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In the kitchen

Objects of Design #239: Large Bow Lamp

large bow lamp from made.com
large bow lamp from made.com I have resisted these elegant floor lamps for a long time, mainly because I will never be able to afford the original design classic  by Castiglioni and decided, in a slightly foot-stamping, arm-folding, huffing way, that if I can't have that one I don't want any of them. But I've
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Objects of Design #31: Cinema Sign Board

put your message here A few months ago, I met Goodwin & Goodwin at one of their exhibitions and immediately fell in love with this piece. It's a long metal board that comes with a selection of letters on to which you can slide your messages. It's perfect for the kitchen and I am definitely
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Objects of Design #30: Tock Wall Clock

Newgate Tock Clock There's your reminder. The clocks go back tonight, just in case you hadn't quite clicked. This very fine example is by Newgate and is called, not entirely unsurprisingly, Tock. I rather like it. It manages to be both retro and modern at the same time. Now there's no excuse for forgetting. Aram £57
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Objects of Design #29: Floral Grey and Cream Bowl

enamel tableware in fashionable grey The trend for enamel tableware has been quietly gathering steam in the background for a while now. No longer the preserve of camping sites, it has, like melamine before it, become deeply fashionable and, as it's such a practical material, that's no bad thing. Perfect for an array of nibbles,
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Objects of Design #28: Silestone White Worktops

  white zeus extreme silestone worktop We've already seen how white is such a strong trend at the moment, not just for kitchen cupboards and appliances but also for counters. At last weeks Architectural Digest Show in New York, the Cosentino Group  revealed their brightest white worktops yet. silestone's quartz white cocina blanco zeus worktop
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Objects of Design #27: Sky Planters

upside down sky planters I love growing herbs but my kitchen has no window sill which means that wherever I put a plant it's inevitably in the way and has to be moved, or worse keeps getting knocked over. These so-called sky planters are a brilliant idea that goes solves the problem of a shortage
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Objects of Design #26: White Kitchens Part II

Continuing the White theme from this year's Architectural Digest show in New York, what could be a greater object of design than a white kitchen? And here are some beauties from Poggenpohl, the company that not only invented the fitted kitchen, but was also founded as a company making white lacquer furniture. An all white
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Objects of Design #25: Milk Bottle Measuring Cup

milk bottle measuring cups from anthropologie Now that  I find myself increasingly taking recipes from online and discovering that they are often American, the need for a set of measuring cups becomes ever more important. I love the retro feel of this set which would look great standing on the shelf even when it isn't
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Objects of Design #24: Prism Bottle Opener

Prism Bottle Opener from FateLondon Now when was the last time you saw something as humble as a bottle opener turned into such a thing of beauty? I think you could happily hang a few of these on the wall. They're from Brooklyn and the brass is left unfinished so that it will develop its
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Objects of Design #23: Finnsdottir Ceramic Tales

the new range from Finnsdottir Finnsdottir is a Danish ceramics company founded in 2007 which has just become available in the UK. The distinctive collection includes light fittings, candlesticks, lamps and pots. ceramic box with lid The designers, Icelandic and Danish Thora Finnsdottir Søe and Danish Anne Hoff, say they are inspired by every day things. "It’s
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Objects of Design #22: Iittala Storage Jars

Iittala Purnukka Jars Good storage jars are a thing of beauty and these, which were designed in 1953, still look really fresh and modern. But they don't just have to be storage jars, they're ovenproof too so you can make individual dishes, stick'em in the oven, eat from the pot and then stick it in
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Objects of Design #21: Sycamore Cheese Board

sycamore cheeseboard from Folklore Boards that can double up for both bread and cheese are always popular in this house and I particuarly love the leather handle and pleasing curves of this one. In addition to the colour-blocked edge, it comes with that blue crescent which fixes to the wall so that you can hang
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Objects of Design #20: Butterfly Coaster

these butterfly coasters are so pretty I have to admit that I am not generally fan of the coaster/trivet/mat call it what you will. But these caught my eye as they are so pretty and I rather love the slightly chipped and not quite pristine state of them. They're small, so are really for glasses
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Objects of Design #19: Oven Mitt Apron

the ingenious apron oven mitt Another one of those brilliantly simple ideas which not only do you wonder why no-one thought of it before but you also wonder why you didn't think of it yourself. In case this picture doesn't show you properly, try this: doubles up as oven gloves and apron See what I
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Obects of Design #18: Large Glass Stacking Jar

large glass stacking jar from butterflylane.co.uk Look at this gorgeous glass stacking jar. Given that space is always at a premium in any kitchen it makes sense to stack things up wherever possible and these jars are perfect for that. The different pasta shapes look so pretty and the one full of sweets and cake
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Objects of Design #17: Industrial Twist Stool

industrial twist stool from Cox and Cox Ever since my beloved Singer sewing machine stool collapsed with metal fatigue (or the 11-year-old's persistent swinging) we have been hunting for a replacement. I haven't given up hope that a foundry might be able to do a repair job, but even then we have decided that two
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Objects of Design #16: Baguette Tray

mango wood baguette tray No-one has a board large enough, or should that be long enough for a baguette, and given that as soon as you start to slice them they go stale, then one of these is rather an essential in the kitchen. Although having said that, it's also great for antipasti, as one
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Objects Of Design #15: Downtown Basket on Wheels

wheel this basket to wherever it's needed Regular readers will know I love a trolley and this is a variation on that theme which may be even more useful. It is basically a giant basket on wheels and is possibly about the most useful thing I can think of at the moment. As I work
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Objects of Design #14: White Bowl with Wooden Servers

white bowl with wooden servers There is nothing like a beautiful plain white bowl to really set off your food to its best advantage. Imagine this filled with a dark green salad, or a bowl of crab linguine or even a colourful fruit salad. The wooden servers contrast perfectly and make this a real classic
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Objects of Design #13: Kinto Teapot

the kinto teapot It seems only fair as we had coffee cups yesterday that we address the tea drinkers today. Now I know many of you will be dunking a bag in a mug and that's all well and good, but if, occasionally, a little green tea is called for or a fancy variety that
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