Klein StyleCalvin Klein’s minimalist approach to home...

Klein Style

Calvin Klein’s minimalist approach to home furnishings goes a long way toward bringing maximum chic to the bath.

Expanding his home collection for spring, Klein has added shower curtains, guest towels, bath rugs and other accessories.

The shower curtains (from $100-$250), in cotton, hemp and linen-cotton blends, are available in several styles, such as U-top tabs, tie tops and buttonhole closures. There are several patterns from which to choose.

Among the accessories ($60-$75) are tumblers, boxes, soap dishes, trays and mirrors in a variety of sizes in brushed nickel, wood and glass.

For the nearest store, call (800) 294-7978.

Readying for Retirement

Deciding to stay in your home or move to a retirement community is a decision made easier with the book “Home Planning for Your Later Years” by William Wasch (about $20, Beverly Cracom Publications).

In 181 pages, Wasch offers a step-by-step home assessment and planning guide for middle-age and older adults. Many of the remodeling plans and tips also are helpful to those who use a wheelchair or other equipment.

Wasch, with his daughter, Christina, an architect, walks the reader through each room of the house, offering tips for modifications.

For instance, Wasch, co-founder of the Independence Resource Center, says the bathroom is the place most homes need to change for seniors.

“Usually they are too small and narrow for walkers and wheelchairs,” Wasch says, “but it’s easy to change a bathroom. I advocate taking out the tub and putting in a walk-in shower with a bench.”

Another area of the home that can be altered is the front door. “One way to widen the door is to take off the trim. Also, attractive ramps can be built that work with landscaping, so it looks like it fits right in,” Wasch says.

Wasch, who lives in Middletown, Conn., has tried many of his renovations and remodeling ideas in existing homes with good results. The book is available at Barnes & Noble stores throughout the county.

Panning Out

Wolfgang Puck, chef and restaurateur, is stirring things up with his new cookware line.

The cookware is complete tri-ply, which means there are three layers of metal with the aluminum heat conductor sandwiched between two sheets of stainless steel.

“What this means to the average cook is that the heat circulates evenly throughout the entire pot or pan, not just on the bottom surface,” says Sydney Silverman, president of W.P. Productions, licensee of the cookware. “This eliminates hot spots and allows the food to cook more evenly.”

The pots and pans have heat-resistant stainless steel handles, and the lids are clear tempered glass with reinforced rims, which lets you check on the food without disturbing it.

A seven-piece set of Puck’s cookware ($175), which includes a two-quart covered saucepan, six-quart covered stock pot, 10-inch covered saute pan, 10-inch open omelet pan and recipe book, is available through the Price Costco mail-order book.

Call (800) 955-2292 to order the cookware. For more information on other pieces in the line, call (800) 275-8273.