Ghoulish Pleasures

A fittingly crypt-like kitchen kicks off KBCULTURE's traditional week of Halloween-themed posts. With cinder-grey walls and cabinets of coal black, this moody space is better suited for a seance than a family gathering [save the Addams family!]. Even the sink contributes to the dark mood: Crudely carved of stone, I can imagine the shallow basin might once have done duty in a gothic-era morgue.

Shudder.

An Ill Wind This—or That—Way Blows

By the 2012 calendar, we're a few days premature for the observance of Good Health Week, which, in 1922, ran 23-30 October. Not to worry! Note how in those pre-Photoshop days a retouching artist had to paint 'steam' into the photo to illustrate the efficacy of the Ilgair ventilation fan. Despite the fairly obvious solution of opening one of the windows to clear the air, an electric fan offered a more modern approach. I'd be curious to learn if 90 years ago folks were as concerned with the loudness of the device as they are in today's decibel-conscious kitchens; no doubt that Ilgair had to pull a hefty CFM, given its installation.

Written [or Drawn] in Stone

Maybe you love the materiality of concrete, but find its appearance a bit on the bland side. An exclusive process—not unlike that of creating batik, where a retardant is selectively applied to the surface—allows for custom decorative treatments. The concrete can also be colored, if you like. I think it's a great way to add interest to a shower enclosure. graphicconcrete.com

Organized Front

Open cubbies and cube-cupboards are easy and versatile storage solutions, but I find the units are too often strewn randomly on the wall—most untidy, especially in the confines of a small bathroom. This clever design not only imposes order on the situation, but simplifies installation, too. sanijura.fr

On-the-Spot Clean

The personal-sized washing machine has been a perennially popular subject of conceptual design studies and competitions; the proposals often feature futurist [or fabulist?] technologies like wrinkle-zapping microwaves. This appliance, dubbed the Mini, has made the leap from drawing board to market. The wall-mounted washer measures about 2'x2'x1' and holds a little more than six pounds of laundry. A direct-drive motor helps dampen vibration. I can imagine one of these might be quite a convenience in a nursery or master bath. dwe.co.kr

Looking Sharp

Black. White. Straight lines. In the right hands, these basic elements can be combined to create a kitchen that's quite striking, but still nuanced. Borrowing the diamond-shaped detail from the transom windows, the cabinet doors—in an understated pairing, I'd like to point out, rather than an unfettered, copy-and-paste run—set the sophisticated tone of the kitchen. The harlequin-patterned backsplash steps up the rhythm of the room. gregnatale.com

Yellow Alert

No shortage of storage in this kitchen! I count 40 cupboards and drawers in the room, which should easily house the chafing dishes, Jello molds, and bean pots that were essential to every 1955 batterie de cuisine. In addition to solid colors, the steel cabinets were offered in a variety of speckled finishes for the chromatically indecisive. That might not be a bad idea for a few accent door fronts, but, I think, a bit much for an entire kitchen.