Kitchen Makeover Tips Archives - Simply Trini Cooking

Housecleaning Shortcuts that Slash Your Time

March 3, 2015 by 4dm1n Leave a Comment

Sometimes it seems like housecleaning is a never-ending, time-consuming chore. Just when we thought we had a day or two off from work, then we have to spend our free time cleaning instead. However, housecleaning doesn’t have to consume your free time. With some clever ideas and time-saving actions, you can slash your cleaning time and have time to spend with your family doing the things you enjoy the most.

Six (6) Housecleaning Tips

1. Instead of spending an entire day or weekend cleaning, clean half the house, or one story of a two-story, on one day or afternoon; clean the other half or other story on another afternoon. Reserve a block of time for the attic, basement, or garage.

2. Try dusting cloth lampshades with a lint roller. It works quickly and effectively and you don’t have to drag out the vacuum and hook up the hoses and attachments. And old sock slipped over your hand makes a great dusting cloth to dust furniture with while cleaning the shades.

3. Newspaper works great for cleaning mirrors and windows. You’ll not only be saving money on paper towels, but you’ll be creatively recycling at the same time. Vinegar is an affordable and effective cleaner that can be used on windows and mirrors, and if you wait for an overcast day to clean your windows and mirrors, you’re less likely to have streaks.

4. Soak your toilet with a deep cleaning bowl cleanser while cleaning the outside. The inside dirt and stains will be loosened and more easily cleaned. By using a drop-in cleaner, you can extend the time between scrubbings.

5. Use a baking soda solution to wipe down the inside of the refrigerator. It scrubs and eliminates odors without damaging surfaces.

6. When you begin cooking, run a sink of hot soapy water, and wash as you go. Food on dishes won’t have a chance to harden, and you’ll be that much ahead when the meal is done. Make sure you’ve got plenty of paper plates and disposable flatware and cups on hand for those nights when your evening schedule is jam-packed with activities

Keep Your Kitchen or Dining Room Table Clutter-Free

March 3, 2015 by 4dm1n Leave a Comment

Kitchen or dining room tables can easily become a catch-all for everyone’s belongings. Mail, school books, car keys, pens, pencils, and other miscellaneous items can quickly appear, and at dinnertime, end up in a large pile of clutter somewhere else in your household.

To curtail this habit, try organizing a central area for everyone’s belongings right inside the door to your house. Install hooks on the wall so that purses, coats and backpacks can easily be hung upon entry. A bench or short shelf can be placed directly underneath the hanging area for clearly labeled catch-all bins for each member of the family. This will also help during the course of the day when picking up around the house. Items found around the house can be placed in these bins, and each family member should get into the habit of making sure items are emptied from the bins and properly put away each evening.

DiningRooms3

Pictures courtesy www.photobucket.com

If your kitchen table doubles as an arts and crafts studio or location for your kids to do their homework, make sure that there are bins, shelves and containers nearby that neatly organize school, office and arts supplies, and keep them within easy reach. Help establish good habits in your children by ensuring they are held responsible for putting these things away as soon as they are done using them. Make sure snacks are kept on plates and drinks are kept on coasters to ease cleanup time.

A nicely decorated table spread is also an ingenious way to keep the table from becoming cluttered. Spread a nice tablecloth and place a large centerpiece on it, or even set four or six formal place settings on a dining room table that is not used for meals each evening. Your family will be less likely to lay things on these tables since they can see there are already things there. You’ll also be ready for company at the last moment this way.

Simplify Your Life, Organize Your Kitchen

March 2, 2015 by Jane Leave a Comment

The Kitchen is the busiest room in the house. It is multifunctional,: from cooking and entertaining to a place for your kids to do their homework, play board games or work on their arts and crafts projects. Thus, it can be easily overrun with art supplies, scrap paper, scattered cook books, old mail, outdated spices and unused or damaged utensils. This could make a kitchen look very untidy. Tidying up is quite easy if you follow the following steps.

