Have a rental bath you'd like to refresh for under a million dollars? Or a guest bath that's looking tired? Here's a roundup of eight essentials, each for under $30.

Above: We took our sourcing inspiration from this clean-lined, peaceful bath in Amsterdam. 

Above: The powder-coated steel Enudden Toilet Roll Holder is $2.99 from Ikea.

Above: The Colorblock Stripe Bath Mat comes in three colorways and is currently on sale for $9.99 at West Elm.

Above: The Falcon Enamelware Tumbler in pale blue (shown) or green is $14 at Brook Farm General Store.

Above: Printed on recycled heavyweight kraft paper, the Sac en Papier is a useful (and disposable) storage item for the guest bath; £8.50 ($13.25) from Bodie & Fou.

Above: From Vickerey, the Bath by Bettijo White Ceramic Soap Dish comes with a slatted wood insert for keeping soap dry; $18.

Above: The Hexagon Towel Ring is $14 at Urban Outfitters.

Above: Iris Hantverk Beech Wood Toilet Brush and Stand has a pig bristle brush and an edge cleaner; it's just above our $30 cap at $34 from Rodale's.

Above: The Bee House White Ceramic Soap Dispenser is $29.95.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on April 8, 2015, as part of our Spring Closet Clean Out.

See more ideas in our Bathroom Accessories posts, including:

• 10 Easy Pieces: Indie Toilet Paper Holders
• 5 Favorites: Plants for the Bath
• A Simple Trick to Turn Your Shower into a Spa
• 7 Essentials for the Bath, Landlady Edition
• 10 Tips for Transforming a Rental Bath 

More Stories from Remodelista

• Enter to Win: $1,000 Giveaway from The Citizenry
• 10 Essential Tips for Surviving House Guests
• Table of Contents: Guest Quarters

The hardworking daybed stands ready to serve as sofa, bench, and crash pad for afternoon naps and overnight guests. It comes in a range of clean-lined guises that we'd gladly invite in. Here are 10 current favorites from high to low. 

Above: Designed by Mermelada Estudio of Barcelona, CB2's Boho Daybed is made of whitewashed rubberwood inset with wicker panels; $1,299 with the pewter-fabric-covered mattress included, and $829 for the frame alone.

Above: Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Couch is one of the all-time most referenced pieces of furniture. A recent version we like: LA designer Michael Felix's Goddard Daybed, made to order with leather or fabric upholstery; $2,600. See his line in Born to the Trade: Michael Felix's Handmade Furniture.

Above: West Elm's Mid-Century Daybed is made of eucalyptus and comes in white or natural; $899. It fits a twin mattress, sold separately.

Above: Gesa Hansen's oak Remix Nightcouch becomes a single bed with the removal of the back cushion. It's available in a range of fabrics; Velito gray wool is shown here; €2,690 from Connox. The design is also sold in the US by Matter for $5,195. Read about Hansen's family furniture company and see how she herself uses the Remix couch in A Scandi Furniture Designer at Home in Paris.

Above: Day Bed One by UK furniture company Another Country is made of solid European oak and has a coir- and wool-wrapped latex Naturalmat mattress; £2,585 ($4,025.88). It's shown in Workstead architects' Stefanie Brechbuehler and Robert Highsmith's Brooklyn apartment. See more of our favorite designs by Another Country and take a look at the workshop's London shop. Photograph by Matthew Williams.

Above: A Danish classic by Poul Kjaerholm, the 1957 PK80 Daybed from Fritz Hansen is $20,770 in satin-brushed stainless steel and leather from The Line. Read about hidden boutique in A Soho Dream Loft (Where Everything Is for Sale).

Above: Ilse Crawford's Sinnerlig collection for Ikea—making its debut in Ikea shops in the UK this month and in October in the US—includes this steel and acacia wood daybed with jute webbing; $350. Go to Currently Coveting to see more of Crawford's new Ikea designs.

Above: Daniel Heer's Keil Daybed has an oak frame (smoked oak and walnut also available) and a hand-stuffed/hand-stitched horsehair and wool mattress. Fabricated without any metal parts or glue, it has a base of leather strapping; $11,700 from Matter. Learn about fourth-generation mattress maker Daniel Heer in our post Berlin's Secret to a Good Night's Sleep. 

Above: The Box Daybed by Melbourne, Australia, furniture designer Mark Tuckey is available in oak or a wood that Tuckey calls Oregon, and your choice of upholstery fabric; $6,100 AUD ($4,454 USD). See the design in Tuckey's beach house in Steal This Look: A Laid-Back Living Room with Spirit.

Above: Newly available in black via Goods We Love, Danish engineer Ole Gjerlov Knudsen's 1962 OGK Safari Daybed has a beech frame, linen cover, and black-dyed sisal roping; inquire about retailers. And see more at Goods We Love: New York's Secret Scandinavian Design Source. 

Still in need of extra beds? Take a look at:

• Trend Alert: 10 Canvas Camp Cots as Instant Daybeds
• High/Low: The Donald Judd–Style Modern Wooden Daybed
• Summer Slumbers: Hedge House Bedrolls Made in LA

More Stories from Remodelista

• A Flag for Every Family from a Pair of Paris Artists
• The Budget Bathroom: 8 Favorite Accessories for Under $30
• Enter to Win: $1,000 Giveaway from The Citizenry

Jin Angdoo Lee and Mathieu Julien, freelance illustrators and artists who operate under the name Amateurs, describe themselves as "a happy couple based in Paris. We are lovers of new discoveries and endless artistic possibilities."

Their wall-hanging Flag for Every Family project is "based on the idea that every home is a micro nation with its inhabitants as its ruler. Therefore, every house needs an emblem." The wall hangings measure approximately 150 by 100 centimeters (59 by 39 inches) and are made from hand-dyed, bleached, and natural cotton pieces; they are €800 ($891) each. 

Above: The Flag for Every Family project consists of six abstract designs.

Above: Contact Amateurs directly for ordering information.

Above: A detail of the creation process.

Above: Contact Amateurs directly for ordering information.

