Edmonton Real Estate Blog

What does an Iron Chef go for in kitchen layout, appliances and lighting? Find out here

Michael Symon, restaurant owner, Iron Chef winner and star of The Chew and Symon’s Suppers makes you feel like you know him the minute you see him on TV. Whether he’s bantering with his buddies or cooking with passion and confidence, he’s never stuffy or intimidating. You feel like he’d be a great teacher, because he wants you to love cooking as much as he does.

Like cars, luxury appliances are about power, performance and looks, but a good cook can cook on anything. I wanted to know what appliances a chef like Symon wants in his own kitchen — and what he doesn’t. So I asked him.

Q. What’s your ideal kitchen layout?

A. Definitely an open kitchen, including an island with plenty of seating. I like an island for a couple of reasons: Typically if we have the room, I’d love to have the stovetop in the island, so everyone can sit around while I’m cooking and I can be part of the conversation. The island is the center of our house. We have breakfast there; we lay out food for parties there. Ideally I’d love to have an island that’s big enough to hold the stovetop and seating and serving, but that’s not always an option.

Q. And your ideal cooking appliance arrangement?

A. Range top with four burners and a French top and separate double ovens. One reason for the double ovens is that I like the height. If I’m cooking something I have to keep an eye on, then I put it in the top oven, while the lower oven is good for a longer braise or roast.

Even for a professional chef, there’s still “out of sight, out of mind,” and things like pine nuts I can put in the top oven with the light on and not forget about them.

I always thought I wanted a griddle, but I ended up never using it and keeping the stainless cover plate on it, and used it more as a landing spot. I really like the variable and consistent heat on a French top.

As for indoor gas grills, they’re not really my thing. I’m one who likes to grill over open fire.

Q. What about faucets? Few people really think about how they can make life easier depending on the design, but as much as I like function, I can’t stand an unattractive faucet.

A. I prefer two-handle and side-spray options. I love commercial-style faucets — easy to use and plenty of range. I like having foot controls for the prep sink; they help keep things tidy.

Q. What’s your favorite backsplash material?

A. I’m a fan of classic subway tile — easy cleanup and timeless.

Q. Your favorite countertop material by the range? For an island? For prepping? For baking?

A. I like marble everywhere. It’s easy to clean, holds up to heat and cold — durable. I know people worry about marble, but if you go to Europe, you see marble everywhere that’s a bazillion years old, and it looks great. There’s something about the way it patinas; the more it gets beat up, the better it looks, and not every material ages that way. Same with old pewter bars. They’re gorgeous with rings and marks all over them.

Mold is a common occurrence in homes, but it can potentially cause health problems as well as damage to structures and surfaces if it is not controlled. Mold begins growing indoors when spores come in contact with wet surfaces or substances. Once established, mold can be very difficult to remove successfully – so prevention is the key.

Mold cannot grow in the absence of moisture. Moisture can take the form of leaks, spills, condensation, and humidity, so controlling sources of moisture is the most important step in mold prevention. Here are some ways to avoid creating conditions in which mold will thrive:

	Look for signs of leaks in supply and waste lines for bathrooms, kitchens, utility sinks, and laundry areas. Have any leaks fixed and dry the area thoroughly.
	Check the condition of grout and tile on shower walls, floors, and around bathtubs. Repair and seal damaged grout to prevent mold from being absorbed.
	Increase ventilation to the outside by using exhaust fans and attic ventilation.
	Regularly empty and clean drain pans and hoses for air conditioning units and dehumidifiers.
	Check for roof leaks that allow water to enter attic spaces or build up under roof shingles.
	If possible, lower the overall humidity in the home to decrease condensation and create a less mold-friendly environment.

Places that tend to stay damp, such as showers, may be more difficult to keep entirely free of mold but it can be minimized. Diligent cleaning, opening a window or using a ventilation fan are often enough to keep mold at bay.

Once mold has become established in the home it can be difficult to eradicate. Depending on the location and severity of the mold problem, a homeowner may need to engage a professional certified in mold remediation to remove it. A qualified professional will also take preventive measures to lessen the likelihood of recurrences.

Duration is a measure used to assess the impact that a change in interest rates will have on a bond. Shorter term bonds are generally less price sensitive than longer term bonds. If a bond fund has a duration of 5 years and interest rates increase by 1%, the bond fund’s unit price may decrease by approximately 5% (5 x 1). Bonds are also affected by other factors such as inflation expectations and the supply and demand for bonds. Different bond funds will react differently to those economic factors, making it important to diversify across asset classes.

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A well-landscaped property can add 20% to your home’s value, and has an average return of 100-200% at the time of sale. Even if you’re not thinking of selling now, summer is a great time to spruce up your landscape and make it a place you enjoy spending time.

