Kitchen Talk

Dream Kitchen

2008-09-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

THE decision has been made - you're going to have that kitchen of your dreams.
Everyone has a different idea of their ideal kitchen but there are a few principles that are common to all great kitchens.
You will need a focal point, somewhere that draws everyone's eye. It could be a magnificent island unit (see previous article), a range or Aga, or a stunning kitchen table to which all the family gravitates.
If you have a large kitchen and the family tends to get involved in food preparation, consider installing an island. It should be close enough to the sink and appliances to facilitate the moving around of pots and pans but have enough space around it so that more than one person at a time can work in the kitchen.
Make sure you have enough kitchen cupboards to house all your foodstuffs and equipment, both at floor level and on the wall. Corner cupboards should have carousel units so that the deepest reaches are accessible.
If you're a keen cook, buy the best stove you can afford. There's so much choice these days, from electric ranges to gas ovens and solid fuel Agas and Rayburns.
You might want to make room for one of those magnificent American fridges and a practical dishwasher.
The choice and position of appliances is very important. You need to take into account the kitchen’s flow before making a final decision.
The sink will, obviously, be a well-used area. Take a look at all the different types of taps/faucets and the material it will be made of. Do you want ultra-modern stainless steel, a traditional Belfast sink, ceramic or with wooden draining boards? A corner sink might be practical or a double or even triple sink.
For many people the kitchen is the hub of the home and they will want room for a kitchen table. If space is limited a table with corner bench might be practical. A beautiful solid wood country table would add the finishing touch to a rustic or traditional kitchen, or an elegant smoked and etched glass topped table for a modern kitchen, or a period design table and chairs for a classical kitchen.
These are just a few of the things to think about when you make that first decision.

Kitchen Lighting

2007-08-02T02:33:00.000-07:00

I WROTE recently about the benefits of kitchen islands.

The popularity of the kitchen island has been a good indication of how modern and up-to-date a home is. And estate agents/realtors will tell you that a well-done kitchen island in a smart kitchen is a big asset when it comes to selling your home.

The person primarily responsible for preparing the meals, finds a separate area with adequate counter space that is designed exclusively for creating meals, an attractive feature when considering the kitchen and dining area layout. However, while the kitchen island is appealing, a poorly lit island can make it next to useless.

Keep in mind that preparing a meal involves multi-tasking, detailed work and cleanliness. Without the right kind of lighting these tasks can be very difficult if not impossible.

If you buy a home with a kitchen island you may need to consider some renovations, particularly in the area of effective lighting.

The best kitchen island lighting will incorporate both functional light as well as aesthetic light. This means that kitchen island lighting should have appropriate task lighting and ambient lighting.

These two principles apply to basically every interior space of your home. For most kitchen islands, multiple pendant configurations are the most popular and the most effective in providing full, adequate lighting for the food preparation area. Generally, these multiple pendants are available in three, four, six and eight pendant sets.

Most kitchen islands are laid out in a rectangular pattern, which makes them appropriate for one of the multiple pendant configurations, listed above.

Another option is a large Tiffany style pendant fixture, which would be centred over the island. While Tiffany lighting is definitely an option to consider, the vast majority of kitchen islands use multiple pendants with soft, diffused lighting to avoid spotlighting and glare.
Most lighting for kitchen islands would be considered task lighting.

This type of lighting should provide bright, but not harsh lighting and as mentioned above, the entire food preparation area should be evenly lit with no shadows or “dead” spots. Dimmer switches are frequently installed and allow brighter lighting when preparing meals and more subdued lighting when serving and eating.

Some homeowners opt for track lighting, which offers multi-purpose lighting, which is more hidden than the other two options previously mentioned. LED track lighting, which can become somewhat expensive, offers the option of changing lighting to alter the mood and create just the right ambience. In the long run, LEDs provide maximum energy savings, long lamp life and are easily adaptable to different lighting schemes.

Given the right layout, fluorescent tube lights can serve as another option because of their ability to provide bright lighting to large areas. The old standby of incandescent lighting is a possibility, particularly if you have ceiling mounts. Incandescent lighting can be made more energy efficient with the use of low-voltage bulbs to reduce glare.

Finally, recessed lighting is also a viable option though not nearly as popular as the other types of lighting mentioned earlier in this article. Recessed lighting usually takes somewhat more planning and labor to install, but they can provide a very desirable effect.

In today’s market, the homeowner has the advantage of being able to select from a wide variety of styles. Consider the basic style and décor of your home and then decide if you want your kitchen lighting to be modern or have a rich or even ornate look. Again, the possibilities are nearly endless.

