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Kitchen: Clay Pot Cookware from Bram in Sonoma

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Among the many advantages of having friends who are borderline professional chefs: the culinary insights gained from watching them at work. When I recently observed two such friends (Berkeley-based June Taylor of June Taylor Jams and Marin-based Eric Gower of the Breakaway Cook) whip out clay pots, I started to pay notice. Recent converts, June and Eric are taken with the deep, earthy flavors achieved with rustic clay pot cooking. Inspired, I went on a search and discovered Bram in Sonoma, a clay pot mecca owned by Shelly and Ashrf Almasr (Ashrf is a native of Alexandria, Egypt), which was named one of the best U.S. shops for obsessive foodies in the May 2010 issue of Food & Wine.

Clay pots can be used both on the stovetop and in the oven; it's a different, somewhat slower approach to cooking, but one that results in delicious, deep flavors. Unlike metal pots, which heat up immediately, a clay pot heats slowly until hot, then retains the heat. The Bram site offers step-by-step guidance on how to cook with a clay pot, useful for the uninitiated. An added benefit: when not in use, clay pots add an exotic decorative note to the kitchen.

N.B. Paula Wolfert, the culinary expert who introduced America to Moroccan cooking, is also a Bram fan; for further clay pot cooking guidance, check out her book Mediterranean Clay Pot Cooking.

Chamba Oval Covered Casserole at Remodelista

Above: The medium-sized Chamba Oval Covered Casserole from Colombia is $128 at Bram.

Bram Tall Hala Pot at Remodelista

Above: The 3-quart Tall Hala Pot is available in forest green, terra cotta, and semisweet brown; $86 at Bram.

Bram Skillet at Remodelista

Above: Handmade earthenware Skillet shown in mocha brown, $42 at Bram.

Bram Round Covered Casserole at Remodelista

Above: Terra Cotta Casserole made in Old Cairo, Egypt; $68 at Bram.


Fabrics & Linens: Fez Embroidered Bed Linens from Morocco

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Founded by Lela Barker, From Morocco with Love imports artisan-made goods from Morocco, with a portion of the proceeds going to local schools and charities (read Barker's story here). We especially like the Embroidered Bed Linens, made from heavyweight 100 percent cotton with traditional Fez embroidery. According to Barker, "a purchase of this product directly supports talented craftsmen in Morocco and enables us to provide a wheelchair to someone in need in Morocco."

Luxury Embroidered Bed Linens at Remodelista

Above: Embroidered Bed Linens are available in a flat or a queen set, which includes an embroidered flat sheet, two 26-inch-square shams, and a bolster cover, for $220.

Luxury Embroidered Bed Linens at Remodelista

Above: Embroidered Bed Linens are available in in sapphire, garnet, or emerald.

Above: A detail of the intricate stitching.

Architect Visit: AIA 2010 San Francisco Living Home Tour

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Attention Bay Area architecture enthusiasts: Next weekend is the AIA 2010 San Francisco Living Home Tour, with tours and events on both Saturday, September 11, and Sunday, September 12. Headquartered at the Stable Cafe, the Home Tour features five to six residential architecture projects each day, with self-guided tours from 10 am to 4 pm (each day features a different lineup of projects). For more information, go to AIA SF's Architecture and the City Festival. Tickets can be ordered in advance on the AIA SF Home Tour website.

Here's a preview of projects on the tour on Saturday, September 11 (we will preview Sunday's projects later in the week).

Above: The Mission House by Interstice Architects is "both the home and living laboratory for a couple who have made it their personal trial grounds for materials, light, and unorthodox construction techniques."

Above L: Solution's mid-century Mosaic House sits atop Golden Gate Heights. Above R: Nick Noyes Architecture's 20th Street Residence (see our post Architect Visit: Nick Noyes in Sonoma for more of his work).

Above: The Caselli residence by Schwartz and Architecture was inspired by the client's collection of curiosities (he's a curator at the California Academy of Sciences).

Above L: The exterior of David Baker and Partners' Armstrong Place, an affordable housing community (for a look at David Baker's loft, see our post Storage: Indoor Bicycle Storage). Above R: The Screen House by A+D: Architecture + Design is a "frugal yet highly inventive multi-generational space, introducing the latest green technology into a working-class neighborhood context."

