Recently, while having lunch at a friend's house, I admired her striking flatware in matte black. Now I'm seeing it everywhere along with its summery counterpart: white enamel camp-style cutlery.

Above: Made by a third-generation, family-run business in Portugal, Almoco Flatware's Five-Piece Setting in Black is crafted from stainless steel; $53 from DWR. 

Above: Another family-run business from Portugal, Cupitol makes a number of black flatware collections that we admire. Sleek and modern, Moon Cutlery in Brushed Black is available at Horne; $89 for a five-piece set.

Above: A bargain option, Hampton Forge's Melodie Oxidation Flatware 20-Piece Set is $99.99 from Amazon.

Above: Inspired by mid-20th-century Scandinavian flatware, the Oslo Five-Piece Set in Matte Black is available at Greentail Table for $72. The collection, made in Portugal from stainless steel finished with a black titanium electroplate, can also be found at Poketo, Canvas Home, and Dwell Studio.

Above: The classic Mono-A Edition 50 collection was designed in 1959 by German professor Peter Raacke; $400 for a five-piece setting at All Modern.

Above: Made in the village of Sao Martinho de Sande, Portugal, Cutipol's Duna Matt-Black Cutlery is available at Amara; $426 for a 24-piece set.

Above: Also on board with the black flatware trend, CB2 offers its own Matte Flatware Set made of powder-coated stainless steel; $24.95 for a three-piece place setting.

Above: Made in Vietnam, Crate & Barrel's stainless Jett Flatware has a heat-treated black satin finish; $69.95 for five pieces.

Above: Vera Wang's Wedgwood Polished Noir flatware is a Bloomingdale's exclusive; $125 for a five-piece setting.

Looking more black accents for the kitchen and table?

• Eva and Gentry Dawson set a midnight table in The Dark Side: Neo Goth Royalty at Home in Brooklyn
• At Blackcreek Mercantile, an architect turned woodworker delves into the dark in Cutting Boards to Covet: Joshua Vogel's New Blackline Collection
• Steal This Look: Moody West Marin Table Setting

More Stories from Remodelista

• The Bright White Berlin Kitchen: 11 to Admire
• 12 Minimalist Concealed Kitchens
• Remodeling 101: The Ins and Outs of French-Door Wall Ovens

Soho House is situated in a Bauhaus structure that was once a department store. After WWII, it was used for various purposes by the Communist party (Joseph Stalin gave a speech on one of the balconies). Our favorite spaces? The rough-luxe baths, featuring the perfect balance of distress and polish. Get the look with the following elements.

Above: Weathered, white-washed brick meets subway tile, towel warmer and corner tub included. Photograph via Soho House Berlin.

Above: Full-metal details in a view from the bedroom into the bath. Photograph via Yatzer.

Above: For a similar tile, consider Heath Ceramics' Dual Glaze collection of tiles, which are a combination of glossy and matte, adding texture, contrast, and depth. Glazes are overlaid on a single tile, creating variations in reflection and the illusion of varying tile sizes within an installation. The two-by-four-inch, in-stock Dual Glaze Tiles come in four colors—opaque white, stone gray, paprika, and jade—and are $45 per square foot at Heath Ceramics.

Above: Create the illusion of painted brick with Waterworks' Grove Brickworks Field Tile, available in a choice of 16 colors (including Sugar White, shown here). The tiles, made of actual brick, are half an inch thick (a bit thicker than standard tile) and measure 2 3/8 by 8 1/4 inches; inquire about pricing.

Above: The Universal Towel Warmer from Waterworks starts at $1,714 for the chrome version. Find more options (some surprisingly affordable) in Remodeling 101: Towel Warmers.

Above: The Alabax Pendant from Schoolhouse Electric is available in white, black, gray, and marigold; Alabax Large (shown) is $139, and Alabax Medium is $95.

Top: Schoolhouse Electric offers Black and White Aluminum Numbers for doors; $11 each. Bottom: Restroom ($20) signs from Schoolhouse Electric are made by a 100-year-old, third-generation, family-run company in Portland, Oregon.

Above: The Small Pharmacy Cabinet is on sale for $309, marked down from $625, at Restoration Hardware.

Above: The Empire Corner Rectangular Bathtub is available from Waterworks; inquire about pricing. For bathtub advice, see Remodeling 101: Freestanding vs. Built-In Bathtubs, Pros and Cons.

Another industrial hotel bathroom we can't resist?  See Steal This Look: The Ace Hotel Bathroom in LA. And have you seen our favorite bathrobe hook?

This post is an update; it originally ran on May 24, 2010, and on May 3, 2012, as part of our Beyond Bauhaus issue.

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• Geberit European Toilet Systems Save Water and Space
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• Stealth Luxury: Organic Plant-Dyed Towels from Japan

A few days ago I found myself lying on a horsehair mattress on the floor of an 1840s unfurnished apartment in Berlin deciding whether I preferred horsehair from the mane or the tail. Both were exceedingly comfortable, but being a fan of firm support, I settled on the latter. It was Gallery Weekend in Berlin, a large, annual contemporary art event, and fourth-generation mattress maker Daniel Heer of Manufaktur Heer was using the occasion to announce his new studio, Werkstatt Schoneberg. I had spotted his work a few weeks earlier when I had just arrived in Berlin—I was walking down a street in the happening Mitte neighborhood and Daniel was standing in his workshop in his trademark Dries van Noten sleeveless tweed jacket, needle in hand, stitching a mattress. Even from afar, his craftmanship and the level of handwork was obvious. 

Heer's family has been creating rosshaarmatratzen, horsehair mattresses, in Switzerland since 1907, when his great-grandfather Benedikt Heer opened a saddlery in Lucerne (making saddles and mattresses once went hand in hand). There are now only seven practicing horsehair mattress makers in the whole of Europe, and Heer, who grew up in the business, is hoping his new studio will allow people to come appreciate the mattresses, and, if they want, to also learn the craft. 

Above: Daniel Heer in his recently opened Berlin studio in Mitte, where he makes each mattress by hand.

