Archive for June, 2008
From Julie:
British designer Jasper Morrison’s kitchen basics for Alessi are simple perfection.
Below: Five Piece Kitchen Utensil Set; available in satin or polished stainless steel; $115 at Lumens. Individual utensils also available at Unica Home.
Below: Kitchen Tool Set in beechwood; $15 at Scandinavian Details.
Below: Pots & Pans Colander of mirror-polished stainless steel; $78 at Scandinavian Details.
Below: Black, gray, or white Pepe Le Moko polymide and stainless pepper and salt mills; $82 at Unica Home.
Below: Pots & Pans Collection for Alessi; constructed with 18/10 stainless steel with an aluminum and AISI 430 magnetic steel radiating base. Glazed interiors, polished exteriors, and spot-welded handles. From $62 for a small saucepan to $212 for a three-piece pasta set; an eight-piece set is $400 at Lumens.
Below: Tin Family Containers for Alessi; available in satin finish or polished finish; from $8.50 for the smallest to $52.50 for the largest; $74.50 for the set at Y Lighting.
June 30th, 2008
Related posts:
- Tabletop: Jasper Morrison’s PlateBowlCup
- 10 Easy Pieces: Cabinet Pulls
- Update: Jasper Morrison Crate Controversy
- 10 Easy Pieces: Basic White Dinnerware
- Storage: Jasper Morrison Crate
From Julie:
The Cubist kitchen in the Turbulence House, a guesthouse in New Mexico by hyper-conceptual architect Steven Holl. We like the floating cooktop, the mix of baltic birch and stainless steel, and the combination of open and closed shelving. Decipher (if you can) Holl’s mission statement for the house at Design Boom. Also, visit Ironwood Industries for more views of the custom cabinetry.
June 30th, 2008
Related posts:
- Kitchen: Open Shelf Roundup
- Atlas Industries
- Architect Visit: John Pawson in Telluride
- House Call: Brooklyn Heights Remodel
- Slow Design: Industrial-Strength Kitchen
From Julie:
Although these rustic outdoor storage pieces from Santa Barbara–based Country Barn Collection are meant for equestrians, we think they’d look great anywhere. Made from reclaimed Douglas fir or redwood, the armoires start at $2,995 and the feed bins (we see them as outdoor garbage can storage) start at $1,195.
June 27th, 2008
Related posts:
- Storage: New from Pottery Barn
- Outdoors: Hurricane Lamp from the Gardener
- Galvanized Cube Storage Table
- Outdoors: Candle Lantern
- Dining Room: Belgium Storage
From Julie, Janet, and Sarah:
Something about summer makes us think about lofty living spaces and barn doors that swing open wide to dissolve the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
Below: Perhaps the ultimate barn compound, created by Adelaide de Menil and her husband, Ed Carpenter, in East Hampton from 14 historic structures (some dating to the 17th century) moved to the property over the years. When the couple sold the complex in 2007, they donated eight of the houses to the town of East Hampton to be used as a town hall; architect Robert A. M. Stern is presiding.
Below: A modern barn residence in the UK.
Below: UK architect John Pawson transformed a complex of agricultural barns into a residential complex in Essex, England.
Below: A modern residence carved out of an ancient building; via Emmas Designblogg.
Below: A barn poolhouse from This Old House.
Below: A modern renovation of a dairy barn, complete with silo, by Specht Harpman Architects.
Below: A contemporary conversion of a 200-year-old grain barn in Canterbury, England.
Below: A project by architect Preston Scott Cohen, spotted in Dwell.
Below: Leroy Street Studio’s modern take on the barn (a 2008 AIA award winner).
Below: A 250-year-old converted barn in Provence, from Living Etc.
Below: A renovation of a 150-year-old structure in the Netherlands by Faro Architecten.
Below: Belgium Barn House by architect Rita Huys of Buro2. Via Inhabitat.
