Friday, May 16, 2008

Kitchen Cabinets of Every Color in the Crayon Box


By Carmen Fontana




It used to be that kitchen cabinets came in two choices: natural wood or all white. Well, those days of dull, boring kitchen cabinets are a long-lost thing of the past. Today's finest kitchen cabinet manufacturers are offering the same durable and high-quality wood species homeowners have come to expect but with a colorful twist: finishes in every hue of the rainbow ... and then some!



Just ask the Wall Street Journal, which recently ran an article titled "Kitchens by Crayola: Cabinets, Appliances Offer More Ways To Make a Loud Personal Statement." Therein, instead of naming this season's hottest kitchen cabinet hue, the author asserted there is none. In fact, today's color trend is in the eye of the individual kitchen owner.



The article elaborated on this prediction by stating, "This year, more manufacturers are offering dozens and, in some cases, hundreds of vibrant color finishes, (thereby) making for some eye-popping kitchen conversation pieces. The message to consumers is: Make a bold individual statement with color."



It went on to point out that "According to Becky Spak, senior designer at Sherwin-Williams and a director of the International Color Marketing Group, which selects the palettes manufacturers use to coordinate products throughout the home, people are tired of 'dirtied down' colors and (are) open to bringing the eye-popping hues now seen on cars and fashion runways into their homes."



Fire-engine red, Nordic blue and pumpkin were some of the specific colors cited, but even if you are not the loud, statement-making type, you'll find much to cheer about when it comes to the current crop of kitchen cabinet color choices.



For example, kitchen cabinet glazes add shimmer and glow to the wood surface with just a subtle touch of color. Available in luscious options like bisque, butter rum, cashmere, vanilla bean, pewter, porcelain, patina, amber, chicory, malt, ginger, wedgewood blue and garnet, they are visually appealing without being too overpowering.



For those who want the full-on color treatment, however, kitchen cabinet manufacturers are not disappointing. Full paint palettes that include such enticing hues as praline, caramel, sunset, cabernet, autumn blush, peppercorn and onyx are also lending vibrant pizzazz to today's kitchen cabinets.



The Wall Street Journal cautions that such Crayola creativity in the kitchen will cost the homeowner, in some cases dearly. By way of example, it mentions SieMatic. In 2006, this German kitchen cabinet manufacturer "began offering 1,950 color options for its lacquered flat-panel kitchen-cabinet systems, for an extra $5,000."



Cost-conscious homeowners, however, are beginning to see more and more affordable manufacturers of kitchen cabinets offering up a color full feast of kitchen cabinet finishes. Some of the most renowned online kitchen cabinet retailers, in fact, include a wide array of color finishes in their current crop of kitchen cabinet options.



Move over, Crayola! Leave the crayons to the kiddies and let the adults do some imaginative coloring of their own in the kitchen. In this case, writing on the walls-or the cabinets, as the case may be-is not only allowed, it's encouraged!




Visit KraftMaid.com for cabinetry finish color choices for your kitchen remodel.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carmen_Fontana
http://EzineArticles.com/?Kitchen-Cabinets-of-Every-Color-in-the-Crayon-Box&id=1170455



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Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Wood Kitchen Tables – A Classic Furnishing For Your Kitchen

Wood kitchen tables are classics. There have been wood kitchen tables since the days of the farm house, the pioneer homes. Even back to biblical times the eating space in the kitchen was made of wood.

Back then it made perfect sense to have wood kitchen tables. The wood to make them was easily accessible by chopping down a nearby tree. Today, although we can skip on the chopping down of the tree on our own, there are still a number of great reasons to use wood kitchen tables.

Wood kitchen tables can complete the look of your kitchen. The materials in wood kitchen tables can compliment the wood that is already in use for your cabinets and counter edging. Wood kitchen tables also offer a friendly, natural feeling that welcomes people to take a seat and have something to eat.

This is where the strength of wood comes into play. The durable surface will allow many, many meals to be enjoyed on the surface and still have the table looking strong and new.

As you are considering purchasing wood kitchen tables there are some important things to take into consideration. This is going to be a major purpose. For the most part, people do not trade out their wood kitchen tables year after year. These tables are purchases that are going to stick around for a long time. So you want to make sure you get exactly what you need.

You should look through the wood kitchen tables on the market and find ones that will look good for years to come. Generally, wood kitchen tables on their own do this. Wood kitchen tables are always in style and can blend in with almost any style you decide on in your kitchen.

