
The temperatures are unpredictable too. I love baking and I don't want 'warmish', I want exact temperatures. I want to know where I am when I'm cooking...
Now there are certainly ways around some of these issues: reconditioned Agas are widely available for a fraction of the price.
And it's possible to get Agas with add-on attachments to provide year-round usage. Granted, these attachments make the final product gargantuan, but they'll prevent the look of an oven here, an oven there, an oven over there......
So you see my predicament? I'm in a Modern Country Style pickle! I just cant get away from those stunning, stunning LOOKS.
I'm completely torn. Can you tell?
Take Care
Until Next Time,
Sarahx
Images via: Christopher Peters, Plain English, unknown, Chester and Morris kitchens, unknown, Country Homes and Interiors, Davonport, Neptune, unknown, inknown, Ideal Home