Betty Byrne, senior home economist for Hamilton Beach Brands, was the guest recently in an online Q&A where she discussed kitchen appliances and her specialty, toasters. She joined home design writers Jura Koncius and Terri Sapienza, who answered questions about home decorating. Here is an edited excerpt.
Q: Over Thanksgiving my sister asked us to recommend a fast-toasting toaster, and none of us had an answer! Is there a way to tell how fast a toaster will work?
Byrne: Yes. The higher the wattage of the toaster, the faster it will toast. Wattage is listed on the outside of the packaging or underneath the appliance.
Q: What kitchen appliance would make the best wedding gift, housewarming gift for a bachelor and birthday gift for one of my grandparents?
Byrne: For the bachelor, I highly recommend a griddle, as they can be used for complete breakfasts such as bacon, pancakes and eggs, all fast and easy choices. Plus, cleanup is simple; just place in the dishwasher. If he’s a coffee enthusiast, try a coffeemaker. They are always useful and come in a wide variety of styles.
For a wedding gift, I’d suggest a slow cooker. This appliance allows the modern family to come home to a healthy, home-cooked and hot meal, saving both money and time. For a grandparent, a toaster oven would be a great gift. At this point in their lives many are downsizing, and a toaster oven is more versatile than ever. It can cook a roast or bake a cake.
Q: Do you think a blender is a must for every kitchen?
Byrne: I do, because blenders are a staple item in the kitchen. They can be used for everything from sauces to soups to salsas, not to mention smoothies, milkshakes and other icy beverages.
Q: I have three lamps in search of shades. I was in Gaylord’s Lamps and Shades in Bethesda, Md., and the cheapest are $65! Do you have suggestions for places with a large selection and a wider price range?
Koncius: You can try Target, Ikea and Pottery Barn. Do you all have other ideas? Editor’s note: Readers suggested Lowe’s, eBay, Ross and Marshalls.
Q: I just painted my office brown, which I love from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The rest of the time, the walls look black! I’ve decided I need to upgrade the lighting (right now there’s one sad little desk lamp). What should I be looking for?
Sapienza: You’ll want to use a combination of overhead and task lighting (table and/or floor lamps) and put everything on a dimmer so you can control the amount of light.
Q: The entry hall of our 1938 center-hall Colonial has a bare light bulb. I can’t find a fixture that works with the rest of the ones in the house — all original. The dining room has a brass candelabrum, and the living room has brass candle sconces with lightly etched glass. Help!
Sapienza: I don’t think you need to match your other fixtures. In fact, I would suggest you do something different in your entry. You could go with a lantern, a bell jar fixture or a chandelier — all classic choices that would likely work. But I would just go with something you see that you really love, whether or not you think it “goes” with the other fixtures in your house.