In addition to offering supreme comfort, horsehair is known for its strength and durability; it's also breathable and naturally absorbs moisture and conserves heat. Pricing starts at $2,000—undeniably steep, but, as Heer points out, if properly maintained a mattress can last beyond a lifetime. (He advises owners to air their mattress once a year in the sun, and have them refurbished by an expert every 15 years.) The largest size he makes is a queen (though he's made one king by special request).  

Above: Heer stitches a mattress. Each rosshaarmatratzen begins with approximately 33 pounds of horsehair—hair from more than 40 horses. The foundation is created by sculpting the horsehair into three layers that are two feet high; they're then sheathed in virgin sheep fleece before being covered in fabric. The edges are first sewn into rolls to give the mattress its basic form; the shape is then refined with careful needlework around the edges.

Above: Heer's Classic Sleeping Mattress, covered in woven cotton-wool ticking from England, measures one meter by two meters (approximately 3.3 feet by 6.5 feet) and requires more than 1,000 stitches. The tufts and buttons, made by deconstructing the warp and weft of the leftover fabric, hold the horsehair interior in place.

Above: Heer's fabrics and tools. Elsewhere in the studio, he keeps wooden crates full of horsehair and fleece. Though best known for his mattresses, he also works with leather—he currently makes hand-stitched bags and furniture with leather seats.

Above: A wedge-shaped Bolster. For cushions such as these and the daybeds, Heer uses a gabardine-quality wool from Danish textile studio Kvadrat.

Above: Heer's Keil Daybed, made in collaboration with Thomas van Asseldonk, is available from Matter in New York. (Keil means "wedge" in German and is an artisan’s method for joining components by locking them together.) Working with van Asseldonk, Heer uses the method to make wood and leather furniture without glue or nails; their series includes the daybed, as well as the stool and table.

For more on Heer's products stateside, visit Matter. For general inquiries, contact Manufaktur Heer directly. And read more about Heer in The Craft and the Makers, Tradition with Attitude, a new book published by Gestalten with Heer on its cover.

Horsehair can be found in other everyday items, such as these fabrics and brushes. 

In need of more sleep? We can relate—see our wellness guru Jackie Ashton's 10 Secrets for a Better Night's Sleep. 

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• Bath Accessories from Magazin in Germany
• Sneak Preview: The Bklyn Designs Fair
• Current Obsessions: Rustic Charm

Bath accessories, German style. Practical, minimalist, no frills, from Magazin in Germany (home shop we'd most like to come to the US).

Above: The Toothbrush Holder is €22 ($24.50).

Above: The Rollenhalter Toilet Roll Holder is €22 ($24.50).

Above: The Porzellanablage Plateau (porcelain soap dish) is €16 ($17.82).

Above: The Product Toilet Paper Holder is available in black and white; €70 ($77.94).

Above: Toilettenburste Badserie Lunar toilet brush is €32.50 ($36.19).

Browse all our favorite bath accessories here. 

More Stories from Remodelista

• Berlin's Secret to a Good Night's Sleep: The Horsehair Mattress
• Sneak Preview: The Bklyn Designs Fair
• Current Obsessions: Rustic Charm

Considering a bathroom overhaul? May is National Home Remodeling Month and Swiss manufacturer Geberit has plenty of ideas.

More than 50 years ago, Geberit proposed a streamlined solution to bulky toilets: Put the plumbing behind the wall and gain extra room. 

Today, Geberit offers two solutions to homeowners worldwide: an in-wall plumbing system paired with a wall-mounted toilet, and the Monolith system, which corrals bulky plumbing into a sleek glass tank. Both products save space—up to nine inches—and water: Geberit systems with dual-flush plates can help a family of four cut water use by thousands of gallons every year. 

Here are some modern and spa-inspired baths that demonstrate the space-saving powers of Geberit, and visit our shared Pinterest board for more inspiration.

Geberit In-Wall Toilet System

Above: Geberit's in-wall system hides all the plumbing inside the wall, so only the toilet is visible. It's a streamlined—and easy to keep clean—setup. 

Above: Geberit's in-wall system can be paired with wall-hung bowls from most leading manufacturers, meaning it can be configured in myriad combinations at a wide range of prices.

Above: Geberit flush plates come in an array of designs and finishes. The Sigma60 Flush Plate, shown here, is made of die-cast zinc and mounts evenly with the surface of the wall. 

Geberit Monolith

Above: The Geberit Monolith comes in two versions: an in-wall system compatible with a wall-hung toilet (shown here), and a floor-mounted version compatible with existing floor-mounted toilet plumbing.

Above: A Monolith in-wall system with a ceramic bowl by Duravit in a spa-inspired marble bath.

More Stories from Remodelista

• Steal This Look: Soho House Berlin Bathroom
• Before & After: A Brooklyn-Inspired Bath in Los Angeles
• Stealth Luxury: Organic Plant-Dyed Towels from Japan

Our friends at Freund von Freunden, the Berlin-based online style mag, heard we were coming to town and shared their favorite places to eat, drink, and be merry. Here they are in their words, and in no particular order.

Top 5 Coffee Bars

Above: Just-opened Ora, in Oranienplatz, is located in a gorgeous former pharmacy with original antique cabinets and wood work. Photograph via Stil in Berlin.

Above: Coffee is a big thing in Berlin and choosing one place is hard; Nano is definitely in our top five.

Above: The Barn Coffee Roasters is a favorite with local coffee connoisseurs. Photograph via The Coffeevine.

Above: Chapter One Coffee is yet another high-quality cafe created by avid coffee bean lovers. It's worth trying their slow coffee variations.

Above Located in the heart of Berlin in Mitte, Distrikt Coffee is known as much for its breakfast menu as for its excellent coffee.

6 Favorite Restaurants

Above: The area around Weserstrasse in Berlin's Neukolln district is booming with gourmet destinations; one that stands out and is definitely worth a visit is Beuster Bar.

Above: Cocoloc makes the best and most authentic ramen in town. Photograph via Foursquare.

