I recently fell for a set of braided wool napkin rings from German company Uccellino, and was about to buy them when I remembered a bunch of leftover wool roving from my weaving days. Finding where I had stashed the wool was the hard part, and with it, I made a similar set of napkin rings for a fraction of the price. Here are the details.

Would rather purchase Uccellino's set? The 5 Cream Crocheted Napkin Rings are £43 at CoutureLab and 4 Pink Napkin Rings are £29.50 from Uccellino.

Materials

• 2-4 ounces of wool roving, such as Malabrigo's Nube Hand-Dyed Roving made from 100 percent pure merino wool, shown in natural, $15.25 from Imagiknit
• A pair of scissors
• A few napkins to ensure a good fit
• A heavy object to serve as a weight

Above: First, split about 10 inches of wool into three equal sections, and weight it down on one end with a rock or heavy object. Then tightly braid the wool.

Above: Snip off the braided piece, leaving about one to two inches of slack on either end.

Above: Dip the ends in hot water and agitate them just a bit—this is similar to the felting process. Tie the two ends together in a tight knot and rework them back into the braid, hiding the ends beneath the rest of the wool.

Above: Keep in mind that the wool can expand some to fit various napkin sizes, but a ring that is about eight inches in circumference should work nicely for most.

Above: A set of six napkin rings costs nothing more than the price of wool roving—about $15. 

Looking for more easy projects? Explore our collection of DIY & Remodeling posts, including How Do You Make An Extension Cord Beautiful? 

Noticed lately: Kitchen vent hoods made rustic with the addition of wood facing. Here are eight appealing examples:

Above: A house in Itami, Japan, with a wood range hood by Tato Architects, via ArchDaily.

Above: Architect Ken Lindsteadt added a reclaimed wood trim to a vent hood in this Northern California house.

Above: A wood-trimmed range hood via Sullivan Building and Design Group in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Above: A wood range hood at the Heerlijkheid van Marrem guesthouse in Belgium.

Above: In this kitchen, the homeowners used leftover reclaimed oak from the kitchen floor to face the metal hood insert; via Better Homes & Gardens.

Above: In another project by Ken Linsteadt, the architect faced a range hood in reclaimed wood.

Above: A wood-clad vent via Better Homes & Gardens.

Above: A range hood clad in reclaimed wood via Country Living.

For more inspiration, peruse the Remodelista Kitchen Archive, which includes Tales from the Hood and 10 Strategies for Hiding the Microwave.

Our gift picks for the Scandinavian kitchen range from a simple scrub brush to an investment-priced cast-iron pot from a Finnish master.

N.B.: To make sure we've got everyone on your list covered, we're posting a new gift guide every weekday from now until Christmas. See all of the Gift Guides to date in our archive.

Above: Designed by Sami Ruotsalainen in 2009, the Oiva Teapot is now available in a cheery red; $98 from Crate and Barrel.

Above: Designed by Lovisa Wattman for Iris Hantverk in Sweden, the Pastry Collection includes three wooden pastry tools: a birch wood pastry brush, $12 CAD; baker brush for sweeping up flour, $20 CAD; and a dough scraper, $22 CAD; from Mjölk in Toronto.

Above: Made by the last remaining iron foundry in Scandinavia, the Cast Iron Spice Grinder is $65 at Canoe in Portland, Oregon.

Above: So good they made it into the Remodelista 100 in our new book: Muuto's Toss Around Salad Servers; $45 from Huset.

Above: All of us at Remodelista covet the investment-priced Iittala Sarpaneva Cast Iron Round Casserole; it's currently on sale for $236 (down from $295) at All Modern. 

Above: I'm a recent convert to the Swedish Dish Washing Brush, made from broom root and string (and ideal for sweeping the sink clean if you don't have a sprayer); $6 at Ancient Industries.

Are you as much of a fan of Scandi design as we are? Then have a look at all of our Scandinavian posts past and present, and don't miss Steal This Look: An Economical Scandinavian Ski Cabin and 10 Favorites: Scandi Christmas Decorations, and Scandinavian Holiday Decor Idea.

When we were brainstorming places to include in our our new book, Remodelista, A Manual for the Considered Home, Julie put Dagmar Daley and Zak Conway's remodeled SF Victorian at the top of the list. Two of the most original designers that we know, the couple both trained as architects—Dagmar now has her own children's clothing line, Dagmar Daley—and apply an economical, hands-on approach to their own quarters.

