Easing into summer, I think a series of posts on al fresco accoutrements is in order; and so, Part 1 of The Great Outdoors.
With GI Joes heading home in 1945, a sense of normalcy began to return to American households. Reassured about the future of civilization, consumers celebrated by making war-delayed purchases, enticed by the likes of these sassy sisters [who, though strategically wearing a fashionable variant of olive drab, still look pretty fetching]. I recommend you click on the image to enlarge it—the text is an outstanding read, for more than one reason.
Short of my own kitchen, this room comes mighty close to the top of my personal list of great cooking spaces. There's rigor to its design, but with its open plan, understated cabinets and gloriously even natural light, it's not at all stifling or cold. The marble island appears monolithic, owing to the nearly undetectable seam; look for the faint bookmatching in the middle of the piece. If I were to change one thing about the room, it would be the lighting in the cooking alcove—I'd like it to be more ambient and less task-oriented. obumex.be
With the shameful BP oil spill continuing to do untold environmental damage, I'm reminded of another natural resource—far more precious than petroleum—that we too often take for granted. This thought-provoking concept shower design by a student at Lund University's School of Industrial Design in Sweden was exhibited at the recent Il Salone show in Milan.
The abstract watercolor-like images brightening these aptly-named 'Oh!' tiles recall the work of one of my favorite artists, Morris Louis. I like how their splashy, fluid look plays off the austerely modern faucets. fapceramiche.com
While I find green to be an thoroughly agreeable color, it took this viridescent bathroom to open my eyes [and how!] to its more extreme possibilities. Looking at the photo, I mentally scanned the color spectrum to test if any other hues would be as effective a partner to the smoky stone panels. Warm tones would be too harsh and contrasty; of the cool possibilities, I concluded that none would work as well as this clear, matte emerald. Interesting work.
Seeing this portly refrigerator described as 'daring' and 'modern' might elicit a chuckle from us now, but in the 1930s, the machine definitely had some moxie. Unfortunately, the monitor-top appliance lacks the architectural elegance of skyscrapers of the day. But you can't blame a fridge [or a copywriter] for trying.