+1 on hand tools. A hand-crank drill, for instance, or even a simple push drill, is fine for many jobs. And hand tools take up less space and make less noise.

Hand-operated kitchen tools are fine too, unless you're cooking for a crowd. I actually enjoy using a manual mixer ("egg-beater"), coffee grinder and can opener.

The vintage tools are often things of beauty and a pleasure to use.

Nurit