Combining a Scandinavian-inflected aesthetic with a love of what antiques dealers classify as ephemera and smalls, they're particularly adept at inventing clever storage and display solutions. You can tour their kitchen and bathroom in our book. Meanwhile, have a look at their ingenious bookshelf:

Photographs by Matthew Williams.

Above: Built into the back wall of the living room, the walnut design feature a sliding panel next to an inset desk. The shelves are 12 inches deep and the desk is 32 inches deep—the couple made use of hidden space (created when they inset a refrigerator on the other side of the wall) to insert the desk.

Above: The sliding panel completely covers the desk. Note the empty shelves on top, which keep the overall look from feeling too busy.

Above: The desk is 32 inches wide.

Above: Though small, the work area incorporates all of the office essentials, including drawers and a printer.

Above: A steel apron conceals the sliding panel hardware. Here's Dagmar's description of the sliding panel construction: "We used a top-hung sliding door fitting (the HAWA Junior 40/Z Fitting Set from Hafele Hardware) to support the 1-inch sliding door panel; a 1/4-inch groove at the bottom of the panel slots into a small pin on the floor that guides the bottom of the door."  

 Above: A long-time flea market-shopper and collector, Dagmar is a master of multi-layered displays.

Above: A woodland-themed vignette.

Above: The artful displays continue on a living room wall near the front door.

N.B.: Dagmar will be selling her children's clothing designs this Saturday at the Remodelista Holiday Market at Heath Ceramics.

Is there anything more satisfying than an organized workspace? When the detritus of life is well tended, you feel you can conquer the world. This year, give the gift of order—or at least help a friend (or yourself) get started—with some of our favorite organizing accessories.  

To make sure we've got everyone on your list covered, we're posting a new gift guide every weekday from now until Christmas. See all of the Gift Guides to date in our archive.

Above: The Contemporary Home's Felt Magazine Bag is a handy way to keep magazines in order and off your desk; £30 from UK purveyor Not on the High Street.

Above: Here's an orderly, uniform place to stow paperclips, pens, and the contents of your pockets. Made from hornbeam wood and designed by FX Balléry for Y'a Pas Le Feu au Lac, Les Briques Lacquered are stackable and come in five colors; $45 per container from Neo-Utility.

Above: Our friends at New York architecture firm Front Studio, members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory, find organization solutions in science lab supply catalogs. Carolina Beakers provide an inexpensive way to stow pens and pencils that you need to have on hand; a dozen 250 ml beakers is $31.50 from Carolina. Photograph by Front Studio. 

Above: Keep those rapidly proliferating earphones and technology cables from becoming a tangled mess with these vegetable-tanned leather Cable Organizers handmade in the Netherlands by Etsy sellers Rinearts Atelier; $15.55 for a pair.

Above: Made of maple and brass by UK design company Another Country,  the Another Desktop Series Two consists of a paper tray, note holder, and pencil holder. A tactile and visually stunning addition to any desktop, they're £163 for the set. 

Above: If like me, you are constantly moving from home office to work office, Sarah's Bags within Bags mobile filing system is an effective to organize your belongings while on the go. She first spotted the RTH Large Black Leather Snap Wallet at March in San Francisco, where wallets come in five sizes (the large is 9.75 inches by 7 inches and costs $120) and a myriad of colors. They can also be purchased directly from the RTH Shop; see our Shopper's Diary: RTH Shop in Los Angeles.

Above: In our small house, the four members of my family "hot desk" on any available surfaces. To keep everyone's laptop and accoutrements together, we each have a Small Canvas Storage Bag (white on white) from Lands End that I purchased several years ago (shown above is L.L. Bean's version). I'm now coveting Lands End's recently launched Denim Canvas Storage Bag, available in extra small to hamper size, $27.50 to $69.50.  

For more favorite organizational accessories, see all our posts on Baskets and Boxes. 

Gardenista's editor in chief Michelle has been obsessing over botanical wallpaper and trying to Pick the Perfect Wallpaper for a guest bathroom since March. (She even asked readers to weigh in on some flowery patterns she was considering.) With the holidays—and holiday house guests—just around the corner, we persuaded her now is the perfect time to bring the garden indoors.

With help from our partner The Home Depot, we took her shopping for all the equipment and supplies she needed for a DIY wallpaper project.

Photographs by John Merkl.

Above: After we encouraged Michelle gently ("Just pick a wallpaper already!"), she chose a particularly lovely wisteria pattern: Cole & Son's Egerton.