June 27th, 2008
Related posts:
- Architect Visit: Alex Scott Porter
- Architectural Elements: Sliding Barn Doors
- Architect Visit: Studio Atkinson
- Architect Visit: Estes/Twombly
- Architect Visit: John Pawson in Telluride
From Sarah:
We love the clever use of negative space in the Abra Candelabra design that turns classic candlesticks inside out; designed by Alberto Mantilla and Anthony Baxter; made of handblown glass, $90 a pair at MoMA Store.
June 26th, 2008
Related posts:
- Shopper’s Diary: Destination Japan at MoMA
- Muji Wire Clips
- Office & Children’s Rooms: Hanging Chalkboard
- 10 Easy Pieces: Basic Drinking Glasses
- Chalkboard Napkin Rings
From Janet:
My all-time favorite fixture purchase was a simple vintage nickel towel bar I installed in my Seattle bathroom (I wish I had unscrewed it and taken it with me when we moved). If you’re after a similar vintage look in your bath, consider searching for old fittings at one of the many online architectural salvage yards; Hewn and Hammered has a great listing of online resources. (For those in pursuit of new fixtures, see 10 Easy Pieces: Towel Bars.)
Here’s a sampling:
Below: Glass towel bars with nickel fittings from Historic House Parts.
Below: Clear glass towel bar with porcelain fittings from Historic House Parts.
Below: Belgian enamel towel bar from Historic House Parts.
Below: Vintage Chrome Towel Bar at Nor’East Architectural Salvage.
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Below: Glass Towel Bar, also at Nor’East Architectural Salvage.
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Below: Assortment of towel bars from Pasadena Architectural Salvage.
June 26th, 2008
Related posts:
- Slow Design: Made from Salvage
- Remodeling Redux: Slow Design - 100-Mile Bathroom
- Remodeling Redux: 10 Easy Pieces-Towel Bars
- Tabletop: Minima Decanter
- Shopper’s Diary: Vintage Fixtures
From our writer friend Lisa Michaels:
My twin boys were devastated when their favorite gift shop here in Healdsburg closed down. “Where will we get our Mushies?” they cried. But I nearly hit the car in front of me when I drove by and saw what had opened in its place: a shop selling vintage modern furnishings. Before 14Feet opened, I had to drive an hour and a half to the Mission District in SF to get my fix. Now I drop in regularly to see the beautifully arranged and ever-changing vignettes. I covet the metal industrial stool, the nine-foot-long Edward Wormley sofa (where surely two boys could curl up and read without squabbling over territory), and the simple and beautiful pendant shades. Owners Marne Dupere (the founder and former proprietor of LA vintage modern store Orange) and Mike Morisette traveled across the country in an Airstream, buying up quirky, often oversized vintage pieces as they went along (”Everything we bought seemed to be 14 feet,” Morisette says, “hence the name of the shop”). 14Feet also carries a few new pieces from European companies such as E15 (they’ve got the iconic Bigfoot table on the floor): “We like blending modern and vintage to create rich textural layers,” Dupere says. “We think it helps shape a more soulful environment.”
Below: 1950s industrial stool in natural steel with red waxed wood top; $375.
Below: 1930s Gymnasium Lamp; 32 inches tall and finished in gloss black powder coat. $1,750.
Below: Vintage Knoll Brno Chair reupholstered in wool flokati; $1,275. (For similar pieces, check out our post Furry Furniture.)
Below: 1930s Brass and Wood Stacked Ball Lamps; $425 for the pair.
Below: An installation of scaffolding hooks.
Below: Backenzahn oak stools from German company E15.
Below: Rare 1949 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Turk Sofa, redone to original specs (latex cushions, down backs, taupe cotton/silk linen); 108 inches long, $9,200.Vintage Kuba cloth pillow; from an assortment starting at $155.
June 26th, 2008
Related posts:
- Shopper’s Diary: Flair Comes to NYC
- Shopper’s Diary: Few and Far
- Shopper’s Diary: Kim Fiscus Antiques
- Autoban Box Sofa
- Shopper’s Diary: Obsolete Inc.
