Above: This fall, put a broom on it. Photograph via Inigo, courtesy of Cassandra Ellis, from The Witching Hour: 15 Times a Broom Doubled as Decor, from the Archives.

• This just in: Altbau, a new bakery from the cofounder of longstanding Remodelista fave Tartine, is now open at 184 N 8th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. (Hat tip: Fan.)
• “This Japanese-Basques green grocery gives me hope for the world,” writes Margot.
• Going on in NYC (and on Julie’s list); a celebration of MFK Fisher, November 2.
• Stop by for a cup of hot cider with Maira Kalman at the Shaker Outpost in Chatham, NY this weekend; info here.
• Or swing into The Post Supply for a signing with our friend Lisa Przystup, going on next weekend.
• Speaking of Shaker design, this exhibit looks great.
• Clever!
• Margot is enamored with this “dreamy mobile art studio.”
• Woah: affordable Ikea cabinets get an updated with wood pigment.
• Where to eat in Paris, via a fave new East Village cookbook store.
• From the archives: DIY candles for autumn nights.
• The High Line debuted its first section 17 years ago—can you believe it?—and soon its last garden, at 34th street, will open to the public.
• New Yorkers, heads-up: The Historic Chapel at Green-wood Cemetery is all decked out for Dia de Muertos through Nov. 15. Details here.
• Yay! Marie’s wonderful new book, Secret Gardens of New York, is officially in bookstores!
• Ephemeral and delightful.
• An important P.S.A. for gardeners. (Read more on the topic here.)
• Did you read our story on the many ways boulders can be used in the garden? Here’s another stunning example.
• P.S.: In a witching mood? These 11 deep, dark finds look chic well after Halloween’s over.

Above: Fan’s been admiring this demure burgundy number, complete with ribbons, as a reading lamp for the cold months. Shop now.
Above: Woven from wool and mohair, this throw captures the pigments of late autumn. We’d love it draped over the sofa or laid atop the bed. Shop now.

Above: French-made and hand-forged, these shapely iron candle holders are based on the ancient rushlight, “the rural ancestor of the candlestick.” Shop now.

Above: Annie loves these two-tone plum and rust napkins, marked with ferns. Shop now.
Above: Black bakeware? Look again: This stoneware set from Hawkins New York is actually a deep, dark olive—and looks chic set right on the table. Shop now.
Above: This dark—and Danish—take on the peg rail turns order into beauty. Shop now.
Above: From Erica Tanov, this basket, woven from ilulu grass and dyed to a purply black, makes for chic storage. (P.S. It comes in three sizes). Shop now.
Above: The practical Shaker broom gets a bewitching update in black. Shop now.

Also On Our Radar

• The ideal top-off (or host gift) for a noirish soiree.
• A moody note for the front step, better than any Halloween decoration.
• And the prettiest paper incense for fall nights.

“I’ve known what it feels like to lack inspiration and feel stagnant,” writes Alice Katter, founder of Out of Office Network, which hosts creative retreats at an agriturismo in Italy. “It’s a response to a cultural flattening,” she continues. “As everything becomes algorithmic, online, optimized, and the same…”

The following immersive, hands-on travel experiences are among the most appealing we’ve uncovered yet.

Above: Anna Tasca Lanza in Sicily, Italy,

Years ago, Anna Tasca Lanza in Sicily hosted a weaving workshop with Studio AMOS, and the school has been on our radar ever since. While its retreats typically center on food—past hosts have included David Tanis, Julia Sherman, and Rachel Roddy—it occasionally ventures into craft, as with the weaving workshop and an upcoming sketching and Drawing retreat with Samantha Dion Baker. Photograph from Anna Tasca Lanza by Chiara Leto and Erika Pino for The Preserve Journal.

Above: Quilting at an Ace Camp Travel retreat.

Ace Camp Travel hosts creative retreats around the world: block printing in Jaipur, India; painting in Andalusia, Spain; basket weaving in the Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden; embroidery in Chiang Mai, Thailand; and many more. The premise is simple: travel centered on hands-on learning, lectures, and demonstrations led by local experts and practitioners.

Above: Out of Office Network creative retreat at Le Cergue, Italy.

Out of Office Network began as a digital platform supporting creative expression, founded by Alice Katter, who later developed a creative residency program at Le Cerque, an agriturismo outside of Rome. Unlike artist residencies, where established artists focus on and present a single project, Out of Office’s offerings might look more like a three-day botanical dye intensive with a textile designer. Katter also coordinates artist-led workshops in Barcelona, including silversmithing with Anna Ruiz Planella, indigo dyeing with Carlota Simó, and furniture restoration with Audrey Pogu.

Above: DescoverArtists at the natural dye retreat.

DescoverArtists is a global community of creatives that offers intimate, shared-home retreats for practicing artists, integrating workshops focused on skill development and exchange. They also host a Natural Dye Retreat on Chios, Greece, with George Petsikopoulos, created for just six selected participants (application required) and equally open to beginners, artists, and designers alike.

Above: Inside the Praktyka Creative Retreat in North Devon.

Praktyka is a creative retreat on the North Devon coast founded by Ania Wawrzkowicz and Henry Trew in collaboration with Niall Maxwell of Rural Office Architects (see our post on A Low-Impact Family Home in Surrey and Norfolk Remodel with Tithe and Piggery). Guests stay in architectural cabins while taking part in art workshops. Unlike many retreats, Praktyka welcomes group stays that include children. It also hosts curated programs that bring together participants from around the world, such as Coastal Walking and Printmaking, and a Mother’s Retreat featuring clay and jewelry making.

Above: Madame Voyage French Retreats in southern France.

Madame Voyage creates what it calls “slow travel French retreats.” Founded by two women from France, the company hosts week-long retreats in Provence, Toulouse, and along the Riviera. The retreats span both culinary and creative, with workshops in ceramics, floral design, watercolor, and more.

For more on residencies see our posts:

• En Résidence: A Guest House and Residency at Château de la Haute Borde in the Loire Valley
• ‘A Healing Place’: A Derelict House with a Designer Pedigree Is Reclaimed for Artists

N.B.: This story originally ran on June 5, 2026 and has been updated.

In the end, they were able to get everything they asked for, at a price that wasn’t over the top. The entire project—including the counters, appliances, and accessories—came in under £25,000 (that’s $32,497 at time of publication), an admirable feat given the sophisticated results.

Let’s take a tour of this dark star.

Photography courtesy of deVOL.

Above: The walls, cabinets, and ceiling were all painted in Pantry Blue, one of deVOL’s most popular colors.
Above: The central island is an old vintage piece painted in the same hue as the cabinets.
Above: Most of the kitchen is newly built, but the wood fireplace mantel over the cast iron Esse stove is original to the home. The patinated copper backsplash and copper worktop on the island are warm, glowing counterpoints to the matte dark paint on the cabinets.
Above: The clients opted for cabinets from deVOL’s Real Shaker Kitchen line and Bella Brass hardware.
Above: Appliances are incognito behind the Real Shaker cabinet doors for a seamless look.
Above: The counters are made of iroko, a durable hardwood from Africa.
Above: Simple jars filled with breakfast essentials occupy a small open-shelving corner pantry. A single industrial copper sconce hangs above.

For more deVOL kitchen style, be sure to check out:

• Kitchen of the Week: A ‘Dreamiest Dream Kitchen’ in Yorkshire, England
• Kitchen of the Week: An English Glasshouse Addition with a deVol Kitchen for an Aesthete and a Chef
• New from deVol: Porcelain Pendant Lights, Handmade in England

N.B.: This story originally ran on October 25, 2018 and has been updated.

Above: The Black Creek Mercantile Co Black Low Rung Counter Stool is made of blackened white oak; $915.
Above: The HAY Soft Edge 82 Stool in blackened oak is available in bar and counter heights; $545 at Design Within Reach.
Above: The Form & Refine Shoemaker Chair in black beech wood starts at $996 at Finnish Design Shop.
Above: Sawkille Co.’s Ebonized Black Walnut Stools come in three sizes: Tall Stool, Drink Stool, and Dinner Stool (from $1,250).
Above: The Made by Choice Lonna Bar Stool is made of blackened wood in Halikko, Finland; $843 at Finnish Design Shop.
Above: From DWR, the slim-lined Ercol Originals Stool is $465.
Above: The Ifuji Black Three Leg Stool is made of ash finished in a logwood dye to create the ebonized finish; contact Ifuji for info.
Above: Frama’s Stool 01 in blackened birch wood is $642, available from The Fine Store.
Above: The Randle Tractor Counter Stool in Black Ash is currently on sale at Rejuvenation: $229.97 for the counter height (regularly $569).
Above: And from Blu Dot, the Mimi Three-Leg Stool—good “as a stool, side table, or room emotional support companion”—is on sale for $320.

For more of our favorite counter, bar, office, and dining stools, see our posts:

• 10 Easy Pieces: Studio Stools
• 10 Easy Pieces: Counter Stools with Backs
• 10 Easy Pieces: Industrial Bar Stools with Backs
• 10 Easy Pieces: Simple Bar Stools

N.B.: This story originally ran on November 1, 2023 and has been updated with new product selections, links, and pricing.

Above: Spotted in Room to Grow: Kai Avent-deLeon Turns a Mobile Home Into a Modern Sanctuary: a handmade Shaker broom. Photography by Caroline Tompkins.
Above: On display: Italian splatterware and a handmade broom, as seen in Parco dei Sesi: An Oasis on an Italian Island (With 9 Design Ideas to Borrow).
Above: Brooms in the bedroom… Photograph via Inigo, courtesy of Cassandra Ellis.
Above: …and in the kitchen. See In the Stillness: A 1640s Georgian in an Affecting Palette by Cassandra Ellis. Photograph via Inigo, courtesy of Cassandra Ellis.
Above: In their so-called “Soot House,” Anthony Esteves and Julie O’Rourke display an antique broom over their bed. See more in The Soot House: Conjuring the Ghosts of Old New England on Spruce Head in Maine. Photograph by Greta Rybus.
Above: Brooms, cutting boards, and blankets are the utilitarian decor at small-batch flour mill Flourist; see “Simplicity and Utility” in Vancouver. Photograph by Conrad Brown, courtesy of Ste. Marie.
Above: A broom echoes the wood tones of the chair to create a quiet vignette in an open-plan Brooklyn loft (a finalist in our Considered Design Awards). See the full submission here: HomeStories Open Plan Industrial Space.
Above; A broom and other natural textures at Cucumbi: A Rustic Guest House in Portugal, Suited for Autumn. Photograph by Sanda Vuckovic via Cucumbi.
Above: A charmingly crooked broom does double duty as a tool for sweeping the entryway and a display piece in this Australian cabin. See more in Slow House: A Serene Cabin in the Woods in Australia. Photograph by Earl Carter.
Above: Also in Australia, an architect displays a black-accented broom that complements his home’s dark facade. See more in In Sydney, a Modern Indoor/Outdoor Barn for a Landscape Architect and Family. Photograph by Murray Fredericks and Prue Ruscoe, courtesy of Romaine Alwill and Michelle Orszaczky.
Above: At Canterbury Shaker Village, brooms are displayed on Shaker peg rails (where else?). See more in In the Dwelling House: 16 Design Ideas to Steal from the Shakers. Photograph by Erin Little.
Above: A red-handled broom provides a point of contrast to the white brick wall in Picture Room owner Sandeep Salter’s Brooklyn kitchen. See more in A Modern Fairy-Tale Told in 800 Square Feet: Sandeep Salter’s Family Apartment. Photograph by Jonathan Pilkington.
Above: A display-worthy child’s broom stands next to a child-sized worktable in a Hanau, Germany, loft. See more in Living Above the Studio: At Home and Work with Lappalainen. Photograph by Marc Krause for Lappalainen.
Above: A hand broom hangs among natural decor in a Catskills farmhouse. See more in The Catskills Farmhouse of Two Brooklyn Creatives, Weekend DIY Edition. Photograph by April Valencia.
Above: While, admittedly, it probably doesn’t live here full-time, a Custodian broom with a luxe fabric-wrapped handle looks at home in blogger Erin Boyle’s bedroom. See more in Object of Desire: Handmade Luxe Brooms from a Brooklyn Artist.

More unexpected objects used as decor:

• 10 Ways to Display Wooden Spoons, Artisan Edition
• The New Rusticity: 11 DIY Ways to Use Branches Indoors
• Botany of Desire: 16 Favorite Botanical Prints as Decor

N.B.: This story originally ran on October 22, 2018 and has been updated with new images and links

The Sighting

Above: The layered, antique-filled interiors at Cremer have a make-yourself-at-home vibe. Spotted against a far wall: book boxes affixed to the backs of the chairs. Photograph by Callum Su from Cremer in Hoxton: London’s Talk-of-the-Town New Café, Library Included.

The Source

Above: We emailed Oscar Piccolo, the designer behind Cremer, to find out more. Behold: The book boxes are custom creations by London-based artist/designer Louie Isaaman-Jones. Writes Louie: “They’re inspired by school and church book holders. Oscar pitched me the idea, and I already sell a bookstand as one of my main products so it felt like a good match.” Photograph by Callum Su.

Want something similar? Reach out to Louie directly via email: studio@louieisaaman-jones.com. Or DIY a version—perhaps with a vintage box—to keep books within easy reach.

