Several ancient cultures lay claim to the invention of enamel, but the Austrians and Germans can be credited for taking this brightly colored, crushed-glass surface out of the jewelry box and into the kitchen. It was discovered that when vitreous or "porcelain" enamel is bonded by high heat to metal, the resulting nonporous, nontoxic, and nonstick surface is not only an excellent heat conductor, but very durable when applied to pots, buckets, ovens, kitchen utensils—just about anything of a utilitarian nature.
In the foothills of the Austrian Alps, the Riess family factory has been making kitchen utensils for nine generations. The factory went hydroelectric in the 1930s, and since then all of its electricity has been powered by the local water source. In the town of Ybbsitz, they produce enamel-coated pots and pans fabricated from single sheets of steel, which makes them much lighter than cast iron. The choice of color is lighter too: many of Reiss's pots haven't altered at all since the 1950s. Perhaps a Riess founding father asked his frau what colors she'd like to cook with, and she replied "rose, blau, grün, und gelb." Riess interpreted these colors as soft deep pink, very delicate blue, palest green, and powdery yellow, all finished off with a clotted cream interior. The Riess palette continues to appeal today; here are some examples:
The Yellow Omelette Pan, 8.5 inches across and 1.75 inches high, is available for $45 at Ancient Industries. Various pieces of Riess enamelware in white are also for sale online at Rodale's and Potager.
Above: A more recent design from Riess, The Stackable Canister comes with an airtight ash wood lid. It is 2.5 inches tall and 3 inches wide, and is $44 at Rodale's.
The Pink Milk Pot, 4.75 inches tall and 4.75 inches wide, was made popular by Labour and Wait when the London shop opened in 2000. It's currently available at Objects of Use for £20.
Demure, space saving, and easy to clean, the wall-hung toilet is a long-time fixture in European bathrooms that's getting more attention from remodelers in the US. The design is well worth considering.
The advantages? Foremost is that wall-hung toilets are space savers: their water tanks are concealed behind the wall in the standard space between studs, so the toilets takes up far less real estate in the bathroom. The tank, meanwhile, is easily accessed for service through the flush plate opening. The toilet height is adjustable at installation, enabling the owner to fit it to their needs. And it doesn't touch the floor, offering easier cleaning and a more open sense of space.
What's not to like? Replacing a standard toilet throne with a wall-hung model takes some doing because the tank installation requires removal of drywall. (As an option, Gerberit, a division of Duravit and the premier in-wall tank company, offers the Monolith Tank Module, a thin rectangular backing with a concealed tank that can replace an existing standard toilet with a wall-hung model—scroll to the end for details.) In general, installation of wall-hung models is best considered when undertaking a new build or a remodel.
Our selections are made of vitreous china or high-performance ceramics. Most, but not all, are WaterSense certified by the EPA and CalGreen compliant; check the manufacturer for details. Note that some of the wall-mounted toilets are available as a full system (with the in-wall tank, carrier, toilet bowl and seat), while others are sold as toilet bowl only, requiring you to gather the other items. Here's a roundup of 10 worth considering:
Above: A modern classic from the extensive line of Duravit wall-hung toilets, the Duravit Happy D Wall-Mounted Toilet, shown paired with a Happy D sink, is WaterSense certified; $881.25 for the full set (toilet, in-wall tank, seat, and actuator plate) at eFaucets.
Above: Designed by Philippe Starck, the Duravit Starck 3 Wall-Mounted Toilet is WaterSense certified and offered in a regular (shown) as well as compact model; $791.25 for the full set, including toilet bowl, toilet seat/cover, Geberit in-wall system, and Samba dual-flush actuator, at eFaucets.
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Above: From Blu Bathworks of Vancouver, the Blu Bathworks Metrix Wall-Mounted Dual-Flush Toilet is decidedly modern in form and function. The toilet bowl is $438.75 at Quality Plumbing. The corresponding Duroplast soft closing quick-release seat is $97.50.
Above: From Japanese company Toto, known for being on the vanguard of toilet technology, the Toto Aquia Wall-Hung Toilet and In-Wall Tank System features dual-max flushing system for low water consumption. It's made of white vitreous china; $651 for the system (seat sold separately) at Home Perfect.
Above: The Toto Maris Wall-Hung Toilet and In-Wall Tank System offers a clean skirted look and the technology Toto is known for, such as the water-saving dual-max flushing system and a "Sani-gloss glaze" that requires less water to clean. Available in white vitreous china, its $849 for the system (seat not included) through Amazon. Consider topping the wall-mounted toilet with Toto's High-Tech Washlet Toilet Seat.
Above: From VitrA, a company with a long tradition of ceramics and bath products inspired by Turkish hammam culture, the Vitra Sunrise Collection Wall-Hung Toilet has a rounded basin and seat; $420 (for the toilet and seat only) at Bathroom Outlet.
Above: Featuring a one-piece configuration, the Kohler Veil Wall-Hung Toilet (K-6303) includes an insulated in-wall tank and dual flush plate. WaterSense certified (meaning it uses 20-percent less water than the current standard), it's $846.90 at Faucet Direct.
Above: To accompany wall-hung toilets sold as a bowl only, most manufacturers recommend the Gerberit In-Wall Tank and Carrier (for walls with 2 x 6 studs); it's $277 for dual-flush toilets, and the Gerberit In-Wall Tank and Carrier (for walls with 2 x 4 studs) is $325 through Amazon. Gerberit's wall-mounted flush plates, also known as actuator plates, come in several styles, including the Gerberit Samba Dual Flush Actuator Plate, available in white, polished chrome, and matte chrome; $97.50 and up via Amazon. Image courtesy of Gerberit.
