Fusion - Episode 12 - June 20, 2009

Happy Fathers Day! This is the day for the guy who is the go-to guy for home projects. If there is a project that he can’t do, we haven’t found it yet. He is the guy we do the Fusion show for! In fact this week we have a bunch of topics that would appeal to any dad. Just remember, they have to be done before Sunday so he can rest on his special day…

We would also like to tell you that next week is the final week of Fusion for this spring. This show was started because of a request from clients and viewers. We decided to give it a 13-week try and it has been a success! We are now looking for another time for our return. It looks like September will see the start of a bunch of new shows.

Perfect Packing

Soooo, you are getting the kids ready for summer camp, or maybe you are getting the family ready for a plane trip to see grandma and you can’t fit everything you need into your suitcase. Well, Dan Lerma from T he Container Store (503-620-5700) joined us to give us some tips on travel packing. The first tip is to be organized. Contact the destination to find out what they have already there and then make a list of things you need to take to fill in the gaps. This could be stuff like toiletries, or even maps and brochures of tourist destinations. Second, if you are flying, remember 3-1-1. This means your liquids are limited to 3 ounces or less per item, in a 1 quart bag and 1 carry-on bag. Of course if you check your luggage you can pack bigger bottles of liquids (check with your airline). Next consider weight. Lightweight bags and suitcases will help you stay under the weight limits that airlines have these days. Now if all this seems confusing you can check out the Container Store Packing Demonstrations at their store through July the 2^nd. A $25 dollar gift certificate will be given away at each demonstration.

Must-Have Appliances

If you have a wedding or graduation in your family this spring you may be at a loss to pick the perfect gift for those lucky recipients. Robin talked with Chase Voelker at Bed Bath and Beyond (503-624-9242) to see what the best gifts to get for these people are. He first showed us the Keurig K-cup coffee maker. This is a single use coffee maker that is all the rage right now. All you do is put in the coffee close the lid and push the button, you get your coffee and you don’t ever waste a full pot. It also has lots of different choices when it comes to coffees, hot chocolate and even teas. Next we looked at the Krups electric kettle. This is great for heating water for noodles, drinks or soups; a perfect appliance for the college student. A reminder, some colleges have restrictions on electric cooking and heating items. You can check with your college or stop by Bed, Bath and Beyond to check their list of colleges and see what is allowed, there is no guessing! We then moved to the Magic Bullet. We all thought this was just a TV gimmick, but Chase told us this is a great gift for anyone. It chops, blends, and grinds all kinds of different foods and takes very little space on your countertop. The next item was the Kitchen Aid mixer. This one is a must have for new couples and comes with lots of different attachments so you will never need to buy multiple kitchen tools to get the job done. Finally, the one fun item that Chase brought out was the Margaritaville Fiji Frozen concoction maker. This party machine grinds the ice, blends the drink and is a lot of fun! To find more great gifts for couples and grads stop by Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Decorating with Accessories

If you are looking to make a splash in you living room, dining room or family room it is not hard or expensive. Esther Robertson from Ashley Furniture (503-496-4210) joined Ken to tell him how she helps design rooms with accessories to give them the right look. First, look for a theme. It can be something that is a hobby or collection, or even an item or place. Some people like cows, or farms. Pick a theme and then look for stuff that will work within that theme. Next you can always create visual interest if you work in odd numbers. Groups of 3 or 5 can look very asymmetrical and unique. Don’t be afraid of color. Use a pop of color in a display or a picture to draw the eye to an area. A touch of red or a bowl of lemons can really jazz up a dark corner. You can even use something as easy as a throw or blanket to make an old couch or bed interesting. As Esther said, be fun, be creative and don’t be afraid of color.

If you only have hot and cold water on your sink you need to get with it. Dave Charvet from George Morlan Plumbing (503-224-7000) invited us over to show us some of the new gadgets that you can have with your sink to make your life in the kitchen easier. The first appliance was the Insta-hot water heater. This is a mini-hot water heater that fits under your sink and delivers a stream of 190 degree water when you need it. Great for instant oatmeal, soups and coffees. We then saw the latest in garbage disposers. Insinkerator was the pioneer in building these and their latest model is now 60 percent quieter than their older models so you can even have a conversation while it is running. You can even install this in an afternoon with a special air switch that makes it simple to operate with a touch of a finger. And don’t forget soap dispensers. They are perfect for liquid soaps or hand cream and now they can be easily refilled without climbing under the sink to do it. Stop by George Morlan today to check-out these products.