Exciting New Promo from Miele - Available through The Kitchen and Bath People

Now through November 30th, Miele is offering two enticing specials each with a $1000 retail value.

With the purchase of a Miele refrigerator, freezer, or wine storage appliance + a Miele dishwasher, they will throw in a FREE S7 Tango vacuum cleaner.

With the purchase of a Miele ventilation hood + a Miele induction cooktop, they will throw in a free 11-piece cookware set compatible with your new induction cooktop! Now, these are good reasons to stay Clean and Green :).


Click here for information on induction cooking and why it's the safest, greenest stove-top cooking option out there.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this fabulous deal and live in North Carolina's greater Triangle area, give us - The Kitchen and Bath People - a call : 919-933-7855.

The Kitchen and Bath People's Product of the Week!

For the first "Product of the Week" I have chosen a warming drawer.

This one pictured above is by Miele, has a full extension drawer and allows temperatures ranging from 104-185 degrees F. This is a super handy addition for your kitchen; allowing you to warm up your dishes or keep prepared food warm as you're waiting for that last casserole to come out of the oven.

Okay, I'm going to try my best to keep up with this "Product of the Week" thing... I've even set up a recurring reminder on my calendar :).

Design Ideas for your Small Kitchen

Okay, so not everyone (correction... not many of us) has a large kitchen with ample storage, miles of counter space and king size appliances. So, how does one plan a kitchen to fit all the gadgets, tools, and appliances needed and still leave room to breathe? It comes down to creative storage and simplicity. Combining clutter-free storage solutions with a clean color palette will bring serenity to a potentially jumbled mess.

Europeans have been designing small spaces for a long time now; so I turned to Fagor, a Spanish manufacturer of appliances, for appliance solutions in a small space.

Three years ago, Fagor released their Design Cooking Centers which bundle ergonomics and storage to create an efficient, make-sense appliance unit. A great way to expand a small kitchen is by grouping large items together. The dishwasher storage center positions the dishwasher 18" above the floor and surrounds it with shelves and drawers for utensils, gadgets, dinnerware and cookware. The stainless steel finish is clean, simple, and goes with everything.

Fagor also carries 24" refrigerators (fridges are typically 30" wide and up) and handy little 12", drop in cooktops available in both induction and gas heat.

Keep the color scheme simple. I love this little kitchen with shelves that blend right into the walls, simple black cabinets, and a pop of pattern on the floor. The solid fields of color visually expand the space.

Cottage Living, Photo by Eric Roth

This sweet, mini kitchen feels larger with its clean white and wood tones palette. But, what I think is especially great (besides this most adorable hood) is the use of space under the stair way. They've squeezed in the refrigerator, wine storage, and a little pantry. The island is perfection... is that an old school drafting table? Love it! (Though, a word of warning, if you don't have room for an island, don't do it! You should have 42" between the edge of the island and the edge of any nearby counter top.)

Southern Living, Photo by Erik Johnson

Need flexible storage? I think roll away cart storage is a great idea. Pull it out exactly when and where you need it and tuck it away when you don't. I also enjoy this idea of hanging pans and other cooking tools in front of the window. Light still shines through, but this provides a quirky sort of privacy and is one less thing to be stored in your cabinets.

This Old House

Above, another fun and creative way to store cooking essentials, a pot rack made of copper pipes. Here's a link to instructions for this charming DIY project.

These are great ways to take a few bulky items off your counter tops. This built in spice shelf gives a nice custom look. Under cabinet lights highlight the varieties while illuminating the counter top. A magnetic, wall hung knife rack keeps your knives within arms reach but out of the way.

Cottage Living, Photo by J. Savage Gibson

Finally, I just had to throw this photo in here! Really, you can get pretty creative with storage. Give your kitchen some personality. No matter how small - you must always leave room for a piece of you. :)

If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen or bathroom and live in or near North Carolina's Triangle area, check out out website or give us a call at 919-933-7855. No project is too small, let's see what we can do for you!