Above: The Tea Towels project is "a study of shapes in black, white, and blue. Instead of painting on framed canvases, a series of 33 original paintings are painted on handmade linen tea towels with a cotton hook sewn on the back. Each painting varies in size and fabric weight." The tea towels are €70 ($78) each; contact Amateurs directly for ordering information. 

Above: A detail of a dish towel painting, via Angdoo's personal blog.

For vintage flags put to use as curtains, see our post on Guideboat Co. in Mill Valley, California. Go to Wall Decor for more ideas.

More Stories from Remodelista

• 10 Easy Pieces: Modern Daybeds
• The Budget Bathroom: 8 Favorite Accessories for Under $30
• Enter to Win: $1,000 Giveaway from The Citizenry

Sinatra slept here. The sprawling Victorian Chequit inn on Shelter Island, New York's low-key Hamptons alternative, began life as a Methodist retreat and then morphed into a stylish city escape. Under the new ownership of Provincetown hoteliers David Bowd and Kevin O'Shea of Salt Hotels, it's back—big time.

Photography via the Chequit.

Above: Built in 1872, the Chequit (which, by the way, is pronounced chee-quit) was initially a dining hall surrounded by a tent camp; it has operated as a hotel since the 1940s. Dowd and O'Shea spent the past year giving it a refresh. Both are veterans of the industry—Bowd is former COO of Andre Balazs Properties (which includes the Sunset on Shelter Island), and O'Shea, a RISD-trained designer, worked on the creative teams at Starwood and Morgans Hotel Group—who have recently started building their own empire: See The Hamptons Come to Cape Cod: Salt House Inn in Provincetown. O'Shea's firm Kevin O'Shea Designs oversaw the refurbishment.

Above: The porch is, as it's always been, the main gathering place. O'Shea and team preserved as much as possible of the structure's original detailing while giving it "a crisp and contemporary interpretation."

Above: "At bed-and-breakfasts you have this incredible personal service experience, but terrible design—it’s like sleeping in great grandma's house,” O’Shea told the New York Observer. “We wanted to keep the guest experience side of it, but create a highly designed place, where we’re pushing boundaries and making something different.”

In the lobby, the challenge, he tells us, was that it "had to transcend the seasons: So I kept it light enough for the summer but cozy enough for the winter." 

Above: The overhauled guest rooms are finished in a pink and gray palette with dollops of yellow: "The colors were inspired by the incredible light on the island; the rose walls glow throughout the day and soften into the evening," says O'Shea. Shown here, the sitting room in a suite with daybed in an alcove.

There are 37 rooms total: 19 in the main house, as well as an additional 17 in separate historic structures known as The Cottage and The Summer House, which can be rented individually or to groups.

Above: Our favorite detail: the custom headboards. "I was inspired by an image of an old motel room I've had in my files for years; it's where the shape came from," says O'Shea, "and the brass finials are a play on Victorian brass beds." The bedrooms are painted in a two-toned blush/French gray mix: Benjamin Moore Sugarcane and Graystone.

Above: The original wood floors were restored and layered with "tribal-inspired" patterned rugs. The yellow Windsor-style chairs are Serena & Lily's Tucker Chair, which comes in eight colors, $188 each. (See more in 10 Easy Pieces: The Windsor Chair Revisited.) 

Above L: Brass reading lights and space-saving built-in bedside shelves. O'Shea notes, "You'll never have to go looking for a plug to charge your phone; there are custom plugs on each bedside table from Conway Electric." (Read our Remodeling 101 Primers to learn where to place electrical outlets in every room.) Above R: The all-new bathrooms are tiled in black and white.

Above: An easy-to-replicate detail: black brackets paired with white open shelves piled with white (and a touch of black) accessories.

Above: Classic New England tones and tongue-and-groove wainscoting in the hallway.

Above: The Chequit has a new in-house cafe, as well as a bar/restaurant, Red Maple, shown here.

Above: The seating extends under the trees. Rooms at the Chequit start at $195 a night. 

Looking for a place to stay? Find our best recommendations in our Hotels & Lodging archive, including Salt Hotel's Salt House Inn in Provincetown. And for restaurant and shopping tips, explore our City Guides.

More Stories from Remodelista

• Paint It Blue: A New Wave Thai Restaurant in Vancouver
• Jury: A Cafe in a Converted Prison
• Lord Stanley: SF's Prettiest New Restaurant?

Bucks and Spurs, a new Stockholm-based design house, earned international attention earlier this year when their Railway kitchen won the Best Kitchen category in the 2015 Elle Decoration Swedish Design Awards. 

The winning kitchen is part of the company's "Railways" modular cabinetry line, which also includes bathroom and closet cabinetry and indoor and outdoor sliding doors. The overall concept is a clean-lined Scandinavian system with a streak of the American West. In each piece of cabinetry, Bucks and Spurs paired rough-hewn oak boards with smoother ones to achieve a look they call "rough ranch." 

Photography via Bucks and Spurs and Elle Decoration Sweden. 

Above: The Railway components, which hang on a wall-mounted rail, have a Shaker-like flexibility. The rail is the only part of the kitchen that's fixed, which means that cabinets can be moved according to changing needs. 

Above L: The entire kitchen system is made in Sweden, including the handmade oak cabinetry, Swedish limestone countertops, and Swedish leather details by Tarnsjo Tannery. Above R: Sliding wood panels hide and reveal drawers and open storage spaces.

Above: Drawers make use of simple box joints.

Above L: Oak inset on a diagonal is a nod to railroad ties. Above R: The kitchen styled for Elle Decoration Sweden.  

Above: The Railways system began with sliding doors and cabinet frames made by woodworkers in Järna and Småland, Sweden. These frames later developed into the full modular furniture system. 

Above: Bucks and Spurs pairs its modular cabinetry system with decorative finds from around the world, including artful embroidery by Brooklyn-based Coral & Tusk, whose aprons are shown here. This wood-and-copper ladder rail is an optional component of the kitchen and bathroom systems.  