More book storage ideas we love:

• Trend Alert: 11 Periodical-Style Shelves for Design Book Lovers

In restoring a 19th-century Victorian farmhouse in Athens, New York, not far from the Hudson, writer/designer Nick Spain walked a design tightrope, “reimagining the home as both a functional family residence and a poignant narrative exploration.” For the palette and interior details, he drew on the home’s history—particularly the wreck of a steamboat that occurred nearby in 1845, leaving the then-inhabitant of the home a widow—and referenced artistic and literary works on grief and memory. At the same time, while paying homage to the past, the house had to be practical for a family of four with two small girls living in 2025.

It’s a careful balance exemplified in Nick’s solution for the screen in the family room. “Our clients are big TV people,” Nick says, “and due to layout and electrical connections there was really no other place it could live besides over the mantle.” But they didn’t necessarily want a black screen to be the focal point of the otherwise poetic space.

What to do? Take a look at his simple solution—equal parts pragmatic and poignant.

Photographs by James John Jettel.

Above: The challenge: “We knew the TV had to be included in the space,” Nick says, “but we also had a fairly tight budget that couldn’t accommodate a more involved hidden solution. So, since we were building a project narrative surrounding this idea of a grieving widow, we took a cue from the old tradition of shrouding mirrors and portraiture during periods of mourning and decided to apply the same idea to our TV.”
Above: The solution: a graceful cloth cover that slips over the TV when not in use. “I had my upholsterer make the actual cover—the material is muslin, chosen to avoid a feeling of preciousness—and then I stenciled on the floral motif myself using a hand-cut stencil and fabric paint,” Nick says.

On the botanical design itself, Nick—who is a writer as well as a designer—looked to Joan Didion. “In The Year of Magical Thinking (both the book and the play), Didion speaks about the grieving process in terms of rhythm and repetition, of how she’s continuously looping back to habitualized patterns of interacting with her husband even as she’s desperately trying to escape them. In the design process, we thought a lot about how this could be represented visually through decorative scrolling patterns that felt in line with some of the home’s more ornate elements.

“Many of the patterns that we looked at were by the wunderkind Dagobert Peche, and the floral image that’s depicted is actually swiped directly from one of his fabrics. Peche himself also died tragically young at the age of 36, which made it feel all the more aligned with the narrative we were working within, and the materiality of the muslin speaks to the simplicity of the environments that Wyeth often captured in his work.”

For more, and a look at the rest of the project, head to Studio Nick Spain (and if you’re a subscriber, check out our Quick Takes with Nick here).

And for more simple DIYs, consider:

• 8 Easy Low-Cost, Low-Commitment Summer DIY Projects with Painter’s Drop Cloths
• DIY: A Simple, Fresh Headboard Hack
• DIY Idea: Effortless Window Coverings with Hardware Store Supplies

N.B.: This story originally ran on June 5, 2025 and has been updated.

The house is Well House, a historic Georgian building on a cobblestone street in the market town of Lewes. The structure dates to around 1640, with timber framing and a stone foundation taken from the ruins of Lewes Monastery, but it was dilapidated when Cassandra found it. “The previous owner had been here for 50 years, and the house hadn’t been touched for about 43 of those,” she told Inigo, the UK real estate site. “It looked like a pub from the 1970s.”

Cassandra and her partner, Ed, embarked on a gentle but thorough and exacting renovation, removing and replacing the entire roof, re-plumbing, re-wiring, re-plastering, insulating, swapping in new-old windows, hand-scrubbing the floors with wire brushes, and updating for weather and modern times.

My favorite thing about the project just might be the palette Cassandra mentioned, the interiors painted in rich, nuanced, dark tones. “It was such a specific moment in time for me,” says Cassandra of choosing them. “I didn’t realize (until almost too late) that I had pneumonia. I just thought I was overwhelmed from juggling too many things. For me, when life is too much, I always retreat to art and books and words (and the Financial Times), and so the palette came from this.” Many of the hues are from Cassandra’s own Atelier Ellis paint collection, This Stilling That I Love, a name that gives a hint to the house’s effect.

“When people visit the cottage, there is usually genuine emotion by the time they get to the top,” says Cassandra. “It’s not the fanciest house, but if it makes people feel, then I’ve done what I think is right.”

Stay a moment and take a look.

Photography via Inigo, courtesy of Cassandra Ellis.

Above: The house is perched on a steep slope the locals call Scare Hill. Cassandra and co. removed the clay-peg tiles, added eco-friendly insulation, and then rehung them.
Above: A door from the garden leads into the dining room, with box-sash windows and a table by English antiques dealer Jolly Folke, who gives old pieces—like this Georgian antique—a shou sugi ban treatment.
Above: The kitchen, like the dining area behind it, has a concrete floor. It’s minimally fitted, with British sycamore counters, pared-back lower cabinets painted in Solstice, and open shelves in a niche that display ceramics.
Above: Two apertures let in natural light.
Above: Broom as decor.

Above: The front door leads into the living area, with bare pine floors, original timbers, and a gathering of small-boned furnishings. The room is painted in Paper & String by Atelier Ellis.
Above: Cassandra had the historic chimney rebuilt and cleaned and the mantel re-plastered. The finished effect is all sculpture and simplicity, no embellishment.
Above: “There’s not a straight line in the house,” Cassandra told Inigo. “There something very comforting about living somewhere that’s hundreds of years old. You feel very settled, and it perhaps gives you more permission to make different creative choices. You can’t wrestle with the house, you have to give in to it, but that also gives you freedom.”
Above: A tucked-away stair leads to the second floor.
Above: Upstairs, a dark and moody living area is painted in Plume. The cast-iron fireplace is flanked by original built-in cupboards.
Above: “I think I finally came back to the seven-year-old, the fifteen-year-old that I was,” says Cassandra. “I am very happy making colors and telling stories. It’s what I did at both those formative ages, and I think it shows.”
Above: A rough and rustic door closes off a dark-painted guest bedroom.
Above: The main bedroom is on the top floor, under blackened beams. The built-in desk is British sycamore, just like the kitchen worktops.
Above: The bath also has counters of British sycamore and original flooring (hand-scrubbed with a wire brush). The lighting throughout the project is from Zangra.
Above: The centerpiece: a copper soaking tub.

Above: And a hidden surprise: Behind the house is a tiered garden with room enough to sit. “The old town wall of Lewes is positioned to the rear behind a wooden Japanese teahouse—a remnant from a previous inhabitant who was a practicing Zen master,” according to Inigo.

N.B.: For more on the project, head to Inigo.

And for more in the UK, see:

• Kitchen of the Week: At Home with the Ultimate Minimalists, the Creators of Cereal Magazine
• Shopper’s Diary: The Last Word in English Artisanal Design at Berdoulat
• Getaway Cars: Converted Rail Carriages as Vacation Cabins in Norfolk, England

N.B.: This story originally ran on October 29, 2021 and has been updated.

Photographs by editors, except where noted.

Above: “As a former competitive sailor, I love these bags and outdoor pillows—all made from recycled sails. They’re from sailor and designer Emma Casey of Landfall, who spent seven years at sea traversing the waters of Mexico, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, and more. She takes the sails, made of non-recyclable polyester Dacron, to give them a second wind.” – Kier Holmes; photograph from Landfall
Above: “I love the bathroom and kitchen and, well, the whole beautiful house, of curator Nicolas Trembley’s 14th-century priory in the South of France featured in ArkJournal recently. The photos are by Pauline Chardin with styling by designer Mathias Mentze. The project was a collaborative effort between NeM Architectes, Teruhiro Yanagihara Studio, and Bakkes&Co. You can see more by combing through @nicholastrembley‘s account.” – Deborah Eydmann; photograph by Pauline Chardin for ArkJournal
Above: “To keep moths at bay, I’ve started tucking French Papier d’Arménie near my woolens. Made to be burned as a quick incense for clearing kitchen odors, the fragrant strips don’t kill moths but they deter them. And I was happy to learn the company is fifth-generation family owned and that it takes six months and 12 production stages to make each booklet.” – Margot Guralnick
Above: “It’s been a while since I’ve come across a new-to-me clothing brand that I really resonate with. But Whiteread is the latest. Founded by Izabella Doyle and Mitz Kajima out of Dorset, the pieces are made with recycled, vintage, and deadstock materials—without looking like they are. Maybe it’s my current bingeing of East of Eden, but I feel like this sort of historical-leaning fashion really appeals this time of year.” – Alexa Hotz; photograph from Whiteread
Above: “Last month, I got to tour the late Danish artist Mogens Valeur’s former live-in studio in Tisvilde, a seaside enclave an hour north of Copenhagen. Valeur’s place was built in 1961 and served for decades as his home base. Currently on the market from broker Adam Schnack, it’s been preserved and filled with Valeur’s bright abstract paintings. It has two wonderful work/living spaces and the most modest bedrooms and bath. Priorities! Unfortunately, the art isn’t included in the sale.” – Margot Guralnick; photo by Margot Guralnick
Above: “I love seeing when someone begins down a new avenue in life. Case in point: designer Pablo di Francesco of Les Keepers, a textiles and interiors studio based in Peckham, recently published his first book after years of a committed poetry practice. It’s called Paradise Found, exploring themes of dystopia, humanity, memory, loss, authorship, resistance, and more. The book launches on November 17 at LALA Books in London and can be preordered here.” – Alexa Hotz; photograph of Paradise Found with a cover illustration by Richard Kilroy
Above: “Heads up! If you ever find yourself in West Yorkshire, in the UK, the magnificent Tiled Hall Café in Leeds Art Gallery is a must-see Victorian gem. Originally the main library room, then a sculpture court until 1941, the Hall was restored to its former glory in 2007. And what a difference that made. I’m always in awe of the intricate details, patterns, and colours of the beautiful ceilings, columns, and tiles hidden by shelving during the ’50s and ’60s—a feast for the eyes and palette.” – Deborah Eydmann; photograph from Leeds Art Gallery
Above: “I came across Conditori La Glace, one of the oldest confectionaries in Denmark, from afar when I saw the wedding cake of Emilie Guldbrandsen. It’s made me completely rethink the use of marzipan sheeting over cake (like the traditional princess cake). The bakery makes a host of traditional Danish layer cakes. Truly eye candy.” – Alexa Hotz; photograph from Emilie Guldbrandsen

Have a look at our picks from previous months:

• Psst…What We Loved this September
• Psst…What We Loved this August
• Psst…What We Loved in July
• Psst…What We Loved in June

Above: Psst: Paid subscribers get an exclusive discount from The Floral Society now through October 30; info right over here.

• “Working on this week’s Ravenhill light story and came across this,” writes Fan. “Swoon! A design lover’s dream!”
• Ooh, longtime Copenhagen favorite (and editor haunt) Atelier September pops up in New York.
• Are you going to The Spoils, the first-ever sample sale from the Shoppe Object folks? Going on this weekend in NYC.
• Joy and more good things, coming soon from Maira Kalman (and a chance to meet her on October 24).
• These rugs, inspired by Welsh blanket patterns and Savile Row stripes, are perfect for layering season (hat tip: Margot).
• File under: dream workspace.
• And for your backyard inspo board: this gorgeous sauna by Nuud Studio.
• “I’m always on the hunt for great PJs,” writes Annie. “These patterned pairs are latest on my list (the stripey ones are inspired by Goodnight Moon).”
• Save the date for two events with Frances Palmer at Nickey Kehoe shops in LA and NYC.
• Gasp. How brilliant is this?
• For those who have a habit of buying cut flowers every week, a most unique bouquet carrier.
• This is our kind of fall gardening chore list: a don’t-do-list.
• Municipal leaders, take note: a free app that allows citizens to adopt the trees on their street (hat tip: Margot).
• Speaking of which, did you read this sobering N.Y. Times story on the multiple plagues attacking trees in the U.S.? (For further reading, check out our own reporting on beech leaf disease from a few years ago.)
• Root cellar porn.
• And lol. (“I feel seen,” says Fan.)
• ICYMI, a stunning front-yard before/after.

The approach paid off: the Stockholm-based firm has since gone global: it now has offices in, among other places, Berlin, Lisbon, Mexico City, and NYC. Masters at showing other people’s quarters, the company recently had to figure out a fresh guise for itself when it prepared to move into new headquarters in Stockholm. ASKA, an emerging Swedish firm led by architect Polina Sandström, was hired to transform a hodgepodge of spaces in a historic building into Fantastic Frank’s showcase. Wanting to preserve existing, characterful elements while unifying the office, Sandström made masterful use of the firm’s old office furniture, a tightly orchestrated materials palette, and, most notably, a beguiling shade of pistachio. Join us for a look.

Photography by Mikael Lundblad, courtesy of Fantastic Frank (@fantasticfrank) and ASKA (@aska.arch)

Above: The 1,722 square feet office is on the ground floor of an 1883 building in Vasastan, in central Stockholm. Of the use of pistachio green detailing throughout, Fantastic Frank writes, “the project explores how identity can become space through reuse, materiality, and a continuous green thread.”
Above: The rooms had previously been occupied by different business over the years but retained some original detailing, including, the architects were thrilled to discover, an industrial wood floor, which was uncovered—in some spots under vinyl—restored, and finished with lye and a white pigment. The shelves display Fantastic Frank’s magazine featuring standout listings, city guides, and interviews with tastemakers. That’s the entryway in the next room.
Above: A custom glazed partition divides the gallery-like front rooms. As for the specific shade of green: Sandström explains that they work with the NCS system: “This allows us to define the color precisely while leaving the choice of paint manufacturer to the contractor. In this case, all the greens are based on the hue G40Y, in different variations.” The walls here are painted a very light shade of the green, NCS S 0505-G40Y, accented by a “slightly stronger border,” NCS S 1010-G40Y, that also highlights the building’s original arched windows.

