THE FOODIST / MAYBE IT'S CAPRI OR CROATIA BUT THE TV SERIES A TASTE FOR MURDER DOES A GOOD JOB OF MIXING MAYHEM AND CUISINE

 A Taste for Murder establishes itself as a standout entry in the 2026 television landscape [BritBox] by masterfully blending the quirky (albeit fictional) intrigue of a police procedural with the sun-drenched, sensory-rich world of Italian cuisine. 

Filmed on location in Capri (and Croatia), the series follows a grieving London police detective and his brat 17-year-old daughter as they attempt to rebuild their lives, only to find themselves drawn into a web of local crimes. 

What elevates the show beyond a standard mystery cozy detective drama is its structural commitment to the culinary world, where every investigation is intricately bound to a specific Italian recipe. 

In this narrative framework, food is never just a prop; it serves as the literal and metaphorical heart of every episode. Whether the characters are preparing Uova in Purgatorio (Eggs in Purgatory) to mirror a simmering family betrayal or baking a Torta della Nonna (Granny’s Cake) to uncover the secrets behind a tragic fall, the recipes dictate the pacing and theme of the mystery. 

The kitchen becomes a space for both forensic deduction and emotional healing, allowing the protagonist to process his personal trauma through the therapeutic, rhythmic acts of chopping, stirring, and seasoning. 

By linking the visceral satisfaction of solving a crime to the comfort of a home-cooked meal, the series delivers a unique, fun and textured fare. This clever juxtaposition places the show firmly within the "culinary cozy" genre, a specific subgenre of mystery fiction that pairs criminal investigations with domestic, food-centric rituals. 

The genre thrives on the stark contrast between the darkness of murder and the warmth of the kitchen. While traditional noir focuses on gritty, alienating urban landscapes, the food-and-mystery genre grounds its stakes in community, heritage, and sensory pleasure. 

The investigative process is balanced by the slow, deliberate art of cooking, creating a narrative rhythm that satisfies the audience's intellect through puzzle-solving while simultaneously comforting them through culinary aesthetics. 

The immense popularity of this genre stems from its ability to offer ultimate comfort viewing without sacrificing narrative tension. Audiences are naturally drawn to the escapism of beautiful, culturally rich international settings like Capri, but they also crave the psychological safety that cozy mysteries provide. 

Starring Warren Brown, Beau Gadsdon and Phyllis Logan

In a world of complex, open-ended realities, A Taste for Murder offers a reliable formula where justice is invariably served, and a beautiful meal is always shared by the end of the hour. This dual appeal engages both the mind and the senses, making the genre an addictive staple for viewers seeking intellectual stimulation wrapped in total comfort. 

DESIGN / AN ENCINITAS MODERNIST HOME FINDS NEW LIFE

 

On a quiet hillside in Encinitas, California, a distinctive 1970s residence has been returned to something close to its original spirit—not as a museum piece, but as a living laboratory for artists, designers and craftspeople. 

 The 2,500-square-foot house was designed by Shanna Kellogg, with structural assistance from her father, noted California organic architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg. Its most striking features are its soaring arched roofs, now newly clad in copper, and an interior shaped by warm wood, changing levels and long passages of natural light. 

 Unfold Projects founder Mel Meagher purchased the property in 2022 with the intention of restoring its original character while preparing it for a new purpose. 

Later alterations—including built-in bookcases, painted surfaces and additions that interrupted the home’s original sightlines—were removed. Original woodwork was repaired, while natural materials such as teak, clay and limestone were introduced with restraint. 

 

The restoration became an exercise in creative reuse. Copper left over from the new roof (above) was transformed into 21 works of art and furniture. Salvaged redwood and other dismantled materials became lighting, sculpture, rain chains and even a guitar. 

Materials that could not be incorporated into the house were donated to Habitat for Humanity.  

Among the project’s most evocative additions is a living wall in the primary bathroom, fulfilling Shanna Kellogg’s unrealized vision of a tree-filled atrium. 

Throughout the house, restored timber, textured walls and carefully framed views reconnect the interior with the mild coastal landscape outside. 

 The property will now become part of the Unfold Artist Residency. A former woodshop beside the main house has been converted into an artist’s flat, intended to host writers, designers, chefs, researchers, ecologists and craftspeople exploring new approaches to creativity, sustainability and regenerative design. 

 The result is less a conventional renovation than a conversation across generations—between an original architect and contemporary makers, between handcrafted design and environmental responsibility, and between a California house and the landscape that first inspired it. 

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Adapted from reporting by Dan Howarth for Dezeen, published July 25, 2026. Photography by Justin Chung.