Growing up in the country, I had parents who did their utmost to exploit the natural world as a source for our amusement. This meant not only long walks in the woods, but also a heathy dose of nature crafts—sun prints in summer, waxed paper leaves in fall, milkweed bearded Santas in winter, and daisy chains in the spring.

Many seasons later, getting creative with nature is, well, second nature to me. And now that I have children of my own to occupy and inspire, I'm constantly casting about for new projects. Here are some standouts that recently caught the eye of this crafty gardener.

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 our Gift Guides to date in our archive.

Above: I've made many a sun print or cyanotype on paper, but not on fabric. Thus I am intrigued by this Cotton Sun Printing Kit from Terrain; $48. With instructions and one 3-by-4-foot sheet of specially treated photographic cotton, all you need are plants and a little sun.

Above: Including seeds, labels, and instructions, each Gardener Makers Seed Kit is an excellent starter for small gardens and habitats. Available in culinary herb (pictured above from Terrain), as well as butterfly habitat, bird habitat, and vegetable at Bambeco; $25.

Above: Just add water; One-Of-A-Kind Concrete Planter Kits from Native Cast contain all you need to create your very own cast stone pot, including the dirt and plants. Basil (pictured above from Terrain); $18. More varieties available from Native Cast.

Above: Housed in a recycled metal box, Gypsya's Watercolor Set features 20 vivid pigments made from natural flowers; $42. Also available in hues made from Stone; $42.

Above: Create you own custom nature inspired labels and cards with William Sonoma Agrarian's Letterpress Wood Printing Plates; $29.95. Set includes 16 high-quality photopolymer plates with bark, twig, and leaf designs.

Above: Complete with glass geode, jute twine, sand, moss, plants, and instructions, Bird and Feather's Air Plant Terrarium Kit has all you need to form your own mini indoor garden; $34.

Above: Pressed flowers in a matter of minutes, not days, the Microfleur Microwave Flower Press dries specimens in just 90 seconds. Available from Elizabeth Flowers; 5-by-5-inch Microfleur Microwave Flower Press for $24.95; or 9"x9" Microfleur Microwave Flower Press for $42.50.

N.B. Looking for more ideas for the crafty gardener? Our DIY inspirations will keep you busy for ages. (See our other Gift Guides for other folks on your list.)

Having helped plan resorts for splashy chains, such as the Four Seasons, Starwood, and Intrawest, Canadian hotelier Stu Waddell recently went renegade and decided to invent his own hotel. An adventurous, can-do sort, he bought an urban apartment building in the colonial seaside town of San José del Cabos, in Baja California Sur, Mexico (20 minutes from the Los Cabos International Airport), recruited a local team of carpenters, and got to work.

Geared to young travelers looking for "a pared down, do-it-yourself atmosphere," Stu's just-finished hotel, the Drift San José, aims to offer a new middle ground between boutique resort and high-end hostel: think the Ace minus the mob scene and high prices. We're ready to book our flights—and to replicate some of Stu's improvised designs in our own rooms.

Above: No two rooms at the Drift are exactly alike; each is $75 a night, including taxes. On arrival, guests can see what's available and choose their quarters. Photographs by Stu Waddell shot with the Canon EOS Rebel SL1 digital SLR camera. Small in size, enormous in performance.

Above: Located in a remodeled apartment building with its own palm grove, the hotel is a 25 minute walk to the beach (via historic downtown San José or a bird sanctuary), and owner Stu himself is on site to point you in the right directions.

Above: Each of the hotel's eight rooms has a queen-sized bed set on an improvised platform. "The concept is based on what I think a true young traveler hotel should be," explains Stu. "It's meant to be basic, just the essentials." But not just any basics—to create the right atmosphere, Stu removed all of the building's tile and aluminum and replaced them with "more real and rustic materials, such as concrete, steel, and wood."

Above: All of the rooms are open plan and most have cast concrete bathtubs with overhead rainwater showers. "The design is meant to be urban, like an industrial loft, but at the same time respect the ranch culture of Baja," says Stu. 

Above: Farm-style industrial—exposed piping and brass spigots. 

Above: Some rooms have their own hammocks and punching bags. Stu replaced all of the doors with large sliding glass windows.

Above: An idea to recreate a home—a desk made from a plank of wood and a stool. Stu found the hotel's vintage desk lamps and wrestling posters at the Lagunilla Market in Mexico City.

Above: Another design worth replicating: a sculptural wall-hung closet built from welded steel.

Above: Like the bathtubs, in-room sinks are made of cast concrete, and, Stu points out, can be filled with ice and used as beer coolers. Their design, he says, "mimics the water tanks and cattle troughs of Baja's ranch lands."

Above: A Mexican indoor-outdoor chair with striped serape.

Above: All of the rooms open onto the central courtyard designed as a place for guests to meet. A communal guest kitchen is in the works.

Above: To further promote social interaction, there's a homemade fire pit. 

Above: The beach is one of the San Jose's enticements—as is surfing, snorkeling, and fishing. The historic cobblestoned town itself has a plaza with a cathedral and a lively restaurant and gallery scene. For more details, go to Drift San Jose; reservations are booked via AirBnb. 

Thinking of a winter getaway? For more travel ideas, browse the hundreds of Lodging posts in our archive. In Mexico City, we recommend Hotel Condesa DF.

Location of Drift San Jose Hotel:

Ilse Crawford's design for the Olde Bell Inn, an Elizabethan-era hotel in the UK, is a brilliant mashup of rustic and modern—you can almost smell the wood smoke. Recreate the look with the elements shown below.

Above: Ilse Crawford of Studioilse designed the dining room at the Olde Bell Inn, which features black-painted ceiling beams, chairs, and doorways. Photographs of the Olde Bell Inn via Design Tripper.

Above: Crawford used leather straps to anchor Welsh blankets to high-back benches.

Above: Matthew Hilton Fin Chairs for De La Espada (see below) contrast with traditional textiles.

Above: Tea is served in traditional red-clay Brown Betty teapots.

Above: Venerable UK company Davey Lighting began making lights in the 19th century; the Box Wall Light is simultaneously modern and historical; it's available at Heal's for £415. For something similar in the US, consider the Union Filament Bath Sconce ($239) from Restoration Hardware.

Above: Crawford sourced hand-woven rush matting from Rush Matters in Bedfordshire, England. English Floor Rush Matting is made to measure, starting at £150 per square meter.

Above: The simple Windsor-style Salt Chair in black is $98 from Design Within Reach.

Above: Studioilse's Bench With Black for De La Espada is made of solid chestnut and has copper feet.

Above: UK designer Matthew Hilton's Fin Dining Chair is available in American white oak or American black walnut; $1,125 at De La Espada.

