Deck Your Kitchen from A to Z

Before you know it, the colder weather will creep in and keep most of us indoors for longer periods of time. Why not make the most of that time by upgrading one of the busiest places in your home? Here are a few suggestions to spruce up your kitchen from A to Z.

Apron-front (farm) sinks

These sinks are huge and designed to show off and be seen. Deep and spacious, they can accommodate everything, from cleaning over-sized pots and pans to washing the family dog. Faucets are installed on the countertop or wall.  baldwinkbcenter.com

Backsplash

When it comes to backsplashes, creativity is key. “Whatever you can imagine, we can design,” says Ross Smith, sales manager at Martin’s Flooring, Fivepointville. Easy to keep clean, it has stain resistant properties in the grout. martinsflooring.com

Countertops & Decora Cabinetry

The best kitchen facelift in town can be found at Baldwin Kitchen and Bath Design Center, West Reading. Look for Cambria Countertops, the most popular brand of engineered quartz countertops available, recommends Lyndsey Bosold. “With a breadth of colors, styles and patterns to choose from, engineered quartz is the hottest countertop product on the market,” she adds. Complement the look with Decora Cabinetry, a semi-custom-made wood cabinet that comes in a wide range of door styles and can be finished in hundreds of different stains and paints. baldwinkbcenter.com

Espresso maker

The DeLonghi Pump Espresso Cappuccino machine uses both convenient pods and ground coffee for a quick cup of Joe. It features a nifty swivel jet frother and two separate thermostats for separate water and steam pressure control. delonghi.com

French Bistro

The Culinary Classroom in Reading offers opportunities for small groups to cook, learn, eat and laugh together! Book the French Bistro class to prepare a delicious meal and master the culinary technique of sauté, plus much more! Bon appetit! theculinaryclassroom.com

Gelato

The DeLonghi Gelato Maker is a fast and easy way to make Italian ice cream at home. In just 30 minutes, the mix will be frozen and ready to serve. thekitchn.com

H20

A bottom-load water cooler dispenser will help put your mind at ease. No more lifting heavy bottles, says Matt McClintock, product development manager at The Water Guy™. Just open the front door and slide the unit into its base. waterguys.com

Ice cubes

Tovolo's King Ice Cube Tray makes six 2-inch slow- melting square blocks of ice. For smaller cubes, try the Perfect Cube tray to keep drinks cold or concoctions frozen solid. bedbathandbeyond.com

Juicers

This all-in-one juicer/blender by blendtec can be used to make wholesome green smoothies. It even makes spinach ice cream; here’s the recipe: 6  fl. oz. almond milk (or nonfat milk); 2 fl. oz. agave nectar; 1 tsp. almond extract; 1⁄4 cup  vanilla whey protein powder; 1 oz. avocado; 3 cups spinach and 3 1⁄2 cups ice cubes. blendtec.com

Knives and spice

Chop fresh herbs using a mezzaluna knife on a hand-turned bowl made from maple (the curved blade makes chopping a breeze with a simple roll of the wrist). This two-for-one product is described in detail at jkadams.com

Lots of fruit

Cut segments of grapefruit or oranges using a vintage kitchen gadget. The flexible, curved, double edged, serrated blade cuts the pit and membrane of the fruit with ease as it frees the flesh from the peel. Features a walnut handle and brass rivets. lamsonsharp.com

Movies that make you hungry

According to epicurious.com, the top 10 best films about food are: 1. Big Night 2. Babette’s Feast 3. Ratatouille 4. Like Water for Chocolate 5. Chocolat 6. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 7. Eat, Drink, Man, Woman 8. Tampopo 9. I am Love 10. Sideways

The Ninth Street Market

Since the late 1800s, food lovers have stocked up at the Italian Market, a top tourist destination in Philadelphia. Shop and browse from Wharton to Fitzwater streets with outdoor stands between Federal and Christian streets. Open Tuesday through Saturday until about 5pm and Sunday mornings. fantes.com/italian-market

Rösle can opener

Instead of cutting into the lid, the cutting wheel safely runs along the can’s rim so that the entire top of the can lifts up and off without coming into contact with the contents. cookswares.com

Peels worth something

The Rösle Julienne Peeler creates perfect julienne strips for a nice finishing touch to salads or garnishes. Made of 18/10 stainless steel, its sharp blade easily glides over uneven surfaces. williams-sonoma.com

Quiche Anyone?

