Hello! During my shopping for my move, Target has been especially kind to me. I have gotten the most useful things from there, including pots and pans, Tupperware, a trash can for my kitchen and a bunch of other odds and ends to help fill up my apartment. And, I got all of the goods below for prices that I was comfortable paying, which made me happy. Moving has proven to be expensive (Surprise, surprise lol) so balling on a budget has been a necessity. So, thank you to Target for helping me get the following:
It’s hard to pick what I am most excited about from my Target haul, but I’d probably have to go with the box set of The Hunger Games, haha. I love those damn movies and books so much so when I found the set for TEN DOLLARS, I couldn’t pass it up! Plus, until I decide what entertainment subscription I want to get, I just plan on watching a movie when I have some time to sit and relax. So, this purchase will definitely help fill a random few hours or maybe even a whole day on the weekend for a marathon…and wine.
My other bigger buys include a folding shelving unit for my office, potentially, and a floor lamp, which will look really nice beside my TV set. As I mentioned in other haul posts, the lighting in my apartment sucks so finding floor and table lamps has been a major priority. I hate dull lighting so brightening things up is an absolute must.
And, finally, I love the armed pillow I got for when I’m reading and I also grabbed some bathroom supplies including three sets of a bath towel, hand towel, and wash cloth as well as a new scruffy and some Jergens. A more odds and ends purchase but they definitely needed to happen!
Which entertainment package are you subscribed to? How do you create good lighting in your home? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Interior design trends tend to sweep the world by storm. But, many of us feel reluctant to engage with them in fear that they will soon fizzle out and we will be left with a property that ends up looking a little dated. However, there are certain trends that have longevity to them and are actually beneficial in regards to more than mere aesthetic value! Reclaimed wood is likely to be one of these. If you’ve spent a little time browsing Pinterest boards or glossy magazines for interior design inspiration lately, chances are that you’ve seen the words “reclaimed wood” thrown about a fair amount – so what actually is reclaimed wood and should it be something that you’re paying attention to? Read on to find out!
Why Reclaimed Wood?
Reclaimed wood is essentially reused or recycled wood. It is wood that has a past and has previously been used in some way or another. Generally speaking, reclaimed wood that is used in interior design has already existed in a home elsewhere and can generally date back as far as the eighteenth century. So why use this wood with history? Well, there are various benefits that come hand in hand with it. The first, is that it tends to have a rustic look and feel to it. This can make your home feel more vintage or have a unique aesthetic. It also has environmental benefits. New wood (which is often unsustainably sourced) tends to contribute towards deforestation and habitat destruction. Why engage with this when there’s already perfectly good wood out there? Be careful to not mix reclaimed wood up with salvaged wood – this is wood that has been cut and stored for several years, but that has simply not been used. It is the interior design equivalent of deadstock vintage clothing.
Sourcing Reclaimed Wood:
It can be relatively difficult to guarantee that any reclaimed wood that you purchase is genuinely reclaimed wood. Some people have noticed that they can sell reclaimed wood at a higher cost, so will simply attempt to make new wood look a little distressed and pass it off as the real deal. To ensure that the reclaimed wood you are using is genuine and of good quality, use reliable suppliers like Manomin Resawn Timbers. They will be able to provide you with everything that you need!
Incorporating Reclaimed Wood Into Your Home:
Now, there are various ways that you can incorporate reclaimed wood into your home effectively. Some inspirational options include:
Hopefully, the above information has helped you to see some of the benefits of reclaimed wood and may have given you some inspiration to start incorporating it into your home!
There is no doubt that the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house, and if you are planning on redesigning yours in the near future, then you will want to ensure that it is as functional and attractive as possible. In this blog post, we are going to take a closer look at just a couple of the main ways that you can achieve these twin goals to create a room that you can be truly proud of:
Style and Design:
First, you need to choose between a vintage or a contemporary space, and whether it is going to be state-of-the-art or homelike. Remember, you want to choose a design which stands the test of time, as it is highly likely that you will be keeping it this way for many years to come.