Above: The dining room banquettes are outfitted with Welsh tapestry blankets. Blankets from Melin Tregwynt's Black and White Collection start at £129. For a leather strap like the ones fastening the blankets, try the Chestnut English Bridle Leather Strap; $15.80 for the 84-inch version from Outfitters Supply.

Above: Tarnished antique pewter platters; for something similar, consider Juliska's Pewter Stoneware line.

Above: Stamped plates are displayed on the dining room walls. For a similar look, San Francisco-based ceramist Rae Dunn makes hand-stamped porcelain plates like this Party Dress Platter for $125.

Above: Accessorize with iron keys, like a set of Antique Skeleton Keys for $16 from Key Boogie on Etsy; photograph via French Gypsy on Etsy.

Above: Peugeot's Dark Wood Pepper Mill is $43.32 at Amazon. It's one of the designs featured in Remodelista, our new book, in the Remodelista 100, a roundup of our favorite everyday objects.

Above: The classic Brown Betty Teapot is made of terracotta and finished with a brown glaze; the six-cup size is $26.99 at the English Tea Store.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on March 13, 2012 as part of our issue, The Celtic Angle.

Steal This Look is a longstanding weekly Remodelista column. Have a look at all the Steal This Looks in our archive, including A Low-Cost Kitchen for Serious Cooks and A Finnish Cottage Kitchen and Dining Room.

I live with a book lover who, if he could, would spend his entire day reading about and researching the history of fly fishing. I myself have my own obsession: clean-lined design old and new. Here, I've combined our two interests into a roundup of well-made accessories for readers, writers, and typography fans of all stripes. 

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: A Read Instead Print looks good against a wall of books—and is meant to be a reminder to look away from our gadgets. The hand-screened print measures 15 inches by 22 inches and is made from a painting by Erik Heywood, owner of Book/Shop; $45 unframed. Read about the shop in our post The New Bookstore Model: Book/Shop in Oakland, California. 

Above: A leather case for reading glasses or sunglasses. The Kenton Good Times Roll is made in Wisconsin of hand-stitched tanned vegetable leather; $105 from Kenton Sorenson, a barber turned leather artisan. 

Above: For hands-free reading—especially handy when using the iPad in the kitchen for displaying recipes. This US-made, dishwasher safe iPad Stand is from Food 52's shop Provisions; $35. Also available: recyclable plastic sleeves for protecting your iPad from food splatters.

Above: The square and rounded Book Stopper in copper or brass designed by Swedish team Broberg & Ridderstråle; $60 each from Mjölk.

Above: The Midori Brass Stencil Bookmark is sized for slipping inside paperbacks and notebooks, and stands ready to be used as a straight edge and stencil; $17.50 from This Is Ocean. 

Above: Bauhau-inspired typography designed in 1937 by Arne Jacobsen for Aarhaus City Hall has made its way onto mugs. The Arne Jacobsen Cup is $22 from the Finnish Design Shop—for each select the letter of your choice. Photo via Wild Swans. 

Above: A reminder to occasionally look beyond the page—a linen Cushion embroidered with a St. Augustine quote oft repeated by Estrid Ericson, founder of Stockholm interiors store Svenskt Tenn. Made in several colors, it's 1550 SEK from Svenskt Tenn. 

Looking for some great books? Browse our Required Reading gallery. And don't miss our own new book, Remodelista, A Manual for the Considered Home.

Since moving in with me and my family a few weeks ago, Iris, Lowe's smart home management system, and I have been getting acquainted. She's a good housemate. The products that Iris introduced to our house have been easy and surprisingly fun to use. I kind of feel like the wizard of our home nerve center. 

What is Iris? The Iris Home Management System offers home monitoring (via door and window contact sensors, motion sensors, and alarm monitoring) and energy control (via smart plugs and a hooked-up thermostat)—all of which means that you can monitor, customize, and control these devices from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Adjust the lights, arm your security system, and turn on the heat on your way home. 

See The Iris Diaries, Part I: The Move-In to read about my installation of Lowe's Iris Smart Home Management System.

Join me for a tour of my Iris Smart Home:

Photos by Janet Hall.

Above: Welcome to my control panel. A simple login brings me to my personal Iris Smart Home home page. It shows the devices I've installed and paired with my hub. First up: my thermostat controls.

Above: The Iris Smart Thermostat that I installed (yes, by myself with the assistance of a Phillips screwdriver). The touch screen allows me to adjust settings manually, but the beauty of the device is its remote computer control feature. 

Above: My personalized Iris Smart Thermostat Advanced Heating Schedule—this feature alone has made Iris an indispensable addition to the household.

Managing my thermostat settings from the Iris Smart Home home page is easy: One click brings me to the thermostat control screen, where I can choose to set temperatures and times for heating and cooling. I  also have it set to send me a reminder when it's time to replace the filter in my heater. What's more, Iris is my own personal weather station: my home screen tells me not only the internal temperature, but also the outdoor temperature. How she does this is a mystery.

Above: Iris Indoor Contact Sensors can be placed on windows as well as doors. The Iris Smart Home home page contains a box with the opening and closing history of every sensor in my house. And it allows me to quickly check from my laptop to make sure the windows and doors are closed before I turn in for the night. 

Above: Thanks to the Iris Smart Plug, controlling when the light in my entry goes on and off is now Iris's responsibility. From my Iris Smart Home device management screen, I set the plug to turn on the light when the sun is setting and turn it off just after we usually head upstairs for the night. 

Above: The Iris Smart Plug goes beyond just turning on and off lights. The Smart Plug control page tracks the energy use of the device to which it's connected—making management of energy use and expenditures much easier.

This has me thinking. Iris, could you help me with my holiday lights? Stay tuned for the Iris Diaries, Part III: Iris Accessorizes. 

-Janet Hall

Florist Dundee Butcher (aside from having one of the best names out there) boasts an impressive floral pedigree and counts Kensington Palace, Claridge's Hotel, and the Victoria and Albert Museum among her clients. The Texas native spent several years working in London, where she trained with famed British floral designer Jane Packer. Earlier this year, she moved to Healdsburg, in Northern California, and opened the Russian River Flower School, where she teaches classes and sells her floral creations. As she says, "I am never happier than when I am working with beautiful blooms."

On a recent visit, I spotted these holiday wreaths made from the common tree vine known as Old Man's Beard and asked Dundee to give us a tutorial. She happily obliged, and I've since made three of them. They're astonishingly easy:

Photography by Mimi Giboin for Remodelista.

Above: The holiday wreaths on display at the Russian River Flower School.

Above: All you need is some Old Man's Beard, a wire frame (the Maine Wreath Co. offers double rail wreath rings in plenty of sizes), some twine, and a pair of scissors. Old Man's Beard is a vine that's a member of the clematis family; you can find it hanging from trees, much like Spanish moss, in temperate zones of the US. It's fragile but thrives on clean air. 