Tax Credits Encourage Green Remodeling as part of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Did you know that "spending $10,000 to retrofit a 1960's home with energy efficient features could save 8.5 tons of carbon... by comparison, increasing the energy efficiency of a new home 35% over current state requirements would cost $5,000 and would only reduce emissions by 1.1 tons."* In conclusion, "retrofitting existing homes with energy efficient features is 4-8 times more carbon and cost efficient."* I guess this is due to the waste and pollution caused by new construction as well as the further diminishing of our ever shrinking, precious green spaces.

Well, there is good news for you home owners out there who want to reduce your carbon footprint as well as save dollars on your water and energy bills. If you've been watching or listening the the news lately you've probably heard a lot of talk about the United Nations Climate Change Conference currently under way in Copenhagen. Then adding to that, there's still constant chatter on the economy. To both combat climate change and stimulate the economy, through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, our states have been given money (our tax dollars) to provide tax incentives for purchasing and installing certain Energy Star appliances. This is being detailed and carried out by each individual state. You can find more information about these rebates by clicking here. North Carolina will begin phasing the rebate initiative in April of next year! If you happen to be in New York City over the holidays you can view Fagor's green kitchen installation at the Wired pop-up store through December 27. So far, the types of appliances that will qualify (that are of a particular interest to me) include Energy Star clothes washers, dishwashers, and refrigerators/freezers (there are of course others).This is Electrolux's front loading washing machine. Not only does it have the Energy Star label for its energy and water efficiency, my favorite feature is its 18 minute wash cycle!! AND it partner drier.... 18 minutes too! "Ready before you are."

All Miele dishwashers qualify for the Energy Star Program. The G 2002 Series uses only 5.1 gallons of water in the normal cycle, and a measly 1.2 gallons in the economy cycle. Above, take a look inside.

GE has a whole slew of Energy Star refrigerators. Above I've pictured there Profile model.

With the new year approaching, now is a good time to begin thinking about ways to decrease your carbon footprint. If you decided to do a complete kitchen or bathroom renovation, here are a few more green products (that do not qualify for the tax rebate) to give you "feel-goods" and maybe even lower some bills...

This is TOTO's Eco Promenade toilet and one of MANY water efficient models out there. The EPA has partnered with WaterSense to develop third party testing for water-efficient products. Toilets with the WaterSense-label use 32% less water and perform as well or better than non-labeled products. These save the average household 11 gallons of water per day!

Faucets can also earn the WaterSense label. This RSVP faucet by Brizo has earned the label due to it's laminar flow.

This beautiful surface is from the ECO line by Cosentino (makers of Silestone). These products incorporate recycled bottles, mirror, cystal ash and ceramic; they are non-porous products that will never need to be sealed; and installing it can contribute to 5 LEED points.

Not only can bamboo add beauty and visual interest, it is a highly renewable (aka. green) resource. Bamboo can be used for countertops, floors, accents, accessories, and much more!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com


*Nations Building News Online; Expanded Energy Tax Credit to Boost Demand for Renovation Jobs; February 16, 2009

Planning for Your Future with Universal Design : in the Kitchen

Last week I wrote about easy ways to incorporate universal design in your bathrooms. This week I want to expand on the subject and feature ways to make your kitchens more universally friendly. Kitchens have become the hub of our households, a place where members of all generations in the family convene. As such, kitchens should offer a friendly environment to all users. I want to re-emphasize the value added when taking a universal design approach in your remodeling project. Designing for the aging does not have to look geriatric, in fact the best universal design is one that goes unnoticed.

This side-opening oven by Fagor is so cool! (Pictured above are two, side-opening ovens, demonstrating the option for either door swing.) The design was a Merit Award winner in Interior Design Magazine's 2008 Best of the Year Awards. Its ability to install at any height, and the side swing door, keeps users from having to bend over a hot oven, reducing the risk of being burned. When paired with a pull out surface, like this one pictured on the left, moving your heavy casserole dish from the oven to a cooling surface is much easier.

Also, in regards to cooking appliances, consider an induction cooktop in a universal design, for their safety features. Click here to read about the benefits of induction cooking.


