Inspired Appliances Trends

Sheila Clark: When you walk into a kitchen chances are the appliances are the first thing you notice, but it doesn't have to be -- imagine a kitchen where the appliances blend in with the rest of the kitchen. Joining us today is Andrea Balfour to explain how appliances can be used in different ways if you are looking for a more streamlined or custom kitchen style. This is DailyWebTV. Today, we're at Anderson Balfour Kitchen Design in Port Credit, and we're speaking with Andrea Balfour about choosing the right kitchen appliances. Andrea, I know there are several different types of appliances, but the trend seems to be pretty strong into integrated and built-ins. What is the difference between the two? Andrea Balfour: A built-in appliance always has a decorative panel applied to it. So it is noticeable that it is an appliance. An integrated appliance you can't tell, it may look like an armoire or a pantry and you open the door and there is a refrigerator. Sheila Clark: Surprise! Andrea Balfour: Or a dishwasher. Sheila Clark: So obviously this is used for a specific look or design feel, like where would you use that. Andrea Balfour: Well, big trend now is to open the kitchen into a dining space or further into a living space so that you do not want the appliance to be so important. So we put in an integrated appliance and that looks like a pantry and armoire, so you're not disturbing the beautiful room that you've created by a less than attractive kitchen appliance. Sheila Clark: Right. So you get a kind of seamless flow throughout the kitchen and the great room. Are there particular places where that application is very handy? Andrea Balfour: It's spectacular in condominiums and lofts. Integrated appliances are usually in a two-foot or a three-foot increment so that you're saving space, you get more storage, more countertops, and again it's hidden so you can't see when you're looking to the living room, it's beautiful. Sheila Clark: Are there particular key elements that you look for when you're recommending appliances? Andrea Balfour: We only work with energy star appliances. Sheila Clark: Well, that's good, I mean, obviously anything that is environmentally friendly is very important today. Is there any other key elements or trends that are sort of prevalent to this time? Andrea Balfour: Well, there is a new trend to induction cooking and this is an example of an induction cook-top. They have a ceran top which is a type of glass. Sheila Clark: A Ceran? Andrea Balfour: Ceran. It's very easy to keep clean. Induction is electricity used to generate a magnetic field and your ferrous pot like a stainless steel pot is used and it becomes the element, the bottom of the pot becomes the element. Induction has a very -- it's better than gas. You're not losing 60% of the energy produced for heat and it is very easy to calibrate, so that if you love to make sauces like a hollandaise sauce, you can make it in a pot right on the element. Sheila Clark: So you're saying that the -- I think you said ferrous pot. Are these pots that are particular to cooking with induction? Andrea Balfour: Well, there are lots available on the market now. It's not difficult to find, but we've all grown up with cast-iron pots, that works perfectly, or pots with stainless steel bottoms. Sheila Clark: So is there any other key elements to look for or trends that are very prevalent? Andrea Balfour: Well, our Liebherr refrigeration has a new patented system, it's called BioFresh. BioFresh is designed to keep meat, fruits, vegetables, dairy products at the optimum temperature and humidity. It prolongs their life by over three times. Sheila Clark: Wow! Andrea Balfour: So if you have had that experience where you opened your fridge and your lettuce is wilted, you won't find that a problem with BioFresh. Sheila Clark: Well, that's amazing. Anybody who shops and cooks at home knows how important it is to find your produce good when you get in there. Andrea Balfour: That's right. Sheila Clark: Thank you so much for the great tips. And if someone would like to learn more about Anderson Balfour Kitchen Design where can they go? Andrea Balfour: Sheila, they can contact us at andersonbalfour.com. Sheila Clark: Andersonbalfour.com, for great inspiration in kitchen appliances and so much more. Keeping you informed, I am Sheila Clark and you've been watching DailyWebTV.