Swedish Design

One striking feature of Sweden is that so many things make sense.  Good use of space, for example.  Check out this shower:
Doors and fixture attach directly to the wall, and the floor has a drain in it.  I wish I'd taken a picture of the showerhead because the height adjusted or you could unhook it and use it as a spray nozzle.  Water was heated via geothermal energy--pipes travel deep underground and the water comes out hot.  Wow!

I also liked the toilet, which I deliberately didn't photograph because I didn't think the cool stuff would show in the photo.  The seat is molded so that it fits over the edge of the bowl (rather than resting on top with little round feet, as all my toilet seats do).  Advantage--less yucky stuff to clean off under the seat.  Plus in Sweden they have two options for flush: one with a lot of water, one with just a little water.  Advantage--I'll let you figure that out. :)

And check out this oven!  It uses the same amount of space as my oven at home, but you can cook two dishes at different temperatures.  I suspect this oven is more energy efficient, too, since the oven itself is smaller.  Maybe they can't roast a huge turkey in the oven, but I don't roast huge turkeys very often myself.  And this appliance gives more than just four little sealed burners on top.  You can also make one long burner that stretches the width of the stove.  *sigh*

However, I did use one Swedish appliance that had the stupidest "feature" I've ever seen: a telephone that required you to press a button on the handset in order for the person on the other end to hear you.  Why would anyone invent a phone for which the default setting is mute?   I'm still trying to figure that one out.

Comments

[BrightStar (B*)]

I have never been to Sweden, so I appreciate hearing about your experience there. I hope you'll continue to share about it!

[Maggi]

Major bathroom envy! David and I are about to remodel both of the small 70's-era bathrooms in our house. It's a shame that the features you described would be hard to find in this country, and if found, would cost a bunch to boot.

[Mommyprof]

We have a phone here in the good old USA that has that annoying "feature" also. But you're right - the Swedes are Gods, design-wise.

[redmolly]

That is definitely a great stove. Thanks for sharing your trip.

[Christi]

"Why would anyone invent a phone for which the default setting is mute?"

*laughs* Because they have kids like mine?