More kitchen systems from around the world: 

• Good Küchen: 9 German Kitchen Systems
• Bella Cucina: 8 Italian Kitchen Systems
• 5 Storage Ideas to Steal from Berlin Kitchens
• 15 Storage Ideas to Steal from High-End Kitchen Systems

More Stories from Remodelista

• Appliances for Minimalists: The Muji Toaster Oven and More
• 5 Favorites: Fuss-Free Ice Cream Makers
• Design Sleuth: Rope Pendant Lights in a Summer Cottage

Finally, a group of countertop kitchen appliances that are not only unobtrusive but actually nice looking. Select pieces from product designer Naoto Fukasawa's minimalist collection for Muji are about to arrive in the US.

Above: "People shouldn't really have to think about an object when they are using it," says Fukasawa. "Not having to think about it makes the relationship between a person and an object run more smoothly."

A trio of his plug-in appliances—a toaster (shown here), electric kettle, and rice cooker—all of them in white with rounded edges, will be available at the new Muji store in Palo Alto, California, which opens on August 15. Several other Muji stores in the US will be offering the designs this fall, and they'll be available in the UK in November and in other parts of Europe next year; go to Muji to inquire about details.

Above: The pop-up toaster will retail for $95. Its temperature dial includes a setting for frozen bread. 

Known for its devotion to simple, functional design, Muji is short for mujirushi ryōhin, which means "no-brand quality goods." The Japan-based global chain currently has 11 stores in the US (Palo Alto will be the 12th), and an online store.

Above: The electric kettle, $95, has a silhouette inspired by classic ceramic pitchers. It boils a cup of water in 80 seconds and has a hidden space under the base to coil the cord.

Above: Fukasawa cleverly incorporated a spoon rest into the top of his electric rice cooker.

Above: The rice cooker is 7.3 inches tall and 8.2 inches wide; $195, bamboo paddle included. “I like rounded cubic shapes because people find them friendly,” says Fukasawa. He gave several of his appliances flat sides so they can rest against a wall.

Above: Fukasawa's microwave for Muji was released in Japan last year; we're hoping it will make its way to the US, but there are no import plans yet.

Above: The vertical toaster oven is another Fukasawa design that isn't available Stateside, but it and other Muji designs are available from sellers on eBay.

Go to Modern Muji on the Med to see hotel apartments in Barcelona with Muji furnishings. And browse our Shop section to see more of our Muji favorites.

Like the idea of tables and lamps with built-in chargers? Take a look at Power to the People: Ikea's New Phone-Charging Furniture.

More Stories from Remodelista

• Kitchen of the Week: A Modular Setup from Sweden
• 5 Favorites: Fuss-Free Ice Cream Makers
• Design Sleuth: Rope Pendant Lights in a Summer Cottage

Of course there's always the worry that idyllic guest quarters will turn you into an unpaid hotelier. But kindhearted souls with room to spare, take note: Not all guest rooms are equal. Here are 10 filled with simple, serene comforts worth replicating. 

Above: Quilts made from Vintage Marimekko on Charles P. Rogers Cottage Beds in the glam guest wing of fashion stylist/shopkeeper Tiina Laakonen's Hamptons compound. Tour her house in Rhapsody in Blue, and see more Marimekko in Steal This Look: Tiina's Summer Tabletop Setting. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.

Above: A shed converted into a guest room in interiors stylist Twig Hutchinson's London garden—see The Lorn Road Summerhouse. Photograph via Light Locations.

Above: The guest room in Remodelista contributor Justine Hand's Old Cape Cod Cottage has its original wallpaper and a vintage iron bed that Justine tracked down to match. Join us for an exploration of the house in the Remodelista book. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.

Above: In her all-white Pasadena bungalow, LA interior designer Michaela Scherrer keeps a guest room with built-in cabinets that offer so much storage that nothing needs to be left in the open except by choice. The bed is draped in Scherrer's signature white leather, which she points out, is dog-proof and easy to wipe down. See the companion postage-stamp-size spa bath in A Grecian-Inspired Guest Suite. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.

Above: This seaside guest room by Hyde Evans Design of Seattle won the 2014 Remodelista Considered Design Award for Best Professionally Designed Bedroom. "This aerie manages to channel a nautical vibe without veering into twee territory," said Julie in her judge's comments.

Above: An under-the-eaves guest room with a DIY bed made from recycled wooden pallets. For striped fabric to make your own pom-pom-adorned quilt, see Object Lessons: Classic Mattress Ticking. Photograph via French by Design.

Above: For shoppers who never want to leave? This tranquil bedroom at the Father Rabbit store in Auckland, New Zealand, is kitted out with a shallow open closet, an idea worth stealing.

Above: In her compact London quarters, stylist Sara Emslie, author of Beautifully Small, has a cottage-style guest room with baskets under the bed for storage. Photograph by Rachel Whiting. See more from Emslie's book in our Required Reading column.

Above: In her Sydney apartment, Cassandra Karinsky furnishes her guest room with designs from her Moroccan import house Kulchi, hanging rattan lamp and Tuareg mat included. The bedside table is a Beetle Track Stool by Greg Hatton. Photograph by Sean Fennessy via The Design Files.

Above: Architects Stefanie Brechbuehler and Robert Highsmith of Workstead overhauled their farmhouse in Upstate New York themselves. Their guest room is furnished with spool beds that belonged to Robert's grandparents in North Carolina: "You can see the worn spot where my grandmother held the post as she was getting out of the bed every morning." The patterned pillows are by Akin & Suri. See their DIY Partner's Desk and tour the rest of the house in the Remodelista book. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.

Looking for more ideas? Find hundreds of inspiring Bedrooms in our archive, plus design details and advice, including:

• Remodeling 101: Bedroom Lighting Secrets
• How to Achieve Total Darkness in the Bedroom (and Why It Matters)
• 10 Easy Pieces: Wood Platform Bed Frames
• The 186-Square-Foot Garage Turned Guest Cottage

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on June 26, 2015, as part of our Vacation House issue.

More Stories from Remodelista

• By Land or by Sea: Summery Bedroom Decor from the Netherlands
• Steal This Look: A Serene Bedroom Inspired by Gandhi
• Bedtime Stories: Playful Children's Furniture from Italy

Short on water, funds, inspiration? Gardenista has been taking a look at landscaping with less this past week.