Layout:
Once you have the design sorted, it is time to consider the layout in more detail. As a general design principle to follow, you should think of the room as a triangle of the fridge, the sink, and the stove or cooktop. If you plan this space well enough so that you can move between the points with ease, then this will make the whole meal preparation saga so much more straightforward.
Cupboards and Countertops:
Do you want to keep your current cupboards or would you prefer to refinish and reface them? Also, you should consider what types of cupboard are going to give you maximum storage space. After having the same cabinetry for a long time, it can be hard to imagine anything different. Visiting websites of companies that specialize in cabinets like Vitality Kitchens can really help spark inspiration. This will allow you to have a true visual of what your kitchen could look like!
As for the countertops, these will need to be able to withstand a great deal of wear and tear. So, as well as aesthetic appeal, you should also be thinking in terms of their physical features such as being water resistant and hard-wearing to get the most bang for your buck.
There are SO many different options for these types of fixtures that it can be hard to decide on anything at all. A major focal point like countertops and cabinets should be a decision that you make carefully. If this is a remodel you plan on doing, start looking for inspiration ASAP to narrow down your choices. You might want to browse through a supplier’s page like the Alps Craftsman website, Pinterest, or decor blogs to find the style that suits your space best.
New cupboards and countertops can truly make a kitchen feel like new again. You will want to choose colors and materials that will achieve the aesthetic you are looking for, so you will need to find a fabrication company to turn your dream into reality. A simple online search for ‘alexandria countertop company‘ or a similar search tailored to your area will connect you with local companies you can explore to weigh up your options. Furthermore, employees from the companies you choose can certainly help too if you lack inspiration but want a change.
Kitchen Devices and Appliances:
Whatever types of kitchen devices and appliances you choose will need to be long lasting. You should also consider energy efficiency, as this will help to make your household bills cheaper. Some of the essentials include a fridge (Check out Bosch Refrigerators for some good options!), a stove, and a microwave. But there are plenty of extras like wine cooling devices and dishwashers, which can help to make your life that little bit easier.
Lighting:
Without the right lighting, your kitchen area can end up looking drab and dingy. As well as the overhead lights, you should also check out the other kinds of task lighting like In-built uplights, which can make food preparation so much easier.
The Floor:
Every kitchen should have a floor which offers both style and elegance. But it should also have some practical features like being slip-resistant, easy-to-clean, and difficult to scratch and damage. You’ll be doing a lot of walking back and forth in the kitchen, after all!
Take your time when you are redesigning your kitchen, as you want to make sure that you get everything just right. These are a few of the key parts of the task that you have in front of you to give you a helping hand!
The best home renovation tasks will do a lot more than improve your home decor; they’ll add value to your property. As a homeowner, this should always linger in the back of your mind, as you never know when you may sell your home. One of the home improvement ideas that works very well is to build a new kitchen.
Yes, kitchen remodels are very popular for a multitude of reasons. They let you breathe new life into an old kitchen, modernize it, and improve the value of your home. And, as always, remodels are fun and let you explore your creativity. Even if you are not an HGTV level designer, you can still find plenty of inspiration through sources like BetterKitchens’ DIY Kitchens or Pinterest! Of course, there are a few things that you can do that will guarantee that your kitchen boosts property value as well as style. Here are some new ideas if you’re thinking about renovating your kitchen soon:
Induction Hobs:
Induction hobs are the future of kitchen design. Pretty much all new builds have them, and you’ve definitely seen them somewhere. Basically, instead of using the typical gas hobs with the flames, you now have a flat surface that’s powered by electricity. It’s way more modern, looks sleeker, and it’s also much easier to clean. All you need to do is use a wet wipe or something on the surface once it’s cooled down, and all of the oil spills will be gone.