Real cooks use stoneware for baking pies, cookies and other foods — like quiche! Pampered Chef offers a stoneware collection, glazed with a cranberry color. pamperedchef.com

Ranges

Hand-crafted in Reading, BlueStar Ranges come in more than 190 colors and finishes. Look for unique configurations including grill and griddle options. “Your range can be made to order just for you,” says Matt Burkholder, sales manager, Martin Appliance, Reading. bluestarcooking.com; martinsappliance.com

Shoes for chefs

The Fab, a lightweight ballerina flat, protects and provides hours of comfort for your tootsies. The waxed canvas upper provides added water resistance while offering casual, everyday style. Their fresh and appealing color line is farmer’s market inspired. mozoshoes.com

Tool crazy

Stir things up with Spatulart, quirky kitchen tools you will want to put to use and keep on display. Look for fun designs with fade-resistant colors for baking, stirring, scraping, spreading or flipping foods every day or just during the holidays. tovolo.com

Under the counter

U-line modular refrigeration organizes the right products in the right place at the right temperature. Perfect for your prep area, island, pantry or even home office to preserve food, wine and other beverages where you use them most. Available at Martin Appliance, Reading. u-line.com; martinsappliance.com

Vacuum seal

Seal it air-tight. Foods maintain their freshness and flavor 3-5 times longer without a supply of oxygen. webstaurantstore.com

Waterstone faucet

Made in America, this luxurious faucet is available in solid brass or stainless steel with no cast components. Waterstone offers 16 different products in 31 different finishes. “The quality you find within this brand cannot be found elsewhere,” says Lyndsey Bosold, Baldwin Kitchen and Bath Design Center. baldwinkbcenter.com

X marks the pot

Revere® cookware is the number-one brand of stainless steel cookware in the U.S. Recognized for its legendary quality and durability, Revere® cookware now includes new shapes, materials and functionality. worldkitchen.com

Yogurt maker

The Automatic Euro Cuisine Yogurt Maker YM100 model is temperature-controlled and includes seven, 6-oz. glass jars, so you have the option of making different flavors all at one time. eurocuisine.net

Zone lighting

Light up specific work or eating areas in your kitchen with hanging pendants just above head level. Look for fixtures that are adjustable (up or down) or that can be inserted into a lighting track. Light fixtures under cabinets or inside glass display cabinets are also good choices. schoolhouseelectric.com

Before you know it, the colder weather will creep in and keep most of us indoors for longer periods of time. Why not make the most of that time by upgrading one of the busiest places in your home? Here are a few suggestions to spruce up your kitchen from A to Z.

Apron-front (farm) sinks

These sinks are huge and designed to show off and be seen. Deep and spacious, they can accommodate everything, from cleaning over-sized pots and pans to washing the family dog. Faucets are installed on the countertop or wall.  baldwinkbcenter.com

Backsplash

When it comes to backsplashes, creativity is key. “Whatever you can imagine, we can design,” says Ross Smith, sales manager at Martin’s Flooring, Fivepointville. Easy to keep clean, it has stain resistant properties in the grout. martinsflooring.com

Countertops & Decora Cabinetry

The best kitchen facelift in town can be found at Baldwin Kitchen and Bath Design Center, West Reading. Look for Cambria Countertops, the most popular brand of engineered quartz countertops available, recommends Lyndsey Bosold. “With a breadth of colors, styles and patterns to choose from, engineered quartz is the hottest countertop product on the market,” she adds. Complement the look with Decora Cabinetry, a semi-custom-made wood cabinet that comes in a wide range of door styles and can be finished in hundreds of different stains and paints. baldwinkbcenter.com

Espresso maker

The DeLonghi Pump Espresso Cappuccino machine uses both convenient pods and ground coffee for a quick cup of Joe. It features a nifty swivel jet frother and two separate thermostats for separate water and steam pressure control. delonghi.com

French Bistro

The Culinary Classroom in Reading offers opportunities for small groups to cook, learn, eat and laugh together! Book the French Bistro class to prepare a delicious meal and master the culinary technique of sauté, plus much more! Bon appetit! theculinaryclassroom.com

Gelato

The DeLonghi Gelato Maker is a fast and easy way to make Italian ice cream at home. In just 30 minutes, the mix will be frozen and ready to serve. thekitchn.com

H20

A bottom-load water cooler dispenser will help put your mind at ease. No more lifting heavy bottles, says Matt McClintock, product development manager at The Water Guy™. Just open the front door and slide the unit into its base. waterguys.com

