Stoking the Flames

	A Viking Range

What does your dream kitchen look like?

Perhaps you envision a warm and inviting space, with vibrant colors and plenty of room for family and friends to gather as you prepare meals. Or maybe you prefer the sleek elegance of stainless steel appliances that lend a restaurantlike air.

Well, no matter what your vision, the perfect range is out there to complete the picture.

Commercial-style ranges combining professional cooking power with attractive design have become essential elements for the home kitchen.

The stove you choose can speak volumes, and manufacturers of high-end ranges understand this concept very well: They have successfully turned the process of selecting a range into a full lifestyle experience, satisfying the deepest desires of passionate home cooks -- or decorators.

With prices that run from a few thousand to nearly $20,000 each, these luxury ranges far exceed the cost of standard stoves. But considering their outstanding performance, design appeal and the value they add to a home, there's ample reason to check them out.

A Trailblazer

In the 1980s, building contractor Fred Carl, Jr., wanted to install a commercial-quality range in the kitchen for his wife, Margaret; however, commercial ranges produced too much heat and were less energy-efficient than residential models. ...