“Although we don’t specify the paint brand,” continues Sandström, “we always specify the sheen, since it contributes significantly to how the color and surface are perceived. Here, we chose a very matte wall finish with a sheen level of 5, and a matte finish for the joinery with a sheen level of 20, giving the space a more contemporary expression.”

Above: Photographs of Fantastic Frank’s latest properties hang like art from movable ceiling tracks. The table and chairs migrated from the firm’s previous quarters.
Above: “For us, translating visual identity into space is a core part of brand design,” Sandström told Dezeen. “The ambition is not to reproduce an identity one to one, but to create a spatial experience that feels unmistakably connected to it.”
Above: The office kitchen is a combination of old and new: ASKA paired existing wooden upper cabinets with Ikea Stainless Steel Cabinets and a custom countertop by DecoSteel.
Above: The upper cabinets were given block-shaped handles, inspired by Fantastic Frank’s squared new logo, and painted what Sandström describes as “a somewhat brighter, more pastel” version of the pistachio green, NCS S 0507-G40Y.
Above: In the adjoining space, another of Fantastic Frank’s tables was cut down and painted a high-gloss green—and paired with Eames-inspired office chairs.
Above: Sandstrom calls this room The Atelier and says details, such as the curtains and hanging lights—Matias Moellenbach Daily Paper Pendants, made from recycled newspaper pulp (and only $69)—reference its former use as a sewing studio.
Above: An outsized version of the block handles appears in the restroom, and the paper towel dispenser is an elegant stainless steel.
Above: The homey back office has elaborate original moldings; Chess, a wool rug  from Swedish design house Layered, and Jordan Leather Dining Chairs from Westwing Collection. The Ceenli Curtain Pendant Lamps “combine direct light with vertical diffusion,”

[/caption]The Fantastic Frank showroom is at Upplandsgatan 23 in Stockholm and open Monday through Friday, appointments not essential.

Here are some of the firm’s listings over the years that caught our eye:

• Kitchen(s) of the Week: Ogling the Offerings from 5 Boutique European Real Estate Sites
• An Artful Hotel on the Swedish Island of Gotland
• Small-Space Living in Berlin: A Grand Two Room Apartment

We recently asked Marjory Garrison, who co-owns the L.A.-based lighting studio with her husband, Brendan Ravenhill, for the origin story behind the Peek Sconce Switch Colorblock collection:

“We’d worked on developing the Ravenhill Studio In Color palette for more than a year, and when we finally settled on colors, our son Ashley immediately wanted to mix and match parts into a colorblock fixture. Our design specialist Anya Gupta enthusiastically indulged him, helping him put together a Peek Sconce Switch in what he came to call ‘Color Explosion‘ (his version also has a color changing bulb),” she explains. “Luckily it’s a plug-in fixture, since Ashley hasn’t committed to where he wants it permanently.”

Here’s a peek at the newest members of the Peek Sconce Switch family.

Photography courtesy of Ravenhill Studio.

Above: Ashley at work. Last year, Ravenhill launched its Peek collection of lights. This month, it introduced four Peek Sconce Switch Colorblock versions.
Above: Ashley named this colorway “Color Explosion.” In addition to its ability to swivel 360 degrees and tilt up or down, the two rounded panels that make up the canister can open and close for a truly custom lighting experience.
Above: The earthy colors were Shaker-inspired. Pictured is “Color Bomb.” Each sconce is available in hard-wired or plug-in versions.
Above: There are also two square versions in the Peek Sconce Switch Colorblock line. Pictured is the “Beehive.”
Above: Each Peek Sconce Switch Colorblock light is $680. Pictured is the “Iceberg.”

See also:

• Expert Advice: How High to Hang a Kitchen Pendant and Other Lighting Tips from Ravenhill Studio
• Extra Bedroom: Designer Brendan Ravenhill’s Summer Sleeping Porch in Maine
• 10 Easy Pieces: Clip-On Lights

Situated on an island in Georgian Bay, Ontario, the space is centered on a generously sized stone island. “The family has a tradition of standing and sharing food around the kitchen island on weekends,” says Adam Robinson of Montreal-based Bureau Tempo, who collaborated with Thom Fougere Studio on the interiors of the new build. “We sought to bookend these two important rituals architecturally through the use of stone.”

Unusually, the kitchen island is clad in locally-sourced fieldstone that brings warmth to the otherwise clean-lined space. “We aimed to capture a bit of that rough, wild nature within the interior,” Adam says.

Join us for a look around.

Photography by Alex Lesage, except where noted.

Above: “We went out of our way to source local materials wherever possible,” Adam says of the project. “Canada has a lot to offer.” For the stone island, the team chose locally sourced fieldstone, “split-face presenting outward with flush mortar joints,” Adam says. “Incorporating this stone was an important early turning point in how we conceived the space for the clients.” An inset maple butcher block adds usable cutting space, and on the wall opposite: an Aga Elise range.
Above: The oak cabinets are custom, and the Cascade Limestone countertops continue seamlessly into a custom sink.
Above: Beside the sink is a walnut tray from the pantry, designed to store perishables market-style and transport ingredients to the workspace. The faucet is the Vola KV1.

Above: For the nearby pantry, the team wanted produce on display, not hidden away. “We deconstructed the idea of a traditional pantry, opening it up into a market-style pass-through space,” Adam says. “The shelves are composed of custom walnut produce boxes, designed for dry food storage but also removable for use in the kitchen. They can serve multiple functions, from carrying ingredients to serving coffee, tea, or drinks, and are often found in various rooms throughout the cottage.”

Above: “There is nothing better than sitting on the island’s rocky surface and taking in a sunrise with a cup of coffee or glass of wine beside you,” says Adam. And the views are unparalleled.

For a look at the rest of the house, see Pine Island Cottage: A Refined (and Appealingly Rough) Lake House on Georgian Bay. And for more by Bureau Tempo, see On a Bustling Brooklyn Street, Above a Busy Restaurant, Quiet Tranquility Inside an Industrial Loft.

N.B.: This story originally ran on March 27, 2025 and has been updated.

Above: Me, my wife Sarah, and the current siding and windows.

Let’s level set. I live in a 1780s barn that was turned into a house in the 1950s, and as far as I can tell the windows and the siding haven’t been changed since. The fact is, many parts of our money pit farmhouse need updating. Some, like the 1950s asphalt roof built directly on top of a much older shake shingle roof, we replaced last year. Other things we’re still waiting on, like the vintage 1950s bathroom tile with vintage crumbling grout. But since we can’t close many of our windows without pushing on them from the outside, and we have an inexplicable leak behind our very ancient siding, we put off the inevitable long enough. It is time for some grand-scale renovations.  

Stay tuned for some of the other things we’ll be changing, including a kitchen refresh. But first up, if we’re going to go to all the trouble—and, ahem, expense—of replacing all of our siding and windows, can we make our old home more environmentally responsible in terms of both materials and energy efficiency? Let’s find out.

My guide on this journey is Shannon Pendleton, principal of Sanderson Sustainable Design and co-host of Passive House Accelerator. In addition to being a friend and neighbor, Shannon is a leading expert on how to make homes more sustainable and energy efficient. And while those concepts might immediately make you think of solar panels and the like, Shannon explains that in energy efficiency, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In other words, using green energy to power your home is great. But designing your home to need less energy in the first place is even better.  

But with apologies to Shannon, when she explained the science of the “building envelope”, all I could think about is that envelope feels like the wrong word. Maybe it should be “building envelop”—as in, how enveloped is your building. Because your “building envelop” is what stops the outside environment from getting in and the inside environment from getting out. That means everything from bugs and dust to wind to heat and cold.  

Above: A tighter envelope = warmer interiors.

So I’m making two big changes to my “building envelop”, both of which create an opportunity for more energy efficiency. Let’s start with the siding. We have very old, very stained, very falling-apart cedar. I could just replace it with cedar, maybe even sustainably harvested cedar. But the fact is, our old cedar is cupping and splitting. Yes, more maintenance would help, but that’s hard to do with second-story wood. Also I’m lazy. Alternatively, I could have gone with some plastic product or chemically treated wood but, like I said, we care about the environment and also want to preserve the look and feel of our historic home. So we’re going with Thermory siding.  

Thermory takes sustainably forested wood—in our case, we’re using pine—and puts it through an intense heat-treating process that makes the wood more stable and rot-resistant. It’s an updated twist on the Japanese shou sugi ban process, where wood is charred to make it water and rot resistant. Thermory is that, without the blackening (though they actually do have a product that mirrors the shou sugi ban look, but with the added benefits of Thermory’s advanced thermal modification). In other words, Thermory gives us everything we like about natural wood plus all these added benefits.  

Using a more stable rot-resistant siding definitely envelops our house better (take that, flying squirrels), but the energy efficiency upgrades come from what will be behind the siding. Our contractor—the wonderful, lovable, fantastic-to-work-with John Gemmi and his company, Gemmi Construction—were already planning to weather-seal behind the siding, and of course put new insulation behind that where we find any lacking. But Shannon suggested installing “a rain screen, a continuous air barrier, and continuous exterior insulation” to give us the most enveloped envelope possible. Ultimately, we settled on Zip R sheathing, which does all three of those things in one system. So that’s our plan.

Above: The exterior as it is now; stay tuned for the final reveal.

As for the windows, well….The most energy-efficient option is triple-pane glass, but in our case, since we’re replacing a gajillion windows, we just couldn’t make it work in our budget. We have two walls of windows in our great room, most of which are currently fixed panes that we’re excited to replace with operable awning windows. We looked into doing triple-pane for just those windows, but that would have made the windows too heavy to open. So yes, we’re choosing a little less efficiency there but counting on the fact that having new windows that don’t require a screwdriver and grunts to close will nevertheless up our efficiency. Plus, thanks to Ambiance Design, we’re adding retractable Duette Honeycomb shades over those large window walls, which will give us some extra energy efficiency on super hot days.  

Niece Lumber helped us pick out Lincoln Windows, a family run U.S.-manufactured brand with two advantages. First, we could get retractable screens which we’re very excited about. And second, they offer custom colors on their exteriors. You’ll have to stay tuned to figure out what color choice we’ve made. It’s gonna be…dramatic.

Work on the siding and window part of the renovation is starting soon. I’ll be posting updates on my Instagram (@sallykohn), plus more updates along the way here as we get into our kitchen renovations, including the most sustainable and cool countertop and our very locally made and custom color stove. Watch this space!

Above: The Edna Plate Rack from McGee & Co. is made of White Oak with a brass rail and hooks; $598 at McGee & Co.
Above: The luxe version, by UK furniture designer Matthew Cox, is the wall-mounted or countertop Abacus Rack. It’s handmade to order in solid, sustainably sourced oak (available in seven finishes) and can be customized to any length; $8,966.
Above: Will Fisher and Charlotte Freemantle of Jamb make the Plate Rack from sustainably sourced teak.
Above: From Sophie Allport, the Oakham Display Rack is made from solid oak; $415 at Sophie Allport.
Above: The Pulley Maid Wall Mounted Plate Rack ranges from £99 to £339.
Above: The Faria Plate Rack is from Amber Lewis and Four Hands. It’s made from tanned oak and raw iron hardware; $1,250.
Above: The Winchester Plate Shelf in walnut is $659 at Rejuvenation.
Above: A longtime favorite, Katrin Arens makes custom Pallet Plate Racks; go to Katrin Arens for ordering information.
Above: The Magnolia Quinn Wooden Dish Cabinet is made of mango wood; $328.
Above: A one-off Antique English Pine 19th Century Hanging Plate Rack is $950 at The Parson’s Nose.

More ways to stack and store dishes? See our posts:

• 10 Easy Pieces: Countertop Dish Drainers
• 5 Favorites: Space-Saving Dish Racks
• High/Low: The Indian Stainless-Steel, Wall-Mounted Dish Rack
• 11 Kitchen Storage Tricks to Steal from the Bathroom

N.B.: This story originally ran on August 13, 2014 and has been updated with new links, products, and pricing.

Above: Style inspiration, courtesy of Niwaki Founder Jake Hobson and his Japanese-inspired mini-forest. Photograph by Jake Hobson (@niwakijake).

Above: Is red the new black? This before and after makes the case. See Fresh Curb Appeal for a Midcentury Modern Bungalow in Michigan. Photography by Kim Vargo, courtesy of Yellow Brick Home.

For more high-style garden accoutrements, head to Gardenista.

Reader, look no further.

The Sighting

Above: Inness is a design-forward retreat on 225 acres in Accord, New York, with 28 cabins, a 12-bedroom farmhouse, a restaurant, swimming pools, tennis courts, hiking trails, an organic farm and farm shop, and a spa and wellness center. (See A Rustic, Design-Minded Retreat (with British Standard Kitchens) in Upstate New York for a full tour.) The most frequently asked question about the project: Photograph by Adrian Gaut, courtesy of Inness.

What paint color was used on the Plain English-designed open pantry in the main Farmhouse? We consulted the folks at Inness and at design studio Post Company to find out.

The Source

Above: The answer? The shelves are painted in Nicotine, a hue that’s a collaboration between Plain English and English designer Rita Konig. The purveyors describe it as a “lived-in murky gold that speaks of storied interiors” (and offers a sunny surprise when used on the interior of a cabinet or hutch, say).