Ice cubes

Tovolo's King Ice Cube Tray makes six 2-inch slow- melting square blocks of ice. For smaller cubes, try the Perfect Cube tray to keep drinks cold or concoctions frozen solid. bedbathandbeyond.com

Juicers

This all-in-one juicer/blender by blendtec can be used to make wholesome green smoothies. It even makes spinach ice cream; here’s the recipe: 6  fl. oz. almond milk (or nonfat milk); 2 fl. oz. agave nectar; 1 tsp. almond extract; 1⁄4 cup  vanilla whey protein powder; 1 oz. avocado; 3 cups spinach and 3 1⁄2 cups ice cubes. blendtec.com

Knives and spice

Chop fresh herbs using a mezzaluna knife on a hand-turned bowl made from maple (the curved blade makes chopping a breeze with a simple roll of the wrist). This two-for-one product is described in detail at jkadams.com

Lots of fruit

Cut segments of grapefruit or oranges using a vintage kitchen gadget. The flexible, curved, double edged, serrated blade cuts the pit and membrane of the fruit with ease as it frees the flesh from the peel. Features a walnut handle and brass rivets. lamsonsharp.com

Movies that make you hungry

According to epicurious.com, the top 10 best films about food are: 1. Big Night 2. Babette’s Feast 3. Ratatouille 4. Like Water for Chocolate 5. Chocolat 6. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 7. Eat, Drink, Man, Woman 8. Tampopo 9. I am Love 10. Sideways

The Ninth Street Market

Since the late 1800s, food lovers have stocked up at the Italian Market, a top tourist destination in Philadelphia. Shop and browse from Wharton to Fitzwater streets with outdoor stands between Federal and Christian streets. Open Tuesday through Saturday until about 5pm and Sunday mornings. fantes.com/italian-market

Rösle can opener

Instead of cutting into the lid, the cutting wheel safely runs along the can’s rim so that the entire top of the can lifts up and off without coming into contact with the contents. cookswares.com

Peels worth something

The Rösle Julienne Peeler creates perfect julienne strips for a nice finishing touch to salads or garnishes. Made of 18/10 stainless steel, its sharp blade easily glides over uneven surfaces. williams-sonoma.com

Quiche Anyone?

Real cooks use stoneware for baking pies, cookies and other foods — like quiche! Pampered Chef offers a stoneware collection, glazed with a cranberry color. pamperedchef.com

Ranges

Hand-crafted in Reading, BlueStar Ranges come in more than 190 colors and finishes. Look for unique configurations including grill and griddle options. “Your range can be made to order just for you,” says Matt Burkholder, sales manager, Martin Appliance, Reading. bluestarcooking.com; martinsappliance.com

Shoes for chefs

The Fab, a lightweight ballerina flat, protects and provides hours of comfort for your tootsies. The waxed canvas upper provides added water resistance while offering casual, everyday style. Their fresh and appealing color line is farmer’s market inspired. mozoshoes.com

Tool crazy

Stir things up with Spatulart, quirky kitchen tools you will want to put to use and keep on display. Look for fun designs with fade-resistant colors for baking, stirring, scraping, spreading or flipping foods every day or just during the holidays. tovolo.com

Under the counter

U-line modular refrigeration organizes the right products in the right place at the right temperature. Perfect for your prep area, island, pantry or even home office to preserve food, wine and other beverages where you use them most. Available at Martin Appliance, Reading. u-line.com; martinsappliance.com

Vacuum seal

Seal it air-tight. Foods maintain their freshness and flavor 3-5 times longer without a supply of oxygen. webstaurantstore.com

Waterstone faucet

Made in America, this luxurious faucet is available in solid brass or stainless steel with no cast components. Waterstone offers 16 different products in 31 different finishes. “The quality you find within this brand cannot be found elsewhere,” says Lyndsey Bosold, Baldwin Kitchen and Bath Design Center. baldwinkbcenter.com

X marks the pot

Revere® cookware is the number-one brand of stainless steel cookware in the U.S. Recognized for its legendary quality and durability, Revere® cookware now includes new shapes, materials and functionality. worldkitchen.com

Yogurt maker

The Automatic Euro Cuisine Yogurt Maker YM100 model is temperature-controlled and includes seven, 6-oz. glass jars, so you have the option of making different flavors all at one time. eurocuisine.net

Zone lighting

Light up specific work or eating areas in your kitchen with hanging pendants just above head level. Look for fixtures that are adjustable (up or down) or that can be inserted into a lighting track. Light fixtures under cabinets or inside glass display cabinets are also good choices. schoolhouseelectric.com