1. Keeping the kitchen neat could indeed be a chore. However, it is quite easy to tidy up. Go through your kitchen and discard anything you don’t use, along with any food, spices or medicines kept in the kitchen that are beyond their expiration dates. Then take everything out of your cupboards and drawers, and wash the insides with warm soapy water. Rinse, let dry and replace cupboard and drawer liners with fresh, new ones.

2. Next, organize your pots, pans and cooking utensils. Pots, pans and cooking utensils should be stored together near the stove for ease of access and to conserve space. Make sure each one you choose to keep has a matching lid. Do make sure that the handles are securely fastened, so keep a screwdriver handy to tighten down skillet handles or pot lids if necessary.

kitchen mat

3. Next, keep your dishes and silverware near your eating area or your dishwasher to shorten meal preparation or cleanup time. Plastic storage containers should be inventoried to ensure each has a matching lid and that they are free from cracks or other damage. Store them near your refrigerator to ease meal cleanup time.

4. Alphabetize your spices and keep them near the stove on a spice rack or in a nearby cupboard on a revolving rack.

5. Store food items that you use on a daily in a place you can easily grab them when needed. Organize your pantry so that similar canned goods are in the same place and can be found easily when it’s time to cook meals. Make sure your children an easily reach items they use on a regular basis, and make sure items such as knives, scissors, and household chemicals are out of reach and secured in a locked cabinet. Utilize airtight food storage containers to lengthen the shelf life of your foods.

6. If you have small appliances on your kitchen counter-top that you don’t use on a regular basis, remove them and store there in a nearby cupboard or pantry. A counte-rtop storage cabinet for those appliances that are used on a regular basis keeps them out of sight and helps reduce the counter top clutter.

Fun Ways to Display Your Favourite Photos

March 2, 2015 by Felix Leave a Comment

You can add a touch of flair and personal style to any room with your photos of family, friends and favorite places. You can make this project a personal one by creatively displaying your treasured pictures. Here are six fun ways to display your favourite photos.

1. Consider the vibrancy of the image. One of your favorite photos might be a large group picture, but it may not actually display well when hanging on a wall. Save that one for the scrapbook. Look for pictures that have vibrant images that convey a message or a thought.

2. Bring older photographs to life with the advances in photographic reproduction technology.

3. If you have a favorite old photo that’s fading, or has been damaged or crinkled through the years, take it to a photo shop to have it restored and reprinted. You might even be able to do this yourself at home with photo imaging software. You might want to consider added a special effect, enlarging or cropping the photo differently to add a new perspective to a familiar photo.

4. Mix frames of different styles and sizes. It will add a fun look to the display; however this will take some planning and forethought. Lay the framed photos on a tabletop or the floor and rearrange until you find a workable arrangement, then employ a friend or family member’s help when measuring and preparing to mount on the wall. Have your level ready to be sure that a picture that looks straight actually is straight.

5.Photos don’t have to be limited to the walls. Tabletops, desktops, bookshelves, and your family entertainment wall unit are all great places to add a picture frame. Even a dressing screen can make a clever and unique backdrop.

fun ways to display your favourite photos

photos courtesy www.photobucket.com

6. You can even decoupage photos onto a table lamp base or mirror frame for an added jazzy effect. And by using fabric transfer sheets, you can even transfer a favorite photo onto a pillowcase or wall hanging. Photo collages of friends or family members make great placemats. Simple arrange and laminate. This is also a great way to hang a collage on the wall or corkboard above your desk or in your office. Individual laminated photos can be affixed to magnets to put on the refrigerator and other metal surfaces in your home.

Cooking Appliances

October 4, 2014 by Felix Leave a Comment

One of the most important appliance in the kitchen is the cooking applicance. So if you are remodeling and your own an old cooking appliance you will most likely have to buy another. Here are the choices you will face.

Cooktops

The average cooktop is 30 inches wide with four heating elements, but you will find cooktops varying in size and shape. Also the syle and placement of the burner also vary. . Cooktops fit in open cut spaces on a countertop. Most cooktops are electric. They are easy to install and easy to clean.. However, some are fueled with gas, making it easier for the cook to regulate the flame. Gas cooktops are more expensive than electric cooktops..

This GE gas cooktop has four different burner sizes that makes it easy to adjust the flame.