From Janet:
When it comes to the issue of washing machines, are we biased? Yes. In our opinion, front-loading washing machines:
- Offer superior cleaning and efficiency at the same cost as the best top-loading machines;
- Use less water than top-loaders;
- Accommodate larger loads for increased efficiency;
- Achieve better moisture extraction in the spin cycle, which means shorter (and less costly) drying times;
- Can be stacked with a dryer to save space.
(NB: we don’t review washer/dryer combos, which are usually more expensive. We think it’s smarter to choose a washer and dryer separately.)
Our Top Ten Picks:
Below: The LG Steamwasher (model #WM2688HNMA/WMA) is highly rated, good-looking, and loaded with features. At $1,497, it offers outstanding energy and water efficiency, two optional steam settings, a cycle to moisten clothing to make ironing easier, and another that adds steam for boosting cleaning performance. Finally, it’s stackable. Shown in midnight blue, perched on the LG Steamwasher ($207); at Home Click.
Below: LG’s 27-inch Front Load Washer (model #WMo642HW) with 4.0 cubic foot capacity, ultra-quiet operation, and a NeveRust stainless steel drum. Highly energy and water efficient; costs $897 at Home Click.
Below: For the technology-minded, the GE Profile SmartDispense frontload washer determines a load’s weight and dirt-level, then calculates and releases the needed amount of water, detergent, and fabric softener. The company estimates that the machine saves 5,800 gallons of water or more each year. $1457 at Richmond Appliance.
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Below: The stackable Frigidare Gallery (GLTF2940F) is a great buy at $594 at Absolute Home. It receives high marks for its washing performance and energy efficiency. It offers automatic temperature control and automatic detergent and bleach dispensers.
Below: Kenmore Elite HE5t 4.0 cubic foot King Size Capacity Plus front-loading washer offers a large range of cycles, including a high-heat sanitary option, quiet operation, and a great range of colors. Highly rated by consumer groups and users; $1,299 at Sears. (NB: manufactured by Whirlpool.)
Below: The Whirlpool version of Kenmore’s Elite HE5t is the WFW9400S Ultra Capacity Plus Washer. It carries the Whirlpool name and is available in gray (”Diamond Dust”). $1,099 at Rainbow Appliance.
Below: The Whirlpool Duet Steam (WFW9600T) is $1,269 at AJ Madison. It’s an especially quiet, stackable, and spacious machine with great ratings. The high price includes the steam option, which offers better cleaning performance (but also increases cycle time).
Below: If stacking isn’t important to you (controls are on the top), consider the popular Bosch Nexxt 500 Series (WFMC530). Good user reviews for washing performance and energy efficiency; includes many automatic features common at this price level. $979 at Home Click.
Below: For those tied to the Maytag brand, consider the Maytag Epic (MFW9700S). While Maytag has come under fire for repair problems, initial reports are good for this model. Stackable, highly energy efficient, and priced under the $1,000 mark ($989 for black; $889 for white) at AJ Madison.
Below: The Miele Touchtronic Superlarge Capacity W4840 receives high ratings for washing and efficiency. Very spacious interior, very quiet operation, and is stackable. $2049 at Home Click.
Below: The Asko Designer W6903 offers a fully integrated look with the option of custom panels. Stackable and compact (24″), the Asko can be concealed under a kitchen counter, stacked in your bathroom, or take part in a sleek laundry room. High efficiency performance and great looks don’t come cheap. $1999 (for custom panel option) or $2199 for stainless at AJ Madison.
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To be fair, we want to list a few “cons” with front loaders:
-Have to stoop down to access. An accessory worth considering is a laundry pedestal with a drawer (offered by most manufacturers) that raises your washer off of the floor to eliminate stooping to access your laundry on your front-load washers. Offers good storage for detergents and such.
-Some complain of mildew smell due to small amounts of water that remains in high efficiency washers. Mildew tablets are available. A simpler solution is to leave the washer door cracked open after loads, so any remaining water can evaporate.
June 25th, 2008
Related posts:
- 10 Easy Pieces: Front-Loading Dishwashers
- Laundry Room: Wash and Wear
- Weekend Update: Clothes Call
- House Gift: Seletti Glass Bottles
- House Call: Mill Valley Green Home
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