As a cook, it is important to have my reserve of fresh herbs. Nothing beats the taste of freshly cut herbs. I am currently looking at a simple way to keep fresh herbs indoors without using space on my floor or the counter. An extra small Sky Planter could be it.

The Sky Planters remind me of hanging fixtures. Patrick Morris came up with this design. You hang the plants upside down. Upside-down gardening is not a new concept. It is often used for tomatoes and cucumbers to save space. Some people are successful with that technique while many seem to fail to produce good vegetables.

Going back to the design, a locking disk holds the plant and soil in place. A reservoir gradually feeds water to the roots. You normally need to fill the reservoir once or twice a month. In theory, it seems quite simple to use. Since I am not tall and that I need to hang the pots high (due to the space planning of the room), I feel that the herbs would be easier to reach for cutting if I plant them upside down.

How it Works?

The pictures show the plants as they were freshly put in the planters. Since I care about the taste and not what the herbs will look like in the long run, I would like to try with my cooking herbs. Plus, we cut the herbs at a regular basis. Keep in mind that cooking herbs need lot of sunshine to flourish before selecting where to put them.

The Sky Planter comes in three formats. Like I said, the extra small is ideal for fresh herbs. Getting 2 or 3 extra small planters would make a wonderful gift for someone who loves to cook. When you buy a Sky Planter, you receive a stoneware ceramic, a stainless steel wire, a ceiling hook and a plastic plug. They are available in black or white.

SOURCING:
+ Sky Planter by Patrick Morris for Boskke extra-small $25 USD, small $35, classic $75

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What a pretty sight! These are pasta made by food historian and food teacher Oretta Zanini De Vita. As you can see, making pasta has so secret for her. She owns vintage pasta tools including a wooden stamp that mints pasta like coins. It is splendid.

Encyclopedia of Pasta

Oretta Zanini De Vita wrote a 300-page encyclopedia about the history of Italian pasta. The english version of her book will hit the store in a few days. This is not a recipe book. It is a book that explores all shapes and types of pasta. You will learn about their origins, the primary ingredients, the different names that it is called, and how you typically served them. It is a good gift idea for a foodie who likes to know more about food history.

In the interview on The New York Times, Mona Talbott said that the range of pasta shapes shows that cooking “was a way of self-expression for women to show their creativity and imagination with little or no resources”. When you see how beautiful these pasta are, I agree with her.

If you wish to know about Oretta Zanini De Vita’s quest to discover the history of pasta or you wish to admire more delightful pasta pictures, head to The New York Times.

SOURCING:
+ For Americans: Encyclopedia of Pasta by Oretta Zanini De Vita $19.77 USD
+ For Canadians: Encyclopedia of Pasta by Oretta Zanini De Vita $21.74 CAD
+ top photo: Chris Warde-Jones for The New York Times

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Another find on etsy. This one would make a great holiday gift. I like the concept behind the writing slates produced by a a half kiwi-half canadian couple living with their cat in Vancouver. It is effectively simple. You have a choice of two permanent titles: “Today” or “This Week”.

+ Writing Slates – Planning edition $20 USD

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Everyday items can be functional and pretty. I like this brown branch log rack. Susan Bradley designs and produces a unique range of interior and exterior products. She shows us that small storage solutions can neatly decorate our space.

She brings visual impacts to your home without neglecting the functionality of the object. The shelf life series is a great example of how she accomplished this. You can also add your touch. The branch shelf comes with a set of flora and fauna wall stickers to customize the look. Plus, her powder-coated steel racks and shelves can be commissioned in the color of your choice to fit your decor.

If you are interested by her collection, she ships internationally. Maybe you could cross names from your Holiday shopping list.

MORE:
+ Susan Bradley
+ via Oh Joy!

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If you are looking for a baby shower gift or a wonderful small Christmas gift for new parents, this could be it. A night light is a must when you live with babies and young kids. but savvy-design parents wish for something more than a basic night light.

Crafter Rachel Weber of Fog and Thistle hand mades these adorable papercut night lights. They all reveal a new element when you turn them on. The elephant is accompanied with a small bird. A baby monkey join his father on the tree. A spotted giraffe is next to the floral pattern giraffe.

I am sure that you will envy Rachel for the following. She appeared on Martha Stewart show where she demonstrated how she assembled one papercut night light.

You have the choice between a regular 5 watt bulb or pay a little extra to get one with a super energy efficient 1.3 watt LED light.

Giveaway

You have the chance to win the papercut night lights of your choice by entering the giveaway on blog of Fog and Thistle. Drawing will takes place next Saturday at midnight.

MORE:
+ Papercut Night Lights on Etsy $25 USD, personalized models $27

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Almost 30 new whimsical products were added. Out of these 29 additions, five caught my attention. I deemed these 5 to be the more practical.

