Around the Kitchen Interwebs

Let's see what's happening with kitchen topics around the web.

A partner in crime, Kelly, is talking about product finishes, always something guaranteed to drive homeowners nutty. Do you blend? Match? How far afield do you/can you go? Kelly gives her usual sage advice!

Met Home's Kitchen and Bath Sourcebook shows quite a few inspirational products for nearly anyone's dream kitchen or bath. I especially like their sharp-eyed pick of the Fisher Paykel dishwasher in the taller version for the big plates that so many of us have.

There's a pretty sexy sink in their slideshow too. Worth a look.

This site has really blossomed in recent months. It sure stimulates the senses!

Another partner in the kitchen design business, Laurie, from Kitchen Design Notes, is informing her readers about Dacor's new energy saving refrigerator. It's a huge 36" refrigerator and is even Energy Star rated, so no guilt there!

And in The Appliancist, all you need to do is scroll in wonder at all their fantastic finds...

Beautiful Kitchens

Yesterday's post was a first course. Today is the entree!

It is always a pleasure of mine to show you Scandinavian kitchens, as you may know. The reason is that I think the Scandinavians have a very, very special gift for combining their modern design point of view, which seems to be in the collective DNA, (always with some exceptions) with historic surroundings or smaller traditional elements. They do it well, very well. 

If you can, go through this slide show slowly. Examine the parts and pieces of each kitchen design. Think about what you like and what you do not like. 

Some of these kitchens speak to me in a strong way, others do not speak to me at all. I do know one thing....I need about 6 houses to express myself in all my kitchen design "moods".

If you click on "notes" you will see my comments. What speaks to you and why?

The Kitchn Cure Is Coming

I'm a huge fan of the kitchn, Apartment Therapy's sister site on all things cooking and many things kitchen related. Apartment Therapy does their 8 Step Home Cure every spring, but the kitchn focuses just on, well, the kitchen, a space certainly worthy of singular introspection and periodic hair pulling sessions!

With the kitchen being ground zero for the need to physically nourish one several times a day in some cases (except for those who use the kitchen counter to place the take out food or pick up keys on their way to eat out) issues such as organization, storage, work habits and so on are worth taking a fresh look at now and then. 

In their effort to go back to basics, as the kitchn often does in a satisfying way, I wanted to give the kitchn cure a special shout out. Ok, the truth is, too, that I adore reading all the colorful comments on kitchen angst!

Sleek Scandinavian Kitchens!

OK, it's Friday, I'm feeling good, and I want to show you some modern kitchens from my latest Scandinavian magazine collection! I've now accumulated maybe 4 or 5 subscriptions of my fave Scandinavian magazines (and don't ask me the cost of a subscription, I don't want to remember, and don't tell my husband!)

I absolutely think there are things to learn by looking outside our normal kitchen bubble, to see what else is happening in kitchen design. Let's see what we can learn, dissect, and have fun with today, and also admire. These images are from the very chic magazine Rum Interior Design.

Below: Love the simplicity, the boldness, the white foundation. I also LOVE the artwork, as many of you may know.

Below: You know, I'm noticing more doors and windows with black trim for some reason, and I like it. Liking the skinny windows here.

Below: Interesting! Sure breaks up the mundane gray everywhere and creates more importance and weight to the upper section of the kitchen. And it's fun, and fun is always good in my book.

Below: I really like this one because there is a great juxtaposition of the profuse green landscape and the modern interior. Not to mention the artfully displayed accessories. Look at that!

Below: Now, this is not normally my style, but I could move into this space! I love white, I love texture, and I love windows. I'm good. 

Below: And, who can't smile at this one?? I sure am! We have white, we have major whimsy going on, and a modern point of view...mostly. Love. 

And you? What do you like/not like??

Want To Sell Your House? Clean The Kitchen!

My new Twitter buddy, Julia, from hooked on houses, has a post today on images that a realtor takes for a home listing. This struck a chord with me, having just bought and sold a house (not in that order!) And, having gone nuts over staging, tweaking images...and cleaning.