Above: Anchor your outdoor space with a single olive tree (see more at Simple Landscaping Ideas: 10 Genius Guys with an Olive Tree).

Above: Collect rainwater for watering the garden: 10 Easy Pieces: Rain Barrels.

Above: Live in a water-challenged area? Consult 11 Ideas to Steal from Drought-Tolerant Gardens.

Above: On sale: a good-looking portable firepit.

Above: Izabella delves into The New Gravel Backyard: 10 Landscape Designs That Inspire Me.

More Stories from Remodelista

• Bathing en Plein Air: 29 Outdoor Summer Showers
• The Best 11 Summer Beach Towels
• High/Low Folding Wood Beach Chairs

Designer Tyler Hays established his signature luxe-rustic look at BDDW, his handmade furniture company in New York. More recently, he's delved into the world of trading blankets, stoneware mugs, and rural economic development as the rescue owner of M. Crow & Co., a general store in Lostine, Oregon, not far from where he himself grew up in the Wallowa valley trapping mink and building go karts.

"The Crow family tenaciously ran the store for 107 years," he says. "In 2012, I purchased the store to prevent its closure and the loss of an iconic memory of my childhood." Since then, he has been stocking it—and the M. Crow & Co. online shop—with his own work. "I am basically making from scratch the things I want or need and making extras and trying to sell them." His wants and needs? A self-described "awkward collision" of goods, from toy bows to ceramic pickle jars, all peerlessly crafted, stitched leather detailing often included—and beyond pricey. If you ask us, the American answer to Henry Beguelin has been born.

Above: Hanging Bud Vase of blown glass and leather, oak "hanging puck" included; $275.

Above: Striped Boiled Merino Wool Blanket, 65 by 50 inches, knit in Hays's other outpost, his Philadelphia studio; $700.

Above: Pair of Douglas fir plywood-encased Audiophile Speakers by Phila Audio Corp; $450.

Above: Stoneware Coffee Mug, $48, made from Wallowa County, Oregon, clay, and glazed with ashes from M.Crow's wood-burning stove.

"I have designed many of the products around locally gathered materials because my ultimate goal is to make the products there (currently, I make them in my Philadelphia studio)," says Hays.

Above: Bandsaw Blade Steak Knives of carbon steel with handles available in four woods (from left; black walnut, osage orange, toasted maple, and American holly); $65 each.

Above: Thin Cutting Board with leather covered handle, available in cherry, oak, and oxidized oak, from $210.

Above: Hays concocts his Bear Fighter's Hair Fixative "using only locally gathered materials: pine tar, beeswax from our hives, and oils we expell ourselves from local grains and other wild natural ingredients." The container is made of Wallowa County clay; $120.

Above: Waxed Canvas Tote with leather pocket, cord handles, and an interior tie closure in plaid; $450.

Above: Copper Hanger, 2 by 2.15 inches, bronze screws included, $45.

Above: Linen Beach Blanket with Leather Weights; $420.

M. Crow & Co. is at 133 Highway 82, Main Street in Lostine, in northeastern Oregon; it's open seven days a week.

We're longtime fans of Tyler Hays and BDDW; see some of our favorite designs here and check out his answer to the World's Most Beautiful Ping-Pong Table.

More Stories from Remodelista

• The Chequit Inn: A Grand Dame Reopens on Shelter Island
• Paint It Blue: A New Wave Thai Restaurant in Vancouver
• Jury: A Cafe in a Converted Prison

Husband/wife team Sarah and Nick Suarez, veterans of beloved NYC/Brooklyn dining institutions such as Marlow & Sons, Romans, Gramercy Tavern, and the Modern, moved to Columbia County not long ago to open Gaskins, their first culinary joint effort in Germantown, New York. The interiors by Brooklyn-based Studio Tack are spare and simple, in keeping with the building's humble heritage (it was once a five-and-dime and later a grocery store) and the low-key but stealth luxury vibe of Columbia County. 

Above: The custom tables are by Jason Roskey of Fern Studio. Photograph by Samantha Goh via And North.

Above: Sarah takes care of the flower arrangements, sourcing her blooms from local growers like Cedar Farm, Whistledown, and Tiny Hearts. A vintage mirror reflects the afternoon sunlight. Photograph by Samantha Goh via And North.

Above: A row of bentwood barstools lines the bar. Photograph by Samantha Goh via And North.

Above: The couple sources ingredients from local businesses like Kinderhook Farm. Photograph by Mikael Kennedy via Gaskins.

Above: A simple evening table setting. Photograph by Mikael Kennedy via Gaskins.

Above L: The exterior is painted a dark gray. Above R: A detail of the penny-tiled entryway. Photograph by Mikael Kennedy via Gaskins.

Above: The exterior at night. Photograph by Mikael Kennedy via Gaskins.

More Stories from Remodelista

• High-Style Hillbilly: Tyler Hays for M. Crow & Co.
• The Chequit Inn: A Grand Dame Reopens on Shelter Island
• Paint It Blue: A New Wave Thai Restaurant in Vancouver

Read on to see what we loved this week. 

• Above: In preparation for our upcoming Modern Summerhouse week, we're dropping into interiors photographer Jane Beiles's century-old cottage in Connecticut. Photograph by Jane Beiles. 
• Looking for lodging? Use All the Rooms to search everything from hotels to Airbnbs. 
• How to take French doors from white to black. 

• Above: Architect David Chipperfield's house in Corrubedo, Spain, overlooks the Atlantic. Photograph via David Chipperfield Architects. 
• Ikea's new line of furniture made from recycled paper is set to debut in two years. 
• The best outdoor spaces from Design Sponge's archive. 

• Above: Coming in September: Wallpaper inspired by a 1937 home designed by Danish architect Flemming Lassen. 
• There's hope for a carpet that's been splattered with paint. Here's how to remove the stains. 

Instagram and Pinterest Picks of the Week

• Above: Our latest Instagram discovery is Heidi O'Rourke (@mazsas) from Sydney, Australia. 