Finally, don’t forget accent lighting to highlight objects in the room that you would like to draw attention to but be careful not to overdo it.

The lighting in the picture above was supplied by http://www.brilliantlighting.com/

Tea-Smoked Food

2007-07-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

FOR a quick and easy way to add that authentic smoky flavour to food, use tea!
It couldn't be easier.

You need:

10tsps of tea or the contents of 10 teabags.

8oz demerara suger

80z long grain rice

a wok

tin foil

food to smoke e.g. chicken or duck breast, trout or salmon

salt and pepper

Method
1. Mix together the sugar and rice.

2. Line a wok with tinfoil, put the above mixture on top and cover with another piece of foil.

3. Lay food on top of the foil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cover with lid.

4. Leave to cook on a gradual heat for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Delicious ...... but be prepared for a strong smell in the kitchen for a while.

Alternatively, contact Exe Valley Fishery and order their authentic delicious smoked trout fillets (see picture above) or smoked trout pate - highly recommended.

How To Make A Fruit And Veg Kitchen Clock

2007-07-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

Here's something that's just a bit of fun either for yourself or to occupy your children for a couple of hours.

How To Make A Fruit and Veg Kitchen Clock

You will need:

4oz (100g) Plain Flour

3oz (75g) Salt Hot Water

Paints

Spray varnish or clear lacquer

Clock mechanism and clock hands (available from craft shops)

Method

1. First make some dough. Dissolve the salt in a small amount of hot water. Add the flour and mix to form dough. Add cold water if necessary but don't make the dough too sticky.

2. Model your clock face. You need to start off with a base. Roll out some of the dough with a rolling pin. Use a large dinner plate or a tea tray to cut out a circle from the dough. This is the base of the clock face. Make a hole in the centre of the clock face, which is large enough to pass the clock spindle through with ease. Roll two long sausages that are long enough to reach around the edge of the base. Twist the sausages together to create a nice rope effect. Fix the twisted strip around the base with a little cold water for glue.

3. Add fruit and veg to your clock face. Use your hands to model and mould fruit or vegetable shapes out of dough. Use these in place of numbers on the clock face. Don't make the fruit and vegetables so large that the hands cannot move past them when the clock is finished.

4. Once you have made your clock face put it in the oven on a low heat for two hours. It is in the oven to dry out, not to bake so keep the heat low. When it comes out of the oven, leave it for a couple of days to dry out completely. Then paint, spray varnish and leave to dry. Push the clock spindle through the hole and push on the hands. The mechanism has a hole for hanging the clock on the wall.

Kitchen Island

2007-07-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

AN island is a great way to add extra worktop space to your kitchen and a deep unit will also add plenty of storage space.

Islands will not be practicable for small or galley kitchens but if you have enough space, they are a stylish and useful addition. The island can be as simple or as elaborate as you want - and can include exactly what you want. Some incorporate a cooker, others are just for extra counter space and storage. It might have a wine rack or a custom-made spice unit.

Its details will, obviously, complement the rest of the kitchen design. Some kitchen islands are elaborate custom-built pieces of fine cabinetry and include a sink, granite counters, a cooktop, cabinets for storage, a second dishwasher, a warming oven, or a small refrigerator.

The simplest and most common kitchen island has a single surface , like a tabletop. But a multi-level island can incorporate both food preparation and eating areas, wine racks, cookbook shelves, bar sinks, deep fryers, and other amenities. A step-down or step-up surface adds interest and separate work areas.
A large kitchen might have room for more than one island. A food preparation island near the sink or stove serves as a work space. A serving or eating island can convenient and useful.

One firm which will design the perfect island for you is http://www.countrykitchensofdevon.com/

Getting Organised in the Kitchen

2007-05-31T02:51:00.000-07:00

IT is a real pleasure to cook in a kitchen that is well organised with everything neat and tidy and easy to lay your hand on.

The secret is to have a place for everything, to keep everything in its place and to make sure that items that are used frequently are easily accessible.

Some people want to create the feeling of a bustling, family-friendly kitchen. They like to have lots of items on display. Others want a calmer space with clear worktops and everything out of sight. For the former, open shelves and plate racks can hold herbs and spices or a decorative crockery set. Saucepans can be hung from the ceiling.

For the latter, plenty of drawers and cupboard space is a priority. Carousel fittings for the corner units or pull-out shelves in a larder unit mean that nothing gets lost at the back. A pull-out ironing board and pull-out tea towel rails are also space-saving and ensure a clean, uncluttered look.

One firm that can provide all the above and help you plan your kitchen is www.countrykitchensofdevon.com Take a look at their website for ideas and contact details.

