Hotels, Lodging & Restaurants: Nordic Bakery in London

October 15, 2010, 1:30 pm

≫ Next: Steal This Look: Tyler Florence Dinner Party

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We first spotted the Nordic Bakery on The Curious Eye; since then, it's garnered a cult following among the city's food and design cogniscenti. Owner Jali Wahlsten worked with architect Bert Rozeman on the interior, pulling off a Nordic look without falling back on the usual Scandi standbys. "We used classic Finnish modernist furniture—Alvar Aalto chairs and tables and Ilmari Tapiovaara tables and benches, but in unusual finishes," according to the design team. The Nordic Bakery is located at 14a Golden Square in Soho; a Marylebone branch has just opened on New Cavendish Street.

Above: Tables and benches by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara offer group seating opportunities. Vertical planks of heat-treated pine line the walls; the floors are gray linoleum, which "gives a pleasant soft bounce."

Above: The design team used Alvar Aalto tables and chairs in glossy black.

Photos via The Curious Eye and Rozeman Architect.

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Steal This Look: Tyler Florence Dinner Party

October 19, 2010, 3:15 am

≫ Next: Design Sleuth: Wood Ice Bucket at Commis in Oakland

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As someone who's more apt to set the table than cook what's served upon it, I was pleased to come across chef Tyler Florence's latest book, Tyler Florence Family Meal. A chronicle of informal (yet beautifully set) meals eaten at home with Florence's Mill Valley neighbors, the book offers visual sustenance for chefs and design voyeurs alike. 

Florence moved to Mill Valley in 2007 (his wife and collaborator, Tolan Clark, is a native) and has since become a regular in town, shopping at the farmer's market, hiking the trails, and hosting neighborhood potlucks. In addition to his new SF restaurant Wayfare Tavern (with three more Bay Area eateries to follow), Florence owns a cookware store in town (stay tuned for a Napa location).

Taking inspiration from Family Meal, we've rounded up a few elements for recreating a neighborhood dinner party a la Florence. All tabletop items are available through Tyler Florence in Mill Valley: call 415-380-9200 to order. N.B.: Florence will be signing books at the Mill Valley store on October 20th from 4 to 6 pm.

Above: Tyler Florence's eponymous shop in Mill Valley, via Flickr.

Above: A communal dining table at the Wayfare Tavern in San Francisco; photograph by Brian Smeets.

Above: The Andover Table from Room & Board is available in custom sizes, in 1-inch increments of widths and depths (up to 96 inches). Wood choices include maple, white oak, cherry, or walnut; prices start at $659 for a 24-by-30-inch table. For an even longer table (up to 120 inches), consider the Shaker-inspired Hancock Table at Room & Board.

Above: The Sawkille Bench in oxidized cherry is available in custom lengths; contact Sawkille Co. for pricing and ordering information.

Above: Bertil chair; $39 at Ikea (available in birch, beech and maple).

Above: A Tyler Florence basic table setting, featuring a classic wine glass; $8.95, a simple glass tumbler; $6.95, and a rustic chef's plate, $30.

Above: Tyler Florence sells vintage silver in five-piece place settings; $29.95.

Above: Handwoven by Averil Eager, a Mill Valley artisan, Averil's Napkins are $12.50 each are made from thread sourced from the last operating textile mill in the US; custom colors are available upon request.

Tabletop photographs by Janet Hall. 

Above: Tyler Florence Family Meal; $19.49 from Amazon. Family Meal jacket photograph by Jonathan Lee.

Design Sleuth: Wood Ice Bucket at Commis in Oakland

October 19, 2010, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Appliances: Dualit Professional Hand Mixer

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On a recent visit to Commis Restaurant in Oakland, we admired the wooden ice buckets, which add a rustic note to the otherwise minimalist decor. Replicate the look with flat wooden-staved buckets lined with a simple metal or plastic bucket to accommodate ice.

Above: The Large Premium Wooden Bucket is made in the style of colonial-era water buckets with red oak hoops (copper hoops also available); the bucket measures 13.5 inches in diameter and 11 inches high; $39.45 for the unstained large bucket at R & P Trading.

