News from Carolyn Rebuffel Designs
muse #6: all things food
"Once you stop learning, you start dying." ~ Albert Einstein
"One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating."~ Luciano Pavarotti
I am moving my "newsletter" to a blog format, if anyone is paying attention. The theme this time around is "all things food." Lately, I have been doing some deeper exploring into the world of food, cooking and kitchens and honing my kitchen design skills, which has been interesting and exciting. This has included some designing, some eating, some food research, some installing, and some cooking.
I recently completed a kitchen where the owner wanted all elements to be as green as possible. I was quickly reminded that, as with everything around us, each decision has different ramifications for the environment and putting all the pieces of the puzzle together becomes quite complicated. (A recent article about different milk containers and which is the best for the planet comes to the following conclusion: there are advantages and disadvantages to every option. Like everything in life.) Some options are clearly better choices than others but often the case gets pretty muddled, and the final decision becomes subjective. And so it went with the kitchen design.
The 100% recycled glass tile came from another state and so had to be shipped by truck and the 70% recycled glass tile came from a local producer and so would be shipped less of a distance. We opted for the 100% recycled glass tile for the subjective reason of supporting a small company doing what they were doing. The different cooktop options had different energy ratings and different construction components. We chose the induction cooktop (the most efficient energy-using of the options) that was made of all recyclable parts but it was manufactured in Europe. Again with the long-distance shipping quandry! We decided that the longterm energy savings of the induction cooking would offset the long distance shipping. To be green, or at least greener, requires a whole new set of considerations when working on the design of any room, but especially when considering the large energy uses possible in the kitchen. This was an amazing educational experience, weighing all the options, and has led me to look at kitchen design and all my interiors projects in a whole new way.
I am also currently in the first stages of planning a summer garden, which has led me into the world of edible landscaping, CSAs, farmer's marketing and seasonal eating. The topics all these endeavors raise are fascinating and enriching, and can easily become lifelong pursuits in their own right. All of these experience are lending different flavors to my designing, which keeps it all intriguing, inspiring and fun.
Here, I share some ways for you to take a foray on your own into the world of creativity that can be found in your kitchen. I would also love to hear from you about your favorite food/kitchen/restaurant-related website/shop/item, so please post a comment. Enjoy!
Creative Way Out: Picardie Glasses by Duralex
Made in France since 1939, these glasses, made of tempered glass, are very durable, stack without breaking and have, on many an occasion, bounced, rather than broken, on the floor. (An extensive history of the glassware can be found at this site.) There is a number on the bottom of each glass in between 1-48 which refers to the number of the mold OR if you grew up with these glasses, they indicate your age --a fun game that children play at the table, checking who is oldest while drinking their juice at "goûter." The older version has a flared top; the modern version does not and purists will complain but if you never knew the old version, you will still love these. To get some new ones, shop at Williams-Sonoma.
Essential Ingredient: Color
For the kitchen, white on white is wonderful and timeless. And then you can change up the accent color as you feel and the style of your kitchen can always remain of the moment and truly reflect your style. Pairing white cabinets and white subway tile keeps the room current and timeless. White on white elements create a neutral background and when combined with stainless steel appliances, the kitchen can look like a black and white photograph, just waiting to be infused with the color of food and family.
Site that Excites: Get Your Yummy Back
Kristen Desmond left her sales job and following her passion, went to cooking school. She is currently
developing recipes, cooking, and doing free-lance food writing in Santa Barbara, CA. Visit her site for great food musings and a wonderful, healthy AND yummy perspective. Here are some of her favorite yummy recipes that she shared with me, one for each meal of the day.
Another Site that Excites: Catalog Living
This has nothing to do with food (mostly) but I have to include this site because it makes me laugh so hard. So I share it with you. Because we should all laugh a little every day!
Object of Desire: Day of Shopping at E. Dellerhin
So that I can collect all the esoteric, fabulous cookware I can carry back to my hotel. A must on your next trip to Paris. Worth planning a trip to Paris. Okay, who wants to go to Paris with me?
Amities (Friendships): Just Cook Foods
Scott Lucas and Cathy Storfer are launching a new company next month that makes my mouth water in anticipation. These two are both die-hard foodies and over the years, have made me some of my most memorable dinners. Their new product line will give you that secret ingredient: the extra note of flavor that makes the meal more memorable in the form of rubs and spice blends. We had pulled pork tacos the other night made with one of their new rubs and they were fabulously delicious. Check out the website and keep track of these two!
Center of Attention: Omnivore Books
There are tons of original retail shops in the Bay Area; here is one that catches my attention: Omnivore Books. This little jewel of a shop on Ceasar Chavez at Church Street in San Francisco will definitely have a cooking tome that will be sure to inspire you to be creative in your kitchen. It is also a great resource for gifting unusual cookbooks to that foodie in your life.
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Reader Comments (2)
-Prada cheap designer purses It is also a great resource for gifting unusual cookbooks to that foodie in your life.
Anything really has to do with art!
With it's caress they have a great shade and color.