Ideas & Tips — Kitchen

Stainless steel is king in the kitchen and has been for decades, according to the Wall Street Journal. A recent article explored stainless steel's dominance when it comes to kitchen appliances, noting shoppers' unending devotion to the sleek, clean metal.  "The appliance industry has tried to promote new looks before," the article said. "In recent years, manufacturers have pitched 'oiled bronze,' 'antique copper' and a gray hue called 'meteorite,' as well as aluminum and other look-alikes, but none has been able to unseat stainless steel." No appliance finish resonates with consumers like stainless steel because none is so reliably attractive,...

The use of salt and pepper as America's quintessential condiment combination has been so deeply ingrained in our culture that one rarely ever stops to wonder how that came to be. Even in Europe, the two seasonings are inseparable. Surprisingly, the story of salt and pepper goes back centuries. Pepper has been used since before the common era, serving as both a condiment and medicinal property in Ancient Rome. Though long pepper originally stood as most popular during the Roman era for a great while, the pepper we've come to know usurped its status by not only being more affordable but also...

One of the fastest ways to freshen up your decor is to bring a little bit of the outdoors inside, whether with a potted plant or a vase of fresh flowers. Here are our top tips for welcoming nature into your home:  Bring in potted plants: Potted plants don't have to stay outside on the patio. Real Simple magazine advises choosing a pot with at least one drainage hole in the bottom to avoid over-saturating the plant's roots with water. Buy potting soil from your favorite plant nursery, and remember that succulents and cacti require a unique soil blend. Be sure...

Your kitchen may be hiding some unwelcome guests. A recent study from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) found potentially dangerous germs on a number of everyday cooking items, putting you at risk of serious illness.  In the study, researchers examined dozens of samples taken from 20 Americans kitchens. They discovered that refrigerators often harbor some particularly nasty microscopic activity. Chilled meat and vegetable drawers were found to contain E. coli, salmonella, listeria, mold and yeast, and refrigerator water dispensers had some of the highest germ counts of all.  Rubber spatulas and food storage containers with rubber seals were other big...

The kitchen is one of the most-used and hardest to organize rooms in the house. No matter how much space you have, it likely doesn't feel like enough! However, some simple tips and tricks can help you declutter and control the chaos:  Corral your condiments: Keep your salt, pepper and favorite condiments neatly organized in this beautiful caddy. (Looking for something to spice up your meals? Try various hot sauces like Tabasco and Sriracha or several different flavors of gourmet mustard!) A sophisticated looking handle makes it easy to tote from counter to table.  Create a "stage": Too many items...