Above: Another option is the Oak Water Bucket with Wire Bands; $79.95 for the large (11.75 inches in diameter and 10.75 inches high) at R & P Trading.

Appliances: Dualit Professional Hand Mixer

October 19, 2010, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Kitchen: Pot Racks from Enclume

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Lacking the counter space for a free-standing mixer? Consider Dualit's Profession 5-Speed Hand Mixer, which features a heavy-duty 300-watt commercial-quality motor and a stylish retro look. In addition to standard beaters, it comes with a balloon whisk, two oversize flat beaters, and dough hooks; $79.99 at Amazon.

Kitchen: Pot Racks from Enclume

October 19, 2010, 11:00 am

≫ Next: DIY: Unhemmed Linen Tablecloth

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Based in Washington State, Enclume has been manufacturing restaurant-grade pot racks since 1973. Enclume's craftspeople start with high-carbon, heavy gauge steel; components are manufactured using traditional French-made equipment and hand finished. Go to Enclume to see the whole range; we especially like the company's assortment of industrial-strength S-hooks, chains, and other accoutrements for pot hanging.

Above: Enclume's Ceiling Rack 36-Inch Hammered Steel; $179.99.

Above: Enclume's Deep Bookshelf Rack in chrome; $879.99.

Above: Enclume's 36-Inch Rolled End Bar Pot Rack in chrome is $199.99.

DIY: Unhemmed Linen Tablecloth

October 19, 2010, 1:30 pm

≫ Next: 10 Easy Pieces: Everyday Wine Glasses

≪ Previous: Kitchen: Pot Racks from Enclume

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Noticed recently: unhemmed edges everywhere—in this kitchen from the new Ikea catalog, for instance—for an unstudied look.

Above: Create an instant linen tablecloth with a roll of 100 percent pure Belgian Unprimed Linen; $88.59 for a 62-by-inch length at Dick Blick.

10 Easy Pieces: Everyday Wine Glasses

October 20, 2010, 3:15 am

≫ Next: Accessories: Waiter's Corkscrew Roundup

≪ Previous: DIY: Unhemmed Linen Tablecloth

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A lovely wine deserves a lovely glass; we've rounded up our collective favorites below. N.B. Most glasses are available in pairs or in sets of six or more.

STEMMED GLASSES

Above: Francesca's choice for everyday is the Alessi Wine Goblet, designed by Jasper Morrison, which easily fits in the dishwasher; $9 each at Unica Home.

Above: Janet uses the classic Reidel Vinum Wine Glasses; $40 for a set of two Chardonnay glasses (other sizes for varietals available); a useful Reidel Vinum Mixed Gift Set with four red and four white wine glasses is available for $149. Both at Williams-Sonoma.

Above: Rosendahl's Opus Wine Glass by designer Ole Palsby is Janet's everyday pick (they're dishwasher safe); $24.99 for a set of two at Amazon.

Above: The versatile Iittala Verna Wine Glass can also be used as a water goblet; $22 for a set of two at All Modern.

Above: Known for its durability, German-made Schott Zweisel Cru Classic Stemware is crafted of Tritan titanium lead-free crystal that is dishwasher safe and break-resistant; $72 for a set of six wine glasses in various sizes at Williams-Sonoma.

Above: Venerable German company Spiegalau Wine Glasses are made of lead-free crystal, have classic shape, and are priced slightly lower than Reidel (which acquired the company in 2004); $39.84 for a set of four Bordeaux glasses at Amazon.

Above: Good to have on hand for large parties: Ikea's Svalka White WIne Glasses; $4.99 for a set of six.

STEMLESS GLASSES

Above: Julie favors Spanish Wine Glasses; $6 each, 2.25 inches tall, from Spartan in Austin, Texas.

Above: The classic French bistro wine glass from Picardie; a set of six is $21.25 at Design Within Reach.

 

Above: Sarah uses the stemless Riedel O Tumblers; set of six (plus two bonus) for $66.99 at Amazon.

 

     

Above: Another stemless glass that's worthy of consideration is the Alessi Glass Family White Wine Glass by Jasper Morrison; $32 for a set of four at All Modern.