Good news for Scandi remodelers: Swoon, a new line of bathroom furniture, is devoted to offering clean-lined basics with pick-and-choose components.
The Stockholm-based company enlisted designer Fredrik Wallner to create three collections, each comprised of a sink vanity, mirrored medicine cabinet, and tall standing cabinet. Each of these ensembles—the Side, Square, and Soft collections—come with a choice of colors, knobs, handles, legs, and faucets for custom tailoring.
Swoon has transparent manufacturing (mostly carried out in Sweden and Finland, and all of it is manufactured within Europe) and ships its products to locations across Scandinavia; the company offers its products online and plans to expand its reach across Europe soon. The whole concept—good design, simple customization, and local manufacturing—is something we hope to see make its way stateside.
Above: Swoon offers three different bathroom collections that each include a sink vanity, mirrored cabinet, and a tall, narrow standing cabinet. The Square design, shown here, combines modern shapes with neo-rustic cabinet fronts and wooden legs.
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Above: The Square sink vanity has two pull-out, soft-closing drawers built from Hettich technology.
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Above: A look inside the tall cabinet reveals a metal laundry hamper; it's one of the features available in each collection.
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Above: The Side collection is characterized by straight silhouettes, polished porcelain counters, and metal legs. The Side sink vanity is shown here in a deep rose, one of five color options (which include the warm gray on the plank leaning against the wall).
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Above: The vanity's countertop and wash basin are both porcelain from Portuguese company Sanindusa. The faucets are from Swedish company Tapwell and are available in white, black, and chrome. Cabinet knobs, one of the customizable features, are shown here in lacquered wood.
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Above: The sink vanity in the Side collection has an upper compartment that hinges open for storing lipstick, nail polish, and small accessories. The lower compartment is a retractable, soft- closing drawer for holding larger items.
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Above: Furniture in the Soft series has rounded fronts and angled legs of solid ash.
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Above: A look inside a wall-mounted mirrored cabinet (the interiors of the cabinets are the same across each style). The cabinet is equipped with an outlet and an LED light that simulates daylight for makeup application.
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Above: Scaled-down versions of all of Swoon's designs are presented in the Single series, sized for powder rooms and compact urban spaces.
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Above: Perfect for tiny bathrooms, the Single Vanity is just 250 millimeters (about 10 inches) deep, and 700 millimeters (27.5 inches) tall. See Swoon for more.
Every architect I know is obsessed with Arne Jacobsen's Vola faucet (including most members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory). Lately we're spotting this icon of plumbing in shades ranging from yellow to cobalt blue to spring green—and we're onboard.
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Above: In Australia, Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory member Edwards Moore spec'ed a marigold yellow Vola faucet in an otherwise monochromatic bath.
Above L: In Dublin, Peter Legge Associates pair a pink Vola faucet with a gray cast concrete sink. Above R: In a modern surf shack in Southern California, LA architect Barbara Bestor adds a jolt of pink to a bathroom; via Dwell.
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Above: A custom concrete countertop fabricated by Lowinfo for a London architect is animated by a lime green Vola faucet.
Bold graphics and lively colorfields are the mark of Dutch textile designer Mae Engelgeer, who likes to finish her pieces with a shot of bright orange. A graduate of the Amsterdam Textile Institute, Mae delights in vibrant, geometric design—"art for the home," she calls it—that is designed to be the focal point of the room. Her playful style, honed in her earlier WOWW and FEST lines, has softened a bit in her latest collections, including ISH and FLOCK. Designed in Amsterdam, all of Mae's pieces are woven at TextileLab in Tilborg, a city that's the wool capital of the Netherlands.
Above: Made from a linen/cotton blend, Mae's new Lil+Lila placements remind me of sunset over the ocean. Available for order now. Contact Mae Engelgeer for purchase details.
Above: Neutral zigzags of merino wool are shot through with vibrant orange cotton threads in Mae's ISH 00 Blanket, available at Brooklyn's Leif Shop for $298. The blanket is also sold by SMUG in the UK for £229.
Above: Inspired by marbled stones, Mae's FLOCK pattern is available as a tablecloth or tea towel. Available for order now. Contact Mae Engelgeer for purchase details.
Above: Mae's ISH collection, including blankets, tea towels, and scarves, is available directly through her online shop. Shown here, the ISH 001 blanket in a merino/cotton blend; it's also available at SMUG for £315.
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Above: ISH scarves made from a soft blend of merino, mohair, and cotton. Contact Mae Engelgeer for purchase details.
When Tokyo designer Yusuke Seki set out to create the interior of a nail salon, he began with a color palette inspired by skin tones and nail polish colors.
Kolimo+LIM salon in Osaka is an extension of the Less Is More (LIM) hair salons in the area, and offers basic nail and eyelash beauty services. Kolimo means triangle in Finnish, and references the wall with a triangular opening that Seki created to connect the two sections of the salon. "The store layout of basic wood and white has been designed to reflect the essential color of natural skin tones, and the space itself is intended to symbolize the process of nail coloring," Seki says.