Electric cooktop

Ovens
Ovens are also fueled with gas or electricity. Some have dual capacity. gas tops and an electric oven for baking. There are wall ovens that can be mounted in a wall, under a countertop, or be part of a range. Wall oven make a nice design in kitchens where it is installed in the wall or stacked one above the other. A wall oven cabinet does not suit small kitchen. It bulkiness can be very overwhelming in a small room.

A wall oven, as seen above, is separated from the cooktop. It is installed within kitchen cabinets. The cooking process has two distinct work stations, thus making this type of suitable for larger kitchens and easier for multiple cooks in the kitchen at one time. This is one option of wall oven; you can choose a single wall oven or a double wall oven. A single wall oven can certainly meet daily cooking needs, and can add even more convenience by ensuring both the microwave and oven are located together.

Conventional oven are traditional ovens that relies on radiant heat (drawing heat from bottom to top). Most people prefer the convection ovens, electric elements along with a fan. The fan help circulate hot air and cook the food quickly and more evenly. For this reason, you will have to adjust cooking temperature and time as normally stated in most recipes. The convection oven is fuel efficeint.

Ranges

Free standing ranges still rule. You have a choice between electric or gas; though electric is more popular today. The smoothtops are also most prefered. A Range takes up the least room in the kitchen and cost less than a separate cooktop and wall oven. Most ranges are 30 inches wide with four burners and a single oven. Today some could be as wide as 60 inches. Some ranges are dual-fuel, with a gas cooktop and electric oven.

With all these options for cooking appliances, you should consider the following features when you are looking for a new oven.

Electric controls.
Touch pads are easier to clean than knobs
Temperature setting can be entered into a computerized control system
Electronic controls programmable; specific cooking functions
Oven lights
Self-cleaning mode

Decorating Your Dining Room on a Budget

August 1, 2014 by Felix Leave a Comment

There are a number of different ways for decorating a dining room to give it a whole new lease on life, without breaking the bank.

1. Cover the table with some fabric in order to hide any ugly surfaces. You could then use the colors in the fabric as the basis for the new décor for the room.

2. The use of inexpensive accessories will help to change the whole appearance of your dining room. Get some candles and candleholders in order to provide a different look and feel to your room.

3. Why not make a wall hanging for the room. If you can, purchase some Chinese posters (these are inexpensive) as they are easy to turn into wall hangings.

4. Why not see if where you live have a furniture bank. This is where you can arrange to drop off any old pieces of furniture that you have and no longer want. Then all you need to do is choose a piece from what they have there to replace the piece you have donated. You may find the ideal dining table and chairs that you want for the theme of your room.

5. The rule of three. Instead of placing items together as even numbered groups, do it in odd numbered groups instead. Where 2 candlesticks together look symmetrical, by adding a bowl or another smaller candlestick holder, you will give the element of surprise. Plus, by mixing colors and textures in order to form groups of three in a room, it will provide you with a whole new look also.

6. As previously mentioned, when looking to redecorate your living room, move the furniture. You can also do this in your dining room. Instead of the table being horizontal to the walls, why not place it in the room at an angle (but make sure you have enough space to walk round it). Also, move any cupboards etc., away from walls, and instead place these in corners of the room at angles. By doing this, you are giving your dining room a whole new look.

7. Why not build and attach a fold down shelf to one of your dining room walls? It will certainly make it easier for you when entertaining, and can be used as a buffet area also.

8. How about giving your dining room cabinets a new lease on life and paint them to accentuate the color of the room? Check at your local paint supply store or DIY store, as well as online for advice on how to paint unusual surfaces.

9. Use a mirror in order to create light and space in your dining room. Frame one in such a way that it creates a mock window. You could even use one by placing it behind some artistic belongings in order to highlight them from all sides.

10. If your dining room chairs are looking a little tired and dated, then cover them with slipcovers…why not try making some covers yourself? Why not purchase another tablecloth or two that matches the one you use for your table, and upholster them in this as well?

11. Finally, why not repaint the room? You do not need to do the whole room, just paint one or two walls with an accent color. Maybe go for a color which will accent all the various aspects of the room, and integrates well with any soft furnishings that you have.