Above: Francesca likes the FYN Stemless Red Wine Tumbler from Bodum, which is made of durable borosilicate lab glass (it will never cloud from washing). The grip area is designed to reduce finger contact with the glass surface; $9.95 each at Amazon.

Accessories: Waiter's Corkscrew Roundup

October 20, 2010, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Tabletop: Ceramic Candle Holders by Adam Silverman

≪ Previous: 10 Easy Pieces: Everyday Wine Glasses

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Allegiances to corkscrew styles run deep; mine lies with the classic and functional waiter's corkscrew (also known as wine keys). Compact (they're designed to fit in an apron pocket) and uncomplicated, waiter's corkscrews are easy to operate once you get the knack of it, allowing you to swiftly remove the cork using leverage. While the waiter's corkscrew is simple, it is important to choose a solidly made model; flimsy ones are not worth the effort. Here are three picks to consider.

Above: My favorite is the WMF Vino Ultimate Waiter's Friend Corkscrew; $40 at CSN Stores.

Above: The gift-worthy Italian Waiter's Corkscrew by Italian designer Enrico Albertini has a long handle made of moisture-proof Pakka Wood; $75 at Williams-Sonoma.

Above: Compact and simple, the Oneida Waiter's Corkscrew is dishwasher safe and comes with a lifetime warranty; $9.99 at Amazon.

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Tabletop: Ceramic Candle Holders by Adam Silverman

October 20, 2010, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Hotels, Lodging & Restaurants: Scala Vinoteca in Athens

≪ Previous: Accessories: Waiter's Corkscrew Roundup

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Admired (and immediately coveted), new ceramic candle holders with glass hurricanes by potter Adam Silverman of Atwater Pottery. The candle holders feature a ceramic base (it can be turned upside down to accommodate a larger votive candle) and are $60; available in-store at Heath Ceramics in Sausalito, at the second Heath SF location at the Ferry Building, and at Heath Ceramics in Los Angeles, where Silverman has his own design studio in the rear of the store (see Shopper's Diary: Playmountain at Heath in LA).

Hotels, Lodging & Restaurants: Scala Vinoteca in Athens

October 20, 2010, 11:30 am

≫ Next: Remodelista Updated iPhone/iPad Apps

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Discovered via Yatzer: the Scala Vinoteca in Athens, designed by Kokkinou Kourkoulas Architects, located in a fashionable neighborhood in the heart of the city. Half the interior is clad in rustic wood, a play on wine barrel decor; the other half features walls of wine bottles, for a cave-like ambience. Go to Scala Vinoteca for more information.

Above: Photos by George Fakaros via Yatzer.

Remodelista Updated iPhone/iPad Apps

October 20, 2010, 1:30 pm

≫ Next: Hotels, Lodging & Restaurants: Winery Tasting Room Roundup

≪ Previous: Hotels, Lodging & Restaurants: Scala Vinoteca in Athens

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Our first version of the Remodelista iPhone and iPad Apps came out last summer (Gizmodo named it App of the Week in July); we've already gone back to the drawing board and retooled and reinvented the apps in response to reader feedback. The new Remodelista iPhone and iPad Apps include the same photo-rich format; new features include enhanced search functions (which make it easier to search our sourcebook of products and posts), a Buy Now button, and the ability to search by 15 content categories—10 Easy Pieces, Steal This Look, Shopper's Diary, and Lighting. 

For the advertising-averse, we've also come out with an ad-free Remodelista App for $2.99. This version also includes the My Design Files bookmarking feature for storing and managing your favorite posts and allows you to search the online catalog of both products and posts; To Download the Remodelista apps, go to the iTunes Store.

Above: A Remodelista post on summer table settings presented on the iPad. Thumbnails of other posts in chronological order are below it; tapping on the thumbnail brings up the full post.

  

Above L: A thumbnail showing the lead image in a hardware post on the iPhone. Above R: A post on sconce lighting with Buy Now button for easy purchasing.

