Retro-style step stool

October 1, 2011

 
Back in the 1950s and 60s, it seemed as if every home had one of these fold-out step stools in the kitchen. But, as with most things, time passed and this style of stool went the way of console TVs and boomerang Formica counter tops.

Well, now you can recapture a piece of the past with the Retro Fold-Out Kitchen Stool, which is available on-line ($75) in all its original shiny chrome and bright-red vinyl glory. 

The tubular-steel stool has a cushioned seat and back, and two fold-out steps that store neatly beneath the seat when they're not needed. This space-saving design is ideal when you need to reach into upper cabinets or change light bulbs in ceiling-mounted fixtures. And it'll support up to 225 pounds.

Carbonation with a conscience

September 30, 2011

We Americans sure drink a lot of soda—nothing pairs better with pizza, Chinese takeout, or popcorn at the movies. But have you ever stopped to think what the bottles and cans you've sipped over the years might look like if tallied up together as a whole? Well, thanks to SodaStream, now there's a visual to represent this staggering number. Take a look at the average person's soda waste over 2 years: 1,352 bottles and cans. Now multiply that by our population, and well, you can see why we need to start getting smarter about our consumption of the fizzy stuff. 

That's exactly the point SodaStream, proprietors of at home soda making, is trying to make with their Cage Tour. They sent pedicabs like the one pictured above around New York City and stationed a cage full of 10,657 containers (One family's waste over five years time) in Times Square just to show how detrimental soda waste can be to the Earth. According to Kristin Harp, marketing manager for SodaStream USA, so far the dialog about beverage waste has been mostly about disposable plastic water bottles. With the Cage Tour, the idea is to get people thinking about soda bottles and cans as sources of environmental trash, too. 

Timeless tubs

September 27, 2011

 
While in London recently I happened upon a small design studio in the northwest village of Kilburn. Called The Water Monopoly, the firm deals in French and English restored antique bath fixtures, and also manufactures a line of reproduction fixtures, including some of the most beautiful tubs I've ever seen.

Compact kitchen cart

September 17, 2011

 
Add a little extra storage and work space to your kitchen with this compact rolling cart, which measures about 16 inches deep x 34 inches high x 35 inches wide.

It features a natural wood top, painted two-door storage cabinet with drawer and shelf, towel bar, knife rack and 10-inch-wide drop-leaf extension.

The cart is designed for the kitchen, but it can also be used in a butler's pantry or even a dining room as a buffet or bar.

It typically sells for $254, but is available on-line for just $175.

Deal of the Day Special NY Alert: "Buy Green, Save Green" on appliances at Sears

September 2, 2011

Beginning Friday, Sept. 2, New York residents who purchase a new high-efficiency ENERGY STAR® qualified clothes washer and/or refrigerator are eligible for rebates from $250 to $350 per item, respectively. Sears stores throughout New York State will open early at 5 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011 and Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 for the state’s launch of its “Buy Green, Save Green” High-Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program. The early openings will help residents access the $3 million in rebates for high-efficiency ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerators and clothes washers, available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For small print and more appliance deals from Sears, keep reading.

Space-saving pot rack

August 27, 2011

 
Here's a simple, stylish way to keep pots and pans easily within reach, while freeing up some valuable cabinet space.

This easy-to-install pot rack mounts directly to the wall and comes with six metal hooks for hanging pots, pans, skillets and other kitchen cookware.

Made from solid wood with brushed nickel brackets, the rack features a 6-inch-wide x 36-inch-long slatted shelf that's ideal for storing pot lids, cookbooks and other accessories.

And it's interesting to note that the curved metal brackets can be positioned below the rack, as shown here, or above it.

This wall-mounted pot rack is available on-line for about $110.

Cool kitchen clock

August 23, 2011

 
Here's a unique--and fun--accessory that would be great for any kitchen: It's a battery-operated wall clock that's built into a dry-erase board.

Besides telling the time, you can also leave messages, jot down grocery lists, and--best of all--show off your artistic talents by drawing in the clock itself.

The clock mechanism, which runs on one AA-size battery, is mounted to a 9 x 12-inch white dry-erase board. This dry-erase clock is available on-line for $29.50.

Bold and beautiful bath sink

August 20, 2011

 
Make a bold statement with this stunning red-glass vessel sink from Kraus. The 5 1/2-inch-deep x 16 1/2-inch-diameter "Irruption Red" lavatory sink changes colors, depending on the light, from deep metallic red to bright candy-apple red.

The sink comes with a contemporary-style solid-brass waterfall faucet that features a hand-rubbed bronze finish.

Designed for above-counter installation, the sink and faucet come with all necessary mounting hardware and they install using standard plumbing connections.

This Kraus bath sink-and-faucet combination is available on-line for $240.

The Quick Pop Maker by ZOKU

August 7, 2011

Popsicles are so hot right now. No, really. There are gourmet paleterias popping up all over the place. (I've recently happened upon Go-Go Pops in Cold Spring, New York, and of course there's Zora Dora in Beacon, New York). Then, after a few straight weekends of the amazing and inventive flavors over at Zora Dora, my kid started mixing up her own pop recipes and loading up every ice tray in the house with lots of stuff that wasn't water. When I saw this Housewares Design Award-winning countertop appliance—a popsicle maker that turns any liquid into ice pops in mere minutes with fast freeze technology—I wanted in. Did I say I wanted in? I meant, my kid wanted in. Naturally.

Instant island

July 28, 2011

 
Here's an easy, elegant way to add a little extra work space and storage to your kitchen. The Metro Commercial Chef's Cart is a combination work island and storage unit--on wheels!

Measuring just 21 inches wide x 27 inches long x 39 1/4 inches tall, this heavy-duty cart will fit into the most cramped, crowded and tiniest of kitchens.  

The industrial-chic cart features a solid-wood butcherblock top, two wire-rack storage shelves, and four easy-roll casters.

The cart can be used for food prep and to store small appliances and large bowls, which tend to clog up cabinets and countertops. Other uses include: mobile bar for serving drinks and storing bottles, and a handy barbecue cart for parking alongside your grill.

The Metro Commercial Chef's Cart is available on-line for about $251.