Quality cookware

When it comes to cooking, you can’t get far without a cookware set, and luckily there is something for every budget. Be sure you have the four basic pans: a 5-quart sauce pan, frying pan, Dutch oven and a saute pan. A stock pot and a chef’s pan are ideal, but not necessary.

The cost of your cookware depends on the material. Copper heats the most uniformly and fastest, but is also the most expensive; thick gauge aluminum can perform almost as well at a lower cost; cast iron cooks well, but is very heavy and takes a long time to heat; stainless steel is versatile and easy to clean, but sometimes has hot spots. Non-stick surfaces on any metal usually inhibit heating. So what should you choose? Experts agree – buy the best you can afford.

Functional and fashionable faucet

What does a faucet have to do with cooking? Everything. Just think of how much time you spend at the sink, from rinsing fruits and vegetables to filling pots and washing hands and dishes. So why not update this kitchen focal point with a new functional and fashionable faucet? High-arc models with pulldown spouts are the most ideal for cooks since they allow ample room to fill or clean large pots and pans. Models with multi-function sprays are helpful when washing delicate fruits.

Once you’ve found a model with these useful features, don’t forget about style. Designer finishes, such as stainless steel will give your kitchen a professional look. And, for a designer look that maintains the beauty and brilliance of the faucet’s finish in between cleanings, try Moen‘s new Finley pulldown kitchen faucet with Spot Resist Stainless finish. This unique finish does just what it says – resists fingerprints and water spots. Moen’s Finley kitchen faucet is available at The Home Depot.

Best bowls

Whether baking, mixing or storing, you need a set of bowls. And while you may think all bowls are created equal, there are many options. The two most popular materials for mixing bowls are stainless steel and plastic. Stainless bowls are usually inexpensive, lightweight, stackable, keep food warm or cold and don’t react with food. Plastic bowls offer functional features, such as pour spouts, non-slip bases, a variety of colors and storage lids, but they also can stain or retain odors.

For the best of both worlds, try OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel bowls that mix the benefits of stainless steel with a nonskid exterior surface that makes the bowl slip resistant, even with wet hands. SurLaTable.com offers a set of three bowls – 1.5-, 3- and 5-quart sizes.

One-for-all … all-in-one

If your kitchen is like most, storage space is not always abundant. And while gadgets, such as food processors and blenders make cooking easier – there isn’t always room. When equipping your kitchen with the most useful tools that won’t rob you of storage or counter space, look for multi-function appliances.

A KitchenAid Stand Mixer is an ideal choice to get the most uses from a single product. The unique product, which is available in several colors and finishes to coordinate with your kitchen design, has a variety of attachments to give you a mixer, juicer, slicer, shredder, pasta maker, grinder, strainer and even ice cream maker, all in one small appliance.

Know your knives

No kitchen is complete without four quality knives – a chef’s knife, a paring knife, a utility knife and a serrated knife – to chop, slice and carve your meals. When purchasing these knives there are a few things to look for. Each knife should have full tangs, which means it should have metal that runs from the blade through the full length of the handle. Next, you should always hold a knife to make sure the weight is comfortable in your hands. Other items to consider are how the knife can be sharpened and cleaned and if it has a lifetime warranty. Knife sets (which are often featured in a block for storage) offer an ideal and affordable option.

With these few quality items, you’ll soon notice that your work is easier, your cleanup faster and your results better and more professional. And the best news is that each is affordable. So stop living without and make your kitchen the kitchen of your dreams.

Courtesy: ARAcontent

If you’re contemplating a kitchen or bathroom remodel, here are some pointers for keeping it practical:

Be like the Swiss . . .

That is to say, stick with neutrality in both the bathroom and the kitchen. Choose neutral colors for the walls and for parts of the room that might be especially costly to change later if your taste in bold colors doesn’t play well with the preferences of potential buyers. Keep fixtures such as sinks and toilets, tiling and flooring in neutral tones and use accessories like shower curtains, towels, artwork and small appliances to put your personal color stamp on the room.

Reflect action

No matter how big your bathroom feels to you, there’s no downside in making it feel bigger. Use mirrors to make the room appear larger than it is. Wall-to-wall, counter-to-ceiling mirrors, free of frames or bevels, fit with contemporary styling and can make a modestly sized bathroom feel much larger.

Sink into it

Sinks play a pivotal role in the usability and desirability of both bathrooms and kitchens. In baths, replace dated, single-basin vanities with dual-sink models, which are in high demand by homebuyers. For kitchen sinks, which are on display in your home 24/7, opt for a blend of practicality and beauty. Kohler’s Vault family of fabricated stainless steel sinks blend form and functionality. The sinks can be installed as undermount or self-rim, so they work with virtually any decor. Log on to www.kohler.com to learn more.

There’s a place for us . . .

Storage is a significant issue in virtually every American home, and both homeowners and home buyers are acutely aware of how much – or how little – storage the average bathroom or kitchen has. In both rooms, adding cabinets and shelving can improve the room’s livability and practicality. Storage is so important, you may want to consider replacing a powder room pedestal sink with a modestly sized vanity. If you really want to make a storage splash in a bathroom, add a shower storage unit.

And speaking of showers . . .