Shopper's Diary: DesignStory Launches

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Take two Finns from Helsinki, a shared international background as seasoned hi-tech entrepreneurs, combine it with a love of modern design, and you have the genesis for DesignStory, a newly launched online retail community for modern design lovers. Founders Inka Mero and Mia Lewin work directly with designers on their thoughtfully sourced finds, which feature a Euro-Scandi bent and include limited editions, new items, products that are hard to source in the US, as well as other objects of desire. 

Stay tuned for their upcoming sales from Kaiku, Offi, and Iittala. To sign up, go to DesignStory (it's free).

Above: Furniture from Loll.
 
 
Above: Wagons and carts from Kaiku.

Office Visit: Delson or Sherman Architects in Brooklyn

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Perla Delson and Jeff Sherman—who met as classmates at the Yale School of Architecture—set up their Brooklyn-based architecture firm in 1997, inspired by the belief that "good architecture makes life better by improving interaction between people, by creating more beautiful environments, and by making daily existence more graceful." Delson or Sherman Architects approaches each project as an opportunity for creating an original design; to that end, one of their strategies is to collaborate with talented local artisans. "Working with artists and specialists has allowed us to extend our design intent beyond the usual architectural limits," they say. Below is a sampling of Delson or Sherman projects featuring five of their favorite New York- and Brooklyn-based artisans.

Above: "For a foyer screen, we commissioned glass artist Frank Close (212-736-9616) to create a stained glass wall made of colored roundel and spun molten glass suspended in cemented leading. The partition functions as a room divider while allowing daylight to shine through."

Above: "A skilled landscaper is a valuable resource; finding one with a shared design sensibility is a real coup. Mac Carbonell of Verdant Gardens (917-817-9158) understood the elements of this Carroll Gardens roof deck at first glance. His choice of plants bring the deck elements—raised ipe planters, sunken border, and cable trellis—to life."

Above: "Elodie Blanchard of Elastic Co. (917-676-0478) is a gifted creator of custom draperies and window treatments. For this renovation project, we asked her to create window coverings combining sheer cloth for sky views and rip-stop nylon for street level privacy and light diffusion. The black grommets play off the industrial character of the converted warehouse."

Above: "Hiroko Takeda (917-676-8329) is a textile artisan who is adept at integrating her work into architectural projects. We commissioned her to create a woven backdrop for this waiting room alcove; the end product fulfills several goals at once: the weaving absorbs sound, it compliments the office's art collection, and it's decorative." 

Above: "We wanted the cabinetry in this open kitchen in a prewar building to look like furniture. Stephen Reinert of Polygon Projects in Brooklyn (718-852-4466)  is our go-to cabinetmaker for crisply detailed carpentry work."

Hotels, Lodging & Restaurants: Mill Valley Beerworks in Marin County

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Newly opened Mill Valley Beerworks brings Brooklyn brewpub style to Marin County. Owned by brothers Tyler and Justin Catalana (Mill Valley natives and architect and engineer, respectively), who brewed beer as a hobby before dreaming up the idea, the 1,000-square-foot space features unfinished wood counters, tables, and chairs; roughhewn wood floors, and a moody, dark palette; walls are painted in sober shades of gray and one wall is covered in black pressed tin. The brothers dispense beer on tap as well as craft beers from Denmark, Italy, Norway, and Japan (add to that homemade pretzels and cheese and salumi plates). The spot has caught on like wildfire with the mountain- and road-biking set; still to come: house-brewed rootbeer, ginger beer, and kombucha. Photos by Remodelista contributing photographer John Merkl.

Kitchen: Mis en Place Work Table by Liam Tomlin

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We like this alternative to the usual kitchen island: the custom Mise en Place work table from Dublin-born, New Zealand-based chef Liam Tomlin, founder of the Chef's Warehouse & Cookery School. Tomlin's work table (based on the French culinary principle of mise en place, or "everything in its place") is made from solid ash with a cast-iron frame and includes cutting boards, removable cheese boards, glass holders, a wine rack, knife holders, and an extendable hot pot stand, as well as storage drawers and shelves for additional kitchen equipment; it can also be customized to include a power supply and a sink.

Tabletop: Wood-Handled Kitchen Knife Roundup

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Spotted recently: kitchen knives with handsome wood handles for a rustic look. Knife enthusiasts would be well advised to pay a visit to Chef Knives to Go, a Madison, Wisconsin-based outfit.  According to owner Mark Richmond, "We carry 39 different brands, which I believe gives us the widest variety of knives of any online store and perhaps any regular retail store. I have added hard to find hand-crafted Japanese knives like Takeda, Moritaka, and Tanaka, while still carrying a wide selection of traditional knives such as Wusthof and Henckels."