In my months of house hunting recently, I cannot tell you how much an unkempt kitchen was a total turnoff. It didn't even have to be a dirty kitchen (that's a definite turnoff.) But, even a slightly messy kitchen was...distracting, yes, that's the word. Distracting in a negative way is a negative thing (oh, how profound.)

Every realtor will tell you that a house, these days, needs an edge to be noticed. The house has to stand out among its competition. The chances of standing out greatly diminish if a home is in disarray, especially if the competition in the same price range shines...literally. The kitchen and bathrooms are viewed as utilitarian spaces, where cleanliness is important. That's sort of an undercurrent in one's mind, I think, when one visualizes oneself cooking and living in the kitchen. Therefore, it should be a clean slate, devoid of clutter and mess. 

In addition to the tips I previously mentioned on getting your kitchen ready for resale, in which I mentioned cleaning, I'd like to go a bit further... 

LIST OF THINGS TO CLEAN IN THE KITCHEN:

• floor
• window glass
• window trim-oftentimes it's just a wipe with a rag. If the trim needs to be painted, paint it!
• baseboard molding - clean or paint it
• cabinets - clean your cabinets and all their cracks and crevices on the outside
• cabinets - clean your cabinets on the inside as well
• joints - such as at the floor and the cabinet toekick molding, the baseboard molding and the floor, anyplace where grime accumulates
• walls - does your kitchen need a fresh coat of paint?
• dust all surfaces, shelving, decorative items, and so on
• clean the garbage pails - take them outside and hose them down/clean them
• clean out toaster/toaster oven
• clean/wipe down all countertop appliances. Move them from their places and clean all around them.

GET OUT YOUR TOOTHBRUSH AND CLEAN THE...

• sink(s)
• refrigerator
• dishwasher
• microwave - there are numerous solutions, but it's a must-do
• backsplash
• cooktop and especially grill
• vent hood

Basically...clean everything. Wipe down everything. Dust everything. Leave time before showings and open houses to do it again and again and again, as the showings present themselves. 

I promise you your house will have much more of an edge than it did before. I know how important this is...I just sold my home in a very tough market. Tough, because my home's price bracket was completely stagnant - lower priced homes were selling to first time home buyers and much higher homes were selling, although a bit less so. But, the middle/upper priced homes were, and are still, simply not moving in my area. Fortunately, ours did! And, every time we had a showing or an open house, we all pitched in and strived for near perfect cleanliness (and not because we enjoyed doing it.)

I think that helped immensely, and I remember how I reacted as I looked at potential homes for our family. Here is a link to eco-friendly cleaning supplies. 

Apartment Therapy Kitchen Features

It seems that I've come across a variety of kitchen features on Apartment Therapy as well as the kitchn so I'll point out a few kitchen related links for your brief reading enjoyment.

First, on AT, take a look at this post in the New York version. Brick, a fireplace, big TV, open kitchen (I love an open kitchen.)

Here, in the LA version, is a discussion on TV's in the kitchen. (Me, I like 'em big.) This comment: "It's a great concept... especially for dysfunctional families" I would call classic AT (but then, I'm from the New York area so I like snarky!)

Not to be outdone, the San Francisco version of AT shows 10, count 'em 10, galley kitchens!

On the main AT page, here's an unusual island (I don't love it but it's interesting to see.)

More galley kitchen love on AT's DC page right here with lots of images.

In Boston, a discussion on where to put the microwave (above the fridge?)

And, the kitchn has a bunch of images on pot racks along with frequent random kitchen design features. Also, an interesting post on recession eating and cooking.

So, that's the roundup on AT's mother and sister sites (or whatever they're called.) Have fun!

Classic Kitchen Design In A NYC Apartment

Here is a treat (at least for me!) I'm not allowed to talk much about my kids (although I have SO much to talk about, trust me) so, I say very little. Much to my surprise, after a casual question to my daughter on Saturday, asking if I could shoot pictures of her kitchen (with her in it) for my blog, when we would visit later that day, she said "OK, only if you remember to bring in the candle we left behind last weekend." Yay! I made sure to remember the candle.

If I am the Queen of our family, my daughter is surely the princess (2 sons come after her) and NOW, as you may notice, we are all eagerly awaiting a BABY princess in a few months! Does life get any better?