• Above: We're following DWR's Outdoor Living board on Pinterest. 

For more Remodelista, see our Guest Quarters issue and head over to Gardenista to read a collection of posts about Landscaping with Less. 

More Stories from Remodelista

• Voting for the 2015 Considered Design Awards Ends at Midnight
• A Flag for Every Family from a Pair of Paris Artists
• 10 Easy Pieces: Modern Daybeds

Tonight at 11:59 p.m. Pacific we'll close the voting for the 2015 Remodelista + Gardenista Considered Design Awards, and the winners will be announced on Sunday. Don't miss your chance to vote for your favorite rooms.

Learn more about the finalists in each category below, and head to each site to cast your vote. 

Remodelista Awards Categories

• Best Kitchen Space (Professional)
• Best Living/Dining Space (Professional)
• Best Bath Space (Professional)
• Best Kitchen Space (Amateur)
• Best Living/Dining Space (Amateur)
• Best Bath Space (Amateur) 

Gardenista Awards Categories

• Best Amateur Garden
• Best Amateur Small Garden 
• Best Outdoor Living Space (Open to Everyone)
• Best Edible Garden (Open to Everyone)
• Best Hardscape Project (Open to Everyone)
• Best Professional Landscape

More Stories from Remodelista

• Current Obsessions: Coastal Views
• A Flag for Every Family from a Pair of Paris Artists
• 10 Easy Pieces: Modern Daybeds

This week we're paying homage to the midcentury modern summerhouse, classic accoutrements included.

Above: A summerhouse bedroom by Swedish architect Maria Masgard, via Scandinavian Retreat.

Monday

Above: In our Object Lessons column, Margot delves into the history of the iconic dinnerware found in midcentury summerhouses everywhere.

Tuesday

Above: Alexa deconstructs one of our all-time favorite modest modern cottages in our Steal This Look column. Photograph by Raimund Koch for the Cape Cod Modern House Trust.

Wednesday

Above: We're rounding up the 10 best modern wood dressers out there in 10 Easy Pieces.

Thursday

Above: Dalilah investigates a new line of graphic tiles in our Tile & Countertop column. 

Friday

Above: Alexa drops in on a reimagined summerhouse in Sweden in our Architect Visit column.

More Stories from Remodelista

• Announcing the Winners of the 2015 Remodelista Considered Design Awards
• Object Lessons: Heller Dinnerware by Massimo Vignelli
• Current Obsessions: Coastal Views

If you grew up spending summers (and sometimes winters) in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, it was normal to run into architectural giants such as Serge Chermayeff at the grocery store, to sweep the floors of Lilian Saarinen's modernist cottage, to babysit Charles Zehnder's children, and to watch your mother drive off to a cocktail party in a Marimekko dress. It wasn't until later, when I was taking architectural history classes in college, that I realized how rarified the design scene was on the Outer Cape, where more than 100 modest modern holiday retreats were built over a 40-year span, merging Bauhaus ideals with New England fishing town building traditions.

The catalyst for all this architectural innovation? Jack Hall, a Princeton grad and self-trained architect, who bought a 180-acre swath on Boundbrook Island in Wellfleet from Katie Dos Passos (the widow of John Dos Passos). Hall sold the land to friends (a 12-acre parcel to Chermayeff, for instance) and went on to design the Hatch Cottage for Robert Hatch, the then-editor of The Nation, and his wife, Ruth, an artist. The house—the setting for innumerable summer soirees—is available to rent; go to the Cape Cod Modern House Trust for information.

Above: The Hatch Cottage hovers above ground, perched on concrete pilings. Photograph by Anna Moller via Kinfolk.

Above: A woodstove is set into a circle of beach stones. Photograph by Raimond Koch for the Cape Cod Modern House Trust.

Above: A built-in banquette with rattan chairs. Photograph by Don Freeman via Artists' Handmade Houses.

Above: A framed Matisse print, rice paper lantern, and vintage chair, design elements typical of modern houses of the era. Photograph by Don Freeman via Artists' Handmade Houses.

Above: Sliding doors connect the house to the beach and fill the room with sea air. Note the mismatched dining chairs. Photograph via the Cape Cod Modern House Trust.

Above: The tiny galley kitchen features open shelves, a common feature in modernist summer cottages. Photograph by Don Freeman via Artists' Handmade Houses.

Above: Fishing decoys as decor. Photograph by Anna Moller via Kinfolk. 

Above: Beach stones collected by Ruth Hatch. Photograph via Salt Cellar Shop.

Above: A Bertoia chair positioned in the entry. Photograph via the Cape Cod Modern House Trust.

Above: A series of working shutters, operated by a rope and pulley system, allows the cottage to be closed off in winter. Photograph via the Cape Cod Modern House Trust.

Above: A simple stone-edged path leads to the house. Photograph via Salt Cellar Shop.

Above: A deck overlooking the bay. Photograph via the Cape Cod Modern House Trust.

Above: Sunset at the Hatch Cottage. Photograph via the Cape Cod Modern House Trust.

Above: Interested in learning more? Order a copy of Cape Cod Modern: Midcentury Architecture and Community on the Outer Cape ($30 from Amazon) by Peter McMahon and Christine Cipriani.

See a 1970 Charles Zehnder house that's part of the Cape Cod Modern House Trust (and also available for rent) in our post Pilgrim's Progress. On Gardenista, tour Architect Sheila Bonnell's Cape Cod Kitchen Garden.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on May 28, 2014, as part of our Modest Modern issue.

More Stories from Remodelista

• Steal This Look: Cape Cod Artist's House
• The One-Month Remodel: A Catskills Guesthouse by Jersey Ice Cream Co.
• All Eras Welcome: A Spanish Colonial Update in LA

An icon of sixties utilitarian chic, Massimo Vignelli's stackable melamine plates and mugs tower on. Made in the US by Heller in their heyday, they've been reissued thanks to demand. And though we don't usually get behind plastic, Hellerware, as it came to be known, is an exception.

