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Many homeowners do not appreciate losing counter space for an appliance and are increasingly turning to a built in coffee maker. These appliances can still be available for use at all times while keeping the surface of the counter free of clutter.

The prices of a built in coffee maker can run several thousands of dollars, but offer the convenience of not having to add water each time, as they are plumbed directly into the house. Adding water is as simple as determining how much coffee you are going to make and pushing the right button.

Adding grounds is accomplished by pulling out the basket, adding the filter and the grounds and some of the more expensive built in coffee makers are equipped with a coffee grinder as well, so your coffee is brewed using fresh ground beans, which also can be stored in the unit.

Some Less Expensive Models Not Plumbed

For those who cannot afford, or who don’t wish to spend thousands of dollars on a coffee maker, there are less expensive models that fit into the wall or attach to the underside of a kitchen cabinet. Although Brew Express does offer a built in coffee maker which is plumbed into the wall and hard wired which costs about $450.00

A couple of units are simply a box cut into the wall into which a coffee maker placed. Its wire comes out the front to be plugged in and the entire unit is removed to add water and grounds. It is then placed back into the wall for brewing. Still, other built in coffee makers are designed to be hung from a bracket attached to the top of a conventional coffee maker to keep it raised above the surface.

There are a few advantages to the more expensive models of a built in coffee maker as they usually are self-filling, adding just the right amount of water after each brewing. All the user need do is add fresh grounds and turn it on. It not only frees an outlet in your kitchen, since it is wired directly into the house, many models also have plugs built into them, giving you more outlets than were originally available.

Since coffee tables did not grow into popularity until the 20th century, defining an antique coffee table can be somewhat complicated. Most early coffee tables were merely wood kitchen tables with their legs shortened to the height of sofas in order to fit their use.

Today, many antique coffee tables are just that, antique dining room tables with shorter legs and those can still be considered antiques since the table, other than the length of the legs, is still in its original form. These tables come in different sizes, shapes and styles as varied as the original tables from which they have been converted.

One of the problems with finding an antique coffee table is to first be sure it qualifies as an antique. While all antique furniture is old, not all old furniture can be considered antique. It may be just some boards thrown together and legs attached. Look for the quality of the craftsmanship.

Hand-hewn joints should be solid without gaps and the boards on the top should be tightly fitted, again with no gaps. Legs on most antique coffee tables are held on with dowels and glue, not nails or metal brackets. If your table has a drawer, the guides will also be made of wood if it is a true antique coffee table.

Consider Refinishing If Surface Is Worn

While many antique experts will tell you that refinishing will reduce the value of a piece, there are times, refinishing will be necessary. If the surface is dull and cracked removing the old finish can be done with jeopardizing the value of the antique coffee table.

Using non-chemical varnish remover, available through many do-it-yourself outlets, along with zero course steel wheel, the varnish can be removed and the bare wood finely smoothed in preparation of the application of a new finish. Replacing pieces of an antique coffee table should be left to experts with the knowledge and expertise to make any new pieces needed and to match the original craftsmanship.

Replacing parts however, can reduce the value, but the has already been greatly reduced due to the damaged pieces you want to replace. An antique coffee table, which has been painted, offers a different set of opportunities, but a high quality paint remover can be used to get it back to its original color. Once the paint is removed, inspect the surface finish and it can be replaced, as well, if needed.