Beyond the neutral tones, subtle pastels and neons can be seen painted on ventilation screens and single walls—these color blocks reference not only nail lacquer but the colorful buildings of the surrounding neighborhood. Join us on a tour.
Above: The zigzag triangular wall is made from white-painted wood that looks as though its been crimped. Seki points out that the design refracts sun streaming in through the back windows in much the same way that glitter nail polish catches light.
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Above: Curtains of metallic gold fabric separate treatment chairs in the back of the shop.
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Above: A pale pink minimalist corner is designed as a place to sit while polished nails dry.
Above: Painting stations are furnished with chairs by Hee Welling for Hay in dove gray on a veneered oak frame. Hay's About a Chair is $360 from Huset.
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Above: A lineup of nail stations beneath an industrial vent is where most of the work is done. The custom-built tables are kitted out with plenty of storage for manicure tools; a cutout beneath the surface is for resting the hand that's not being worked on. The puzzle-like wood floor was hand laid.
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Above: The palette of the room, Seki says, is an expression of the Japanese proverb, "Diverse men, diverse minds," which also translates as "ten people have ten different colors"—or to each his own nail polish.
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Above: Next to a trio of stools in the reception area, floating wooden shelves intersect the crimped wall.
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Above: Color is applied sparingly and artfully: here, pale blue meets soft pink on a back wall, and a single ventilation screen is painted neon yellow.
Masters of mood and ambiance, Alexander Evangelou and James Waterworth of London-and New York-based Alexander Waterworth Interiors first impressed us when they introduced LA-Style Dining to London, Sunshine Included. The firm is also responsible for London's Best Chippy and the Summeriest Restaurant in New York. With their recent renovation of a 17th century masseria, a farm estate in the heart of Southern Italy’s olive groves near the coast of Puglia, the pair translate their skills flawlessly into the home. We're ready to jump on a plane.
Above: The masseria was refurbished for a Hong Kong-based British family who wanted a European base for their multi-generational reunions. Throughout the house, the designers placed rustic antiques sourced mainly in Italy next to bespoke modern upholstery pieces in muted pastels.
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Above: A view of the coastline is visible from one of the living rooms. The rambling estate incorporates four living rooms, eight bedrooms, and three kitchens. Still in the process of being refurbished, it's being designed as a series of private and communal living spaces—ideal for seamless family reunions. The good news: when not in use by the owners, the masseria will be available for rent starting some time in 2015. Stay tuned for more details.
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Above: In another living room, the pastel shades of the upholstery soften the surrounding stone and plaster surfaces.
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Above: The rooms are an exalted mix of ancient and modern, muted and shiny. Rising above the hearth, a half-plastered wall smoothes out the rusticity of the bricks without losing their texture.
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Above: A dark blue-upholstered headboard and crackly ceramic lamp create a moody contrast to the pale lavender linen bedspread.
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Above: The simple bedroom with unadorned walls is rich with texture and color.
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Above: A desk chair with a black linen slipcover lends a touch of classic chic to the vintage rustic furnishings.
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Above L: Throughout the house simple greenery in vases, such as this olive branch, enhance the calm, other-worldly ambiance. Above R: The designers retained as much original detailing as possible, including weather-worn doors.
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Above: A still-life worthy of a painting created from a few simple household objects.
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Above: The candle-lit exterior stairs lead up to a pool on the roof.
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Above: "The best views (with drink in hand) are from the roof pool overlooking the sea or in the outdoor bath overlooking the orangery," says Waterworth.
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Above: The masseria's walled orangery.
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Above: Co-founders of Alexander Waterworth Interiors, James Waterworth and Alexander Evangelou.
For more rustic inspiration, have a look at the Modern Farmhouses in our photo gallery. On Gardenista, learn about how to bring Olive Trees Indoors (and where to find Potted Olive Trees). If you're planning a trip to Italy, consult our City Guide for our favorite places to stay, eat, and browse.
The average life expectancy of refrigerators is 10 to 20 years, meaning we buy fridges less frequently than cars. But most of us spend just a fraction of the time and energy researching and test driving fridges than we do our next set of wheels. Meanwhile, the menu of refrigerator options in size, style, configuration, and features keeps growing. Where to begin? Simplify the process by narrowing your focus to what will best fit your kitchen, your food-shopping and storage habits, and your aesthetics.
The good news is that there's a fridge for virtually every budget, space, and cook's need. Also rest assured that the latest refrigerators are likely to more energy efficient than the one currently sitting in your kitchen—that's thanks to more efficient cooling technology and enhanced insulation. That said, the models to look for are Energy Star-certified, meaning they use 20 percent less energy than current federal standards and 40 percent less than models produced a decade ago.
Ready to start shopping? Before you begin, here's what you need to know:
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Above: Refrigerators have an average life of 10 to 20 years. My refrigerator, a Sub-Zero 36-inch bottom freezer model, is turning 18 this year and is still humming. Image courtesy of Sub-Zero.
What are your kitchen's size constraints?
Refrigerators—and refrigerator openings—are not standard in size. To figure out what's viable for your kitchen, pull out a measuring tape and jot down measurements for the following three areas:
The Maximum Size of Your Fridge Opening: The size of the opening where the refrigerator will live determines the types and variety of selection available. It's important to know not only the height and width, but also the depth of the opening. Also, most refrigerators need about an inch of clearance on all sides to prevent overheating.