Above: Lokal serves contemporary German cuisine in a beautifully rustic dining room. (See more at A Rustic Modern Hangout in Berlin.)  Photograph via Lost in Cheeseland.

Above: In a city where Sunday brunch is a religion, Le Bon puts an end to all searches.

Above: Madchenitaliener is a small Italian bistro with amazing genuine pasta and a selection of great cheeses and cured meats; cozy, familiar atmosphere.

Above: Themroc, a French restaurant in Mitte, changes its menu frequently and offers elegantly prepared, simple dishes with fresh ingredients.

Top 3 Cocktail Bars

Above: John Muir (named for the California naturalist) serves old-fashioned cocktails in a brick-lined cellar; great atmosphere. Photograph via Tip Berlin.

Above: Wurgeengel is a quirky bar known for expertly made drinks.

Above: Lebensstern, located in Schoneberg, is a hidden gem offering cocktails in an Old-World setting (the famous Cafe Einstein is on the first floor of the villa). Fun fact: Quentin Tarantino filmed scenes for Inglourious Basterds on the premises.

See some of our favorite gritty and glamorous Berlin restaurants here, here, and here.

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• Table of Contents: Berlin Bound
• Paris in the Springtime: The Très DIY Hotel Henriette (Starting at $75 a Night)
• The New Dolce Vita: A Reinvented Village in Tuscany

From the land of high-performance cars, everyday cleaning tools built for beauty and function. Here are 10 grime-combating, dust-bunny battling favorites.

Above: A German stainless steel and beechwood Dustpan and natural horsehair Brush is $49 for the set from Kaufmann Mercantile.

Above: The Laundress Horsehair Broom from Germany is $60. (For more old-world horsehair designs, see Berlin's Answer to a Good Night Sleep.)

Above: The handmade Rice Straw Broom is €16.50 ($18.40) from Manufactum.

Above: The Redecker Scrubbing Brush with Handle is $17 (marked down from $19 ) at Restoration Hardware. Photograph via Rakuten.

Above: A German Bristle Brush for dish cleaning is $15 at Schoolhouse Electric. 

Above: Redecker's Copper Cloth will not scratch steel or enamel; $14.70 for two cloths from the Eco Store. 

Above: For sending dust flying, the Rattan Carpet Beater by Redecker is $28 from Food52.

Above: The tear-proof and absorbent Honeycomb Weave Dishcloth is woven in Germany; €2 ($2.20) from Manufactum. 

Above: The Wesco Singleboy 3.4-Gallon Trash Can is $129.95 at Crate & Barrel. (Take a look here for more ideas, including these Gorgeous German Pedal Bins.)

Above: The Miele s6270 Onyx Canister Vacuum Cleaner is $499 (reduced from $549) at Crate & Barrel. Learn about this German-made workhorse in my post Why I Love My Miele Vacuum.

Above: The perfect companion for all these cleaning tools? Consider the cult favorite German Alape Bucket Sink by AG.Stahlform; $249 from Rejuvenation. To see more examples in action, go to Design Sleuth.

For more German staples we swear by, take a look at the Mercedes of Kitchen Tools.

And if you're as into cleaning supplies as we are, click here and here.

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From Mercedes to Miele to Montblanc, Germany is famous for its engineering—but in an increasingly globalized world, to be a German brand is not always to be manufactured in Germany. A notable exception is the wide range of precision-built kitchen systems that are still being made in Germany, some by companies more than a century old and applying the same techniques and workmanship as they did on day one.

Common in Europe but still a nascent concept in the US, kitchen systems make for one-stop shopping: Typically, a company designs a set of wall-mounted or freestanding cabinetry and workstations down to the minute details. Clients choose finishes from a set of options, then add any fixtures and appliances they want. Most components are built to order, since they're entirely customized to the dimensions of each space. 

But custom means expensive, and the highest-end kitchen systems tend to cause sticker shock. On the other hand, a high-end kitchen compiled piece-by-piece can surpass the cost of a kitchen system in no time. To bring prices down, many companies now offer part-standard, part-custom solutions.

Here are nine kitchen systems from German companies to know about.

Alno

Above: Founded in 1927, Alno makes its kitchens in Pfullendorf in the south of Germany. Established as a top-of-the-line brand, the company has expanded to include several lines at varying price ranges. Shown here is a combination of Alno's Natureline island in wild oak and Highline high-gloss white laminate cabinets, finished with Miele appliances and Corian countertops. The design is by Halcyon Interiors of London, a specialist Alno dealer. For showrooms across the US, visit Alno. 

Bulthaup 

Above: Family-owned since its founding in 1949, Bulthaup and its competitor Poggenpohl are arguably the premier names in German kitchen systems. Shown here is a b2 concept kitchen with a stainless steel workbench and oak cabinets. Though the system can have myriad configurations, it's made of three basic parts: the workbench (fitted with stovetop and sink), a cabinet for appliances, including fridge and oven, and a pantry and tools cabinet. For more from Bulthaup, see Kitchen: Bulthaup Workbench and Remodeling 101: Five Questions to Ask When Choosing Kitchen Cabinets. Visit the Bulthaup Dealer Search for showroom locations around the world, including New York and LA.

Eggersmann

Above: Eggersmann is a relatively small manufacturer with a production output of roughly 6,000 kitchens each year. Founded in 1908, it's the oldest family-owned kitchen maker in Germany. Since 2006, the company's look has gone increasingly minimalist, and it recently added closet systems to its lineup. Shown here is an Eggersmann kitchen in House Hamburg. Visit Eggersmann for dealers across the US. 

Holzrausch

Above: Holzrausch is an interior design firm with its own manufacturing arm and a growing portfolio of modular kitchens. The Labsal handmade kitchen shown here is intended for cooking enthusiasts with small spaces (as well as for investors looking for a compact but luxe kitchen for high-rise housing). Other kitchens in the portfolio include the Childproof kitchen and Pythagoras kitchen designed to fit neatly under a pitched roof. For more from Holzrausch, see 15 Storage Ideas to Steal from High-End Kitchen Systems. There are no Holzrausch locations outside of Germany; contact the company to inquire about availability. 