So, it’s an aesthetically pleasing and practical option, but how does it add value to your home? Well, these hobs are way more energy efficient than traditional gas hobs and old electric ones. Here, all of the electricity that’s used will most likely be used on your pans. There’s hardly any energy leaks, meaning that you don’t waste electricity whenever you cook. You can learn more on thecaterer.com if you’re interested in knowing the finer details. As a result of this, your family can potentially save a lot of money and your property rises in value.
Everyone has a very important choice during the design process of their new kitchen. Which material will you use for the counter tops? Many people think this decision is easy, as you simply pick whichever one looks the nicest. However, if you opt for granite counter tops, then you could be adding something extra to your kitchen. There are dozens of benefits to granite counters, and you can head to Worldstonegroup.com to learn more about them. But, we only care about one; quality.
Granite is a material that’s naturally made and is extremely old. Why do people keep using it? Because it’s got such a high level of quality to it. A granite counter top is there for years. It will not break or scratch under regular kitchen conditions, and it adds timeless beauty to your home. One fun fact is that granite counters don’t depreciate in value. So, if you’re looking for smart kitchen ideas that help boost the value of your home, then this is one of them.
Space Saving Designs:
Let’s face it, we all want to have a big kitchen. However, not everyone has enough physical space for such a thing. What can you do about this? Well, when remodeling your kitchen, you can think about space-saving designs that help make your kitchen look and feel bigger. Specialists for kitchen cabinets in Denver or in your area can help you come up with clever planning and solutions to maximize space and storage even in a smaller kitchen.
Ideas can include things like having tall cupboards from floor to ceiling, instead of classic kitchen cabinets. Another idea that was seen on a forbes.com list is to design your kitchen with wall-mounted storage. This means hanging pots and pans on the wall, getting magnetic strips to put knives and things on, and so on. Doing this helps declutter your kitchen and saves a lot of space. The benefit of all of this is that bigger kitchens boost the value of your property if you were to list it on the market.
It can be difficult to imagine a kitchen with more space if yours is lacking it, which can make the design process feel daunting. Utilizing a company that specializes in 3d kitchen rendering services can really help with this. You will be able to design, plan, and visualize the changes before they even happen so your kitchen turns out exactly how you want it to.
Underfloor Heating:
Radiators, wall heaters – call them what you want, they’re a big pain in the backside. We need them to help heat the home, but they’re often terribly ugly. This isn’t a massive issue, as you can always buy some very nice, modern looking ones to replace ugly ones elsewhere in your home. But, when it comes to the kitchen, a radiator just takes up too much space. Not only that, but it’s not very effective and can be an issue. For example, if your radiator is close to the fridge, then it could disrupt the internal temperature. You’re much better off getting underfloor heating installed when you design your new kitchen.
It’s a modern idea, and underfloor heating is proven to be way more efficient and effective than traditional radiators. There’s a more even spread of heat throughout the kitchen, and your feet don’t feel cold on the tiles, either! If you’ve been paying attention to the rest of this article, then you can probably already tell why this will add value to your home. Having Underfloor Heating Kits installed saves energy as it’s more efficient, which is always a massive plus in the property value books. But, it also saves space in your kitchen, which we just mentioned was a great idea. And, finally, this upgrade certainly provides a wow factor when you are hosting. Your guests will always have toasty toes as they mingle in the kitchen with your newly installed Underfloor Heating.
If you want to improve your home decor, then think about remodeling your kitchen. When you do this, it’s important to consider design ideas that benefit you in more than one way to ultimately increase the value of your home.
Whether you prefer a vintage interior or a retro space; if you’re into everything kitsch, each room in your home should be able to reflect your style. Your kitchen (or kitschen) should be no different; as the heart of your home and where you’ll spend time cooking and hanging out, the space should exude your interior taste and any personal style elements that you enjoy. The following are some ideas to consider if you’re in the mood for an injection of kitsch character to your cooking environment:
Colorful Appliances: Nothing screams 1950s diner more than a large curved fridge in a bright or pastel hue. Your refrigerator doesn’t just have to be a functional item in your kitchen; it can become the focal point of the room and a joy to open when you’re craving a strawberry milkshake or a cola. If your budget doesn’t stretch to a shiny new fridge, then consider replacing some of your smaller appliances with colorful alternatives, instead. Toasters, food processors, and tea kettles are all items that will look great in a mint green, pastel pink, or candy-apple red shade. Do your research and bring a kitsch kick into your kitchen counter tops. For some tips on maintaining your new purchases, take a look here!