Above: Take a bunch of Old Man's Beard and wrap it around the wire frame into a semblance of a round shape. (You can keep all the twigs and things that are caught in it.)

Above: Crimp the wreath to make sure it is the same thickness all the way around. To even it out, you can knead it a bit like bread. If it looks light or patchy in any spots, tuck in some more Old Man's Beard.

Above: Turn over the wire frame and start tying the Old Man's Beard to the frame using lengths of twine that are knotted in the front of the wreath.

Above: Make sure to tie tight knots and to space the twine ties in regular intervals all around the wreath.

Above: A waxed twine works well. You can also use ribbon or leather cord or string to decorate the wreath—anything, really.

Above: A finished wreath. 

Above: An alternative decoration is Old Man's Beard wrapped around a styrofoam ball. No glue needed, just tie string in a web around the ball until the greenery is held in place. The loop on the top is made from rope and is affixed with a push pin. 

For more holiday-wreath making merriment, check out Alexa's Holiday Wreath DIY.

From rough hewn to refined, concrete countertops have moved beyond the drab slabs of the past. Advancements have catapulted concrete into the world of architectural-grade products, alongside popular stone and wood options. A serious contender for those seeking a customized material with a natural sensibility, it's widely adaptable, but is definitely not for those who cherish perfection. Is it the right countertop material for you and your kitchen? Read on.

Above: Not reserved for rustic or industrial settings, concrete counters are amazingly versatile. New York artist Angela A'Court used concrete counters in her kitchen remodel, drawn by the fact they're "not too perfect" (for more on her kitchen, see Rehab Diaries: An Artist's NYC Kitchen Renovation). Photo by Ty Cole. 

1. What exactly is concrete?

Above: Concrete is a natural composite material made from an aggregate (typically rocks, sand, and fly ash) plus a cement binder (such as limestone and calcium sulfate) and water. (For those wondering what the difference is between concrete and cement, the answer is that cement is a component of concrete: sidewalks are made of concrete, not cement.) Several companies offer sustainable versions of concrete composed of high percentages of recycled content, including waste fly ash, glass dust, and rice husks. The finished product weighs about the same as granite. Photo via Sunset.

Above: "Unlike concrete counters of the past, the new concrete counters are lighter and some have polymers mixed in, so they don't stain or crack," says architect Alissa Pulcrano of Portland, Oregon's Bright Designlab. Shown here, a NuCrete concrete countertop in the firm's Irvington Industrial Modern Kitchen project.

2. How are concrete counters fabricated and installed?

Concrete counters are either precast in a shop or cast in place during your kitchen construction. 

Pre-Cast Concrete Counters: 

The majority of today's concrete counters are precast, and for good reason. Made to order in any size you like, precast counters are poured in the controlled environment of a shop, enabling more color and texture options as well as the ability to use modern reinforcement technology (more on that below). Each counter is handmade, enabling customization of shape, thickness, sink, and appliance cutouts, and additional details like an integrated dish drainer. Precasting also offers the ability to create a wider range of counter edge options than you can make on site. An identifying sign of precast concrete counters is that they come with visible seams, which is not necessarily a bad thing: seams enable the counter to flex and move a bit more, reducing the likelihood of cracks that occur with concrete's natural shrinkage over time.  

Cast in Place Concrete Counters:

Counters are often cast in place in setups that require irregular shapes. And when poured on site, counters typically do not have seams. 

Above: A slender concrete counter with a delicate-looking edge detail by Concreteworks of Oakland, CA, in a project by SF architect John Maniscalco. Mark Rogero, principal of Concreteworks, explains that of late there's been "a major shift in reinforcement technology—we use fiberglass reinforcement in surface concrete that has made it stronger, thinner, and more refined than the steel-reinforced concrete of the past." Now concrete counters can be as thin as three-quarters of an inch. Photo by Mariko Reed.

3. What colors and textures do concrete countertops come in?

Concrete countertops can be made in virtually any color, though stony gray continues to be the most widely used. Concrete finishes range from rough hewn to diamond polished. That said, there are natural variations in color and texture that occur as the counter is crafted and cured; to concrete advocates, it's one of material's appealing qualities. 

Above: Concrete counters mix well with other countertop materials. Shown here, concrete and Calacatta Gold marble counters come together in a New York Meat Packing District loft by Leone Design Studio. Architect Roy Leone likes to use concrete when trying to bring more warmth and a greater tactile quality to countertops. "Since they're handmade, they have a character that simply doesn't exist in stone or synthetic materials," he says. "The great thing about concrete is that you can adjust the color to be browner or bluer or whatever works with the overall palette." Photo by Albert Vecerka.

Above: A chalk-white concrete kitchen counter by Concreteworks in a project by architect John Maniscalco—white, though not associated with concrete, has become a desirable option. Photo by Mariko Reed.

4. Do concrete countertops need to be sealed and maintained?

Like most natural countertop materials, concrete is porous and needs to be sealed to prevent staining. And, depending on the sealant used, some discoloration and patina may develop—a chance outcome that's appealing to some, appalling to others. Sealing technology is now so advanced that some fabricators call their concrete counters stain-proof, and provide warranties against staining. Talk to your fabricator or contractor about the best sealant for the look you want. Maintenance is minimal with concrete countertops: Regular cleaning with non-abrasive cleaners is recommended, as is periodic waxing if your counters have a polished finish. 

Above: The kitchen of actress-turned-designer Amanda Pays features matte-finished concrete countertops, as well as floors, all of which were cast in place. "Concrete is definitely not for the uptight perfectionist," says Pays, "but I like the way it makes the room feel lived in." For a full exploration of Amanda's kitchen, see our new book Remodelista, A Manual for the Considered Home. Photo by Matthew Williams.

 

Above: A concrete counter with a polished finish in a kitchen by architect Francis D'Haene of D'Apostrophe Design. Placing hot pans directly on concrete counters won't harm the concrete, but may discolor the sealant. Also, cutting directly on concrete will not only damage your cutlery, but may result in scratches in the sealant; cutting boards and trivets are recommended. Countertops and image via The Concrete Shop.

5. How much do concrete counters cost?

Handcrafted and custom made for each application, concrete counters are not a budget item. Because of the variability of material and situation, prices range from $70 to $140 per square foot. According to Mark Rogero of Concreteworks, a good rule of thumb is to plan for $120 per square foot for a fully installed architectural-grade concrete counter. 

Above: New York designer James Huniford's kitchen has concrete countertops that were inspired by his childhood in Upstate New York, where he grew up admiring old stone quarries. The countertops introduce an unexpected twist to a traditional kitchen; see Steal This Look: James Huniford's Hamptons Kitchen. Photo by Robyn Lea for Est Magazine.

