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Current Obsessions: The Artful Life

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Take a look at what's on our radar this week: 

Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, Queens, NY | Remodelista

Kindling Quarterly for Cool Dads Everywhere | Remodelista
  • In anticipation of our Cool Dads issue next week, we're checking out Kindling, a quarterly magazine for forward-thinking fathers.
  • Five contemporary artists take their art outdoors.
  • Meredith, a Washington state native, is reminiscing about summers by the lake with this roundup of 10 Tiny Lake Houses

Frazier Wing Mobile | Remodelista

  • Heather Frazier of Frazier + Wing has come out with the Auden Mobile, made from wool felt from Germany and walnut hardwood ($125).

Jacob Hashimoto Exhibit at Moca | Remodelista

  • In the span of 25 days, artist Jacob Hashimoto created 30,000 unique paper shapes. The exhibit, Gas Giant, is on display at MOCA in Los Angeles until next weekend. 
  • Every living room needs a great coffee table book (or two, or three). 

Hoop Brush | Remodelista

  • Dalilah can't decide if she wants to wear this hoop brush as a bracelet or hang it next her desk. 
  • We're happy to see Kaufmann Mercantile's blog post on the importance of spending more while buying less

For more, see Indoor/Outdoor. And don't miss Gardenista's Outdoor Living issue. 

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The Architect Is In: A New York Remodel by Way of Belgium

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This week the Architect Is In marks its second year anniversary, and our first participant, Juan Matiz of Matiz Architecture & Design (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory), returns to talk about another New York project—this time a 770-square-foot duplex in a West Village townhouse built in 1817. He is available to answer any and all reader questions for the next 48 hours. Fire away!

Every building project comes with its own circumstances, some more complex than others. In this instance, the international client lived overseas during the entire process, and asked Matiz to effect an extensive renovation—and to collaborate on the cabinetry and metalwork with Brussels-based designer Nathalie Goris (who had worked on previous jobs for the owner). That's how the relatively small space ended up with a lot of custom precision work built in Belgium. "The collaboration was relatively seamless,” says Matiz. “Our client was well versed in design and his trust in us meant we could do what it took to deliver a successful project.” (If you're curious to see Before shots, scroll to down to the end of the post.)

Photography by Hidenao Abe

Matiz Architecture and Design, New York Apartment, Architect Is In | Remodelista

Above: The renovation of the duplex involved switching the levels of the public and private spaces:The monochromatic open living area is now directly below the open sleeping area upstairs. "Retain the open space as much as possible was the key directive," says Matiz. "Our goal was to build as little as possible within the small volume of the building. Photography always distorts the real sense of space, but I can attest that this place is quite small, especially because the windows aren't big." A compact fireplace with a wood storage niche is on the right wall. 

Matiz Architecture Kitchen | Remodelista

Above: Belgian designer Nathalie Goris acted as the client's representative and laid out the brief for the project. Her firm and Matiz's worked through the design strategy and details for the duplex together. At the client's request, the wood-veneered kitchen cabinets were made by Belgian company Belmans Interieurprojecten and Goris oversaw their production. The kitchen countertops are made from Polar White Kerrock, a durable, manmade solid surface material that's stone-like but warm to the touch.

Matiz Architecture and Design, New York Apartment, Architect Is In | Remodelista

Above: Flax Five Light, designed by Christien Meindertsma in collaboration with rope maker Touwslagerij Steenbergen, adds a sculptural and nautical element to the living room. In the background, LED strips installed in the bookshelves provide an even, indirect light that creates the illusion of depth. 

Matiz Architecture and Design, New York Apartment, Architect Is In | Remodelista

Above: The building’s original ceiling beams and exposed brick were painted white and the wide-plank flooring was whitewashed to make the small space feel larger by maximizing the light. The palette also provides a neutral backdrop for the client's art collection, including a black-and-white image of a woman painted on a wood pallet by XOOOOX. The stairs lead down to the ground floor entry, and up to the bedroom.

