Pretty in Plastic...

...or maybe Lovely in Laminate? Countertops, cabinet fronts, backsplashes [those nasty little four-inch ones], and even the shelves in the greenhouse window of this late 1940s-era kitchen are all swathed in the stuff. Low in maintenance and high in aesthetic possibility—although as always, it's worth noting there's no accounting for taste—the material provided a great escape from the past.

Extreme Garden Variety

I'll confess that it was the spring-sprout green tub that initially caught my eye—but the Botanica wallcovering quickly grew on me [no, not literally]. Designed by Vito Nesta, its magnified details play off the simplicity of the soaker quite effectively. A vinyl covering, it can stand up to the steamy environs of the bath. devon-devon.com

Keeping One's Cool

As spring takes its sweet time in arriving, this powder room reminds me of just how great an impact nature can have on design. Even a mere threesome of flowers [multiplied to six by the mirror] gives life to an otherwise icy space that's clad in elaborately carved solid surfacing. dessinsllc.com

Shine On

This striking surfacing—seen here on both the wall and the drawer fronts—is a melange of materials: fabric is sandwiched between sheets of glass. While Vetrite is suitable primarily for vertical use [light-wear horizontal applications, like tub decks, is OK], it is offered in an impressive number [18] of formats, ranging from 4x4 inches to 47x110 inches, in more than 50 patterns. sicis.com

An Organic Oeuvre

Some view the so-called signature aesthetic as an easy creative path, a process more repetitious than it is refining. The late architect Zaha Hadid found satisfaction in exploring parametric forms at all scales, from the design of shoes to soccer stadiums. This kitchen, fabricated of Corian solid surfacing, displays the characteristic swooping style that brought her acclaim around the world.

Taking Form

Part Easter egg, part snowball—the island in this kitchen offers an unlikely parallel to our first full day of spring, which dawned to an unwelcome dusting of the white stuff. In actuality, the island is crafted of Corian, a material that's recently taken a back seat to distressed woods. Trends aside, I've always been a fan of the polymer's workability; it's a rewarding medium for those who are most at home when creating an irregular third dimension. cochranedesign.com

Test[ing] Pattern

I must be subconsciously preoccupied with floors these days; this is the second post in as many weeks on the subject. Adopting the marbleizing technique that's traditionally used to create the endpapers in fine books, these wooden planks sport somewhat unpredictable patterns in a variety of color palettes. Installed in parquet layouts or straight runs, they'll certainly add zip to a room. snedkerstudio.dk

Cloudy Cabinets

The shadowy storage in this kitchen is a close approximation of the weather on this March day: tenaciously overcast, to the point of negating the extra hour of daylight we just picked up courtesy of EDT. Architect Jean Nouvel achieves this effect by using translucent Corian as the door panels in the Lumieres kitchen design. ernestomeda.it

Flowing Flooring

The sinuous stripes formed by the Wave flooring may trigger a double-take from those who are more accustomed to the straight and narrow in underfoot. Made of European Oak, the planks are offered in a palette of subdued colors, such as this combination of grey and blue. Alternating boards with glossy and matte finishes adds another layer of interest to the already striking look. coraparquet.it

Treading Lightly

We happen to be in the final phases of a rather extensive bathroom remodeling. Part of that project is a resilient floor. While our design does not include a walk-in shower, I can nonetheless attest to the pleasure of having something soft and warm underfoot rather than hard, cold tile. This brand new product, a cushy shower floor that's pre-sloped to facilitate drainage, is something I'll definitely keep in mind for our next bath upgrade. solidsoft-tray.com

X-Ray Eyed

This light-permeable concrete could be used in all sorts of creative ways in the kitchen or bath—I'd fancy a shower enclosure made of it, or a backsplash panel. Tiny pores allow natural light to filter through the material for a subtle yet surprising look; for a more pronounced effect, thread-like fiber optics can light up the surface. The strength and water-repellent quality of the material is uncompromised. luccon.com

A Real Floor Show

Continuing on the topic of mixing wood with stone, this floor would elevate any bathroom or kitchen. No, it's not encaustic tiles or herringbone parquet—but there are times when beauty and craftsmanship win out over fashion. parchettificiotoscano.it

Room to Grow

I don't think that I'm alone when I admit to using the cooktop as a countertop when things get busy in the kitchen. But this idea—a slab of gorgeous wood that bridges the burners and slides over the appliance—is both a more beautiful and practical approach to the problem of scarce set-down space. Not to mention that it provides a more secure base for the miscellany of bowls and plates that I'm inclined to annex to the hobs. ernestomeda.com

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

In the Name of Love

My valentine to you, dear readers: A week of posts with amorous allusions or intents.

A red kitchen reflects not just a passion for cooking, but an embrace of bold design, as well. This scarlet island is no passing infatuation; fabricated of through-color solid surfacing and featuring a built-in beacon, I'd say it's a supreme declaration of love. himacs.eu

Bewitching Design, Part Four

Particularly in a windowless, cramped powder room, I can imagine this subversive wallpaper would make an indelible impression. A C.F.S. Voysey pattern from 1889, the writhing population of beady-eyed, flame-tongued demons is a far cry [or should I say 'wail'?] from conventional floral or geometric decor. trustworth.com

A Clean Sweep

Some see solid surfacing as a sterile, characterless material. This installation might sway that thinking a bit. One with the countertop, the basin and sloped drain board are simple, elegant, and functional. A [literally] pretty persuasive case, I'd say. doimocucine.it

Beauty Under Glass

With interlayers of fragile capiz shell, translucent onyx, wiry bear grass, and a stunning array of other natural elements, these glass and resin panels are a lovely [and permanent] way to extend the summer season indoors, during the dormant months of fall and winter. Perhaps the more pessimistic would suggest this is a way to preserve the bio-world—but I am not that strident. livinglass.com

Something Fishy

Observing fish drifting in a pond is a fine way to pass a lazy summer day. Barring an actual opportunity to do so [city life has a way of diluting such pastoral scenarios into virtual and/or vicarious experiences], contemplating these wall-bound koi will have to suffice. Using open-backed shelving lets the pattern—'Derwent', named after a doubtlessly bucolic location in west Cumbria—show through. In five colorways. osborneandlittle.com

Slice of Life

It's been a busy, even beleaguered, week, dear readers. I find it settling to focus on the under-appreciated points of design; hence this sectional view of Bio-Glass counter surfacing. Made of recycled glass, its interlocking elements remind me how important connections—the deep emotional ones—are in life. coveringsetc.com.jp