1. Make your square or rectangular yard look more spacious by planting flower beds in each corner. This will make the centre of your yard appear larger.
2. Revitalize sparse hedges and shrubs by covering their roots and applying fertilizer. Shrubs may become thin when the topsoil from around the roots washes away or diminishes over time.
3. Apply a thin layer of mulch a few inches from the base of the tree. Many people make the mistake of mounding mulch around the base, which may attract pests.
4. Create privacy with large shrubs or trellises covered with climbing vines.
5. Use a simple palette of no more than three colours that complement your home’s colour scheme. This ties the space together and improves curb appeal.
6. Focus on the foliage of the plant. Choose plants that have leaves in a variety of shapes, textures and patterns. If you want your landscape to bloom year round, choose plants that bloom at different times of the year.

Stock markets are not static and move both up and down. As a result, your asset mix—that is—the basket of different types of investments that make up your portfolio, may have shifted. Over time, your portfolio may have become weighted towards fixed income and away from equities, or conversely, overweighted in equities and underweighted in bonds. It’s important to regularly rebalance your portfolio.

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The right cabinet color can transform your kitchen or bathroom’s look. And because replacing cabinetry can be expensive, a fresh paint color could be the best bet for your budget. But before you start in on this seemingly simple DIY, keep a key point in mind. “The main issue is that with most woodwork — but specifically kitchen cabinets — is that it’s finished with a glossy product designed to be wipeable, and that same property prevents paint from sticking to it,” says painter Alex Davidson.

Although it’s not as simple as painting your dining room, with the right prep, painting cabinets can be an affordable and lasting design solution. See what four painting professionals say about painting kitchen cabinets

Should you paint your cabinetry? Before making any decisions, figure out what the existing finish is on your cabinet. If you’re not sure, consider taking a door or drawer to your local paint supplier — he or she can help you with what you need to get your cabinet ready for painting.

Depending on the level of work, you may want to look into hiring a professional. “Think carefully before painting your cabinetry,” says Davidson. “It can be a DIY, but it requires a lot of attention and care.”

“Always consider the cost of possibly refacing your cabinets or replacing them altogether, and how that coordinates with your short- and long-term objectives,” says Wade Thompson of ThomsonHoliday Painting.

Choosing the best paint for cabinets. If you’re not working with a professional, look for paint at a local, reputable paint supply store, where the staff can help you pick the right product for your cabinets. Choose a paint that can stand up to repeated washing and is nonblocking, so it won’t stick to itself when the cabinet doors are closed.

Also, know that dark colors tend to show imperfections in the paint and cabinetry much more than light colors do — and, contrary to popular belief, they usually highlight dirt more, too.

What to watch out for. Painting cabinetry may seem like a quick and easy kitchen solution, bit it’s a big job. Make sure you have the time, skills and patience for the task. Odds are, you’ll be looking at this cabinetry every day — so make sure you have the ability to make it look good.

If you’re feeling unsure, look into hiring a professional painter. While it may be more expensive, these pros can probably get the work done in much less time and with a result of much higher quality. “Always get a few opinions,” says Thomspon. “Regardless of your decision, talking to several companies will be a learning experience.” Many professionals will use spray applications to get the smoothest finish, which can make a huge difference.

Painting cabinetry can be a lot of work — but whether you hire a pro or do the painting yourself, the results are well worth it.

“Above all, have fun with the project,” says Miano. “Remember, it’s only paint.”

Source. Houzz.com

Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) are a nearly brand new and quite flexible investment vehicle; Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) have been a vital tax-advantaged retirement savings opportunity for many years; and non-registered investments are an important component of virtually every financial plan. If you are currently weighing the advantages of each of these investment options as you restructure your investment portfolio to match your overall financial goals during this difficult economic climate, you need to know how each is taxed. So let’s compare the tax treatment rules for TFSAs, RRSPs and non-registered investments.

There are tax and income-building advantages and disadvantages to each of these investment options. You need to look at them in relation to your overall tax situation and financial objectives. Your professional advisor can help you make the right decisions for your unique situation.

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Accessories are what give an interior soul and help distinguish a home from a furniture showroom. When accessories are done right, they tell the story of the owners’ lives — their passions, their travels … and maybe even their heartbreak. But accessorizing a house can be a scary thing. We’re often unsure what to include, what to leave out and how to arrange the things that remain. Fear not. Once you understand the principles, accessorizing can be a snap.

Look around your house, attic, basement and yard for potential accessories. Sometimes it’s not the thing itself, but how you display it, that counts. Common objects like stones, shells or pinecones make great accessories — if you gather enough of them and display them in an attractive bowl. Arrange costume jewelry on a tray or fill a bowl with decorative matchbooks. The next time you travel, skip the T-shirt shop and head for the antiques store, craft gallery or flea market. You’ll come home with something attractive and a story to go with it.

The bottom line: If you have fun with your accessories, your family and friends will get pleasure from them, too.

Source: houzz.com