Available Space for Your Door Swing: "Not considering door swing clearance is the most common mistake we see people make," says Julie LaCap, owner of Contractor's Appliance Source in San Francisco. This is especially important if the refrigerator is across from an island or if it is placed next to a wall. If the handle of the refrigerator opens into the wall, the door can't open fully. Space considerations will affect the choice of whether the door opens from the left or the right, and the style of door configuration (see below).
The Size of Your Kitchen Entrance: While a 48-inch wide refrigerator may sit beautifully along your kitchen wall, it might not be able to squeeze through the kitchen door for installation.
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Above: This compact kitchen by Ore Studios has a slim but tall space that's perfect for a 24-inch refrigerator with a generous capacity. See our earlier post 5 Favorites: Skinny Refrigerators for more options.
What kind of cook and food shopper are you?
A key driver in selecting a refrigerator is storage needs, both in terms of capacity and interior configurations. Interior capacity is measured in cubic feet. The industry definition of a typical storage need is four to six cubic feet per person—but typical when it comes to food storage needs is tricky to pinpoint. That's why it's important to assess your cooking, food shopping, and food storage habits.
Are you a once-a-week shopper who needs to maximize capacity, or a daily market shopper who needs less space but more produce drawers?
Are you an entertainer? Think carefully about what you need to refrigerate and store for your dinner parties. Maximum shelf area for platters? Flexible door shelving to hold bottled drinks?
Do you cook and freeze? Do you keep a large selection of frozen foods on hand? Then pay close attention to the freezer configurations. Scrutinize not only the division of space between refrigerator and freezer, but also the inner configuration of the freezer itself.
Freestanding Refrigerators: These refrigerators come fully finished on both sides and on top, so they can stand adjacent to a counter without any custom cabinetry required. Most often freestanding refrigerators slide in an alcove that has been designed for such use. This type is best for the budget-conscious buyer. Word of warning for those replacing an old freestanding refrigerator with a new one: don't assume the new fridge will be an exact fit, even if it's the same model updated: advances in energy efficiency have brought the need for more insulation and have added a few inches to the depth of many units.
Built-In Refrigerators: Installed to be flush with the surrounding cabinets, built-ins typically have custom door fronts (added to match the cabinetry), and require installation by a contractor. Most commonly offered in 24- to 48-inch widths and hovering around 84-inches tall (thanks to vents at the top or the bottom), these refrigerators are shallower than typical freestanding models. The lack of depth is typically made up for in wider widths. Some people prefer the shallower space because it's easier to see and reach items. Built-ins are at the high end of the cost spectrum.
Cabinet Depth Refrigerators: Designed to give the built-in look at a lower cost and without custom cabinet work, these freestanding refrigerators align flush with cabinets (to make this work, these designs are typically 24 inches deep—standard cabinet depth—while most freestanding models are 27 inches deep). Note that cabinet-depth models require an inch or so of breathing room on the sides and top so as not to overheat. A flexible option, cabinet-depth refrigerators are available in many heights.
Under-Counter Refrigerators: Refrigerator drawers and compact, swing-door models have gained traction in the past few years as a great solution for small kitchens; they also work well as second fridges for beverages and party foods. They typically measure 24-by-36 inches and fit into a standard dishwasher-sized cabinet opening. Built-in models sit flush with cabinetry and vent out the front. Freestanding compact refrigerators vent out the back and require ample room on all sides to avoid overheating.
Above: Introduced in 2013, the GE Artistry Refrigerator is a newly designed freestanding refrigerator with a bottom freezer and a swing door at a entry level price: it's $990 at Best Buy.
What are the different styles and configurations?
When it comes to full-size refrigerator selection, the door style and freezer/refrigerator configuration are key. The good news is that a proliferation of sizes and styles are available at a wide range of price points. Here are the for most common types to consider:
Top Freezer Refrigerators: These offer the best storage-to-size ratio of all the options— and at the most affordable prices. How are you knees and back? A drawback is that you have to bend down to access the lower fridge shelves and produce drawers.
Bottom Freezer Refrigerators: Bottom freezer fridges are the bestselling style, and for good reason: most people access their refrigerator compartment ten times more frequently than the freezer, so it makes sense to have the refrigerator at eye (and arm) level. Bending down is required for freezer access, but choosing a bottom freezer drawer instead of a door makes access easier.
Side-By-Side Models: Side by sides offer two full-height freezer and refrigerator compartments with doors that open from the center. The doors are half the width of standard refrigerator doors, making this style a good choice for spaces with tight door clearance. A downside is narrow interior compartments that prevent placement of platters and other large items.
French Door Refrigerators: This setup has two side-by-side doors fronting the refrigerator compartment plus a bottom freezer drawer. Favored by many for their space efficiency (opening the doors requires half the space of full-size doors) and energy efficiency (opening one French door keeps more cold air inside as compared to one large swing door), they are loathed by others who complain about the clumsy two-door maneuvering (one door has to close before the other for it to seal properly).
Above: Sub-Zero is the standard-bearer of high-end refrigerators, with dual compressors (separate cooling units for the freezer and the refrigerator provide control over temperature and humidity, and prevent freezer burn). The latest models are Energy Star–rated and feature an airier interior with brighter lighting. The Sub-Zero BI-36U 36-Inch Built-In Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator, shown here, is $9,170 in stainless with a tubular handle; ti's available through approved dealers.
What features are important to you?
