Camping Season, Here We Come...

Chopping Board set from Snow Peak

For the perfectionist we recommend the Adjust-a-Grill 

The Primus LiTech Trek Kettle, available in .9L and 1.5L. Find it at Campmor. 

It doesn't get any campier than blue enamelware. Available through GSI Outdoors. 

This time of year, we catch ourselves day dreaming about mildewy tents and burnt hot dogs. With that in mind, we thought it would be a good time to take another look at fireside cooking. When it comes down to what you're carrying on your back, it becomes a lot clearer what we really want to bring along. Here are a few of our best-ofs. 

A Hamilton Park Addition from Threefold Architects

We've always been big fans of subtly. So we were predictably pleased by this residential addition by London's Threefold Architects. Completed in January, 2008, the homeowners sought a "simple and quiet addition to the house, complementing the forms and materials of the existing building." Mission accomplished; While the exterior melds seamlessly into the original Georgian villa, the interior beams with natural light and evidence the lively family within. Though expansive in counter space and storage, the layout couldn't be more straight forward - designed for the utility of living. For more, visit Threefold Architecture. Photos by Charles Hosea. 

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.