Matiz Architecture NYC | Remodelista

Above: An array of Coral and Tusk's embroidered linen cushions animate a white sofa by Flamant that the client brought from a previous apartment.

Matiz Architecture and Design, New York Apartment, Architect Is In | Remodelista

Above: A Moroccan pouf introduces a concentration of rich colors and textures in contrast to the minimalist background.

Matiz Architecture and Design, New York Apartment, Architect Is In | Remodelista

Above: On the bedroom floor, another set of stairs leads to the rooftop, which is phase two of the project. The cantilevered stairs appear to float off the wall and are matched with an elegant cast-iron rail that was fabricated by a Belgian metalsmith and shipped to New York.

Matiz Architecture and Design, New York Apartment, Architect Is In | Remodelista

Above: The stair treads are made of white oak and each has a hidden, sandwiched-in plate of steel to provide support as it cantilevers off the stair stringer.

Matiz Architecture and Design, New York Apartment, Architect Is In | Remodelista

Above: The textured walls of the bathroom have a tadelakt finish, a traditional Moroccan plaster treatment that involves lime plaster hand polished with olive oil soap and rubbed with river stones. The sink and countertop are also tadelakt; the work was done by Sobro Studio, a company in New York that specializes in plaster finishes. 

Matiz Architecture and Design, New York Apartment, Architect Is In | Remodelista

Above: The crisp profile of Hansgrohe faucets contrast with the intricate inlays on a vintage mirror from India.

Matiz Architecture and Design, New York Apartment, Architect Is In | Remodelista

Above: A black metal tie, part of a structural support for the masonry walls, is left exposed to tell a story about the history of the building. "It’s not often in New York City that you get to work in a structure from 1817," says Matiz.

Floorplans and Section

Matiz Architecture and Design, New York Apartment, Architect Is In | Remodelista

Above: The duplex occupies a historic West Village townhouse; the second floor is devoted to living spaces and the third floor to the bedroom.

Matiz Architecture and Design, New York Apartment, Architect Is In | Remodelista

Above: A section of the duplex details the progression from living room to bedroom to roof.

Before

Matiz Architecture and Design, New York Apartment, Architect Is In | Remodelista

Above: Prior to the renovation, the living room and kitchen were on the top floor, above the bedroom.

Matiz Architecture and Design, New York Apartment, Architect Is In | Remodelista

Above:  By inverting the living room and bedroom, the designers were able to open up the spaces and get rid of doors and walls that had been installed for privacy.

If you missed Juan Matiz the first time around in our Architect Is In series, see Juan Matiz of Matiz Architecture and Design. Check out more Belgian design in our Belgium and Beyond issue. And on Gardenista, have a look at Bart & Pieter's Design for an Apartment Tower in Antwerp with a garden on each floor. 

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Table of Contents: Cool Dads

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Every room benefits from a balance of yin and yang. In honor of Father's Day, we're spotlighting manly design this week—and tipping our hats to the fine fellows in our lives (especially the aesthetes).

Cool Dads Remodelista Issue

Above: A bookshelf with built-in ladder by Brooklyn architecture and design studio Workstead. Photograph by Matthew Williams. (Have a look at Workstead's lighting designs here.)

Monday

Blanket Guitar Case | Remodelista

Above: Looking for a Father's Day present with a handmade touch? In today's Gift Guide, Justine presents 10 inspired finds from Etsy, including this guitar case stitched from a vintage blanket.

Tuesday

Steal This Look black tiled bath by Lone Tommerup Soren Jensen | Remodelista

Above: Black in the bath (with a touch of color)—learn where to source all the components in this week's Steal This Look.

Wednesday

Ceramic flask | Remodelista

Above: For stylish tipplers, Julie presents a selection of flasks (this one is ceramic) in Shopper's Diary.

