What's After Stainless Steel?

While visions of stainless steel danced in their heads...Stainless steel appliances have now become the standard for all new homes and for those looking to upgrade. It's not that they are unappealing but what else is out there in terms of innovative design? What's the next big thing? What will eventually replace stainless steel?

If you're looking for something a little different in a refrigerator, check out the Smeg Fab28 . It's a sleek 1950's style refrigerator that is now available in the U.S. Originally from the UK, this little gem is available in 10 different colors. I really like that it's not GIGANTIC like most of the new styles are now. I mean come on, most of us don't have a family of 10 where we need that much space, right? Here are the specs:

Capacity 9.22 Cu. Ft.

Antibacterial interior

Interior light

3 adjustable glass shelves

1 bottle storage shelf

1 fixed glass shelf

1 fruit and vegetable container

1 dairy box

Another design inspired by the 1950's icebox is the Italian Meneghini refrigerators. Not only do they come in over 500 colors, but you can also choose from 8 different wood finishes, single or double models, and 3 different height options. These are a little pricey but I think they are really neat.

What about transparent appliances? Will they replace stainless steel? In Asia, they've come out with transparent refrigerators and dryers. A company called Inventables is working in their concept studio on a transparent toaster. This cool design means no more burnt toast! Check it out: Inventables

If you've ever been to England, read a Rosamunde Pilcher novel, or are an appliance aficionado, you'll know about the Aga. They are the ultimate in cooking. Really. Here's what goes into this one of a kind creation and here's the history. I think these are by far the BEST appliance anyone could invest in. I guess it doesn't help that I've wanted one since I was about 15. They come in a range of colors and will last you your lifetime.

Small Dining Rooms

If you live in an apartment without a real dedicated dining space, don't worry, I have some solutions for you. For years I've lived in the typical apartment/condo that is basically one large room (minus the bedrooms/bathrooms) that you're supposed to configure into a dining room and living room together. The room is never really big enough so what ends up happening is the living room furniture takes up most of the space and the you're left with the awkward and ever so small "dining" space. This space is never big enough for a full size dining set so you either end up shoving the table against one of the walls (which makes it look more awkward) or you throw in a computer desk, make it a office, and then eat in your living room!!! So, here are some ideas on how to configure/decorate a small dining space.

One of the best pieces you can buy for a small dining room is a round table. Round tables don't take up as much space and quite often you can center them below the light fixture creating a more harmonious space. The typical rectangular shaped dining tables take up a lot of space and can overpower an already small dining room. We have a really neat dining table that was given to us as a gift. It's an original Gustav Stickley oak table from the early 1900's. If you're not familiar with Gustav Stickley, check out this site: The Stickley Museum.

With a small dining room table I find that different chairs, usually a light modern make, can create a unique and open look in the small room. Mixing up different colors looks great with an antique table. I have 3 modern brown chairs with thin brushed metal legs and one leather chair. They all are fairly small and can fit under the table. Another great way to open up the space is with artwork. If your walls are a neutral color, almost everything looks great. I have two large pieces on the wall and a few smaller pictures. All of the frames I have up in the dining room are black which again creates a more cohesive space.

Another great thing you can add to your dining space, especially when it's small, is a big mirror. Mirrors create the feeling of a larger space and can really brighten things up. A great place to find an inexpensive mirror is at Home Goods.