Above: Here's a collection of some of the DIY wallpaper supplies she bought at The Home Depot, including a canvas drop cloth; a wood level; a paint roller and tray; a sponge, and a paintbrush.

Above: A Linzer 9-Inch Metal Roller Tray is $3.64; a Purdy 9-Inch Wood Handle Frame for a paint roller is $10.47 and a Purdy Woven Roller Cover is $5.97.

Step 1: Prepare for some messiness. Back home and ready to start wallpapering, Michelle unfurled a Canvas Drop Cloth ($11.98) to protect the floor and fixtures in the bathroom.

Step 2: Prepare the walls. The day before she wallpapered, she rolled on a coat of Zinsser Gardz Clear Water-Based Sealer ($109.85 for five gallons at The Home Depot) to provide a water-resistant foundation to the wallpaper adhesive. The sealer dries to a film in two hours; she let it cure overnight before proceeding.

Above: To apply sealer around the edges of electrical outlets, towel bars, and the bases of wall hooks, Michelle used a 1-Inch Economy Chip Brush with a natural wood handle; it's 97 cents.

Above: A Crick 36-Inch Wood Level is $84.99

Step 3: Michelle measured the height of the walls and then cut all the strips of wallpaper. After cutting a strip, she unfurled the roll and lined up the pattern before cutting the next strip. On each strip, she left an excess of 4 inches (so she could trim the top and bottom after hanging).

Step 4: She picked an unobtrusive corner of the room to hang the first strip in case she was not able to match the pattern perfectly on the last piece of paper she hung.

Above: A Martha Stewart Living Natural Sea Sponge is $8.97.

Step 5: Michelle used a sponge to wipe off excess wallpaper paste that seeped through the seams between strips of paper.

Above: Using a razor blade, she trimmed around electrical outlets, towel bar bases, and other wall fixtures. A five-pack of Stanley Heavy-Duty Blades is $1.34.

Above: A wood-handled Finishing Trowel is $7.97.

She held a straight-edged trowel along the top and bottom edges of the paper so she could trim off the excess paper with a razor blade.

Above: Finished—in time for holiday house guests.

Considering a botanical wallpaper to bring the outdoors in? See How to Pick the Perfect Wallpaper.

During a recent house remodel, I was faced with the difficult decision of choosing lights for our kitchen island. The options were endless, but I finally settled on two black Bestlite pendants, and haven't looked back since. Inspired by Bauhaus design and in continuous production since the 1930s, the Bestlite was on Churchill's desk at Whitehall. Now made by lighting and furniture company Gubi of Copenhagen, the latest Bestlite Collection features new colors and brass fitting that apply to all Bestlite fixtures. And we don't mind the added glamor one bit.

Photos via Gubi, unless otherwise noted. 

Above: The classic Bestlite is black and chrome; now the Bestlite Collection from Gubi comes in several new options, including matte black with brass, matte white with brass, all brass, and charcoal gray with brass. They're available as floor, table, and pendant lamps, as well as sconses. Photo via Nordic Design.

 Above: The BL7 Wall Sconce in matte white with brass components is $359 from Horne. 

Abvove: The BL2 Table Lamp in brass; $759 from Horne. 

Above: The BL3M Floor Lamp in matte white and brass; $869 from Horne. 

Above: The BL3M Floor Lamp in matte gray and brass; $869 from Horne. 

Above: The BL6 Wall Sconce in matte gray and brass; $579 from Horne.

To learn more, visit Gubi. 

Into Danish design? Check out our Copenhagen City Guide. More brass lighting? See Back to Brass: Low-Cost Lighting with High-Style Appeal and High/Low Hammered Brass Lamps

There's something clean and satisfying about an all-white bath. One of our favorite examples is Julie's own master bath, designed during her house remodel by architect Jerome Buttrick. Lined with standard white square tiles, it's pleasingly uncomplicated. We snapped some shots of the space and partnered with The Home Depot to find pieces to recreate the look.

Above: Though straightforward at first glance, every detail in Julie's bathroom has been carefully chosen. The sink's stainless steel base was custom made, but plenty of other parts can be sourced.

Above: Mimic the bathroom's floor-to-ceiling tile with Daltile Semi Gloss White Ceramic Wall Tile in 4-1/4-in square; $1.25 per square foot at The Home Depot. 