For more sources, uncovered, see:

• World’s Most Stylish Filtered Water Dispenser?
• The Secret Behind the Faucets in a Black and White Bath
• Reath Design’s Wrap-Around Curtain Rods

N.B.: This story originally appeared on March 11, 2022 and has been updated.

For more than six decades, California-founded Dacor has been considering both sides of that equation, introducing a series of innovations that have since become familiar features of the modern kitchen. Its current collection spans contemporary and transitional styles, with appliances designed to integrate into surrounding cabinetry or take a most visible role in the kitchen. Across the range, advanced features—from steam cooking and convection technology to precision refrigeration—are designed around the way a kitchen is actually used, making daily life easier rather than more complicated. Because ultimately, the best technology in the kitchen isn’t necessarily the technology you notice first; it’s what makes the room work better once you’re living in it.

Above: Dacor’s Contemporary Collection at home in a warm, wood-clad kitchen, where integrated appliances are treated as part of the architecture.
Above: Dacor’s built-in refrigeration has a fully wrapped stainless-steel interior and 3D lighting, with a panel-ready exterior that integrates into the surrounding millwork. Shown here is the 24-Inch Column Freezer at left and the 24-Inch Column Refrigerator.
Above: The 36-Inch Induction Cooktop features an LCD control panel, 9 flexible cooking modules, and induction power delivering up to 4800W of boost power.
Above: A closer look at the 30-Inch Combination Wall Oven with steam, which combines steam cooking with Dacor’s Dual Four-Part Pure Convection technology for precise, even cooking across multiple racks.
Above: The 24-Inch Wine Column is integrated directly into the cabinetry and can hold up to 100 bottles in three independently cooled zones.
Above: Inside the wine column, Precise Cooling Technology maintains temperature within +/- 0.3°F, while humidity sensors help maintain ideal conditions across its three zones.
Above: Closed again, the wine column becomes a slender glass-fronted detail within the cabinetry—an example of an appliance designed to integrate without disappearing entirely.
Above: A secondary refrigeration zone puts undercounter food and wine storage close to the dining table, keeping drinks and entertaining essentials separate from the kitchen’s primary work area. The 24-Inch Undercounter Wine Cellar is at left and the 24-Inch Undercounter Beverage Refrigerator at right.

For more, discover the full range of Dacor appliances.

“One of the most effective ways to manage a budget is to work with the existing character and materials of a building rather than trying to contradict them,” says Kerli. Here, she expounds on the idea.

“When we first saw the property, much of the interior was a combination of pine lining boards, bagged brick, and whitewashed timber ceilings. At the time it felt quite dark and dated, and understandably it was difficult for the clients to imagine how those elements could form part of a new, more contemporary interior.

“Rather than removing them, we looked at how color, texture, and light could change the way they were perceived. The existing ceilings were left largely untouched, the brick walls were celebrated rather than concealed, and the pine-clad walls were painted.

“Retaining these elements was probably one of the largest savings in the project, but it also gave the finished interior much more character. We are often more interested in transforming what is already there than replacing it. Sometimes a relatively light intervention—a change in color, texture or the way light reaches a surface—can completely alter how an existing material is experienced.”

Photography by Sean Fennessey, courtesy of Nüüd Studio.

Above: Brad and Kerli were tapped to remodel a compact 1980s townhouse for a family of four. “The biggest challenge was the lack of natural light on the ground floor,” says Kerli. “Our main task became finding a way to bring light further into the plan without unnecessarily rebuilding everything.” The wood ceiling and brick walls are all original to the home; the blackbutt flooring is new.
Above: The Karimoku CaseN–LC02 Lounge Chair is by Norm Architects; the Layette Floor Lamp is by Fomu; the Ace Triangular Table is by dBodhi; the Tribeca Sofa is by United Strangers; the rug is from Halcyon Lake’s Chromatic Checks collection.
Above: The kitchen is concealed just behind a new wood cabinet that doubles as a partition. “The joinery does much more than provide storage. It became one of the main tools for reorganizing the ground floor—defining the kitchen, dining, and living areas while keeping the plan visually open,” says Kerli. The painting is by Kate Tucker.
Above: “The kitchen in particular is broken into individual, furniture-like elements rather than reading as one large built-in object.We really enjoy joinery that feels architectural but still has the warmth and scale of furniture. Here, the detailing, timber, stone and carefully considered proportions bring a quiet richness to what are otherwise quite simple spaces.”
Above: Clay red, cream, and pale green dominate the palette. The brick walls were given a fresh coat of Porter’s Paints’ Icelandic Stone; the cabinets are painted Dulux’s Rich Loam and topped with a slab of red Corazio marble.
Above: “The kitchen no longer acts as a barrier; instead, it helps organize the space while maintaining a much stronger connection between the interior, daylight and courtyard garden. It was quite a simple shift in planning, but it fundamentally changed how the ground floor feels,” says Kerli.
Above: All the joinery was cust0m-made by Mood Workshop. Some of the original windows in the home feature textured glass, so the designers opted to bring that element to this new storage unit. “Continuing that language felt like a natural response rather than introducing something completely new.”
Above: The view from the kitchen toward the living room. The Korento Dining Table is by CondeHouse; the Carved Dining Chairs are by Ariake; and the pendant light is by Ferm Living (for something similar, try this).
Above: The laundry room is also on the first floor. The round metal laundry chute on the ceiling “connects the upstairs hallway directly to the laundry below,” explains Kerli. “It is a small detail, but one that the family with young children has found particularly useful. We like these moments where something very practical can be integrated almost playfully into the design.”
Above: The second floor landing. All the original wood paneled walls are now painted Porter’s Paints’ Old Moss. “By removing the strong yellow timber color, the linear texture of the boards suddenly became much more prominent and gave the walls a fresh, graphic quality,” says Kerli. The Frame II Chair is by Fomu.

See also:

• Steal This Look: A Melbourne Kitchen Inspired By the Library
• A Rising Design Star Introduces Warmth and Familiarity to a Sweeping New Build in Melbourne
• Channeling 1970s California Style: Sun Ranch Resort in Byron Bay, Australia

Above: Enjoy 20 percent off all products designed by The Floral Society, with code GARDENISTA20, through October 30. Pictured: Petite Long Stem Candleholders paired with Long Stem Candles (available in a variety of hues).
Above: Filled with the season’s blooms and stems, the Flower Frog Bowl Vase makes for effortlessly elegant arrangements.
Above: Also included in the sale: The Floral Society’s Canvas Wall Organizer that first captured our hearts seven years ago.

For more and to browse, head to The Floral Society.

Above: Worth a revisit: Annie recently saved this snapshot from Small-Space Solutions: 17 Affordable Tips from an NYC Creative Couple—the pretty glass cabinet and stacking stools still hold up, 10 years later. Photograph by Kate Sears.

• Fridge notes, courtesy of Roman and Williams.
• Two exhibits on Margot’s wish list: a just-opened show of artist-weaver Yumo Yuan’s beguiling silk panels (as admired at Cremer in London). And “Things We Carry”, an exhibition of mended paper bags collected from the daily life of artist Celia Pym.⁠
• And Julie would love to go to this art book popup in Paris, going on now.
• A cottage you can rotate to face the sun (we’d love one for our back garden).
• Ooh, love these dish towel totes and embroidered candle mats from our friend Sanne Hop, available here.
• We’re such fans of the artist Emma Kohlmann—and want everything from her newly expanded tableware collection with Hay.
• Love that artist, archivist, and urban planner Theaster Gates has adopted the last remaining fine china manufacturer in the US.
• Upstate this weekend? You’re invited to On View at Barnegat Barns (wine will be served). Info here.
• Browsing: a new collection by musician Jon Batiste and writer/artist Suleika Jaouad, made “with an almost unreasonable amount of heart (and fringe).”
• Sales alert! Annual site-wide sales happening at Blu Dot and Citizenry.
• “Love a good brooms vignette,” says Fan of this very autumn-y store display.
• ?img index=1 277Truly considered design. LOL.
• Before you put up your Halloween decorations, read Kier’s PSA.
• Pamela Anderson’s gardening outfit is different from ours.
• A reminder to prune judiciously this fall.
• It’s the perfect time to make a sweet rosemary wreath.
• And shopping for spring-blooming bulbs? Kendra has thoughts.

Founded by Maria Speake and Adam Hills, who met in architecture school, these master recyclers approach just about all building materials as worth reclaiming—and all design projects as opportunities for creative reuse. They recognize that reclaimed stone is challenging—supplies are limited, unpredictable, weighty, and often require specialist contractors. But its many appeals and workarounds lead them to salvage all sorts: stone concourse floors, office foyers, fireplaces, dead stock from masons’ yards, and fishmongers’ slabs, among other things. Inspired by Retrouvius, we enlisted them to show us their work and fill us in on ways to consider applying saved stone in our own quarters.

Photography courtesy of Retrouvius (@retrouvius), unless noted.

Above: Rescued marble stair treads with bullnose fronts and a fireplace mantelpiece on offer in the Retrouvius salvage yard.
Above: Stone plinths from a West London building also await at Retrouvius.

Sources for Secondhand Stone

Finding the right materials can take some digging. Search everywhere from architectural findings dealers and salvage yards to Facebook Marketplace, Craig’s List, and Buy Nothing. Stone yards also offer remnants and other discards at a notable discount. And Los Angeles salvage business Unbuilt showcases “luxury leftovers,” unused residential construction goods, including stone slabs and tiles, priced to sell. Adam, who runs Retrouvius’s salvage business, notes that shifting fashions impact stone prices: “Some marbles are relatively affordable and some are pricey depending on current desirability: Rosa Aurora, for example, is not expensive; sought-after onyx, meanwhile, is costly, so we reuse small and broken pieces in resourceful ways.”

The Challenges of Reusing Stone

In addition to being incredibly heavy, much salvaged stone requires a stonemason with the right expertise and tools to cut it. That can get complicated and expensive, which is why the Retrouvius team’s top tip is to “work with the salvaged stone in its existing format and dimensions when possible.” A simple approach is to use a slab as found to create a tabletop, shelf, or backsplash (scroll to the end for a prime laundry sink example). When building or remodeling an interior, carved ornamental stone panels can be incorporated into the wall design. And if you sort reclaimed stone into common widths, you can create flooring and wall paneling in patterns that minimize the need for cutting. Examples of all of these approaches below.

Retrouvius spokesperson Nicolas Hughes also mentions that the reverse side of a lot of reclaimed stone is marked by “dots and dabs” or “little metal pegs,” used as positioning marks.”These are easy to scrape off and not a problem. Likewise, for future reuse, it’s responsible to choose an adhesive that is weaker than the stone itself, so the stone doesn’t shatter on removal.”

Walking on Reclaimed Stone

Above: The front hall in a London townhouse was created from “Cipollino striped marble tiles, laid as if woven,” says Maria, who leads the Retrouvius design group. “Amazingly, the tiles were leftovers found by the crateful in a salvage yard near Wales.”

A cautionary note: some polished stone can get slippery: test it before use as flooring, and, if needed, hone it or add a runner.

Above: The Retrouvius team used otta phyllite, a Norwegian stone salvaged from a London office foyer, on the interior and exterior of this dining area addition in Southwest London. The project was completed 25 years ago and recently revisited–Maria was happy to see that it’s held up in all ways extremely well.

One detail they’d do differently: the walls are cast concrete, a material Retrouvius no longer uses because of its high environmental cost.

Way to Use Reclaimed Stone in the Kitchen

Above: The undulating backsplash in this Retrouvius-designed Notting Hill kitchen is made of  what Adam describes as “fabulous, topographical pieces of Turkish onyx” acquired from a fireplace and sculpture restorer who was retiring. “Pieces that are discarded when stone is trimmed often have a sculptural quality,” writes Maria in the company website’s Guide to Using Reclaimed Stone.

The whole project is a puzzle work of saved materials: the cabinet fronts are faced with 18th-century Viennese marquetry floorboards and the newly restored and raised flooring is a mix of original and reclaimed pine. For a full tour, go to A Country Home in the City By London’s Masters of Salvage. Photograph by Tom Fallon for Retrouvius.

Above: In their formerly abandoned stone farmhouse kitchen in Ontario, Canada, John Baker and Juli Daoust used matte Carrara marble shower panels from an old hotel (sourced from Post + Beam) as countertops. The couple are the owners of the cult Toronto design store Mjölk and their compound stars in our books Remodelista: The Low-Impact Home and Gardenista: The Low-Impact Garden. Photograph by Juli Daoust.
Above: Salvaged marble panels are combined with a collection of fireplace roundels—all of them slightly different but unified here—in this Retrouvius-designed London kitchen. Maria advocates artfully mixing materials and styles: here, what looks like a hanging light is a contemporary chrome extractor fan.
Above: In a London pied-à-terre for Italian clients, Retrouvius installed a galley kitchen designed, says Nicolas, “more for cocktails and nibbles than for cooking.” It features salvaged onyx and iroko, a tropical hardwood that Retrouvius saves from defunct science labs and schools: go to Reclaimed Iroko Worktops to see Retrouvius’s offerings in their pre-restored state.

Nicolas, notes that wood and stone pair well, and “since timber is much cheaper and easier to cut, it can be used as a spacer to reduce stone wastage.”

Above: Uncut marble mantle shelves applied in a horizontal patchwork serve as a backsplash in this mixed wood Retrouvius kitchen. The upper cabinet doors are the numbered backs of old textile display panels from a museum and the lower fronts are salvaged parquet flooring. The countertop is salvaged iroko.

