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What's New:
 Looking for an interesting alternative to the traditional oven models available on the market? The Gaggenau Liftmatic oven is different from traditional ovens on the market as it opens from the bottom rather than the front.
When an oven door is opened all the hot air rises, so by using a LiftMatic oven none of the heat escapes as the hot air always stays inside.
The LiftMatic oven features a sleek stainless steel exterior and tinted glass. as well as ample halogen lighting to illuminate the oven’s interior.
At the touch of a [...]
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Furniture and accessories add the finishing touches to your kitchen and help to enhance its overall effect. Buying new accessories is the easiest way to change the look of your kitchen.
However, it is important not only to choose items that complement the style and feel of your kitchen but also ones that meet your needs.
Appliances and accessories made of stainless steel are very popular right now, such as blenders and toasters, refrigerators and pro-style oven ranges. To get the all-steel look without the price, look for steel finished appliances and accessories.
Kitchen seating and lighting is covered below. Also, there are some hints and tips on kitchen [...]
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You can cook without a hood or a vent, but moisture, grease, odors, and heat from cooking on a cooktop can damage the rest of your kitchen.
Also, steam from cooking condenses on windows and walls, and in some cases carbon monoxide from the burning of gas can build up.
A range or cooktop hood or vent will remove most if not all of the above problems.
Hood Styles
Hood choices range from basic ductless wall-mount units, to systems with lights, timers, and easy-clean surfaces.
You can buy hidden slim-line hood designs which are concealed under cabinets which slide out when in use. Another kind can be used as a shelf [...]
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There are many new looks and styles for sinks that depart from the typical bowl configuration.
Newer designs include geometrically shaped sinks made from glass, and stainless steel sinks with long, narrow stream-shaped basins.
A distinctive, contemporary sink gives a stylish flair and becomes a striking attraction in your kitchen, while still remaining functional. There are just a few things to consider when selecting a kitchen sink.
Size and Shape
Sink sizes range from S to XXL, so there’s a model to fit every kitchen. If space is an issue or if you want something really different, a corner sink could provide a stylish solution.
Usage
Many sink units contain different sized [...]
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Dishwashers are a great time-saver and are also more hygienic than washing dishes by hand, due to the higher temperatures involved during the wash cycle.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a dishwasher, for example, unit type, how many place settings you can fit inside, control type and the number and type of wash cycles.
Unit Type
First decide on the type of unit. Dishwashers are available as freestanding (portable) or built-in (under the counter) models.
They come in two sizes, 24″ and 18″
Portable dishwashers
As the name suggests, these are portable, freestanding units. Smaller than the built-in but with just as many features. Used where space [...]
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One question that often comes up is, should you buy a range or a cooktop?
In short, it is really a personal choice, based on your budget, space limitations, looks, and needs.
Budget
Prices for cooktops, ovens and ranges vary a lot because the prices are changing constantly due to special offers and sales, brands are priced differently to start with, and they also depend on which of many different features they offer.
However, a separate cooktop and wall oven will always cost more than a range, and will also require electrical or gas plumbing to each unit.
Space Issues
With a cooktop and separate oven you are installing two appliances, therefore [...]
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Ovens are available in gas or electric, and using a number of heating methods, conventional, convection, microwaves or combination oven/microwave.
They come in many shapes, sizes and finishes. Your choice will be influenced by the design of your kitchen, the space available and what you enjoy cooking.
A single oven can be placed in a cabinet below the counter top or in a tall cabinet. A regular double oven or an conventional/microwave double oven combination will be placed in a tall cabinet.
Wall ovens are either 24, 27, or 30 inches wide.
Look out for:
Controls that are easy to use
Logically arranged and simple to operate
Electronic type controls are easier to [...]
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A fridge is one of the most important appliances in your home, influencing your eating habits and ensuring food hygiene and taste.
Refrigerators are available with different door configurations, with either the doors side-by-side, or with one door on top of the other, or as drawers.
In a top/bottom unit the freezer can be on either the top or the bottom. In a side-by-side configuration the freezer is on one side.
Some are available as built-ins, which can be disguised to look like just another cabinet. Others are the same depth as the countertop to mimic the built-in look.
Prices start at around $300 and can go up to [...]
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Choosing flooring is a lot like choosing countertops. Which type you choose depends on the style of your kitchen, the amount of use it will get, and the price. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages.
Vinyl, linoleum and carpet are the most comfortable underfoot. Laminate, vinyl and polyurethane-treated wood are the most durable. Stone and concrete look good and are also hard-wearing, but are also harder to clean.
Decide whether you want to install flooring under your removable appliances or around them (whichever you choose, make sure you can roll them out for repairs). Talk to your designer about this.
Vinyl
The most common kitchen flooring material, vinyl offers [...]
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Now you’ve chosen the design of your kitchen cabinets and worktops, the next thing is to choose the materials and the colors of your walls.
The most common materials for the kitchen walls are paint, wallpaper and tiles.
Paint
Paint is the cheapest and fastest way to transform the feeling of your kitchen, however, you need to have good surfaces to paint on (i.e. no holes or cracks which will show through the paint).
If your walls aren’t smooth enough, then you can line the walls with lining paper first (a special kind of wallpaper), and paint on top of that. There are also many decorative and faux paint finishes [...]
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