A Clever Dining Desk

For those of you who are familiar with some of my work, you may know that I am a big fan of Poggenpohl – a German company that manufactures a fabulous line of kitchen cabinetry.  Not only have I used Poggenpohl on a number of recent projects, but I am also the proud owner of a wonderful Poggenpohl kitchen as well as a double vanity in my master bathroom.  I enjoy using the line for many reasons but specifically because 1) it offers high quality, unique and versatile finishes in a range of price points, 2) the high tech German engineering has created interior cabinetry features that operate with great precision and quality and 3) the clean lined aesthetic of the whole line works well in many homes – whether they are traditional, transitional or contemporary spaces.

While I have had the pleasure of using many of the Poggenpohl products, I have not yet had the opportunity to use the Poggenpohl Dining Desk.   Unopened, the table has great lines and is available in beautiful finishes.  It can be opened lengthwise either by hand or with the aid of a noiseless motor. Once it is opened you have the perfect spot for laying out serving pieces.  Clever stainless steel trolleys can be pushed in at the ends for convenient transport of kitchen items.

This unique piece would work well in a variety of situations.  It would be perfect in an urban condo where space is at a premium and furnishings that serve several functions are optimal.  It would also work well in an office environment where it would be used as a desk or conference table and opened up when lunch was delivered!

I first saw the Dining Desk in the Boston showroom at 135 Newbury Street.  (It is no longer on the showroom’s floor since the showroom’s renovation last summer.)  I saw it again in New York at the 2010 DIFFA Dining by Design where two of the tables in elm veneer were the centerpieces the of the Morocco in New York display (see photo of the DIFFA display below).

I look forward to using this unique table in an upcoming project.

All photos courtesy of Poggenpohl.

Pool Anyone?

Over the years, many of my clients have expressed a desire to add a pool table to their recreation room.  Pool (or pocket billiards) is a game with a long history, and it has become quite popular as a family activity or to play with guests.  When one thinks of  pool table design, one generally thinks of a traditional style table, many of which are very beautiful.  Yet, when installing a table in a more contemporary setting, it is more challenging to find a pool table that blends well with this aesthetic.   A great source that I recently came across is Mitchell Custom Tables.   They fabricate many contemporary styles and will customize a table as well.   Their tables are available in your choice of woods and stains as well as faux finish metals and lacquers.    They are available in three different sizes (pub size, professional and tournament) so they will fit in almost any space.  Not only will these tables provide hours of fun and enjoyment,  but they certainly will make a major design statement in a room.   

Do these make you want to redesign your rec room?  Pool anyone?  Here are just a couple of the many styles available:   

What is your Bedding Style?

There are few design decisions as personal as selecting a bed, a mattress and bedding.  There are so many options available for creating a bed that is comfortable, fits your lifestyle and also projects your design aesthetic.   In terms of how one prefers their bed to look when it is “made”, I find that people generally fall into two categories:  minimalists and those who think that “more is more”.

Minimalists don’t want to bother with fussy bedding and extras.  A simple coverlet or duvet, high quality sheets and sleeping pillows are adequate.  In some cases,  simple pillow shams with a large bolster pillow are the perfect accents for this clean lined bed.  This minimalism can be luxurious as long as the each piece is selected with care.

On the other hand, some people just don’t think  a bed is complete without layers of bedding and pillows.  For this group, a bed isn’t cozy without several pillows and shams to prop up against or layers of  blankets, duvets and bedspreads to add or subtract depending on the season. Decorative pillows, in various sizes, shapes and fabrics are a must.  The people in this group don’t mind removing and stacking decorative pillows when it is time for bed or reorganizing them on the bed in the morning – it’s a pleasure.

What is your bedding style?  In my younger days, I had a bed with loads of decorative pillows, pillow shams and such.  But these days, I’m definitely a minimalist.  My own serene, simple and clean lined bedroom retreat is pictured here.

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