+ First, Stone Cold, the icy icons from Easter Island is fun. This is another fun silicone ice cube tray that would look great in any tropical drinks or a mystery party. In fact, this could be an original theme for an Halloween party if you mix it with astronomy and astrology.

+ While you at it, get a Loose Leaf to stay a door open. If would be fun to watch people facial expression as they try to casually remove the leave from  under the door.

+ If I had kids, I would buy a set of Cookeys to identify their house keys. This is yummy! It may even encourage them to drink more milk.

+ The Split shaker can save you time if like by pouring salt and pepper at the same time. For the less adventurous, you can divide the Split shaker in 2 and used each side separately. Hidden magnets keep the 2 halves together.

+ Finally, the Table Saw does double duty. It can be used to cut cakes at parties and the rest of time, you can slice and dice your lettuce without discoloration. And if you have young boys at home, I am sure they will be pleased to help you in the kitchen.

WHERE TO BUY:
+ Fred & Friends Stone Cold Ice Tray $7.95 USD
+ Fred Loose Leaf $10 USD
+ Cookeys $5.95 USD for 2 key caps
+ Fred Table Saw $7.99 USD

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I love the ingenuity of the design behind every Royal VKB products. Their motto, Thought for Food says it all. This Dutch housewares company always succeed to grab my attention. If only, I could find a Canadian retailer who carries the entire range of Royal VKB.

A new product, Table Bin would appreciate by students who live with roommates. Designed with outdoor dining in mind, it can be practical for a small family. The concept is that you can filled the bin with food waste, place the utensils in the side pocket, stack dirty dishes on top on the lid and clean up the table in one batch.

Royal VKB developed clever double-duty measuring products that come in an array of colors. They have look and function. I told you before about Mix and Measure, a series of bowls with a graduated scale inside the bowl. You can get an air-tight lid that features a spoon rest on the reverse side.

The Cup and Store canisters come in aluminum and glass. The canister integrates a measuring cup, the lid, for easy pouring. Plus you save space since the jars can stacked into another.

No more need of a scale with the Balancing Bowls. Fill one half of the bowl and the bowl will tilt when you reach the indicated weight. This is not all, you can use the bowl for servings chips and other snacks.

As you can see, Royal VKB imagined stylish practical products that can save you time and space. For that, I gave them a 10.

SOURCING:
1. Mix & Measure by Jan Hoekstra € 9,95 to € 24,95 per bowl
2. Cup & Store Aluminium by Arian Brekveld € 9,95 to € 14,95 per jar
2. Cup & Store Glass by Arian Brekveld € 7,95 to € 9,95 per jar
3. Table Bin by Officeoriginair € 29,95
4. Balancing Bowl set by Jan Hoekstra € 14,95 for set of 2 bowls

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One way I simplify my life is by storing a few gifts that I can use for any occasions. This way when I am invited to an impromptu event and I am too busy to go shopping, I do not panic.

I spotted those pretty journals and beautiful handmade soaps at Pink Door Paper Company, a small Vancouver based studio founded by Sean & Renuka Carter. They sell their products online with delivery in Canada, the United States and the rest of the World. Plus you can order a set of note cards to save you more time.

I first imagine their products as great ideas for a simple Mother’s Day gift. Then, I thought of my gift stash. Journals and aromatherapy soaps are always appreciated as thank you for your girlfriends or your kid teachers.

SOURCING:
+ Pink Door Paper’s Journal $16 CAD – available in 4 print covers
+ Pink Door Paper Company’s Aromatherapy Handmade Soap $10 CAD

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I received Dishing with style by Rori Trovato for my birthday from a modish girl friend and her husband. She knows that I prefer cooking books with lots of beautiful pictures. I am visual girl after all.

I read the book this morning. Wow, Dishing with style fits like a glove into my entertaining philosophy. And more importantly, the book delivers on its promises.

The chef and food writer Rori Trovato started up this project by acknowledging that no cooking book on the market:

teaches you how to do the one thing that has the greatest impact: to combine great-tasting food with great-looking food, to make guests say “Wow” as soon as they sit at the table, and then again when they take their first bites.

One thing that differentiates Dishing with style from other cooking books is the fact that:

Nearly every recipe includes two stunning options for presenting the dish to your guests. One is more casual, often family-style, perfect for Sunday suppers and backyard get-togethers. The other option is more elegant, usually served in individual plated portions, for dinner parties and more formal affairs.
- these are two excerpts from the publisher text

Cleary if you are looking for food presentations that you can easy reproduce at home, take a look at Dishing with style. Rori Trovato encourages her readers to think outside the box and to experiment new ways to plate the food. Nothing is revolutionary but the book is actually stimulating. View this book as a source of plate inspirations that you can adapt to your own dinnerware, cooking skills and budget. Use the book as a tool to freshen up your party themes and even push you to try new entertaining styles.