Hotels, Lodging & Restaurants: Winery Tasting Room Roundup

October 21, 2010, 3:15 am

≫ Next: Storage: Caisserie Freres Metal Storage Box

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It used to be that a winery visit was focused on wine production and tasting, with aesthetics as an afterthought. However, a new crop of vintners is taking winery and tasting room design as seriously as the wine; here's a roundup of some notable Napa and Sonoma destinations.

Above: The tasting room at the Medlock Ames Winery in Healdsburg was originally an old farm store. Designed by Will Wick of San Francisco-based Wick Design, the interiors now feature a zinc tasting bar, salvaged lighting fixtures, and a large communal table with 1950s Walter Gropius chairs. N.B.: Check out the Alexander Valley Bar next door; same owners, same designer, similar vibe—only with cocktails. Photographs by Joe Fletcher.

Above: Designed by Howard Backen of Backen Gillam & Kroeger Architects, the Ovid Winery sits discreetly on a hill with sweeping views of the Napa Valley. The Lab Room, shown above, and the rest of the interiors were designed by Nicole Hollis.

Above: The caves at Ovid.

Above: A Swarovski chandelier by Tord Boontje is the centerpiece in a cave room used for events at Hourglass in St. Helena. Photo by Douglas Sterling.

Above: Netherlands-based Uxus Design created the tasting rooms at the Merus Winery in Napa, which feature Tom Dixon lighting and a chalkboard-painted strip for indicating wine varieties.

Above: Wine barrels painted white create a sculptural installation at Merus Winery. Above two photos by Dim Balsem.

Above: The eco-conscious LEED-gold-certified Cade Winery in Napa was designed by architect Carlos Fernandez of Lail Design Group.

Above: An outdoor terrace at Cade Winery on Howell Mountain with views across the Napa Valley floor.

Above three photos: Michael Polenske of Blackbird Vineyards is the proprietor of Maisonry in Yountville; a design/wine/art gallery with an outdoor tasting patio and gardens. Photos via Flickr.

Storage: Caisserie Freres Metal Storage Box

October 21, 2010, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Fabrics & Linens: Linen Apron at Terrain

≪ Previous: Hotels, Lodging & Restaurants: Winery Tasting Room Roundup

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From Rockett St. George: the Caisserie Freres Metal Storage Box is a refreshing take on the ubiquitous wooden crate (we'd use it for storing wine bottles): £49 (down from £69).

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Fabrics & Linens: Linen Apron at Terrain

October 21, 2010, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Tabletop: Wine Punt Drinking Glasses

≪ Previous: Storage: Caisserie Freres Metal Storage Box

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The dinner-party-worthy Cross Back Linen Apron is made of heavy Lithuanian linen spun from flax fiber; $78 at Terrain.

Tabletop: Wine Punt Drinking Glasses

October 21, 2010, 11:00 am

≫ Next: DIY: Olabisi Wine Tasting Room Pallet Shelving

≪ Previous: Fabrics & Linens: Linen Apron at Terrain

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Colorado Springs-based Wine Punts converts everyday wine bottles into drinking glasses, recycling thousands of bottles every year; the glasses are available in two sizes (tall and short) and in an array of colors. The glasses are available directly from Wine Punts or from Heath Ceramics.

Above L: Kelly Green Tall Glass; set of two for $24. Above R: Kelly Green Short Glass; set of two for $19 at Heath.

Above: Olive Short Glass; set of two for $19 at Heath.

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DIY: Olabisi Wine Tasting Room Pallet Shelving

October 21, 2010, 1:30 pm

≫ Next: House Call: Hourglass Winery Guest House

≪ Previous: Tabletop: Wine Punt Drinking Glasses

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When winemaker Ted Osborne and Kim Wedlake opened a Napa tasting room for Olabisi Wines, the couple went for  a simple recycled-rustic look, combining reclaimed pallets, wine casks, and burlap to create a DIY bar. We especially admire their ingenious pallet shelving with jelly roll pans in lieu of drawers.

Above: Simple lengths of burlap conceal the area beneath the bar.

Above: Metal jellyroll pans function as drawers.

Above: A row of Tolix stools as seating.

Above: Wine casks with bolts as clothes hooks.