Your bowls, plates, glassware, and utensils don’t have to come in shy colors either. Think about investing in a polka dot range of silverware or a striped collection of cups and saucers. Display them all with pride on a vintage dresser or some shelves above your work surfaces. You can add even more vintage charm by incorporating any antique ornaments, old utensils, and postcards that you’ve picked up at a flea market. The possibilities are endless, because it’s all about adding what you love and running wild with your retro theme.
Fixtures And Fittings: A modern array of halogen lights and a sleek, stainless steel stove aren’t going to enhance a retro kitchen space, but are likely to do the opposite. So it’s worth taking a look around your cooking space and discovering what you can change so that it represents a kitsch character, and more importantly, your personal style. Consider looking at a range of sinks and think about replacing your basic steel basin with an old school-style ceramic one. The perfect choice for when you’ve got your gingham pinny on and you’re chopping up fruits for a salad. If replacing your hobs and stove isn’t an option for you, then you could look into having areas of them spray painted to give a colorful enamel finish. By the time you’ve surrounded it with all of your vintage accessories, it’ll look like a retro dream.
The lighting in your kitchen can be sourced and reclaimed from vintage stores and auctions. You’ll pay a fraction of the price of a brand new light fitting, and it’ll boast tons more character and charm. Get your polishing equipment at the ready and hunt down some personality-packed lampshades and lights for over your dinner table. Light switches and power points are also areas to consider when you want the design details in your kitchen to be a nod to kitsch charm. Look into brushed metal finishes and the shape of each fitting; paying attention to these little things will ensure that you’ll be baking your cupcakes in a kitsch environment that will keep you smiling.
A Splash Of Paint: If you’re not in the position to replace your appliances, fixtures, and fittings; a lick of fresh paint can go a long way and will add instant charm and character to a room, depending on which hues you choose. Painting the walls in a pastel, ice cream shade will create the perfect backdrop for your old enamel advertisements and signs, taking you back to a golden era every time you cook. For a bold choice, you could choose a primary color to paint on the walls, or perhaps you could have a feature wall, where the shelving that was mentioned earlier could go.
Update your tiles and flooring with fun shades of paint and be brave with your choices; it’s your ideal kitchen space, after all. Maybe you’ll be able to source a terracotta tile or two and collect some retro tiles and could craft a lively backsplash behind the sink or stove. The braver you are, the more creative you’ll be with your choices, and you’ll have your kitschy dream kitchen before you know it!
Don’t Forget the Outside:You want your kitchen to look great from the outside looking in too. Make sure to keep control of any bushes or trees outside its windows and you may want to consider new siding to make everything look really modern and clean. Use siding company, JD Hostetter.
Maintain your kitchen: When you’re designing a cute kitchen you won’t want to forget about those important maintenance checks. Here are a few pointers to help you:
Check your appliances to ensure that they are working correctly.
Deep clean your kitchen, including the oven.
Inspect the drain for foul smells or signs of blockage (you may require the help of a plumber).
If you’re using regular light bulbs, replace these with LED bulbs.
Ensure that any toxic materials are stored in a high cupboard.
Water your plants and replace them if necessary.
Simple tips like these will help you to keep your kitchen looking cute and fresh. Your kitchen is so much more than a place to cook, it’s a space for entertaining too. Looking after your home will help you to improve your lifestyle.