Concrete Countertop Recap

PROS:

• Concrete counters are a custom handmade product that you can design to fit your space and aesthetic.  
• Concrete is available in a wide array of colors that can be adjusted to match your palette.
• Despite being a hard surface, concrete provides a soft, textured, natural feel to counters. 
• Properly sealed and maintained, concrete countertops will wear well for years—and can be used indoors and out.
• Like other natural countertop materials, such as wood and stone, concrete counters develop a patina with use.

CONS:

• Concrete is a porous material and can stain. Sealing is key.
• Caused by the natural shrinkage of the material, concrete countertops can develop minor hairline cracks that are nonstructural—some consider these a flaw, others a positive textural characteristic.
• It's hard to control concrete's natural variations in color and texture

There's no need to limit your use of concrete to the kitchen. Have a look at hotel that makes inventive use of cast concrete: The Homemade Baja Hotel, $75 a Night Edition.

Researching new countertops? Read Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Kitchen Countertops. And for more specifics on the subject, see our Remodeling 101 posts:

• The Intel on Black Marble Countertops. 
• 10 Easy Pieces: Remodelista Kitchen Countertop Picks.
• A Marble Countertop Lookalike, Minus the Maintenance.
• Remodeling 101: Butcher Block Countertops.

Festive holiday gift wrapping, noir edition. Here are 7 good ideas from around the world (from Finland to France), with sourcing ideas:

Above: Black wrapping decked out with wooden beads; via Nina Therese Oppedal in Norway. A set of 100 unfinished Wood Beads is $5 from Fly Baby Designs.

Above: At Le Petit Atelier in Paris, gifts are tucked in dark gray envelopes with a porcelain star. For something similar, consider Black Paper Bags ($8 for 25) from Olive Manna.

Above: Black twine (Olive Manna sells Solid Baker's Twine in black for $6 a spool)  and a reindeer postcard adorn a package via Annixen.

Above: Lily in Finland tied a brass bell on her package. A dozen small Christmas Brass Bells, $19.50 for a rope strand of six from Irona Works

Above: Signepling in added a black feather to the mix. Olive Manna has

Above: A black tissue paper-wrapped gift via J. Levau in Sweden. A pack of eight Black Tissue Paper sheets is $2.95 from Papyrus.

Above: A folded pinwheel made from black construction paper, via Elisabeth Heir.

Wondering where to stash your wrapping paper supplies? See 7 Quick Fixes: Wrapping Paper Storage Solutions.

As we enter the final holiday push, it's about time to think about that last-minute additional dining room seating. Here are 10 great folding chairs that are both tasteful and versatile.

Above: London shop Folklore's Steel Chair in white painted steel and wood is made in The Netherlands by Reinier de Jong. Priced at $475 each, the steel folding chairs could become a permanent fixture at the dining table.

Above: Terje Folding Chair in beech; $17.99 at Ikea.

Above: The Magis Aviva Folding Chair is available in natural (shown) and black; €205 at Connox.

Above: A single Spare White Folding Chair is $49 from Crate & Barrel.

Above: These classic Hercules Black Metal Chairs are $11.49 at Folding Chairs 4 Less.

Above: The Piana Folding Chair, designed by David Chipperfield for Alessi, is available in six colors; $180 at Design Within Reach

Above: Fermob Bistro Chairs (shown in black) are available in 24 colors—everything from Fjord Blue to Aubergine and Peony; $216 at Horne.

Above: The Lina Folding Chair is constructed from a flat steel frame and padded leather seat and back; $150 each from Design Within Reach.

Above: The All Steel Antique Linen Folding Chair comes in a set of four for $49.98 in store at a local Home Depot.

Above: The inexpensive Tarno Folding Chair is $15 each from Ikea.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on November 10, 2011.

Need some last-minute tableware? See 10 Easy Pieces: Entertaining Essentials. A dining table to go with your folding chairs? Browse our Dining Room and DIning Table posts

Who doesn't need a pinboard (an actual pinboard, that is)? Swedish interior stylist Pella Hedeby has come up with the most glamorous DIY pinboard we've seen yet.

For full instructions, go to Hitta Hem.

Above: Hedeby clips tearsheets and other memorabilia to her pinboard using HAY's brass Clip Clips.

Above: Brass Wire Mesh is available in several different weights from TWP Inc. You'll also need brass screws and spacers,

Above: The finished product.

How can a well-curated pinboard enhance your life? See Zero-Cost Wall Art, Pinboard Edition.

We do a lot of browsing here at Remodelista. But when it's comes to buying—or requesting presents—we think and then think some more. Here, the household designs that have risen to top of own wish lists. As for what we ourselves are giving, that's easy: our family and friends are getting copies of our new book, Remodelista, A Manual for the Considered Home. We hope you follow our example!

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: Justine is coveting a handmade Hot Pad from UK-based blogger and designer, Alessandra Taccia. "I follow Allesandra's blog La Casita and love how she celebrates everyday beauty in her images and in the items she crafts by hand," she says. The hand-stitched hot pad is made from Japanese fabrics, linen, hemp, and bamboo batting; £28 from Knots.

Above: When my husband and got married, our friend who trained at the Cordon Bleu Paris gave us a pewter charger—as the only cook among us, she was already onto the value of good tableware—years ahead of us. Other than appreciate it as an object of beauty, I didn't really know what to do with it then. Now that I myself love to cook, I use it for serving cheese, crudites, oysters, fruit—just about everything. Having discovered its usefulness, I would love a few more. The Future Perfect offers the Round Platter from Italian company Match ($335). Also see Sarah's High/Low: Rustic Pewter Plates.

Above: Janet, our resident kitchen appliance specialist, has the low-tech Pallarès Solsona Navaja Folding Knife on her list. "A gift that can be personal or shared, it's the last pocket knife you'll ever need," she says. Made of olive wood with a carbon steel blade, the navaja, which means folding knife in Spanish, is $82 from Quitokeeto.

Above: Julie is secretly coveting an extravagent plush dip-dyed V::Room Face Towel from the cult Japanese brand V::Room; $198 from Lost & Found in Los Angeles.

Above: One can never have enough beeswax candles—the tapered ones are especially elegant—and we all have them on our wish lists. Tie them together with some twine and a sprig of rosemary for an instant gift-wrapped present. Ten-inch Beeswax Tapered Candles are available for $7.95 from Beehive Candles, and £8.50 from The Decorator's Notebook in the UK. Image via The Decorator's Notebook.

Above: After experiencing this Nepalese Rope Incense at the A Détacher store in New York, Meredith is hoping to find a bundle in her stocking; $12 each.

Above: The last few busy months have demonstrated the value of a good night's sleep to Alexa. On her wish list this year: The Company Store's Baffled Square Goose Down Featherbed ($199 for a queen) spotted in our post, 5 Favorites: Mattress Toppers.