My daughter and son in law are renting a great apartment on the upper west side of Manhattan, close to Central Park. It's in a quiet residential neighborhood and the building is one of those old, grand, buildings. The entire apartment was renovated beautifully before they moved in, including the kitchen.

It was a beautiful renovation of the kitchen. Custom cabinetry, fit to perfection. Appliances include a fabulous Sub Zero refrigerator (I told my daughter she's too young to have a Sub Zero), a Miele dishwasher (likewise) and higher end GE cooking appliances.

I'm not sure what material the countertop is. Maybe some sort of soapstone, although it does not appear to be affected by food substances. The lighting is fantastic and presents a vintage design statement, as do the multiple glass cabinets. And, what about that floor!? The kitchen has the flavor of a retro but classic New York City apartment, with modern conveniences. The pull out narrow pantry is just so useful.

My daughter loves to cook. She always cooks with fresh ingredients, and the wonderful gourmet markets in the area offer culinary inspiration, so we always look forward to being invited to dinner! Last night was black bean and cheese enchiladas, fresh guac (as we call it) and yellow rice.

And, I can tell you too that, no matter the size of the space, everyone ends up in the kitchen! My husband and my son and his girlfriend spent the evening with us too. So nice!

Note to daughter: Thanks for letting me shoot the kitchen! Love you!

7 Paths To Selecting Your Kitchen Cabinet Finish

"Hi Susan: A quick question if I may- with an open log cabin kitchen, wood floors, and a wood ceiling with beams, what color cabinets would you suggest? The wood is a light color on the walls and ceiling. Thank you, Patty"

Hi Patty (hand waving!)

First, I never see ONE answer to a question like this. Instead, I prefer to drive my clients crazy with six (or more) additional questions of my own to help them get focused! The method to my madness is as follows and represents off the top of my head questions as a response to this "quick" question.

• The wood may be light, but how much light is there in the kitchen, either via windows or lighting? Could the room use help with reflected light from a large block of (light) cabinetry?

• What are the colors/theme in the surrounding rooms? Is there any trend of wood finishes or colors that you will be seeing that you may want to blend or coordinate with, in the kitchen?

• Do you like contrast or do you prefer colors to be soft and flow within the space?

• If you are interested in, say, an opaque white, are you aware that, especially if children are in the picture, your cabinetry will look worn far more quickly than if you had other colors/finishes?

• Are you going after a certain theme? Tailored, rustic, formal, modern, transitional, zen, other? That could give you a clue. Do you want to contrast the rustic framework of your log cabin with another theme to create an eclectic look? Perfectly acceptable. Note your other furnishings as a guide.

• Could you be open to alternative colors that you normally do not see such as a soft khaki, an oyster grey, grey/blue, a light mushroom color, sort of a cool/warm soft contrast? Speaking of cool/warm, be aware of this color differentiation in the context of the overall color scheme as well as what's happening beyond the kitchen. 

• You also may want to consider what finishes you want your countertops and appliances to be. These choices will also send a message about the total look of the kitchen. Likewise, the backsplash to a lesser extent.

• What size is the room? Color/finish of cabinetry plays a role in space perception along with my first item to consider, above, lighting. I feel if the room is small but very well lit (very) perhaps with a light countertop and walls, then dark tones in the cabinetry are fine to use. Of course, a mix of light shades in a small room will allow the space to flow and not appear choppy/busy, something to seriously consider in a small space (choppy/busy).

So, unfortunately, I have no answer for you, only additional questions which should definitely put you on the path to focus and insight! Only you know these answers and it should take a little time to consider the various issues involved in selecting just ONE finish. No pressure or anything! I just can't make the decision for you.

Is a Kitchen Design Trend Always A Trend?

I received an email from Jenney and this is what she is asking:

"I am buying a new house. I am planning to have the kitchen counter in white and cabinets in dark brown, but I am afraid the trend will go out of style. what do you think? what is the most classic color for the kitchen?"

What strikes me is that you are calling it a trend. I don't see white countertops and dark brown cabinetry as a trend, at least not a strong trend, possibly a mini trend. But, more importantly, I feel this combination of colors can be considered classic.

