Pop Top Kitchen

While perhaps not technically an outdoor kitchen, this space, with its colossal skywindow and glass walls, offers much the same experience—minus the mosquitos. One nagging thought: Why a television would be so prominently plunked on the wall in a room that enjoys such a spectacular setting is beyond my mental reach.

Superior Simplicity

Like sand in your eye at the beach, so too can the looming lid of a barbecue grill destroy what should be a pleasant experience. A necessary cooking-equipmet ingredient, it is usually a gross intrusion on the visual composition of an outdoor kitchen. But here it's been deftly contained, and even incorporated into the design. christopheryatesdesign.com

Celebrating Summer

In an outpouring of unguarded optimism that's been sparked by a forecast stretch of weather that for this time of year is preternaturally perfect [i.e., 80ºF, 20% humidity, light breezes, sun], I'm spontaneously devoting this week's posts to outdoor kitchens.

On one level of a series of tiered decks, this basic setup has much to recommend it. It's above the fray of the swimming pool, convenient to the indoor kitchen and its amenities, and positioned to catch the prevailing winds, keeping smoke away. Fuel storage is neatly accomplished via built-in stainless steel drawers. austinlivesoutdoors.com

Cook, Out

As any designer will confirm, it's pretty hard to top Nature as a creative force. This outdoor kitchen tacitly acknowledges that fact, with its grill and sink contained in a modest concrete workbench. I wonder if some sort of shading structure could be included in the project—a tree would be the best solution, surely. konturarkitekter.dk

Conveniences Galore!

Life in 1958 was different. I guess if your kitchen had a Cuisine Centré instead of a sink you'd put on your pearls and whip up a strawberry dessert, too. The integral small-appliance hub simplified that process; today you'd have to haul out the blender and the mixer, make room for them on the cluttered the counter, and get to work. The fact that the sink—I mean, the Centré—merited a dedicated peninsula for its placement is proof of the esteem in which it was held [if not by the homeowner, at least by the manufacturer].

Duchamp, 2.0

Some may see a sleek ceramic sculpture, others might perceive a section of intestine. Personally, I'm undecided if the design intent of the WCA toilet is subtle or obvious. I do like it very much, though, for its bold appearance. sanindusa.pt

Passing [Through] Showers

At its essence, the shower experience comes down to a narrow routine: Enter booth, be drenched, exit booth. This floorplan escapes that monotony by creating a pathway rather than a cul-de-sac for the shower. Add to that its almost-outdoors ambiance, and I think we have a winner. lakeflato.com