Hot Stuff: The Latest in Kitchen Accessories

What's hot? This season's buzzwords are professionalism and personality. Though they may seem like mutually exclusive terms, a successful kitchen requires both. Restaurant-grade tools help any cook feel like a pro. Personalized accessories in bright colors and whimsical patterns help the cook feel at home.

Bright Colors�

A profusion of high-tech appliances can leave the kitchen looking more like a lab. Pop color painted walls and accessories add personality. Look for brightly enameled cast iron cookware and colored small appliances. If your not quite ready for a red toaster, get a little boost from bright silicone pans and spatulas. New color combinations feel fresh: lime and red, cobalt and orange, butter yellow and eggplant. Paisley and striped table linens help bull the colors together.

Wine Finds�

Oenophiles delight! Wine preservation products are all the rage. Keep favorite vintages ready to serve. From tiny storage refrigerators built into kitchen islands, to ornate freestanding cellars, there are reserve products at every price point. Large units are available as ornate as oversized carved armoires or in sleek stainless steel and glass. New liquid crystal privacy glass doors turn panels from transparent to opaque to a single touch. If the shelves are looking a little meager, guests will never know. When you've replenished your collection, show it off. Another hot option is an open wine bottle anti-oxidation system. An insulated, backlit case uses low pressure inert nitrogen gas to push wine from the bottle through a spigot, one glass at a time. This controls the oxidation of open bottles for up to two weeks. The cases have dual temperature controls to keep reds and whites separate yet superb. To take the guesswork out of stemware, invest in European wine glasses. The small tumbler shape makes them more sturdy, but also looks world traveler cool.

Restaurant Kitchens�

In addition to high grade utensils and chefs' knives, there are a bevy of products on the market to ease the rigors of daily cooking. A non-skid anti-fatigue mat made of urethane foam relieves the pain of standing for long periods on concrete, hardwood, and marble floors. Ergonomic, egg-shaped mixing bowls and colanders nest in the crook of the arm to allow more vigorous whisking. The tapered side allows for easier pouring, too. Restaurant linens stand wash after wash and rarely need pressing. New technology to facilitate cleaning includes anti-microbial counters and three-rack dishwashers. To truly function like a restaurant kitchen, invest in a commercial-grade espresso machine. Built-in water filters and touchpad controls guarantee consistent brews. A highly polished copper unit, topped with a brass eagle, is classic style.

Cottage Accessories�

A mix of European influences - English Victorian, French Provencal, and Northern Italian - add femininity to contemporary space. A custom dresser houses tossed floral and embroidered linens. Dishes feature wallpaper-inspired toile and garden patterns. Glasses are intricately etched. Vintage style is rounded out with antique-look scales, clocks, and timers, as well as ceramic and jewel-like faceted glass knobs. Hand painted wallpaper and botanical prints bring it all together.