Bath: Dutch Minimalism
From Julie:
Carved out of an attic space, this minimalist Dutch bathroom from the portfolio of photographer Rene Mesman has a pared-down, spalike feel. Via the Style Files.
Add comment September 9th, 2008
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Design Watch: Pottery Barn Strikes Again
From Julie:
Pottery Barn expresses its admiration for French designer Frank Lefebvre of Bleu Nature with its Driftwood Lamp (below L). Below R: Bleu Nature’s Lampe Eole Driftwood:
Add comment September 8th, 2008
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Shopper’s Diary: Aimé in London
From Sarah:
Dispatch from London: I spotted these handcrafted glass pendant lights, with wood cross bases, hanging in Petit Aimé, a French clothing shop in Notting Hill (sister store to neighboring Aimé, purveyor of French clothing and products for the home). Hand-crafted in France by Angel des Montaignes, they can be bought in-store or directly from Angel des Montaignes.
Below: Small stand light, £250 at Aimé.
Below: Large stand light, £400 at Aimé.
1 comment September 8th, 2008
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Fabric: Vanderhurd Studio
From Francesca:
Designer Christine van der Hurd is predominantly known for her bold rug and carpet designs (she designed the carpets for Claridge’s Hotel and Brown’s Hotel in London). We also like her range of screen-printed linen fabrics; available in London and New York through Vanderhurd Studio.
Add comment September 8th, 2008
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Architect Visit: Ullmayer Sylvester Summerhouse
From Julie:
UK architects Ullmayer Sylvester designed the plywood-and-pine Summerhouse at the rear of an elongated Victorian garden in North London; the budget was £35,000. The light-filled structure functions as an artist studio, garden shed, table tennis venue, and kids’ hangout; an 8-meter-long swath of mirror foil installed along the doglegged north side elevation reflects the foliage and helps the structure disappear into the landscape; the polycarbonate ceiling panels filter light from above. Photos by Kilian O’Sullivan; via The Slow Home.
Add comment September 8th, 2008
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Kitchen: Open Rail Storage Systems
From Janet:
We love open kitchens, but we also like organized kitchens. When kitchen space is at a premium, open rail storage systems are great space savers and keep utensils and supplies within easy reach. The systems can be configured to fit any space, from a single rail over the range to a full-kitchen system.
Below: A simple, modern open system kitchen; photo by Minh + Wass.
OUR TOP PICK
Below: Of the three Kitchen Wall Rail Systems offered by Ikea, the Grundtal System is our favorite. Its simple, modern professional design and wide range of accessory and rack options combined with an extremely affordable price make it hard to beat. The basic Grundtal Rail comes in three sizes (21-, 31.5-, or 47-inch) for $6.99, $8.99, and $10.99, respectively. Customize a system with selections from the Full Range of Grundtal Accessories, including simple S-Hooks ($2.99 for a packet of five), a Spice Rack ($19.99), and a Wall Shelf ($14.99).
. .
EUROPEAN HIGH PERFORMANCE AND DESIGN
Below: Rose & Radish carries the beautifully designed French Cristel Panoply Rail System, which is made from high-quality stainless steel. Rail pieces cost from $32 to $101, depending on length.
Below: Cristel’s rail tools and accessories are as gorgeous as they are functional. Two of our favorites are (below L) the Pepper Mill, $96, and (below M) the Hanging Accessory Rack, $77. If you don’t want to go the hanging rail route, consider the free-standing accessory stand (below R) that would look great on any counter. $96 at Rose & Radish.
Below: The German-designed Rosle Open Kitchen System is considered top-of-the-line in performance, looks, and durability. Build the system’s foundation with Rosle’s Stainless Rails that range from 31.5 inches to 47.25 inches in length; $18 to $53 each at Sur La Table. They can be mounted directly onto the backsplash or under the cabinets, using Rosle’s wall or under-counter attachments. Rail Hooks and Attachments available for $12 to $15 at Sur La Table.
The rack options include the Open Kitchen Rack (pictured on the rail above), a paper towel holder, and a cookbook holder. Below L: We like the Double Shelf Spice Rack, $123. Below R: And the Round Utensil Holder, $90.
A full line of Rosle utensils complements the systems. Below L: Angled Spatula, $28 at Sur La Table. Below R: A personal favorite, the Rosle Open Kitchen System Clock, $111 at Sur La Table.