5 Kitchen Appliances You Must Own

April 9, 2014 by Jane Leave a Comment

A functional kitchen is a joy to work in. Even better when the kitchen is stocked with a few good kitchen appliances that make working in the kitchen easier. These kitchen appliances can also help make a simple kitchen look modern. Now, you don’t have to own all, but a display of one of these attractive modern appliances can really boast the look of any kitchen. Here are five appliances you must own to get that modern look in your kitchen.

1. Food Processor. A food processor can be a very handy tool in the kitchen. It chops, minces,shreds, slices, dices, and purees in seconds No need to cut up the vegetables on a cutting board. If you like cooking for a party, preparing the meal could take forever. A food processor can save a lot of time. They also come in a variety of sizes and speeds. You will not have trouble finding a food processor to suit your needs.

The amazing Black and Decker 10-cup food chopper.

2. Smoothie Maker. This small appliance can definitely replace the blender for making drinks. The are compact and offers convenient servings. Most smoothie makers can mince, dice, chop, blend and puree uniformly. Some come in attractive colours that could go with your decor.

Two different brands of smoothie makers are the Back to Basic and Oster blender. They come in lively colours as well.

3.Automatic Coffee maker. Get rid of that old coffee percolator. The latest coffee makers can turn on in the morning automatically. You can wake up to the rich aroma of freshly ground brewed coffee. Coffee makers such as the Cuisinart Grind and Brew are a beautiful addition to any kitchen and are graceful looking. Generally, coffee makers come in many different sizes, from a four cup to a twenty-cup capacity. They also come in various colours (red, blue, pink and stainless steel) to match your decor. Now you just have to remember to buy the coffee.

4. Ultra Mixer. You can now replace that tiny hand mixer and get the ultimate stand mixer. One of the best in the market is the KitchenAid mixer which comes in a a rainbow of hues and thus can complement any decor. They are the ultimate mixer with a lot more capacity and power than the regular hand mixers. You would be glad to know that they are getting more and more affordable making it possible for more households to own an ultra mixer.

5. Bread Machine. With so much less time on our hands these days a bread machine is one that you cannot do without. Today’s bread machine can help you make the most delicious bread, pizza, and even cake. It is convient and can help you save a lot of time so you can do other things.

The Zojirushi bread maker is one of the most popular breadmakers.

A Greener Home

March 4, 2014 by Felix Leave a Comment

We all would like to live in an eco-friendly home where we live in harmony with the enviroment. In the home we can begin the drive for an environment where we can begin to contribute towards achieving an ecological balance with the earth. The kitchen is a great place to begin.

The kitchen is the place where most of our wastage begins. So it is a great place to begin the “Reduce Reuse Recycle” principle. From there, you can progress to the other rooms in the homes. When it comes to interior decorating you can first consider the various energy-saving practices. There are lots of energy efficient appliances you can use in the home.

Next you can consider using materials (including chemicals) that are eco-friendly and toxin free. Purchase materials that is eco-safe, easy to clean, and use eco-friendly home cleaners to keep them looking good. Amazingly you will soon notice that an eco-friendly home is a cost efficient home. Yes, initially it can be a bit costly, but in the future the cost falls. You can save as much as 40% when it comes to your electricity bill, 50% on water consumption, and spend less time doing activities that requires you to maintain and repair your home because fixtures and plumbing is very efficient.

Next you can add a little plant life to your living space. It can be very motivating and attractive as well. Many herbs can be place in attractive pots and placed on window stills or close to windows on the counter.

An eco-friendly home has lots of beneficial effects. It can improve the overall health and well-being of families. It is also a very financially sound idea. However, above all, eco-friendly homes are more secure and safe.

Amazon.com Widgets

Allowing as much light into the room can help you save on electricity. Take advantage of daylight to light up your kitchen. A sun roof in the kitchen is also a brilliant idea.

Window treatment can also be used when privacy is an issue.

There are natural and beautiful options for countertops Above, is granite. Other options are wood, concrete and ceramic tiles.

Choose flooring that help conserve natural resource.