Make Your Fridge More Energy Efficient

2007-02-24T00:44:00.000-08:00

IN these days of concern about global warming and carbon footprints, here are a few things you can do to make your fridge more energy efficient:

One of the best tips for the foodies among you is to keep the fridge full. An empty fridge uses more energy as there's nothing to hold the cold. Here's even more good news .... beer makes an excellent fridge filler. If, however, that's not an option, plain water in a container works too.
Cover liquids and wrap food stored in the fridge. Uncovered foods release moisture, which makes the compressor work harder. Of course, wrapping your foot also prevents it from drying out.
Defrost your fridge as soon as there is any frost build-up.
Do you really need your automatic ice maker? It's more energy-efficient to make ice in ice trays.
If possible, move the fridge away from the cooker or dishwasher.
Don't leave the fridge door open.
Make sure the fridge seals are clean. Replace if they are damaged. One way to check is to close the door on a thin piece of paper about the size of a £5 note (or use the £5 note itself). If you can easily pull it out, the seals need replacing. If you have magnetic seals, put a torch inside at night and switch off the kitchen lights to see if any light is leaking out.
Move your fridge out from the wall and vacuum its condenser coils at least once a year. Some models have the coils under the fridge. With clean coils the waste heat is carried off faster, and the fridge runs shorter cycles. Leave a couple of inches of space between the coils and the wall for air circulation.
Some fridges have a power-saving switch or a summer/winter switch. If your has, use it.
Check to see if you have a power-saving switch or a summer-winter switch.

Bespoke Kitchens

2007-02-18T04:13:00.000-08:00

Picture: A bespoke kitchen by Country Kitchens of Devon. www.countrykitchensofdevon.com

"BESPOKE" is a word that is much used in the kitchen business .... but beware. Some kitchen firms call themselves bespoke when what they really mean is that they have a large stock of units in different sizes, materials, design and colour.
A real "bespoke" firm will make furniture especially for you and your home.
A good way to check whether you are getting something absolutely bespoke - rather than an existing range that has merely been tailored to fit your home - is to ask for something that's not in the brochure. If they can't accommodate, then they don't do bespoke.
The word "bespoke" may conjure up images of something terribly expensive. But there are many kitchen firms that fit wonderful, individual kitchens which are reasonably priced. Obviously they are going to be dearer than buying off the peg, but by the time you have paid someone to fit your standard units and taken into account all the hassle and the time wasted in organising the installation, a bespoke firm may seem a much better option.
In addition to these advantages, a bespoke kitchen takes into account awkward corners, curved walls, unusual window positions and your own specific needs.
Need more information? Go to http://www.countrykitchensofdevon.com/ or email the firm at info@countrykitchensofdevon.com

Quick Tip

2007-02-12T13:54:00.000-08:00

How To Clean A Microwave

Half fill a large microwavable bowl with water

Add a few drops of lemon juice

Microwave on high for 10 minutes

Remove bowl

Allow microwave to cool down for a couple of minutes

Wipe with a clean cloth

Caring For Your Worktops

2006-12-13T13:30:00.000-08:00

Picture: Kitchen by Country Kitchens Of Devon www.countrykitchensofdevon.com

HOW often do you use your kitchen worktop? Do you have a laminate top, tiles or granite? Most of us don’t give much thought to that cold, flat slab in the kitchen, bathroom or utility room.
But perhaps we should, since it can serve a variety of functions that we depend on every day. Let’s talk about the kitchen counter, which lies at the hub of family life and centre of frequent activity. The kitchen worktop is where dirty dishes are stacked, waiting to be loaded into the dishwasher or by hand. Crusty roasters, sticky silverware, and greasy platters bide their time on that beautiful finished surface while we take care of other things before tidying up the kitchen.
The worktop may be the place where you wrie letters, open the post or write last-minute notes to family members before heading out the door for the day. It’s where we set down bags of groceries, pet feeding dishes, an armful of dry cleaning, and a host of other items related to everyday chores. Small kitchen appliances like the toaster and blender probably enjoy their own spots for making the morning breakfast and other meals or snacks.
Food preparation like grating, slicing, chopping, and mixing take place in this convenient area. With all this activity occurring on a regular basis, your kitchen worktop carries a lot of weight at times. It absorbs shocks from heavy items, accepts scratches or chips, and helps to blot stains from spilled juice or strained and drained foods.
It’s a wonder the worktop looks as good as it does, right? That is due in large part to the industry’s formulation of tough design and solid materials, as well as a protective finish. But keeping your counter in tip-top shape beyond the manufacturer’s reach is up to you. Start by clearing your counter of all unnecessary items. Put away containers that take up space, cover or store unused appliances, insist that no foods like bread wrappers or jam jars are left sitting on the counter for any length of time.
Clearing the clutter will open more space and give the entire room a sense of airiness. The counter area will be able to accommodate more time-specific tasks instead of being a gathering place for everyone’s debris.
Get a cutting board for food preparation so you don’t have to damage the worktop. Then make a point of wiping your worktop free of crumbs, stains, and spills after each meal, or certainly at least once a day. Use a clean cloth, not a damp one that has been sitting around for hours or days, as it will have a sour smell that can be picked up by the counter. Gently wipe under the microwave or canister set to remove all crumbs and thus avoid attracting unwanted pests. Each week or so, inspect your countertop for deep-set stains.
Wipe the worktop with a damp cloth to moisten it, and then lightly sprinkle baking soda on the stained areas. Allow it to set at least fifteen minutes. Get the cleaning cloth more wet, and then rub the powder in small circles to work at the stain.
Rinse the worktop thoroughly when you are done. Run your hand over the surface for signs of residue grit or powder, and rinse again, if needed. Set an attractive (but unbreakable) vase or other decorator pieces on your counter to remind family members to keep it clear when not in use. This can help everyone take better care of the counter to prolong its quality.

