GLASS & PLASTICS

The stove is still the centerpiece of
the kitchen.

Changing Stoves

T

EUROPEAN FRAMELESS
GLASS SHOWER ENCLOSURE

SPECIALISTS IN
CUSTOM
SHOWER
ENCLOSURES

EXPERTS IN
CUSTOM
MIRROR DESIGN
AND
INSTALLATION

WE CAN ALSO FILL
ALL OF YOUR CUSTOM GLASS FURNITURE
AND TABLETOP NEEDS

Call today for a free estimate, or visit our Southfield showroom for a consultation.

22223 Telegraph Rd. (South of 9 Mile) 353-6770

— Interior decorators and Builders Welcomed -
- Custom Glass Experts Since 1964

—

34

HOME

he hearth is the soul of the
house, where the family gath-
ers for food, warmth and fel-
lowship, according to tradition.
While it's a bit hard to envision the fami-
ly gathered around the microwave in
these electronic days, the stove — or
whatever is used to boil, broil, fry, bake,
or toast — is still the centerpiece of a
kitchen.
One variation on the stove is the
cooktop, a combination of burners,
grills and controls in a horizontal panel,
often installed in island counters. An
example is a new gas downdraft
cooktop from Modern Maid, which
features interchangeable cartridges for
double burners, griddle and rotisserie
in addition to its grill.
Ovens and cooking appliances that
suspend under shelves may be a
good choice for small or galley-style
kitchens. The Spacemaker series from
Black & Decker includes under-the-
cabinet models of toaster oven/broilers,
automatic drip coffee makers, a hot-air
popcorn popper and a can opener.
For Anglophiles and those with
classic tastes, there is the Aga II, a
scaled-down version of the well known
British four-oven stove (called a cooker
in Britain) that has been created for the
American market. The Aga II has two
ovens, uses continuous radiant heat
(from natural gas, liquid propane or
coal) and can simultaneously broil,
roast, simmer, bake, fry, stew, toast, boil
and grill. And yes, it has the front rail
for drying towels. The cooker weighs
900 pounds in cast iron, is hand made
and hand enameled in a number of
colors. The stove is custom-assembled
at the consumer's home.