I myself grew up in a house outside of Boston laden with the stuff—it provided the perfect companion to my mother's Marimekko tablecloths from Design Research in Cambridge. (And though some of the plates and bowls are admittedly looking a bit less pristine of late, my mother still uses her stack.) Vignelli, who died just last year—and with his wife and design partner, Leila Vignelli, left his imprint on everything from NYC's subway signage and maps to the Bloomingdale's bag—would not be surprised. "If you do it right," he said, "it will last forever."

Four to Buy

Above: Made in the US by Heller (using the original molds and a BPA-free techno polymer), the classic Heller Dinnerware Set—dinner plate, salad plate, soup bowl, and mug—is available from Unison for $46. Unison, MoMA and Design Public also offer the pieces individually starting at $8.

Above: Vignelli created the first of his melamine tableware in his native Milan in 1964, and it won that year's Compasso d'Oro Award for Good Design. He explained to Edible Manhattan:

"I had a client making plastic tiles. I went to see the factory and noticed that they were also using the plastic to make ashtrays with Mickey Mouse and things like that. I thought, 'Can’t you make anything better than that?' And a set of compact dinnerware came to my mind. I went back to the office, and in two hours I had the design fully completed."

 In 1971—the year Massimo and Leila founded Vignelli Associates in New York—Alan Heller's new company introduced the line in the US as its very first product; the white tableware has since never been out of production.

Above: Vignelli designed the signature box for Heller in his beloved Helvetica (and later explained his affinity for the typeface in the documentary Helvetica). Heller Clear Mugs are $12 each from DWR.

Alan Heller told to us how his company came to be synonymous with the design:

"I met Massimo and Lella in the late sixties and we all fell in love. In one of our conversations, the dinnerware design came up. I was excited, even though the Italian manufacturer had gone bankrupt. I decided that I’d fly to Italy and find out what had happened to the bankrupt company. The assets had been sold to another company, and most of the production was those Mickey Mouse ashtrays. I found the molds and negotiated with the new owners to buy the unused molds and have them produce the dinnerware again; they were delighted, since the molds had just been sitting in a corner of their warehouse. 

Six months after we introduced the dinnerware it was accepted into the Museum of Modern Art permanent design collection. The business grew, and in 1975 we decided to move the molds to the US because of horrendous labor strikes in Italy." 

Above: Vignelli's original tableware was in bright yellow; Heller introduced a range of bold colors in the mid-seventies and created a best seller. Over the years, Vignelli also designed additional pieces for the collection, including these mugs. 

Rainbow Mugs are $60 for a set of six from MoMA. They're also available at DWR. Photograph via Placewares, a design shop run by a couple who met at Design Research.

Above: Vintage pieces are easy to find on eBay and Etsy, by the piece and by the stack. Look for ones that have had little use. And Alan Heller says his company "plans to produce the dinnerware forever." Photograph from Etsy seller Object of Beauty.

For more iconic modern tableware, see our Object Lesson on Finnish designer Kaj Franck's Teema Dinnerware, and 10 Easy Piece roundup of Architect-Designed Flatware.

More Stories from Remodelista

• Announcing the Winners of the 2015 Remodelista Considered Design Awards
• Table of Contents: The Modern Summerhouse
• Current Obsessions: Coastal Views

We're thrilled with the results of the third annual Remodelista + Gardenista Considered Design Awards: You submitted more than 800 projects, pinned and Tweeted your favorites, and cast more than 60,000 votes. A huge thanks to everyone who participated. 

Each winner will receive a $200 gift certificate to Remodelista prize sponsor Kaufmann Mercantile or Gardenista sponsor Terrain, as well as a profile post on either site—watch for these over the coming week. And don't forget to visit Gardenista to see the results of their Considered Design Awards. 

Without further ado, congratulations to our winners!

Amateur Designers

Above: Best Amateur Kitchen: Jo Flavell in Market Harborough, UK.

Above: Best Amateur Living/Dining Space: Brigitte Gfeller in Hudson, New York. 

Above: Best Amateur Bath: Zachary L. in Toronto, Ontario. 

Professional Designers

Above: Best Professional Kitchen: General Assembly in Brooklyn. 

Above: Best Professional Living/Dining Space: CWB Architects in Brooklyn. 

Above: Best Professional Bath: Daleet Spector Design in Los Angeles. 

For a look at last year's Considered Design Awards—including finalists and winners—see the 2014 Remodelista Considered Design Awards archive.

More Stories from Remodelista

• Object Lessons: Heller Dinnerware by Massimo Vignelli
• Table of Contents: The Modern Summerhouse
• Current Obsessions: Coastal Views

The winner of the Remodelista Considered Design Awards Best Amateur-Designed Kitchen is Jo Flavell of Market Harborough, UK.

Her project was chosen as a finalist by Remodelista editor in chief Julie Carlson, who said: "The owners have done a nice job of creating an open-to-the-outdoors kitchen in a former garage—you'd never guess its past life. We like the way the salvaged wood floor adds a note of rusticity to the space and plays against the dark-blue-and-white color scheme."

N.B.: This is the first of six posts spotlighting the winners of the 2015 Remodelista Considered Design Awards. Go to this year's Considered Design Awards page to see all the entries, finalists, and winners, and have a look at Gardenista's Considered Design Awards, too.

Jo Flavell's Design Statement: "An unused double garage redesigned into an open-plan space with height and light. A variety of handmade furniture gives an unfitted look, with a mixture of simple colors and old wood. A central prep area serves as a place to cook and socialize and a dining table overlooks views of the garden." 

Q: Where do you live?
A: We live in a small hamlet in central England, full of thatched cottages and an old manor house. Our cottage is a listed property, built in 1701 and constructed in warm, orange-colored stone with views of a very old church to the front and open countryside from the rear walled garden.

Q: What were your practical goals for the project?
A: Although our cottage was quaint at the front, the rear of the property had had a 1960s makeover, which was totally inappropriate. Our goal was to create a large, open-plan kitchen/dining area from an unused garage, as we love cooking and entertaining. Cottage interiors can be dark, so we wanted lots of light and a new heating system as it was very unwelcoming before the renovation.