The finishes you are talking about are neutrals, even the dark brown. It is a natural finish for cabinetry, and if the rest of the kitchen is designed and decorated in a classic way, as opposed to integrating all the latest design ideas from magazines, catalogs and web home design sites, then you're safe. You needn't worry about your kitchen being pigeon-holed as a trend.

As far as what is the most classic color, of course, white is classic. Most brown wood stains in the medium to dark tones are classic, and some medium to light tones in wood stains. Remember the pickled maple light stains in the 80s and 90s? They were a strong trend, very strong. But, I see that having been a trend partially because those pickled maple/oak colors were an unnatural color for the wood. If these are the colors you like, take note of the above advice, and I'd say, go for it!

Comments?

TRENDY:

MODERN CLASSIC:

Simple Kitchens

All right, all right, I admit it. If you've been following me on Twitter, I will admit to being just slightly obsessed with it. I think I'm over my initial obsession, but I do think that it is the perfect supplement to this blog! The problem, as with everything, is balance! But, throwing out those random thoughts and pieces of information on Twitter works hand in glove with the more expansive blog posts that I do. So, for expanded discussions, obviously, this is the place, right here. For random musings and piecemeal information, follow me on Twitter!

Today on Twitter, I'm compelled to share my thoughts on social kitchen design tips, so here is the search page for those tips.

I was contacted by a designer, Danielle Mac Innes, from Ireland, who asked me if I'd like to see her work. Of course, I'd love to see what's happening in Ireland! Following are just a few images, but I think they are interesting. I like the restraint used. The look is simple but with a great, and simple, use of color. Diane's company is Fuse Interiors.

Appliance Personality? What's Yours?

Here's a quickie, but it looks like fun...take this little test and report back! Tell me what your color personality is! I took it and I'm Type 14 - or, "encased meats" which I'm thrilled with because it means I'm all over the place with diverse interests!  ;)  I suppose it could have been worse, I could have been called plain yogurt.

TWITTER Changes Everything!

I spent much of this past weekend familiarizing myself with Twitter. I had not previously taken the time to take a good look at it, really, on any level. Most of all, I spent time thinking about Twitter and what I could do with it that would be of value to myself and others.

As a result, I'm beginning this week VERY excited about Twitter! SO often I have had a single thought, come across a single piece of information, have a single photo, all of which may NOT be a whole big blog post or, that I simply don't have the time to MAKE into a blog post.

I can now share those fragments of information on all things kitchen related on Twitter! It is the perfect supplement to this blog!

There is SO much design related information I come across that I find interesting, and I hope you'll follow my product finds, my thoughts, musings, images, and whatever else I feel compelled to share with you.

I'm still tweaking my page, so you'll see things change around a little bit, but I already know, this is something I definitely want to use.

Follow me!

Fashion Week Connection To Kitchen Design '09

It's the end of Fashion Week here in New York, and I thought it would be interesting to get a round up of impressions of what's happening in fashion, as, after all, our homes are also influenced by fashion and trends (including current events.)

To put it bluntly, it appears that the carnage in the various financial sectors have brought forth a sort of "bread and butter" reaction from many fashion houses. Toned down, serious, back to basics, UN-wild is what's new. No lack of creativity, but a return to a designer's original aesthetic, and building on those strengths may be what's new for this season. And, that makes some sense. Less risky, and all that.

Nothing wrong with having a safe haven, and being surrounded by trusted friends, right?

As in kitchens for 09, new (post September 2008) thoughts on kitchen design also include a back to basics point of view, back to well designed kitchens, a focus on function, with the home taking on increased importance now more than ever...the ultimate safe haven.

I'll go into much more detail shortly (next couple of days) on where we are in kitchen design in these strange times of '09. Stay tuned.

It's not a fall, it's a correction....right? ;)

Swedish Rag Rugs For The Kitchen

You know what is a great accessory in the kitchen? A rug! Change it when you're bored, change it by the season, by the trends, or don't change it at all - keep it as a faithful companion (well, almost.) I really like to bring in some sort of softness into the kitchen if possible, something of comfort preferably. With so many hard surfaces in a kitchen, something soft, even one item, can impart a relaxed feeling.

