Shoptalk by Sturbridge Yankee Workshop

When it comes to home furnishings and home decoratives, Sturbridge Yankee Workshop has a lot to offer both in our catalog and within our website exclusive items. For Winter 2012, many new kitchen accents have been added to our large assortment in both areas.  During the Winter months you most likely will be spending a lot of time in your kitchens baking and cooking delicious goodies and savory meals. So why not freshen up your kitchen with some updated accents and handy tools? With Sturbridge this is easy to do, let’s take a look.

To start, consider a welcoming sign to invite family, friends and other guests into your kitchen. Our Kitchen Sign seen here to the left, features a unique wavy metal base with a gray and white striped design. The printed phrase on the raised plaque states, “Kitchens are made to bring families together,” beautifully written in red and cream manuscript and complete with an easy to hang, curly wire hanger. As your kitchen is likely to be the heart of your home this winter, you want to keep it neat and tidy. With Sturbridge Yankee Workshop there are lot’s of ways to stay organized in this high traffic area.

A recent addition to our website exclusive kitchen items, includes our collection of Kitchen Pot Racks. Made of hot rolled steel and complete with a uniform satin finish to give a lustrous shine, our pot racks will ease your kitchen clean up and storage. The pot rack’s technology steel anchors (included) eliminate the need to attach the rack to joists or studs in your walls; this means a quick and easy assembly time. There are quite a variety of pot rack styles for customers to choose from that will suit their individual space needs and decor styles. Our Square Pot Rack is the perfect compact size to save space in a small kitchen. It’s just what you need to have your pots and pans at arms reach, without having to go searching in cupboards or drawers. This pot rack features a simple, yet sturdy square grid design. Or for a different look, consider our Accessory Shelf Pot Rack seen below, which offers a wall mount instead of a ceiling mount. The rectangular grid here, acts as a storage shelf for storing extra dishware, cook books, spices and more; while providing plenty of space to hang your favorite pots and pans. Both of these pot racks come with 8 convenient pot hooks.

More kitchen storage ideas include our new Wire Basket Set which will have multiple uses in your home. Crafted of natural iron, you could store fruit, vegetables or towels in the kitchen and fire kindling, small blankets for curling up on the couch or your reading and knitting materials in the living room or bed room. The wire detail and distressed wood handles give this set of three, decorative storage baskets a primitive touch.

In regards to cooking in the kitchen, keep your recipes organized with our Country Recipe Box, designed by Dianna Swartz and Jonie Merrick. Displaying a painted apple pie with rolling pin on a distressed black wood base, the rounded ball feet are sturdy and mimic the round ball handle on the recipe box cover. Holds a typical 3 x 5 recipe or index card and makes a delightful country accent for any kitchen. To coordinate, don’t forget our handy Recipe Card Holder to follow recipes with ease at eye level.

With those of you with smaller or uniquely sized kitchens, we know space is important to you. Having items that are both decorative and functional should be the goal. Customers will love our Bamboo Dish Rack, crafted of quality bamboo wood and offers an alternative to flimsy plastic dish racks. With the standard “v” shape to dry your plates and bowls, an additional feature is a lower shelf to dry your cups and silverware. Bamboo is a naturally replenishing grass and one of the world’s most renewable resources. If you’re lacking room in your cupboards, this provides an additional space to display your dishware. On the same idea, is our Wine Bottle Glass Tree made of steel, to air dry your juice glasses or any small glass about 4″ tall; because nobody likes drying glasses by hand.

In terms of serving accents in your kitchen, it’s all about the details. There’s nothing better than having a fresh cup of coffee in the morning and at Sturbridge, there are a couple of options. Our Classic Coffee Grinder is an antique reproduction, hand churned coffee grinder. Features adjustable grinding mechanism and adjustable settings from a fine to a coarse blend. After you have your coffee grinds, try our new Enamelware Percolator seen here to the left. Featuring a bright red specked design, this percolator forces the boiling water up through the coffee grinds and then filters it through in a separate chamber, producing a delicious and smooth cup of coffee. The enamelware’s durability makes it perfect for camping too. Your family and friends will love the retro design.

For your next social gathering or dinner party present your appetizers with our heavy duty, restaurant grade china, serving dishes. Our Artichoke Bread Tray and matching Artichoke Serving Bowl display beautiful, photo realistic images of green artichoke hearts. On both serving dishes, artichoke is written numerous times in various shades of green throughout the background that will inspire healthy eating and fresh conversation. Or if its cheese your looking to serve, try our new Mini Heart Cheese Board. Made of eco-friendly bamboo wood, also included is a petite 3.75”L spreader that features a carved heart detail on the handle. Customers may also consider this item for a cute Valentine’s Day Gift. Lastly, when serving drinks to a large crowd, our Six Pack Bottle Holder is just the thing you’ll need. The iron metal, basket like base is held by a distressed wood handle and there’s room for 6 glass bottles or glasses. This basket also doubles as a place to store gardening tools or could be used as a great table centerpiece as well; place a small arrangement of flowers in a glass vase for a true country feel.

For a few final ideas in terms of adding a fresh accent to your kitchen this winter, remember it’s sometimes the little things that make a difference in making a big statement within in your decor. Our Swing Hook pictured here to the left, has 6 swing “arms” and is very practical to hang a hand towel or potholder at easy reach in the kitchen. Crafted of metal with a rusty appearance, this Swing Hook will provide multiple uses in your home. For a fun table or counter display try our new Glass Pineapple Container, which offers a modern twist to pineapple themed decorating. Did you know that pineapples symbolize hospitality and community gatherings/activities? In colonial times the tradition of sharing and exchanging the prized pineapple fruit was seen as a welcome invitation. With this glass container you can place your favorite wrapped candies or small decorative fillers inside. Or, use as an enchanting and tropical centerpiece with the added benefit of a taper candle holder in the removable, metal top.

Our final kitchen accent to share today is our new Rolling Pin Sachet, proudly handcrafted here in Maine. Designed by Leslie Evans, our exclusive Rolling Pin Sachet is filled with corn husk and has a refreshing orange and clove scent. Featuring a French wooden rolling pin, bordered by an orange trim and surrounded by a vintage wall paper inspired, green and ivory design. Its reverse is a gray and white country check pattern. Let this delightful aroma add a sweet aura to your kitchen this winter season. For more kitchen decorative accents and tools from Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, browse the entire Kitchen Accessories category today.