Ways to Use Reclaimed Stone in the Bathroom

Above: When a shower wall was being finished with tadelakt, the Retrouvius team took the opportunity to inset it with two fireplace friezes.
Above: Slabs of Rose Aurora marble—which Adam singled out as affordable—partially panel the walls and form the floor and baseboards of a Retrouvius-designed British country house loo. Note that the rounded edges of some of the pieces were put together and used as pilaster-like decorative detailing. Also salvaged: the corner basin and its cast-iron brackets.
Above: “This shower demonstrates that you can combine small quantities of disparate elements in an interesting way and with minimal cutting ,” says Nicolas. Several types of stone form the banded walls and floor, all composed of remnants of standard widths and varying lengths from Retrouvius’s warehouse and design projects.

A Simple Laundry Sink Backsplash

Above: Architects Thom Dalmas and Bretaigne Walliser of TBo created this setup in their former East Williamsburg office using an old laundry sink purchased at Brooklyn nonprofit Big ReUse and a leftover marble remnant from one of their projects. See the architect’s office and family cabin in Remodelista: The Low-Impact Home. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelistsa.

Stone Columns Transformed into Table Lamps

Above: Old marble columns have many uses, including, Retrouvius has discovered, as table lamps. Assembling these requires finding someone who can cut and drill stone. The company has several varieties currently in stock.

Many of Retrouvius’s featured projects also appear in their recent book, Retrouvius, Designing Houses from a Philosophy of Reuse.

And there’s much more:

• Kitchens of the Week: 5 Retrouvius Designs Composed of Salvaged Parts
• 5 More Retrouvius Kitchens Starring Scrap Materials
• The Reclaimed Bath: 8 Favorite Retrouvius Designs Featuring Vintage Components

“As an architect, working on your own house is great fun. Because of time constraints, I didn’t get a chance to do full, proper drawings, so a lot of the time I’d scribble some plans on the wall at night for the builders to interpret a few hours later,” he told The Modern House. “Because it was our own house, I could experiment a lot more with things I wouldn’t risk at work.”

Nowhere is that playful spirit more on display than in their artful kitchen.

Let’s take a tour. (To see the rest of their house, see the listing at The Modern House.)

Above: When the couple moved in five years ago, the kitchen was on the top of their list of rooms to redesign as they both love to cook.
Above: The cabinets are one of Nicholls’ “experiments.” “We weren’t entirely sure how it would turn out, but it’s beautiful,” he said of the engineered-ash plywood joinery.
Above: The most whimsical feature in the kitchen, though, may be the skylight that not only funnels in natural light but also offers a glimpse at the wildflowers growing on the roof garden.
Above: In lieu of upper cabinets, a single wall-mounted shelf holding cooking tools and decorative touches extends across the length of one wall.
Above: A stainless steel sink with an integrated draining board. (See The New Art Gallery: 12 Favorite Kitchens with Paintings on Display.)
Above: Steel and glass doors by Crittal usher in even more natural light from the patio.
Above: Limestone tiles extend from the entrance, down the hallway, and into the kitchen. The rest of the house enjoys oiled-oak floorboards.
Above: The patio just beyond the kitchen has a surprisingly tropical feel thanks to a palm tree and bamboo. (See 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Bamboo.)

For more plywood kitchens, see:

• Steal This Look: A Stylish Camp Kitchen in a Plywood Summer Cabin
• Plykea in London: Stylish Plywood Cabinet Fronts and Worktops for Ikea Kitchens
• Kitchen of the Week: A Cost-Conscious Kitchen in Sweden

N.B.: This story originally appeared on July 16, 2020 and has been updated.

In all the years since, enthusiasm for the simple, utilitarian design has barely dipped. If anything, it’s grown. But recently a new slew of Shaker-adjacent news leads us to believe the Shaker fervor is reaching a fever pitch.

First, Fan alerted us to this exhibit, at the American Folk Art Museum, on Shaker art (utterly “exuberant” compared to their pared-back furnishings). Then this pop-up, co-curated by the actress Frances McDormand, caught our eye; featuring Shaker cradles, it invited visitors to “take your time. Rock yourself. Mend if you’d like.” Now an exhibit called  “The Shakers: A World in the Making”, backed by the Vitra Design Museum in Germany and previously at the ICA in Philadelphia (where it was covered by the New York Times), is on view at the Milwaukee Art Museum through the end of January.

If you’ve ever wanted to adorn your envelopes with Shaker designs in miniature, now you can, thanks to a collection of Shaker Forever stamps. And with the debut of the Amanda Seyfried film The Testament of Ann Lee last year, filmed in part at Hancock Shaker Village in Massachusetts, it’s safe to say that Shaker design has officially entered the mainstream.

The 250th anniversary, in 2024, of the first Shakers’ arrival in America is perhaps a reason for this latest resurgence—though we can’t help but wonder whether Shaker cradles and handmade wares answer a yearning, now, for simpler times.

Here are 10 Shaker-inspired offerings we’ve bookmarked lately.

Above: California-based Block Shop partnered with the Hancock Shaker Village in Massachusetts to update traditional Shaker designs into bold textiles, like this Tree of Life tablecloth, $190. See more in Inspired Tablecloths by Block Shop x Hancock Shaker Village.
Above: Another from the Block Shop x Hancock Shaker Village collaboration: a Tree of Life Print, $220.
Above: The forthcoming Shaker Museum’s pop-up exhibits, called Shaker Outpost, have made Chatham, New York a pilgrimage site for design aficionados all summer. Curated first by Maira Kalman, then Paula Grief, both longtime Remodelista favorites, the exhibit is now helmed by multidisciplinary artist Kiki Smith, with a General Store stocked with Shaker-inspired wares to take home. Image courtesy of Maira Kalman and Mary Ryan Gallery New York via Shaker Museum.

Above From Assembly Line, the Sister Stool is “a modern take on a classic Shaker design,” designed for “reaching tall cupboards” and to hang from a peg rail when not in use; $750.
Above: The humble, ubiquitous Shaker peg gets (admittedly) a very elevated twist by Belgian maker Van Cronenburg: Hand-cast in bronze in one of Europe’s oldest foundries, the Van Cronenburg Bronze Shaker Peg is “developed using historical sketches from the Shakers.”
Above: “We’ve been obsessing over Shaker design for 10-plus years now, and we thought we had seen it all,” writes Margot. “We stand corrected.” At Orné de Feuilles of Tokyo, hallmarks of Shaker design—swallow tail joints and copper rivets included—are given practical new use, as in the Shaker Dust Box, a Shaker-box-turned-wastebasket. See more in Found in Translation: 5 New Uses for the Shaker Box from Japan.
Above: From Maine-based furniture maker Heide Martin, the Shaker Side Table is “a nod to Shaker meetinghouse benches with a touch of whimsy.” Each is made to order.
Above: Ikea, which usually takes its cues from Scandinavian design, turns instead to the Shakers: The Nakanäs Table ($399.99) takes its cues from Shaker design. (Sadly the great Nakanäs Chair, with woven seat and curved backrest “for comfort and unadorned beauty,” is no longer available.)
Above: “The Shakers believed that furniture should be honest and not deceitful—no veneers or unnecessary ornamentation.” This Nightstand ($480), the latest release from chef and writer Clare de Boer’s furniture company, Roseland, follows suit: “It’s hand-rubbed with the same raw linseed oil we use on our bed, resulting in zero VOCs and a finish that becomes richer and darker over time.” (Read more about Roseland in A New Furniture Co. from Clare de Boer.)

For more timeless Shaker design, see:

• Found in Translation: 5 New Uses for the Shaker Box from Japan
• Remodelista Reconnaissance: Shaker (Ish) Peg Rails in an Upstate Kitchen
• In the Dwelling House: 16 Design Ideas to Steal from the Shakers
• Instant Order: 16 Simple, Smart Uses of Shaker Peg Rails from the Remodelista Archives

N.B.: This story originally appeared on October 18, 2024 as “Shaker, Continued: 7 New Favorites for a Trend Resurgence” and has been updated with new images, products, and information.

Above: The deVOL Clothes Horse is £340 at deVOL.
Above: From Remodelista favorite Steele Canvas, the Large Drying Rack is $126.95.
Above: The Ferm Living Dora Clothes Stand is available in Cashmere (shown) and Black; $329.
Above: The Skagerak Clothes Drying Rack is $455 from Nordic Nest.
Above: The Pennsylvania Woodworks Medium Wooden Clothes Drying Rack is $114.99.
Above: The Ifuji Towel Rack is made of white oak using the original Shaker templates and traditional techniques and can be made to order; contact Ifuji for more info.
Above: The Folding Clothes Horse is made of beech wood; £70 at Garden Trading.
Above: The Large Maple Drying Rack from June Supply Home is $212.
Above: From Swedish co. Iris Hantverk, the compact Wash Drier in Birch is currently on sale for $155 from Finnish Design Shop.
Above: And a budget option: The 15-Dowel Wooden Clothes Drying Rack has a lay-flat section on top; currently on sale for $34.99 from The Container Store.

For more utilitarian favorites, see our posts:

• 10 Easy Pieces: Wooden Laundry Racks
• 10 Easy Pieces: Laundry Hampers
• 10 Easy Pieces: Utility Sinks
• 13 Favorite All-Purpose Cleaners, Eco Edition
• 12 Natural Garment Washes and Detergents

N.B.: This story originally ran on April 16, 2023 and has been updated with new images, products, and pricing.

Today we highlight this always fresh, always timeless light—and where to find it.

The Sighting(s)

Above: Two favorite sightings? In a high-style, off-grid house in Sonoma, CA… (Photography by Eric Petschek from Off the Grid: A Stylish, Low-Impact Retreat in Sonoma by Charles de Lisle.)
Above: …and in a quiet Maine bedroom by Hanna Wiegers Design. Photograph by Greta Rybus from Designer Visit: A Style Obsessive’s Own Saltwater Farmhouse, Restored.
Above: And last but not least, in jewelry designer Kathleen Whitaker’s place: see Next Stop, Montecito: Once a Train Depot, Now a Minimalist Sanctuary. Photograph by Ye Rin Mok.

The Source

Above: Among our favorite of Noguchi’s designs, the Akari UF3-Q Floor Lamp is available from Vin Lighting—and bonus, it’s currently half off.

P.S. For more Noguchi, see 14 Times Noguchi Lamps Stole the Spotlight, Plus 5 to Buy.

And for more sources, uncovered, might we suggest:

• Remodelista Reconnaissance: A Funky Dutch Light in a Designer’s Apartment
• Remodelista Reconnaissance: An Iron Candleholder in an Italian Interior
• Remodelista Reconnaissance: A Self-Referential Bath Mat for Kids and Non-Kids

The duo, also known as Harford-Cross Architects, were careful to preserve the existing windows and pitched roof that Peter’s uncle installed in the 1980s—then infused the interior with modest contemporary comforts. “Our approach was fairly minimal,” says Rachel. “We needed surfaces that were hard-wearing and robust because of the location. There’s an element of the stone that we’ve kept and painted, but we’ve lined out the walls in durable plywood where it was necessary to provide improved thermal quality. Hopefully it has longevity and visual warmth, too.”

When it came to furniture and fittings, the couple reused and recycled as much as possible, reflecting the make-do-and-mend spirit of the island and of Peter’s grandmother, who once lived there. Nearly everything was bought on eBay or from local vintage shops. “Even though it was all secondhand and relatively inexpensive, we sourced the pieces quite carefully,” Rachel says. “It was about having a little bit of respect for the property. We chose fine pieces with their own inherent character.”

Let’s take a tour.

Photography by Alexander Baxter, courtesy of Harford-Cross Architects.

Above: Made of basalt stone found on the surrounding landscape, the cottage was just a shell when Peter and Rachel began their renovation. They kept its open layout to maximize the stunning natural views.
Above: Into the stone cottage.
Above: The architects added engineered timber floors and painted the ceiling sage green as nods to traditional Irish and Scottish blackhouses, which had earthen floors and dark heather roofs. “The people who lived in them were quite poor, but they would have been very house proud,” says Peter. “They’d have kept their places spick and span. They would’ve treasured nice furniture in a humble, simple building. That drove our aesthetic.”
Above: A wood-burning stove—the sole source of heat and cooking—anchors the living area, while the petite kitchen is concealed behind the folding doors at left.
Above: “On an evening, it’s quite nice not to have to sit within your kitchen,” says Peter. “We’re able to shut the doors and just be sitting around the fire. It is a comfortable, calm place to be.”
Above: The doors open to reveal an efficient kitchenette–and tuck compactly against the wall, out of the way.
Above: The plywood kitchen has a sink skirt and wall-mounted taps.

Above: The duo refurbished an old ladder to reach their tiny loft. “It was covered in paint and years of dirt because it’d been used for general work, but it was rather well made,” Peter explains. “When we sanded it down, the quality of the wood really came through. We waxed it for a lovely, rich, polished feel. You get that sense of age and time as well.”
Above: Inset peg rails help keep the entryway neat and tidy.
Above: For the adults, there’s a bright bedroom, which can be closed off with two ticking stripe curtains. The rail is cleverly inset into the plasterboard ceiling.
Above: Peter’s mother requested as much built-in storage as possible. “She wanted it to be like a boat, that everything could be fitted away and put in its place,” he says.
Above: A skylight illuminates the bathroom, making it a luxurious spot for a soak. “It was one of the more major interventions we did to the outside of the building, putting that in, but it makes a huge difference,” says Peter. “Even though it’s a very small bathroom, it feels much more spacious because of the amount of light that bounces around.”