The menu of enticements offered by manufacturers is vast. Offerings range from the practical (adjustable door bins) to the over-the-top (built-in entertainment centers). One thing is certain: more features translate into a higher price tag. Before succombing to the bells and whistles, look hard at your cooking and shopping habits (see above). And, take a test drive. Visit showrooms to see, touch, and test the extras. Some of the key features to consider include:
Adjustable Shelves and Door Bins: This feature is at the top of my list. Adjustable shelves and door bins increase the functionality of the interior enabling instantaneous interior configuration changes to handle the infrequent oversized birthday cake or case of bottled water for a party. Pull-out shelves are another option.
Ice Makers: What used to be a rarity is now a built-in feature in many models. If not part of the package, it can be added without a huge outlay. Bear in mind, however, that a waterline connection is required.
Water and Ice Dispensers: Many refrigerators have external water and ice dispenser options. This is a choice of convenience (will you use it?) and aesthetics (do you mind the dispenser-opening on the front?). Recently, more makes are offering internal water dispensers that solve the aesthetic issue.
Individual Cooling Zones: This is a recent phenomenon offered in high-end refrigerators enabling designated sections to be cooled at different temperatures for optimal food storage (and, manufacturers say, longer food life).
Lighting: As anyone who has fumbled in the dark looking for the secret sauce in the back corner of the fridge can testify, lighting is not to be ignored. Again, try this out at the showroom. What may be illuminating for some can feel like Broadway lights to others.
Above: Miele's engineering at work: drop and lock adjustable door bins and shelving stay firmly aligned on slide-rail framework. Move the units higher or lower with an easy tilt up and slide motion. The Miele 30-Inch Independence Series Integrated Refrigerator is $7,895 at AJ Madison.
Above: The CoolDrawer Multi-Temperature Refrigerator 3.1 by Fisher & Paykel is a chameleon for food storage, offering both cooling and freezing options. A compact drawer, the unit is designed to change from a refrigerator to a freezer to a wine cooler to an idle pantry at the touch of a button; $2,309 at US Appliance.
What about the aesthetics?
For those overwhelmed by all the options, the good news is that the finish choices are more limited in scope. Most refrigerators are offered in white, black, and stainless. High performance refrigerators tend to be limited to stainless steel or panel-ready (add your own custom cabinetry). For those who want a distinctive look or color, specialty brands like Aga,Smeg, and Big Chill are worth considering. Handles are another consideration, though many models do not offer a choice.
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Above: Old style meets new technology: Italian manufacture Meneghini makes a line of premium refrigerators based on la ghiacciaia, the icebox. Housing a sleek interior engineered by top German manufacturer Liebherr; Meneghini's original La Ghiacciaia Icebox is Nigella Lawson's choice. Learn more in Meet the Modern Icebox.
Refrigerator Care Tips
Periodically vacuum accumulated dust from the refrigerator's condenser coils. These are typically located along the back of the machine on stand-alone models, and behind the grill vent (on the top or bottom front) of built-in models.
Clean the door seals once or twice a year (or as needed) with a soft-bristled brush and mild cleaning solution, such as vinegar or baking soda and water. Built-up dirt and food residue on the door seals reduces their effectiveness, allowing air to escape and requiring your refrigerator to work harder to keep cool.
Change your water filter periodically if your refrigerator has a water dispenser or ice maker. Requirements vary from model to model; consult your appliance manual.
Say no thanks to cloying colors. As an alternative to the Easter shades we see lining the aisles of our local drugstores, we assembled a springtime palette that's easy on the eyes. Members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory chimed in with their favorite vernal shades—perfect for that springtime paint project we've all been meaning to get to.
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Above, top row, left to right: Farrow & Ball Cinder Rose; Valspar Cathedral Stone; Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue; and Farrow & Ball Elephant's Breath. Bottom row: Benjamin Moore Cedar Path; Benjamin Moore Linen White; Valspar Royal Gray; and Modern Masters English Brown. Consider trying several of these shades in combination in a kids' room.
Above: Los Angeles designer Alexandra Loew of From the Desk of Lola chose Farrow & Ball's Cinder Rose as one of her all-time favorite pinks, noting that the color is "pinkish but not girly: it has a muddy, earthy, clay-like pigmentation that lends itself to masculine, organic, and even neutral looks." For the rest of our favorite pinks, see Expert Advice: The 10 Best Pink Paints.
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Above: Valspar's Cathedral Stone is aptly named: it's a flat, gargoyle gray (and one of the prettiest grays we've seen).
Above: Farrow & Ball says its gray-green Oval Room Blue appears repeatedly in historic color schemes from the 18th and 19th centuries. (Portland, OR, designer Carole Magness chose it as one of her favorite trim colors for small urban kitchens. Get the whole story in Remodeling 101: Best Colors for Urban Kitchens.)
Above: SF Bay Area landscape architecture firm Pedersen Associates likes Benjamin Moore's Linen White, a white so warm it's almost yellow. (We like it as a stand-in for an overly perky Eastertime yellow.)
For the minimalist, striking the right balance between austere and boring depends on knowing how and where to incorporate texture, structure, and a pop of color into a room. Today, we're starting from the ground up, with 10 favorite rugs in pastel hues.
Above: A collaboration between textile artist Alyson Fox and Hawkins New York, the Landscape Rug has a hand-drawn design inspired by aerial views of a rural landscape. Tufted in silk and wool, it measures 5 by 7 feet; $2,200 from Hawkins New York.
