Saturday, January 21, 2024

Kitchen Ligthing Techniques

Kitchen Lighting

Kitchen Lighting

 

Kitchen Lighting Techniques

It’s so easy to get taken in by the fancy new cupboards, worktops and flooring when designing your new kitchen, however lighting is something which is often overlooked. The lighting can totally change the look, feel and usability of a kitchen.

 

Many people will simply leave the general ceiling light in place and not bother with any additional lighting in the room. By just spending a little bit of time and money researching the different types of lighting available for your kitchen it is easy to add an extra touch of luxury to the space.

 

There are several types of different lighting for the kitchen area which we will now look at individually.

 

General Lighting

This will normally be the main light or lights in the room, providing most of the light that is required for general use.

 

Highlight Lighting
Highlight lighting is generally more decorative than functional, often used to highlight kitchen appliances or decorative features. These are normally spot lights, however strips of LED lights are becoming more and more popular as they are more energy efficient and easy to hide under the edge of cabinets.

 

Task Lighting

Task lighting is pretty much the opposite of highlight lighting. Rather than being used for decorative purposes, it is used to provide much needed light in areas while you are working. For example, this could be recessed lights in a cooker hood to provide extra light while you are cooking, or lighting under wall mounted cabinets to provide extra lighting while you are preparing good.

 

Obviously as well as the different types of lighting, each one has various different styles of fixtures and fittings available. For example, you could choose a single pendant light for the general lighting, a cluster of spot lights or perhaps a fluorescent tube light. Even within each of those types, there are literally hundreds of different styles of light fittings.

 

Finally, the light bulbs that you use will affect the result of the lighting as well as the cost of the lighting. For example, new energy efficient LED light bulbs have an extremely long life span and will outlast many normal filament light bulbs while only costing a fraction of the price to run, however they are usually not as bright as some of the alternative types of lighting available.

 

The color of the light from the bulb will also change the feel of the room. For example a bulb which gives off a bright white light may create a clean and fresh appearance, while a yellow light may tinge the room and give it a different appearance.

 

 

The author has been designing bespoke kitchens  for many years, for both commercial and residential use. Having recently taken up a position as a designer for kitchens manufacturer VelaCici, he is now concentrating purely on replacement kitchens for the home, as well as replacement kitchen worktops.

Saturday, January 21, 2024

Tasty Dip Recipes

Great Dip Recipes

Great Dip Recipes

 

Super Bowl is the most watched serial on television and fans all over the world go frenzy for it. Food and watching super bowl are just synonymous to one another. Watching super bowl for me is not my passion as I’m not a NFL football kind of girl, but for some reason I happen to be there and enjoy the fun at my home. Having guests over seems to add the overall atmosphere to a whole new level.  Having a bunch of football fans at our home requires a variety of food from appetizers/finger foods that make the evening a memorable one.   If you are searching for tasty dips to add to the flair of the main course then your search ends here.

 

The afternoon theatrics can be matched with these amazing dips. If you are a career woman and have had no time to plan something big then these dips go well with a bag of Nachos and ready to fry frozen food. I  like dips because they are generally easy to make and impart a wonderful casualness to an affair.

 
Cajun Dip Sauce

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

To make the sauce- mix the mayonnaise, ketchup with the above mentioned spices to make a delectable dip for both non vegetarian and vegetarian appetizers.

 

 

Guacamole

  • 2 ripe avocados
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 small tomato
  • Olive Oil
  • 1 fresh lime
  • salt and pepper to taste

Peel avocados and remove the seed. Peel and mince the onion and the garlic, use a fork to mash it gently. Mixing in a blender is not a good idea as I like it coarse. Chop the tomato and onion, mix salt, lemon. olive oil and pepper and it is ready to eat.

 

 

Tomato Dip

  • 1 medium tomato, chopped
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 teaspoons sugar, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
  • 2 cups sour cream

Preparation:
Combine tomatoes with lemon juice, salt, and pepper; keep it aside for 30 minutes in a bowl. Add Worcestershire sauce, green onions, and sour cream and blend it and it is ready to use. Veggie dippers and this chilled tomato dip is a delectable combo to beat.

 

 

About the Author Mary is a freelance guest writer for quite some years now. Have been sharing my thoughts online about the topics I am well versed and passionate about. Have been associated with cause of using solar power panels in helping change the world and reduce the use of fossil fuel power. Do check her blog on solar panel to make a better decision. My other interests include Art, Home Design, Gadgets, Internet and Technology.