Next 125/Schüller

Above: Next 125 is a new high-end brand from established German kitchens manufacturer Schüller, which makes more than 100,000 kitchens each year at its factory in the Franken region. Shown here is an NX 902 kitchen of satin glass in matte Polar White. Contact Schüller for a dealer outside of Germany. 

Poggenpohl

Above: Founded in 1892, Poggenpohl is the oldest kitchen company in the world and manufactures in Hereford, Germany. Now owned by a Swedish conglomerate, it distributes kitchens to 70 countries via 450 Poggenpohl design studios and is famous for its hardware add-ons and storage accessories. Shown here is a Pure kitchen from Goldreif by Poggenpohl, the company's most affordable line. For another Poggenpohl kitchen, see A Grand but Understated Flat in Paris. Visit Poggenpohl's Studio Search for showrooms across the US. 

SieMatic

Above: In 1922, SieMatic began making kitchen "dressers," which were something like china hutches. It produced its first full kitchen in 1953 made of Japanese elm. Today the company makes three kitchen lines: Pure, Classic, and Urban (the last is being revealed later this year). Shown here is a kitchen from the Pure collection in a Paris apartment, with matte black lacquer surfaces and aluminum cabinet interiors. For an impressive SieMatic drawer (with designated places for spices, knives, flatware, and tools), see Mise en Place: Kitchen Tool Drawer Organizers. See another with a tarnish-resistant cloth lining in Domestic Dispatches: The Death of the Dining Room. Visit SieMatic's Showroom Search to find the US dealer nearest to you.

Warendorf

Above: Warendorf was created as an offshoot of Miele in 1973, and until 2010 was still branded as Miele Kitchens. A growing brand with three stores in Germany, Warendorf has distribution in 24 countries and recently collaborated with Philippe Starck. The Hidden Kitchen shown here (and featured in our post on Minimalist Concealed Kitchens) has an electric panel that hides all when not in use. In the US, Warendorf contracts with dealers in San Francisco, New York, and Hollywood, Florida. 

Wiedemann Werkstaetten

Above: Wiedemann Werkstaetten is a third-generation, family-owned company based in Munich. Now run by Georg and Lucia Wiedemann, the company also makes storage units, staircases, and custom architectural details. Shown here is the Beton Eiche P kitchen of concrete and oak (with cooktop knobs inset into the concrete countertop and matching benches that tuck under the cantilevered work surface). For more examples, see a Modular Kitchen Island by Wiedemann Werkstatte and A Kitchen Made from Eight Oak Trees. The company's showroom is in Munich. 

For more European kitchen systems, see:

• Bella Cucina: 8 Italian Kitchen Systems
• 11 Italian Kitchens, Dolce Vita Edition
• 11 Design Details to Steal from High-End Bespoke Kitchens
• Greatest Hits: 10 Fantastique French Kitchen

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• Trend Alert: Black Flatware, 9 Noirish Styles
• The Bright White Berlin Kitchen: 11 to Admire
• 12 Minimalist Concealed Kitchens

A pet peeve around here: thoughtfully-designed houses with mood-killing cheapo light switches. We've long recommended replacing plastic switch covers with inexpensive metal ones. But in the best of all worlds, what we'd really like to live with are these elegant, old-fashioned designs spotted in the offerings from German reproduction specialists Replicata.

Above: A trio of porcelain and wood Garby Collection designs: the Garby Switch, €39.50 ($44.38), Garby Push Button light switch, €21.20 ($23.82), and Garby Socket, €45.70 ($51.35).

The designs are by Spanish manufacturer Fontini and available from a number of sources, including Replicata, which has a showroom and warehouse in the German university town of Freiburg, near the border of Switzerland and France. Replicata is offshoot of Florian Langenbeck Historische Türen, specialists in antique doors, hardware, and other architectural findings, and worth a visit.

Above: Also by Fontini: Dimbler Toggle Switches of nickel-plated brushed brass with porcelain bases are €45.30 ($50.90) each at Replicata. The design comes in a range of other finishes and materials.

(Also don't miss The World's Most Beautiful Light Switches By Way of France.)

Above: Who knew Bakelite was still in production?  German switch specialists Berker, in business since 1919, modeled their Serie 1930 Bakelite Rotary Switch after a 1930 Bauhaus design. It's €42 ($46.98) via Replicata, and also comes in black. 

Above: The Berker Bakelite Toggle Switch and Cover is available in black and white for €35.50 ($39.71).

We've been coveting classic lighting from Germany for years—see our posts on Thomas Hoof (now called THPG)—and are ever hopeful that a stateside company will come up with US-ready versions. A new notable example: Zangra's Belgian Basics, Now Available in the US. 

For easy, affordable switch plate upgrades, see 10 Easy Pieces: Switch Plate Covers.

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• Design Sleuth: Knitted Wool Pendant Lights
• Bath Accessories from Magazin in Germany
• Berlin's Secret to a Good Night's Sleep: The Horsehair Mattress

Spotted (and admired): faceted, knitted wool pendant lights in a Berlin apartment. We went sleuthing for the source and discovered an under-the-radar design studio.

Above: A Berlin apartment via Fantastic Frank.

Above: From Berlin studio Llot Llov, the Ray Lamp is a "lying, hanging, or atmospheric lamp" made of knitted merino wool. 

Above: The Ray Lamp in merino wool with steel cage in white. Contact Llot Llov directly for pricing information.

Interested in more oddball knitted projects? Go to DIY: Chunky Knitted Chair Throw and DIY: Pot Holders Knitted from Ocean-Tossed Twine.

More Stories from Remodelista

• Switched On: Classic Light Switches
• Bath Accessories from Magazin in Germany
• Berlin's Secret to a Good Night's Sleep: The Horsehair Mattress

A protégé  of Norman Foster overhauls a grand house in Berlin, bringing it into the modern age. To see more of Thomas Kröger's work, go to Before and After: A Renovated Barn by a Berlin Star Architect.

Above: The formidable facade.

Above: The grand entryway has an original coffered ceiling with walls painted an oceanic blue.

