brighten the kitchen with color

for dreary winter days the best antidote is color.
stockholm kitchens from japanese press paumes.

practical need

practical note pads from the clever people at knock knock. i feel like i'm always looking for something like this every time i go on a trip and when i try to responsibly plan menus.

ties with tradition

exhibit at the powerhouse design museum in sydney: macedonian apron designs.

natural | imaginative | delicious

sarah weiner, my new food crush, has a few restaurants in berlin. she's a promi-chef who puts her focus on traditional, simple and healthy foods. she's one of the leading foodie activists against gen-manipulated foods.

i have one cookbook of hers, frau am herd (lady by the stove) - i love it. i am looking forward to trying her food at her cafes and checking out her set up. specifically menu design, uniforms, decor and operations.

interview with style

Marije Vogelzang - Interview from Design Blast on Vimeo.

in june, Jill Enders and Chris Spatschek (students from the Arts and Design academy in Karlsruhe) interviewed dutch eating designer marije vogelzang. their approach was very whimsical and creative. they crafted a box of treats that had questions hidden underneath them. marije was allowed to choose eight from the eleven bits and answer those questions. clever, indeed....

wow | stunning on the ligurian coast

found this hotel in vernazza, italy (on the cinque terra): la malà. the rooms seem so full of light and the furnishings well edited with clean lines.

vernazza is the birthplace of pesto and a great place to take a swim.

their site really captures the mood they're aiming to strike - because really, it's all about the food and the sea and the hotel is done in such a classy way that it frames it all perfectly.

Canning

after I finish up my work today I'm going for a swim and will swing by the farm for some strawberries. It's canning time! Strawberry black pepper balsamic chutney...yummy with cheese.

If you aren't familiar with canning, author Barbara Kingsolver was interviewed last year by the SF Chronicle and she talks about her lifetime love for canning. In it there are a number of recommendations for books and resources.

Theater time this summer

Looking forward to seeing this movie.

New Food Crush

While reading Elle Deco || South Africa, I learned of food adventurer Andreas Viestad. He's from Norway and is part farmer, chef, nomad, and all-round culinary gypsy. His site is beautiful and his books seem to offer up the multi-cultural and seasonal type of fare that I"m drawn to.

Moreover, I'm fascinated by his 'Garden of Elgin' project that he's working on together with fellow farmer (and brain surgeon!) Paul Cluver. Vistad describes the farming adventure as:

...a small agricultural project where we do everything that normal industrial agricultural wisdom tells us we shouldn’t. The only way to make agriculture profitable is to find out what you grow best and to specialize on that commodity. We do exactly the opposite – we cultivate diversity.

photos  Elle Deco ZA

Key Components

Two photos from Elle Deco | South Africa.


The storage along the ceiling in this kitchen is a great use of space and has the side benefit of creating depth and interest.


I think this bathtub speaks for itself.

Hard Times Commitment

Fantastic profile of artist Alexander Conner in the NYT this morning. He talks about his art and what impact the financial constraints of the recession are having on his lifestyle and artistic passions.

Lounge & Kitchen

Total kitchen & lounge envy. Images via desire to inspire

Sweet Air Sweets

Karina from el beso is also associated with Buenos Aires Pastry who makes these lovely things. The creations are innovative combinations of sweet, savory, salty - with such distinct color combinations. Que linda...

Pea Green

Asparagus, peas and strawberries are all now in season. The color is almost as good as the taste. Crisp and crunchy peas with tortellini white wine sauce - shaved asparagus over arugula dressed with dandelion balsamic sabayon - strawberries and rosé. I mean....come on...does it get any better?

Farm Stay: Part 2

Looking forward to my assignment in June in Italia. Staying at Fedrica's at this beautiful place {she was recently featured in Marie Claire Italia}. She runs Agrifuturismo and has beautiful photos on her site and in the feature in MC Italia. Fedrica's site works well in firefox (safari's not so hot...).

found out about this beautiful place through Mandarine...which is a lovely blog.

More Marije

I can't even get over how amazing she is....
'In the food for love' video from {die gestalten}.
{link to video}

Happy Cinco de Mayo

I'm celebrating with a margarita. Turns out, {Martha} can make a mean drink.

Kitchen Helper

Have been looking for something like this for a long time at Brocantes, etc. Found one 'new' at {Octopus}

Supper Underground - feature

Congratulations to my sweet friend Hannah. Her clandestine dining project - Supper Underground - is featured in the current issue of Garden & Gun. Way to go Hannah & Tasso! Also featured are a few historical supper clubs in the American South.

In the Genes

salt cellar

Aldo Bakker (son of Gijs Bakker, founder of Droog Design) has designed a nice new line of simple and ergonomic kitchen goods. Served up in basic black and white porcelain with comfy curved edges. Available through Thomas Eyck or Wannekes.