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Object Lessons: Iconic Cafe Ware from Duralex

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We barely need say that Duralex tumblers are made in France, so closely are they associated with café au lait, beret-wearing school children, baguettes, and vin de table

Duralex emerged during World War II and developed molded tempered glass in its factory near Orléans. Fired using extreme heat followed by a rapid cooling system, this glass is virtually unbreakable, which has made it indispensable to this day in cafes, school lunchrooms, and kitchens in France and around the world.

Five to Buy

Above: The Picardie tumbler is named after the region of Picardie (also known as Picardy), famous for its Gothic cathedrals. The arch-shaped edges also take inspiration from 18th-century French crystal, and provide a good grip for finger and thumb. A set of six Picardie Tumblers, 5.4 oz each, is $20.50 from Duralex USA. Other sizes and colors also available. Also see the Picardie selection at World Market. Photograph via Quitokeeto.

Above: Ideal for baking, mixing, and storing, Lys Nesting Bowls have a lipped ridge at the top for easy unstacking. A 10-piece set of the bowls, from 1 ounce to 3 1/2 quart size, is $39.95 at Sur la Table. Photograph via Food52.

Above: Duralex tempered glassware is strong enough to hold hot coffee and also works well for wine. A set of six Small Gigogne Tumblers, 3.25 oz each, is $21.50 at Elsie Green. Other sizes also available.

Duralex tumblers from Father Rabbit | Remodelista

Above: The minimalist Chopes Unie Glass holds 220 milliliters and is $7 NZD ($4.80 USD) each at Father Rabbit in Auckland, New Zealand. Duralex USA offers Chopes Unie Tumblers in a range of sizes, starting at $18 for a set of six.

Above: Gigogne Mug and Saucers are $20.95 for a set of six from Dinnerware Depot.

The complete range of Duralex glassware is available at Duralex USA.

For more of our affordable favorites, see our 10 Easy Pieces posts on Basic Drinking Glasses and Everyday Wine Glasses. Last week we presented 12 Summer Tabletop Finds for Under $25.

Object Lessons columnist Megan Wilson is the owner of Ancient Industries and curator of the Remodelista 100 presented in the Remodelista book. Have a look at her past lessons on the California Colors of Bauer Pottery and Kaj Franck's Teema Dinnerware. We featured her Connecticut shop in our post Purveyor of the Practical and the Timeless.

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This post is an update; it originally appeared on July 15, 2014, as part of our Bastille Day issue.

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Design Sleuth: 6 Favorite Farmhouse Tables

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A perennial classic: the farmhouse table. Inspired by Sebastian Cox's new kitchen for deVol, we went on a hunt for the best rustic tables out there.

Sebastian Cox Kitchen | Remodelista

Above: Sebastian Cox's new Urban Rustic kitchen for deVol.

Farmer 2 Oak Table from Heerinhuis | Remodelista

Above: The solid oak 100-centimeter-wide Farmer Table from Belgian company Heerenhuis is £2,040 ($3,210.86) from SCP in London.

Boulangerie Rectangle Table from RH | Remodelista

Above: The Boulangerie Table from Restoration Hardware is available in several finishes and sizes; shown is the 96-inch-wide Boulangerie Table in distressed reclaimed pine; $1,255.

Basque Farmhouse Table from Crate and Barrel | Remodelista

Above: The mango wood Basque Honey 104-Inch Wide Dining Table is $999 from Crate & Barrel.

Wardour Farm Table from Conran | Remodelista

Above: The solid oak 110-centimeter-wide Wardour Dining Table is on sale for £3,836 ($6,037.67), marked down from £4,795 ($7,547) at Conran in the UK.

deVol Shaker Table with Drawer | Remodelista

Above: The oak seven-foot-wide Shaker Table from deVol is £2,050 ($3,226.60) with drawer and £1,860 ($2,927.55) without. Custom sizes are also available.

Teak Farm Table from South of Market | Remodelista

Above: The 94-inch-long Teak Dining Table is $3,350 from South of Market.

Still looking? Consider:

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10 Easy Pieces: Architects' Go-To Traditional Kitchen Faucets

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Zeroing in on the right faucet can be daunting—unless it's your job to do it regularly. A few weeks back we asked members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory to fill us in on their favorite kitchen faucets. Our recent 10 Easy Pieces post presented Architects' Go-To Modern Kitchen Faucets. Here's the bookend: The experts' favorite bridge faucets, pot fillers, and other options for kitchens with more traditional sensibilities.

Note that the models singled out here are in most cases part of collections that include deck- and wall-mounted faucets as well as single- and two-hole options. So if a particular design doesn't meet your requirements, take a look at all the options.

Waterworks Easton Faucet in Bella Mancini Kitchen | Remodelista

Above: The Waterworks Easton line is the hands-down traditional faucet favorite. NYC interior designer Bella Mancini used the Easton Classic Two Hole Bridge Gooseneck Faucet with Lever Handles (starting at $1,250 in chrome) in her Greenport, New York, beach house, shown here, and said the model is "a favorite that we've used time and time again." It's also the standard for Joe Williamson of Hollymount design/build in Upstate New York, who says: "We love its clean, classic lines and its versatility, especially since the handles come in different finishes."

Connecticut architect Rafe Churchill also singled out accessories, such as the Easton Vintage Spray with Metal Lever Handle; starting at $580 in chrome. And Chambers + Chambers Architects in Mill Valley, California, specifies the Easton Classic Wall-Mounted Extension Pot Filler with Metal Cross Handle; starting at $613 in chrome.

Perrin & Rowe Faucet from Rohl in California Marble Kitchen | Remodelista

Above: LA interior designer Wendy Haworth installed the Rohl Perrin & Rowe Bridge Kitchen Faucet with Sidespray in her own home. So did Gardenista editor Michelle Slatalla in her Mill Valley remodel shown here. The faucet starts at $1,247.25 in chrome at Faucet Direct. 

Alison Davin San Francisco Kitchen | Remodelista

Above: For a San Francisco kitchen overhaul, interior designer Alison Davin of Jute chose the Quincy Deck-Mounted Bridge Faucet with Lever Handles by Kallista, calling it "a classic bridge faucet with a streamlined shape." Available in three finishes, it starts at $1,265 in chrome. For the rest of Davin's project, see Rehab Diary: A Small-Kitchen Makeover with Maximum Storage.

Chicago Faucets Unlacquered Brass Faucet | Remodelista

Above: Jayne Michaels of 2Michaels design in New York loves Chicago Faucets, a longstanding Remodelista favorite for both kitchens and baths. "The simple, timeless design can be used in both a traditional and modern setting," says Michaels, pointing to this Wall-Mounted Sink Faucet as an example.

Michaels also reminded us that Emerick Architects used a budget-friendly Chicago Faucet (shown here) stripped of its chrome in a Seaside, Oregon, project that was a finalist in the 2014 Remodelista Considered Design Awards. "Unable to find a budget-friendly, unlacquered brass faucet (who wants to spend $1,500 for a cabin?)," they said, "we instead used a trusty Chicago Faucet design in chrome and had the plating removed. The whole thing cost a tenth of the alternative."

Traditional Bridge Faucet in Sky Gyngell Kitchen | Remodelista

Above: Star London chef Skye Gyngell has an Ionian Two Hole Sink Mixer Faucet with Crosshead Handles from Perrin & Rowe in her British Standard kitchen. Available in four finishes, the faucet starts at £328 ($516) in chrome, marked down from £386 ($607). See the rest of Gyngell's kitchen in Steal This Look: A Chef's State-of-the-Art Home Kitchen and her latest restaurant in Pretty in Pink: Spring at Somerset House.

Waterworks Henry One Hole Faucet with Spray | Remodelista

Above: Krista Schrock of DISC Interiors in LA likes Waterworks’ Henry One-Hole Gooseneck Faucet. She favors the unlquered brass finish: “It has a industrial elegance to it and works in many different kitchen styles.” Shown here in nickel, the faucet is available in 13 finishes starting at $2,283 for chrome. 