Q: What solutions did you find to your design problems?
A: We wanted a large barn-type feel, but when work started on the renovation, we discovered that the brick-built walls were not strong enough to hold up the roof. We had two heavy steel beams made to support this and clad them in painted wood. The rest of the kitchen was all handmade by my husband, Peter—he's a great solution.

Q: What are your favorite features of the project?
A: The reclaimed wood floor adds warmth, and as it gets more scruffed and faded, the character improves. The enormous, handmade kitchen "armoire" houses the refrigerator and creates loads of storage. It is finished with a black linseed oil wax (Allback from Sweden), so the grain of the wood is still visible. This was also used to color the dining table, an inherited pine piece, and the base of the central unit to contrast with the English oak top. The oversized bottles in the windows—original French vinegar bottles—stand in for curtains and create a colored glow with the morning sunshine.

Q: What advice do you have for someone undertaking a similar project?
A: Work out what is important to you and fits in with the way you live in a space. Also, observe how friends and family behave and relax. This is why we have a central island with high stools, so we can sit and chat while preparing food. Go for oversized pieces for impact and non-matching furniture to create a less formal look. Don't be afraid of bold colors.

Q: What was your biggest splurge?
A: The Mercury range—a heavyweight piece with a double oven and gas burners. A classic design. We also splurged on handmade windows and French doors. As they are non-standard sizes, it gives the room character and lots of light. 

Q: What is your best secret design source?
A: We moved here after spending nearly 10 years living in the South of France. Shopping in brocantes and flea markets meant we accumulated lots of unusual, one-off pieces, such as the old Godin stove, wall cupboards, and stoneware. It's not really a secret—we were just lucky.

Q: What is your favorite local shop?
A: It's not local, but it is owned friends of ours. It's called RE, in Northumberland. It does have mail order, but the actual shop, also originally a garage, is an amazing space full of one-off, quirky pieces. We found the original, white enameled lights there and hung them from metal conduits. All the textiles in the kitchen are also from this shop.

Q: Which architects or designers do you admire?
A: Ilse Crawford. We love how she mixes colors and styles to create an interesting and informal look. Also Axel Vervoordt for his use of natural materials, soft color, and old wood.

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• Appliances for Minimalists: The Muji Toaster Oven and More
• Kitchen of the Week: A Modular Setup from Sweden
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In the late 1930s, a group of émigré European modernists—Marcel Breuer, Serge Chermayeff, Walter Gropius, and Eero Saarinen—began to build summer homes on Outer Cape Cod, mostly in Wellfleet.

"Though humble in budget, materials, and environmental impact, the Outer Cape’s Modern houses manage to be manifestos of their designers' philosophy and way of living, close to nature, immersed in art, and seeking community," according to the Cape Cod Modern House Trust. Painter James Lechay (1907–2001) moved in the same circles; his house remains one of the best examples of modest Bauhaus architecture in town (it's also for rent seasonally; go to We Need a Vacation for information). For more photos, see Architect Visit: Midcentury Modern in Wellfleet by Hayden Walling; to read more about Walling, go to the CCMHT.

Create the low-key, modernist Outer Cape look with the following elements.

The House

Above: Photograph by Raimund Koch for the Cape Cod Modern House Trust.

Above: Photograph by Raimund Koch for the Cape Cod Modern House Trust.

Above: Photograph via Salt Cellar Shop. 

The Elements

Above: Day Bed Two is made of ash with a slatted wooden base; $2,950 from Another Country.

Above: The Brommo Chaise from Ikea is $59.99.

Above: Land of Nod's 5-foot Round Flokati Fluff Rug is $299; other sizes are also available (it's currently on back order until early September).

Above: Ikea's Hektar Floor Lamp has an oversized shade and is made from steel and aluminum and has an epoxy powder coating for $69.99.

Above: The Midcentury Modern Inspired Coffee Table has a walnut plywood top and steel hairpin legs; $349 via Comod on Etsy. 

Above: The classic midcentury coated-steel Krenit Bowl was recently reissued by Normann Copenhagen and is available from Design Within Reach; prices start at $18 for the smallest size and go up to $145 for the largest size (available in several colors, including light blue).

Above: Driftwood Birds by Osamu Harihara; contact Niagara House directly for information.

Above: The Baton Table Lamp is $385 from Design Within Reach. 

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on August 17, 2010, as part of our Marine Life issue.

More Stories from Remodelista

• The Outermost House: Modest Modernism in Wellfleet
• The One-Month Remodel: A Catskills Guesthouse by Jersey Ice Cream Co.
• All Eras Welcome: A Spanish Colonial Update in LA

This past winter in New England, there was only one topic of discussion at any party or gathering: ice dams ("accumulated snow on a sloping roof that melts and flows down the roof, then refreezes, preventing snow from properly draining and resulting in roof leaks," according to Wikipedia). Specifically the extensive and expensive interior water damage they caused. (As I write, my insurance check is in hand and the contractors are poised to begin repairs.)

All fine for my painted walls. But what about those with wallpaper? Especially vintage wallpaper that cannot be replaced. Here I turned to the Internet. The consensus from several articles: Use bleach. I decided to give it a try.

Above: One of my favorite features in the guest bedroom of my summer cottage is the antique cream and gold wallpaper. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home.

Above: A closeup of my beloved wallpaper shows the effects of age, including water stains near the baseboards. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home.

Above: This winter's water damage tipped the balance from "charming patina" and just plain "delerict." Something had to be done.

Materials:

• Bleach
• Distilled water
• Several rags and/or sponges
• Measuring cup
• Bowl
• Dish detergent

Most "water stains" are not actually caused by the water itself but from the tannins in the wood behind the paper, which dissolve when they come into contact with the water. Often these can be eliminated with a little bleach mixed with distilled water. (For oil and grease stains, try a white eraser.)

One note: Because my wallpaper is so old, contacting the manufacturer was not an option. But the first step in any wallpaper cleaning DIY would typically be to ask the maker for recommended treatments. 

Step 1: If your walls are dirty, use a little dish soap mixed with water to gently clean the walls. Be sure to thoroughly squeeze any excess liquid from the cloth so as not to create more stains.

