Subtle Changes

Lo these many years ago, I met Roy McMakin in Los Angeles; he had opened a store stocked with his own furniture designs, and I was an editor at Arts + Architecture magazine. While times and places have changed, his pursuit of slightly irregular space continues, to my great delight. domesticarchitecture.com

Stocking Upward

I can't say I've seen a pantry unit that combines a bistro aesthetic with a rather contemporary jumble of drawers, shelves and bins—until now. The brass corner bumpers are a nice touch, as are the twin dispensing modules on the top tier. Here they're holding dried pasta, but I can easily see them filled with a few pounds of arabica beans. maggimassimo.it

A True Trophy Stove

In the last part of the 19th century, Detroit was the hub of the American cookstove industry. This was documented at the 1893 World's Colombian Exposition, where a Garland stove made of oak loomed large. Measuring 25 feet tall, 30 feet long and 25 feet wide, the colossal cooker [which, contrary to this postcard image, was distinctly earthbound] has survived, in various locations, to this day. However, with future of the Michigan State Fairgrounds [its current home] now up in the air, the fate of the range is uncertain.

Talking Shop

Mick De Giulio, owner of de Giulio Kitchen Design in Chicago, recently answered a few questions for 'Talking Shop', a recurring feature at KBCULTURE.

As a designer, my greatest responsibility is...
The principal responsibility of a designer is to always be thoughtful. Each design challenge presents an opportunity to improve people's surroundings and enhance their lives. This means going beyond the obvious or what may be asked for initially. We also have the responsibility to give our clients the very best of our efforts each and every time.

One of my creative touchstones is...
Finding the right combinations. I like to think that I am not afraid to put things together in unique ways; for me, that means mixing a lot of ideas, materials or vocabularies which can be harmonious or not. When ideas or materials are mixed, there is an exponential increase of the possibilities.

A current project I am exploring is...
I am working on a book about kitchen design.

If I had a week off from the studio, I would...
Just being with my family is the first thing that comes to mind. Sometimes just doing nothing helps regenerate the creative spirit; other times, it might be better to get away to a different environment to help unwind and see things in a different, more relaxed way.

Detail Oriented

Here's a cheery take on the country kitchen. It's very Terence Conran [80s incarnation], yes? But in reality, it's Italian in origin, done in 2009. I like the trim over the hanging cabinets; it binds them to the wall in a way that's suitable to this style. The typical installation [without the trim] would change the room's character significantly. minacciolo.it

Spot On

The Brits have a knack for merging pedigree with Pop [remember the grating slogan 'Cool Britannia'?]. And they've done it again with this Aga range that's been decked out in polka dots. A collaboration with designer Emma Bridgewater, the limited edition marks the manufacturer's 300th anniversary. aga-ranges.com

Uploading a Look

If the selection at the local tile showroom doesn't thrill you, the accommodating folks at Glass Decor will transfer the jpeg of your choice onto glass mosaics. A close-up of olives on the backsplash or thunderclouds in the shower enclosure? The possibilities are interesting, to say the least. glassdecor.es