Above: A convincing look-alike for Julie's mirror, the Foremost Gazette Framed Wall Mirror in white, is $49 at The Home Depot.

Above: The Glomar Link 1-Light Brushed Nickel Tube Wall Sconce—with an exposed half-chrome bulb rather than a shade—would make a nice stand-in for Julie's nickel sconces; $105.99 each at The Home Depot. 

Above: The Wall-Mount American Standard Heritage 8-Inch Faucet is $176 at The Home Depot.  

Above: We like the India Ink Leland Soap Dish in sand and dark bronze; $15.98 at The Home Depot.

Above: Replicate Julie's toothbrush tumbler with the Innova Waterford Ceramic Tumbler in white; $18.86 at The Home Depot.

Above: These curved cabinet are pleasingly simple. A 10-pack of Rish Satin Nickel Cabinet Pulls is $30.59 at The Home Depot.

Above: The Behrens 6-gallon Silver Metallic Trash Can rests under Julie's sink; it's $15.98 at The Home Depot.

Above: In the toilet nook, the tiniest bit of color and decoration is all that's needed.  

Above: The Pfister Pasadena Single Post Toilet Paper Holder in brushed nickel is $19.98 at The Home Depot. 

Above: A Preval 6-ounce Glass Jar with Cap—for use as an ad hoc vase—is $1.27 at The Home Depot.

Above: Julie's built-in plywood storage cabinet. 

Above: Recreate the look of the cabinet hardware with Hickory Hardware Camarilla Satin-Nickel Furniture Ring Pulls; $4.47 each at The Home Depot.

Above: Julie's shower curtain hangs on beaded chains.

Above: Westinghouse Brushed Nickel Beaded Chain with Connector is $2.49 for 3-foot chain at The Home Depot.

From Norway (of course), a tiny cabin designed for a solitary winter expedition has a chicken wire frame in which blocks of ice freeze into wind-buffering walls. Designed by Norwegian architects Gartnerfuglen, the portable hut folds up (in about 30 seconds).  Don't forget to bring a Thermos.

Photographs via Gartnerfuglen, except where noted.

Above: The fisherman's hut, made of Scottish pine and birch veneers, looks at home against a stark landscape.

Above: The hut, christened "Unavailability" by its designers, is meant to be a solitary refuge from the pressures of modern life—and from constant connectivity.

Above: Chicken wire frames the walls and a raised wooden platform made of pine slats allows an occupant to stay dry inside. Photograph via Dezeen.

Above: The wall and roof panels can be filled with water; the frozen blocks create a windscreen. Photograph via Dezeen. 

Above: Step by step, it takes about 30 seconds to unfold (or pack up) the ice hut. We'd like to see this hut in action in the summertime, when the chicken wire panels are meant to serve as a trellis for vines such as sweet peas, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

For more Norwegian architecture, see Cabin Vardehaugen by Fantastic Norway and An Architect's Dream Commission in Norway.

I'll admit it: I have a secret obsession with miniature decorative Scandinavian houses, and there's no better time to put them on display than during the holiday season. Here are some of our favorite vignettes and the best sources for creating your own tiny winter village.

Above: A tea light-lit tin house from My Second Hand Life.

Above: Made from unglazed porcelain, the Little Alpine Village is $44.99 for a set of 15 from Alpen Art Studio on Etsy.

Above: Tin houses in an Updated Georgian Rectory in Sussex, England. Houses sourced from I Gigi General Store in London.

Above: The Candle Holder Set, a pair of gray cement houses with metal chimneys for candles, is €29.95 from German company Impressionen. 

Above: KLM Delft Blue Dutch Houses photographed by Sebasnl on Flickr; collected in the Netherlands in a cultish fashion, the houses (which are given out by KLM airlines) are available at KLM Dutch Houses.

Above: A tin Christmas village via La Boom.

For more of our Nordic holiday decorating ideas, see DIY Video: A Scandi-Inspired Holiday Wreath, 10 Favorites: Scandi Christmas Decorations, and Steal This Look: Scandinavian Holiday Decor Ideas.

Some of us are geniuses at Remodelista when it comes to floral arrangements (Alexa, are you reading this?). Others, not so much (self included). That's why I gravitate toward the single-ingredient arrangement—it's amazing how nice a pine branch stuck in a bottle can look.

Above: A single pine branch, via RAW design blog.

Above: Ferns as wreaths? Genius; they won't last more than a couple of days, but good for a party. Via Batixa.

