Wash Your Hands—Really

And a happy birthday to Michael Jackson. Sorry, Bendix—his glittery glove required dry cleaning, covered as it was with 1,200 hand-sewn, Swarovski-crystal lochrosens. But your point is made, submerging this delicate crocheted model into the turbulent water [The glove would hide the resultant wrinkly skin, I'm sure] to prove the cleaning power of the 1956 washer. The colorful Formica tops might have impressed the always fashion-forward King of Pop, too.

Now and Zen

There's been some landscaping work going on at a neighbor's house this week; it's been a challenge to concentrate while the noisy, smelly, and dust-generating process of laying a large stone patio has been underway. This serene marble sink, called Kyoto and designed by Hikaru Mori, is the complete opposite of the chaotic scene next door. pibamarmi.it

So Cool

On this happily-rare 90ºF day, let's take little break from reality and soak in the beauty of an art installation currently installed in a national park near Sancy, France. Part of the Arts-Nature annual show, 'Bridal Veil', by Louis Sicard, is a wooden aquaduct-like structure that meanders through the forest for more than 130 feet, releasing a shower-like curtain of water on visitors strolling along its length. If you're fortunate enough to be in the neighborhood, it's up until 28 September; I'll be cooling off vicariously—très triste! horizons-sancy.com

Color Continuity

Let us now sing another chorus of the 'Why Didn't I Think of That?' blues. This inspired range hood installation succeeds on two counts: subtly unifying the cooking area with the cabinetry while giving ample opportunity to appreciate the slim, crisp lines of the Ghost vent. falmec.com

Kitchen Incognito

Summer may be on the wane, but that's no cause to give up on the grill. As the Human Torch would say, 'Flame on!'

Screening out the less aesthetic elements of an outdoor kitchen seems like a good idea to me, and this slatted structure does a fine job of it. My one hesitation about this design is that the counter seating could stratify the experience; it sets up a rigid host/guest dynamic. I like alfresco cooking to be a more communal experience. communedesign.com

The Life Aquatic

Thank you, Philco, for inviting us to plunge into the underwater world of your Automagic washer. [The Ice Bucket Challenge of 1958, perhaps?] The high-frequency washing action—calculated at 600 surging waves per minute—is depicted as a gentle function. But this 20-second video of the bladeless rubber agitator in motion certainly gives an impression that is not exactly congruent with the blissful, blue depths this svelte skin-diver is experiencing.

Still, Water

It looks like I'm off on an aqueous tangent these days. Continuing that unintentional theme, this Aura tile has the coloration of a tropical lagoon, layers of blues and greens fused within the glass. Tranquility. annsacks.com