Tiles for backsplashes can be made from recycled materials. The ideas for your whole kitchen can be durable, can make them functional, eco-safe, and beautiful.

Bamboo Kitchen Accessories – The Love of all that’s Natural –

January 31, 2014 by Felix Leave a Comment

I love the look and feel of bamboo. It’s use for many kitchen accessories have transformed many kitchens into functional, beautiful and Eco-friendly spaces. Bamboo is a natural alternative for wood, it is widely available in the tropics, it grows fast and it requires no special care to help it grow. This hard word is a natural and ideal material. For third world countries, it is definitely a plus towards encouraging an Eco-friendly environment and promoting a responsible use of natural resources.

Today, you can find a wide assortment of kitchen accessories in bamboo. Many companies, such as Totally Bamboo, have made it their its goal to produce the highest quality bamboo products. The material is safe, easy to keep clean, durable (stronger than even stainless steel), and attractive. Wood is prone to growing bacteria; but the impervious nature of the surface of bamboo makes it resistant to heat, absorbing water, fat from meat and thus would not harbor bacteria. Also, unlike wood, Bamboo would not crack or change colour.

Your food is kept safe with bamboo spoons and spatulas. They are used to make dish racks, storage boxes and organisers, serving ware, plates, dishes, kitchen tools and utensils, and even chopsticks. The range of bamboo products now available is remarkable and totally encourages everyone to become environmentally conscious. So, if you are searching for new kitchen accessories, consider the beauty, safety and durability of bamboo.

Here are some bamboo products for your kitchen.

Kitchen Floor Mats: Beautiful and comfortable displays

November 24, 2013 by Felix Leave a Comment

Inspiration can be shown in many ways and in the most unlikely of items, such as the kitchen mat. Kitchen mats can be very useful in interior decoration. It can help transform a simple or even unattractive kitchen into a memorable one, and at the same time offer comfort to all who use the room. If you want to improve the interior of your kitchen, this is one inexpensive way to do it – just add a kitchen mat.

A kitchen mat can accentuate and enhance a simple kitchen. There are many gorgeous, colourful, and intriguingly textured floor mats that can create a central focus in a kitchen that is lacking one. You can always find a mat that can match your decor and wall color. Kitchens have a lot of hard surfaces that can make it look dull. The colour and texture of a mat can help you add a unique personality to your kitchen space.

A mat has the additional benefit of making a room feel comfortable and safe. The flooring in a kitchen is usually one that can be cold and hard to the feet. A kitchen rug place at certain task areas can make the use of the kitchen more enjoyable. Mats can also help keep the space clean and prevent spills on the kitchen floor from spreading, even into the dining room. Thus, a kitchen mat place near a task are can prevent injuries to use. It also prevents the wear and tear of the floor in high traffic areas of the kitchen, such as near the sink and at task areas.

Anti-fatigue mats can protect the feet from cold floors. It also ensures safety in the kitchen.

A bamboo mat i(above) s perfect for protecting the floor in high-trafific areas in the kitchen.

Photo:amazon.com.

There is a wide assortment of floor mats to choose from. Many have stunning patterns. They may come in sets as well as single. When you choose a kitchen floor mat, you must choose one that does not keep dust and dirt and can be cleaned easily. For this reason rugs are not ideal, but if you do wish to place a rug in the kitchen make sure it is washable so you can spend less time cleaning it.

There are many affordable mats available. Some have a traditional theme or modern unique pattern. Some are resistant to stains. Mats are available in many colors to go with your interior decor. For this reason a kitchen mat should not be overlooked when you are upgrading your kitchen.

The softness and beauty of a mat can transform a room. It cal also be used to create your focal point.

Less is More; The joy of Simplicity

October 12, 2013 by Felix Leave a Comment

A simple lifestyle is echoed in a minimalist design style. This style is not fussy but can be quite pleasing to the eye when the right natural textures and colours are combined.

I find this style encouraging for those who are de-cluttering or like order. It is also ideal for the cook who likes simple and down to earth food. Since this style is very natural and focuses on functional elements. It is also considered therapeutic.

