Christmastide, Day 7

On the verge of a new year, yet still celebrating a lingering holiday season; it's the annual temporal tug-of-war that I typically find a little confusing. Happily, clarity abounds in this aesthetic updating of the contemporary classic Ola20 kitchen [It was designed in 1992.]. A new addition to the materials palette is carbon fiber, which rejuvenates the base of the peninsula and the reveals on the base cabinets.  snaidero.it

Christmastide, Day 4

How about a little elegance for the last Flashback Friday of the year? White-tie-and-tails aren't out of line for the 1936 debut of a refrigerator styled by Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky, the designer behind the Cord L-29 Hayes coupe and the 1928 Auburn Speedster. Inside, the fridge offered such wonders as circulating purified air, a built-in thermometer, and—perhaps the most important feature as the new year draws nigh—copious quantities of ice cubes in flexible rubber trays.

Christmastide, Day 3

Last night, we endured a nasty winter punch, complete with howling winds and blasts of sleet and snow. I offer today's post to reassure readers that picnic weather will return, and this tent, with its digitally-printed flysheet, would offer some stylish shelter for alfresco gatherings. In addition to the sandwich motif [my favorite], designs that take a comestible tack include a wedge of Swiss cheese, a slice of watermelon, and a veritable mountain of jelly beans. With aluminum shock-corded poles and an interior that roughly measures 8'8" by 4'11" by 4'3", these tents are not toys. fieldcandy.com

Christmastide, Day 2

Where, oh where, were you yesterday, B21?

Developed at the Technical University of Munich, the robot [full name: B21 Bender] performs household chores by scanning radio-frequency identification tags that are attached to items in the kitchen. This enables him/her to situate articles in their 'proper' places; e.g., dirty dishes go in the dishwasher, clean ones on the table or in the cupboard.

B21 has a couple colleagues in the university's Assistive Kitchen project. Rosie and James PR2 operate with different cognition technologies and excel at pouring cereal and preparing popcorn, among other tasks, as you may observe on their video channel. ias.cs.tum.edu

Christmastide

Welcome to the Twelve Days of Christmas, KBCULTURE-style. Until 5 January, I'll be keeping things on the lighter side, featuring places and products that, while still kitchen- and bath-oriented, will range further afield from our usual vein.

And so here is a sauna. In a ski gondola. In Finland. You're welcome. yllas.fi

Pastiche Present

A little bit of sparkle, a nip of the exotic, and not wholly practical: These are my criteria for a memorable gift. This kitchen, with its Moorish-meets-cottage character, is itself a surprise package. anthonybarrata.com

A White Christmas? Try Daffodil...

I know that some people feel more depressed than delighted during the holiday season—and to judge by the hangdog look on his face, Bing Crosby was having one of those moments in 1957. But it's quite possible that the chanteur of Christmas was contemplating his less-than-festive surroundings. Lemon-yellow appliances, cheapo wood paneling, and counters that look like some type of clay-based primordial ooze would bring anybody—even Der Bingle—down.

[Rumor has it that Bing was fond of marijuana. Maybe a toke from that pipe would restore some yuletide cheer...and no doubt there's plenty of snacks in that reefer—oops, I mean, 'refrigerator'!]