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Above: Created by artisans in Jodhpur, India, the vivid colors of Oyyo's handwoven cotton dhurries are made from natural vegetable dyes. A modern take on a centuries-old textile-making technique, the Brick Rug is available in four sizes; prices ranging from €520 for the 80-by-140-centimeter size to €1,890 for the 170-by-240-centimeter size through Oyyo. For more on the designers, see Flying Carpets Designed by Nomads.
Above: Amsterdam design duo Stefan Scholten and Carole Baijings created a line of color-blocked New Zealand wool rugs for Hay. Prices start at $1,550 for Color Carpet Rug #5, shown here—5-feet-7-inches by 7-feet-10 inches—at A+R in Los Angeles.
Above: Designed in Bushwick and handwoven by Indian artisans, Aelfie's Morgan Rug is a triangular pattern of candy-colored wool and cotton; prices range from $217 for the 3-by-5-foot size to $1,040 for the 8-by-10-foot from Aelfie.
Above: Designed by Rose James in Salt Lake City, Utah,the Area Rug in Soft Blue is made from hand-dyed cotton that James weaves on a traditional loom. The rug measures 4-by-6-feet and is $288 from James's Etsy shop, Gypsya.
Above: The special order Offset Stripe Wool Dhurrie from West Elm is available in several sizes and colors, including Horizon (the yellow shown above); prices start at $59 for a 2-by-30-foot rug and go up to $1,899 for a 12-by-18-foot rug.
A good friend of mine recently alerted me to a new cafe masterminded by fashion designer Henrik Vibskov (we both share an affinity for his avant-garde clothing). The cafe is located in Copenhagen's Papirøen (Paper Island), near The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts where my friend is studying, and it's the best place for a quick dose caffeine and color inspiration between classes.
Den Plettede Gris ("The Spotted Pig") is actually the result of Vibskov leasing a few buildings in Papirøen, one of which is his brand's main studio; a condition of the lease was establishing a public coffee bar in one of the locations. Where did the name Den Plettede Gris come from? "Pigs have been my animal symbol for fifteen years," Vibskov told the site Frame Web. The designer's graduation project at Central Saint Martins in 2001 was pig oriented. The cafe's wild interior design—bright blocks of pastel and black rubber bands at odd angles—is inspired by the inside of a piano. Read on to open the lid of the piano.
This custom-designed artist's workspace in Tel Aviv is likely to induce envy in anyone who works from home—or, really, anyone who has more than a few papers lying around.
The studio is located within the artist's apartment in a 60-year-old concrete building in Tel Aviv. Presented with a long list of storage requirements—the artist wanted to have her daily tools within easy reach, to be able to display some of her work, and to have a place to archive the rest—and unable to expand the 190-square-foot space, Israeli architects Studio Raanan Stern created an inventive system of drawers and shelves.
To figure out what went where, they measured each print, book, and tool, and divided them into categories based on frequency of use, assigning a color to each category. They then color-coded the drawers on their sides (so that the colors are only revealed when the drawers are open). The setup might baffle an interloper, but it makes perfect sense to the artist in residence: there's a place for everything.
Above: The architects built the custom storage system in floor-to-ceiling white birch. One advantage of a tiny work space? Everything is within easy reach.
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Above: A sliding birch panel reveals a teal well for a fold-out bed.
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Above: The bed enables the studio to double as a guest room (and place for the artist to take a nap).
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Above: The white birch storage units and floor were given only a clear protective coating to allow the wood grain to show through. The color coding is revealed when the drawers are open
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Above: The dimension of every drawer and cell was customized for the artist's tools and art collection.
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Above: Each drawer can be removed from the unit and placed on the desk during work.
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Above: The sliding panel that hides the fold-away bed can also be used to display artwork or as a painting easel.
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Above: All told, the studio has 36 drawers.
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Above: In such a small space, opening some drawers means cutting off access to others. The architects gave the artist easiest access to the things she needs most often.
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Above: The designers hung gauzy blinds to provide some privacy and plenty of light.
Why not add a splash of color with a light fixture? Lately, we've detected a trend in powder-coated and painted-metal lamp designs. Here are five affordable standouts.
Above: The Shaded Pendant Lamp comes in mint green, black, white, and brass, and has a cloth twisted cord in black, white, or beige. Choose from hardwired or plugged in with an on-off switch on the cord; $85 from Las Vegas-based OneFortyThree.
Above: Another colorful option from OneFortyThree, the swiveling Swing Lamp is available in eight powder-coated color finishes. It's made in three different arm lengths and comes with a white or black wall bracket; $95 from OneFortyThree.
Above: The Isaac Sconce from Schoolhouse Electric is handcrafted from steel; it's also available in red and is $98 for the short-armed version, shown here (the long-armed version is $128.) The design are sold both as wall-mounted fixtures and a tabletop lamps with cords and plugs.
Above: The steel Industrial Sconce comes in emerald green, white, and a metallic charcoal finish. The striped fabric cord has an on/off switch; $49 from Urban Outfitters.
Celebrate Earth Day with Eileen Fisher by entering their #THISISECO Facebook Giveaway now through Sunday, April 20.
Eileen Fisher wants to know: What's your eco style? Head to the contest announcement on the Eileen Fisher Facebook page and tell Eileen which of the two pieces below fits your eco style. Once you comment, you will be automatically entered to win a $250 Eileen Fisher gift card and an exclusive eco tote bag.
