More from IMM

Here’s another treasure from the recent IMM show over in Germany. A gorgeous exhaust hood from Gutmann called Arte. Don’t know how easy cleaning would be, but is it ever beautiful or what?

[via DesignMilk & Susan Serra]

From the Why Did This Take So Long? Dept.

I’m not sure if I like this because it’s innovative, useful or European. Or all of the above.  There’s a lot of wasted space on a cooktop. What if you could squeeze one more pot or pan on that thing by scooching a burner over a few inches & making another one?

Hettich has a vision for integrating tech into kitchens – check out their video called Kitchen Concept 2015 to see it in action. There are a lot of other automated things they have on the horizon, but to be honest, I find the disappearing shelves & whatnot a tad too cold & sterile for my modern design tastes.

[via DesignMilk & Susan Serra, CKD]

Rule #1

Islands work best in kitchens with ample clearance between cabinet banks & circulation zones, and when they aren’t an obstacle to kitchen use.

That being said, I really like a single level counter at 36″ on an island. It opens up the space without the disruption of a 42″ high bar counter. The lower height serves as a more subtle separation between the cook and the companion.

The jury’s still out, though, on whether placing the sink at the edge of the countertop with landing space on only one side. (Though I can definitely see the benefits of having 2 sinks if there is room.)

Here are some single level, counter height examples:

#LetsBlogoff: How do you define creativity? Is creativity the balance between imagination and talent that bring ideas to life?

It’s ironic.

that I am late getting this, of all BlogOff topics, posted! I spent 3 years studying the creative process, what makes it go, what makes it stop, & what it really is.  Rather than repeat what Paul Anater said so eloquently in his post, which I agree with 100%, I’ll share some of what I discovered during my creativity study.

All. People. Are. Creative.

Period. There is no such thing as a non-creative human being (unless they are comatose).  Even people doing jobs perceived conventionally as Non-Creative are creative.

Take accounting, for example.  One would think, ok there are numbers & rules & these people chink out their days in accordance with industry mandate. And yet, we have Enron. And the derivatives trade. Of course, there are legal versions of creative accounting – like estate planning, or minimizing asset loss in a divorce.

Connections, baby.

Given the definition that creativity is about making connections & combinations, and that everyone can do it, there’s the mechanics of how it happens, and what inhibits it.

Simply put, if you can’t relax, you won’t be creative. By relaxing, I don’t mean downing a sixer & watching M*A*S*H reruns.  Relaxing in this context means not feeling threatened. (Some people thrive on last minute execution of a task, but that’s another topic.)

I believe the ability to be creative is hardwired biologically in us.  Here is a presentation I gave at Ignite Raleigh a couple of years ago on it.  Bear with the initial choppiness of the video – I haven’t had time to record a better one yet.

Check out the other BlogOff posts – click the link below!

Porcelain has not always been my friend.

In fact the last time I had porcelain in my life, I threw it out the window. That’s how much I detested it – as sink material, anyway. High maintenance glass breaker.

Chink in my armor: Simple.

I am a huge fan of unpretentious, uncomplicated design. These teacandle holders are beautiful. They’re elegant, they’re not afraid of white space, & they’re pure & functional. Thanks to the always tasteful materialicious for the tip.

On the rocks, please

I really like the looks of a glass countertop, & glass is reusable/recyclable.  It’s also non-porous, which means stain and bacteria resistent.

I like the thicker dimensions because it seems less fragile that way. Definitely the full 1.5″ or better, like this one from ThinkGlass:

And this is an excellent example of combining cold materials (glass, stainless steel) with warm ones (wood):

Glass countertops can be backpainted and/or lit from below for even more versatility, like this one from CBD Glass Studios:

Glass can also be a backsplash, like these from Dreamwalls Color Glass:

Death and taxes. None of us can escape either and while you can’t do anything about paying taxes, nothing says you have to trust your relatives to write your exit speech — your obituary.

Who is setting these topics?

Because I especially don’t like this one. I liked them when they were a response to something visual, some kind of design. I say, let the next BlogOff get back to our roots & have us offer our takes on a random shot.

I ain’t dead yet.

And once I am, I really don’t give a flip about my obituary. And I doubt that anyone outside a circle of about a dozen people would, either.

So until then, I’ll continue to love yellow labs, new culture, problem solving, and chocolate.

I am a diamond. I have many facets.  & one of the coolest thing about designing kitchens for people, is that they, too are diamonds.

But if I *have* to, here’s what’d be on my gravestone: