Kook by Karim Rashid

His designs are famous for their natural soft lines and attention to detail. His work is globally recognized, as it speaks a universal language of beauty. Karim Rashid, a Canadian Industrial designer, is the designer behind the concept kitchen Kook for Rastelli Cucine. Rastelli Cucine is an international kitchen company launched in 2014 by ARAN Cucine owner Renzo Rastelli. Kook was first displayed at EuroCucine 2012 by ARAN Cucine.

“I take a minimalist approach in my kitchens, preferring to create a clean striking surface that is punctuated by splashes of strong color. For the Kook kitchen I wanted to create an innovative design to turn even the most challenging culinary endeavors into pure aesthetic pleasure”.

Rastelli Cucine showed Kook again at Salone del Mobile 2014. Rastelli Cucine strives to create contemporary inspiring designs that are ergonomically, environmentally and emotively superior. Collaborating with designers like Kiram Rashid enables Rastelli to promote the best of Italian Design standards. The Kook Kitchen is strong in both design aesthetics and functional storage. The extra deep work surface incorporates a cooktop and a sink with matching cutting board that conceals the opening for a continuous surface. Motorized shutters hide kitchen clutter behind the angled face. Glass shelves are lit with LED edge lighting and a colored LED lit strip accents tip-on style lower cabinets. Ovens are placed in tall cabinets with pocketing Corian glass panel doors for concealment when not in use. The dishwasher is fitted with an angled front to match the slanted profile of the cabinetry. The refrigerator starts at counter height with storage below. I prefer the Kook Kitchen with the taller elements – blame it on my North American desire for storage. I’d specify the units not to be unfitted because dirt can collect in the gap between the units.

January 1, 2012

Small White Kitchen

Here’s a great small white kitchen to start the new year with fun and style.

I love the three dimensional wall treatment with the lush green from the plants inside and out.

Cheers to a Bright and Wonderous 2012!

October 5, 2009February 25, 2018

Around the Web

As I was strolling the world wide web this past week I found some great items I thought I’d share starting with this incredible white kitchen in a Barn-style home in Sag Harbour from Emma and her great Blog White and Wander.

I love the commercial-style faucet and industrial stainless steel surfaces paired with the clean white shelving filled with glasses and clay pitchers. Check out her other posts filled with lost of interior goodness.

The Laurel Hedges has a fun post that tells of the little known secret that a powerful exhaust fan in a couple’s bathroom lowers the chance of divorce. Millie blogs to get away from the men in her life ( she has 5 sons!) and her posts are refreshing and filled with wonderful little gems.

Small kitchens are hard to design because they still have to have all the appliances found in larger kitchens and at least a little storage. I think Chris Welsh did a fabulous job on this alcove kitchen featured on Alicia B. Designs with her tips on how to maximise small kitchen space.

If you have missed the magazine Domino then you will love the new online magazine, Lonny. Eddie Ross introduced me to the new publication on his blog. His beautiful farmhouse has a fabulous spread in the 200 or so page publication. I love what he and his partner did with their butler’s pantry. Everything is beautifully organized and very accessible.

August 10, 2009

Kitchen Critique

There are many things about this picture that I like and there are some I dislike.

I like the open feel and the contemporary hood.

I like the deep chocolate color on the walls although I think I might like it more as an accent color on the right wall with a different color on the back wall.

I like the tall pantry cabinets for their ample storage and sleek, hardware-free fronts.

I don’t like the low wall cabinets. As you can see by the picture only a few books will fit under them. I also dislike the white end panels on the base cabinets. I’d rather see the wall cabinets either hung higher or sitting all the countertop. I’d remove the white end panels and run the countertop over the sides to the floor. If the wall cabinets are to sit on the countertop prefer the countertop not to match the cabinets so closely. I think a white marble would look better.

The sole beam across the ceiling also bothers me. I don’t mind the white on white but I think the ceiling would be more interesting if faux beams were added to create a nice visual rhythm.

This kitchen would also probably be very dark at night. Additional lighting should be added at the sink and at least one prep area.

What do you think on the T-shape kitchen? I think it might make more sense if there were a table and chairs located on the right side to create an eat-in kitchen. They might have been removed for the photograph to show off the cabinetry. The corner of the sofa may have been moved into the frame to keep the space from looking too empty.