We all know one. In fact, we all wish we could be one! What am I talking about? I am, of course, talking about the health nuts that we all know and love. You know, the people that hit the gym on Christmas Day or don’t eat carbs, sugar, and everything else that tastes good. They are healthy, they are committed, and they are people that we all love and admire. The only problem most of us have with them is gift giving. Yep, there are only so many running shoes a person can buy, which makes getting them the perfect present tough.
But, fear not because we are here to help. So, put away the catalog and shutdown the laptop (after you read this!) because you can find out all you need to know underneath:
Air Fryer: Nope, it isn’t a new age device that belongs on the International Space Station. Although when you look it at, it does have a certain alien quality. An air fryer is a machine that makes the frying process healthier. In fact, according to some studies, it can reduce the amount of fat in a meal by three-quarters. That is a huge amount in anyone’s book, never mind a health-obsessed foodie! If you don’t know where to start, you can find a comprehensive list of the best value air fryers here. After all, you don’t want to give them a gift that isn’t up to standard.
Zoodler: What, you have never heard of a zoodler? Well, I can guarantee that your foodie friend has, and they will be delighted with your choice. In layman’s terms, a zoodler is a tool that strips vegetables into thin slices. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a zucchini or a potato because the effect is the same. Most people will wonder why this is even a thing. But, you have to get into your friend’s brain to understand the genius of this tool. Quite simply, it makes eating vegetables less daunting. Yep, that’s it! As it turns out, people are more likely to eat healthier if the portions are small and non-intimidating. And who doesn’t like the fun noodle shape?!
Oil Mister: Yes I would like some oil, please! Only joking. This, of course, isn’t someone asking if you would like oil (ba dum chhh). It is a small device that turns oil into a mist. What will they think of next? As it happens, oil isn’t very good for the human body when people like you and I fry it in a pan. In fact, it’s downright unhealthy. Even virgin oil in its regular form contains a lot of calories and fat. Any self-respecting health enthusiast can’t afford to consume more than necessary. And with a mister, they don’t have to any longer as the mist covers the food with just one spray. Because it cuts costs as well as calories, they’ll cherish this gift forever.
Finally, don’t forget about a slow cooker. A slow cooker is a great way to eat more vegetables, maintain nutrition, and avoid nasty additives. All in all, it’s a wonder appliance and your foodie friend will love you for it!
We should all cook to suit our individual tastes, but there are certain dishes where the cook simply needs to stay true to the dish; its reputation, its history and, for lack of a better word, its soul. If there’s one meal that falls into this category, it’s coq au vin. The chicken, the garlic, and the bottle of wine all need to be prepared in a certain way, even if it is just a chicken stew with a fancy name! Here are some pointers on how to prepare the perfect coq au vin:
The Chicken: The older the chicken, the richer the sauce will turn out. Talk to your butcher ahead of time to ensure that you get the perfect bird for the job. Tell them that you want a chicken that will be good for some long, slow cooking, and they may be able to order an extra-mature bird for you. The best places to look for these are generally farmer’s markets, traditional butchers, and online stores. You should always go free-range, as well. With regular access to fresh air, free-range birds develop stronger, thicker bones than any chickens kept indoors, and will therefore make for a better sauce.
The Wine: Many people think that the wine used in coq au vin is a negligible detail. Don’t believe them! Using a good quality wine in your cooking can make all of the difference to the taste, so go for a full-flavored, fruity wine rather than anything thin and lackluster. You don’t need to really push the boat out, even though some chefs will insist that you can only use a wine from Burgundy in this particular dish. If you can’t make heads or tails of wine in general, then do your homework before you run to the liquor store and buy a bottle! Here’s how you can open wine without a corkscrew in case you’ve forgotten this crucial detail! Yikes!
The Aromatics: The aromatics that go into your coq au vin are another very important detail that will hold a considerable sway over the overall taste. A lot of recipes that you’ll come across online will only call for onions and carrots, but we recommend adding celeriac and celery for their potent, earthy notes. Large French onions are an essential foundation for the actual stew. You can add little, tight-skinned onions near the end, but this ups the risk of you putting in too much or too little. A few bay leaves and some fresh thyme are the only herbs you’ll really need, but don’t be afraid to experiment.