If the latest culinary artistry is what you are looking for, you will be better served with a book like Working the Plate: The Art of Food Presentation by Christopher Styler. Make sure to read the user’s comments on Amazon.com to know what you are getting yourself into. Culinary artistry requires lots of tools, perfect techniques and times on your hand.

If you want culinary artistry, I suggest to most people that they go out to a top notch restaurant where they can enjoy a unique dining experience with their friends. Or you can hire a chef at home for one night that will even clean everything up before he leaves.

For my part, I am satisfied with a book that shows me how to make impressive plate ideas and recipes that leave me time to have fun with my guests. What are you looking for: culinary artistry or easy to do stylish dishing?

Sourcing:
Buy online: Dishing with Style: Secrets to Great Tastes and Beautiful Presentations

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Generally speaking, Royal VKB products are cheaper than I taught.

A small Mix & Measure bowl costs 10 dollars, a large is $15. The garlic crusher costs $20.

The Bowl and Spoon is more expansive at $42, but it is reasonably price for an indulgence. This will make a great gift for your friends.

I also get better pictures. By seeing them in action, you can better understand why I recommend them. You can see how practical and easy to use these products are.

A+R sells cool stuff. I found other treasures for entertaining that I will present at another time. The Mix & Measure bowls are backordered but should be available soon.

Both stores ship internationally but Lekker wants that foreigners contact them before placing their orders. A+R accepts returns only from US orders.

+ Royal VKB line at A+R
+ Royal VKB line at Lekker
+ Via Tastespotting.com – yes, I still visit them (ref: a previous post of mine)

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Most of Dutch designers still sell locally. That explains why you are not thinking of The Netherlands as an influential player in household design product market.

Let me introduce a great little Dutch design company called Royal VKB that specializes in food products. Over the past weeks, I saw their products featured in many design oriented blogs.

Just in the last two years, Royal VKB won 3 reddot design awards in 2006, 2 reddot design in 2005 plus a few Design Plus+ awards at the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt. That is quite an accomplishment for a small company. Let’s review some of my favorites from their line of products.

Mix & Measure mixing bowls save space and cleaning time. These functionally designed mixing bowls allow for the mixing and measuring in the same bowl.

The Bowl and Spoon can be held in one hand while reaching for the remote control with the other. Inspired by the Chinese noodle bowl, the stainless steel spoon fits into the handle of the ceramic bowl. The shape, the size and the hollow handle entice to easily pick up the spoon. Practical bowl for the couch potato or when you want to go eating on the patio.

Cup & Store storage jars are quite functional. These containers offer a storage facility with an airtight lid which doubles as a measuring cup for the ingredients. So you can prepare your meal in less time. Moreover, you can stack them.

The Puzzle Dinner Tray makes eating a fun and learning activity for kids. It is a cute set. The puzzle dinner tray teaches kids the correct table setting. I am not sure that having kids playing at the table in the best situation but I do not have kids. But it is certainly better that they play with this melamine set than your china dinner ware.

A 2005 reddot design winner, their garlic crusher provides better flavor without smelly hands. That is sometimes I want.

Royal VKB wants to change your food experience every day by offering products that delight you; products that make you come back for more. And I think they are exceeding their expectations.

Link: Spring 2007 Royal VKB collection
Via: Meta MoCo This Week – march 3, 2007 post

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As an avid design fan, I knew about the HUG S/P for a while. But do not be fool but the whimsical character of the piece; this is truly a well-designed product. HUG is made from a collective of three guys based in New York called MINT. Alberto Mantilla, Anthony Baxter and Scott Henderson, the founders of MINT, are truly brilliant designers that value form and function. As the name MINT implies, they bring a refreshing style to everyday products.

I recommend the Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers to people that like to entertain with the casual luxury attitude. This is definitely a conversation piece. Everything from the MINT collection shares this feeling. You can look at it as a revival of the 60’s and 70’s cheerfulness but done in a more polished way.

The Salad Song Oil & Vinegar Cruets is another great piece from MINT. The MINT’S Vin-Eau Carafe may not please the purist wine lover but I like it. As I still prefer traditions when drinking wine, I will use the Vin-Eau Carafe to serve mineral water on my table. When I am preparing the event signature cocktail before my guests arrive, the Vin-Eau Carafe can be nice way to serve this welcome cocktail from a bar console.

The online store Follow Function published their interview with the designers of MINT. It tells the story about the birth of Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers, the first project of MINT, and how it is difficult for designers to find manufacturers in North America to produce and market their products.

Happy Valentine!

Room6
4389 Gallant Avenue
Deep Cove, North Vancouver BC
V7G 1L1
604.628.8484

Link: to order MINT’s Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers from Room 6, a Canadian online store
Link: to order Salad Song Oil & Vinegar Cruets from Room 6
Link: learn more the story behind MINT and the making of the Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers
Via: Salt and Pepper Foverer Together on Modern Self blog

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