Hand-pull a great shot with the elegant design of this eco-friendly espresso maker With arachnid looks and elegant design, the Presso makes a morning espresso in less time that it takes most electric machines to warm up. Reflecting a growing demand, Presso joins the crop of machine-free methods of coffee brewing that—like other popular coffee tools Chemex and AeroPress—is smaller, easier to clean, gentler on the environment and generally less fussy then automated coffeemakers. The device requires just two steps to pull a great shot of espresso with the requisite crema. Tighten the chrome filter containing grinds into the bottom of the Presso, add boiling water and press down on the levers for a single or double. Strength varies according to how firmly you apply pressure to the levers—a more forceful push yields a stronger cup. Artfully-crafted from polished recyclable aluminum, the energy-saving Presso will please coffee purists as much for its spare and stylish design as it will for its no-frills mechanics. Each Presso comes with a milk frother and a two-cup adapter, and sells online from Holstee or Presso for $150.

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Presso

I would be sitting in the kitchen enjoying a nice fried oyster po’ boy and an order of french fries and I would hear my mother scream, “Richard, Jack LaLanne is on! Come in here and exercise with me.”

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Richard Simmons: My fitness hero

Singaporean bags in Amsterdam, architectural shoes in NYC, food as news in Pittsburgh and more in our 2010 retail review Our round-up presents brick-and-mortar stores that took advantage of space and place to give customer experiences that went beyond just shopping and eating. Melrose Market Seattle’s Melrose Market opened in Capitol Hill boasting 21,000-square-feet of space as home to almost a dozen retailers including Sitka & Spruce, Rain Shadow Meats, Calf and Kid and Still Liquor. With a focus on locally sourced, independent and organic goods, the beautiful building that once produced auto parts now attracts a clientele looking for a more updated version of Pike’s Place. Property Of The owners of Singaporean bag label Property Of championed their coffee shop roots when conceiving the plans for their flagship store on one of the busiest streets in Amsterdam. Rather than launch a traditional boutique, they instead opened a cafe serving up Seattle’s Stumptown Coffee with a shop stocking their goods alongside an array of specialty magazines and books. Dark Shop United Nude’s Manhattan store Dark Shop is reminiscent of a nightclub, with its dark interior and striking LED wall lighting up the shoes on display. The future-tech interior was designed by creative director Rem D. Koolhaas, and is perfectly aligned with the brand’s vision of architecturally-inspired footwear. Conflict Kitchen An art installation with a retail side, Conflict Kitchen is a project in Pittsburgh that aims to educate the public through food. Calling attention to countries the United States is currently in conflict with, its current incarnation is Bolani Pazi, which serves Afghani turnovers. All food is wrapped in paper printed with information and facts about that country, such as its traditional customs and the U.S.’ involvement. Converse SoHo Converse adapted its extensive history as a brand into its second store, located in NYC’s SoHo neighborhood. With the world’s biggest selection of Converse shoes, there’s a pick-up window that’s particularly useful for those who already know what they want and a wall featuring an American flag installation made from its iconic Chuck Taylors. Things here are as straightforward as the m.o. that its legions of fans have helped shaped—be unique and yourself. To that end, the decoration is subtle enough without the need to drum up false hype.

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Best of CH 2010: Top Five Retail Visions

In a room the size of a storage unit, where the closets have no doors and the kitchen and bathroom sinks share a counter, life’s victories might seem limited.

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At Laurel Park, a way of life limps toward the sunset

