Calm [Kitchen] Before the Storm

This refined kitchen storage reassures me that in this week of culinary chaos, there are still beautiful details in the room deserving of appreciation. In this pantry alcove, the transparent woven-brass sliding screen is a lovely counterpoint to the dusky blue chevron-patterned parquet wall. The design is enlightened; the craftsmanship extraordinary. Something to be thankful for, indeed. lanserring.com

Beyond the Buffet

While an artistic endeavor, this plate-as-table/table-as-plate design holds much practical potential. As demonstrated in the above film clip, the Bento Table can be endlessly reconfigured to serve a multitude of dishes to a multitude of people, making it a fabulous—if fantastic—furnishing for Thanksgiving dinner. nillylandao.com

An Appetite for Al Fresco, Day 3

Since it's produced by a manufacturer of camping equipment, the Garden Table has some inherent pluses: it's lightweight, sturdy, and can be easily moved. A more unexpected bonus is its elegant aesthetic and functional design; wood-slat modules enclose a variety of cooking elements. snowpeak.com

Heartfelt Design, Day 2

Twining, sensual lines and a torrid red make the Form stool quite the hot seat, indeed. Should your kitchen call for something a little cooler, it's offered in other colors, too. compar-srl.it

Steady as She Goes

In these turbulent times, I'm seeking stability in all its forms. With its sturdy brass structure and soft leather seat, the Yacht Stool offers a safe [and stylish] harbor when moored at a kitchen island. blackmancruz.com

Table, Mannered

With Thanksgiving coming up on the calendar, thoughts turn to food [will there be enough?] and furniture [how many chairs?]. The Continuum table, with its integral overhead lighting, would be welcome at any dinner, whether everyday or holiday. Matteo Nunziati designed the piece. natevo.com

A Neat Seat

Even during this mini-renaissance of the handmade, the craftsmanship of the Wire Bar Stool is remarkable. The armature is a network of steel wire that becomes increasingly simple as it nears the floor. It's offered in two heights and with a multitude of fine leathers for the seat and woods for the footrest. oandd.dk

Out of the Ordinary

There's an integral light surrounding the mirror of the Shell vanity; when it flickers on, the cove is illuminated in a way that emphasizes its depth and contours. Designer Ora ïto calls the collection [developed for Ronbow] an example of 'simplexity': the mix between the simplicity of a form and the complexity of its function. I think it's an exciting approach.

Take a Seat

Designers Emma Nilsson, Johanna Westin, and Lisa Frode created this pine bench specifically for the kitchen. On the practical side, incorporating storage under the seat and behind the backrest is a great idea. Less expected but just as ingenious is the armrest: It's wide enough to securely support a coffee mug, and its outward slant is meant to be conducive to stretching out laterally for a quick cat nap.

Bending More Than the Rules

Think about it: Is a straight, solid slab really the most efficient way to lay out a kitchen counter? Olga Kalugina has devised an alternative format that offers integral storage bins and specialized work surfaces and task areas in a quasi-curvilinear array. Studying the features of the Accordion Folding Cook Table, I find myself appraising my own kitchen counter with a dubious eye. hettich.com

Warm Thoughts

Under ordinary circumstances, I'd be lining up posts on alfresco kitchens and floral-patterned tile, but winter has obviously no intention of making way for such spring-like concerns. As I write, a wretched mix of snow and rain is pounding down on us. So—with sincere apologies for the sad lighting and propping situation [Furry hides on birch stumps? Really?]—here's a still-seasonal item. Incorporated into a cooking island or dining table, the Firetube promises to keep things toasty during those long chilly nights—whenever they occur. firetube.de

Paging Williamsburg + Portland

I think I've found a kitchen cart that even a domesticity-shunning hipster might fancy. The bluestone work surface and raw metal frame are gritty materials with a fair amount of street cred. And the eccentric polygonal form of the sliding wire bins certainly adds to the storage trolley's post-industrial presence. produitinterieurbrut.com

Choice Table

Some of us [ahem] have already begun the long holiday weekend. While the weather will be spotty, there will be more than enough opportunity to abandon the kitchen for alfresco cooking. And eating. This simple parsons-style picnic table features a built-in grill that, while it might not be spacious enough for burgers for a crowd, would certainly suffice for dinner for four. Coordinating side chairs are available. sitngrill.dk

Confetti for the Kitchen

Among the best—and definitely the brightest—of this year's Eurocucina is the suite of storage dubbed  'Add Ons' by Alfredo Häberli. Not only do the units inject strong color into what's often a neutral-hued environment, but when they're strategically appended to perimeter and/or island cabinets, they can screen the open kitchen from view. The designer thinks today's kitchens have become too exposed; this collection offers some privacy, not to mention personality. schiffini.com

Rustic Meets Refined

While I'm a fan of using reclaimed wood, it's a design trend that could benefit from some fresh thinking. So I welcome the Materia Multicolor collection of bath furniture. Wrapped in matte white wood, drawers fronted in stained and distressed fir, this console vanity is thoughtfully designed and composed; a fact that lifts it above the pillaged-scrap-bin look that is so pervasive these days. bianchinicapponi.it

A Kosher Counter?

Appropriate to DAED [Day After Earth Day, and a loaded anagram if there ever was one], the Chatham kitchen island is cobbled together from salvaged timbers and tin ceiling panels. The butcherblock top has a particularly curious provenance: It's made of reclaimed pickle-barrel staves. sundancecatalog.com

Table of Contents

From the meticulous Union Studio, this sturdy oak kitchen worktable offers a veritable smorgasbord of functionality. Compartments at its base can be customized, with slatted wood shelves, zinc bins, baskets and more on offer. There's also an assortment of rugged saddle-leather accessories available; as does the pouch in this picture, they hang from a steel rod at the end of the table. marchsf.com

Structured Style

I spy with my little eye an I-beam theme in this kitchen. The inset shelf running along the back wall; the channels that limn the edge of the island and divide its surface into thirds; even the wooden wall cabinets have an I-beam-ish cross-section. Particularly in the latter, there's some nice carpentry work going on here. roderickvos.com

Hidden in Plain Sight

In kitchens that are pressed for space, the Ranger stool could help ease the squeeze—or at least lessen the clutter. Constructed of white oak and powder-coated steel, the under-seat shelf could hold the daily paper or a favorite cookbook, and the hook can hold a handbag or shopping tote. It's available in three heights in green or cream, with custom colors a possibility. scoutregalia.com

Greetings, 2014

On this first day of a new year, many people are thinking and talking about change. Here's my kitchen-centric contribution to that conversation. Unlike conventional islands, the Chop & Change kitchen workbench features a modular countertop, which encourages both creativity and efficiency. You specify the size and material for each section. This is quite liberating; should you decide to get serious about baking, include a marble slab in the counter. Similarly, when your infatuation with lime green cools, switch out that quartz-based square with a new hue. mettecreates.com