Pull down kitchen cabinet shelves are a convenient way to take full advantage of your upper cabinet storage. An accessible handle at the bottom allows you to easily bring those upper shelves down to your level, preventing anyone from having to stand on a chair (or the counter!) to get out the crock-pot, rarely used serving bowls...or whatever else might be storing up there. When the cabinet doors are closed, no one will know there's such a contraption hidden inside. Of course, I would not recommend displaying these behind glass doors.

Anything stored in typical base cabinets is usually going to be difficult to get out. Unless you're about 3' tall, a lot of crouching, bending, and digging is involved when attempting to access items from the depths of those spaces. Drawers are the best solution for the storage below your counters. All things kept inside are easy to find and retrieve. This drawer shown above even utilizes a sort of peg-board and dowel combination to keep things in their places, rather than letting them slide around every time you open the drawer.

Here's one more way to universalize the kitchen; think about integrating a table height surface (28-34" high) with clear space underneath that is at least 18" deep x 24" wide. This creates a useful multi-purpose surface. Not only can it become a place for snacks and homework, it can also function as a countertop where those bound to a wheelchair, or anyone who has trouble standing for an extended period of time, can sit and still help prepare meals.

You can also incorporate this idea under the sink. With a cute curtain draped underneath, you can create a European look and no one will ever recognize the sink to be ADA accessible. Also, notice the lever handle on the faucet (something I brought up when discussing universal bathroom design) and the bar pulls on the drawer. Levers and bars are easier for arthritic hands to grasp, as opposed to a knob shape.

Please feel free to comment on your successes with universal design!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com


Photo Credits: Photos 1 & 3 - fagoramerica.com; Photo 6: sachsenkuechen-usa.com; Photo 7: AccessibilityPro.com

What is Induction Heating?

Induction cooking is the latest and greatest technology for your kitchen stove top. Though it's been used in Europe for decades it has made its way to the states within only the past few years. Let me tell you (from a layman's perspective) how it works.

When a pan (of ferrous material, aka. magnetic) is placed on the induction surface, an electromagnetic field is created. ONLY the pan gets hot. Look at this demonstration by Fagor, a pioneer in bringing induction cooking to the United States.

As you can see, it is not the element but the pan that gets hot. When the pan is removed no more heat is generated. This is a great safety feature for parents who's kids enjoy helping in the kitchen. It's also convenient for sloppy chefs... spills won't cook into the glass surface leaving them easy to wipe up :).

Induction cooktops are also energy and time efficient. Because energy is produced only where the pan is in direct contact, induction cooking uses 85-90% of the energy produced where as a gas cooktop is only about 30-40% efficient and electric, about 70% efficient. Because heat is produced instantly, water can be boiling in less than half the time it takes on a gas or electric cooktop and a pan can be ready for sauteing your veggies within seconds. Due to it's speed and even cooking, induction has become a favorite method of cooking for professional chefs and home makers alike.

Several kitchen appliance manufacturers carry induction cooktops. One of the major draw backs to this technology is cost, so now some companies are coming up with ways to make induction more affordable, available, and flexible.

Meile's Combisets are a modular design allowing clients to mix-and-match cooking surfaces to suite their cooking preferences (the induction cooktop is used in the middle of this configuration). You can put together any number of surfaces too which is great for small spaces and/or families where all you may need is two burners for a functional kitchen.

Fagor's portable induction cooktops provide this technology where it wasn't previously available. Now you can cook with induction in a dorm room, on a boat, or in the back yard. With a retail value of $250, Fagor has made induction cooking affordable to most consumers.

If you use induction cooking, let us know what you think!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com


Image Credits: Image 1 - Gillian MacLeod for House Beautiful, Image 2 - fagoramerica.com, Image 3 - Meile, Appliances Catalog, Image 4 - macys.com

Sources:
www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/how-to-use/induction-cooking-troubleshooting?click=main_sr
Fagor; www.whatisinductioncooking.com
Meile; Appliances Catalog