Above: Red berries in a vase; photo by James Ransom for Food52.

Above: Our own Alexa recently put together a DIY holiday table with a couple of evergreen branches as a centerpiece (we'll be copying this one).

Above: Pine cones strung on a cord; I'll be trying this at home.

Above: A single pine bough; courtesy of By Fryd.

Above: Pine cones corralled in chicken wire? Yes. Via Caisa K.

Above: A simple bowl of pine needles and you're done; via Accessorize Your Home.

Above: Our resident low-key holiday pine branch arranger Justine has it covered.

Want more holiday decorating ideas? See Scandinavian Holiday Decor, Fire Included.

Tyler Brûlé, founder and editor-in-chief of Monocle, has made a career of whipping around the globe with sartorial elegance. Having just spent much of the last month getting on and off planes, I can attest that there is not much glamor left in domestic travel. There are, however, a few key items that can make travel infinitely more pleasurable. Here are five to please the design-savvy wanderer. 

To make sure we've got everyone on your list covered, we're posting a new gift guide every weekday from now until Christmas. See all of the Gift Guides to date in our archive.

Above: Less is more when it comes to travel, beginning with the bag. I've had my eye on this one by Matt Singer for a while now: the sturdy lightweight waxed Canvas Weekend Bag comes in two colors, white and olive, and is ideal for road trips or as a carry on; $225 from Matt Singer. Monocle offers another great contender: The Porter Short Hauler Bag with zipped compartments and a removable laptop pouch; £275 from Monocle. 

Above: Water from a plastic bottle just never tastes very good. The S'well Bottle is an insulated flask made from non-toxic, non-leaching, and BPA free double-walled stainless steel that keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours. Fill it up post-airport screening; $35 from S'well.

Above: The secret to packing (for me, at least) is dividing clothing into manageable piles. The F1 Go Clean Set Blue is comprised of four zippered nylon bags in different sizes for laundry, shoes, and more; $52 from Flight 001. 

Above: These versatile Japanese Tenugi cotton cloths are always in my bag. I use them as the Japanese do—as hand towels, napkins, improvised storage bags (tied with a knot), and even as scarves; $13 each from Tortoise General Store.

Above: Even though I always tote a laptop, I also like to carry a pen and notebook (I devote one to each major city and keep adding updates). My current favorite is the Leuchtturm Pocket Notebook with squared paper—great for note taking and sketching en route. It has a pocket at the back that's perfect for storing receipts and business cards; $17.11 from Amazon.  

 For more travel gear ideas, have a look at our Travel Gift Guide from last year. Also see Style Council: Heidi Swanson's Travel Kit and Totes for the Long Haul.

In her frugality (borne out immigrant pragmatism), my mother unwittingly inspired my spare design sensibilities. Ever since she picked up an unloved Alvar Aalto Artek High Chair at a New England yard sale in the 1970’s for a song, I have gravitated to Scandinavian design. “This is a classic,” she told me, “and it will last a long time.”

I recently indulged my now obsession and spent an afternoon reading Scandinavian Modern, the latest in a series of books on Scandinavian design by Magnus Englund and Chrystina Schmidt, founder of UK Scandinavian design chain Skandium. A walk-through history of modern design in Scandinavia, from its emergence between the first and second World Wars to its midcentury heyday, the book culminates in the resurgent popularity of Scandinavian design today. It's divided into two sections, Elements and Living—the first explores Scandinavian materials and the second presents a tour of a dozen Scandinavian dwellings, from modern country houses to classic urban apartments.

We particularly like Danish ceramicist Grethe Meyer's earthy, warm house designed and built in the 1960's. Meyer, who died in 2008, originally trained as an architect and later became known for her ceramic designs for Royal Copenhagen. Filled with her own tableware, as well as furniture that she designed with good friend and Danish design compatriot Børge Mogensen, her rooms present ideas about modular systems that remain fresh and influential today. Have a look:

Photography by Andrew Wood.

Above: The open shelves in Grethe Meyer's dining room are filled with decades worth of ceramics of her own design. The Shaker table and chairs are by Meyer's friend and collaborator Børge Mogensen, created for the Danish Consumer Co-operative in 1944. The PH 5 Pendant Lamp, another Scandinavian classic, is by Paul Henningsen.

Above: The Øresund kitchen system designed by Mogensen and Meyer was a precursor to many of the built-in kitchens we see today (we have a feeling Ikea's designers have taken note). Meyer's colorful ceramics sit on the top shelf. 