Next consider the seating solutions you need in your kitchen. For the most part you should have an idea of how many people may be eating in the kitchen on most days. You need to make sure you will have enough room to accommodate all of them. If you have some change in these numbers you may want to look at wood kitchen tables with leaves so you can extend the table when more people are around and condense it when you don’t need the extra space.

Make sure to know the square footage you have available before buying wood kitchen tables. While you may have enough room for the table, make sure to remember that people have to be able to get in and out of the chairs, comfortably, so make that you have allotted enough space. Part of your purchasing decision may be made by the chairs that go with the table. Some take up a little more space and may force you to shrink your table size to be able to fit all the pieces in your kitchen.

Once you have sorted out the size, you can start looking at style. That will not be a problem since wood kitchen tables come in a wide range of design options from classic wood, to wood and metal, wood with a glass top, and the very popular wood with tile top style.


Source: Articles 3000


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Friday, May 9, 2008

Kitchen Carts - Let the Good Cooking Roll



Powell Furniture Antique White Kitchen Cart

Price: $599.00
Retail Price: $799.00
CSN Stores



By Jennifer Akre

Is your kitchen small? Do you not have enough storage or workspace? A kitchen cart can help. Built on wheels for easy movement and storage kitchen carts are as essential to kitchens as sofas are to living rooms. They come in all shapes and sizes to meet your needs.

Whether you need island size or corner size you’ll find them both and everything in between when you shop online. Rather than trekking across town to all sorts of stores you can find what you’re looking for from the comfort of your own home.

Choose from wood or metal carts with butcher block or marble tops. Some come with wine racks and paper towel holders. Some have open shelves and others have storage behind doors. But for looking at details you have to decide how large a cart you need and how it will fit in your space.

Once you’ve done your measuring and figuring you can look at materials. Do you like the traditional look of wood and marble or maybe you like a more industrial allure of stark mesh metal trays and wood. Maybe the simple sophistication of crisp white suits your style or perhaps you prefer the country charm of glossy black finished wood with hand painted roosters.

If you need lots of storage consider what you are storing. Are you storing tall items, flat items, a few of your favorite vintages or even if you are not sure yet it is important to get one with enough space to meet your real or potential needs. Then consider the other variances. Some come with utensil and cutlery holders, spindles for paper towels and rungs for cloth ones. Others have extra table top space that folds up when you need it and stays down when you don’t.

Who knew there were so many options in a kitchen cart? But it is the options which make it possible to get a kitchen cart that is almost custom-made for your personal needs. So try shopping online to see what is out there in the world of kitchen carts. After looking at all the things they offer like extra storage, mobile workspace and even style for your kitchen it is hard not to imagine one in your kitchen.

And once you have one you won’t know how you lived without one. Cooking is nearly impossible in small spaces which lack counter top and workspace as well as storage. It almost makes you not want to cook at all and just order in pizza or Chinese. Well, with the addition of a kitchen cart to your home décor you just might be surprised how much of a culinary genius you can be with the proper tools at your fingertips. Your friends and family will think you took lessons or befriended a chef when they taste your scrumptious creations.

With so many options in color, design and material it is pretty easy for a new kitchen cart to roll into your home and make your Betty Crocker dreams come true.

Jennifer Akre, owner of several niche home decorating sites shares insight on consumer reviews and gives product information on [http://www.shopkitchencarts.com/]kitchen cart and [http://www.shopkitchencarts.com/]kitchen carts. Get valuable information before your next purchase. Surround yourself with beauty and elegance. Shop today - Click: [http://www.shopkitchencarts.com/]kitchen cart with wine rack.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Akre http://EzineArticles.com/?Kitchen-Carts---Let-the-Good-Cooking-Roll&id=657515






Friday, May 2, 2008

Kitchen Remodeling - Tips and Tricks

By Lyn Marin
Everyone would like to have their dream kitchen, but the reality is usually much different to this; the potential expense involved frightens some people before they even start. Kitchen remodeling costs vary greatly depending on the size of the kitchen, how many cabinets there are, what types of materials are chosen, and the size of the project. There are a lot of things you may want in your kitchen; classy work tops, quality appliances and cupboards for instance but frequently the wish list is too huge and you end up discouraged.