Axor Montreaux Kitchen Faucet in Barbara Bestor Kitchen | Remodelista

Above: After a long hunt for a faucet that wouldn't take months to arrive, architect Barbara Bestor and client Abby Weintraub chose the Axor Montreaux Widespread Bridge Faucet from Hansgrohe for Weintraub's LA overhaul shown here. The faucet is available on Amazon in three finishes starting at $910.47 for chrome. See the rest of the project in A New England Kitchen by Way of LA

Above: Alice Park of Park McDonald in LA says,"For traditional homes, the faucet really depends on clients’ taste—whether they want separate hot/cold handles, or single lever, wall-mount, a bridge faucet, etc. There are plenty of options, whereas for modern homes, it’s pretty straightforward." When narrowing traditional faucet selections, she likes Lefroy Brooks' designs, such as the White Ceramic Lever Monobloc Mixer Faucet, shown here. It's available in four finishes starting at $983.25 in chrome from Plumb Tile. 

Newport Brass Bridge Kitchen Faucet | Remodelista

Above: Park likes the Chesterfield Kitchen Bridge Faucet with Side Spray for a deck-mounted, two-handle version. Available in 27 finishes, it starts at $1,481 in chrome. 

Rohl Country Kitchen Pot Filler Faucet | Remodelista

Above: Rohl is also a Park McDonald go-to, including the Country Kitchen Low-Lead Wall-Mounted Pot Filler Faucet, shown here; $219.75 from Faucet Direct. Gardenista editor Michelle chose the pot filler for her kitchen, prompting her to write her Domestic Dispatches post Why Your Kitchen Needs a Pot Filler Faucet

Still haven't found the perfect one? Take a look at: 

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Kitzen's State-of-the-Art Kitchen Systems from Finland

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Emerging Finnish design company Kitzen specializes in kitchen systems that offer, its founders like to say, "the ideal conditions for cooking." And, we might add, for keeping clutter out of sight. Kitzen's look is modern and seamless: Its fully made kitchens use top-of-the-line materials and appliances (by Miele and Gaggenau) and don't skimp on the storage.

Kitzen customizes its systems, and every project starts with an experienced designer asking questions like: What kind of life will this kitchen see? Here's a glimpse of Kitzen's latest options.

Kitzen Living with Less I Remodelista

Above: The clean-lined Living with Less kitchen is offered in frameless white or black cabinetry, or a combination of the two, all of the appliances hidden behind closed doors.

Kitzen Softer Touch I Remodelista

Above: The Softer Touch kitchen cabinetry combines wood with touches of white. It was designed with a family in mind: While cooking takes place, the children can tackle their homework around the large island. 

Kitzen Sink area I Remodelista

Above: The Softer Touch has an integrated sink and gooseneck chrome faucet. Kitzen often works with Swedish faucet line Tapwell.

Kitzen- Blogger kitchen I Remodelista

Above: The Blogger is a simple white kitchen punctuated with bold accents. Looking for a bright faucet? See Vola's Color Splash.

Kitzen Minimasculin I Remodelista

Above: The sharp-angled Minimasculin kitchen is composed of stone, steel, and dark wood veneer. 

Kitzen Urban Classic I Remodelista

Above: The Urban Classic kitchen features gray face-frame cabinetry paired with modern appliances and a marble backsplash. 

Kitzen in Finland I Remodelista

Above: The kitchens are made from start to finish in a factory setting in Salo, Finland, and bathroom and closet designs are also available. Go to Kitzen to see more (but be warned that the site is in Finnish).

We're increasingly sold on the concept of the fully loaded kitchen system:

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Story Restaurant: The New Chapter for Helsinki's Old Market Hall

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Admired in the heart of Helsinki's newly revived Old Market Hall: Story, a trim cafe-restaurant with waterfront views and a surprise overhead installation of fish trap lights. The design is the work of Joanna Laajisto, a master at combining Scandi rigor with a playful touch.

Photography via Joanna Laajisto Creative Studio.

Story restaurant in Helsinki's Old Market Hall | Remodelista

Above: The 1889 market, Vanha Kauppahalli, a landmark protected by the National Board of Antiquities, reopened last summer. It's filled with food stalls, and Story is situated in the heart of the hall in the spot once used for loading horse carriages.

"The challenge was to get the high-ceilinged space to feel intimate instead of a space to pass through," says Laajisto, who responded by creating three discreet seating areas. The chalkboards that front the kitchen/bar, shown here, are painted in a custom-mixed navy.

Story restaurant in Helsinki's Old Market Hall | Remodelista

Above: Herbs in white ceramic pots bring the orderly oak shelving to life. Cooking is done on the premises using ingredients gathered from the market and seafood is a specialty

Story restaurant in Helsinki's Old Market Hall | Remodelista

Above: An elevated section overlooking the harbor offers leather-upholstered oak booths lit by a customized versions of Laajisto's Edit Wall Lamp.

Story restaurant in Helsinki's Old Market Hall | Remodelista

Above: Muted two-toned walls are paired with Danish design studio Hay's colorful Copenhague Chairs. Note the bouquets of flatware on the tables. 

Story restaurant in Helsinki's Old Market Hall | Remodelista

Above: Story is owned by four of the city's best-known restaurateurs, Anders Westerholm, Matti Sarkkinen, Teemu Aura and Markus Hurskainen, and the fishing traps came out of one of their summer houses. Laajisto used them to solve a problem posed by the hall's building restrictions: Lights aren't allowed to be suspended from the nearly 33-foot-high ceilings, so she created wall-hung sculptures.

The tables are the custom work of local designer Tebian and the seats are Copenhague Stools from Hay.

Story restaurant in Helsinki's Old Market Hall | Remodelista

Above: A closer look at the nautical construction.

Story restaurant in Helsinki's Old Market Hall | Remodelista

Above: The bar is faced with composite stone tile in a herringbone pattern.

Below: The market has a prime location overlooking the harbor. For more details, go to Story.

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DIY Project: Rope-Wrapped Mason Jar Lights

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Currently on our radar: DIY rope-wrapped Mason-jar hanging lights spotted last winter and filed away as an ideal DIY project for right now.

The lights are the work of Geneva Vanderzeil, creator of Hong-Kong- and Australia-based crafty lifestyle blog A Pair & A Spare. Her boyfriend, interior designer Ben McCarthy of Charlie & Rose, wrangled Geneva to come up with the nautical design for one of his commissions, Fish & Meat, a Hong Kong seafood canteen with a rustic vibe.

Photography via Charlie & Rose and AP&AS.

DIY rope-wrapped Mason jar hanging lights via A Pair & A Spare | Remodelista

Above: The rope acts as a shade creating a diffuse light.

Ingredients for DIY rope-wrapped Mason jar lights via A Pair and a Spare | Remodelista

Above: You may already have all of the essentials on hand.

Ingredients

  • Three-strand cotton rope. Knot & Rope Supply sells a wide variety by the foot
  • Mason jars. For sourcing see our Object Lesson on Canning Jars
  • Plug-in light fixtures that take low-watt bulbs, such as Ikea's Hemma Cord Set, $5 each, or School House Electric's more finished Utility Pendants, $75 each, with colored cloth cords
  • Light bulbs
  • Super glue that dries clear
  • A wooden skewer for applying glue

Instructions

  DIY rope-wrapped Mason jar lights in progress via A Pair and a Spare | Remodelista

Above: Apply glue to the top of the jar with a skewer and begin wrapping.

DIY rope-wrapped Mason jar lights in progress via A Pair and a Spare | Remodelista

Above: Clip the rope a little more than midway down the jar. See A Pair & A Spare for how to finish off the end.

DIY rope-wrapped Mason-jar hanging light via A Pair & A Spare | Remodelista

Above: Geneva's wrapped jars.

DIY rope-wrapped Mason jar lights in progress via A Pair and a Spare | Remodelista

Above: Unscrew the jar lid, remove insert, and slide light fixture through. "Hopefully the light fixture will fit properly inside the lid," writes Geneva. "If it doesn’t, you may have to glue it in to keep it secure. We used 25-Watt bulbs for this project, so they don’t heat up too much. I would perhaps also suggest drilling holes into the lid if you want to use a brighter bulb so the heat can escape."