GREAT BUDGET OPTIONS
Below: A good all-around rail that can accommodate heavy pans as well as simple utensils is the All-Clad Stainless Hanging Tool Rack
Below: An amazingly affordable, out-of-the-box-ready option is the Closet Maid Organizer Rail System
Below: A DIY alternative is to team a simple towel rail with S-Hooks from Ikea or your local hardware store.
Below: Or this DIY idea using a vintage coat rail.
6 comments September 5th, 2008
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House Call: Industrial Facility
From Sarah & Julie:
A while back, we discovered the work of London-based design/build outfit Turner Castle Associates; we especially admired this house: a 1924 mechanic’s garage in Primrose Hill, turned into a 1,000-square-foot living space for industrial designer Sam Hecht and architect Kim Colin, who met at an Eames exhibit. Hecht’s mantra—”less is everything”—is the guiding principle in this project. Floor-to-ceiling white cupboards conceal all clutter; the original parquet floors were preserved; and furnishings are restricted to a small collection of modernist pieces.
After admiring the Turner Castle project, we learned that the inhabitants were the team behind Industrial Facility, a product design company that has a knack for paring down everyday objects to simple, functional forms. Muji aficionados may recognize some of their designs:
Below: Coffee maker, available from Muji Japan for ¥4,900.
Below: Sam Hecht designed this magnetic knife rack, manufactured by Taylor’s Eye Witness in Sheffield. Available in beech or bamboo, the rack can hold up to 10 knives; prices start at £16 at Premier Cutlery.
Below: IF 4000 knife series by Sam Hecht. Prices start at $45.50 from Conran USA.
Below: Jersey oven dish set for Maytag.
Below: Chantry Knife Sharpener by Sam Hecht; $65 at Fitszu.
3 comments September 5th, 2008
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Kitchen Products: Shades of Gray
From Janet:
Two venerable kitchen brands, Le Creuset and Emile Henry, have introduced gray into their color repertoire. We like a touch of gray in a colorful kitchen (imagine a stack of gray cereal bowls in Sarah Jessica Parker’s Red Kitchen featured earlier this week).
Below: Le Creuset’s Oval and Round Dutch Ovens in slate is available at Williams-Sonoma; prices range from $210 to $260, depending on size.
Below: Emile Henry’s take on slate. From top to bottom: cereal bowl ($15), oil cruet ($33), and the small salad bowl ($20) at Emile Henry.
Below: The Staub Cast Iron Round Teapot
Below: KitchenAid’s 5-quart Artisan Mixer
Add comment September 4th, 2008
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Appliances: Electrolux AEG Santo Refrigerator
From Julie:
As Charles notes in our previous post on the Valcucine Hability kitchen, the drinking of wine is an essential ingredient in food preparation. The Santo 75598 KG side-by-side refrigerator from Swedish manufacturer Electrolux AEG includes an integrated section for wine storage. Each section has independent temperature controls, and an alarm alerts you if the temperature rises; via Appliancist.
2 comments September 4th, 2008
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Kitchen: Valcucine Hability
From Julie and Francesca:
At the ICFF this past spring, we admired the ergonomic Hability Kitchen System, a collaborative effort by Marco Miscioscia and Italian company Valcucine that strives to bridge the gap between aesthetics and accessibility. The EasyFood steel top (below), designed by Miscioscia, anchors the system; allowing users to easily navigate among the sink area, the cooking area, and the prep area.
We were instantly attracted to the industrial look and feel of the unit, but we felt the need to consult an expert about its functionality, aesthetics, and general usability factor. This is what our friend Charles, who has traveled the world in his wheelchair, has to say:
“First, I like the art direction that integrates drinking wine with cooking; you have to love the Italians.
I appreciate the fact that Valcucine has integrated the cooktop with the sink/faucet. The biggest issue I have with cooking is the transport of large pots, which is always problematic. So being able to fill a pot, tranfer it to the cooktop, and then transfer the cooked foods to a serving plate without have to reposition the wheelchair is a key benefit.
What I did not see—but would like to see—is an adjustable countertop where I could adjust the height or perhaps an area with a lower countertop. The issue here is that it is somewhat uncomfortable to chop/peel/carve at a normal countertop height. A work surface that could be pulled out and adjusted to allow for prep work from either a standing or sitting position would be nice.
Lastly, the table with no legs is appealing because the wheelchair can be easily maneuvered around and under the table.
Overall, they are on the right track with the kitchen. What they need to focus on is an adaptable kitchen environment that can accommodate both standing and wheelchair needs. Cooking is a social enterprise and is much more fun when done in partnership with others. This also makes drinking wine more enjoyable.”
Add comment September 4th, 2008
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