Above: An original carved fireplace anchors the living room.

Above: Shades of blue run throughout the interiors.

Above: A side room painted white with a sculptural fireplace.

Above: The kitchen seating area has a half-blue wall.

Above: The modest kitchen area has blue-painted cabinetry.

Above: A yellow-tiled stairwell.

Above: The master bedroom has capacious built-in closets.

Above: The monumentally scaled master bathroom.

Above: A child's bed tucked in a nook. 

See more of Thomas Kröger's work at TKA.

For another grand house reimagined, go to A Fairy-Tale Castle in Belgium, Architects' Version.

More Stories from Remodelista

• The Perfect Two-Room Apartment, Berlin-Style
• For Fathers and Graduates: Gift Picks from This Saturday's Remodelista Market
• Design Sleuth: Knitted Wool Pendant Lights

When Wolfgang Ahlers, Christian Geyr, and André Reitemeyer first began collaborating, they had no idea that they would end up launching a furniture business. It was the late eighties and they were making a living throwing events in abandoned factories and warehouses in Cologne, often making use of leftover industrial furnishings destined for the scrap heap. Seeing the value in these handmade pieces, they hit upon the idea of launching their own business specializing in long-lasting, well-crafted furniture—and in 1990 Noodles, Noodles & Noodles Corp was launched.

The trio's line of tables, benches, beds, and clothes racks use classic early 20th-century design as their inspiration. Our favorite pieces are the steel kitchen units that combine old-world craftsmanship with a modular template. Good news for those interested: They deliver worldwide. 

Photography by Davide Aaronson.

Above: The kitchen cabinets are made of steel with pine countertops. They've available in natural steel, or, for an additional cost, a white-enamel finish, shown here. The wood countertops, too, are an extra option. The pine is brushed and oil finished.

Above: A sink installed in the Kuchenschrank Steel Unit; pricing starts at €1,190  ($1,339) for the basic unit without the pine top. The units are narrower than the countertops to allow space for the addition of water pipes, etc. in the rear. Adjustable feet offer a two-centimeter variation in height. 

Above: The design was inspired by a tool cabinet. The handle on the front can be used for hanging tea towels.

Above: The Kuchenregal Basic unit starts at €450 ($505.62) and features open shelving. In this version, a stovetop is integrated into the counter. The large wooden crate on the bottom shelf costs €29 ($32.58) and is designed to fit between the wood shelves.

Above: The Wandregal PX shelf is supported by steel brackets and starts at €69 ($77.53). Shelving comes in lengths of 50, 100, and 150 centimeters, and is 20 or 30 centimeters deep

Above: The steel-framed double-door pantry is fitted with three wooden shelves. The Wooden Cabinet starts at €2,090 ($2,348).

Noodles, Noodles & Noodles Corp also offers custom work. 

For more kitchen inspiration, read our Expert Advice post on 10 Ways to Achieve a Plain English Kitchen. And take a look at Devol's New Showroom in London.

More Stories from Remodelista

• Good Küchen: 9 German Kitchen Systems
• Trend Alert: Black Flatware, 9 Noirish Styles
• The Bright White Berlin Kitchen: 11 to Admire

We're hosting our first Remodelista & Gardenista Market of the year this Saturday, May 9—the day before Mother's Day—at the Marin Country Mart in Larkspur Landing, California, just 30 minutes from San Francisco. 

More than 40 local designers and creators will be selling their wares, and we've been doing some advance shopping. Here are our picks for Father's Day (June 21) and graduation gifts. Spouses and children: For Mother's Day present ideas from the market, see our Gift Guide.

Go to our Markets page for more details, and scroll below for a list of vendors. We hope to see you on Saturday! 

Father's Day Gifts

Above: For the philosopher, reader, or aesthete, consider Wabi-Sabi: Further Thoughts by Leonard Koren from Imperfect Publishing out of Point Reyes, California. (Learn about Koren's cult-status books in Required Reading.)

Above: For the dad who deserves something big this year, The Guideboat is an exact replica of a rare 1892 design. Not a canoe, the guideboat is rowed rather than paddled; it seats up to three; $4,850 from Guideboat Co. in Mill Valley, California.

Above: From LA's Scout Regalia, the SR Birdhouse Kit is a ready-to-assemble California craftsman-style birdhouse, a perfect project for kids and dads to do together. The Birdhouse is being offered at a market-only special of $40 (down from $55). 

Above: Chairtastic will have a variety of Reclaimed Chairs at the market, plus their own designs, such as this Sunset Safari Chair. 

Above: Bar Au Chocolat makes single-origin bars in Manhattan Beach, California (from beans sourced in Madagascar, Brazil, Mexico, and beyond). The company's eight varieties of Tasting Bars are $12 each.

Graduation Gifts

Above: The Roll Top backpack from Flint is made by hand in San Francisco of lightweight American canvas. It has a laptop sleeve and a side holder for a water bottle; $325. 

Above: Vintage Kantha throws from Elsie Green are stitched from cotton saris, no two alike; $129 each.

Above: The Teddy Hook by SF furniture and accessories designer Alice Tacheny is a combination maple peg and leather strap for scarves and other accessories; $34. 

Above: Big Sur Pillows from Haute Bohemian Groupe are made of yarn that's hand-spun and knit in the Napa Valley. Available in camel, ivory, heather gray, and heather charcoal, they're $250 each. 

Above: Little Apple Granola, a venture with a mission to preserve apple orchards in Sonoma County, will be selling bags of Apple Cider Toffee—organic toasted almonds, dried pink apples, TCHO chocolate, and apple cider syrup—for $18.95. 

Here's a list of the vendors who will be at the Remodelista & Gardenista Market this Saturday, May 9. 

More Stories from Remodelista

• The Perfect Two-Room Apartment, Berlin-Style
• A Grand Residence Reimagined in Berlin
• Design Sleuth: Knitted Wool Pendant Lights

Most memorable place to stay in town? In-the-know Berliners told us to follow the monkey hoots to a hammock-strung hotel in a midcentury tower called the Bikini-Haus. Prime views of park and zoo included. The 25Hour Hotel Bikini Berlin is a hangout for locals, too, who come for the leafy rooftop restaurant and bar.