Above: The brass pendant lamp, another Meyer design, is reminiscent of one of her bowls turned upside down.

Above: In her living room, Meyer used the Model 2213 sofa, a 1962 Mogensen design originally made for his own home. It's the standard sofa in Danish embassies throughout the world. Clamp-on reading lights are an easy way of providing task lighting where required.

Above: A Mogensen and Meyer collaboration, the 1952 Boligens Byggeskabe wall unit broke new ground in modular design and went on to become a best seller. 

Above: See 11 other Scandinavian interiors in Scandinavian Modern by Magnus Englund and Chrystina Schmidt, published by Ryland Peters and Small; $29.95. The book is available in the UK through Ryland Peters and Small; £19.99.

For more great books, have a look at our Required Reading posts. And if you're looking for gift books, two to consider: our own Remodelista, A Manual for the Considered Home and New York City of Trees by Benjamin Swett.

Here's a modern alternative to the classic Picardie bistro tumbler from Copenhagen-based Norm Architects; we're onboard.

Above: The mouth-blown 6-Ounce Stackable Glass is $11.95 at Horne.  

Above: The 9-Ounce Stackable Glass is $12.95 at Horne.

Above: The 11-Ounce Stackable Glass is $14.95 at Horne.

Over on Gardenista, Kendra explains the history of mistletoe (did you know the Druids and Vikings considered it sacred?), Michelle chooses gifts for the armchair gardener, and Justine decks her halls with foraged plants made glamorous. Read on for more:

Above: Kendra pays a visit to Burghley House near Stamford, Lincolnshire, to investigate the mysteries of mistletoe.

Above: Gifts for the armchair gardener? Michelle's got you covered (her favorite book of the season is Piet Oudolf's Planting: A New Perspective).

Above: Erin, our small-space urban dweller, created a two-dimensional wreath using prigs of kumquat, cedar, dark green pine , foil tape in brass, and colorful washi tape.

Above: Erin also shares her techniques for creating the illusion of a Christmas tree via scent.

Above: Justine decked her halls with foraged plants from her "withered yard" and a little gold paint—cheap and easy.

Here's a look at what's been piquing our interest this week:

Above: Julie is admiring the indigo dye work of LATrE at Mjölk in Toronto.

Making a batch of desserts? Here are a few ideas for how to package holiday cookies via Real Simple.

Above: This weekend Izabella is going to make this DIY ornament out of paper, a wooden bead, and a string of yarn. Easy!

Above: On our Alpine vacation wish list: La Pedevilla Holiday House In South Tyrol, Italy, via Yatzer.

Above: We're wondering: is black holiday paper a thing this season? We love Anthropologie's Chalkboard Table Runner ($46).

Alexa is eagerly awaiting the third issue of Synonym Journal curiously titled Cliffhanger.

Above: Christine likes the idea of substituting enamelware for fine china, a concept inspired by Falcon Enamelware's Christmas dinner.

Above: Alexa is admiring these paper collages by artist Hanna Eshel.

In addition to shopping at our own markets, Sarah is stocking up on holiday gifts at Top Hat on Broome Street in New York.

Here's an inspirational project for ambitious DIYers: a rustic, solar-powered weekend retreat outside Melbourne, Australia, designed with Branch Studio Architects and built by the one of owners (a carpenter) himself.

The couple were originally seeking a shed for housing a water pump and some farm equipment, as well as for camping out in during their weekend trips to visit their horse, George. After many discussions with their architect, Nicholas Russo of Australian firm Branch Studio Architects, they evolved their plan: from lowly shed, it became an exercise in constructing an affordable, easy-to-build structure with low running costs. The results? A funky, off-the-grid combination tree house and club house that makes us want to grab our own hammers and saws. See the finished results here:

Photography by Lakshal Perera via Gizmag.

Above: Positioned next to a large dam, the wood-framed structure is clad in metal sheeting. 

Above: The interior is entirely paneled with plywood, with glass walls in the front and back. From the living area, the owners can view their horse, George, grazing in the paddock right outside.

Above: In addition to sliding glass doors, the living room has a horizontal window cut out of the plywood, offering tree-house-like views of the surrounding greenery. The wood stove heats the small house.

Above L: The project evolved from a simple shed to a small house with a kitchen, but the interiors retain the unfinished quality of a shed. Above R: An exposed bulb pendant hangs above the dining table; the owners adjust its height by simply tying up the cord.