I'm focusing today on Swedish style rag rugs because it's my guess that you may not be aware of this distinctive type of rug. It is a style I happen to love, one that will not be found in Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel or Room and Board. For that reason alone, I really want to share these with you.

Most of the Swedish rag rugs you will find are vintage rugs, although some are new, depends on the source. I have 3 and I'm almost afraid that next time I go to some antique shops in Denmark, I'm going to collect a few more (with me, sometimes a collection turns into an obsession!) I had one at the outside entrance to my office and it had been in place for over 10 years with an occasional washing. They wear like iron! Of course, you can also find many beauties at our web shop: Scandinavian Made

Now, in my new home, maybe tomorrow, I'll find the rugs I own amongst the remaining boxes of our belongings and will put one in the kitchen and place the other two elsewhere in the house. The prices are very reasonable, considering they have a wonderful vintage look and are in great shape. I guess I like them because of the texture.I like them better than the typical American rag rugs.

Pairing one of these rugs with a collection of sleek surfaces and another few textural objects would make a strong design statement for a modern point of view. Very cool....especially if you can find one in this year's trendy yellow! However you want to express your style, there is a rug design for you.

What do you think? Do you like them?

Happy rug hunting!

New Green Kitchen Products

Here are a few more new items I'd like to share with you.

Here's a smart looking multi bin recycling unit called the Smart Bin. Available with two or three compartments, the Smart Bin allows homeowners to cleanly and effectively separate their organic, recycling, and waste in an attractive stainless steel push-pedal bin. Made of post-consumer plastics, the Smart Bin makes the task of sorting and recycling a snap. With removable inside containers, this sturdy and attractive bin is a welcome addition to any kitchen, bathroom, or office.

It's good to be organized!

Take a look at what's new at Kichler.

For use inside or below a cabinet or in a variety of other areas, these energy-efficient fixtures use 75 percent less electricity than typical incandescent lighting. Plus, they’re so thin they’re nearly invisible -- just 3/8” thick. In addition, the Design Pro LED discs offer a warm white color rendering and a lifespan of 20 years. A variety of finishes are available to blend into any surrounding.

The new Design Pro Discs can be used individually or in combination with Kichler’s Design Pro LED under cabinet fixtures, which offer the same great energy-saving features and color rendering, to create a seamless flow of light under multiple cabinets and furnishings.

Both products have been awarded the prestigious Lighting for Tomorrow Award, the industry’s highest honor for energy-efficient lighting solutions. Plus, they are ENERGY STAR rated, a distinction given by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy for energy efficient solutions, when used with most power supplies.

Perf Go Green produces Biodegradable Plastic Products that are eco-friendly, non-toxic and food contact compliant. These bags are seen as a practical and necessary solution to the problem of plastic waste around the world.

In 2008 Perf Go Green is launching six Biodegradable Plastic Products including the following:

Perf Go Green 13 Gallon Tall Kitchen Trash Bags
Perf Go Green 30 Gallon Lawn & Leaf Bags
Perf Go Green Plastic Drop Cloths
Perf Go Green Commercial Trash Bags
Perf Go Green Kitty Litter Bags
Perf Go Green Doggie Duty Bags

Perf Go Green products are produced using recycled plastic which reduces plastic in landfills. The recycled plastics are then combined with an oxo-biodegradable proprietary application method to produce the film for the bags. This product, when discarded in soil in the presence of microorganisms, moisture and oxygen, biodegrades, decomposing into simple materials found in nature.

Perf Go Green Bags will completely break down in a landfill environment within 2 years leaving no residue or harmful toxins and have a shelf life of 2 years.

White River Achieves Chain of Custody Certification - Very Impressive!

White River announced its achievement of the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) Chain of Custody Certification. For the past 18 months, White River™ has been researching the optimal plan for purchasing lumber from certified, well-managed forests for its local manufacture of hardwood mouldings. The FSC Chain of Custody Certification is granted by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), an independent third party, which is accredited by the FSC. This internationally recognized certification verifies that lumber from certified forests is identified, marked, and recognized as it passes thru a "chain of custodians" or "handlers" from the forest to the consumer. This applies to products manufactured at its Arkansas manufacturing facility.

Good work! I've used and admired White River for many years.