DIY rope-wrapped Mason-jar hanging light via A Pair & A Spare | Remodelista

Above: Ready for hanging.

The Finished Project 

Rope-wrapped Mason jar hanging lights via A Pair and a Spare | Remodelista

Above: Twenty rope-wrapped lights hang over the tables at Fish & Meat. Geneva said she made the whole collection in a matter of hours. Get the step-by-step details at A Pair & A Spare.

For two more summery DIY lights, see The Flower Pot Pendant and Justine's Razor Clam Hanging Light.

Share our weakness for Rope Decor? Consider:

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Kitchen of the Week: A Streamlined Cape Cod Classic

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Architect Sheila Narusawa came to this project when her high school boyfriend, Moncreiff Cochran (whom she hadn't seen in decades) was looking to build a house. She ended up marrying him—and designing a New England–inspired modernist hideaway for the two of them, shiplap-paneled kitchen included. Look closely: The room is filled with a career's worth of clever, cost-conscious design solutions.

Photography by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.

Architect Sheila Narusawa's kitchen on Cape Cod, Matthew Williams photo | Remodelista

Above: Sheila practiced architecture in Tokyo before returning to home to Orleans, on Cape Cod, and her style is a mix of Yankee practicality and Japanese craftsmanship shot through with a Scandinavian love of light. A longtime opponent of flabby houses filled with little-used spaces, she decided to skip the dining room and have the kitchen serve as an all-purpose hub for cooking, eating, and entertaining.

Architect Sheila Narusawa's Cape Cod kitchen | Remodelista

Above: The key piece of furniture in the room, the dining table, was designed by Sheila and given to her and Mon as a wedding present from his siblings. Made of clear-grade Eastern white pine and fabricated by Rhode Island carpenter Nick Hollibaugh, a brother-in-law, it takes its shape from an antique trestle table but follows exacting specs. As Sheila explains, "It's eight feet long and 30 inches wide, magic numbers if you want a nice proportion that has length—its seats eight—and room for plates, but still allows for intimate conversations." 

The fussiness ends there: The chairs are Ikea's $29 Stefan design, and the delicate bulbs suspended over the table are $261 Atlas Pendants.

Architect Sheila Narusawa's kitchen on Cape Cod, photograph by Matthew Williams | Remodelista

Above: Another of Sheila's beliefs is that houses should be designed with cost tradeoffs in mind: Save here, spend there. Windows, in her book, are worth paying extra for—but only to a point. After originally speccing Marvin, she went with more affordable Andersen.

Throughout the house, Sheila used extra-long windows—they're 65 inches tall; 50 inches is standard—and she placed the sills only 19 inches above the floor. "The size and lowered sills extend the feeling of bringing the outside in and allow the house to breathe," she says.

Architect Sheila Narusawa's Cape Cod kitchen, photographed by Matthew Williams | Remodelista

Above: Radiant heat flooring efficiently warms the entire house, even in the height of winter. In the kitchen, it's supplemented by a wood-burning Rais 60 firebox inserted into a Majestic SRSH36 stove, raised to table level so it's fully in view. Wood is conveniently stowed in an insert underneath. The decoration on top (visible in the first two photos) is a paper garland found on Etsy.

Architect Sheila Narusawa's kitchen in Cape Cod | Remodelista

Above: The custom cabinetry is all shiplap poplar, a painstaking tongue-and-groove construction borrowed from old Cape houses and painted with primer. (See The Enduring Appeal of Shiplap.) For a high/low mix, Sheila paired them with affordable butcher block counters and simple black metal squared-off drawer pulls from the hardware store. 

Architect Sheila Narusawa's Cape Cod kitchen, photographed by Matthew Williams | Remodelista

Above: Cooking utensils hang from stainless steel Kitchen Rails by German company Rösle next to the stovetop. 

Architect Sheila Narusawa's Cape Cod kitchen, photographed by Matthew Williams | Remodelista

Above: Mugs line the open shelves on the other end of the counter.

Of the Atlas Pendants, Sheila says, "It took me years to find a light I like for the kitchen because most are so homogenous and ambient. These send pools of light to surfaces. And they're so minimalist, they're one inch short of a bare bulb and almost invisible."

Custom white wood paneled cabinetry in architect Sheila Narusawa's Cape Cod kitchen | Remodelista

Above: The floor is made of Eastern white pine, "an inexpensive wood considered soft for this use," says Sheila, "but we wanted a raw, unfinished Scandinavian look." To lighten it, she washed the boards with a custom Benjamin Moore shade of warm gray and applied a Danish soap finish, a combination that requires periodic upkeep in high-trafficked areas ("polyurethane would help, but it would add a sheen," says Sheila.)

The walls are painted Deeptone Mixing Base, a flat latex from Pittsburg Paints' Manor Hall line, and the ceiling is poplar with a coat of primer. As another money-saving measure, Sheila and Mon did all of the interior painting themselves, ceilings and floor included.

The shiplap-paneled pantry and refrigerator in architect Sheila Narusawa's Cape Cod kitchen | Remodelista

Above: Wanting to keep visible clutter to a minimum, Sheila created a wall of tall storage cabinets on either side of the shiplap-paneled double-door fridge (shown here on the right). The pantry cabinet is devoted to cookbooks, bakeware, and dry goods.

A concealed microwave and toaster on pull-out shelves in architect Sheila Narusaa's Cape Cod kitchen | Remodelista

Above: The appliance and tableware cabinet holds, among other things, a microwave, toaster, and breadbox. "Kitchen storage can be consolidated so that it doesn't overtake the room," says Sheila.

A hidden microwave and toaster on pull-out shelves in architect Sheila Narusaa's Cape Cod kitchen | Remodelista

Above: The pullout shelves have outlets in the back.

Bamboo spoons in a bamboo cup in architect Sheila Narusawa's kitchen | Remodelista

Above: Spoons used for eating oatmeal are gathered in a bamboo holder.

Clamming baskets on display under the eaves in architect Sheila Narusawa's Cape Cod kitchen, photographed by Matthew Williams | Remodelista

Above: What to put on a high shelf? Nothing big and heavy or purely ornamental is allowed in Sheila's kitchen. Metal clamming baskets made the cut—they're interesting to look at and, on the Cape, useful to have on hand. 

Want to see more? We explore the whole house in the Remodelista book. And we recently presented another design by Sheila: A Cottage Reborn in Coastal Maine.

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5 Little Luxuries for the Urban Kitchen, Summer Edition

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Stuck in the city for the summer? Here are a few ideas for keeping your kitchen fresh, fly-free, and fragrant when heat strikes.

Astier Villatte Dish Soap | Remodelista

Above: Astier de Villatte Liquid Dish Soap; $25 from Nickey Kehoe in Los Angeles. Pricey, yes, but city dwellers deserve some consolation for spending the summer behind a laptop.

Anti Fly Glass Sphere | Remodelista

Above: The Anti-Fly Glass Sphere comes with a leather cord for hanging. The refraction of light against the water confuses insects, especially flies, and helps keep them at bay; $99 from Kaufmann Mercantile.

Leather Fly Swatter from Schoolhouse Electric | Remodelista

Above: If any flies do make it into the kitchen, consider the German-made Leather Fly Swatter; $14 from Schoolhouse Electric.

Hiba Room Spray | Remodelista

Above: Keep garbage cans smelling fresh with Hiba Wood Spray; $20 for the small size, $40 for the larger, from Spartan Shop. Hint: Spray a paper towel with scent and toss it in the bin before changing the trash bag.

St. Louise Lobster Tea Towel | Remodelista

Above: Add a summery note with a linen tea towel screen-printed with vintage photos from Serie Limitee Louise; shown above, the Omar Tea Towel features a lobster print; €24 ($26.58). Alder & Co. in Seattle offers the Flower Tea Towel for $35.

Find more kitchen luxuries worth considering in 11 Design Details to Steal from High-End Bespoke Kitchens.

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Naked No More: Lampshades for Plumen Bulbs

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The world's most stylish energy-efficient bulbs, the Plumen 001 and 002, look good naked. They also accessorize well. Of late Plumen has been collaborating with kindred designers all over on a range of shades tailor made to present the bulbs in the best light. 