Above: The architects created a sweet loft above the roof ties, up the ladder. “There was just enough space to make a cozy nook that can fit two small people comfortably,” Peter says. “It’s just like being in a tent when you’re up there. You can crawl in and you’ve got two little mattresses and bedside lights. For children, it’s a very exciting place to be.”

For more on the project, head to The Modern House.

And for a look inside similar efficient, rugged cottages, see:

• A Scottish Stone House with a Minimalist Soul (Available for Let)
• House Call: At Home in an Irish Stone Cottage with Superfolk
• Ca’Giovanni: An Architect’s (Gentle) Renovation of His Great-Grandfather’s Work

N.B.: This story originally appeared on April 29, 2024 and has been updated.

Above: Dreaming of an autumn weekend spent here. Photograph from The DIY Tiny House Made from Hemp: A Community-Built Mobile Home from Common Knowledge in Ireland. Photograph by Shantanu Starick, courtesy of Common Knowledge.

• We love everything about longtime Remodelista friend Julianne Moore’s NYC place—but especially this trusty Ikea find in her kitchen.
• Julie’s taking note of “What Endures”, an exhibit at Michaela Scherrer Atelier on “what we keep, what we nurture, and what we carry forward”, October 24 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Also currently on view: our friend Jessica Fish’s groovy, quilt-like drawings at Erica Tanov’s Berkeley atelier. (Hat tip: Fan.)
• Mark your calendars for a first-ever holiday market at the great Bovina Farm & Fermentory, coming up in November.
• And ooh, intrigued by this textile show in Petaluma, CA, going on October 17.
• Farrow & Ball is turning 80—and releasing some lovely wallpapers to celebrate.
• At the same time, we’re in the midst of a “color recession”. Thoughts?
• New Yorkers, you’re invited to “Daydream”, Sixpenny’s one-day installation in Elizabeth Street Garden, Saturday, October 17, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (open to the public).
• Quartz countertops are on the way out, at least in California.
• Annie’s eyeing The Weathered Bird, a new shop starring longtime favorite jewelry maker Ursa Major. (P.S. Look at these candles!)
• Mending goals.
• Immense curb appeal for a home that’s on the shadier side.
• Must-read: “In Praise of a Rough Lawn,” by Stephen Orr.
• This weekend, in Cairo, NY, our Hort & Pott friends are opening Night on the Sun, their latest “experiential retail destination for gardens, interiors and the in-between.”
• Weekend to-do: the prettiest fall front-door decor.
• Kendra’s signed up to attend the Fermentation Celebration at OmVed Gardens Oct. 17. Ticket info here.
• And ICYMI, the granny-chic design trend—but outdoors.

We didn’t get much work done the days we were both in the office, but we did exchange sources: for weddings and for interiors, too.

So when Hanna and her husband, Fred, bought a tumbledown saltwater farmhouse in Maine’s midcoast, I was eager for all the details. Hanna is a designer by trade (she recently launched her own outfit, Hanna Wiegers Design), but tackling your own place—particularly one that’s a “funny mix of periods,” Hanna says—is another thing entirely. And all while pregnant to boot. I wanted to know: What was surprisingly worth it? What would she happily never do again? And, importantly, where did she source everything?

I put all these questions to Hanna, who helpfully revealed the behind-the-scenes of the project, where she now lives with Fred; their baby boy, Bert; and Huey and Ozzie, their two cats. Read on.

Photography by Greta Rybus.

Above: “The house is on a peninsula with a vast network of walking trails and abundant conserved land,” writes Hanna. “Our view is of an island, so we’re largely protected from open ocean and its hazards and storm damage.”

AQ: I know a bit of the story, but tell me how you found this farmhouse.

HW: We were hunting and hunting and knew we loved the Pemaquid peninsula because we met at Camp Kieve about 30 minutes away when we were in college. It felt like we manifested it: We wanted a place with a giant old tree, a long gravel driveway, an old barn, and a big project. This ticked every box, plus it had the most incredible mix of pristine meadow and dense forest.

The property is what made us love the house, which is ironic because we first saw it on the most disgusting, sleeting day in early April; the power was out across the southern half of the entire state. But they had the generator cranking, so it was warm and cozy inside, and it felt like a little retreat from the world. Even in the sleet and slush, you could tell the property was magical, with heron roosts and osprey nests. A bluebird was building a nest in the giant maple tree in the driveway.

Above: Hanna also has a knack for native gardening.

AQ: What was the house like when you found it? What made you love it—and what stood out as oof, I can’t wait to change this?

HW: The house itself was a funny mix of periods. The entire first floor had been renovated with multiple additions in about 2001. The owners definitely had vast plans and ran out of money, so things felt unfinished or poorly done.

The second floor can’t have been touched since World War II. The bathrooms had peeling linoleum tile, sagging plaster walls, and a very scratched and tired cast-iron sink and tub (which we ended up giving to our painters!). There were wide pine floors that we wanted to keep, but in every crack between the boards there was so much lead paint that we couldn’t safely keep them. The upstairs felt like a perfect historic renovation project that needed help but not a full structural overhaul—the dream project for an interior designer.

Above: Hanna and Fred enlisted Michael Alderson Restorations as their contractor. In the entry is a vintage Henning Kjaernulf credenza that Hanna found at Nickey Kehoe, plus a Flos Gatto lamp.

AQ: What were your three main goals for this project?

HW: 1. Undo all of the weird things that the previous owners did. We’ve begun to do this but haven’t fixed everything!

2. Incorporate all locally made or vintage furniture and materials. When local wasn’t available, the goal was handmade or made using artisanal methods. We largely achieved this, with the exception of our upholstery, which was made in California and North Carolina. The plaster came from Montana, but there aren’t any New England plaster companies to choose from. The antiques and vintage furniture were all sourced in New England (shoutout to Brimfield) or NYC, with the exception of the dining chairs which I imported from someone in Denmark. There’s no such thing as perfection, but I think this project is a good example of my ethos of trying to avoid major big box stores and work with those I can develop a relationship with.

3. Update the bathrooms and tired second floor without compromising the historic beauty of a coastal saltwater farmhouse.

Above: The sitting area, Hanna tells me over text, is her favorite room in the house. Beneath a Melanie Parke painting is a sofa by Maine-based Bicyclette with Sister Parish upholstery. The recycled-fiber rug is from Rug & Kilim, the wall light is by Valerie Objects, and the candle sconce is from Noah Ancienne on Etsy. The vintage chair at right was Hanna’s grandmother’s.

AQ: What references/inspiration did you have in mind for the interiors?

HW: So many! I am a Remodelista/Pinterest/magazine/vintage book addict, so images abound in my brain. Rose Uniacke’s plaster and warm wood kitchen with the Axel Einer Hjorth Uno chairs was a touchpoint for the finishes of the upstairs. Ulla Johnson’s Brooklyn brownstone by Elizabeth Roberts. Every project that Reath Design and Nickey Kehoe touch felt important for textures and fabrics downstairs. And my grandma’s uncanny ability to create a home by mixing antiques and incredible art and new furniture.

Above: In the bright dining room, a table by Bicyclette in Maine is surrounded by vintage Danish dining chairs. Overhead: a light by Pinch. The walls throughout most of the downstairs are done in Seapearl by Benjamin Moore.

AQ: Give us an overview of the major changes you made.

HW: Downstairs, we painted throughout, refinished the maple floors, re-did the laundry room (with Tess Tile checkered yellow and white floors, Bench Dogs blue millwork with walnut countertops, Boråstapeter wallpaper, and Urban Electric Co lighting), and swapped out a bunch of light fixtures.

Upstairs was the bigger chunk of the project. We removed all of the lead paint-laden pine floors (which we saved to potentially strip and use in another project) and restored the plaster walls and ceilings, which were sagging and not doing great. We created a new massive wall of millwork in our bedroom where there was a tiny nonfunctional closet. We redid both upstairs bathrooms. There also were only pull-chain lights in the entire upstairs, and not a single plug. So the electrical work was a HUGE part of the renovation to get everything operational for a more modern life. Ditto the radiators: The heat was via very unsightly radiators from the 1980s ,and we replaced them with Runtal units, which I love.

Above: A stone fireplace anchors the living room. The Cisco sofas are done in George Spencer steel blue velvet; the coffee table (partly visible here) is the cone leg coffee table by Bicyclette; and a vintage Guillerme et Chambron sideboard is topped with a Rebekah Miles for Nickey Kehoe lamp. And in the corner, another heirloom: a vintage chair with yellow upholstery that belonged to Hanna’s grandmother.

AQ: How did you decide on the blue painted floors in the dining room? Is it boat paint, or something else?

HW: I wish I could take credit for the blue floors but they’re original! It’s actually linoleum.

Above: In the upstairs hall, a vintage Swedish runner from Sharktooth and pendant light from Lostine. Further down, the flush-mount lights are from Allied Maker.

AQ: Tell us about the plaster walls. What’s it like to live with them?

HW: Living with plaster walls is the greatest gift one can give themselves! We only did plaster upstairs because downstairs was a mix of drywall and original plaster walls, but everything had been painted, so plastering on top of that would have largely defeated the purpose of using plaster (avoiding paint fumes, allowing the wall to remain breathable, controlling moisture in the air—none of that can happen if there’s a layer of paint behind it).

But happily, upstairs was the original plaster and lath, so we could use it and get to experience how lovely it is to have a space with no drywall. It smells like warm wood and minerals upstairs, which is the most delightful smell. We had a lovely friend of Michael’s named Errol Towers apply the plaster, and it was amazing to watch him work. He was able to completely restore the original sagging laths and problem cracking areas in the ceiling, and he did it perfectly. I did take a virtual plaster application class with Jersey Ice Cream Co. to see if I might be able to give it a shot but I was too afraid in the end. We used untinted plaster from New Age Artisans and painted the trim and doors in Sherwin Williams’ Snowbound.

Above: A Noguchi floor lamp adds a playful element to the primary bedroom, with a Coral + Hive rug and a chest Hanna scored at Brimfield. The built-in wardrobes were designed by Hanna, built by Bench Dogs, and painted in Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon with birch trim to match the floors.”This is my favorite thing in the house,” Hanna writes.

AQ: We love a pale Scandi floor, and since there are many ways to get the look, would love to know your process.

HW: Yes! I did so much research on this. I wanted them to be completely matte but have a super soft feel underfoot. We went to a bunch of different mills in the midcoast to look at samples of local wood floorboard and settled on red birch from AE Sampson. We then had our flooring installer test a ton of different stains and finishes on top and landed on Bona Traffic HD Raw. The installer, who is definitely accustomed to shinier and waxier finishes, was like “this is wrong,” but it was EXACTLY what we wanted. It has the same color as the unfinished wood, which was what I wanted because it has a pink tone that reflects onto the plaster and makes everything feel warm and cozy.

Above: A peek into the guest room, with Tensira curtains, Rejuvenation hardware, and “a basket sourced at Trillium in Rockland,” Hanna writes.

AQ: Did you design anything specifically for living with a baby?

HW: I was pregnant during the renovation, which was insane—we moved in the week after he was born (would not recommend!). Bert’s bathroom was definitely designed to be playful for a kid, but I have things I’d do again to protect the house and the kid from each other. Some of the fabrics aren’t performance, and I’d also have designed the stair railing to be more kid-safe. It’s not to code at all, but it was historic and so beautiful that we couldn’t bring ourselves to remove it. It gives us a heart attack every time he walks down the hallway, though.

Above: The primary bath, with vanity by Bench Dogs. The blue wall tiles are from Fireclay and the plumbing fixtures are Kallista.

AQ: What’s the tweak that made a huge difference?

HW: Biggest difference is probably the Runtal radiators. I love the quality of heat that radiators give off. It’s just so pleasing and cozy, and the faint radiator sound feels nostalgic but these are very efficient and also made in the US.

AQ: On the flip side, is there anything you wouldn’t do again?

HW: To be honest now that I’ve lived with plaster, I don’t think I’ll ever paint anything ever again. Paint peels over time and smells bad after you do it (even when you use nontoxic paint), and repainting is such a slog with all of the sanding that’s required. Plaster requires almost no prep and it has zero smell. The texture on the walls makes everything glow. It feels simultaneously grounded yet ethereal. It’s a perfect material. Also, surprisingly, plastering was less expensive than painting!

Above: Porch and breakfast table, with a Tree of Life tablecloth from Block Shop’s new Shaker-inspired collection.

AQ: What’s next on the project list?

HW: The kitchen! It’s from the people who did the 2001 renovation and they really botched it, which is why it’s not pictured. The floors are blue linoleum, which we’ve actually become fond of and are quite functional, but the cabinets have a peeling plywood veneer on them, the organizational layout is terrible, the sink is tiny, and the oven barely works (to cook at 350 we have to heat it to 450)! So that, plus a major overhaul of the lighting in there, is the game plan.

Above: Hanna and Bert.
Above: Hanna and Bert by the sea.

For more of Hanna’s work, head to Hanna Wiegers Design.

And for more farmhouses the world over, might we suggest:

• The New Old House: A 1,300-Square-Foot French Farmhouse Rehab in Tellières-le-Plessis
• Upstate Update: A Writer’s Warm, Lived-In Catskills Farmhouse
• A Centuries-Old Farmhouse for All Seasons by Jonathan Tuckey Design

A few days later, we were delighted to see a full tour of Julianne’s place, and like all of the Internet, we’ve been poring over the details—and stopped short when we saw Julianne’s confirmation: Ikea indeed!