N.B. Wood-handled knives must be hand-washed and should not be left to soak, which could cause the handles to crack. Yes, it's a hassle, but the truth is all high-quality kitchen knives should be hand-washed for longevity.

Above: Set of three Sabatier Olive-Wood Parers; $77.40 directly from venerable French company Sabatier.

Above: French company Opinel has been making knives since 1895; the Opinel Kitchen Set includes a set of four essential kitchen tools with beechwood handles; $49 at Brook Farm General Store.

Above: The Opinel Bread Knife features an 8-inch-long blade and beechwood handle; $39 at Brook Farm General Store.

Above: Sur La Table recently added Japanese Miyabi Birchwood knives to its offerings. Each knife features blades made of 101 layers of steel with birchwood handles; prices start at $149.95 for the 3.5-inch Miyabi Birchwood Paring Knife.

Above: The Tamahagane 3.5-Inch Paring Knife is made of three-ply stainless steel with a compressed laminate wood handle; $75.95 at Chef Knives to Go.

Above: The Sakai Takayuki Grand Chef Inox Wa-Gyuto has a 9.5-inch blade made of Swedish steel and is made according to 600-year-old Japanese traditional techniques; $189.95 at Chefs Knives to Go.


Shopper's Diary: Bloom in Sag Harbor

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As the summer season winds down (and the crowds disperse), it's an opportune time to take a trip to the Hamptons to investigate the shops. Sag Harbor store Bloom is always my first stop; owner Mona Nerenberg has an unerring eye, and her impeccably styled merchandise includes a mix of antiques and newer pieces (including our favorite linens line from Society Limonta). A favorite recent find: bamboo and willow woven chairs from Belgium (shown below). Bloom is located at 43 Madison Street in Sag Harbor, NY (631-725-5940).

Above: Hemstitched tablecloth from Society Limonta.

Above: Bamboo and willow chairs made in Belgium; $350 each.

Above: Sculptural steel fire poker from metal artist Michele Oka Doner; $2,250.

Steal This Look: Mill Valley Beerworks

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There's a lot to like about the interior of Mill Valley Beerworks, starting with the economical design and the use of low-VOC paints and reclaimed timber flooring. Co-owner Tyler Catalana (who studied architecture at Pratt Institute, worked in the office of Carlos Zapata, and lived in Brooklyn for ten years) designed the interior, which he built with his brother and co-owner Jordan Catalana and his father, a local contractor. We recently consulted the Catalana team for some sourcing ideas for similar fixtures and fittings.

Above photo by Remodelista contributing photographer John Merkl.

Above: The Lewis Pendant from Schoolhouse Electric is available in black or white porcelain with a variety of cloth cord color options (with twisted cord, it comes in black, brown, straw, or khaki and plain cloth in black or green); $89.

Above L: The pressed tin wall is painted French Roast from C2 paints. Above R: Accent walls are painted Stout from C2 paints.

Above: The Catalana brothers used reclaimed flooring made from salvaged wood from old tobacco storage barns; sourced from Black's Farm Wood in San Rafael, California.

Subway Ceramics Tiles at Remodelista

Above: The backsplash features white 3-by-6-inch Ceramic Tile from Subway Ceramics with charcoal-colored grout.

Above: The North Carolina-made Ladderback Economy Bar Stool is $58.99 from Central Restaurant Products; Tyler Catalana special-ordered the chairs in unfinished ash.

Vienna Side Chair     Vienna Side Chair

Above: The Vienna Side Chair from Crate & Barrel is $119.

Above photo by Remodelista contributing photographer John Merkl.

Above (top to bottom): Mundial 5100 Series Red 8-Inch Bread Knife; $35 at Amazon. Mundial 5100 Series 4-Inch Paring Knife; $22. Mundial 5100 Series Red 7-Inch Fillet Knife; $32.32 at Amazon.

Above: Swissmar Petite Cheese Knife Set; $24.95 at Amazon.

Above: Mjod beer glasses; $9.99 for a pack of six at Ikea.

Above: Photo by Remodelista contributing photographer John Merkl.

Above: Tekla Dishtowel; 49 cents each at Ikea.

Above: Wall-Mounted Bottle Opener; $10 at Brook Farm General Store.

Above: Ventamatic Maxx Air 36-Inch Commercial Fan; $298.65 at Tool Source. Photo by Remodelista contributing photographer John Merkl.