New Kitchen Products

Let's look at a collection of products, some new, some not new, but new to you. Get it? I'm confused.

Take a look at Sharp's SuperSteam oven, model AX-1200, a multi-purpose oven that enables healthier meal preparation. Using SuperSteam convection technology, the AX-1200 cooks a wide variety of foods without the addition of oils, fats or sauces while preserving taste and appearance. It also features three other cooking methods – convection, conventional steam, and microwave – all in a single appliance.

I LIKE that idea of combining convection with steam and microwave cooking. Convection mode means that you can heat up that slice of pizza (you know you eat it even though you want the steamer) without heating up the big oven, or worse, using the microwave. OR, those extra oven foods when the big oven is full.

Note the rounded stainless ends. This is a built in kit that is optional. The oven can be used without the built in kit, to simply sit on the counter. Read this.

Here is "wallpaper" that is actually recycled glass tile. By Trend, the Wallpaper collection offers a multitude of diverse styles from richly elegant and serene to playful and funky. The collection starts at $23 a square foot. Depending on the pattern, the mosaic tile is saturated with reflective color, recycled from post consumer glass, veined with aventurine stone, shimmering with iridescence, or hand made 24 k colored gold from Orsoni, a 19th century Venetian foundry. The individual tiles are either 3/4" or 5/8" square and assembled into modules that allow seamless repetition of the design.

A 10x10 wall, at their lowest price tile, will cost $2,300. In my world, if money was not an object, yes, I'd consider this product. I think the look is worth the cost. It makes a strong design statement. I like that. This was the only kitchen image they had on their site, but they have lots of very wonderful motifs.

Now a word from our sponsor...yeah, they should be my sponsor! Humor me please. When this commercial comes on, I stop everything and watch it. I LOVE IT! I've seen it a million times and it just came on again. Have you seen it? You have to watch it a few times to get all the perfect nuances of it. What can I say? I just need to share this. :)

Let's look at even more tile just to give you more difficult choices! I have a conflict with choices. I believe in choices, but they quickly get confusing, don't they? This, from Mandala Tile:

"Many of Mandala Tile's colors (sister company to Oceanside Glasstile) contain recycled material. The combination of materials spawns vivid surfaces, making it dance in front of your very own eyes. The earthy colors merge in intriguing patterns highlighting the beautiful combination of glass and stone. 'Avani provides movement and depth to design projects and the color palette complements a wide range of settings, offering limitless possibilities for creating a masterpiece,' noted Feras Irikat, Design Director.

It is available in 10 mosaic blends and three patterns – Herringbone, Random Matrix, and Ministicks. Each piece is precision cut to provide a smooth, continuous field."

I have more to show you, which I'll do tomorrow. I'm freezing and I'm sick (and I think I'm freezing because I'm sick) so I'll leave it here. See you then!

Downdraft Distress!

I've been meaning to talk about the downdraft behind the cooktop, positioned in a peninsula which separates the living area beyond. The higher than normal ledge behind the cooktop and downdraft serves somewhat of a purpose, if only to disguise the carnage in the kitchen.  

But, my real message today, is that, in my VERY experienced opinion, downdrafts suck, but not in the, um, physical way of drawing in moisture, fumes, odors and various other solid particulates produced by cooking, whether cooking in a heavy OR light manner. I forgot about the downdraft in a kitchen I owned many years ago, before I became a kitchen designer. At the time, I worked WITH a kitchen designer, who, as I remember clearly, never had the conversation with me about downdrafts vs. updraft hoods. What can I say? I was young and naive as well. And the range was against a wall, which should be a no brainer for a conventional hood and conventional advice! I remember, then, the trick of tilting pot and pan lids so that the fumes would move toward the downdraft far more effectively than just turning on the downdraft, even on high.

So, fast forward to my new home and my new (old) downdraft. Let me just simply say this. I would never, and do never, recommend a downdraft as being equal in performance to a range hood. There is, in my opinion, an enormous difference in performance. Of course, yes, much depends on the conventional hood's specs and proximity to the cooktop, but, when a hood is designed properly, the performance comparision between a downdraft and a hood against a wall is night and day in favor of the hood.