A room that has clean lines; calming colours and textures on the walls, cabinets, and furniture; a simple window that brings the outdoor in can be very calming to babies, children (especially those who suffer from ADD), and “shut-ins”. The minimalist style of decorating is perfect for those who look forward to winding down at home after a hard days work.

Therefore, this style is not for the collector. The person who would buy, every week without failing, a new wall piece for the kitchen wall. The elements in this style are focused, uniformed in appearance and the aim is simple, but elegant. This means that there are few well placed ornaments; a few basic geometric shapes; and textures and colours are clean. All the cooking utensils are stored in the cupboards. The style imitates nature and is therefore perfect for the outdoor kitchen as well.

Some people think that this style, with its detail use of natural materials such solid timber, can be a bit expensive to pull off. It is like a contradiction, but with a good design plan a minimalist style can be possible. It is also possible when you consider first these .

Some designers suggest that open cabinets can be used. However, uniformity is important. For instance a space is used for a collection of cookbooks, a uniform paper cover can be used on the books. Displays are singular as well. That means if you must group items they must similar and place in an area where balance is maintained.

Small kitchens, Great Peace

August 27, 2013 by Felix Leave a Comment

“Small rooms or dwellings discipline the mind, large ones weaken it.” – Leonardo Da Vinci

If you own a small kitchen, you have the opportunity to showcase your own personality and individuality in a space that can be very comfortable and efficient. Small kitchen are easy to clean, but can be difficult to keep organized. However, this task is made easier when the workspace is organized as zones so movement between these works paces are easy. Therefore, an effective small kitchen has three basic elements: organization, storage, and space. A small kitchen therefore has a lot of potential and can also reflect the homeowner personality and character through the use of colour and design elements.

Generally, the colour white is used in many small kitchen, with a little black (for a minimalistic feel). However, you can add flair and personality to your kitchen with the splash of a bright colour.

Here are some ideas on how your personality and character can shine through your kitchen.

The Refrigerator.

The size of the refrigerator should fit your needs and the space of your small kitchen. A small refrigerator will mean you free up space for an extra counter, cabinet and workspace. Let your personality shine with the color of your refrigerator. The Smeg Style Refrigerator is one of the brands that come in many colours; one might suit your kitchen.

Eclectic Refrigerators And Freezers

Cooktop and Oven.

Your cooktop and oven can become your central focus. Again a smaller-sized two- or four- burner stovetop works best in a small kitchen. Select a stove with a visual appeal. The Bertazzoni Professional Gas Range suits any contemporary style. This attractive gas range comes in a wide range of beautiful colours. Its compact design is perfect for small kitchens. Another is the Stoves Mini ranges. Their brilliant makeover is available in selection of gorgeous shades from Day Break, Wild berry, Icy Brook, and Hot Jalapeno,.

Contemporary Gas Ranges And Electric Ranges by Other Metro homeeverything.com

Richmond 55cm Mini Ranges are now available in selected shades from the Colour Boutique collection.

Colourful stoves like the New World Colours Collection of built-in ovens can become the central focus in your kitchen.
Photo from: www.appliancist.com

The Kitchen Sink.

The kitchen sink has the potential for keeping the small kitchen organized and clutter-free. Select a kitchen sink that has a deep sink, however not to deep to strain your back. Also consider the size of pots you already own and how you cook to help you select the kitchen sink. An apron front sink such as the Kohler single basin is perfect for a small kitchen which is deep enough to provide ample space to hold dirty wares until you are ready to wash them.

The kitchen faucet. Making things easy in the small kitchen is important. Thus, a high-arc faucet, with a single handled faucet lever, helps to wash large pots and pans that are placed in the sink easier.

Above is the Delta Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet with Touch2O Technology and Soap Dispenser.

The Pegboard.

This ingenious idea was inspired by Julia Child’s husband. This is a chic way to keep regularly used utensils organized, and other kitchen items. The organization makes an attractive wall. The pegboard is a hassle free storage idea and the mounting hardware is versatile, durable and attractive.

A Round Table.

A round table in a small kitchen provides maximum leg room There are a number of styles and colours you can choose. Some round tables can be complemented brilliantly coloured chairs.