I like the warmth of the wood decor backsplash against this modern sleek German kitchen. Browsing their collection, I get the impression that the backsplash is made of finely textured melamine resin, not wood. Regardless of what it is, it is gorgeous.

+ Poggenpohl
+ via Living etc.

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This is me! High gloss grey is a new addition in the IKEA 2010 Kitchen catalog. I like it a lot. Grey is easy to live with. It makes a wonderful backdrop on which it is easy to enliven your space with a punch color. This kitchen feels urban yet classic.

+ Grey Abstrakt Kitchen Doors and Drawer Covers

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The kitchen is the hub of the house. For that reason, it must be a place where it feels comfortable for the cooks and the rest of the family. More and more kitchens integrate areas for kids to do their homework and play.

The two most common area of frustrations in a kitchen are storage and the sink area. The good news is that clever and affordable organizers for your kitchen cabinets are now easily accessible. Current kitchen design rules put an emphasis on drawers fitted with several types of organizers. I still think that nothing beats a walking pantry but it is not always possible to integrate a big pantry.

Dividers, trays, plate holders, boxes and containers mean that everything is at reach in your drawers. You move the containers on the counter while you are cooking and replace them inside the drawers once you are done. Wooden boxes are practical for potatoes, onions, and dry foods. Basically, we bring the best ideas from a restaurant kitchen to our home.

For me, the carrousel, which is a modern version of the lazy susan, is a must for a corner unit. I like it because everything is at reach. It is more appropriate for big objects, like pots and pans.

Waste Sorting System

With recycling and composting, we need to plan for a waste sorting system. We want bins that are easy to reach but out of sight. Plan a shelf for your compost container as most are not stylish.

Sink Organizers

From cutting boards to cover plate and rinsing baskets, the sink accessories aim to make our life simpler. I never succumb and buy any. Do you use them?

Gathering the plates, glasses and cutlery after the meal in a tub reduces the number of trips between the table and the sink. Ideally, the bowl should be on a wheeled cart. Something like the BOHELMEN washing-up bowl would be perfect, assuming that is strong enough.

Two sinks is a must but if you live in an apartment, you may not be that lucky. The rinsing tub is intended to help you wash the dishes if you only have one sink. It seems like a good concept. The Dish Drainer, if it fits into your sink, will eliminate the need to wipe water from your counter.

I do not know if it is only wishful thinking but I imagine that if I had a kitchen where everything is neatly stored and is easy to reach, I would find no excuses to avoid cooking at the end of a long day. But one thing is sure, I would feel more relax cooking.

SOURCING:
+ BOHOLMEN Rinsing Tub $14.99 CAD
+ BOHOLMEN Dish Drainer $6.99
+ Rationell dividers for drawers $20 for 6
+ Rationell Corner base cabinet carousel $120
+ Rationell waste-sorting system $8.99 to $56.94

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The wildness of the oak wood kitchen on the cover page of Elle Decoration UK edition caught my eye. I envy anyone who has a kitchen with floor to ceiling cupboards. It looks neat but more importantly for me, it reduces the amount of spring cleaning. Plus, using more vertical space for storage keeps the floor plan airy.

This new kitchen opposes organic and urban through the materials and its design. The metal stools and white tableware help in making the room feels more modern. It fits the beach mood sought by the owner, the interior designer Boyd Ferguson. One superb detail to steal is how Boyd varied the board widths. I like the simplicity and warmth of his kitchen. The wood wall effect shares design elements often seen in the modern Scandinavian cottages. Therefore, the overall effect feels comfortable and natural.

If you are interested to know more about the design philosophy of Boyd Ferguson, read his profile interview on Cape etc.

Elle Decoration UK

I typically prefer the houses presented in the UK edition than the US edition. You know by now that I am partial to European design. Sadly for you, Elle Decoration UK does not have a Web site. Check out for the October 2009 edition at your nearest news stand. I bought my copy yesterday in Montreal. Depending on where you live, you may still be able to grab a copy.

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Fruits and Passion is having a sale in Canada and the United States. A range of customer’s favorite products is reduced to $15, until quantities last. Plus, you will receive Cucina Fragrant Kitchen Spray 100 ml Sanguinelli Orange and Fennel free with purchase of $45 ($60 if shopping in USA) or more before taxes. About the free Cucina Fragrant Spray, their sale alert email mentioned two more scents. Inquiry since I do not know which offer is valid.