Plumen Drop Top Lamp Shade coming in September 2015 | Remodelista

Above: Admired at ICFF and debuting this September, the Plumen Drop Top Lamp Shade is an in-house Plumen design that comes in white (shown), black, and amber. 

Black Drop Top Shade from Plumen | Remodelista

Above: The Plumen Drop Top Shade in black. The London-based company has online UK, Euro, and US shops, and the new glass shade will be available at all three; $109.95 for the shade alone, and $174.95 for a set, including a Plumen Drop Cap Pendant and Plumen 001 bulb

Sphery lampshade by Kirsty Patrick with Plumen bulb | Remodelista

Above: Part of Plumen's Flat Pack Designer Lampshade Series, the Sphery 50 Wooden Light Shade is by UK designer Kirsty Patrick of By Kirsty; £195 ($304.41).

Baby Plumen light bulb in white Air Vase by Torafu Architects | Remodelista

Above: A DIY invented by Plumen's Korean distributor: the Plumen 001 bulb ($34.95) and Drop Cap Pendant (currently on sale starting at $19.38) with a shade made from an Air Vase by Torafu Architects of Tokyo. The perforated paper comes flat and is designed to be shaped and reshaped in different ways, including as a vase, bowl, or shade. Air Vases are available from Kollekt; $29 for a pack of three in white or black. See more examples of Air Vase Shades.

Niche Modern Crystalline series glass shades with Plumen light bulbs | Remodelista

Above: The new Niche Modern Crystalline Series Pendant Collection starts at $595 each.

Plumen and Made collaboration light | Remodelista

Above: A collaboration between Plumen and London furniture and lighting firm Made, the Plume Pendant comes in Smoke Gray and Smoke Blue; £99 ($154.55), including 001 Bulb from Made.

Kayan-3d-printed-lamp-shade-by-Formaliz3d-for-Plumen | Remodelista.jp

Above: Designed by Plumen with Formaliz3d of Italy, the Kayan 3D Printed Lamp Shade is made of perforated ABS plastic created using 3-D modeling and printing. It works with the Baby Plumen 001 and Original Plumen 002; €149.95 ($234); inquire about US availability.

Kayan-3d-printed-lamp-shade-by-Formaliz3d-for-Plumen | Remodelista

Above: Kayan shades in situ in Italy.

We're longstanding Plumen fans. See why in our World's Most Stylish Light Bulb posts, Version 001 and Version 002.

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The Green Housekeeping Goddess: Eco Living Advice from Priscilla Woolworth

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Priscilla Woolworth has retail in her genes—four generations ago her family created the original five-and-dime Woolworths, which in its heyday was the largest chain store in the world. She continues the legacy in a modern, California way with Priscilla Woolworth, her online eco-concious general store launched in 2009. Back then she was living in LA with her two young teen girls, and, stumped by the lack of environmentally friendly consumer choices, she set out on a three-year intensive research mission that led to a new career.

Woolworth’s own childhood was spent mostly in the South of France (with summers in Maine), where she grew up watching her French grandparents eat seasonally, prepare simple foods daily, compost, and take their own bags to the market. “I didn't realize how much it impacted me, observing how my grandparents lived,” she says. But she continually found herself referring to that way of life in the special books of stories and wisdom that she created annually for each of her daughters. 

She has made 40 such volumes to date, and recently she compiled the highlights into LOLA, Lots of Love Always, a manual for young women on how to live a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Published by Woolworth herself, LOLA is full of photos and graphics, and manages to cover a vast array of things that a college-bound girl ought to know, from healthy eating basics to smart makeup choices to how to balance a budget. Informed, fun to read, and notably non-preachy, the book is a good resource for anyone who cares about sustainable living. Here, Priscilla shares some of her tips. 

Photography by Sarah Lonsdale, except where noted.

Priscilla Woolworth via The Local Rose | Remodelista

Above: Woolworth via The Local Rose.

Home made cleaning products | Remodelista

 Above: Homemade vinegar cleaning solution.

Remodelista: You are a big proponent of green housekeeping. What are some basics?
Priscilla Woolworth: You want to keep your home as free of hazardous chemicals as you possibly can. That means your "natural" cleaning products should not include the following: ammonia, 2-butoxyethanol, chlorine, perc, phthalates, quats, sodium hydroxide, and triclosan. A good solution, I've learned, is to make your own all-purpose cleaners using things you already have in your kitchen, such as baking soda. Baking soda is the ultimate multipurpose ingredient that you can use for cleaning your oven, freshening up your carpets, and loosening caked-on food from pots and pans. For the latter, sprinkle baking soda into the pots and pans and add a little warm water. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing. [For a homemade dish soap recipe, see Easy DIY.]

RM: Any do’s and don'ts?
PW: Storing your leftovers in glass containers is much healthier for you than using plastic ones: Take plastic-wrapped meat or fish brought from the supermarket and store in glass once home (or bring your own containers to the store). Drink beverages in reusable glass containers. Before buying baking soda, make sure that it’s aluminum free. And opt for an air popper instead of the microwave when making popcorn. 

Suzanne-Shaker-clothes-line-Remodelista

Above: Dry clothes outdoors; learn how to re-create this setup in DIY Shelter Island Clothes Line.

RM: Any savvy laundering tips? 

PW: I've learned to practice better laundry habits, beginning with setting the machine on cold and running full loads to conserve water and energy. I also use the minimum amount of detergent, and I’m especially fond of reusable dryer sheets, which I scent with my favorite essential oil, lavender. Once you add several drops of essential oil to the sheets, it’s absorbed into the cloth (no need to let it dry) and when added to the dryer, the scent is released as the cloth warms up from the heat and leaves just a trace of fragrance. But as often as I can, I let my clothes be dried by the wind and sun on a laundry line. If pilling is a concern, I also have a favorite non-pilling dryer sheet, the Static Eliminator, that I sell in my store. 

RM: You spell out the hazards of buying pots and pans because of the toxicity of polymer substances associated with nonstick surfaces. What do you recommend?
PW: I’m a big fan of cast iron skillets and stainless steel pots, and for all my baking or roasting needs, glass or ceramic cookware work perfectly.

Linen bedding | Remodelista

Above: Opt for organic bed linens when possible. 

RM: Tips on first-time buying for an apartment or dorm room?
PW: Start by choosing bedding made from natural materials, such as organic cotton, wool, linen, hemp, or bamboo—because many sheets, blankets, and mattresses are produced from synthetic, petroleum-derived substances that have been doused in flame retardants and treated with formaldehyde finishes. Use natural cleaning products instead of conventional, commercial products with a list of questionable ingredients. Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of plain soap and water for washing hands (as opposed to antibacterial soap, which is to be avoided). In addition, apartment dwellers should use a fabric shower curtain over vinyl, and when repainting, use VOC-free paint. 

organic beauty products | Remodelista

Above: Priscilla Woolworth offers a selection of natural beauty products with all the ingredients spelled out.

RM: I love the fact that you talk about beauty products in your book. Many teen girls may know about the benefits of eating organic food but are totally oblivious to the fact that they may be using makeup that is harmful to them.
PW: Just because a beauty product is sold in a supermarket, drugstore, or department store cosmetics counter doesn't mean it's safe. Many years ago, I decided to invest in my health and well-being by choosing beauty and personal care products that don’t contain parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs, or triclosan. And unlike a decade ago, there are many fantastic, toxin-free beauty products on the market to choose from. Also, there are wonderful sunscreens available that are mineral-based and don't have super-high SPFs—a higher SPF doesn’t mean it actually offers better sun protection; the Environmental Working Group's SPF guide explains this well. It’s also upsetting to learn that more than half of the sunscreens sold contain oxybenzone, a potential hormone disruptor that readily penetrates the skin.

RM: Any other beauty notes?
PW: Make sure the lipstick you choose is lead-free: More than half of the tested brands contain this toxic element! See how your brand rates and find good choices by going to the EWG's Skin Deep lipstick rating page. In general, for checking beauty products, the EWG is by far my favorite resource and well worth bookmarking. One more thing: My friend, green expert Renee Loux, recommends routinely rotating the beauty products you use because she notes that the skin and hair will inevitably reach a level of saturation and stop responding to even the best, clean natural ingredients. 