Pittsburgh’s take-out dining concept serves food from countries in conflict with the U.S. by Ikechukwu Onyewuenyi Who thought international disputes could leave a sweet, mouthwatering aftertaste? Well the minds behind Conflict Kitchen —Jon Rubin, Dawn Weleski and John Pena see the savory in skirmish, intending to whet palettes and satisfy appetites while educating the city of Pittsburgh on the tenets of conflict. A truly novel (and tasty) installation, the experiment is a take-out restaurant meets public art project, serving food from countries that the United States is at loggerheads with, although overt combat is not a prerequisite. For Conflict Kitchen, food serves as the main cultural communicator—a “seduction for engagement [that] opens up a space of conviviality and comfort for people,” as Rubin puts it. However, the initiative goes beyond comestibles, intending to spur conversations about the social contexts of the conflicts within these nations. Rubin envisioned a space that “could not only add some culinary diversity to the city, but, more importantly, could create a public platform for a more empathic discussion about the places and cultures that many people are not familiar with outside of the relatively narrow and polarizing lens of the mainstream media.” Currently called “Bolani Pazi,” today’s iteration of Conflict Kitchen looks to Afghanistan, but the country rotates every four months and I had the chance to check it out when it was representing Iran. Taking on the name Kubideh Kitchen in reference to the staple Persian dish, the restaurant served kubideh—ground beef duly spiced with turmeric and cinnamon, garnished with aromatic basil and mint, and served atop freshly baked barbari bread. “We like to work with simple street food; something that you could make and get easily regardless of your social position within a culture,” says Rubin. “The draw of our food has opened up a curiosity amongst our customers that leads to conversations about politics that might not happen otherwise.” Conversations really did spill forth from each bite of the kubideh, as the meals at the concept come wrapped in paper printed with opinions and facts about each culture, in this case with bits about the importance of tea and the sui generis New Year custom of Nowuz . Just the other day I shared an extra kubideh wrapper with a close friend of mixed Persian heritage who was both enamored and touched by the words and efforts of Conflict Kitchen, exclaiming excitedly that she was going to share this with her mother. That, like the heady thinking behind it, goes far deeper than the meal itself.

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Conflict Kitchen

Two shots are fired through the kitchen window of a house at Portlee Walk in Antrim.

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Shots fired at house in Antrim

The Texas governor tells a tale of big government intrusion in the kitchen.

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Rick Perry takes on the salt police

Natural beauty, elegance and relaxation at a rustic 4th-century guesthouse in the Tuscan hills Located in the rolling hills of Tuscany’s idyllic Crete Senesi region, it’s hard not to feel enchanted driving up the gravel road to the rustic guesthouse Pieve a Pava . Combine the stunning natural setting with a building dating back to the 4th century, elegantly relaxed ambiance, as well as gracious hospitality, and you have a recipe for subtle perfection. On a recent stay, my traveling companions and I arrived in the evening to a warm welcome by owners Johny and Rita, along with their adorable Jack Russells. After a quick tour of the grounds, the endearing Belgian couple made us dinner reservations at the nearby La Locanda del Castello and set up a bottle of Belstar Prosecco , fresh cheese and pistachios to enjoy while watching the sun set over Mount Amiata—the highest point in Tuscany. Just as Pieve a Pava strikes a pleasing balance between its environs and creature comforts, it seamlessly mixes old and new for a similarly harmonious experience. One of estate’s brick buildings, the church of Santa Maria di Pava , was rebuilt several times due to conflict between Siena and Florence and anchors the property. Across from it, the kitchen and dining area, accented by its meticulously crafted brick lattice walls, has a glass-paned front that give way to the lush surroundings outside. Other thoughtful details like Philip’s Biscuits (from Antwerp), Etro toiletries and high-speed wi-fi make you feel at home (if not a fantasy home for most), and strategically-placed seating areas invite you to hang out and relax with other guests—which mostly include easy-going European artists and designers. Whether simply appreciating a place designed for true tranquility, taking a dip in the salt water pool, or hopping on one of the Vespas that are on-hand for local sightseeing, Pieve a Pava is a memorable destination for anyone seeking a holiday that really feels like one. Prices vary depending on the room and season, but typically average €330 per night and include food and beverages. See more images of Pieve a Pava after the jump .

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Pieve a Pava

Put safety first with a power strip designed to resist the elements Taiwan-based technology company Shohero recently introduced a power strip that protects more than just electronics. Wet Circuits resists water so that even in a short-term flood, your computer stays on and no one gets electrocuted. The design incorporates child safety measures too, as well as overheating protection, spark prevention and a lifespan four times longer than standard competitors. Perfect for hooking up electronics in the kitchen, bathroom, outdoors or anywhere it might catch a spill, the power strips sell for $70 from the Wet Circuits site .

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Wet Circuits

A baby otter is discovered in the kitchen of a house in a Norfolk village by a surprised resident.

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Baby otter finds way into kitchen

So why let children into the kitchen?

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Baking = mess