Above: Just about finished with her remodel, Izabella is focusing on finishing touches, such as Ilse Crawford's Solid Brass Candleholder, perfect by a bedside on a winter's evening; $140 from The Future Perfect.

Above: An updated version of the classic wooden salad bowl she grew up with, Margot wants this white-dipped Family Size Serving Bowl from Wind & Willow Home, $215, and hopes it helps her replicate her mother's perfect vinaigrette.

Above: Sarah dreams big, and this year has her eye on the Ball Light Pendant by Michael Anastassiades in polished gold, recommended for hanging in groups of three or more; $1,080 each from The Future Perfect.  A much more affordable and equally loved alternative would be Lindsey Adelman's DIY You Make It Chandelier Kit; $140.

Above: Meredith is wondering if there's a corner in her apartment for this Bolivian Hammock from L'Aviva Home. Handwoven by women in remote Amazon villages; it's available in black and white, cobalt and white, and white and natural, $485.

Above: If you're still looking for a gift for yourself or a design-minded friend, we've got you covered: Singled out by the editors of Amazon as one of the top 100 books of the year, our first book, Remodelista, A Manual for the Considered Home, is available at bookstores all over.

There is nothing more magical than an open-air party in a forest clearing. There's a festive smell of pines, ferny green undergrowth, and clear bright moonlight. The only trouble is that in December it might be difficult to persuade prospective guests to brave winter's freezing temperatures. No need. With help from our partner The Home Depot, we brought the outdoors in to create a woodland holiday party.

We decked out Gardenista editor in chief Michelle Slatalla's house for the occasion, figuring it would complement the Starry Night Holiday Lights Display we recently designed for her. Here's how we created an indoor fairyland:

Photographs by John Merkl.

Above: To bring nature indoors, we found supplies at our local The Home Depot: a large selection of Fresh Garland, Fresh Cut Christmas Trees, Fresh Wreaths, and Live Poinsettias. To gild Christmas tree ornaments, we also got a can of gold paint and a brush. And then we set to work.

In the foyer, a 24-inch Classic Fresh Worcester Balsam Fir Wreath ($29.98) and a Live Poinsettia in a 6-inch pot ($5.98) greeted guests. We also hung a swag of tallow berries and cedar, wrapping the stems with Everbilt Natural Sisal Twine ($13.38) to create a bouquet.

Above: It turns out that creating a fairy woodland indoors is easy: all you need is about 100 feet of Fresh Garland, such as The Christmas Tree Company's Classic White Pine Garland ($34.95 for 25 feet).

We hammered small Assorted Brass-Plated Steel Bendless Nails ($2.98 per 10-pack) unobtrusively (we promise you'll never see the holes, Michelle!) into the top edge of wood moldings surrounding doorways to create support for the "forest" of garland.

Then we draped Clear Mini Lights ($8.98 for a strand of 300) in the garland to simulate moonlight.

Above: It's important to think about safety whenever you bring greenery indoors. We updated Michelle's smoke alarms with battery-operated Nest Protect: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms ($129 apiece from The Home Depot). This high-tech, low-maintenance upgrade made her husband happy, as he now no longer has to get a broom and jab at alarms that go off in the middle of the night or when he is broiling chicken. To quiet a Nest alarm, all you have to do is stand under it and wave to let it know the smoke was a false alarm.

Above: For mood lighting, we got a Silvered Glass Tealight Candle Set of four votives ($4 from The Home Depot).

Above: We draped garland across the back of the sofa to transform it into a woodland sled and got a recipe for festive Poinsettia Cocktails from Gardenista contributor Justine Hand. Her recipe calls for cranberry juice, prosecco, and Cointreau. 

Above: We scoured The Home Depot's selection of live Christmas trees (choices included Noble and Fraser Fir) and brought Michelle a 7-Ft. Fresh-Cut Douglas Fir ($37.98). 

The Home Depot also has a large selection of pre-lit artificial trees, including a 7-Ft. Quick Set Benjamin Quick Set With Clear Lights ($119) and a Home Accents 6.5-Ft. Pre-Lit Verde Pine Christmas Tree With Clear Lights ($49.97), both of which will last for several years.

Above: We decorated the Christmas tree with items found in nature. Our tree topper is a bouquet of beautyberries.

Above: After a couple of Justine's poinsettia cocktails, we felt emboldened to also follow in her DIY footsteps, by making the same paper garland she used on her Gilded Tree, Inspired by Nature.

Above: We painted walnuts and a picture frame with Martha Stewart Living Vintage Gold Satin Metallic Paint ($5.48 for a 10-ounce jar) to decorate Michelle's foyer.

Above: We filled the votives with white Zest 1.5-Inch Citronella Tealight Candles (no odor or smoke!); $25.98 for a box of 100. They burn for four hours. 

That's all you need to turn your house into a fairy woodland for a holiday party. And something tells us none of the guests will miss the freezing temperatures a bit.

From his Tokyo studio, Fujishiro is quietly—and brilliantly—reinventing the lampshade, the storage basket, and other household basics. A designer who came to his career as a directionless teen with a passion for vintage sneakers, Fujishiro studied economics at a Tokyo university while moonlighting as a student at the Kuwasawa Design School. He got his first job as a waiter at the cafe inside edgy Tokyo furniture gallery IDÉE, where he eventually was discovered and put to work as a designer. 

He now has his own small studio and cult following. "I always make something by myself and then show it to a company. If the company doesn't want it, I produce it on my own," he says. "I like to find different ways to use things that are familiar, for example paper for stools and lampshades, and rope for baskets." Hermès recently commissioned Fujishiro to create objects out of the company's production scraps, and he has a new Adidas sneaker debuting in February. Christina Kim of Dosa, among others, is a fan. As she told us, Fujishiro's repertoire is small, but he's definitely one to watch. 

Above: Shigeki Fujishiro's Tokyo studio is furnished with, among other things, his prototype for a plywood desk lamp, as well as knotted baskets and kinetic mobiles.

Above: The three-legged Eiffel Stool is made of a durable heavy paper that consists of pulp and recycled paper. Packaged flat in a small box, it requires assembly and uses a series of Eifflel Tower-inspired trusses for reinforcement. "The stool is designed in a minimal manner, so the structure itself becomes the form," says Fujishiro. The Eiffel Stool is available in brick or gray for $130 from Tortoise, an offshoot of Tortoise General Store in Venice, CA. Not coincidentally, it was Tortoise's co-owner Taku Shinomoto, former design director at IDÉE, who gave Fujishiro his first official design work. In Europe, the Eiffel is also sold by RS Barcelona; €60 (N.B.: the shop also offers an aluminum version of the design in bright colors and in adult and kid sizes.

Above: Merci in Paris is one of the only stores outside of Japan that carries carries the Rivet Shade; it's available in black, brown, and gray for €89.

