Creede over at Grassroots Modern is having a contest where you can vote on your favorite kitchen remodel. I particularly find the "Simple, Modern, Functional" kitchen to be inspirational. The owner, Summer, did a great job of taking a cramped space and making it much more open and usable.

[posted by kris]

I love these ceramic experimental building materials.

Loose Fit is a family of experimental ceramic building materials. Traditional uses of ceramic in construction tend towards the decorative (terra cotta moldings) or the utilitarian (bricks, ceramic roof tiles). By directly engaging with the means and methods of material production—those both in the space of the computer and on the shop floor—new formal and performative possibilities emerge.

(Thanks Tim!)

[posted by kris]

I like the idea of keyless locks, but often they look too space-age or just plain bizarre. This one is nice because it has a sliding panel to reveal the keypad and the handle itself is not too over designed.

[posted by kris]

This small-scale sink is great for a lavatory with a tiny footprint because it's 19" deep and 15" wide.

[posted by kris]

In my old neighborhood of Silverlake, there is an awesome remodel of an older home into a two-story modern masterpiece (not pictured). The exterior has large, flat, rain screen panels and I just found a source for them.

MEG (Material Exterior Grade) is high pressure laminate made of layers of kraft paper impregnated with phenolic resin and bonded by heat and pressure. The core and exterior surface is all one piece. MEG can be used alone in the design of building exteriors or in conjunction with other building products.

1. Weather-proof and color-fast
2. Graffiti resistant
3. Fire resistant
4. Impact resistant
5. Does not corrode and is not corrosive
6. Will not delaminate
7. Splinter-proof
8. Easy to work with and can be cut in the field
9. Easy to clean
10. Termite-proof
11. Anti-static
12. Environmentally Friendly

[posted by kris]

I love the simplicity of design and color scheme of home furnishings retailer, March in San Francisco. I would not have thought of painting both the exterior walls and the trim the same, dark color, but it looks amazing.

[posted by kris]

This Henry wallpaper appears textured by using clear glossed stripes mixed in with matte stripes. Pretty fantastic.

[posted by kris]

I'm loving the surface treatments and interesting color palette at the Fabrica shop in Bologna, Italy. I especially love the cluster of black linen light shades.

[posted by kris]

Look closely at these floating cabinets. They're not wall mounted as far as I can tell, but instead they have tall legs (about 9 inches off the ground) and there is a mirror installed at the toe-kick, in addition to a light behind the mirror which casts a light at ground level. Such a clever way to add light to the flooring which makes the space seem larger than it is.

[posted by kris]

Sometimes when dealing with tight-quarters, you may need to spend a little more to get the space-saving gadgets. In this case the space saving gadget is the combo washer/dryer by LG. It's great for a closet or even under a counter because it doesn't require an external venting source and runs on standard voltage, so no rewiring is required. So, if you don't already have a standard laundry room, it may actually save you a little by not having to vent or rewire a closet.

[posted by kris]