Kitchen Clarity Adventures in Kitchen and Bath Design

On Mondays, I like to bring you a gallery of images, at least loosely related, and largely unencumbered by much in the way of words from me. Haven’t we all got enough to think about at the start of the week? Today, a look at some Japanese and Asian inspired kitchens.

This first photo, from Architectural Digest, sums up that Japanese country style  – so rich and warm. This is totally Japanese, but there is something universal about farmhouse style, too:

As in any other tradition, if you go back far enough, you get to something that is probably no fun at all to cook on, like this Kamodo stove:

This kitchen by Greentea Design mixes distinctly Asian details with a Craftsman look – of course, the Arts and Crafts, Craftsman and Prairie styles were hugely influenced by Japanese design:

Below is a much cleaner and more contemporary take on the same unmistakable style (I lost the link to this, if it is yours please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due):

Two examples from France, via Marie Claire Maison. Not wholly Asian, in either case, but there’s definitely a relationship there – horizontal lines, warm wood, simplicity:

What about these cabinet pulls? Pretty, yes – but practical?

I couldn’t resist these last two examples, by Tokyo Kitchen. Comic book heroes, robots, ultra modern efficiency – and is that a giant Luxo lamp?

Real-life contemporary Japanese style is clearly a very different animal. Is it a change for the better?

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