Kitchen Styles

2006-12-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

Picture: Kitchen by Country Kitchens of Devon www.countrykitchensofdevon.com

JUST as there are many styles of home, from country cottage to Gothic castle, so there are many styles of kitchen.
Brave designers can mix and match different styles but the less brave of us will probably plump for an integrated design.
Here are a few ideas:
Country Kitchen: The doors are usually made of solid wood, often with unique paint finishes. There may be open china display racks, a free-standing dresser and a big farmhouse style table. Some include pot racks for cast iron cookware or a butcher's block. I have even known country kitchens with in-built space for the dog to sleep.
Shaker: This is a very clean, efficient and uncluttered style, characterized by purity, simplicity, and utility. The Shaker style is clear crisp lines with lightness and strength. Modern versions can mix and match traditional woods with granite surfaces to great effect.
Rustic French: The French country kitchen often includes large pieces of furniture that are made mainly of light coloured woods decorated with ornate carving. Natural materials are an important element in walls and the kitchen cabinet.
Arts and Crafts: This kitchen design style is becoming a popular style for kitchens. In this type of style glass doors and natural wood tones with a matte sheen are used. The style can be eclectic and artistic.
Contemporary: Kitchens that are done in the contemporary kitchen design style often use plastic laminates, special wood veneers, enamels, lacquers, or metal foil laminate for the kitchen cabinet facings. Cabinet doors in this kitchen design style usually use frameless construction with overlay door and no toe kick panel.
Period: A period kitchen usually matches the period of the house, but it's not essential! If you fancy a Georgian kitchen in a Victorian house, then go for it. Whatever period you home, be it Tudor, Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian, you will need to give it a modern twist - unless you really want to be chopping wood every day for your iron range! Authentic touches can be added by looking around car boot sales, antique shops and builders' yards.

Decorating A Large Kitchen

2006-12-11T11:44:00.000-08:00

Picture: Canopy by Country Kitchens of Devon www.countrykitchensofdevon.com

LOTS of people dream of having a big kitchen complete with a table big enough for family gatherings.
Unfortunately, big can sometimes mean cold rather than cosy and clinical rather than personal.
But with the right kind of kind of accessories, you can have both a large and cosy kitchen all in one.
One thing you’ll want to do is fill in all the extra space with some great furniture and collectables which will add interest to the room. A large table with tablecloth and floral centrepiece will instantly make the room look more inviting. Kitchen knick-knacks strategically placed will break up large expanses of worktops. Stick to one "theme" and buy accordingly. You may want to achieve to a country, farmhouse feel with egg baskets and bright canisters, or you might want to go for the streamlined contemporary look with stainless steel and clean lines.
Accessories can help make a large kitchen more homey. Potted plants (either silk or real) are a possibility - a large kitchen can take larger big plants easily.
You can also use larger decorative pieces such as urns, wall hangings and perhaps some architectural pieces it matches your décor.
A dresser or a modern sideboard will instantly make the room cosier.
The kitchen is also a great place to show off your collections and they don’t have to be comprised of kitchen related items. Shelves or wall units can be used to show off your collection and make for a unique conversation piece in the kitchen.
It is important to consider the scale of your furniture when decorating a large kitchen. A tiny café table will look out of place so you’ll want a large substantial piece for your table set. You can also include some baker's racks or other storage pieces depending on how large your kitchen is. If the kitchen is set-up so that you can add a portable island (or even a stationary one) or a butcher's block, consider doing this, it will add lots more storage space.
A breakfast bar can break up a big room and you can get one with an eating counter and set up some bar stools for informal dinners.
If you have a theme or a collection of something, you may want to show them off in a lighted glass hutch, or add shelves on the wall. Lighting is important in any kitchen and special considerations should be made for larger rooms. One mistake that many home owners make is to buy lighting that does not match the scale of the room. If you have a large kitchen, you need to buy lighting fixtures that are of a large scale.Large pendants, big chandeliers and plenty of recessed lighting is good. Don’t forget your task lighting at the counters for cooking and preparing food. Finally, you can use color and pattern to make the room feel more homey. When decorating a large kitchen, consider soft warm colours that will evoke a feeling of comfort and cosiness. Of course, you need to make sure the colour matches your overall decorating theme and does not clash with the curtains and flooring.