Metallics are an easy route to bold dressing. The slip of a silver heel at the base of a garment is transformative, and its reflective quality is a perfect match for the bright light of spring and summer.
We've been taking note of the recent heavy dose of metallic shoes on the market, and, one by one, pairs of copper sandals, gold clogs, and silver pumps have been trickling into the office. Here's the full reveal:
Above: Justine has had her PePe Silver Sandals ($185) from Makie from years. "Once again, comfortable, effortless style from Italy. They're great for a summer evening when you want a little something special, but don't feel like wobbling around in heels."
Above: Meredith has her eye on a pair of Riudvaets Metallic Avarca Sandals in copper (they're also available in silver and gold). The sandals are handmade in Menorca, Spain, with recycled, rubber soles; $120 at La Garçonne.
Above: Margot spotted the latest Robert Clergerie shoe collection at Louis on Boston's waterfront. The collection includes a glint of silver in almost every shoe; the Corson Sandal is shown here in a mirrored silver.
Above: Alexa is awaiting the arrival of LA shoe designer Martiniano Lopez's High Glove Metallic Shoes. The flat Glove Slippers in Gold are currently available through Creatures of Comfort for $350.
Above: Christine just bought a pair of silver clog Sandals from Swedish Hasbeens: "Silver is a good color for summer. In London it can still be cool out in the summer, so I thought colored socks would look great through the cutouts in these shoes; they remind me of the school shoes I wore when I was little." The sandals are £125 through Shoescribe.
Above: Erin has worn her pewter-colored clogs for years. "They're by Sandgrens (formerly Ugglebo) and were a custom design and color—a service, unfortunately, no longer offered," she says. Sandgrens' Tokyo Clogs ($129) are a similar look in gold.
Above: Sven's Plain Clogs in pewter are, as Sarah says, "great for knocking around in: super comfortable, great for traveling, and reasonably priced." Shown here is the Sven Low Heel Plain Clog; $170 (the Sven Medium Heel Plain Clog is available for $195).
Above: Dalilah likes Charlotte Stone's Barton Sandal in Rose Gold ($128). She's eager to pair the simple sandals with white denim for spring and summer.
Above: Izabella likes the metallic handmade shoes from Golden Ponies, a company in Guadalajara, Mexico. She discovered them through French stylist Aurélie Lécuyer of Le Dans La. The Pony Oxfords, shown here, are made of soft leather and ideal for dancing; $40 each.
Melbourne architecture firm Edwards Moore’s insertion of two internal courtyard gardens into the existing fabric of a small and narrow urban house might at first seem counterintuitive. With limited space, does it make sense to carve more out?
Designed to distribute daylight and ventilation evenly through the difficult-to-reach areas of a long and narrow site in Fitzroy, Melbourne—13 by 75 feet and originally built as a worker’s cottage—the two garden courtyards pull off a difficult feat. The large glass doors create an additional circulation zone throughout the courtyards while allowing continuous through-views as well, making the seemingly connected spaces seem bigger than they actually are. Clever and ingenious? We think so.
Above: Alexa hopes to someday visit the sculpture-filled New York loft of artist Hanna Eshel, whose work (and decades-long living quarters) has been discovered in late career. Her place is spotlighted on T Magazine and 1st Dibs.
No need to use chemicals this Easter; dye your eggs naturally with a How-To from Real Simple.
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Above: Our friends at Darby Smart created a kit for this DIY Stitched Table Runner designed by House of Earnest.
Saturday Night Live's Cecily Strong gets some home decorating help from the stylists at West Elm.
Above: When the desktop on Dalilah's computer isn't cluttered with pictures and folders, this work by Brit Brass is her screen saver (she discovered it on Design Love Fest, which offers a slew of free downloadable images to use as backgrounds for computers and phones).
Perfect for spring tables: Jadeite Plates made since 1959 in Ohio of hand-pressed glass. You can also find a bonanza of Vintage Jadeite on Etsy.
We wouldn't mind downsizing if it were in any of these Tiny Houses.
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Above: The wooden floor fixation continues—we've been admiring prop stylist Joanna Lavén's Stockholm apartment with its grand proportions and parquet.
Above: Meredith, Remodelista's resident baker, is whipping up a batch of Double Chocolate Chip Cookie from Joy the Baker for her Easter party (Meredith, feel free to bring leftovers to the office.)
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Above: Summer road trip? Here are 10 Vintage Trailers for sale in the classifieds on Tin Can Tourists.
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Above: Meet Sarah at the 17th annual Kitchens in the Vineyards event in Napa, where five homes located in the middle of wine country will open their doors for a home and garden tour. Sarah will be there signing Remodelista books on Saturday, April 26. Find out more details about the event here.
When the proprietors of new SF restaurant Souvla contacted us recently, we were happy to learn 1) that owner and designer Charles Bililies is a Remodelista devotee (he found inspiration for his design on RM), and 2) that the food is inspired by the simple, rustic cuisine of the Greek islands. Bililies, an alum of Thomas Keller and Michael Mina ventures (most recently RN74), has been ruminating over Souvla for a long while. After a decade of working in restaurants, Bililies took a recent trip to Greece where he undertook all manners of painstaking research for Souvla, eating and drinking included.