I can tell you first hand, the visible fumes and light smoke, even when the downdraft is on high, do not reach the downdraft. Well, maybe some fumes do, but my guess is over half of the cooking extracts do NOT get removed. What happens instead is that much of the fumes move into surrounding areas of the kitchen, or in my case, perhaps the great room beyond, settling into one's hard and soft furnishings.

Rather than making this post full of statistics and design specifications, I'm making it anecdotal (with a professional's knowledge of course!) If you have a choice, don't use a downdraft if you can avoid it. Mine is a high end cooktop/downdraft. The brand doesn't matter, because they all perform the same way. And yes, my downdraft rises about 7" above the countertop surface. Doesn't matter.

Very simply....try to choose a hood against the wall rather than a downdraft situated anywhere. A hood above an island or peninsula as opposed to a downdraft? That does not make much of a difference, as surrounding air currents interfere with the cooking extracts on their way up toward the hood. Either way, in this scenario, you're scr.....d. :( If you:

a. want the toxins out of your home as quickly as possible

b. want the odors out, as opposed to lingering odors

c. want the smoke and moisture out

d. do not want residue on your hard and soft surfaces

then, you will feel like this, I guarantee it!     :)

Cool Scandinavian Kitchens

You all know I'm good for Scandinavian kitchens! I haven't kept up the pace on my (yes, beloved) blog as much as I should have in recent months due to several reasons, but that aside, despite the ongoing miserable economic conditions in our country as well as locally, I'm feeling hopeful and ready for a fresh start. As an optimist, which I consider myself to be, that's my job!!

I think part of feeling ready for a fresh start is the office I'm putting together. I'm thrilled with my new home office, and it's only this past week that it's been set up, really, since Sunday, and we moved December 29! Since moving in, I've only had my computer on a table, and have been very patient as we've spent these past weeks organizing the rest of the house, which we continue to do. We still have about 25 boxes to unpack, probably, out of nearly 200. But, with new countertops in the office since last Sunday, adding artwork (lots of artwork), a Stanley Steemer carpet cleaning, office supplies (it's all about the height of each inbox!) organized, I'm feeling great, and ready to go!

During this time, I HAVE collected a good number of Scandinavian magazines from visiting Danish relatives and from subscriptions of Scandinavian magazines. And, I just spent $300 on new subscriptions for Scandinavian magazines today (good thing the husband doesn't read this blog!) Want to see some?? I really want to share these kitchens with you, which are not so easily available to see and study otherwise (quiz on Monday.) ;) Sure, more varied content will come, but having just organized my Scandinavian magazines for the first time (ever!) I may be on a roll with fresh images in the coming days and weeks.

I think, unlike typically, I'll throw in some comments. Please feel free to comment too. I'd love to know others' perspectives on these kitchens. Images from Rum, Bolig and Bo Bedre.

Wow, this one, below, is pretty amazing. I love analogous color schemes. Perhaps the upper section of the hood projects forward to capture the cooktop fumes, I hope so. Would like to visit, but wouldn't want to live there.

I love this, below. To me, a perfect juxtaposition of cool/warm, texture/smooth. I could happily cook in this kitchen, being among nature and steel...an exciting combination! Bright, textured orange against what looks like flat medium brown? I'm there! The clock? I'd want it larger.

Below, ok, it's bright, but to me, depressing. I'm surprised at my reaction. Tooooo simple/bleh to feel serene (for me.) As an example of minimalist modern kitchen design, it's fantastic. But, I think I may have elongated the hood above on each side to maximize the design concept.

Below, sure it's IKEA-like in its feel, but I love the unexpected introduction of the ribbed white and wood cabinets, the halfway up mosaic tile, which clearly sets apart the cabinetry/shelving above as its own element, and the boldness to position the wood wall cabinet close to the angle of the ceiling, creating an exciting design feature.

Below, no, I'm not on board with this. I see an element of fun. I get the surprise of the ornate brass lamp, but all I really see is a mishmosh!

Below, yeah, I can go down this road, definitely! Another semi-analogous color scheme.

Below, very Scandinavian. Give me a little opportunity for artwork or a sculpture within the space, and I'm good! Definitely has that Hansen feel that is so wonderful.

I have more! What do you think? What's your favorite?