Have a look at the shelf we’ve been admiring all week—and maybe snag one for yourself. It’s hard-working yet considered and sure to come in handy anywhere that could use a little extra storage.

Above: Aha! Ikea’s Kolbjörn Shelf Unit is made from powder-coated steel; Fan notes that the soft, warm colorway is what makes it so appealing. It’s adaptable to any room in the house—bathroom, kitchen, entry—and rings in at $130.

N.B:  There are other storage styles and sizes available in the Kolbjörn collection, too, like this taller version; the featured image at the top of this story shows the shorter version.

For more go-to Ikea finds, see:

• Smooth Moves: Kompishäng, a Portable New Collection from Ikea
• The Editors’ Cut: Our Tried and True Ikea Finds, Budget Edition
• Future Collectibles: Favorites from Ikea’s Stockholm 2025 Collection

That was back in 2011—the sisters were 25 and 27—and the brand started as a collection of five geometric handbags that attracted a cult following. It led to a successful shop and workshop in LA’s Chinatown, where the line expanded to include housewares. In 2023, Kimberly and Nancy transitioned their business into a creative consultancy, Studio Building Block, offering industrial design solutions. And more recently, they opened Building Block Etc., a shop showcasing a tightly edited array of their own designs and work by fellow maker friends. Explains Nancy, “we’re drawn to pieces that have clarity in material and form, a sense of utility, and the ability to reveal more over time.”

Photography courtesy of Building Block Etc. (@buildingblock).

Above: The store is part of a former auto body shop enclave with a shared courtyard shaded by sycamore trees. The custom doorknob is shaped like a hole punch, a reference to the Building Block Etc. business card that the sisters hand punch themselves (see below).
Above: Nancy hammered the sign that signifies Building Block’s new incarnation. “We’re all about the human touch, an appreciation for process, and honest materials, so it all connects,” she says. “Plus the nails cast a cool shadow in the sun.”
Above: The shop is furnished with Enzo Mari’s designs—from his 1974 DIY design manual, Autoprogettazione. The pieces are typically made using scrap pine, but to give them an elevated look, Nancy and Kim had LA furniture maker Mark Morones build them out of vertical-grained Douglas fir. The hanging light is a fiberglas design available to order by Minjae Kim, an artist who shows at Marta, the gallery next door—they’re the ones who invited Kim and Nancy to be their neighbors.
Above: The space was originally a welding station and wood shop—”it was essentially a shed,” says Nancy. The sisters pulled up the vinyl floor and polished the existing concrete. The walls are painted Camouflage, a beguiling pale sage from Benjamin Moore that everyone asks about. The leather bags hanging on the peg rail are Building Block designs. Upstairs is a storage mezzanine.
Above: The shop’s hand-punched business cards sit on an Enzo Mari DIY table of Douglas Fir. The vintage Japanese glass vase holds buckwheat flowers from the courtyard displayed on antique Japanese fabric.
Above: Artist Kazumi Takigawa hand sews her paper bag-inspired waxed canvas totes in her Kyoto home studio. The cotton canvas is colored using organic, plant-based dyes, such as coffee, tea, and traditional mordants like aluminum and iron. Styles include Mini Funagata Bags,$75, Short Super Market Bags, $175, and XL Funagata Bags, $275. Mini Square Canvas Pillows are $115. For more, go to Object of Desire. Above: You won’t find the Wu sisters’ selections everywhere. Shelves display the locally made Iko Iko Tissue Box Dress of black silk taffeta, $80; Building Block’s own vegetable-tanned Leather Canisters, $110 and $125; and the Japanese Cube Kettle designed by Masataka Sugiyama; $80—it’s shaped to boil fast and has a built-in strainer for making coffee and tea in the pot.

A Few More Things We’re Eyeing

Above: The stainless steel Crescent Soap Dish, $105.00, is another in-house design with a thoughtfully detailed base: it can be positioned to collect excess water for countertop use and to drain water on a shower shelf. “We make cylindrical soaps with Life Research Lab, who are my neighbors,” says Nancy. Made from LA plant materials, they come in three scents, such as Makrut Lime and Clary Sage; $18.
Above: Building Block’s signature Biscuit Coasters, $18-$35, are vegetable-tanned leather fabricated in the sisters’ Taipei workshop by the same craftsman who makes their handbags. The leather, they note, “patinas in a lovely way” with age and use.
Above: For hanging “keys, a necklace, hand towel, or good luck charm,” Building Block Etc.’s Clover Hooks, $150, are hand sculpted and cast in aluminum by Antonia Pinter, a local artist who goes by A History of Frogs.
Above: Japanese potter Takeshi Omura’s small Scalloped Plates, $48, have hand-cut edges and are finished with a food safe iron oxide glaze. “They’re thin and lightweight and almost feel like metal,” notes Nancy.
Above: Nancy and Kim are proud to offer English artist Dean Edmunds’s one-of-a-kind welded metal pitchers, such as this Jug, $450. Made of stainless steel tubing that’s “manipulated through cutting and pressing, the forms are guided by the parts themselves,” they write. This one is show with Building Block Etc.’s own BB Short Tumbler, $48, part of a small collection hand-blown for them in North Carolina.
Above: A collaboration between Kazumi Takigawa and Building Block, the Woven Canvas and Leather Basket, $495, works as a catchall at home or a large handbag.

Building Block Etc. is at 3021 Rowena Ave. in Silver Lake; it’s open Wed.–Sun., 11-5.

For amazing browsing around the world, go to our Design Travel and Shopper’s Diary archives , including:

•  Œuvres Sensibles Shop and Atelier in Marseille
• Easing Back to Work: 12 Standout Desk Accessories from Wms & Co.
• Posters, Patterned Fabric, and More at Fine Little Day

“We opened up the bottom floor to what would’ve been the original layout when it was built, which actually fits perfectly with modern living,” says Isobel. “Since it’s Grade II* listed, we couldn’t move anything else. There are two walls of windows and one with a huge fireplace, so that only left one wall for cabinets.”

With the floor plan set, Isobel and Dominick considered the aesthetic direction for their old/new cookspace. Thinking that ornate, Victorian-style cupboards would clash with the medieval wood beams and stonework, the duo opted for minimalist custom cabinetry by Husk, with clean-lined flat Fenix fronts that highlight the rustic original features. As for the palette? The couple chose muted hues of rusty red, dusty blue, and gray-green because they would’ve existed in the 15th century, when this section of the house was constructed.

Let’s take a tour:

Photography by Pete Helme.

Above: Isobel and Dominick prioritized local materials and vendors for their kitchen overhaul. The floors are made of a Jurassic limestone called Blue Lias, which they sourced from a nearby quarry, and the Austin Lewis Stonemason building team all grew up in the area.
Above: Husk, the cabinetmaker, is headquartered around the corner from the couple’s former home in Bristol. The city’s iconic colorful houses inspired the color-blocked cupboard look. “These rows of terrace houses were painted with whatever paint they had left over from making ships and stuff, so it’s this idea that it’s cobbled together, brought from different places,” says Isobel. (See more on Husk in a recent story: Kitchen of the Week: Another Country + Husk in England.)
Above: The medieval era informed the specific hues Isobel and Dominick chose, like a rusty red that resembles the dye of madder root, a common pigment at the time. The walls were kept neutral in textured lime plaster.
Above: The large center island is equipped with oak veneer cubbies for displaying beloved objects and books.
Above: The pale beige Neolith sintered stone counter features an integrated Fisher & Paykel induction stovetop with an extractor fan that pulls air down and eliminates the need for a hood—Isobel’s “greatest excitement.” Conical, matte black sconces from House Doctor hang above.
Above: On the opposite wall, a deep custom larder provides much-needed storage for dry goods and preserves. “It’s a very practical kitchen,” Isobel says. “It’s a kitchen to have people in and to cook in. It’s a kitchen where you can just walk in in your wellingtons and dump some pheasant and a basket of apples and half a dead sheep, which is quite often what happens in that room.”
Above: The family pup, Kit, lounges in front of the 1400s fireplace, which once contained big, open flames. It’s been updated with an oval Dik Geurts wood-burning stove that’s suspended in the air. “I wanted to try and retain the image of a free fire,” says Isobel.
Above: Extra storage is tucked into a nook.
Above: Medieval stonework charms on the exterior, too.

For more rustic kitchens, see:

• Kitchen(s) of the Week: 6 Low-Impact Deconstructed Kitchens
• Kitchen of the Week: Earth Tones and Natural Materials in Pittsburgh
• Steal This Look: A Rustic Modern Kitchen in the Netherlands

N.B.: This story originally ran on November 28, 2024 and has been updated.

Above: Ferm Living’s Desert Lounge Chair, shown in Cashmere Cloud, is $515.
Above: Kaare Klint was inspired by British campaign furniture when he designed the Safari Chair in 1933. It’s now produced through Carl Hansen & Son and available starting at $2,090 in natural canvas through Hive Modern.
Above: The HAY Bernard Lounge Chair in natural canvas and oak was designed in 2019 by Sane Schneck; $1,995 at Design Within Reach.
Above: From Japanese designer Takeshi Nii, the Nychair X 80 was first introduced in 1970. Today is manufactured in beech, white canvas, and stainless steel for $595 at Jinen Store.
Above: The Nomad Chair in oak and canvas is €1,290 from We Do Wood.
Above: The OGK Safari Chair in beech and linen is $594 at Finnish Design Shop.
Above: Julie likes the Paulistano Canvas Chair, which she sourced from the Design Within Reach outlet in Brooklyn (see the chair in the bedroom of her Brooklyn flat in the featured image at the top of this post). Designed by Paulo Mendes da Rocha in 1957, the Paulistano is featured in the MoMA design collection. The chair is £1,127.50 at TwentyTwentyOne.
Above: The Børge Mogensen Canvas Chair in soaped oak and natural canvas; it’s currently on sale for $2,353 at Finnish Design Shop.
Above: Designed by Verner Panton and produced by Montana Møbler, the Panton Bachelor Chair, shown in natural canvas, can be found on various secondhand and auction sites. One we spotted recently: a Bachelor Chair with Ottoman from 1stdibs, $2,493.35.
Above: The Nikari December Lounge Chair is made with an oak frame and linen canvas upholstery; $2,536 at Finnish Design Shop.

For more lounge chairs, see our posts:

• 10 Easy Pieces: Leather Sling Lounge Chairs
• 10 Easy Pieces: Sheepskin Lounge Chairs
• 10 Easy Pieces: Classic Upholstered Arm Chairs
• 10 Easy Pieces: Leather Club Armchairs
• 10 Easy Pieces: Wingback Chairs

N.B.: This story originally ran on April 10, 2024 and has been updated with new links, retailers, and pricing.

Above: A modern root cellar, courtesy of Landscape Designer Visit: At Home with Emily Erlam in Norfolk. Photograph courtesy of The Modern House.
Above: A new take on raised beds: circular rings, as seen in OmVed in North London: A Community-Focused Garden, But Make It Chic. Photograph by Will Hearle.
Above: Think the time for planting is past? The Fall Garden: 7 Vegetables to Start Growing Now will convince you otherwise. Photo by Marie Viljoen.

Above: And autumnal gathering at Emily Erlam’s, too. Photograph courtesy of The Modern House from Landscape Designer Visit: At Home with Emily Erlam in Norfolk.

For more garden know-how and fall tips, head to Gardenista.

Read on.

The Sighting

Above: “Nothing gives me quite the same sense of peace and fulfillment as the sight of a well-stocked pantry,” says Martina, who prioritized the pantry above all else in the remodel of her London townhouse. “It is truly my pride and joy and my happy place.” Behind fluted glass doors, the shelves are stocked with uniform and good-looking glass storage jars—no disposables in sight.

The Source

Above: “I actually use a mishmash of different containers,” Martina emailed us when we asked about her storage jar sources. “Most of them are from good old Ikea or from Tala. But I also love to recycle supermarket jars or my mum’s jam jars! It all contributes to creating that not-too-precious aesthetic that I love.” Martina uses the Ikea 365+ Dry food Jars on her top two shelves, but for a glass alternative, try the Round Glass Storage Containers with Bamboo Lids from Crate and Barrel, from $9.95 for the small size. (The complete set is also available for $54.80.)
Above: We like Martina’s wide-mouthed glass vessels with wooden lids (good-looking; easy to scoop from). An Ikea version: The Etklatant Jar with Lid is glass and bamboo;, from $12.99. Also available? Rectangular versions in a slew of sizes and shapes.

Have a dependable source for good-looking glass storage jars? Let us know in the comments.

And for more design details, see:

• Remodelista Reconnaissance: The Ideal Ceramic Coffee Cups, Sans Handle
• Remodelista Reconnaissance: The Endless Appeal of Silver-Tipped Lightbulbs
• Remodelista Reconnaissance: A Bright Brazilian Chair in a Minimal Escape

N.B.: This story originally ran on November 4, 2022 and has been updated with new links and pricing.

Kai’s roots in Bed-Stuy run deep (she was born there and both her grandmother and mother live in the neighborhood), but she longed for land to call her own and more space—both literal and metaphorical—for her and her now four-year-old son to roam freely. She found it upstate when she stumbled upon a property (3 acres of mostly woods) on which stood a run-down 1960s mobile home. It was perfect.