A great shower isn’t just a luxury, it’s a practical concern as well. Americans rely on their showers for more than just cleanliness – a shower is also a spot to relax and decompress. It pays to shell out a few more dollars for touches – like a good showerhead such as the Kohler Flipside Showerhead — that will turn your shower space into a more welcoming experience. Shower surrounds have made it particularly easy to upgrade an existing shower. Sterling has introduced the Accord seated shower, with a seat that is movable and removable. The seating area is the largest available to consumers, and allows you to relax in a seated position, leaning against the shower wall. Log on to www.SterlingPlumbing.com to learn more.

Courtesy: ARAcontent

Practical pays off when it comes to kitchen and bath renovations. Gone are the days when virtually every kitchen or bathroom remodel involved top-of-the-line luxury upgrades and a budget big enough to fund an Ivy League education. Today’s homeowners want more value for their remodeling dollars, and that means turning to improvements that make both functional and fiscal sense.

If you’re contemplating a kitchen or bathroom remodel, here are some pointers for keeping it practical:

Be like the Swiss . . .

That is to say, stick with neutrality in both the bathroom and the kitchen. Choose neutral colors for the walls and for parts of the room that might be especially costly to change later if your taste in bold colors doesn’t play well with the preferences of potential buyers. Keep fixtures such as sinks and toilets, tiling and flooring in neutral tones and use accessories like shower curtains, towels, artwork and small appliances to put your personal color stamp on the room.

Reflect action

No matter how big your bathroom feels to you, there’s no downside in making it feel bigger. Use mirrors to make the room appear larger than it is. Wall-to-wall, counter-to-ceiling mirrors, free of frames or bevels, fit with contemporary styling and can make a modestly sized bathroom feel much larger.

Sink into it

Sinks play a pivotal role in the usability and desirability of both bathrooms and kitchens. In baths, replace dated, single-basin vanities with dual-sink models, which are in high demand by homebuyers. For kitchen sinks, which are on display in your home 24/7, opt for a blend of practicality and beauty. Kohler’s Vault family of fabricated stainless steel sinks blend form and functionality. The sinks can be installed as undermount or self-rim, so they work with virtually any decor. Log on to www.kohler.com to learn more.

There’s a place for us . . .

Storage is a significant issue in virtually every American home, and both homeowners and home buyers are acutely aware of how much – or how little – storage the average bathroom or kitchen has. In both rooms, adding cabinets and shelving can improve the room’s livability and practicality. Storage is so important, you may want to consider replacing a powder room pedestal sink with a modestly sized vanity. If you really want to make a storage splash in a bathroom, add a shower storage unit.

And speaking of showers . . .

A great shower isn’t just a luxury, it’s a practical concern as well. Americans rely on their showers for more than just cleanliness – a shower is also a spot to relax and decompress. It pays to shell out a few more dollars for touches – like a good showerhead such as the Kohler Flipside Showerhead — that will turn your shower space into a more welcoming experience. Shower surrounds have made it particularly easy to upgrade an existing shower. Sterling has introduced the Accord seated shower, with a seat that is movable and removable. The seating area is the largest available to consumers, and allows you to relax in a seated position, leaning against the shower wall. Log on to www.SterlingPlumbing.com to learn more.

Courtesy: ARAcontent

With custom cabinetry, the possibilities are truly endless – take, for example, the different style options: traditional, transitional, contemporary, country, colorful, small and everything in between. When choosing a custom cabinetry line, it is important to work with a professional kitchen and bath designer who will be sure no detail is forgotten.

Kitchen cabinets are available in three configurations – stock, semi-custom and custom. Stock cabinetry is referred to as “off the rack;” the cabinets are mass-produced and many components are pre-assembled. The advantages of stock cabinetry are the low costs and low lead time requirements. The disadvantage of stock cabinetry is the limited number of style and design offerings, making it the least flexible option.

Semi-custom cabinets are manufacturer-built to fit your kitchen’s specifications. There are more options such as finishes and door styles compared to stock cabinetry; however, it is slightly more costly and the lead time is a bit longer. Custom cabinetry is “made to order” and is meant for you and you alone. Custom cabinetry offers superior quality and many finishes are applied by hand, ensuring consistency. Dovetailed drawers and hardwood components that are screwed and glued make for a sturdy, reliable cabinet. Custom cabinetry can also accommodate unusual spaces and floor plans.

In comparison to stock and semi-custom, custom cabinetry is generally more expensive; however, often the price difference can be negligible. “Some consumers are not aware that they can achieve their dream kitchen, using custom cabinetry, for only 5 to 10 percent more than semi-custom,” says George (Butch) Achey, president of Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry. “We recommend that consumers work with an authorized custom cabinetry dealer in order to maximize their budget and get fully-functional cabinetry with exceptional design.”

Usually a major kitchen remodel is a once in a lifetime project, so making the best choice is key. Since cabinetry is one of the most critical components of a kitchen remodel project, custom cabinets that will last a lifetime might be the best option. To learn more about the benefits of custom cabinetry and to find a dealer nearest you, visit www.plainfancycabinetry.com.

Courtesy: ARAcontent

Remove stale air filled with grease, odors and moisture from the kitchen with the newest designs in range hoods that reflect the latest technology and kitchen decor trends.

Revolutionary in design, the latest pro-style cooktops emphasize versatility and precision.