Above: The loft-like lobby has a lounge and bakery with a wood-fired oven. The design is the work of Berlin firm Kec Architekten and Werner Aisslinger of Studio Aisslinger.

Part of the irrepressibly playful 25Hours chain, the 10-story hotel is located in Charlottenberg, right next to the Berlin Zoo and just west of 520-acre Tiergarten Park, once a royal hunting ground. It's part of the revitalized Bikini-Haus (named for its mod, two-part structure), which has been transformed into a concept mall. Photograph via Design Hotels.

Above: To drive home the hotel's urban jungle theme, there's also a hammock area. Photograph via Pulp Collectors.

Above: Guests are offered free use of bikes (and the hotel's Mini Cooper). 

Above: There are 149 rooms with floor-to-ceiling views of the zoo or the city. Select a zoo room such as this and you'll sleep to elephant and monkey calls from below. 

The artwork is by Yoshi Sisky who left his mark on many of the walls. Photograph via 70 Percent Pure.

Above: Wooden walls and floor create an urban cabin vibe. Metal hanging shelves crop up in different configurations throughout. Photograph via 70 Percent Pure.

Above: The Jungle Room M has a well-situated hammock and en suite bathroom with black fixtures. The hotel's toiletries are supplied by upstart company Stop the Water While Using Me! of Hamburg.

Above: A bed in a wood-paneled niche. 

Above: On the ninth floor, a sauna with patchwork-tiled floor and zoo views. (For similar tiles, see Patchwork Tiles: 11 Mix-and-Match Ideas.)

Above: Pale wood furniture is mixed with spots of color in the hotel's Neni Restaurant overlooking the treetops.

Above: The space is built from old hothouse parts. Metal planters in suspended wire baskets create a green ceiling. Photograph via 70 Percent Pure.

Above: Rooms at $115 a night. For more details, go to 25Hours Hotel Bikini Berlin or Design Hotels. Photograph via Studio Aisslinger.

Heading to Berlin? Take a look at 14 Don't Miss Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Cocktail Bars via our friends at Freunde von Freunden,

Fans of unruly plantings, see 10 Garden Ideas to Steal from Germany.

More Stories from Remodelista

• Insider's Guide: 14 Don't-Miss Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Cocktail Bars in Berlin
• Table of Contents: Berlin Bound
• Paris in the Springtime: The Très DIY Hotel Henriette (Starting at $75 a Night)

How to make two rooms feel like an entire universe? In a Berlin apartment with grand turn-of-the-century detailing, we're admiring sytlist Sarah Van Pedeghem of Coco Lapine Design's low-key, expansive touch. 

Photography by Magnus Petterson and Sarah Van Peteghem of Coco Lapine Design.

Above: "The building dates to 1887 and was completely renovated last year," Van Pedeghem told us. "The old hardwood floors were kept, but treated to make them lighter and the original doors and walls were refreshed. I had the task of furnishing and styling the apartment so that potential buyers would get an idea of what the place could look like." 

A project for real estate site Fantastic Frank, Van Pedeghem had approximately 430 square feet to work with: a combination kitchen/dining room and a living room/bedroom—both with with original moldings and enviably tall windows and ceilings. No surprise: it's now sold.

Above: Van Pedeghem recruited Berlin furniture designers New Tendency to supply the big pieces: "Their designs have a very clean look that contrasts nicely with the delicate ornaments and white waxed floors of the flat."  Shown here, the company's Masa Table Frame, a steel base that folds up easily and holds just about any tabletop. The chairs are &Tradition's In Between design by Sami Kallio.

Above: The table is paired with a chalkboard-painted wall, a good companion for the kitchen's existing concrete wall—which is actually wallpaper "but it's really convincing," says Van Pedeghem. (For the original concrete wallpaper, see Piet Boon's Wallpaper for NLXL.) The pair of Palm Print photographs are Van Pedeghem's own and available from her online shop.

And as for Van Pedeghem's most intriguing addition to the room—the kitchen cabinets—they're a set of old airline meal trolleys. 

Above: New Tendency's signature piece, the Meta Side Table of powder-coated steel, holds one of several potted plants in washable Paper Bags from Italian company Uashmama. "In addition to plant pot covers, I use them as storage containers and the big ones are great for laundry,' says Van Pedeghem.

Above: A flea market factory light (which Van Pedeghem restrung with a yellow cloth cord) hangs over the airline trolleys. "They were bought at in a local vintage store here. The original doors and drawers function as the kitchen cabinets, without any adjustments. We just placed them next to each other and topped them with a black plywood board from the hardware so that they wouldn’t roll away from each other." 

The high window was introduced to bring natural light into the adjoining windowless bathroom. "And it also gives the concrete wall a more industrial and lofty feeling," adds Van Pedeghem.

Above: New Tendency's painted oak Shift Shelf is a nail- and screw-free modular design that can be stacked vertically or horizontally. The glass-shaded light is Ateljé Lyktan's Plug Lamp. The Paris Elevations print is from Studio Esinam's city collection.

Above: The adjoining living area-bedroom is furnished with an Ikea sofa, the Asarum (available only in Europe), with a large vintage map tacked above it.

Above: The Meta Side Table here is used as a mini bar between a pair of vintage chairs.

Above: Like the kitchen, the bedroom has a New Tendency Shift Shelf. The artwork is a prototype by Van Pedeghem yet to be put into production.

Above: Van Pedeghem built the desk from Normann Copenhagen Buk Table Legs and an Ikea top ("but at home, I use it with a plywood top, which is a bit heavier and I like the wood textures on the side.")

Above: A cluster light that can grow or shrink as desired.

Above: The Wood Lamp is by Muuto.

Above: See today's Expert Advice post for a not-to-be-missed Berlin stationery store.

Above: A weathered antique dresser was retrofitted as a sink cabinet in the bathroom.

Above: A Le Labo Candle. Go to Coco Lapine Design to see more of Van Pedeghem's work.