The Bacon: Your coq au vin simply wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t have some strips of thick, juicy bacon to complement the chicken. The thin, common rashers you use in a fry-up will be way too thin. If you don’t manage to burn them when you’re preparing your stew, the meat will disintegrate in too much heat. Ideally, you should source a tough, solid lump that you can easily cut up into thicker strips. Most brands of pancetta will do nicely.
We can’t always be blessed with good health, and sometimes we can feel slightly neurotic if we keep having to make trips to the drugstore to pick up cough medicine, sleep aid tablets, and painkillers. So why not try your hand at making your own remedies at home? Often, our kitchen cupboards are filled with goodies which can send us to sleep, fix our warts, and ease us of pain:
Sooth a Cough: Sometimes the world can be a wonderful place, especially when dark chocolate is a cure for coughs. Research has suggested that eating our favorite treat can be even more effective at curing a cough than codeine. Turns out there is a silver, delicious lining to every cloud! To add to the sweetness, you can explore Manuka honey usage ideas as this can help sooth a pesky cough too. Manuka honey can reduce irritation and fights bacteria, making it an excellent natural remedy when you have a scratchy throat.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep: In order to stay healthy, we need to make sure that we are sleeping well. However, we’ve all been victim to laying awake all night thinking about every possible situation that could go wrong in our work or family lives. If you find it hard to get to sleep, try adding a spoonful of honey to an herbal tea about half an hour before you go to bed. The sugar will act as a sedative and allow you to slip into blissful slumber.
Warts & All: Warts are plain annoying; they are unsightly and sometimes painful. But, you don’t always need to go to a doctor to get them surgically removed. One method is to mix up baking powder and castor oil into a paste, rub it on the wart, cover with a bandage and leave overnight. Repeat as necessary. If you suffer from verrucas, here are 11 ways to remove Planter warts.
Upset Tummy: If you are feeling nauseous, sea, or motion sick, go on a hunt for some ginger. Ginger has been known for years and years to cure sickness and can be consumed in any number of ways. To make ginger tea at home, grate two teaspoons of fresh root ginger for every one cup of tea and boil. To drink, strain and add lemon and honey if you would prefer not to feel the heat.
Gas & Bloating: We’ve all been victim to bloating, and it usually happens when we have to look and feel our best at a wedding or at a big work presentation. For a simple fix, simply have a cup of green tea. For a caffeine free solution, opt for a steamy brew of peppermint, instead. Another remedy for both bloating and gas is to either chew or make a tea out of fennel, caraway, or dill seeds. Check out this page for a great fennel tea!
Urinary Tract Infection: UTIs are a common ailment among both men and women and is commonly cured by drinking cranberry juice or eating a handful of cranberries a day. These bright little berries aid in the relief of UTIs by not allowing the harmful bacteria to stick to the inside of your bladder or urinary tract. And, as an added bonus, it’s yummy!
Ailments can be crazy annoying, and if you’re not up for yet another trip to the nearest drug store, give some of the above a try!
You’ve probably realized that in life, there are things that we always get used to and it becomes second-nature to us or we take it for granted. For instance, if you’re sitting at a computer right now or using your smartphone to read this article, then there are probably some muscle-memory maneuvers that you’ve practiced over and over again which became so natural that you don’t even think about it.
This is just the result of our brain getting used to something. If we repeat a task long enough, it becomes something that we do without thinking. This is, sadly, something that can have both a positive and negative effect. The negative typically comes in the form of things that we do at home and most of the time it has to do with home repairs.