LOLA cosmetics | Remodelista

Above: Learn what your makeup is made of and buy small quantities, so that what you're using is fresh.

RM: Anything else we should know about makeup?
PW: I learned that makeup that isn’t made without toxic preservatives—such as propylparaben, which is linked to breast cancer and hormone disruptions—won’t last or work as well after six to 12 months. Perhaps it's time for makeup brands to offer smaller sizes.

RM: Your book acknowledges that for those on a budget sometimes fast food may be the only option. 
PW: Even if fast food is what's most convenient or all you can afford, there are still choices on the menu that are healthier, such as grilled veggies, clear Asian soups, and grilled chicken.   

RM: How did you tackle the issue of clothing when your girls were teens? 
PW: The teen time is all about fashion and my daughters loved clothes, it was hard because they did buy "fast fashion," but over time, I got them to think about what they bought and where it came from, and to ask themselves if they really need it. I also taught them the merits of sharing clothes.  

RM: What do you wish you had known when you first left home?
PW: Everything in LOLA. Back then, I never thought about making healthy choices.

  LOLA Lots of Love Always by Priscilla Woolworth | Remodelista

Above: The book is available from the LOLA website for $37.95 as well as on Amazon. To read more about Woolworth and peruse her offerings, visit Priscilla Woolworth

For more advice on eco-conscious living, see 10 Ways to Live with Less from Zero Waste Home (and read about my family's attempt to Live Waste Free).

For homemade cleaning solutions that I swear by, see 10 Ways to Use Vinegar in the Home. Go to Gardenista for homemade window cleaner, fridge freshener, and more.

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6 Favorites: Traditional Cast Iron Skillets

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There’s little you can’t make (or bake) with a 10-inch cast iron skillet, and if you look after it properly (season it regularly), cast iron cookware will last you a lifetime and beyond. Here are six favorites.

Above: A chef's dream: a row of variously sized cast iron skillets. Photograph via Brook Farm General Store.

Remodelista-10"-Cast-Iron-Skillet--Griswold

Above: Vintage Griswold and Wagner cast iron skillets, the Rolls Royce of the cast iron world, can be found on eBay from $80 to $250.

Remodelista-10"-Cast-Iron-Skillet--Lodge-Logic

Above: The 10.25-inch Lodge Logic Skillet is available through Amazon; $24.35.

Camp Chef Cast Iron Skillet

Above: The 10-inch Camp Chef Cast Iron Skillet is available through Amazon; $17.99.

Remodelista-10"-Cast-Iron-Skillet--Lodge-Signature-Collection-Stainless-Steel-Handle

Above: The one drawback of the cast iron skillet is that its handle gets very hot. The Lodge Signature 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet with Stainless Steel Handles offers a cooler handle option; available through Mills Fleet Farm for $50.

Skillet made by Borough Furnace | Remodelista

Above: Made of recycled iron, Borough Furnace's 9-Inch Frying Skillets are hard cast to order in Syracuse, New York; $280. See more in Ironman.

FeLion cast iron pans in shape of US map, Remodelista

Above: At Felion Studios, you can have a cast iron skillet made in the shape of your home state. See Felion for details. 

For more options, take a look at Object Lessons: Lodge Cast Iron and Jasper Morrison's Japanese-Made Cast Iron.

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N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on October 18, 2012.

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Trending on Gardenista: Homegrown July 4th Ideas

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DIY: Pot Holders Knit from Ocean-Tossed Twine

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On any given summer day, it's not usual to find Marnie Campbell stationed at Rock Harbor, in Orleans, Massachusetts, knitting away in her signature orange beach chair. Her latest handmade inspiration? A series of nautical knits made from foraged marine twine.

A consummate hunter-gatherer and creative thinker, Marnie walks the shore of Cape Cod daily in search of new and unusual finds to incorporate into her work. (My prized Marnie-made possession is a tomato-red hot pad interwoven with thin strips of golden grass.) For the past few years, Marnie has been collecting ocean-tossed twine washed ashore by the tides. Weathered and worn by the sea, these bits of detritus from lobster traps and fishing boats develop a salty patina that renders them more pliable and pale. Marnie then transforms them into pot holders, table mats, and scrub cloths that echo the textures and hues of her coastal home.

Photography by Justine Hand for Remodelista.

Marnie's marine twin knits, beching combing

Above: Last weekend, my daughter, Solvi, and I tagged along on one of Marnie's foraging expeditions in search of any flexible fibers, natural or man-made, that might find new life in her creations. This is Marnie heading out.

beach twine knits by Marnie Campbell, photo by Justine Hand, a find

Above: A find! The best place to search for twine is at the high-tide mark, where it becomes entangled in seaweed.

beach twine knits by Marnie Campbell, photo by Justine Hand, unraveling the twine

Above: Twine is also used to mark off nesting bird sites. Over the winter, when the birds have migrated, strong winds and high tides often sweep these lines away. Here, keeping a respectable distance from the protected area, Solvi and Marnie harvest twine from previous years.

Salty Knits, chartreuse twine

Above: A rare chartreuse find. Can't wait to see what Marnie does with it.

beach twine knits by Marnie Campbell, photo by Justine Hand, loose twine

Above: After Marnie has harvested her twine, she untangles and sorts it according to color. She likes the idea of the twine being salty, so she washes only the white string or very dirty lines by soaking them in a mild solution of soap and water.

beach twine knits by Marnie Campbell, photo by Justine Hand. wrapping twine

Above: Solvi helps wind the untangled twine into a neat coil.

beach twine knits by Marnie Campbell, photo by Justine Hand, coiled twine

Above: Cleaned and sorted shipwrecked twine.

beach twine knits by Marnie Campbell, photo by Justine Hand, twine hot pad

Above: Marnie's discoveries differ greatly in terms of thickness and pliability—the more time in the water, the softer the twine. So Marnie has to experiment to find the right knitting needles for each batch. She says she usually ends up using something between size 7 and 11 needles.

each twine knits by Marnie Campbell, photo by Justine Hand, tea

Above: Evoking the high-tide line, this hot pad was fashioned from natural cotton rope (also found on the beach) interwoven with a fine stripe of man-made green twine, as well as brown seaweed that Marnie soaked in water to make it flexible enough to knit. 

beach twine knits by Marnie Campbell, photo by Justine Hand, basket and finished hot pads

Above: Marnie's worktable displays various pot holders and scrubs in, from top to bottom, a deep seaweed shade, natural cotton, mariner's green, sea foam green, and natural jute.

beach twine knits by Marnie Campbell, photo by Justine Hand, green samples

Above: Marnie's salty knits can be used as trivets, potholders, table mats, or scrubs. See below for ordering information. 

beach twine knits by Marnie Campbell, photo by Justine Hand, green and white

Above: Fittingly, Marnie uses what's called a lobster pot knot to connect two different twines. Since her pieces embrace the rustic nature of Cape Cod, she doesn't mind extra bumps or even a few stray lines. 

beach twine knits by Marnie Campbell, photo by Justine Hand, green mats

Above: Mats in mariner's green hang by the beach.

beach twine knits by Marnie Campbell, photo by Justine Hand, blue and green

Above: Each of Marnie's marine-twine knits is one of a kind. This example includes rare blue rope.

beach twine knits by Marnie Campbell, photo by Justine Hand some knits at beach

Above: Marnie works on a tangle near some of her creations. If you would like her to make one for you, email her at marnietaylorcampbell@gmail.com. Prices vary depending on the size of the piece and weight of the twine; generally $20 to $50 for smaller pieces, and $100 and up for larger ones.

Want more nautical DIYs? Turn tumbled rocks into a Beach Stone Gate Clasp and sun-bleached shells into a Razor Clam Pendant Lamp. And go to Nautical Style for year-round ideas, including Oars as Decor and Marine Canvas Water Buckets as Bathroom Storage.

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This post is an update; it originally appeared on September 17, 2014, as part of our Style on a Budget issue.

