How To Find Retired Cake Pans Without Spending A Lot Of Cash

On 02.27.10, In Kitchen, By Stevie Wonder

Finding retired cake pans can be a tough gig, and not spending a fortune on them is even tougher.  Because of this, I want to share with you what I do before I bite the bullet and spend 50 or 60 bucks on a cake pan that I need.  There are some places that you can get these pans at affordable prices, but it takes some planning before the time that you actually need the pan.

The first step is to check with people around you.  If you know anyone who was in to baking in the 70’s and 80’s, there is a good chance that they have a collection of cake pans.  There really aren’t that many different types, so if they have a collection odds are good that they have the cake pan that you need.  Check with your mom, grandma, and aunts first to see what they have.

If you have enough time before you actually need the pan, you can start searching garage sales.  Cake pans are one of the most common things that you’ll find at these, so with some persistence it is a good chance that you’ll come across the pan that you need.  Or, if you’re a collector you can quickly build up your collection without spending much money at all.  I was able to get an entire set of number cake pans at a garage sale for only two bucks!

Needing the cake pan right away presents another problem, money.  Because many of these cake pans are deemed rare and collector’s items you will pay a premium for many of them.  This is especially true with the more popular Star Wars, Mickey Mouse, and Cookie Monster cake pans.  If you are willing to spend the money, the best place to get them is eBay.  There will be a lot to choose from, and if you want to save more buy the ones that don’t come with the instructions.  Wilton has those available for download on their website.

Just because they don’t make the cake pan you want anymore doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try and find it.  Use the tips outlined above and you’re going to get the one that you want, it’s just a matter of being patient until you do.

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Installing Farm Sinks Is A Big Project – What You Need To Know

On 02.16.10, In Kitchen, By Stevie Wonder

Installing farmhouse sinks is a pretty big project.  Unlike most sinks, these don’t drop in to the counter top, rather they are supported by the cabinet that they are housed in.  This creates a need for some custom carpentry at the very least to get the job done, and for that you will probably have to hire a professional.  In this post I want to share with you the steps that are necessary to installing kitchen farm sinks in your home.

The first thing that you have to look at is the cabinets that you have because nine times out of ten a new cabinet is required for farm sink installation.  Why is this?  Farmhouse sinks are very heavy, and because of this weight they need a lot of support and bracing from the cabinet that they reside in.

A different installation option is available though, you can remove the existing cabinets where your sink currently is and install the sink on a set of stone pillars or legs.  This is a very dramatic installation, and is actually easier than creating new cabinets.  You’ll probably need to upgrade the flooring where the cabinet was, but it prevents the need for new cabinetry.  Be sure to plan accordingly for the loss of storage space from losing the cabinet.

Also, your plumbing will have to be changed.  Farm sinks tend to sit a bit lower than regular drop in sinks, so you’ll have to redirect the pipes accordingly.  This isn’t a big job at all, and can usually be done in an hour or so.  If you go with the second installation style that we discussed above you have to factor in a way to conceal the garbage disposal, and accept the fact that it is going to be much louder without a cabinet to absorb some of the noise.

Installing farm sinks is a big project that many people will leave it to the professionals.  Even if you don’t plan on doing the installation yourself, it is important that you know what it takes to get the job done so there are no surprises when your contractor has your cabinets torn out!  You will also have a better understanding of the type of price you will have to pay to get the job done properly.

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Kitchen Remodeling with Retro Chairs and Furniture

On 02.15.10, In Kitchen, By Stevie Wonder

Recreating that nostaligic look from the 1950’s in your home can be extremely easy if you know where and how to look. We’ve all been in a retro diner before, enjoying the classic looks and feel it has to offer. But what if you could recreate that in your own kitchen with your own retro furniture? What if I told you that there are a ton of outlets who specialize specifically in this type of remodeling and home design?

Fortunately for all of us who have interests in retro furniture, just searching on the internet can reveal a whole wealth of information and products available to us. If you want to design or re-design your kitchen or dining area, there are retro swivel chairs and retro bar stools readily available. Or what about 50’s retro diner accessories like plates, napkin holders, old 45-records, and other memorabilia?

Sometimes if you are lucky you can visit a flea market, yard sale, or other outlet store and find a great “retro deal”. Lots of people find retro furniture and home accessories for very low prices at these places. But watch out! Other times getting that retro fashion for your home can come with a high price depending on whether your furniture is rare or is still readily available. Some vendors will actually upsell something that is “retro” with the hope of making a huge gain. When searching for retro furniture it’s best to use some good judgement and do price checking wherever possible to make sure you are redesigning your home on the best budget.

Are you on a tight budget for buying your retro furniture? There are companies out there that make “lookalikes” – they sell 50’s retro chairs and other retro furniture for an affordable price. Yes, you sacrifice some authenticity but it’s highly likely that nobody will even ask if something is real or not.

In conclusion, recreating that feel and look from the 1950’s, or any other decade from that matter, can be incredibly easy and also affordable! So many people are buying and selling retro furniture that it has become easier to look for and much more available! Good luck with refurnishing your home!