+ Images from Fruits and Passion

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Fire extinguishers typically comes in red or white. Because they are not the most decorative items, many are tempted to put them in a closet. This is a big mistake. It has to be easily accessible in case of emergency.

One French company called Fire Design makes it easier for us to hang in style our fire extinguishers. Fire Design proposes 13 finishes for the cylinder. You can opt for an illustrated model or a solid color. You can even custom the color and pattern. Know that this concept is only available in France.

Keep one in the Kitchen

It is a good habit to keep a small fire extinguisher in the kitchen. I do. It hangs mine on a small wall that you cannot see from the great room. Luckily for me, it was also a functional place. My fire extinguisher is strategically placed in direct line with the stove. Think about all that before you hang yours. Remember to have it check every year.

SOURCING:
+ Fire Design – site in French only
+ Via Plastolux

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I could not decide the winner between number 1 and 2 for the places I visited last Sunday during the Open Door event of Design Montreal. Since it is time for my eco-friendly column, I will talk about Moine Urbain. It is fun to take pictures when the subject is so amazing. Enjoy the views!

Founded by the multidisciplinary artist and artisan Mario Lafrenais, Moine Urbain works with rock, wood, steel and glass. They specialize in making minimalist but very functional kitchen and bathrooms. Mario created an awesome collection of bathtubs, sinks and kitchen island top surface made with Saint-Marc rock. Moine Urbain’s collection is organic and the Saint-Rock rock feels so soft to the touch. You can also hire them for custom made pieces. A man offered his wife a custom-made bath to make sure that she will be comfortable in it. How romantic!

Mario rethinks the function of the objects. He favors minimalist design. He works on every details making sure the soap holder and the holder fits into the design both aesthetically and functionally.

A Glimpse at His Green House

Like many designers, his studio is attached to his residence. We had a glimpse of his house by going his stunning backyard. He talked to us about the many green features of his house from solar panels to using combustion stove as an added heat source during the winter to his salt-water pool in the heart in the city. He lives in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal borough in Montreal. I do not recalled the details of his heating system but it done in an environmentally manner.

I love his outdoor dining room furniture. It is a great place for outdoor entertaining.

MORE:
+ Moine Urbain – site in French only
+ If you did not read it, check out the 3rd place: my take on Loft Encadrex

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I went to IKEA Friday night. I took pictures of 3 inspiring pictures. The cheapest price of an IKEA kitchen means that you can indulge in a remarkable ceramic wall and countertop surface.

This is the perfect island if you like to entertain. I wish I got the space for it.

The best of the crop goes to this long kitchen. If you have the space, the expandable BJURSTA dining table, which opens up to 260 cm (102 inches) costs only $299 CAD. This leaves you more room on your budget to buy the chairs.

If you are looking for island, models like this red and white costs between $450 to $600 CAD at IKEA. Although I am not too keen on shiny kitchen cabinets I enjoy the overall kitchen layout. AKURUM is IKEA kitchen cabinet series. I especially like the pattern wall. Put an acrylic clear panel in front of the wallpaper for easy cleaning.

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If like me, you are a fan of Sex in the City and Rome, you probably heard of John Melfi since he produced these remarkable TV series. Now, I envy John not just for his stunning productions but also for his modern architecture home.

Living in a house like that is the reason I want to be rich. Moreover, I would love to live for a while in Venice and Santa Monica.

What I like Most about this House

I applauded that the architect put the garage at the rear of the property. He set the living room on top of the garage. This create an amazing view when you sit anywhere at the front of the house.

The architect Steven Shortridge thought a clever multi-level plan that works visually. The house is not only beautiful; it is also functional and must be fun to live in. Melfi said: “I can’t wait to drive home — it’s this wonderful retreat. I literally exhale the moment I step inside.”

The kitchen rests between the lounge front courtyard and the raised dining room at the center of the house. The courtyard featured a rusted steel backdrop fire pit. It is stunning.

Designing for Entertaining

The kitchen and dining spaces are designed so that your friends can be with you when you cooking a casual dinner. Still you feel separate from the kitchen when you sit down at the dining table.