Storage: Wire Basket Roundup

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An essential household item: the eminently useful, highly durable, aesthetically pleasing wire basket. Here's a roundup of our latest finds.

Wire Basket with Handles at Remodelista

Above: Wire Basket with Handles $24 from Pottery Barn (14 inches wide by 10 inches deep by 12 inches high).

Pool Locker Baskets at Remodelista

Above: The Pool Locker Basket from Restoration Hardware features a galvanized finish, which makes it suitable for outdoor use. The small size (13.5 inches wide by 8.5 inches deep by 6 inches high) is $39 and the large size (20 inches wide by 14 inches deep by 8 inches high) is $59.

Wood-Handled Wire Basket at Remodelista

Above: The Wood Handled Wire Basket from Sundance measures 23 inches wide by 12 inches deep by 9.25 inches high and costs $45.
 
Toscana Wire Basket at Remodelista
 
Above: The Toscana Wire Basket (11 inches wide by 21 inches deep by 6.5 inches high) is $39 from Pottery Barn.
 
Collapsible Wire Basket at Remodelista

Collapsible Wire Basket at Remodelista

Above: The Collapsible Wire Basket (28 inches wide by 15 inches deep by 13.5 inches high) is $125 at Sundance.

Furniture: Another Country Furniture in England

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Another Country is a new line of British furniture from Paul de Zwart (the founding publisher of Wallpaper magazine) featuring contemporary craft furniture made by hand in a small workshop in Dorset. The first collection, Series One, offers nine solid oak pieces based on familiar forms of craft furniture—British country, Shaker, Scandinavian, and Japanese—pared down to their most basic elements. While the line's official debut is at the upcoming London Design Festival (September 18-26), Another Country's easy-to-navigate online site is open and ready for business. Worldwide shipping is available (US shipping rates are listed on the site and are calculated in the online ordering process).

N.B. A few additional pieces, including a dining chair by German designer Mathias Hahn, a kitchen stool, and a selection of wooden accessories will be on view at London Design Festival. For more information, read a short Q & A with Paul de Zwart at Dwell.

Above: The three-legged Stool One is made from natural waxed solid oak and is available in four finishes—oak, black, green, and red—£145. A smaller Kids Stool and Kids Step-Up (a four-legged version) are also available.

Above: The versatile Bench One comes in an oak or black finish; £395.

Above: The Day Bed One is available in an oak or black finish and comes with or without a cushion; £925 without the cushion, £1,390 with the cushion.

Above: The circular Coffee Table One in oak or black; £435.

Above: The Dining Table One is available in oak or black finish; £1,250.

Above: Console One in oak or black finish; £545.

Kitchen: Michael Hemmer Knives at Heritage Culinary Artifacts in Napa

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Last week, I found myself admiring the well-sourced kitchen finds at Heritage Culinary Artifacts in Napa's Oxbow market, in particular owner Lisa Minucci's dazzling array of knives, which includes vintage finds such as an American 1850's butcher's knife, a German carving knife, a handmade Italian copper knife, and cleavers galore. However, what really caught my eye were the hand-forged carbon steel choppers and utility knives made by Michael Hemmer. A fully fledged blacksmith and self-described recluse, Hemmer (who, incidentally, lived on the first commune in California in the seventies), works out of a remote corner of Oregon. His knives feature mottled, razor-sharp blades, which go through a hammering process that compacts the steel and concentrates the carbon in the cutting edge, resulting in a sharper and more durable knife. Part work of art, part kitchen tool, the chopper is $165 and the utility knife $95. The handle is available in rosewood (shown below) or ash. 

N.B. Check out the Sundries listings for availability and pricing on knives, or contact Heritage Artifacts directly to purchase.

Above, third from R: Chopper knife by Michael Hemmer, $165.

Required Reading: Japanese Kitchen Knives

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Anyone who has spent time in Japan knows that the best sushi is not just about the quality of the fish but also the exacting way in which it is cut. The Japanese chef relies on a battery of razor-sharp knives with specific functions: slicing, chopping, filleting, paring, and so on; the best knives are hand-forged and come from Sakai, near Osaka (an area that first came to prominence in the 16th century for its production of Samurai swords).

Renowned Japanese chef Hiromitsu Nozaki (along with Kate Klippensteen and photographer Yasuo Konishi) produced the book, Japanese Kitchen Knives: Essential Techniques and Recipes, a visually compelling, edifying compendium for anyone wishing to refine their cutting techniques; $19.77 from Amazon.