Above: A large wall-to-wall window in the kitchen/dining space brings expansive views into the small house. 

Above: A balance of open and closed plywood cabinetry provides casual storage in the kitchen section of the living area.

Above: A variety of opening sizes in the cabinetry allows the owners to organize their tableware efficiently. Thinking of building shelves? See Fill the Void: A DIY Plywood Bookcase in which Remodelista's Meredith explains how she designed and built her plywood bookshelves in her SF rental apartment.

Above: There is little division between indoors and out. Bright and bold colors in the bedroom complement the plywood sheets on the interior and wood planks on the exterior.

Above: Whether you're in the bedroom or in the living area, the great outdoors is on view.

Above: The house was placed on stilts to avoid flooding; the resulting space beneath is convenient for storing logs. 

Above: Completely off grid, the house relies solely on solar power, rainwater tanks, and a wood-burning stove for all of its energy and fuel needs.

Plywood is like marmite: you either love it or you hate it. We happen to love it; see why in 10 Favorites: The Unexpected Appeal of Plywood. And have you ever considered a plywood floor? See Remodeling 101: Painted Plywood, The Best Budget Wood Floor. 

I'm never going to be that person with a designated gift-wrapping room; I might, however, put one of these storage solutions to work in an unused corner.

Above: A back-of-the-door solution involving wall-mounted metal hooks and wooden dowels, via Arnelle Blog. Caroline Drake, the writer of the blog, used 3 1/2-inch zinc-plated Tarp Rope Hooks from Stanley Hardware ($1.17 each from Amazon) and Lowes' Wood Dowels cut to the width of her doors.

Above: The Wrapping Cart from Crate & Barrel is $159.95.

Above: Remodelista's own Francesca Connolly stores wrapping paper in a tall glass florist vase (you can see more of Francesca's Brooklyn Heights brownstone in Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home). Photo by Matthew Williams.

Above: The 50 Compartment Roll Storage Cart on wheels is designed for architects' blueprint storage (we'd use it for wrapping paper); $328 from ULine.

Above: A DIY Wrapping Station Project from Home Depot. N.B. Home Depot also sells the Martha Stewart Living 42-Inch Gift Wrap Hutch for $179.

Above: The Whitney Wrapping Paper Hutch from Pottery Barn is $399.

Above: The easiest route? Storing rolls of paper in a metal bin on wheels; for a DIY project, go to Chez Larsson.

Known for being opinionated and picky, we architects are an intimidating bunch to buy presents for. But the truth is we're really not all that complicated—we just like things to be simple, well designed, and functional. Not too much of a tall order, right? Here are seven items any architect would be delighted to receive.

To make sure we've got everyone on your list covered, we're posting a new gift guide every weekday from now until Christmas. See all of the Gift Guides to date in our archive.

Above: The Lampe Gras 211 was designed by Bernard-Alpin Gras in 1921 for office and industrial use (originally with no screws or welded joints). Adopted by Le Corbusier as his go-to lamp, it soon became the quintessential architect's choice. A modern classic, it's been on my wish list for years. Constructed from steel, the similar Lampe Gras 201 Clamp Lamp is available in matte black or chrome from Design Within Reach; $400. In the UK, the Lampe Gras 211 itself is available in matt black as well four colors for £384 from Twenty Twenty One.

Above L: Every sketch an architect draws is filled with information—to make sure what we're drawing can be built, there's a lot behind those lines that you don't see. Tired of carrying around heavy reference books containing design and architectural standards, three architecture students from Columbia created A:LOG : A Notebook Designed for Architects. The first 30 pages contain reference information, such as door dimensions and egress codes, while the remaining 130 pages are scaled dot grids for producing sketches on the go. The trio Kickstarted the project in June and the A:LOG is now available for $25 in an Imperial Edition (in inches), and a Metric Edition. Above R: We like the book's living scenario sketches.  Where else can you find the dimensions of a mackerel?

Above: The heft and weight of the Kaweco AL Sport Mechanical Pencil is guaranteed to give satisfaction while drawing and writing; $62.50 from Amazon, or €54.99 from Misc Store. 

Above: At $1.99 per digital download, this DIY project will fit anyone's budget: Buy one or several 4 by 6-inch LettersArt photos—letters discovered in architectural details—and frame them yourself for a personalized present. The alphabet is available from LettersArt via Etsy for $1.99 per image.