The Rivet lampshade consists of a single piece of vulcanized fiberboard, a material made of wood pulp and cotton that's typically used for electrical insulation. Above L: It hangs over Fujishiro's desk. Above R: The Rivet Lamp can be ordered from UK shop Folklore for £75.

Above: Hanging on his apartment wall alongside some of his drawings, Fujishiro's latest design to be put into production is Bend, a deceptively simple looking plywood-framed mirror made by Japanese company Ichiro Design.

Above: Thanks to inset canvas that serves as a hinge, the Bend frame folds and stands on its own. It comes in two sizes and four laminate colors and is available from Ichiro Design; ¥8,400 small and ¥10,500 large. To inquire about ordering or request a list of shops that carry the design, email iro@ichirodesign.jp.

Above: The perfect catchall for laundry and firewood, among other things, Fujishiro makes his Knot Basket from a single length of bright rope. The idea for it, he says, came when he saw a picture in the 1978 book High-Tech that shows metal bike baskets being used as wall containers for kitchenwares and fruit. He turned to another vintage book to learn rope work. The Knot Basket can be hung or used on the ground; it comes in two sizes and is available from Tortoise; $250 small, $300 large.

Above: Much of Fujishiro's work crosses the line into art—the happy result of not having any bosses to answer to. His Frames are mobile-like structures made of hinoki, Japanese cypress wood, that are designed to hang in groups from transparent string so they appear to be floating. They're available from Fujishiro's own online shop; the blue set of four is ¥36,750, the red is ¥28,350. They're also available from Tortoise; $400 (red) and $450 (blue).

See more of Fujishiro's work at Shigeki Fujishiro Design. 

Did you miss our recent week devoted to design in Japan? Go straight to Autumn in Japan. Also have a look at The Outsider's Guide to Tokyo: 10 Cutting-Edge Cafes, Shops, and Restaurants.

When I refinished my bathtub a few weeks ago, that wasn't the only thing I had in mind for my tiny bathroom. I've had the itch for a while now to paint the room black, and I finally took the plunge this week. Even I—a serial dark-color painter—was nervous about what was in store. I'd never actually used a real black. And the results? What was by far the dullest room in my apartment just got a lot more interesting.

Photos by Liesa Johannssen. 

Above: I did some overall sprucing up, and sourced some upgrades for the room from our sponsor, The Home Depot. But the biggest change is the warm black wall color. I also refreshed the white cabinets and trim with a shade of white that works well against the black. I used Behr Premium Plus Flat Enamel Zero VOC Interior Paint in Broadway (black) and Polar Bear (white); $24.96 per gallon at The Home Depot. The towel bar came with my apartment, but a similar one is the Delta Greenwich 24-in Towel Bar in Polished Chrome; $23.98 at The Home Depot. Original photography shot with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR. The filmmaker’s camera.

Above: This is a pendant light that I already owned, but it's similar to the Illumine ANP Black Hanging Pendant; $184.80 at The Home Depot. Another similar light is the Progress Lighting 1-Light Pendant, which comes in white, green, or silver, starting at $58.14.

I wanted some warm, natural tones to contrast with the black, so I used unfinished wood hardware. Above L: Liberty Hardware Birch 1-1/2-inch Round Cabinet Knobs are $1.48 each at The Home Depot. Above R: I replaced my truly unsightly register cover with the Decor Grates 4 x 10-in Wood Unfinished Oak Register; $16.71 at The Home Depot.

Above: I replaced a faux-Victorian sconce with the simplest, and best-looking (not to mention, least expensive) wall light I know: The Leviton Porcelain Keyless Lamp Holder; $1.49 at The Home Depot. 

Above: I love the nautical look of metal cleats, and wanted polished ones to complement the existing bathroom hardware. Lehigh 4-1/2-in Nickel-Plated Rope Cleats are $1.98 each at The Home Depot.

Above: For a similar faucet set, consider the Delta Leland 4-in Widespread 2-Handle High-Arc Bathroom Faucet in Chrome; $146 at The Home Depot. 

Above: Indoor/outdoor rugs are durable and easy to clean—perfect for the bathroom.The Home Decorators Collection Saddlestitch Gray and White Area Rug is on sale for $15.20 at The Home Depot. 

-Meredith Swinehart

New from Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and Kasper Rønn of Copenhagen-based NORM Architects: the streamlined Norm Bath Collection for Menu. The collection is comprised of five pieces (pedal trash can, toilet brush, soap dispenser, toothbrush cup and storage vessel with a small mirror) and is made of powder-lacquered steel.

Above: The Norm Bath Collection in brushed gold (stay tuned for availability).

Above (L to R): The Menu Bath Soap Pump is $69.95, the Menu Bath Container is $39.95, the Menu Bath Toothbrush Holder is $39.95, the Menu Bath Toilet Brush is $99.95, and the Menu Bath Pedal Bin with plastic liner is $239.95; all are available directly from Menu.

Above: The range is also available in black.

Interested in another line of Scandi-designed bath accessories? See our post on Danish Vipp Bath Accessories (several of us at Remodelista own the pedal trash bin).

When Lena Corwin and Josh Dreier were leaving Manhattan for Brooklyn, they were drawn to Fort Greene for its character and history. "The neighborhood is filled with artists and is flanked by The Brooklyn Academy of Music to the south and Pratt Art Institute to the east," says Lena. "For years it was a predominately African American neighborhood and it's very mixed culturally." Lena's name may sound familiar: she's a well-known textile designer, craft teacher, and author of the DIY books Printing by Hand and Made by Hand. Josh is a web developer and drummer, and they have a young son, Eli. The couple fell for their Italianate brownstone thanks to, says Lena, "its obvious beauty, and the fact that it was, amazingly, in our price range."

Built some time between 1860 and 1890 likely as a second home for Manhattan families, the house was converted into three apartment units in the 1980s. After purchasing the building in 2005, Lena and Josh lived in the bottom duplex and rented out two apartments, but kept the top floor to use as a studio—it became the setting for classes taught by Lena and other expert crafters, which is what led to her books.

Recently, the family sold their house and relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area (where Lena grew up). Their departure inspired us to ask Lena to guide us through her beloved old brownstone.  

Photography by Brian Ferry.

Above: "We wanted to use wallpaper in the living room, but worried it would make the room feel too closed in," Lena remembers. As a solution, they painted three walls with Farrow & Ball colors (Dove Tale is the lighter shade; Mouse's Back is the dark) and wallpapered a single wall. "I usually don't like accent walls, but because this one is so subtle, I've never tired of it over the years." The sofa is from Montauk Sofa, the trio of driftwood lamps are from French company, and the chandelier is vintage.

Above: "We painted our banister in Benjamin Moore's Black Beauty, a black I love because of its softness (it's mixed with white so it’s not a pure black) and it feels appropriate for an old house."