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Current Obsessions: Go Fourth

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Happy holiday weekend, everyone. Here's some summer browsing for hammock or chaise.

Hutte Hut | Remodelista

Color dipped cutlery via Terrain | Remodelista

  • Above: Color-dipped birch cutlery, a good alternative to plastic. 
  • A shiny new clubhouse at LA International Airport for Virgin Atlantic's first-class customers. 
  • How to throw a vegetarian-friendly barbecue
Marshmallow and weenie sticks from M. Crow & Co. | Remodelista

Honey and Co Book Event at RE in UK | Remodelista

  • One of our favorite shopping destinations in the North of England, RE in Northumberland, is holding an event for Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer, owners of Honey & Co., Remodelista's go-to lunch spot in London. The culinary couple will be discussing their latest publication, The Baking Book

Instagram and Pinterest Picks of the Week

Remodelista Instagram Pick of the Week: @kaufmannmercantile

  • Above: If your Instagram feed could use more summertime scenes, consider following Kaufmann Mercantile (@kaufmannmercantile). 

Remodelista Pinterest Pick of the Week: Pendleton | Remodelista

  • Above: For Independence Day inspiration, we're perusing Pendleton's Americana Board

For more posts, see our Summer Kitchen issue, and head to Gardenista to see their week dedicated to Independence Day

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Table of Contents: New Americana

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O say can you see? The holiday weekend has put us in a patriotic mood—join us this week as we shine a light on the best of homegrown, made-in-the-US design. 

Marin Country Mart post office in Larkspur, California | Remodelista

Above: A PO that offers more than stamps and mail service at the Marin Country Mart in Larkspur, California. See Steal This Look: A Patriot's Post Office.

Monday

Reclaimed Wool Pot Holders | Remodelista

Above: Just what the cabin calls for: potholders made in the Pacific Northwest from wool blanket remnants—watch for Julie's latest Kitchen Find

Tuesday

Architect Sheila Narusawa's master bath on Cape Cod | Remodelista

Above: Ledge power. In Expert Advice, Justine offers tip and tricks for maximizing storage in the minimalist bathroom. Also take a look at her 11 Tricks for Making a Room Look Bigger.

Wednesday

Black Point Mercantile floor cloth from Shark Tooth in Brooklyn | Remodelista  

Above: A few weeks back, we offered a Canvas Floor Cloth DIY. On Wednesday, we're spotlighting our inspiration: Maine-made mats with summery nautical patterns.

Thursday

Food52 kitchen in NYC designed by Brad Sherman | Remodelista

Above: World's nicest office kitchen? Our Kitchen of the Week, built for a food website, is filled with cost-conscious design takeaway.

French press ceramic coffee maker by Yield  | Remodelista

Above: Meet our latest coffee fixation on Thursday.

Friday

Ceramic artist Paula Greif's new shop in Hudson, NY | Remodelista

Above: One of our favorite ceramic artists has just set up home and shop in a storefront in Hudson, New York. We can't wait to take a look upstairs and down in Friday's Studio Visit.

Head over to Gardenista this week for a hydrangrea smackdown, ideas to steal from English cottage gardens, raised bed roundup, and more.

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More Boat for the Buck: A Cost-Conscious California Houseboat Remodel by Medium Plenty

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This overhauled Berkeley, California, houseboat is a lesson in how to get maximum value out of a remodel—on land or sea.

The three-story vessel was built in the 1960s and subsequently "cobbled together over three decades by a tinkerer owner." Originally a two-story cabin on wood pontoons, the house later received a concrete hull with a basement that sits about four feet under water. By the time Berkeley architects Medium Plenty arrived, the structure's chaotic layout included tiny disconnected rooms, hidden water views, and buried architectural details. 

Client Zack Canepari, a photographer and filmmaker, wanted to undertake a major cleanup—including removal of load-bearing walls and the introduction of new glazing—all for less than $150 per square foot. But lucky for Medium Plenty, he was the perfect client for the challenge. Says project architect Sky Lanigan: "Zack got a lot of design out of his budget because he was willing to work with the shaggy dog nature of the boat, embracing the possibilities of affordable materials, so the money could go into carefully considered details rather than marble and high-end appliances and smoothing out every rough spot."

According to Lanigan, much of the design was about "leveraging the interesting qualities" of the readily accessible, including plywood (for flooring), denim (as upholstery), laminate (on the counters), and wallpaper (ordered via Amazon and applied as a mural). Medium Plenty also introduced built-in woodwork and furnishings throughout, and was able to minimize costs by relying on a competent contractor rather than a speciality woodworker. "The idea was, if the general contractor's crew can't do it, simplify it." They credit contractor Bryan Moore with finding creative ways to keep expenses within reason, and laud Canepari for embracing unorthodox suggestions—and for being willing to "troubleshoot problems with no off-the-shelf solutions." 

Photography by Melissa Kaseman, except where noted. 

Berkeley Houseboat Remodeled by Medium Plenty | Remodelista

Above: From the dock, the front door opens onto a small landing. Half a flight upstairs is the open kitchen, living/dining room, and den. Half a flight downstairs is a photography studio, utility room, and guest bedroom.

The architects found a vintage brass porthole stored in the basement shower and repurposed it as the front door peephole. To connect the entry with the main living space, they used white-painted pegboard as on the stairwell bulkhead. Light streams from the kitchen through the pegboard, and in the kitchen, the unfinished side of the pegboard is used for hanging cooking tools.

Berkeley Houseboat Remodeled by Medium Plenty | Remodelista

Above: Canepari wanted a comfortable lounge at the sunny south end of the boat, and to create it, an existing sun porch had to be removed. The combined living/dining room/kitchen has a built-in U-shaped bench-sofa and flooring of red oak plywood. The seating cushions are covered in dark denim.

Berkeley Houseboat Remodeled by Medium Plenty | Remodelista

Above: So that the space easily functions as both dining and living area, the architects installed a pivoting table that turns on a 12-inch bronze pin set into a fixed steel cylinder bolted to the floor. The sliding end of the table has a steel foot that moves on a felt pad designed in partnership with Llyr Griffith of Welsh Ironworks. "We liked working with the tradition of built-in, bolted-down, and convertible boat furniture, as opposed to typical house furniture," says Lanigan. 

Berkeley Houseboat Remodeled by Medium Plenty | Remodelista

Above: The dining banquette is backed by a half-height plywood wall that rises to just below the windowsills and wraps around the room, creating a narrow ledge for displaying art and plants, and for hiding electrical outlets.  

Berkeley Houseboat Remodeled by Medium Plenty | Remodelista

Above: To keep everything in the kitchen below the horizontal paneling line, Medium Plenty opted against full-size appliances and instead installed two under-counter refrigerators clad in plywood. (There's also a full-sized fridge in the basement for backup.) Because they had to cover the stairway bulkhead below the kitchen, the counters ended up being deeper than necessary, and far deeper than one would typically find in a boat kitchen. The extra space serves as display storage for pantry items, plants, art, and wine.

Visible on the far right is a glimpse of the handmade spiral stair that leads to the master suite (to be renovated in Phase Two). The stair had been hidden inside a closet and was newly revealed in the renovation.

Berkeley Houseboat Remodeled by Medium Plenty | Remodelista

Above: The kitchen cabinets are red oak plywood with 1.5-inch exposed edges. The countertop is bright orange laminate—"supercheap, but dramatic." The architects used vintage plumbing fixtures wherever possible, "which gave us a lot of personality and quality without the cost of premium brands." They worked with their main salvage source, the Sink Factory in Berkeley, to test the vintage fixtures before installing them. The drawer pulls are vintage knobs from an old gas stove found by Canepari. "I like the way the abstract lines of the casework are set off by the vintage hardware," says Lanigan.

Berkeley Houseboat Remodeled by Medium Plenty | Remodelista

Above: The den is divided from the living/dining/kitchen area by plywood flooring painted a high-gloss midnight blue. From the start of the project, it was decided that the den would introduce a sea change of sorts from rest of the house. Wanting to combine humor and color with a maritime theme—"the 1970s-style romance of living on a houseboat"—the team wrapped the den in a "Margaritaville sunset," the same wallpaper used in the office of Al Pacino's character in Scarface.