For more Small-Space Living, take a look at A Stylish Studio Apartment, Budget Edition and A 410-Square-Foot Family Apartment with a Place for Everything.

Read about how a family of five happily co-exist in a two-bedroom, one-bath cabin in Carmella's 7-Step Plan to Cutter-Free Living.

More Stories from Remodelista

• For Fathers and Graduates: Gift Picks from This Saturday's Remodelista Market
• A Grand Residence Reimagined in Berlin
• Design Sleuth: Knitted Wool Pendant Lights

The best thing about shopping in Berlin? Stores are often located in surprising locations: refurbished factories, Bauhaus boxes, or tiled workspaces tucked away in a courtyard. Here are 10 shops that are worth seeking out primarily for their collection of goods, but in several cases for the space itself. 

1. Andreas Murkudis

Every city seems to have their cult store—think Merci in Paris, Corso Como in Milan, or Dosa in LA, to name a few. In Berlin, it's Andreas Murkudis, named after its discerning owner. Housed in a 1,000-square-foot former newspaper printing shop in the upcoming gallery area around Potsdamer Strasse, the all-white store feels like a gallery, with clothes and objects artfully displayed. The emphasis is on high-end clothing designers (including Remodelista favorite Sofie d'Hoore), mixed with goods and objets selected by Murkudis, including a range of German favorites: Think Nymphenburg porcelain, Mykita sunglasses, Susanne Kaufmann's organic skincare, and Berlin chocolate maker extraordinaire Hamman.

2. Bazar Noir

Bazar Noir has a totally different vibe from many of the other white-washed design stores in Berlin. French-born Catherine Pfisterer (who formerly lived in Sydney) wanted a space that was “drastically different” from what was around. She and her husband enlisted Berlin-based design studio Hidden Fortress to help them create a space that would break the rules. The result is an all-black shell that features finds from Pfisterer's travels, including Indonesian antiques, traditional handwoven rugs from Sardinia, lighting from Israeli designer Asaf Wiebroom, as well as some familiar names from the US (Workstead, Iacoli & McAllister, Ladies & Gentlemen, Fort Standard). The result is a great mix of global finds, old and new.

3. Süper Store

Süper Store, in Kreuzberg, is a small space with a great collection of home goods and accessories run by Elisabeth Schotte, a former fashion designer, and Vanessa Marangoni, an artist; their focus is on goods that are thoughtfully made. Although they sell the work of several European designers, they also feature drawer pulls by Berlin ceramicists Kuhn-Keramics and glass jewelry by Christian Metzner. What am I taking home with me? The award-winning small batch Stählemühle Fruit Brandies made by Christoph Keller, who collaborates with artists to create limited edition packaging. 

4. Hallesches Haus

Hallesches Haus, which opened last month, is the brainchild of three foreigners (a Brit and two Americans—refugees from the online retail world). The shop offers modern design with an American general store vibe. Here you’ll find a selection of goods for the home, including products by Danish firm the Oak Men, iron pans from Netherton foundry in the UK, and dustpans made from branches from Brit Geoffrey Fisher. The shop is also the only source in Germany for the Juniper Ridge line of California cabin sprays and colognes. Housed in a grand former post office, the space includes a cafe, and there are plans afoot to open a restaurant in the adjoining space. In the meantime, guests can enjoy the outdoor beer garden. 

5. Modulor

Modulor is quite possibly the best store ever for stationery, paints, crafts, and storage. Three floors crammed with a well-sourced selection of pens, paints, papers, design tools, containers, and much more (including felt sold by the meter). Every conceivable craft is covered here, making it a destination for Berlin's architects, designers, and makers. Better still, they ship worldwide.

6. Voo Store

A locals' favorite, Voo Store is inside a former locksmith shop in the center of Kreuzberg. Accessed through a courtyard, the store carries fashion and design objects with an arty edge and an emphasis on small, well-made brands. Particularly noteworthy is the sneakers section, Berliners footwear of choice. Added bonus, it also houses Companion Coffee, a serious contender on the coffee scene.

7. Objets Trouves

The owners of Objets Trouves in Mitte, Magdalena and Robert Hohberg, offer a mix of industrial vintage furnishings sourced from France and other parts of Europe. Displayed in their pared-down interior, the pieces are presented with their own line of tables made in the German countryside, featuring salvaged and aged wood. Particularly noteworthy are the ceramics in an array of earth tones by Berlin's Dirk Aleksic.

8. Gestalten 

German book publisher Gestalten has managed to create a concept store that serves as an ideal backdrop for its design and architectural books as well as a wide range of tabletop items and accessories. The flagship store is in Mitte, with another outpost (cafe included) located in Bikini Berlin. (If you want to get your hands on one of the many cult/independent magazines out there, check out another Mitte store, Do You Read Me? It offers a huge selection of magazines, with plenty of titles you may not have heard of.)

9. Paper & Tea

Berlin may be known for its coffee culture, but P&T, as it is affectionately known (short for Paper & Tea), is making waves with its unique approach to selling tea. Owner Jens de Gruyter enlisted product designer Fabian von Ferrari to help create a pared-back, serene space that features pull-out drawers revealing tea samples displayed on trays, and walls lined with Asian ceramics. With tea tasting classes and samplings by the in-house "teaist," P&T is well worth a visit. Their flagship store is in the Charlottenburg neighborhood, and there's another store in Mitte.

10. Manufactum

The retail outpost of this German brand is well worth a visit (many of us know the brand via its online presence). Here you will find a wide array of the company’s trademark functional and well-made goods for the home, including one of our favorites: the Thomas Hoof porcelain Toilet Paper Holder. 

Looking for more places to visit in Berlin? Check out Freunde von Freunden's guide to the city's best restaurants and cafes.

For more information and insiders' guides to other cities, see our City Guides. 

More Stories from Remodelista

• Fun House: The 25Hours Hotel Bikini Berlin
• Insider's Guide: 14 Don't-Miss Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Cocktail Bars in Berlin
• Table of Contents: Berlin Bound

Head over to Gardenista to see the special discounts being offered by many of the artisans and makers at our first Remodelista & Gardenista Market of the year, this Saturday at Marin Country Mart near San Francisco. (And read on for other stories trending on Gardenista this week.)

