happy living Design

thirsty : Pokal tumblers

We have a these glasses and as they have broken I haven't been replacing them.  They have these giant 'dimples' on the bottom that collect a ridiculous amount of water in the dishwasher and I have been on the hunt for new tumblers (w/o dimples).  I love these from Ikea and how much more affordable can you get than $1.99?  I sense an Ikea outing in my future so that I can inspect the dimples.

ps.  I guess when we registered for our wedding we requested a set of each size glass: juice glass, cooler glass and double old-fashioned.  We rarely use the juice glasses and could live without the DOF's since we have a set of crystal DOF's.  I think the Pokal tumblers would serve all of our needs and we'd only need to store ONE SET of everyday glasses instead of THREE.

I can't live without: Peugeot pepper mill

 

 

This is probably one of the best things I've spent my money on for the kitchen.  I consider it a great investment.  It works as beautifully as it looks.

Peugeot Curry-Lacquer Paris U'Select Pepper Mill

a little design for everyone (in a bag)

A few years back Target did that ad campaign they called 'Design for All" which I loved in concept and I hope in some way I am able to bring that idea to the architecture world (that everyone, not just the rich, should have access to well-designed homes).  The interior design industry I think is bringing it to us in a big way these days.  Yes, you can go hire Bunny Williams for a bazillion dollars per hour (she is that amazing!) or now you can work with a talented designer via phone or email room-by-room for much much much less.  And these designers have all come up with ingenious way to deliver their goods (floor plans, samples, etc.) to your doorstep.

design in a bag is a design service by Rebekah Zaveloff (of HGTV and Chicago's KitchenLab) that "puts professionally coordinated kitchen and bath designs in your hands" for around $100.  It includes cabinet, countertop, tile and paint samples, a shopping list and hand-drawn renderings.

The finish and material options these days for kitchens and baths are endless and overwhelming.  If you don't have time or just don't feel like spending hours going from showroom to showroom, you can pick from dozens of pre-selected palettes either by color (cool, warm or neutral) or collection (modern, classic or vintage).

I am actually considering this one for our kitchen (if we ever get to that project!).  Check out the site.  Find them on Facebook and Twitter too!

wallpaper by amy butler

at Graham & Brown

Have a look.

a nice vessel

or plant pot as Ikea calls them. BLADET plant pot with saucer by Ikea ($8.99)

Useful for containing all sorts of things.  I could use these all over the house.

As seen on Bethenny Getting Married? in the kitchen.  Did I just publicly admit to watching that show??

I can't live without: Nigella's Classic Whisk

Another kitchen edition of I can't live without: and long overdue.

Ever since the Style channel started running Nigella Lawson's cooking show (way back when!), I have been almost in love with her.  Let's just say I have a huge girl-crush on her and her style in the kitchen.  She's the only cooking personality that I'd be interested in sitting down to a meal with.  i know I am repeating myself.  Although I haven't mentioned Nigella in a long time, I have posted about her before.  Consider this a reminder and update for you!

Classic Whisk

When we moved I discarded a lot of kitchen utensils that we accumulated over time but never used.  I think we are down to a manageable amount (we might even be missing a couple of helpful things).  I use Nigella's Classic Whisk for everything: making scrambled eggs, mixing vinaigrette dressing, aseembling my morning protein shake.  It's little, but it works and it's light and easy to handle.

I also love Nigella's new-to-me website.  You can view the whisk here and buy it here.

What is your favorite kitchen utensil?

(photo credit: BlissHome.us)

I can't live without: french-pressed coffee

This is a new series called 'I can't live without:'.  As I start another spending hiatus and continue to try to pare down the possessions that I already have, it has made me think harder about the things I couldn't live without, both essentials and luxuries.

 

My Bodum Chambord 8-cup coffee press will stay.  Although we love (I really mean love...) our Cusinart Grind-N-Brew, there is nothing like making and enjoying French-pressed coffee on a Saturday morning.  To me, it is like slow coffee, kind of like slow food.

Is there something in your own kitchen that you could not live without?

jonathan adler's NEW salt + pepper shakers

love these.


Jonathan Adler

index chopping boards

We had a set of colored plastic chopping mats awhile back. Each color represented a food group and was supposed to prevent cross-contamination of food. Eventually the chopping mats got all chopped up and I haven't replaced them. I always wondered that since I stored them all next to one another that the cross-contamination prevention was a mute point. I would have had to have another plastic sheet separating them. This product solves the problem. You just need to find room to store the filing unit. Pretty cute.

from MoMA Store

snack bags

I am thinking of how I can cut down on my use of Ziploc baggies.  I think these are perfect.
Reusable Snack Bags in Mint Stripe from Plum Creek.

PS.  Mamamade sells reusable snack bags as well.  It seems like she is out of stock right now.  But check back.