Japanese Kitchen Knives: Essential Techniques and Recipes at Remodelista

Japanese Kitchen Knives: Essential Techniques and Recipes at Remodelista

10 Easy Pieces: Brew Pub-Style Stools

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Inspired by the seating at the Mill Valley Beerworks, we have rounded up a collection of brew pub-style stools. NB: Several of the featured stools are available in both counter height (24 inches) and bar height (30 inches).

BACKLESS STOOLS

Swivel Pub Stool at Remodelista

Above: The American-made Swivel Pub Stools from AT-95 American Furnishings feature salvaged solid American white oak with either a dark bourbon or light toasted finish; $175 for the 24-inch high and $195 for the 30-inch high stool.

Mater - High Stool Dark Stained White Oak at Remodelista

Above: The Mater Dark Stained High Oak Stool with leather seat was designed by Space, a Danish design firm, for Copenhagen-based Mater Group. The stool measures 29.1 inches tall and is $850 at 2Modern.

Tractor Barstool at Remodelista

Above: Carved out of a massive block of FSC- and SFI-certified American walnut, the Tractor Bar Stool by Bassam Fellows is $1,250 at Design Within Reach; the stool is also available in counter height.

Unfinished Scooped Seat Backless Bar Stools at Remodelista

Above: Unfinished Scooped Seat Backless Bar Stools; $69 for the 18-inch version, $89 for the 24-inch version, and $109 for the 30-inch version at One Way Furniture.

Vintage Barstool at Remodelista

Above: The Vintage Barstool from Restoration Hardware is based on the historic Toledo stool, has a tobacco-finished wooden seat, and is adjustable in height (it can be positioned between 25 and 29 inches tall).

STOOLS WITH BACKS

Metal Swivel Stool at Remodelista

Above: The industrial vintage Metal Swivel Stool features a wooden seat and is adjustable between 26 and 37 inches high; $329 at Hudson Goods.

Schoolhouse Barstool at Remodelista

Above: The Schoolhouse Barstool from AT-95 American Furnishings is crafted of salvaged solid American white oak and is 24 inches tall (counter height); $275 in a dark bourbon or light toasted finish.

Era Barstool at Remodelista

Above: The Era Bar Stool is 30 inches tall and is available in black, red, coffee and white; $210 to $240, depending on color, at Design Within Reach.

Vintage Chair at Remodelista

Above: The Vintage Chair from Restoration Hardware was inspired by the Toledo draftsman chair and adjusts between 25 and 29 inches tall; $395 at Restoration Hardware. 

Constance Barstool at Remodelista

Above: The solid birch bentwood Constance Barstool is 30.5 inches high and features a hand-woven rattan seat; $199 at Ballard Designs.


Outdoors: Recycled Beer Bottle Lantern at Spartan

Hardware: Wood Cabinet Pulls at Pottery Barn

Faucets & Fixtures: Paola Navone & the Kitchen for Mamoli

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Is there anything Paola Navone can't design? The prolific Milan- and Paris-based designer has come out with a line for Italian company Mamoli called Paola & The Kitchen, which includes a modern take on classic industrial lab faucets. For dealer information, go to Mamoli.

Outdoors: German Beer Garden Table

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A couple of years ago, I came across a German beer garden table at Sonoma Country Antiques and snapped it up. Not long after, I bought another set for larger dinner parties (laid end-to-end, they create an outdoor banquet table). They sit outside all summer long, and when the rain hits, are easily stored flat. They're also great back-up tables for large indoor entertaining as they sit 10 people at 88 inches long.)

At one time, the tables were hard to find, but they seem to have caught on: Beer Garden Tables carries handmade Biergarten Tables (88 inches long) from Germany for $525.99; vintage ones can be found on 1st Dibs.

Beer Garden Tables at Remodelista

Kitchen: Open Shelf Storage Roundup

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The key to open-shelved pantries lies in the collection of storage vessels; neatly arranged rows of glass jars add a uniform note to open shelving displays of bulk ingredients.

 

Above: The pantry in the New Hampshire home of Emersonmade owners Ryan and Emerson, via Design Sponge.

Above: Heidi Lender's San Francisco kitchen, via Desire to Inspire.

Above: A built-in shelf of spices in a Massachusetts house by Boston-based Bunker Workshop.

Above: A pantry in the Buena Vista Terrace residence by Schwartz & Architecture in San Francisco.

Above: Shelving in a modern kitchen in the Netherlands from Dutch architects i29.

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