Berkeley Houseboat Remodeled by Medium Plenty | Remodelista

Above: On the mural wall, the architects installed three portholes of blown glass to obscure the view of the houseboat next door while still allowing light in. They initially were hoping to find vintage portholes, but came up with a more creative solution by working with glass blower Michael Meyer: The concave portholes stick out beyond the boat's exterior walls and catch sunlight reflecting off the water, which projects a rippling pattern on the walls and ceiling. "It's an amazing, if unintended, effect," says Lanigan.

The wood valance above the windows hides a translucent sun blind plus a giant projection screen. Canepari, a big sports fan, uses a projector affixed to the opposite wall instead of a television. This way, he can be immersed in the game from anywhere on the main floor.

Berkeley Houseboat Remodeled by Medium Plenty | Remodelista

Above: On all the walls and ceilings, the architects used Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace, one of their favorite whites. "It feels warm without looking off-white or ivory," says Lanigan. 

Berkeley Houseboat Remodeled by Medium Plenty | Remodelista

Above: The basement office is Canepari's workspace, which he often shares with collaborators and assistants. Built-in long counters at both sitting and standing heights are below eye-level operable windows that open just a few inches above the surface of the water. Here, the architects used a similar plywood wrapping as they did upstairs, this time using ACX fir plywood. Typically applied as exterior wall sheathing and hidden under siding, notes Lanigan, it's a beautiful material that can withstand more abuse than typical decorative plywood. It also has no formaldehyde and minimal off-gassing. (Learn more about the material in Remodeling 101: The Ins and Outs of Plywood.)

The office ceiling is the first floor's subfloor, ridded of excess wiring and painted white. Five-inch dimmable white globe lights are mounted in a grid with exposed J-boxes and conduit.

Berkeley Houseboat Remodeled by Medium Plenty | Remodelista

Above: The houseboat at twilight. The top floor master suite is set to be renovated next: The greenhouse outside the master bedroom will become a wooden deck with a built-in fire pit and a ladder will lead to a shored-up crow's nest. Photograph by Zack Canepari. 

The pros and cons of working on a houseboat? The biggest perk, says Lanigan, is that the standard building code doesn't apply to boat interiors, "so anything goes." (Exterior changes, however, require approval of the harbormaster). "The biggest drawback is that you can’t just build level and plumb, because you can’t trust that the boat is level in the water." Lanigan also notes that the contractor needed to acquire special insurance to work on a houseboat: "I don’t think most contractors would have agreed to do that, and apparently specialist marine contractors are exorbitant."

Overall, Lanigan says, "I think Zack will be very happy as long as he keeps the sewer pump running well and the basement windows closed during storms."

We're in a nautical mood. Take a look at: 

For another Medium Plenty remodel, see Tile Intel: A Budget Remodel with Heath Seconds.
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Zero-Waste Wool Kitchen Accessories from the Pacific Northwest

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We discovered the work of Heidi Leugers of Reclaimed Wool via Portland, Oregon's Alder & Co., one of our favorite shops anywhere. Her kitchen accessories made from assorted end-bolt and discontinued fabrics from a "famous Pacific Northwest mill" manage to look fresh and vintage at the same time. Perfect for cabin life.

Reclaimed Wool Pot Holders | Remodelista

Above: Made in Portland of reclaimed wool, the Cool Tone Potholder is $18. "Wool? In the kitchen? Yes. Wool is naturally noncombustible and naturally insulating," Leugers says. "Scandinavians have trusted wool's performance in the kitchen for decades."

Reclaimed Wool Potholder | Remodelista

Above: The pot holders come with leather tabs for hanging.

Reclaimed Wool Pot Holder | Remodelista

Above: Each pot holder is one of a kind.

Reclaimed Wool Coasters | Remodelista

Above: A set of four Natural Wool Coasters is $29 from Alder & Co.

Reclaimed Wool Leather Coasters | Remodelista

Above: The coasters are backed with leather.

We're also coveting a set of Rugged Leather Pot Holders made of suede.

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Steal This Look: The Compact Family Bath, Beach House Edition

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"I fell in love with the look of this apron sink from Home Depot and built the design around that," says Jenny Wolf of the compact main bathroom in her family's East Hampton cottage. She transformed the 55-square-foot space from dark to light and from worn-out to shipshape, courtesy of whitewashed, wood-paneled walls and accents of "mixed metals." Wolf runs Jenny Wolf Interiors of New York and kindly detailed her sources. Here's how to re-create the look.

Tiny Bathroom for Steal This Look | Remodelista

Above: The space is just big enough for a glass-enclosed shower and is shared by Wolf, her husband, and their young daughter. Lumber for the shiplap paneling—cedar five-inch planks on the walls and two-inch planks on the ceiling—came from Home Depot.

The Basics

Kohler Bannon Wall Mount Cast Iron Sink | Remodelista

Above: Kohler's Bannon Wall-Mount Cast Iron Sink is $693.83 at Home Depot, available online only.

Rohl Country Wall-Mounted Bathroom Faucet | Renodelista

Above: The Rohl Country Wall-Mounted Bathroom Faucet is $392.25 in polished nickel from Faucet Direct.

Submarine Inset Medicine Cabinet from Restoration Hardware | Remodelista

Above: Restoration Hardware's aluminum-framed Submarine Inset Medicine Cabinet opens to reveal glass shelves in a mirrored interior built into the wall. It comes in two sizes and is currently on sale starting at $550 (marked down from $735).

Memoir toilet by Kohler | Remodelista

Above: Kohler's Memoirs Toilet is $324.56 at Home Depot.

Franklin light from Schoolhouse Electric | Remodelista

Above: The Franklin light from Schoolhouse Electric comes in three finishes, antique black (shown), matte bronze (closest to Jenny's version), and polished nickel; starting at $79. She pairs it with a Silver-Tipped Bulb; $7 from Schoolhouse Electric.

Finishes

 

  Benjamin Moore Decorators White | Remodelista

 

Above: Shiplap five-inch vertical wood planks are painted in Benjamin Moore Decorator's White; Ben Interior Paint starts at $37.99 a gallon.

Montauk honed black slate tile from Complete Tile NYC | Remodelista

Above: The floor is tiled with 2-by-12-inch Montauk Black Natural Cleft Slate from the Complete Tile Collection, laid in a brick pattern. Inquire about pricing.

Hardware

Classic brass coat hook from Rejuvenation | Remodelista

Above: Rejuvenation modeled its Classic Brass Coat Hook after a 1910 design; $20 each. Also consider Brass Hat and Coat Hooks, $6 to $8 each, from The Hook Lady.

Onefortythree Tissue Roll Holder in White | Remodelista

Above: Not identical but a good choice for the room, the Onefortythree Tissue-Roll Holder, $30, is made by Logan Hendrickson in his Las Vegas workshop, Onefortythree. For more colors, see Top Brass: A New TP Holder for the Glamorous Bath and check out our roundup of Indie Toilet-Paper Holders.

Windsor Knob from Simon's Hardware | Remodelista

Above: The Ashley Norton Windsor Knob in a dark bronze patina is available via Simon's Hardware; inquire about pricing.

Accessories

Honeycomb Tassel Hammam Hand Towel from West Elm | Remodelista

Above: Cotton Honeycomb Tassel Hammam Hand Towels are $6.99 (marked down from $10) each at West Elm.

Glass canister from Crate and Barrel | Remodelista

Above: Crate & Barrel offers Glass Canisters in three sizes; the small (shown here) is $16.95. A set of three (one in each size) is $59.95.

Cotton Woven Bath Rug from Restoration Hardware | Remodelista

Above: The Cotton Woven Bath Rug from Restoration Hardware comes in four sizes; the smallest, 17 by 24, is $27 (marked down from $39).

See more of Jenny Wolf's work at Jenny Wolf Interiors.

For more design inspiration and sourcing ideas, explore our DIY Bath issue.

And find small-space-living ideas in 13 Radical Tiny Cottages and 10 Houses Made from Shipping Containers.

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This post is an update; it originally ran on February 3, 2015, as part of our Humble Abode issue.

