I have been ill lately, and in no fit state to cook. I managed soup yesterday, but I worry that if I make something, I will pass on this nasty bug to one of my family. So with very little to occupy my time (well, except the Queen Z of course), I have taken to dreaming about my perfect, modern, streamlined, totally organised kitchen. These are some of the things I would have in it!
This knife block reminds me of Starck’s ghost chair. Sexy and streamlined, its truly a thing of beauty. Such clever design. Of course, I know that if I had it in my kitchen it would soon be scratched, splattered with food, and precariously sitting atop something… but a woman can dream cant she?! If I could have a kitchen that would fit a knife block like that … well, it would have to be as large as my entire flat at home!
Knife block by Messerstahl. Dreams by me 😉
Talk about sleek. This water pitcher uses Binchotan charcoal and Iouseki stones from Japan. At once earthy and modern, I can imagine having this in my stainless steel fridge. The water is filtered through the charcoal and stones, and becomes mineral rich in the process. Its a gorgeous serving carafe as well. I love it because the charcoal and stones last up to 6 months – when one thinks about treading on the earth lightly and with care, using a product that gives you up to six times more use than regular water filters… well, that just makes me really happy. Plus its stunningly beautiful. I wish I had more room in my luggage!
In my dream kitchen, I would have this Gnam bread box by Alessi, designed by Stefano Giovanonni and Elisa Gargan. The kitchen of my heart is brushed stainless steel with bamboo wood accents – light, airy and yet very industrial modern in colour. However, my life is not monochrome, and I would want the occaisional pops brightness… I adore the colour of this bread box, and yet its modern lines are very in tune with the design aesthetic that I love. How gorgeous is this?!
I must pause to admit here, that the kitchen of my dreams will in all reality stay exactly that. I am too messy, too much of a hoarder, and like cosiness too much to be able to maintain a zen space of which I dream. Within two minutes, it would be messy, warm, splattered, covered in photographs and notes, and painted with the textures of my life. I understand and accept this, but in a world where I wouldnt have to do the cleaning up and putting away, I might attempt a streamlined kitchen!
These gorgeous modernist tubes hold water at the bottom, and fit into the door of the refrigerator. You can safely store asparagus and a variety of fresh herbs fresh for up to 3 weeks! What a pleasure that would be. One of the reasons I dislike buying fresh herbs is that they very rarely survive to the second cooking… I use them once for a recipe I am dreaming up, and then when I go to use them again a few days later, they are sticky and dying. Its an expensive waste, but this would solve that problem in absolutely stunning style. What I would give to have six or seven fresh herbs at my disposal day and night. And to be honest, at USD$30 for a set of 3, the Prepara Herb Savor is an economical designer friendly way to be green.
I love this Profi Plus Bobble Whisk by WMF. Its so beautiful and yet so simple. One of the main reasons we whisk ingredients together is to aerate them – and the bobbles are designed specifically to enable more air to circulate within the ingredients while whisking. Theres the science of it, and then theres the pure aesthetic pleasure of looking at and using something so pretty. This whisk is about USD$30 – but I think it is worth it. I love things that work well and are designed with care and thought.
Back in Malaysia, I have two very used and beloved black granite mortar and pestles. They were bought in the markets, and have been used for everything from grinding spices to making sauces. They are heavy as hell, and very comfortable. This, however, is a mortar and pestle from design heaven (actually, its USD30 from Design Within Reach, but you know what I mean!). I would probably keep my black granite ones, but this piece would be on the counter top (next to the ghost knife block). Its simple and yet sensuous. Those curves are lovely, and that pestle looks like it could fit in the palm of my hand perfectly. Stunning in its simplicity, and yet very user friendly.
And finally, a bit of whimsy. This tea kettle, by Michael Graves, from Alessi, is something that I lusted after for ages. I loved its usefulness, and yet its sweetness. Its charming and yet so beautifully made. Thanks to one of my best friends (yes, you, ZaZa), I now own this gorgeous piece. I have to figure out a way to use it in my real life kitchen though… its so gorgeous, I am saving it for best. I have come to realise, in the course of writing this blog, that the best is NOW. So when I get home, I will take it off the highest shelf, where I look at it and admire it, and actually start making tea with it 🙂
delectable 
Leave a Reply