Above: Exclusive Deals: Shoppers' Specials at the Remodelista & Gardenista Market on May 9. That's this Saturday—for last-minute Mother's Day gifts and more, we have you covered. 

Above: Color Theory: Stackable Outdoor Furniture from the South of France.

Above: Gardenista Giveaway: Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf's New Book.

Above: Gardening 101: 5 Ways to Use Eggshells in the Garden (such as pest control and bird food).

Above: Lawn Begone: 7 Ideas for Front Yard Landscaping.

See more at Gardenista (Ikea biergarten table, anyone?)

More Stories from Remodelista

• Trending on Gardenista: Colorful Coops and Tiny Houses
• Trending on Gardenista: Zero-Waste Gardening, Aussie-Style
• Trending on Gardenista: Bring on the Spring with Michelle Obama (and Ikea's Latest, Too)

We've spent the last week trolling for good-looking kitchens in Berlin with storage ideas to steal; here are our findings

1. Think Modular

In Europe, it's not uncommon to rent a flat with no kitchen; tenants often buy their own modular components and take them with them when they move.

Above: German kitchen brand Naber offers a furniture system designed by Bureau Kilian Schindler based on five modules: work surfaces with integrated range, sink, butcher block, storage rack, and technology tower. Ideal for apartment dwellers who can take the system with them when they move.

Above: A modular kitchen by Noodles, Noodles, and Noodles comprised of components you can pack up and take with you.

See a range of soup-to-nuts modular options in Good Kuchen: 9 German Kitchen Systems and Bella Cucina: 8 Modular Italian Kitchen Systems.

2. Keep Cooking Utensils Within Reach

Above: German company Rosle pioneered the concept of the Open Kitchen by offering adaptable stainless steel modules that allow you to keep utensils in easy reach. Photograph of Erik Spiekermann's Berlin kitchen via FvF. 

Above: A Berlin kitchen via Behomm with modular stainless components and crates as storage.

3. Use Wooden Crates as Storage

Above: Spotted in several Berlin kitchens: wood crates as storage. For something similar, consider the American-Made Poplar Wood Crates from Kaufmann Mercantile; available in three sizes (prices start at $29). 

Above: A modular kitchen by Noodles, Noodles, and Noodles Corp.

4. Consider Built-Ins for Seating

Above: Built-in seating and modular elements make sense for Berlin apartment living; shown above, a custom kitchen by Rainer Spehl. 

5. Think Outside the Box

Above: Dirk Biotto created the ChopChop kitchen for ease of use by the elderly and physically impaired.

Above: Designed by Moritz Putzier as a graduation project, the Cooking Table won a German Design as Best Newcomer 2015.

Above: The Essential Raw Element kitchen by craftsman/carpenter Peter Klint features customizable smoked oak trays and grates that slide in and out to create customizable open shelving.

More Stories from Remodelista

• Kitchen of the Week: The New Old-World Kitchen from Noodles, Noodles & Noodles Corp.
• Good Küchen: 9 German Kitchen Systems
• Trend Alert: Black Flatware, 9 Noirish Styles

Here's what grabbing our attention this Mother's Day weekend: 

• Remodelista's Julie and her 17-year-old daughter, Darcy, sit down with fashion brand Apiece Apart to talk about self image, daily routines, and intergenerational style. Photographs by Leslie Williamson for Apiece Apart.

• Above: Today only: The Remodelista & Gardenista Market hits the Marin Country Mart in Larkspur, California. We'll be there—along with over 40 of our favorite local artisans—from 10 am to 5 pm. Come join us!

• Above: Live out of a box. Photograph by Juust.
• Batteries from Tesla for powering home and office.
• DIY architectural lollipops. 
• McDreamy's Malibu dream house. 

• Above: On our wishlist: the Newspaper Rucksack from This is Paper. 
• Good news for Whole Foods shoppers. 
• A small 70s kitchen resuscitated, butcher block countertops included. 

Above: Next week, in anticipation of our first wedding issue, we're looking at outdoor nuptials in California. Photograph by Erin Hearts Court. 

Instagram and Pinterest Picks of the Week

• Above: Check out Apiece Apart (@apieceapart) to see Julie's Instagram takeover. 

• Above: We're gearing up for warm weather with Gardenista's Outdoor Living board on Pinterest. 

For more of the latest from Remodelista, head over to our Berlin Bound issue and don't miss Gardenista's week of Front Yard Landscaping Ideas and Gardening with Eggshells. 

More Stories from Remodelista

• Small-Space Living: A Grand Two-Room Apartment
• For Fathers and Graduates: Gift Picks from This Saturday's Remodelista Market
• A Grand Residence Reimagined in Berlin

It is a truth universally acknowledged that you will be invited to at least one wedding this spring, so we're spending the week looking at the best gift registries, DIY ideas, and rules to consider breaking (if you happen to be the one planning the nuptials).  

Above: Photograph via March.

Monday

Above: A look at a lighting designer's new studio space in Brooklyn (potential wedding gift, anyone?). 

Tuesday

Above: In our weekly Steal This Look column, Izabella shows you how to re-create this Mykonos bridal suite.

Wednesday

Above: Alexa finds the 10 examples of the best modern monograms for our weekly 10 Easy Pieces roundup. 

Thursday

Above: For our Kitchen of the Week feature, Meredith drops in on a young Brooklyn couple who recently overhauled their Fort Greene kitchen. Photograph by Julia Robbs for Refinery 29.

Friday

Above: In our Expert Advice column, New York's most happening party planners tell us their 10 rules to break when plotting a wedding.

It's wedding season over at Gardenista, too. Watch for today's 10 Tips for Planning a Simple Wedding, the DIY bouquet (for less than $20), and more.

More Stories from Remodelista

• Style Counsel: The Return of the Caftan
• Style Counsel: The Housecoat Reimagined
• Style Counsel: Heidi Swanson's Travel Kit