Above: Commercial-grade Norpro Jelly Roll Pans measure 18 by 12 inches; available from Amazon for $21.99

Above: Pallets typically measure 48 inches wide and are 40 inches long. The best way to procure one (or more) is to approach a local business that may use them for shipping or alternatively contact any of the numerous firms that also recycle pallets such as Pallet Recycling.

Above: Use Burlap to cover the front of the pallets; $6.50 for a roll of burlap (40 inches wide and 2 yards long) from Amazon.

House Call: Hourglass Winery Guest House

October 22, 2010, 3:15 am

≫ Next: Lighting: High/Low Rattan Bell Pendant

≪ Previous: DIY: Olabisi Wine Tasting Room Pallet Shelving

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When Jeff and Carolyn Smith bought Hourglass vineyards in the Napa Valley, just north of Saint Helena, they preserved the 1850s farmhouse that sat on the property as a guest house. Carolyn, who has a deeply discerning eye for design, decided to "gently renovate" the house, as she puts it. She began by painting the interior completely in white (floor included) using Benjamin Moore's Super White. A veteran of high/low style, Carolyn mixed handcrafted pieces from a favorite glassblower, Michael Anchin, with thrift-shop finds. "I basically used stuff that was given to me, was in my garage, or came from Ikea," she says. Photography by Mimi Giboin.

Above: The exterior is painted army green with a gun-metal door.

Above: A wicker chaise from Ikea and a vintage child's chair.

Above: Michael Anchin's glass pieces are on display in the built-in shelving units.

Above: Tolix chairs from DWR paired with a striped rug and wicker pendant from Ikea.

Above; The bench in the master bedroom is covered with a striped Ikea rug.

Above: Carolyn outfitted the bedroom with a wrought-iron bed (a gift from a friend); a rustic grainsack pillow and a sheepskin throw add texture.

Above: The guest house overlooks the Hourglass vineyards and the mountains beyond.

Lighting: High/Low Rattan Bell Pendant

October 22, 2010, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Walls, Windows & Floors: Marimekko Striped Wallpaper

≪ Previous: House Call: Hourglass Winery Guest House

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The oversized rattan pendant light in today's House Call: Hourglass Guest House creates a luminous, diffuse glow, perfect for a dining room or any space where filtered illumination is needed. Below are two sources for similar lights.

Above: The affordable Leran Pendant Lamp from Ikea is handmade of bamboo and rattan, it's $89.99 for the 24-inch size; a smaller 11-inch shade is available for $39.99.

Above: A more refined (and pricier) option is the Gervasoni Bell 95 Suspension Light, designed by Jasper Startup, which measures 25 inches in both diameter and height and is $990 in natural rattan (also available in ebony for $1,185) and can be sourced through Orange Skin in Chicago.

Walls, Windows & Floors: Marimekko Striped Wallpaper

October 22, 2010, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Storage: Houdini Wine Rack

≪ Previous: Lighting: High/Low Rattan Bell Pendant

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A perennial classic: striped wallpaper. We like Marimekko's Korsi Stripe, which is available with blue, red, black, yellow, or green stripes on a white background.

Above: Marimekko Korsi Stripe Wallpaper in blue and white; $149 per roll (27 inches wide and 396 inches long) at All Modern. 

Above: Marimekko Korsi Stripe Wallpaper in red and white; $149 per roll (27 inches wide and 396 inches long) at All Modern.

Above: Marimekko Korsi Stripe Wallpaper in black and white; $149 per roll (27 inches wide and 396 inches long) at All Modern.

Storage: Houdini Wine Rack

October 22, 2010, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Shopper's Diary: Swanson Vineyards Sip Shoppe in the Napa Valley

≪ Previous: Walls, Windows & Floors: Marimekko Striped Wallpaper

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My nomination for most versatile wine rack: the ultra-compact, exceptionally stable Houdini Wine Rack, which fits in a refrigerator or a small cabinet and folds flat when not in use. Each modular unit expands to fit four bottles; multiple racks can be connected to fit up to 48 bottles. The Houdini Wine Rack is made of high-tensile-strength wire with plastic clips and costs $22 at Amazon.