Think about your home and try to pinpoint some home repairs that you never got around to. That crack in the wall near your front entrance? Yes, the one you’ve hidden behind a painting for how long. Or what about the lower water pressure on one of the taps in your bathroom? You didn’t think it was much of an issue and you deal with it every morning, but is it really normal for a tap to dribble water like that instead of pouring it out? The answer is no, btw! Here are some things that you should look into getting fixed before it causes any more problems in your home:
Fixing things before they get too bad:
Faults around the home are often the result of some underlying issues. If left for too long, it could negatively effect our lives and even cause more damage than you’d expect. For instance, a leaky pipe might not be much of an issue now and you’ll probably deal with it by putting a dish underneath the pipe to collect the water, or you might take it a step further and plug the pipe with something. However, that doesn’t change the fact that you have a crack in the pipe that can grow larger and eventually cause a lot of damage to your entire plumbing system. A quick Google search of “plumbers near me” will reveal dozens of services that are more than willing to perform inspections and fix your issues, no matter how minor they seem. Just remember to take every home repair seriously so that they don’t spiral out of control.
Fixing things before you need them:
Remember that faulty air conditioner in your home that broke towards the end of last summer? Perhaps you haven’t used your air conditioning unit for a while because we’re only in spring, but why not fix it before summer comes? A broken air conditioner that spits out less air or isn’t as cool as it should be is a faulty one. Perhaps you didn’t mind because it was the tail end of summer and the days were getting shorter, but that doesn’t mean that you should leave it broken and force it to become part of your life. Change it! Simply enter a search for “heating and cooling minnesota” (or your local area) and book an appointment with a trusted team of experts. Never settle for broken or faulty appliances and always repair them to get the most value out of them and to prevent them from developing more faults!
In our day and age, it’s not uncommon for people to spend only the minimum amount of time possible in their kitchen. After all, all you need at the end of the day is to order a nice meal from your favorite takeaway place. Or is it really? As more and more young generations are moving back into the kitchen, they start a journey of discoveries with apprehension. In some families, young adults have never seen their parents cook besides using the microwave oven or the traditional oven to warm up pre-made dishes.
So, needless to say, it can be a little overwhelming at first to adjust to the idea of becoming a perfect little cook. But don’t let fear blind you: You can easily manage the flow of the operations in your kitchen. All you need is to ensure that the room has all you need, give it some personality with confidence-boosting gadgets, and learn all of the simple tricks that can save the meal. Ready, steady, cook.
Unless you have designed your kitchen specifically for your needs, it’s likely that it doesn’t completely suit you. Whether it looks dated or isn’t truly functional, there are a few tips that you can borrow from professional designers to improve your kitchen for good. For a start, your workplace needs to clean, clear, and roomy. This is the area where you will be preparing your food, so it’s worth considering a looksee into a new counter top.
Light is also important in your kitchen; you need it as part of your cooking process – cooking in a half dark room isn’t the guarantee of a successful meal. The easiest solution is to add lights underneath your cupboards. This will change the way you approach food! Finally, you can’t cook without electricity. Some recipes need a few sockets to plug your food processor, mixer, electric whisk, etc. In short, you need a kitchen with plenty of power sources for a power cooking sesh.
Give yourself a little boost of confidence:
Remember, the best way to make friends with your kitchen again is to begin to like it. Turning a functional space into a peaceful and loving area can seem a little difficult, but all you need is to surround yourself with things that you love. If pink is your favorite color, why not use it to paint the kitchen? Or maybe you could hang photos of your loved ones on the walls, as a silent word of encouragement. If you are looking for ways to engage positively with cooking, you could check the apron collection on https://www.chefworks.com. They are cute and bring a touch of originality to the room. When you begin to love your kitchen again, you will feel a lot more confident with the idea of cooking in it.
Impress effortlessly… but don’t let them know:
If you are not an experienced cook, you may want to start with simple recipes. There’s no shame in it! http://www.marthastewart.com has plenty of impressive looking dishes that are dead simple to prepare. From a steak with a wine sauce and a dauphinoise recipe to a yummy asparagus risotto, there are plenty of easy recipes that look amazing. You’ll never say no to a night of cooking at home or entertaining friends and family again. Just be sure to invite us to your next dinner party!
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