He eventually landed on a restaurant concept named for the traditional meat-roasting method that forms the cornerstone of the Souvla menu. (Their version of a "souvla," or rotisserie, is a gigantic Rotisol French roaster: "the Ferrari of roasters," according to marketing manager Jen Pelka.) Curious, I stopped by last week to chat with Bililies and Pelka, the day before Souvla's official opening. Here's my report:
Above: Souvla is located in SF's Hayes Valley neighborhood. Owner Charles Bililies designed the space in partnership with Brian Ford of Metropolis Design.
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Above: The outdoor seating arrangement is still being tweaked, but at least a few seats will be outdoors next to the olive trees.
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Above: On his research trip to Greece, Bililies saw wine served in traditional copper carafes and adopted the practice at Souvla. The restaurant offers Greek wine by the glass, bottle, or 250ml or 500 ml carafe, alongside Greek beer and cherry soda.
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Above: Keeping the gods happy: two Restoration Hardware stools at the back counter are honorarily "reserved" for Bililies' lawyers.
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Above: Olive branches displayed in a modern vase show off Souvla's barely-gray take on the traditional blue-and-white Greek color scheme.
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Above: Paper coffee cups waiting to be filled with Greek frozen yogurt to go.
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Above: The Souvla menu is short and well-priced: main courses are available as salads or sandwiches, wrapped in Souvla's housemade, daily-baked pita. (Note the patinated copper edging at the bar, finished with copper nails.)
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Above: Bililies chose oak flooring for his wood countertop surfaces for its durability. Copper edging and copper tabletops were custom made by Berkeley metalworker Chris Mast and pre-aged.
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Above: Greek hospitality is in Bililies' blood: his grandfather ran a Greek diner in Chicago 50 years ago. Antiques from that restaurant now line the walls of Souvla: here, a copper stock pot, a traditional coffee pot, and a string of Greek prayer beads.
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Above: Vertical surfaces sport Carrara marble penny tile and custom copper edging.
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Above: Greek memorabilia in the bathroom includes photos, notes, and antiques.
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Above: A communal dining table sits beneath a photograph by Nikos Economopoulos, taken in Alexandroupoli in the early 1990s. (Pelka called it the "original sobriety test.")
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Above: Food is served in enamelware.
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Above: The white pendant lights are from Crate & Barrel. The ceiling beams are ornamental.
The Gardenista crew spent this week reveling in their own (and their neighbor's) blossoming backyards—and like the rest of us, discovering the power of pastels. Looking for cafe-style outdoor furniture, the perfect spring table decorations, and the sweetest smelling shade plant? Come see.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Above: "Of all the old rectories and vicarages in the Cotswolds, the one with garden by Dan Pearson is the standout," writes Kendra (who happens to live in the vicinity). In this week's Garden Visit, she shows us around the place and details Pearson's relaxed formality, rose-framed front door and "slightly shaggy boxwoods," included.
Above: Say spring with green eggs. Follow Erin's easy DIY: Grow Your Own Wheat Grass Eggs—and consider using eggshells for your seedlings, too (all you have to do, Erin explains, is crush the shells when you plant them).
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Above: Meet the flower that some say stole the show from Kate Middleton at the royal wedding. The week's Field Guide presents a personality profile of the tiny but mighty (and shade loving) Lily of the Valley.
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Above: There was no keeping Michelle out of her neighbor's brand new garden: she guides us on a Sneak Peek of Architect Barbara Chambers' House in Mill Valley, CA (which Chambers designed in tandem with her plantings, so that every window presents a green and white view). How does Chambers' lawn look so lush? You'll be very surprised to hear.
When it comes to design, we're broad-minded, anti-rules, and all about mixing things up—but we do have a few firmly held beliefs. Considered living is what we're all about—and that includes buying only what you need and opting for thoughtfully made goods over mass-produced bargains. Join us this week as we gear up for Earth Day with our Going Green issue.
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Above: In the days ahead, we'll be exploring solar panels, sustainable design, and the best eco paints out there. On Wednesday, Christine leads us on a tour of this zero energy house in Germany.
Monday
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Above: Sarah shows us around an energy-efficient new loft planted atop an industrial building in Portland, Oregon, with design nods to its historic neighborhood.
Tuesday
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Above: Who wouldn't want to sleep here? For this week's Steal This Look, Izabella decodes the look of a lofted bedroom in Germany designed by Studio Oink.
Wednesday
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Above: Kitchen counter space is hard to come by pretty much wherever you live. Janet rounds up appliances well suited to small spaces for this week's 10 Easy Pieces. We like KitchenAid's Stand Mixer thanks not just to its made-to-last design, but its many attachments and functions, including pasta maker, grain mill, food grinder, juicer, and ice cream maker.
Thursday
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Above: Christine delves into what's happening in the world of solar paneling in Remodeling 101. Shown here, a curtain of solar panels on the exterior of an LA building by California firm Konen Eizenberg, members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory. (If you're looking to hire an architect or designer, our vetted directory is the source.)
Friday
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Above: We've long admired the work of furniture company Vitsoe, producers of Dieter Rams' designs. On Friday, Christine sits down with managing director, Mark Adams, to learn about the company's green manufacturing system and commitment to producing furniture that adapts to its owners' changing needs.
Did you know that you can explore all of our posts dating back to 2007? Go to our Back Issues and start browsing; it's all there, from Vol. 1, Issue 1, In the Pink, to last week's Shades of Pastel. And also don't miss Gardenista's Archive. In the comments section, fill us in on themes you'd like us to cover in the future.