You can email Country Kitchens of Devon at info@countrykitchensofdevon.com They fit kitchens all over the UK.<

Design Tips For A Small Kitchen

2006-12-10T06:25:00.000-08:00

Picture: Space-saving plate rack by Country Kitchens of Devon www.countrykitchensofdevon.com

WHEN I was looking through magazines earlier this year, searching for ideas for my small kitchen, I became totally depressed.
Every beautiful layout, every kitchen coming anywhere near my ideal of a real "country kitchen" was huge. My little kitchen would have fitted into the space left for the breakfast bar!
But I very badly needed a new kitchen (scuffed cream laminate doors and stained carpet tiles on the floor weren't really my thing) and had to do something.
I was lucky because in the village where I live there is a firm which makes kitchens. I feared they would far too expensive for me and I thought they wouldn't bother with a small space like mine. Undaunted, I took advantage of their free planning offer and got them round. Chris turned up with his clipboard and measuring tape (I hadn't told him a ruler would probably be long enough!) and didn't skip a beat when I led him into my kitchen.
He was brilliant and explained that with a small kitchen it is vital to make every square inch work for you, and work hard. Décor and lighting are two ways to give the illusion of space. And you must choose the right appliances.
He said small kitchens may seem to be a very difficult design challenge, but they can also be functional, beautiful and efficient.
Here is his advice: To create a more spacious look for your small kitchen design you need creative storage solutions, mixing natural and ambient lighting, taking advantage of more space saving appliances, and adding personalised touches.
Some ideas to try include:
1. Putting an island in the centre of the kitchen that can provide freestanding storage that is also convenient from any spot in the kitchen.
2. Using a galley kitchen design in which the cabinets and appliances line up on either side of a corridor can work out very well for a small kitchen space.
3. Today’s appliance manufacturers have come up with more compact space-saving appliances make small kitchen design easier, such as refrigerators that are 24 inches deep instead of 30 inches deep, as well as appliances that can be hung underneath cabinets like microwaves.
4. Other small kitchen design tricks to create an eating area in the kitchen include using a drop table or a small sized round table with two small chairs that can be tucked into a corner. Or a built-in counter along the wall with chairs to provide an eating nook.
5. Another interesting challenge in small kitchen design is creating an illusion of space with under cabinet lighting or under the counter. With the proper type of lighting the kitchen can be made to appear larger and more pleasing.
6. The use of light coloured cabinets with glass doors.
7. Installing deeper counters that can accommodate more appliances and increase work space.
8. Flooring tiles can be placed on a diagonal, and in galley-style kitchen hardwood flooring can be run the length of the kitchen.
9. For storage you can hang up pots and pans. This is a perfect way to free up cabinet space, and they add a certain charm and character to your small kitchen design. The insides of cabinet doors can be used to hang up everything from utensils, oven mitts, and other miscellaneous items. Pantry storage with units that go all the way to the ceiling with the upper cabinets to provide more space for seldom used items while making the lower cabinets more accessible with rollout shelves, lazy susans, and tilt-out bins.
10. Install a large kitchen sink, since larger sinks are considered to be more practical than small sinks when it comes to cleaning pots and pans.
Remember most kitchens are small. When you look in kitchen design magazines you naturally notice that the kitchens featured are large and so you might think your small kitchen in inadequate. But good small kitchen design means being able to create space and incorporating ample storage facilities and being able to fit in all the necessary appliances.
Now I am the proud owner of a light oak kitchen with plenty of storage space, a slim granite worktop and light tiles on the floor. Thank you, Chris!
I suppose I'd better give the firm a plug now! Email them at info@countrykitchensofdevon.com They fit kitchens all over the UK.