We are all faced with having to carry out work on a budget but this is no reason why you can't have something reasonably close to what you would ideally like. The best way to achieve your remodeling dream is to plan carefully looking at each stage to assess where money can be saved, and who knows, your ideal kitchen could be more of a reality than you thought.

As with any home remodeling projects, it is usually the hiring of professional help that increases the costs dramatically so this is the first area to look at. Try not to waste time planning all the changes you want to make until you have a realistic estimate of the kitchen remodeling costs involved especially when you participate in the work.

It should also go without saying that you need to be comfortable using tools and not afraid to get your hands dirty because if you aren't then the chances of you completing this project are small. Whilst it may look very good on paper, if you are not able to do this but try anyway, the chances are you will have to pay a kitchen fitter to rectify your mistakes before they can complete the work.

There are ways you can save money on materials and appliances, which is where the bulk of your kitchen remodeling costs will be; if you deal directly with manufacturers and suppliers. Of course this does not include buying used equipment or quality second hand which often comes onto the market.

You will also be surprised just what you can find by looking locally in papers and classified advertisements because used or nearly new kitchen equipment is often available. In an effort to help recycle products, some kitchen suppliers sell unwanted kitchens which help people trying to lower their kitchen remodeling costs.

Carefully acquiring your materials and appliances this way could mean that the kitchen you dreamed of is achievable, with nearly new or hardly used equipment. Your only major concern with your kitchen remodeling should be whether your capacity to carry out the project; and only you will be able to answer that issue.

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Classic Stainless Steel 8 Quart Covered Stockpot

Price: $58.00
Retail Price: $80.00

This stockpot is ideal for the slow simmering of soups, stews or chili. The 8-quart capacity is large enough to use for pasta as well. Durable stainless steel provides years of beauty and shine. With its "Full Cap" Base Advantage, a stainless steel protector surrounds a thicker aluminum core for easy maintenance and better heat distribution. Since the entire surface is stainless steel, cleanup is easier. Enjoy a lifetime of beauty. Features: -Close fitting lids create a self-basting feature that protects the food's taste and nutrients -Classically styled phenolic handles -Oven safe up to 350°F / 180°C -Thicker, rolled pan rims for extra durability, enhanced drip-free pouring and easy handling Specifications: -Volume: 8 Quarts -Material: Stainless steel -Cleaning and care: Dishwasher safe -Lifetime limited warranty
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Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Tapas Pans (Set of 2)

Price: $29.99
Retail Price: $45.99

American cooks are catching on to what European, Asian and Middle Eastern cooks have known for centuries: small plate dining is a fun, friendly way to entertain. These Spanish-style Calphalon tapas pans are ideal for sautéed, baked and broiled recipes. Sizzling garlic shrimp, baked cheese and vegetable dips, sautéed mushrooms and dozens of other dishes are easy to prepare and share with this sweet little set. Features: -Set of 2 tapas pans -Engineered to deliver professional-quality performance -Unique 3-ply construction combines heavy-gauge aluminum core and stainless steel to provide quick, even heating and brilliant good looks -Satin-finish interior maintains its good looks through years of use -Cast polished stainless steel loop handles -Heavy duty, stainless steel rivets permanently secure handles to lids and vessels for a lifetime of use -Dishwasher safe -Oven safe Specifications: -Material: heavy-gauge aluminum core bonded to mirror-polished stainless steel exterior and satin-finish stainless interior -Can be used with any utensils -Lifetime Warranty

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Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Tapas Pans (Set of 2)

Price: $29.99
Retail Price: $45.99

American cooks are catching on to what European, Asian and Middle Eastern cooks have known for centuries: small plate dining is a fun, friendly way to entertain. These Spanish-style Calphalon tapas pans are ideal for sautéed, baked and broiled recipes. Sizzling garlic shrimp, baked cheese and vegetable dips, sautéed mushrooms and dozens of other dishes are easy to prepare and share with this sweet little set. Features: -Set of 2 tapas pans -Engineered to deliver professional-quality performance -Unique 3-ply construction combines heavy-gauge aluminum core and stainless steel to provide quick, even heating and brilliant good looks -Satin-finish interior maintains its good looks through years of use -Cast polished stainless steel loop handles -Heavy duty, stainless steel rivets permanently secure handles to lids and vessels for a lifetime of use -Dishwasher safe -Oven safe Specifications: -Material: heavy-gauge aluminum core bonded to mirror-polished stainless steel exterior and satin-finish stainless interior -Can be used with any utensils -Lifetime Warranty

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