Step 2: Mix one part bleach with two parts water.

Step 3: Warning! Before you start wiping down a whole area, be sure to test a small spot that's not in plain view. Dip the edge of your sponge into the bleach solution (you may want to wear gloves). Using the edge of the bowl, squeeze out any extra liquid. Then gently dab the stained areas. You can also use a cotton ball or, for small areas, a Q-Tip.

Step 4: Be careful not to apply too much water; you want the stain to disappear, not get worse. After applying the solution, dab with a dry cloth to prevent further staining.

Step 5: Let the bleach solution rest for 5 minutes, then "rinse" or blot again with a wetted rag. Allow your paper to dry thoroughly before applying a second coat on any stubborn stains. (I had to apply the bleach solution twice on those dark stains toward the bottom.)

Above: The results. Still not perfect, especially around the gold areas, where I was loathe to try bleach. But I think we're back in the realm of a charming patina. Next time I might try some OxiClean.

Want more DIY cleaning solutions? Try:

• Domestic Science Tip: How to Clean a Dishwasher
• Domestic Science Tip: How to Clean a Washing Machine

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The winner of the Remodelista Considered Design Awards Best Amateur-Designed Bath is Zachary Leung of Toronto, Ontario. 

His project was chosen as a finalist by Remodelista editor in chief Julie Carlson, who commented: "The gray and white tub on a tile carpet is such a winning combo. It's a cleanly linear setup that also has a subtle soft touch."

N.B.: This is the second of six posts spotlighting the winners of the 2015 Remodelista Considered Design Awards. Go to this year's Considered Design Awards page to see all the entries, finalists, and winners, and have a look at Gardenista's Considered Design Awards, too.

Zachary Leung's Design Statement: "For this remodel of a typical Toronto row house bathroom on a budget, we visually opened up the tight space through the use of glass, natural light, mirror, and white walls. A mix of modern and traditional elements updates the bathroom while honoring the history of the home."

Q: Where do you live?
A: I live in downtown Toronto, Ontario, in a typical-style row house that was built in 1890. It’s a humble space, but conveniently situated right in the middle of a few amazing neighborhoods: Trinity Bellwoods, Little Italy, and Kensington Market. It’s a lively area, filled with a diverse and ever-changing demographic consisting of people from all different backgrounds and walks of life. There’s a great dynamic energy that comes from this eclectic mix, which I believe encourages some of the best restaurants, shops, and cafes to open up on this side of the city.

A: What were your practical goals for the project?
Q: The old bathroom was quite dated, and the tiles were worn and starting to fall off. The shower was small and completely walled in, making it dark and claustrophobic. My goal was to modernize and open up the space while keeping some design references that would relate to the history of the home. Initially, the renovation process was intended to be tackled one room at a time, but as things unfolded, the scope quickly escalated to become a much larger project involving most of the house. Since I was forced to allocate funds elsewhere, I needed to get creative to design a unique bathroom on a limited budget.

Q: What solutions did you find to your design problems?
A: I decided to maintain the existing footprint of the previous bathroom and not move any plumbing to save on costs. The solid walls enclosing the shower were opened up and replaced with frameless glass panels, providing the visual illusion of extra space, as well as taking advantage of the windows and natural light. The existing clawfoot tub was kept and reglazed. By reusing the tub, I kept a historic design element, and also the smaller scale of the tub (compared to a modern one) allowed both a tub and shower to comfortably fit within the confines of the small bathroom.

Another cost-saving measure was limiting the use of tile to basic subway tile in the shower and solid porcelain on the floor, but elevating the overall look with a small portion of imported patterned tile under the tub itself. Finally, due to the settling of the house over the years, the floors needed to be leveled, which resulted in slightly askew angles in the ceiling. Painting the ceiling and walls in the same shade of white took the emphasis away from the awkward angles, and artwork on the walls created a new focal point to detract from the existing bulkheads.

Q: What are your favorite features of the project?
A: I love the natural light that floods the room. I’m lucky that the house is situated at the end of a row, allowing for the possibility of having two large windows in the bathroom, which feels like a small luxury in this space.

Q: What projects would you tackle if you had an unlimited budget?
A: With an unlimited budget, I would love to start a company that builds and designs custom laneway homes. They would be affordable, efficient, functional, and modern, making usable space out of Toronto’s hidden backstreets and turning them into beautiful, livable homes. On a more immediate/practical level, I would love to do a complete renovation of my basement and restore the exterior of my house. 

Q: What is your best secret design source?
A: It’s not really a secret source, but I always try to analyze and make mental notes when I experience other well-designed spaces. I’ve been lucky to have traveled a bit, and there are always clever ideas to take away from the hotels and apartments I’ve stayed in, especially from a functional standpoint as they are usually quite efficient at maximizing smaller spaces. The interiors of coffee shops and restaurants are also great from a design perspective as they are usually cozy and comfortable environments with elements that you can easily emulate at home.

Q: What is your favorite local shop?
A: Some of my favorites to (window) shop at include: Mjolk, Klaus, Kiosk, and Avenue Road. Smash is great for unique found objects; Made is full of inspiring local talent; and Muji is amazing for clean and simple household items. Finally, scouring Kijiji and Craigslist, combined with a bit of creativity, can’t be beat.

Q: Which architects or designers do you admire?
A: Architects: Frank Gehry, Daniel Libeskind, Joseph Dirand. Industrial Designers: Naoto Fukasawa, Oki Sato (Nendo), Tom Dixon. Interior Designers: Commute Home, Mazen Studio. 

Q: What is your day job?
A: I’m the director of design at iNTERFACEWARE, where I am responsible for the creation of the overall design strategy across multiple departments, including development, marketing, and sales. It’s a unique and fluid role, which involves all aspects of visual identity as well as functional design. I love the broad mix, which keeps things interesting. Beyond my day job, my personal interests include photography, architecture, and interior design.

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• Vote for the Best Bath in the Remodelista Considered Design Awards: Amateur Category
• Vote for the Best Bath in the Remodelista Considered Design Awards: Professional Category
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