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French Provincial Avignon Counter Stool Designs and Classic Rattan Stools

On 01.21.10, In Kitchen, By Ric

Kitchen décor with a hint of French provincial or classic rattan can be easily achieved by adding a few barstools to the counter area or placing one or more in corners as accents. Although an Avignon counter stool may be very different from rattan stools in construction, they have something in common. They are both larger style stools, they often have elaborate backs, seats and decorative legs. They are classic kitchen bar stools in wood and natural materials that are in keeping with traditional neutral tones, wood cabinets, eggshell walls, and natural stone or ceramic tile floors.

Comparing Avignon Counter Stool Prices to Rattan Stools

An Avignon counter stool is not cheap, starting at around $270 each from places like Ballard Designs, but they are the kind of stool you want to sit in because they have wide comfy seats, which are padded or made from soft woven rush. The beauty of going with an Avignon counter stool set is that you can match them to a whole line of Avignon furniture for the dinning room, like complete tables and chairs and buffets and other pieces in the same French Provincial style. On the other hand, rattan stools are really cheap, often under $100.

Mix and Match Rattan with French Provincial

Classic rattan stools also go well with country or French Provincial themes and add a necessary lightness to a space to contrast the heavier French pieces. Some great ideas for incorporating rattan stools may be to add French floral rose patterned cushions to each seats, or go with a classic white linen look and add accent pillows in pure white or beige.

Conversely, mixing a couple Avignon counter stool pieces to an otherwise rattan furnished kitchen will make it look richer and more elegant. Rattan tends to be cheaper and so decorating is affordable, and with just one or two more expensive piece as an accent, your décor jumps from country plain to French country chic. Choose rattan stools that have curls and twisted designs that are more decorative or choose the solid woven pieces that will match the rush seats of the Avignon counter stool you select. You can accent a wood or a white kitchen with both these stool varieties, because both rattan stools and the Avignon models come in white lacquered finishes.

If you’ve just remodeled your kitchen and started with a classic rattan or French Provincial theme, but now you are considering adding barstools to a side table or a counter or island, don’t think you have to go with chrome or contemporary designs that will spoil your classic look. There are hundreds of companies who specialize in French Provincial kitchen bar stools that will match the style you have chosen.

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Kitchen plumbing maintenance

On 01.13.10, In Kitchen, By Tim

Your kitchen plumbing is probably one of the most under appreciated parts of your home. Wall mounted kitchen faucets, dishwashers, and other kitchen systems make a massive contribution to convenience and hygiene so it is worth following a basic maintenance program. Kitchen drains are probably the most widely used piece of plumbing in your house, so it is unsurprising that they are notorious for clogging regularly. Fortunately, modern inventions such as the garbage disposal unit help greatly with this problem, as too do the simple drain guards which help to strain out bulky waste. However there is still a need for consumers to unblock the occasional drain, so it is worth knowing a few tricks to help with this task.

One option is to use an acid or lye based cleaner which is intended to break down any organic matter blocking the sink, so that it can be flushed through more easily. These can certainly be effective but many householders prefer not to release this type of chemical into the environment. Also, acid based cleaners should not be used in a system with metal pipes. A great alternative to these is to use an enzyme based cleaning product. These can break down organic matter, without the concerns about toxicity. Another option is to pour a whole cup of bicarbonate of soda down your drain, and then a litre of very hot water. This is effectively a milder form of the lye based cleaners. One of the old favorites is a simple plunger. You’d be surprised how often a blockage can be simply pumped through your pipes with a bit of action from the plunger, and it is the cheapest method of all. Certainly beats removing the U bend, which is really a last resort.

If none of these methods work, don’t be afraid to call in a professional. A plumber will be able to deal with most blocked drains very quickly, and may also be able to advise you how to minimize the chance of the problem recurring.

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Coffee Machines And Grinders For The Kitchen

On 01.10.10, In Kitchen, By Ric

There’s not much that can me more satisfying for a coffee lover than to learn to make your own great coffee at home, coffee that is as good as you get from the local bar you go to every morning. Certainly, its not as easy as we would like to do this, but if you buy the right equipment and put in some good practice you should find that you are able to do just that in a short time.

What equipment do you need to make your dream a reality?

  1. Espresso machine – Everyone loves the look, feel and aura of a great machine in the coffee bar, its part of what makes the experience of going there all the more enjoyable. If you couldn’t see the barista operating the machine the experience just wouldn’t be the same, that’s why we would all like to get one for the home kitchen. Maybe then we can create some of the magic for ourselves. Espresso coffee makers are never going to be as good as the real thing but they can make a really good attempt at producing fine espresso with their reduced pressure capabilities. Indeed if you can stretch to afford a semi-commercial coffee maker you can make something of excellent quality.
    2. mazzer coffee grinder
  2. Burr coffee grinder – Don’t forget to purchase the best coffee grinder you can afford when you get your espresso machine. Many people forget about this in the excitement of buying machine thinking its not as important but this is a mistake. Grinding quality beans to a perfect consistency is the most important part of the process so spend your time trying to find something that lives up to the task. If you really want to splash out then you might want to take a look at Mazzer grinders which are probably the best available. For something a little more affordable you should be able to spend as little as $100 to find a burr grinder that does an acceptable job.

When you have espresso machine and grinder set up all you need to do is find some great beans nad learn the skills required to carry out the coffee making process. What could be simpler?

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