This is a key element to examine when you design an open living and dining space. If you like to hire staff for a dinner party, it is important to keep at least a psychological barrier between the kitchen and the dining room.

You can always put a temporary screen to hide the kitchen when you sit on the front walled courtyard for the pre-dinner cocktails. If I was entertaining in the Melfi’s house, I would put a screen that stands no more than 5 feet to keep the view the living room at the back of the house.

Or in the case of John Melfi, you can host the pre-dinner cocktails on his stunning rooftop terrace complete with hot tub and an outdoor shower.

Culver City architect Steven Shortridge of Callas Shortridge Architects imagined this amazing modern architecture house. Check out the slideshow on Los Angeles Times to see more stunning pictures of the interior.

MORE:
+ John Melfi’s daring house on Los Angeles Times – photography by Kirk McKoy

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+ The excellent kitchen designer Susan Serra of The Kitchen Designer shares her top social kitchen design tips on Twitter. Go for a large kitchen door access for outdoor socializing. The glass wall with the sliding doors is the ultimate but classy French doors work as well. I love what the Dublin-based design studio Fuse Interiors did.

+ You have a narrow long space. Do not worry; it is possible to bring several elements of the social kitchen in a long narrow kitchen. Look at how Colin & Justin did it in one episode of Colin and Justin’s Home Heist. Here a butcher’s block doubles as an entertaining bar or buffet station. The lounge area at the back allows the cook to be with her guests without the kitchen feeling crowded.

+ I love the look of a fridge hiding in a flat wall unit. But for practicality reasons, you need a 12-inch wide flat surface on the opening side of the door so you can deposit things when you get food in and out of the fridge. One solution is to integrate a sturdy pull out tablet on either side of the fridge. For more kitchen design tips, check out what Marissa Ponikowski wrote for HGTV.ca about the Top Ten Kitchen Layout Mistakes.

MORE:
+ Top Images from Fuse Interiors
+ Colin and Justin’ Home Heist TV show
+ Via The Kitchen Designer

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+ A natural-light photographer took the first picture. Anna Jones of Indie Art Photoblog took his at Les Madeleines Patisserie & Café in Salt Lake City. It was for a guest post written by Stephanie of Stephmodo for Your Heart Out. Anna I am proud to have introduced three remarkable blogs, totally new to me, with a single picture.

+ The kitchen of the Norwegian Tonje Holand is charming. In fact, you should take a house tour on Design*Sponge. Her house displayed style and fun accent colors. I also loved her dining room. Via The Left Back to the Right Coast, who displayed a collection of bohemian meets kitschy vacation houses.

+ Bauer Pottery Company of Los Angeles produces vintage American pottery in at least 15 solid colors. The Sherbet cups are perfect to eat your morning fruit cocktail. Bauer Pottery’s line is comprehensive with syrup pitcher, drinkware, dinnerware, pet bowls and garden pots. Add a little extra for that the bold orange items.

SOURCING:
+ Bauer’s Pottery Cake Stand $66-$72.60 USD
+ Bauer’s Pottery Sherbet Cup $15-$16.50 USD
+ Bauer’s Pottery Syrup Pitcher $25-$27.50 USD
+ Les Madeleines p 801.355.2294
   216 E 500 S, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84111

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The best way to reduce the cost of a kitchen renovation is to go with store-bought cabinets. The IKEA kitchens are getting better and better every year. They are cheaper than custom build cabinets.

At IDS 09, IKEA showcased a style I affectionate: the full wall cabinets. I like this kitchen design because it delivers the sleek modern without sacrificing on storage.

A wonderful trick is to mix kitchen series. Here, they combines IKEA’s Nexus oak-veneer with the glossy white Abstrakt cabinets. Through the layout and the selection of materials for the backsplash and countertops, you can provide a look that seems custom-made.

The March 2009 of Canadian House & Home is about sleek organizing your house. One area where families need organization is certainly the kitchen. This year winner of the Kitchen Makeover contest can testify about it. They won an IKEA kitchen coupled with the expertise of senior design editor Erin Feasby.

One design element that is worth stealing is the backsplash. They alternate matte and glossy glass tiles to create a sophisticated texture.

+ Images from March 2009 issue of Canadian House & Home were photographed by Mark Burstyn

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