Archive for the 'Home Improvement' Category
Feb
12
A DIY fire pit creates a welcoming outdoor retreat
February 12, 2020 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – The outdoor living trend continues to flourish with homeowners desiring exterior spaces that are beautiful and inviting while also increasing a property’s overall value. Providing a gathering place and focal point for the yard, fire pits …
Feb
11
Hottest kitchen trends from KBIS 2020
February 11, 2020 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Today’s home chefs want — and expect — more from their kitchens than ever before. To optimize their culinary and entertaining skills, they seek exciting new ways to push the boundaries of what they can do at home. These forward-thinking cooks also aim to prepare meals efficiently, using the best high-tech advances available. In fact, a new study conducted by The Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence reveals that kitchen designers have seen increased demand for dual-fuel appliances in the past year and that convection and induction cooking are on the rise.
Kitchen innovations on display at North America’s premier kitchen design show, the 2020 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, offer a window on the latest technology to help home chefs achieve their culinary dreams.
As best-selling cookbook author, educator and host of the “True to Food” film series, Mark Bittman observes, “The more people cook, the more interested people become in their kitchens. When you’re interested in your kitchen, you’re exploring: What can make this easier? What can make this more fun? What can make me a better cook? Appliances are certainly a part of that.”
Top appliance makers are bringing elements of professional-quality kitchens into the home, with some now catering to a new generation of forward-thinking home chefs known as “Technicureans.”
Sous vide cooking
Once limited to professional chefs, sous-vide is a cooking technique that utilizes precise temperature control to deliver consistent, restaurant-quality results. Sous-vide has been the go-to method in some of the world’s best restaurants for years, and for good reason: it brings food to the precise temperature chefs look for and delivers perfect doneness, edge-to-edge, every time for a variety of foods like steak, chicken, fish and more.
Luxury kitchen appliance brands are bringing sous-vide to home chefs. For example, Signature Kitchen Suite offers the industry’s first pro-ranges with built-in sous-vide right on your cooktop — in addition to induction and gas — culinary game-changers for today’s foodies. With these 48- and 36-inch dual-fuel pro ranges and even new rangetops with built-in sous-vide, more individuals can bring restaurant-quality results to their home kitchens.
Cutting-edge food storage options
The best chefs start with the freshest ingredients. That’s where the importance of food storage comes in.
Don’t want cool air escaping while finding what you want in the fridge? With InstaView technology from LG, knock twice on the glass panel to see inside before opening.
You can also store frequently used items in an adjustable bin; the Door-in-Door design lets you keep cold air in while quickly selecting them.
Mixology mastered
Whether you love crafting cocktails or just want unique ice options, the InstaView Refrigerator with Craft Ice is the first to create automatically large, slow-melting spherical ice, without the hassle of molds. At two inches in diameter, Craft Ice enables you to keep your drink at the perfect temperature without watering it down. You can also choose cubed or crushed ice.
Its new water dispensers also accommodate just about any size glass or bottle. Use the Measured Fill feature to dispense exact amounts of filtered water (4, 8, 16 or 32 ounces).
Smart technology
A top trend seen in many KBIS 2020 kitchen appliances, including dishwashers, refrigerators and ovens, is more precision in terms of automation, plus connectivity to consumers.
Top appliances today use the latest technology to calculate the exact amounts needed for each task, whether that means specific detergent amounts, humidity or temperature controls.
Thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity, many manufacturers make it possible for you to control and monitor your smart appliances from anywhere, using your virtual assistant or phone.
Sink innovations
Kitchen designers also showcased innovations to help home cooks clean up and access water quickly and easily. The Best of KBIS 2020 includes everything from the latest in pull-out or pull-down faucets, faucets that respond to voice commands, advanced water filtration systems and sinks that double as work stations.
Outdoor cooking options
Another trend celebrated at KBIS 2020 is the elevation of the outdoor grill. Certainly not your father’s grill, the latest models for outdoor cooking are not only elegant and sturdy in construction, but also allow for cooking at different levels, with the ability to vary the distance between the food and the heat source.
To learn more about 2020 kitchen innovations, visit LG.com and SignatureKitchenSuite.com.
Feb
11
Hottest kitchen trends from KBIS 2020
February 11, 2020 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Today’s home chefs want — and expect — more from their kitchens than ever before. To optimize their culinary and entertaining skills, they seek exciting new ways to push the boundaries of what they can do at home. These forward-thinking cooks also aim to prepare meals efficiently, using the best high-tech advances available. In fact, a new study conducted by The Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence reveals that kitchen designers have seen increased demand for dual-fuel appliances in the past year and that convection and induction cooking are on the rise.
Kitchen innovations on display at North America’s premier kitchen design show, the 2020 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, offer a window on the latest technology to help home chefs achieve their culinary dreams.
As best-selling cookbook author, educator and host of the “True to Food” film series, Mark Bittman observes, “The more people cook, the more interested people become in their kitchens. When you’re interested in your kitchen, you’re exploring: What can make this easier? What can make this more fun? What can make me a better cook? Appliances are certainly a part of that.”
Top appliance makers are bringing elements of professional-quality kitchens into the home, with some now catering to a new generation of forward-thinking home chefs known as “Technicureans.”
Sous vide cooking
Once limited to professional chefs, sous-vide is a cooking technique that utilizes precise temperature control to deliver consistent, restaurant-quality results. Sous-vide has been the go-to method in some of the world’s best restaurants for years, and for good reason: it brings food to the precise temperature chefs look for and delivers perfect doneness, edge-to-edge, every time for a variety of foods like steak, chicken, fish and more.