Kai quickly drew up a plan—double the size of the original 700-foot structure; concrete floors; a simple, basic kitchen made up of workbench-style pieces; lots of pottery and baskets; a smattering of antiques; impactful furniture; and quiet moments of beauty everywhere—and hired a contractor to exact her vision. Soon enough, she was making weekend trips to the bucolic property, feeling the tension of city living ease with every mile. “When I’m here, I’m at peace,” she says. “My daily routine is much more structured, but not in the way you think. I can wake up and meditate and work out. And I do stuff around the house. I feel way more relaxed here versus in the city, where I’m trying to get those things in but am in more response mode.”

She’s grateful for the open space and what that can do for one’s sense of wellbeing—so much so that she wants to share it with others. “This property feels intended to be more than just a weekend home. I have all these friends who work in different practices that connect to wellness. We just came together and start doing these retreats—three last summer, each with a theme,” explains Kai (like “Sensuality and Sensitivity: Connecting to Your Senses Through the Four Elements”).

“It started last year when I was going through some personal transitions. I find that part of my healing comes from [being] surrounded by women going through similar transitions.” Today, as we speak by phone, she’s preparing for another retreat here, this time for a group of 9-year-old girls from her son’s school in Brooklyn. The theme: Rites of Passage, fitting for a property bought with the express purpose of personal growth and exploration.

Below, Kai walks us through her special place. (Follow her on Instagram @kaiaventdeleon for news of future retreats.)

Photography by Caroline Tompkins.

Above: The entire home is now just 1,400 square feet. Kai wanted to keep the scale small so as to not overwhelm the landscape.
Above: The dining area is in the original part of the home. To the left is the addition, which includes a new living room and two new bedrooms. An open shelf, holding a collection of wicker baskets and ceramic bowls, divides the old from the new. The handmade broom is from Shaker Village.
Above: Kai loves pottery. This vase is by a Mexican ceramicist. (See Trend Alert: Sculptural Visage Vessels, Eerie Edition .)
Above: In the new sunken living room, a quilt by Katrina Sanj and a sheepskin protect the Crate & Barrel sectional. (See Save the Sofa: 5 Easy, Good-Looking Ways to Protect the Favorite Seat in the House for more ideas.) You can tell the new part of the home from the old part by the type of flooring—the new part has concrete flooring; the old part, wood planks.
Above: Kai keeps a few throwbeds around for easy lounging. (See 10 Easy Pieces: Portable Mattresses for Indoors or Out.)
Above: Kai designed the stripped-down, artful kitchen. The crates from Ikea on the bottom shelf to the right hold utensils and cooking tools. Note the classic ceramic ceiling light sourced from Home Depot; it’s and inexpensive and elegant option and appears throughout the home.
Above: There’s nothing too precious in the home. Kai found this inexpensive sink on Amazon and the faucet, too.
Above: Kai’s collection of terra-cotta bowls from writer and curator Su Wu has pride of place.
Above: The guest room. “Each room had a mood board,” Kai wrote on Instagram of this space. “Everything was found through auctions, Etsy, and local furniture shops. It’s easy to play around with hints of color in a neutral colored space.”
Above: For the outdoor dining area, Kai commissioned a carpenter to make this set inspired by Donald Judd’s pieces.

See also:

• Unplugged: A Couple’s DIY, Totally Off-the-Grid Cabin in the New Hampshire Woods
• Steal This Look: A One-Room Cabin in the Catskills
• Kitchen of the Week: A Hip, Low-Key Kitchen in Topanga Canyon

N.B.: This story originally ran on May 26, 2023, and has been updated.

That festive dreamscape that birthed a whole new palette for the holidays (blue and red? yes!)  is featured in her newest book, Once Around the Sun (dropping Oct. 14), a visual diary of the 1893 farmhouse she shares with her husband, Jonathon, as it moves through the seasons. Inside its pages are beautiful images of the interiors as well as the land, water, and sky just outside its doors—all of it evolving as the months go by.

Of course, the garden is where the seasonal effects are felt most acutely. Today we share Lisa’s garden-centric quick takes, with thoughts on cultivating the land, “the sort of miracle that never ever gets old.” 

Photography by John  Hesselbarth + Kate Foster, unless otherwise noted.

Above: Among the vegetables grown in their vegetable garden are peas, kale, and cabbage. “Not only does cabbage add really great visual appeal to the corners of garden beds but it also makes a mean soup.”

Your first garden memory:

Less a garden memory and more a plant-related memory: pulling the stamen through the base of honeysuckle blooms to drop the nectar onto my tongue. I remember feeling like I had discovered the most incredible secret.

Garden-related book you return to time and again:

Orwell’s Roses by Rebecca Solnit (a very good reminder on so many levels, in so many ways). The Garden Against Time by Olivia Laing (I can’t technically say I return to this time and time again as I started reading it last year and have yet to finish it, but I can say that I’ve loved it so far and my inability to complete it has more to do with me than it has to do with the quality of writing or storytelling). And this wonderful essay, “Autumn, It’s No Garden Party,” by Michael Pollan.

Instagram account that inspires you:

@saipua: the OG, the G.O.A.T, all the superlatives. Her floral design is art of the highest order, her color palette game is next level.

Above: “The truth is that my husband Jonathon is almost entirely responsible for our gardens—from the building of raised beds and fences to  planting to caring for all the living things—he has the patience and attention span necessary to keep at it (two things I am woefully short on).”

Describe in three words your garden aesthetic.

Work in progress.

Plant that makes you swoon:

Oh, there are so many, for so many different reasons…. I’m obsessed with the size and grandeur of angelica and mullein, garden roses and gardenias for their heady scent, foxgloves and Turk’s-cap lilies because there’s just something about them isn’t there?

Plant that makes you want to run the other way:

Home Depot chrysanthemums.

Favorite go-to plant:

Honestly, I don’t think I have one! I really thought about this, I was sure that I did, but as it turns out, not so much. Maybe this is why I’m still trying to figure out the great puzzle of our flowerbeds…

Above: Harvesting chamomile with their dog, Gus. “After a whole summer we managed to clip enough chamomile to maybe make a cup or two of tea. The hilarity of gardening is not lost on me.”

Hardest gardening lesson you’ve learned:

Everything about gardening is the hardest lesson: the patience it asks for, the ability to keep trying despite failure year-over-year, the fact that the thing that does you in one year will be different from what does you in the next. Sometimes it’s too much rain, sometimes it’s too little, sometimes it’s the slugs, sometimes it’s the beetles, too much sun, too little—the list goes on and on.

Unpopular gardening opinion:

Sometimes it’s just not worth it.

Gardening or design trend that needs to go:

This is something I’ve only noticed in certain places, but there seems to be this strange trend of fake flowers in planters that I just cannot wrap my mind around.

Old wives’ tale gardening trick that actually works:

Putting shallow dishes of beer out to help mitigate slugs.

Favorite gardening hack:

I still have yet to learn one…I asked my husband who, as I mentioned, captains the ship of our garden and he said “What’s a gardening hack? It’s all work. Always.”

Above: “One of my favorite things about putting together a fall floral arrangement is taking advantage of the turning leaves—the rich golden hues of the changing foliage and the branches add incredible movement and drama. Fall arrangements are, by nature, a swan song of sorts—using the last of the blooms and the garden before the first frost takes them is the best kind of poetry. Here, the last of the dahlias and zinnias keep company with not-yet-ripened sungolds on the vine and some fall branches.”

Favorite way to bring the outdoors in.

Flowers from the garden or foraged.

Every garden needs…

Flowers from the garden or foraged.

Favorite hardscaping material:

This question is making me realize we have no hardscaping in our lives, but I do have a soft spot for pea stone (in theory).

Above: “This was actually taken at our friend Alexis’s garden late in the season when everything gets a little feral. Sungolds are (at least to me) a no-fail, no-brainer tomato to grow—I’ve never had a bad one. Bright pops of gold sweetness, the candy of the tomato world.”

Tool you can’t live without:

Garden clippers/snips.

Go-to gardening outfit:

Whatever I’m wearing that day, which is usually jeans and a t-shirt/sweatshirt.

Above: “You know the seasons are turning over when the goldenrod and asters start sweeping across fields and pushing through fences.”

Favorite nursery, plant shop, or seed company:

Locally: Barkaboom Native Plants—Chris is an incredible source of knowledge when it comes to native plants in our region and is a big proponent of using locally adapted ecotypes to help conserve local flora and the animals that rely on native plants, something we can all get behind. A little further south: Catskill Native Nursery in Kerhonkson is incredible; they carry the largest selection of North American native plants in New York with a focus on regional species. Story’s Nursery in Freehold is also a favorite.

On your wishlist:

Mullein, nicotiana, turk’s cap lilies, more bearded irises and hollyhocks too.

Not-to-be-missed public garden/park/botanical garden:

Wave Hill in the Bronx. The Landcraft Garden Foundation in Mattituck, NY.

Above: Photograph by Georgia Hilmer.

The REAL reason you garden:

Because I love beautiful things. Because the thrill of walking out your door and down to the garden to pick ingredients you grew to cook dinner with is unmatched. Because pushing a seed into the ground and watching it become something is the sort of miracle that never ever gets old.

Thanks so much, Lisa! You can follow her on Instagram @brass_tacks.

Above: “The most striking aspect of Mexico City guesthouse Pensión is that it looks unlike any other design-forward hotel on your Instagram feed,” writes Nicole in this week’s Design Travel story. Take a look around and see what we mean in Waking Up Inside an Image: A Surrealist Guesthouse, Restaurant, and Bookshop. Photograph by Ricardo Acuña, courtesy of Rafael Prieto.

• Are you following @grainandknot? Everything this “object maker” creates is so good.
• “Love that all of Block Shop’s quilts are reversible,” writes Margot. We agree.
• Tailoring Academy? Sign us up: The Nest in Providence, RI, will teach you to alter your own bespoke wardrobe.
• Also, this paper lamp workshop is the stuff of Remodelista editor dreams.
• Autumn Sonata has new Lower Manhattan outpost! (As for that headline: We’ve always said an emphatic yes.)
• Ooh, looking forward to the next iteration of Shaker Outpost.
• Wooed by the wood paneling and Alpine touches in this Swiss villa.
• Love, love, love.
• NYBG is celebrating Diá de los Muertos all through October. Vamos!
• It’s getting to be that time of year for gardeners. Here’s a reminder that a little vinegar can go a long way.
• “All I want for Christmas is this,” says Fan.
• No surprise Catherine Fitzgerald has been named House & Garden’s Garden Designer of the Year—have you seen her own swoon-worthy garden?
• An artist’s stunning contemplation on grief and loss.
• Must-read! Laura wrote a New York Times story on how gardeners are coping with extreme rain.
• Just nature doing its thing—and we’re here for it.
• ICYMI, Kendra’s story on a new community-oriented garden that is “rather chic.”

What began as a small three-room project has recently expanded to ten rooms, each with its own distinct design that feels like a little private world, alongside the launch of Café Ideal, a restaurant-bar on the ground floor with a menu by Prieto’s friend and frequent collaborator (and Remodelista favorite) Laila Gohar. On the second floor is Prieto and Jorge de la Garza’s bookstore, Librería, where you can pick up rare art books from independent publishers.

Eat, sleep, and shop all under one (sublimely designed) roof. Here’s a tour of the three spaces.

Photography by Ricardo Acuña, except where noted, courtesy of Rafael Prieto.

Cafe Ideal

Above: The new Café Ideal is set within an early-1900s Porfirian mansion on a quiet, tree-lined street in Mexico City’s Roma Norte neighborhood. The arched windows, iron Juliet balcony, and cantera stone facade are distinct architectural details of the period and place.
Above: The dining room at Café Ideal is an homage to 1970s Mexico City. Powder-blue archival fabric forms the pinch-pleat wall curtains, adorned with antique marble cameo portraits.

Pensión

Above: The reception room at Pensión features a linen pendant light by Marrow Project, marble plinth bench, antique plaster bust, and cheeky teal accent color. The wall-sized mirror imbues the space with a slightly off-kilter, surrealist feeling.
Above: The guest rooms are designed with a unique photographic wallpaper using analog photos taken by Prieto in collaboration with Wallpaper Projects. “The intention was really to give each room its own emotional backdrop, something immersive rather than decorative,” Rafael tells us. “A photograph carries memory and time in a way a pattern can’t. You’re not just waking up in a room; you’re waking up inside an image.” Photograph by Max Farago.
Above: A warm and inviting guestroom with a rug from Prieto’s Swimming Pools collection for Christopher Farr. The pinch-pleat wall curtains recall the ones in Café Ideal. “We approached each room with the instinct of a collector rather than the logic of a hotelier,” says Rafael. “Everything was chosen by someone who cared about it.”
Above: A guestroom bathroom with an original porcelain sink. When asked about the process of restoring a century-old building, Prieto said, “You work slowly, you listen to what’s there, you try not to force it. Patience and respect for the detail that already exists.”

Bookstore

Above: The second floor bookstore, Librería, with rare and independent art books. The modern books set against the backdrop of the Belle Époque stained-glass windows make for a brilliant contrast. Photograph by Adrianna Glaviano.
Above: Librería’s collection spans photography, architecture, design, decoration, ceramics, the culinary arts, and artistic monographs. Photograph by Adrianna Glaviano.

More standouts nearby:

• Rosetta: Mexico City’s Most Beautiful Restaurant?
• The Artisanal Apartment: Laura Aviva Creates a Mexico City Showcase for Her Design Collection
• Utilitario Mexicano: A Mexico City Shop Devoted to Useful Wares Only