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8 Favorites: Best Beach Towels of 2015

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Enough with the skimpy Turkish fringed foutas. True, they work well as sarongs, but for lounging in the sand and drying off, we prefer towels with a bit more bulk. Classic bands of color, too, please. The good news: Even though July is only just under way, beach towel sale season is now starting.

James Perse Beach Towel Striped | Remodelista

Above: Made of Japanese cotton terrycloth, the oversize Narrow Stripe Beach Towel from James Perse is available in gray/white and black/white; $225 each.

Lands End Rugby Towel | Remodelista

Above: The Vertical Rugby Stripe Teach Towel from Lands' End is $19 (down from $29) and comes in 10 color combinations.

Serena and Lily terry and flat cotton beach towel | Remodelista

Above: Serena and Lily's take on the Fouta Beach Towel is a combination of flat-weave cotton and terry. Shown here in kelly green and navy, it's available in five other colorways and is $38 (marked down from $48).

Restoration Hardware Cabana Stripe Beach Towel | Remodelista

Above: The Belize Stripe Beach Towel in charcoal has one terry loop side and one cotton gauze side; $46 (down from $69) at Restoration Hardware.

Hudson's Bay Company beach towel | Remodelista

Above: The Hudson's Bay Blanket Company is now applying its signature stripes to beach towels; $40 from Hudson's Bay. Read about the company's origins as a trading post and learn where to source the blankets in Object Lessons. Photograph via Camille Styles.

Apolis hand-loomed beach towel in olive and white | Remodelista

Above: Apolis's Hand-Loomed Beach Towel is made in Mumbai of Indian cotton lined with terry. Shown here in olive/white, it also comes in navy/white and red/white; $48.

GBC Positano Toweling from Guideboat in Marin, CA | Remodelista

Above: The extra-large GBC Positano Toweling—39 by 71 inches—is made in Portugal for Guideboat Co.; $55.

Todd Heim Projects Irish Linen Beach Towel | Remodelista  

Above: New York textile design studio Todd Heim Projects specializes in color-blocked Irish linen for use as towels, picnic blankets, tablecloths, and bed covers. This Linen Beach Towel measures 40 by 80 inches and comes in five palettes; $160. Heim also offers twice-as-large striped beach blankets. See some of his designs made in collaboration with Fredericks & Mae in The Ultimate Houseboat in NYC.

A summer house to go with your beach towels? Go to Beach Style for ideas, including 12 Summery Spaces, Horseshoe Crab Decor Included and Ideas to Steal from the Scandi Summer House.

Find your picnic blankets on Gardenista.

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Small-Space Living: 6 Tips for Maximizing Storage in the Minimal Bath

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The overflowing medicine cabinet. The stingy towel bar that accommodates precisely half of your family's needs. The tub that's overrun with bath toys. Sound familiar? At some point we've all had to live within the confines of the tiny bathroom. Fortunately, there are easy ways to make a boxy space work better—and feel bigger. The key is to get organized, edit out the excess, and consider these storage tips. 

Ditch the Towel Bar

hooks in the bath, remodelista

Above L: In today's Steal This Look: The Compact Beach House Family Bath, designer Jenny Wolf uses hooks to create extra storage and emphasize the verticality of the room. Above R: Jennifer Morla and her architect husband, Nilus de Matran, use pegs instead of towel bars in their San Francisco bath.

First and foremost, when maximizing the minimal bath, you need to take advantage of available wall space. In tight quarters, towel bars are space sucks. In my last apartment, a single three-foot towel bar on the one exposed wall was supposed to accommodate the towel needs of two adults and two tots. Replacing it with a row of Shaker hooks not only quadrupled our hanging capacity but also created a nice-to-look-at detail. Another bright idea: Hang collections of antique hooks at varying heights to create a wall installation. (True, hooks don't allow towels to dry as readily as bars, but in most climates, the trade-off feels worth it.)

Add even more storage to your hooks by introducing hanging bags. See Marine Canvas Water Buckets as Bathroom Storage and Design Sleuth: Mesh Market Bag as Bath Toy Storage.

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Above: An en suite bath at the High Road House in London uses Shaker pegs to maximize storage. Read Christine's summer-house discovery in How Shaker Peg Rails Saved My Sanity, and find Shaker storage sources in Objects Lessons.

Deploy the S Hook

Say your landlord is so unimaginative that he or she will not let you remove the towel bar—or your bar is built into the tiles on the wall. Then it's time to invest in some S hooks. (Or you could try a Q Hook.) Hang them over the bar, and in an instant you've created a much-more-useful row of hooks.

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Above L: S Hooks lend a towel bar new hanging possibilities. Above R: With the help of S hooks, Sally Schneider of An Improvised Life turns the dead space at the end of her shower bar into extra towel storage.

Install a Running Shelf 

700_harbor-cottage-bathroom-berries, photo by Justine Hand, Remodelista

Above: In the bathroom at Harbor Cottage in Maine (see A Cottage Reborn in Rural Maine), architect Sheila Narusawa installed a running shelf that not only creates a cozy frame for the bath but also introduces useful storage.

Architect Sheila Narusawa's master bath on Cape Cod | Remodelista

Above: A ledge in Sheila's own master bath on Cape Cod—modest-sized but big enough for towel bars. (See more in the Remodelista book, and explore her Streamlined Eat-In Kitchen, too.)

A characteristic feature of any bath designed by my Aunt Sheila is a shallow ledge that runs the length of the wall, usually around the entire bathroom. This Shaker-style architectural detail is relatively simple in construction and easy to install yourself.

Blessed with a prewar style bath with high ceilings? Take advantage by installing a running shelf toward the top of your wall. (Read on.)

Soar to New Heights

700_dischidia-pectinoides, remodelista

Above: In her tiny Brooklyn bath, Erin Boyle uses the higher reaches for a small shelf and wall-mounted mirror.

When it comes to maximizing storage, many people forget to look up. Consider installing an open shelf over the door (it's so much less cluttered looking than hanging one of those shoe caddies). Attractive boxes and a few artful objects lend a minimalist appeal.

high storage in the bath, remodelista

Above L and R: Shelves on high create much-needed storage in these wee bathrooms.

Edit Right Down to the Toothpaste

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Above: Beautiful bath accessories and well-packaged toiletries can be stored outside the medicine cabinet. Photograph via Father Rabbit Limited.

Organization expert Marie Kondo, author of the much buzzed-about manual, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizingadvises doing away with anything that does not "spark joy." This small-living maxim can be applied to everything, toiletries included. First, buy only what you need. Second, ignore the marketing blare. Separate his and hers body wash? Select an unscented neutral. Hair gels, mousse, straighteners, and leave-in conditioners? Narrow your products to one favorite. And so on.

Then invest in beautiful things that you actually like to look at. Toothpastes (see 10 Toothpastes for the Style Obsessed) and creams in lovely containers can be collected together and displayed (or stowed in a displayable box). Swap out bad packaging for good; my grandmother used to store rubbing alcohol in an antique apothecary bottle.

After you've culled your holdings and moved select items to open storage, organize your remaining unsightlies: Delilah has some great advice— see 5 Tips for Under-the-Sink Organization.

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Above: Erin Boyle employs vintage glassware to artfully store utilitarian things like cotton balls and Q-tips in the open. Of course, a lively bit of green in an old tin will also make your minimal bath feel more fresh and open: See DIY Maidenhair Fern for Bathroom Greenery.

Climb the Walls

Another way to take advantage of available wall space? Discover the charms of mounted boxes and baskets. 

bath storage basket and boxes on the wall, remodelista

Above L and R: Rustic wood and wire containers add vital storage to these baths.

700_summer-house-wall-mounted-tissue, remodelista

Above: Even items like a tissue box can be mounted on the wall, an old-fashioned approach worth rediscovering as shown in this design from My Scandinavian Retreat. (See Design Sleuth: Wall-Mounted Tissue Box.) Find more design tricks in 11 Tips for Making a Room Look Bigger.

Want more advice for making the most of your bath? See:

And read about how a family of five shares a single small bath in Carmela's 7-Step Plan to Clutter-Free Living.

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