Above: Lena kept the bedroom pared back: a simple wood-framed bed, a bedside stool, a midcentury armoire, and a single houseplant. The room's original marble mantel adds a lot to its charm.

Above: The mantel displays a collection of artwork, including an antique still life of fruit and a framed photograph taken by Lena.

Above: Lena and Josh restored the old basket-weave patterned tiles common in Brooklyn brownstones and likely installed in the early 1900s—the house was built without bathrooms or electricity. Lena and Josh added cream-colored square wall tiles with gray grout and a shower over the bathtub. "I searched high and low for a shower knob plate that wasn't plastic," she says, "and finally found one from Pottery Barn."

Above: The east/west facing-house receives plenty of sunlight. The black and white print on the wall was purchased at the New York Art Book Fair, artist unknown.

Above: The 250-square-foot kitchen required a few inexpensive renovations to make it functional for a family. The stainless steel island came from Bowery Restaurant Supply. The couple added the Two Shelf Le Classique Kitchen Table from John Boos, shown at left, and Ikea cabinets above and below the sink. A carpenter friend built out the sink countertop in Baltic birch ply and Italian white laminate. "I would happily use the materials again in a renovation," says Lena. A framed print by Clare Nereim and pale pink Ikea rug accent the otherwise minimal room.

Above: "The rug and pillow corner in our bedroom was a comfortable spot for playing with Eli. The pillows are by designer friends of mine—Muny, Enhabiten, and Mociun—and the rug is from a great dealer in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, called Flying Carpet."

Above: Lena and Eli, who will be three at the end of December, with their dachshund, Gus.

Above: "Our son’s room was unusually large so we had room for a couch, which was wonderful since we often spent time in there with friends and family." A South American Arpillera, a vintage three-dimensional textile, hangs above the crib; the wooden fish mobile is by Flensted.

Above: "The thin shelf in Eli’s room was left over from the kitchen renovation. The silver cup was his grandfather’s baby cup and the Dachshund Bookends are Jonathan Adler, a gift from his uncle."

Above: Lena at work on a dyed textile. Her new craft book, Made by Hand, details favorite craft projects taught in her studio over the years; it includes 26 step-by-step lessons involving dyeing, sewing, weaving, crocheting, and jewelry making.

Above: A collection of coiled bowls, a project from Lena's new book, made from clothes line cord and colored twine.

Above: Corwin screen prints geometric patterns onto cotton for sewing and upholstery projects. 

Above: "Over the years, we put a lot of work into the house, including a new roof. There was always something to improve." For more on Lena Corwin and her books, Printing by Hand and Made by Hand, go to Lena Corwin.com.

See our previous post on Lena's friend designer Caitilin Mociun: A Design Nomad Sets Up Shop in Williamsburg. And for more house tours, visit the House Call posts in our archive.

London-based French jewelry designer and stylist Emma Cassi sees unusual things with her stylist eyes—things that might pass the rest of us by. When her grandmother passed away leaving boxes of antique lace, Cassi transformed the lace into what has become her signature line of handmade jewelry. (The blogosphere is full of admirers, from fashion designer Pearl Lowe to London's Queen of Homemade Sania Pell.) Here at Remodelista we like the uses Cassi sees for wallpaper. We asked her to fill us in on how she transformed a lace-like fern wallpaper into a DIY headboard for her own bedroom. She insists it's easy:

Unless otherwise noted, photography by Emma Cassi.

Materials

• Paper to practice drawing the curved pattern of your headboard (plus a large roll of paper if you want to make a scale-size mockup)
• Scissors or a cutting knife
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Wallpaper (Cassi used a design by Cath Kidston that's since been discontinued. See below for similar patterns.)
• Wallpaper adhesive

Above: Cassi found the scrolling silhouette of her headboard in the decorative border of an old French book. "You need to find a nice curving pattern—or use mine. Practice drawing it on blank paper, so you're to be able to do it on the wallpaper," she says.

Technique

Above: Cassi has a steady-enough hand that after sketching the desired shape, she drew her headboard directly onto the wallpaper and cut it out in sections. For novices like us, she recommends first cutting out a small mockup of the design, shown here. In order to make sure your pattern is completely symmetrical, draw one half of the final shape on a piece of paper, layer it on top of another sheet of paper, and cut out the shape. (The concept is similar to drawing half a heart on a folded piece of paper.) Continue to do this for the outer edge pieces until you have a complete maquette.

Above: Lay out the pieces; the dimensions of your headboard will depend on the dimensions of your bed. Next, you can create a full size mockup of the pattern to trace onto the back of the wallpaper, or you can draw the pattern onto the wallpaper freehand, and cut it out. Note that you'll need to make sure that from piece to piece the seams in the wallpaper pattern match up.

Above: This is the tricky part: applying the wallpaper. Cassi recommends simply following the instructions that come with your wallpaper adhesive, and using a sponge to wipe off excess glue or paste. Pick up some pointers from Michelle in her recent Gardenista post DIY: Botanical Wallpaper—and be assured that this project is much simpler.

Above: If you look carefully, you can see that Cassi has lined up her seams to match perfectly.

Above: Cassi's wallpaper headboard adds another layer to the assorted textures of her bedding. "I chose a neutral wallpaper with a small pattern because our bedroom already has a lot of objects on display," she says. Photograph by Kristin Perers.

Above: Cassi's Cath Kidston pattern is no longer available, but here are two prints that are similar in spirit: Above L: Reverse Kasumi by Bennison. Above R: Ringwold BP1614 by Farrow and Ball.

Above: For those of you who aren't sure about your drawing and cutting skils, Cassi suggests using Brooklyn Tins Wallpaper from Merci in Paris. "This could be fun as just a plain rectangle above your bed," she says. "I would also love to play with Piet Hein Eek wallpapers and find a good shape that could give an illusion of wood carving."

Looking for more DIY headboard ideas? See DIY: Painted Headboard Detail and 5 Quick Fixes: Instant Headboards.

Since the days of the Wild West, Denver has had a can-do swagger, but now it's gone completely DIY thanks to Fancy Tiger Crafts at 59 Broadway. Stocked with a large, well-chosen selection of eco-friendly and socially-conscious yarns, "free-range fabrics," patterns, and supplies for all the needle arts, the store also offers a weekly roster of workshops. Sock knitting or yarn spinning 101, anyone?

Above: We hear tell that wool spinning (by wheel or hand spindle) is as addictive as knitting. Shown here, Fancy Tiger Crafts has all the raw goods. And for the perfect first project with wool roving, have a look at Alexa's recent post DIY: Wooly Napkin Rings.

Above: The community table is the setting for Open Crafts Night (Tuesdays), Open Spin Night (the first Monday of every month), and Man Made ("a gentlemen's craft society" every first Monday). Get the full schedule and sign up for classes at Fancy Tiger Crafts.