Luxury kitchen appliance brands are bringing sous-vide to home chefs. For example, Signature Kitchen Suite offers the industry’s first pro-ranges with built-in sous-vide right on your cooktop — in addition to induction and gas — culinary game-changers for today’s foodies. With these 48- and 36-inch dual-fuel pro ranges and even new rangetops with built-in sous-vide, more individuals can bring restaurant-quality results to their home kitchens.
Cutting-edge food storage options
The best chefs start with the freshest ingredients. That’s where the importance of food storage comes in.
Don’t want cool air escaping while finding what you want in the fridge? With InstaView technology from LG, knock twice on the glass panel to see inside before opening.
You can also store frequently used items in an adjustable bin; the Door-in-Door design lets you keep cold air in while quickly selecting them.
Mixology mastered
Whether you love crafting cocktails or just want unique ice options, the InstaView Refrigerator with Craft Ice is the first to create automatically large, slow-melting spherical ice, without the hassle of molds. At two inches in diameter, Craft Ice enables you to keep your drink at the perfect temperature without watering it down. You can also choose cubed or crushed ice.
Its new water dispensers also accommodate just about any size glass or bottle. Use the Measured Fill feature to dispense exact amounts of filtered water (4, 8, 16 or 32 ounces).
Smart technology
A top trend seen in many KBIS 2020 kitchen appliances, including dishwashers, refrigerators and ovens, is more precision in terms of automation, plus connectivity to consumers.
Top appliances today use the latest technology to calculate the exact amounts needed for each task, whether that means specific detergent amounts, humidity or temperature controls.
Thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity, many manufacturers make it possible for you to control and monitor your smart appliances from anywhere, using your virtual assistant or phone.
Sink innovations
Kitchen designers also showcased innovations to help home cooks clean up and access water quickly and easily. The Best of KBIS 2020 includes everything from the latest in pull-out or pull-down faucets, faucets that respond to voice commands, advanced water filtration systems and sinks that double as work stations.
Outdoor cooking options
Another trend celebrated at KBIS 2020 is the elevation of the outdoor grill. Certainly not your father’s grill, the latest models for outdoor cooking are not only elegant and sturdy in construction, but also allow for cooking at different levels, with the ability to vary the distance between the food and the heat source.
To learn more about 2020 kitchen innovations, visit LG.com and SignatureKitchenSuite.com.
Feb
4
From traditional to contemporary: Discover farmhouse design for any style
February 4, 2020 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Think you’re stuck with rustic and shabby chic with farmhouse designs? Think again. These examples prove farmhouse provides a timeless look that can be customized with interesting elements that showcase your preferred design aesthetic — f…
Feb
4
From traditional to contemporary: Discover farmhouse design for any style
February 4, 2020 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Think you’re stuck with rustic and shabby chic with farmhouse designs? Think again. These examples prove farmhouse provides a timeless look that can be customized with interesting elements that showcase your preferred design aesthetic — f…
Feb
3
Tips to stay warm and safe from carbon monoxide
February 3, 2020 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – As temperatures drop and we crank up the heat or turn to alternative power sources, the risk for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning significantly increases. Often dubbed “the silent killer,” CO is an invisible and odorless gas that is impossible to detect without a CO alarm.
Recent surveys revealed more than 40% of American homes do not have CO alarms, and nearly two-thirds of homes do not comply with established CO alarm recommendations. According to the National Fire Protection Association, CO alarms should be installed on each level of the home, including the basement, and near every sleeping area.
Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning, so it’s vital to be prepared and aware! As one of America’s favorite TV first responders, actor Taylor Kinney knows the importance of practicing and maintaining proper home safety precautions, which is why he is partnering with First Alert to share important messages about home safety.
“You never think your home will be the one to catch fire, but then it happened to me,” said Kinney. “It’s the same with carbon monoxide, which is why educating the public about CO is so important. The danger CO can cause in your own home is real, and the only way people can protect themselves is with an alarm.”
Here are tips on how to avoid this preventable risk:
Hidden threat
Carbon monoxide can be produced from any fuel-burning device, such as furnaces, boilers, stoves and even cars. It is important to have appliances inspected annually and never use a generator indoors or anywhere CO can collect. Also, be mindful of the garage. Never leave a car running in a garage, even if the door is open, as fumes can leak into the home.
Know the symptoms
CO poisoning is notoriously difficult to diagnose. Because you can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, you might not recognize the symptoms of CO poisoning, as they can be confused with those of the common cold or flu, such as nausea, headaches, dizziness and weakness.
Take action
Equipping your home with working CO alarms is the only way to detect this poisonous gas. For premium protection against both fire and CO, install combination alarms for 2-in-1 protection, such as the First Alert 10-Year Battery Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm, which eliminates battery replacements for a decade. Once installed, maintenance is key. Remember to test your alarms regularly and replace alarms at least every 10 years. If CO symptoms appear, or if an alarm sounds, move to fresh air immediately and then call 911.
Establish a family emergency plan
Knowing — and practicing — what to do in the event of an emergency is crucial. Develop a plan in case of a fire or CO incident. This includes designating an outside meeting place a safe distance from the home and, once safely outside, calling 911. If CO symptoms appear, or if an alarm sounds, get everyone outside to fresh air immediately. Once out, stay out until the home is cleared and safe to re-enter.
For more information, visit www.firstalert.com.