Above: Vintage grain sacks get a bold second life: the Mondriaan nr3 Tote Bag, with red, yellow, and blue leather accents, is made by Etsy seller Rinarts in the Netherlands; $218.31.

Above:  Etsy shop 2of2 makes small, precision-cut Birch Frame House structures that are available in virtually any color. Julie couldn't resist one, and we're guessing most architects won't be able to either; $37.50.

Above: Architects have a weakness for great stairs, and there are plenty to admire in Staircases: The Architecture of Ascent, published by Thames & Hudson; $46.93. In the UK, the book is available through the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) bookshop; £45.

More gifts for architects? Check out Sarah's roundup from last year Gift Guide for the Architect. Also consider 5 Favorites: Cheerful Desk Lamps. 

Our favorite crafts projects with kids strike a balance between doing something fun (for them and for you) and making something of value (for the house)—such as these easy holiday decorations that Alexa invented. All are sourced from found objects, antiques you're likely to have around the house, and the hardware store. Here are step by step instructions; just add young DIYers.

Jingle Bells

Materials

• A dozen small bells of any sort; we opted for the Christmas Brass Bells, $19.50 per green rope strand of six, shown above, from Irona Works
• Everbilt Jute Twine Natural; $2.33 for a 190-foot spool at The Home Depot
• Pair of household or sewing scissors
• A pack of 60 13/32 Inch Nickel Thumb Tacks; $1.30 at The Home Depot

Steps One and Two: Remove the string that the bells came on (which is typically coarser than we like for this project). Thread the bells through strands of jute twine spacing them in even intervals and tie simple slip knots to hold each bell in place. Size the strands to drape across your window or door (leaving room to make a loop at each end), and create as many as groupings as you see fit. For a front door, we made three strands with groupings of three, four, and five bells. Original photography shot with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR. The filmmaker's camera.

Step Three: Tie each end of the strand of bells to make a loop. Hammer or press in a thumb tack and fix one loop around the tack.

Step Four: Drape the strand in a swag across the window and attach the other loop with a tack.

Above: The finished results: a layering of bells reminiscent of a Dickensian Christmas.

Insta-Tree

Materials

• One medium-sized branch of winter greenery
• A few Christmas decorations that are either vintage or family heirlooms
• Five to seven classic silver ornaments, such as the 101 Pack of 2-Inch Silver Shatterproof Ornaments (a great option for a kid-friendly household) from The Home Depot
• Everbilt Jute Twine Natural; $2.33 for a 190-foot spool at The Home Depot
• Square screw hooks, such as the Zinc-Plated Square Bend Screw Hook; $1.18 for a set of three from The Home Depot
• A sprig of holly or mistletoe 

Steps One throught Four: Find a spot on the wall big enough to display your branch. Position three screw hooks to hold the branch at both ends and in the middle. Next, thread pieces of jute through the round ornaments and knot to make loops. Hang the ornaments along the length of the branch alternating between the new and old designs.

Above: The finished bough makes a perfect Christmas tree substitute; it's also ideal for decorating a child's bedroom or hanging in an entryway.

Dipped Pine Cones

Materials

• Four to five pine cones
• Metallic wire, such as 28 Gauge Brass Hobby Wire ($6.99 for 75 feet) or 24 Gauge Steel Galvanized Wire ($3.99 for 100 feet), both at The Home Depot
• A pack of 60 13/32 Inch Nickel Thumb Tacks; $1.30 at The Home Depot
• A roll of brown butcher paper 
• One quart of Behr Pure White Semi-Gloss Enamel Zero VOC Paint; $12.98 from The Home Depot
• A makeshift drying rack to hang the pinecones from while they're drying (we used a set of wooden pegs)

Steps One and Two: Spread butcher paper onto a work surface and spread out all materials. Create a hanging loop around each pinecone by winding the silver wire around the stem and threading the wire in and out of the seed casings to make sure it holds.

Step Three: Dip a pinecone into the white paint until it's fully submerged.

Step Four: Pull the pinecone out of the paint and let the excess paint drip off into the can before moving it to your hanging drying rack. Repeat the process with each pinecone.

Step Five: Allow the pinecones to dry for a few hours before moving them onto the brown paper to fully dry overnight.

Above: The finished pinecone ornaments have a festive snowy (rather than enameled) look, and can be used year after year.

Looking for more holiday projects that are satisfyingly simple? Check out Holiday Gift Wrap, Five Ways and The Sawhorse Holiday Table for Less than $100.