We are all aware by now that interior design, and making a house feel like a home, are peak on my list of favorite Life Things. There is nothing like taking four walls, a ceiling, and a floor, and making them reflect our personalities, values, and inner worlds. I take such pride in creating spaces that are interesting to the eye, calming to the spirit, and fabulous to the soul! But what if I told you that selecting appliances was actually my MOST favorite part of the design process?! And here’s why: appliances are hands-down the unsung heroes of the home. They make our lives WORK, are by our side to tackle our day’s messiest, most crucial, and toughest jobs—and when it comes to appliances, you truly do get what you pay for. Having washer/dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and cooking ranges that meet our needs is all about determining which factors are most important to you, and then comparing options to find the value, specs, and style that align. When that trifecta hits, and you get a gorgeous appliance that makes your space AND your life better…there is NOTHING more exciting! I actually get butterflies. Ha!

There are SO many appliance options these days, with cutting-edge technology in all categories. Brands are building products that are like mini computers—anticipating the needs of the homeowner before they even know to ask. So, how do we sort through the limitless options and find what’s right for our specific lifestyle? That’s where appliance dealers and showrooms come in, and they are NOT all created equal. Ten years ago, I moved to Fairfield County, CT. We bought a house and did a renovation…moved a few years later and did an even BIGGER renovation, and then moved two years ago into yet another home. Needless to say, I’ve bought a few appliances in my day! The appliance dealer that is not only head and shoulders above the rest in Fairfield County, but also a huge cultural pillar of the community, is Aitoro Appliances.

Aitoro is a third-generation, family-owned brand that started off with one young man selling a washing machine on the street corner and has turned into a generational empire with a strong ethos surrounding community, giving back, and treating each customer like family. When you step foot into the 12,000-square-foot showroom in Norwalk, Connecticut, you are met not only by warmth (and oftentimes freshly baked cookies!) but also by members of the Aitoro family who know their stuff. They eat, sleep, live, and breathe appliances and can offer you knowledge alongside firsthand experience. The showroom is an appliance lover’s dream…with state-of-the-art models in even the most luxury brands that represent what’s hottest and most technologically advanced in each category. They even have multiple La Cornue ranges (MY DREAM) that you can try out and explore! From initial touchpoint to delivery and maintenance, Aitoro customers are treated the way its founders would have wanted to be treated—like a member of the Aitoro family. I’ve experienced this ethos firsthand over the years as an Aitoro customer. Their customer service is an area of their business that Aitoro takes great pride in, and contractors like Chris O’Dell suggest Aitoro to clients on their projects because of it. Being able to pick up the phone and call somebody if you encounter an issue is unfortunately not as commonplace these days as it should be!

There’s absolutely nothing that stacks up to the enormous, sophisticated Aitoro Showroom. It’s always so fun visiting the showroom and exciting to walk through the different “environments” that Aitoro has created to showcase their products. I even spent one Valentine’s Day visiting the showroom…and buying myself a new dishwasher as a Vday gift! What’s better than getting yourself a helper in the kitchen that works perfectly and never complains? LOL. Highly recommend a new appliance as a treat-yourself moment!

When it came to outfitting The Westport Project home with the most “smart,” elegant, and advanced set of appliances we could find, we knew we had to go to Aitoro and see what that “new new” was. We had so much fun talking all things appliances with the Aitoro family, touring the showroom with our cameras, and delving deeper into the ethos of the Aitoro brand and history of their appliance empire. This was such a fun episode to shoot, and it airs next Thursday, November 6th! If you’ve been wondering which appliances a team would pick to put into a cutting-edge Smart Home, you will officially find out in this episode. Plus, you’ll see all of our usual antics.

In the meantime, I thought I’d share which Aitoro appliances I have in my own home! If you’re in the market, or just ever wondered, I’m putting them below…and I HIGHLY recommend visiting the showroom in person if you’re anywhere near Aitoro. Once you visit it, you’ll understand why I love going there so much!