Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet News and Press

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
August 16, 2008

A pizza oven helps separate man from beast.

Finishing Touches

The late and much-missed Sarasota interior decorator Matt Overstreet used to insist that accessories are what set us apart from the beasts. Almost anyone can inhabit a cave or nest or dwelling, but only humans search out just the right objects to elevate a house to a home, both in comfort and aesthetics.

Of course, trends in accessories come and go, but the categories of abiding interest stay pretty much the same. They include window treatments, lamps, pillows, area rugs, framed art and mirrors, tabletop sculpture and knickknacks. Designers say the area rug is the most critical accessory, because it ties together the rest of the colors in the space and establishes a style. The least expensive accessory with the greatest wow factor is probably the throw pillow. And the quickest way to freshen up a tired room is to change out the lampshades. Old, worn-out lampshades depress a room; new ones brighten it up. Some trends to try:

Pizza perfecto

Pizza ovens for outdoor kitchens or barbecue areas are catching fire with consumers. Like grills, there are many versions, ranging from traditional brick ovens to counter-top models in stainless steel. One of the hottest is from Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet called the Artisan Pizza Oven. Designed like the classic arched-roof baking oven found in Italy, it bakes thick- and thin-crust pizzas, as well as calzones and bread. A convenient tray for wood chips delivers traditional wood-fired flavor. Price is $3,990.

The Kalamazoo Outdoor Artisan Pizza Oven delivers a broad temperature range for baking every type of pizza, from Chicago-style deep dish to Neapolitan-style thin crust. The commercial baking stone helps you deliver perfect crusts every time.