Above: The fabric selection ranges from denims, linens, and felts to a wide array of organic cotton prints. Take part in one of Lucky Tiger's zippered pillow workshops ($30, plus materials) and in two hours you'll have the finished goods.

Above: Fancy Tiger Crafts sells its own yarn from Heirloom Romney wool raised, milled, and dyed in the U.S. It comes in 20 hues; natural heather gray, is shown here. Also on offer, yarns made by Brooklyn Tweed, Malabrigo, Blue Sky Alpacas, Spud and Chloe, Sweet Georgie, Imperial Stock Ranch, Brown Sheep, Studio Donegal Tweed, and many others.

Above: Jacquard Acid Dyes are for use on wool, cashmere, and silk. Powdered dyes that get mixed with hot water and white vinegar (hence the "acid" in the name), they're available in 40 colors.

 Above: A sampling of sewing ribbons.

Above: Buttons are displayed in stacked tubes.

 Above: For those outside of Denver, Fancy Tiger Crafts has an Etsy shop where you can buy the in-house yarn, as well as needle-felting kits, beginner hand-sewing kits, and knitting patterns. This Cottontail Rabbit Needle Felting Kit is $15. 

 Above: Fancy Tiger Crafts' classroom has a knitting-pattern-inspired linoleum floor. Dozens of classes are offered, including workshops devoted to making men's ties, beginner baby quilts, and kids' pajama pants.

Obsessed with (easy) household projects? So are we. Check out Dip-Dyed Wick Poufs, Rope as Curtain Rings, and hundreds of other DIY and Remodeling posts. 

When I moved into my first apartment, I acquired tools piecemeal as needed. To start I bought a truly basic tool kit from The Home Depot, something not unlike the Workforce Household Tool Kit; $10.97. I vividly remember the female cashier eyeing my purchase, then eyeing me, and exclaiming, "Good for you!," apparently proud of a young woman tackling repair projects herself.

Several tools from that first set remain in my arsenal, but my kit has grown exponentially. Over the years I've added several pieces that have hugely expanded my ability to build and repair on my own, and I know now what I would have loved to have from the get go. If you're thinking about a holiday gift for a first-time apartment dweller who's interested in getting things done, here's what I recommend: 

Photography by Meredith Swinehart.

Above: The basics need not be expensive. A Stanley 25-foot Tape Measure ($9.97) stays firm when measuring and is long enough to meet most needs. A hammer is a necessity; I like the HDX 16-oz Ash Handle Hammer; $5.98 at The Home Depot. I've never worn gloves and I have the scars to prove it. If I had it to do over again, I'd have a pair of Firm Grip Women's Full Grain Deerskin Gloves, also available in Men's; $19.97 at The Home Depot. And I'm now in the habit of keeping carpenters' pencils near my tools; their bright orange color makes them easy to spot, and they don't roll away: C.H. Hanson Oversized Carpenter Pencils are 19 cents each. 

Above: If anyone had ever told me I would be able to make use of almost all of the screwdrivers in a 71-piece set, I wouldn't have believed it. But it's incredibly useful to have a wide variety of screwdrivers on hand, and this kit includes a 6-piece precision set that I use constantly. The HDX 71-Piece Screwdriver Set is $9.88 at The Home Depot, and a Klein Tools 12-1/2-inch Canvas Zipper Bag ($9.48) is helpful to keep the pieces in one place. 

Above: I wish I'd bought a power drill years sooner. Today, I like the Ryobi 18-Volt One+ Lithium-Ion Drill Kit; $79 at The Home Depot. A canvas drop cloth (or several) is another necessity for the handy person: An Everbilt 9 x 12-foot 10-oz Canvas Drop Cloth is $26.98 at The Home Depot. And wood crates make the best gift boxes; wrap your gift in something the recipient can use to store it in. The medium-sized Wood Crate shown here is $11.97 at The Home Depot. 

Above: The Dremel Multi Max Oscillating Tool Kit is an efficient and easy-to-use multitasker. Use it to cut and sand wood, scrape and remove grout, and more. For someone who lacks the space for several power tools, this is a great little stand-in that can often get the job done; $69 at The Home Depot. 

Above: I've taken to storing my tools in a Husky Tool Cabinet and I love it. But you'll inevitably need to carry tools around your home, garden, and beyond, and a sturdy, generously sized tool bag comes in handy; the Klein Tools 16-inch Canvas Tool Bag is $57.18 at The Home Depot. And, if your apartment dweller is going to be doing any painting, include a few decent paintbrushes—a better brush makes a big difference in a paint job. Shown here, the Wooster Pro 1-in Nylon/Polyester Thin Angle Sash Brush; $7.58, and the Purdy XL Glide 3-in Angled Sash Brush; $16.47 at The Home Depot. Leaktite 5-Quart Metal Pails come in handy for a million uses and are $10.77 for a pack of three at The Home Depot. 

Above: These are the critical pieces in my tool set, and it would have been a dream to have them in my first apartment.

-Meredith Swinehart

Want to see some of what Meredith has built? Have a look at Fill the Void: A DIY Plywood Bookcase and The Storage Closet Reinvented.

For slackers like me, some last-minute holiday gift ideas that we think will pass muster with the most discerning of cooks. Several of these make excellent stocking stuffers, too.

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: Hand crocheted linen Fog Linen Coasters; $8 each from Muhs Home.

Above: On my wish list, a pair of these White Oak Salt and Pepper Grinders from Nickey Kehoe; $200 each.

Above: Alexa is mildly obsessed with the Famos Vegetable Peeler, "so fabulous with its simple profile and stunning nib for cutting out potato eyes. And such a great finish; oh damn, what a glamorous vegetable peeler," as the people at Kiosk say. The Famos Vegetable Peller is $12 at Kiosk; they've currently got a few in stock and have more on the way.

Above: Hudson Made Scullery Soap is a beeswax soap that also contains rose geranium and mineral salt. According to its makers it's "perfectly suited for hands and forearms hard at work in the kitchen"; $16 from Hudson Made.

Above: Made of enamel-coated-steel, the Kobenstyle Butter Warmer also works well for melting chocolate or heating milk; $200 from Provisions.

Above: The tiny, simple Bamboo Scraper is a genius solution for getting rid of those little bits of grated ginger and lemon zest that cling to Microplanes and graters; $4 from Umami Mart. 

Above: Package your prsents in Muslin Gift Wrap that can later be used for making bouquet garni or straining tea. The muslin bundles are $20 for five pre-cut sheets (2 sheets that are 24 by 36 inches, and 3 sheets that are 20 by 24 inches) from Sunday Suppers' holiday pop-up shop.

We've got more ideas. See Gift Guide: For the Scandi Chef and browse our recent Kitchen posts, including A Good-Looking Water Filter.