Kitchens have gotten seriously cool.
Technology and entertainment, once the realm of the home theater system usually located in a house’s den, have invaded the kitchen, and not just to search for a snack during halftime. The kitchen itself has joined forces with televisions, computers, and iPods, forming a new hub for the family.
Of course, women have known the kitchen is the real hot spot for centuries. The kitchen is so often a gathering place during social events, to talk as food is being prepared. In a large enough kitchen, it’s also the gathering place for families and friends to eat, and if the kitchen is small, then the nearby dining room is used. But for technology, unless the blender is really special, usually the kitchen takes second place to the den.
But no more. Baltimore kitchen remodeling projects are increasingly incorporating entertainment into food preparation and consumption. The simplest of these ideas is the kitchen island (or the breakfast bar), typically used for serving quick meals and extra prep space, which is now being wired with USB ports, MP3 players and LCD screens. The kids usually pull up the stools to the island to do their homework anyway: now they can plug in and listen to music while they solve their math problems. They can also log in and research their American history on Wikipedia, all on the kitchen island. The island has come a long way since it was used as an extra chopping block.
How about home automation systems and touch screens that can control every appliance? How about walls with recessed lights, in
addition to the ceiling, so the colors can change and dim with the mood you want to set? All are possible in the new, high-tech kitchens. Kitchen remodeling projects can incorporate flat screen LCD televisions into the vent hood of the range, so you can watch the game while you stir the spaghetti sauce. The cook is so often listening to the play-by-play on the radio, but now she can see it on the screen, while the steam is vented above. And the folks keeping her company in the kitchen aren’t missing the game either. Refrigerators have LCD cable-ready televisions built right into their doors.
But technology isn’t always so decadent. Technology can help you clean up, too – new dishwashers blast the dirty plates with fifteen minutes of 170 degree steam, killing every germ. In terms of cleaning, nothing beats the glass-top stove, which used to only be available for electric hookups. But many cooks prefer the precision of cooking with gas stoves to electric stoves. Electric stoves can come with the sleek, attractive, easy-to-clean glass top, which hides the elements beneath it. But now so can gas – new gas stoves have the same glass top, with retractable burners. When retracted, the burner is flush with the glass top. Clean-up is a breeze, and the polished, flat look is in place. Kitchen remodeling has never been so exciting. And the incredible fact is, it’s not even as expensive as you’d think. The refrigerator with the built-in television retails for under $4,000.
About the author: Interested in professional kitchen remodeling? In the Baltimore area? Aspect contracting has been in operation performing Baltimore kitchen remodeling for the last two decades and would love to add to your remodeling excitement.
