A Willesden Kitchen

Spotted on JJ Locations, we were pretty impressed with the kitchen in this Northwest London home. The pairing of dark wood cabinets and a stainless steel work table is offset by a pair of vintage cabinets as well as the Smeg 50's-inspired refrigerator. Granite and cork countertops make for another successful juxtaposition of style. Not your typical trophy kitchen, but a testament to the value of keeping a little of the vintage around. To see the full house tour, visit JJ Locations. 

Hut in Woods

Spotted on Dezeen, we're pretty keen on this suburban home by Japanese architect Yoshiaki Nagasaka. Nagasaka decribes the design concept as "a series of contradictory aspirations," to create a feel of open space while also allowing for sense of privacy. A network of sliding plywood screens permit division of the otherwise open floor plan. And the interior's cedar lining and natural light lend a degree of coziness to the restrained aesthetic. See the original article, here. Photgraphy by Yasunori Shimomura.

Vipp 972

Spotted on Design Milk, the newly released Vipp 972 table is a worthy addition to the Danish company's always growing line-up of kitchen and bath accessories. The table surface is reclaimed and untreated teak, giving it the durability of an outdoor deck while still allowing for a nice little patina to build-up with use. The base, available in either flat black or gloss white, is powder-coated aluminum and looks like it goes together in a flash. Unfortunately for us Yankees, it is currently only available at Vipp's Copenhagen flagship store. For more information, visit Vipp's website here.

A Belated Look at George Nakashima

Thanks to a recent New York Times article, we've been reminded of the legacy of George Nakashima. From a furniture-maker's perspective, there is not much left to say about the legendary Japanese-Pennsylvanian. But I find myself continually finding in his work a simplicity of purpose; A slab supported by turned legs; A joint so reductive and seamless that it almost goes unnoticed. For his ability to derive so much from the wood itself, allowing in many ways for his own craft to become visually secondary, makes him an enduring source of inspiration. Read the NYT article here and be sure to visit the Nakashima website.

Going Small: A Dulwich Cottage

Discovered on Light Locations, this London cottage is the perfect fit for our ongoing look at successfully small kitchens. While the rest of the home is certainly not lacking in the pattern and texture department, the kitchen is relatively restrained. Cast concrete units flank the range and fridge, providing simple storage below. Wooden crates-turned-drawers and what looks like a drop-in porcelain sink serve as classic, cost-effective touches. This design, without end-panels or awkward spaces, also allows for the would-be copy cat to substitute appliances to suit their budget, while keeping the unique look. Visit Light Locations for more.

Dodai

We couldn't help but share our discovery of the Dodai bench, from Peter Marigold. Part of the Japan Creative's Simple Vision exhibition at the Salone de Mobili 2012 and produced by Japan's Hinoki Kogei, the bench's most alluring feature is its spontaneous texture. Created through the process of simply splitting the massive Cypress timbers, the resulting surface is inherently unique and entirely intriguing. The seat, assembled with wooden rods and grass, can be rolled back and the bench's interior used for storage. For more information, visit Peter'st website here. Via Contemporist. Images courtesy of Nacasa & Partners.

A Kitchen to Travel With

Enter, the Bowlus Road Chief. Based on the 30's-era creation of William Hawley Bowlus (known for his role in designing both Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis as well as the iconic Airstream trailer), this updated version of the original tow-along begins production this year, to the tune of $100,000. While sporting a similar polished look to the recognizable Airstream, the Chief is notable for its more streamlined aeronautic silhouette. And that's not all.

Predictably, we like the kitchen. While only demanding what looks to be about 15% of the total square footage, the Chief's stainless galley sports a two-burner glass cooktop, microwave, mini-fridge, and sink with a sprayer that reaches outside for the less-fussy dishwashers. And the adjacent convertible dining-booth-turned-sofa-turned-bunk, makes for a cozy meal with your travel buddies. More more, visit Bowlus Road Chief. Spotted first on the New York Times.