Thursday

Line Architecture San Francisco Loft | Remodelista

Above: In Thursday's Architecture & Interiors post, Christine shows us around an SF loft by Line Office with Douglas Fir columns and beams. (In the meantime, have a look at lofts we love in our Gallery of Rooms and Spaces.)

Friday

Corbin Bernsen actor and real-life carpenter and handyman | Remodelista

Above: He's best known as an actor and producer, but Corbin Bernsen's favorite real-life role is resident carpenter and handyman. Hear his advice from the house flipping trenches in our Ask the Expert column.

Saturday

Simo design Braeburn residence | Remodelista

Above: This weekend's Architect Visit is a midcentury remodel in Los Feliz, LA, by Remodelista Architecture/Design Directory members SIMO Design, patchwork bedroom included.

Did you know that you can explore all of our posts? Go to our Back Issues and start browsing. And have a look at Gardenista, too. 

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The New Pioneers: An Architect's One-Room Family House

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Is a room of one's own overrated? Are closets unnecessary space hogs? Is clutter the enemy? Architect Takaaki Kawabata, a senior associate at Janson Goldstein in New York, and his wife and collaborator, designer Christina Kawabata, recently transformed a 1960s log cabin in Garrison, New York, into a dramatic open-plan design in which family togetherness and excess-free living are built into the architecture. 

At first sight, the 1,100-square-foot cabin had looked so awful that the real estate agent apologized for wasting Taka's time. A third-generation architect who grew up in a one-room farmhouse on the island of Ishikawa, in Japan, Taka was on a mission to move his family out of Williamsburg, where their rent had quadrupled over the past couple of years, to a rural setting within commuting distance of Manhattan. Before getting on the train home, he had phoned Christina to tell her that nothing had panned out. But by the time his train reached NYC, and he had had a chance to look at the cabin's plans, he called back to report he had found their place.

Photographs by Mikiko Kikuyama.

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley remodeled cabin | Remodelista

Above: The Kawabata's children, Tozai, six, and Akari, three, play on benches and stools made by their parents from leftover lumber left outside for a year to turn gray. The house is located on 2 1/2 acres of woodland and was built in the 1960s as a log cabin. After discovering that the logs were merely cosmetic, Taka decided to replace them with black cedar siding modeled after traditional Japanese farmhouses. (He initially attempted shou sugi ban, burned wood, but didn't have the right cedar and instead used a Benjamin Moore stain.)  As with all remodels, the building process was arduous and not without drama: Taka hired and fired two contractors who had failed to show up on schedule and to get the work done to his liking. He ended up doing much of the labor himself on weekends with help from family and friends—"my father came from Japan to put up the siding with me, and my mother helped restore the chimney; we camped out on the property and neighbors brought us lunch." The house cost $335,000 and the remodel, which took a year, totaled $50,000—enabling the couple to stay within a $400,000 budget.

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: The interior was a warren of small, dark rooms without any connection to the outdoors. Taka remedied the situation by introducing an 18-foot-by-4-foot, north-facing skylight plus a ribbon of south-facing windows from Marvin. The setup was inspired by Japanese communal one-room houses called minkas that originated in the 17th century (and by the open-plan house Taka grew up in). Taka planned the placement of the windows around the way the light travels through the house during the day.

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: Taka and Christina designed the dining table, which looks out on a mountain view. To create a monolithic look, they stained the original oak and maple floors black, a messy job that Taka hired pros to do. 

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: The living area has a minimalist fireplace with a slate hearth and a freestanding surround that was created around the original. The sofa is the Case Study Daybed from Modernica. All of the furniture is easy to move and the couple frequently switch up the arrangement.

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: The skylight, the backbone of the house, is a commercial model made by A.I.A. Industries. It was delivered in three pieces and Taka hired a local pro to install it—but before the work was done Taka got up on the roof with the crew to go over all the details. Exposed beams such as this, he says, are typical of Japanese houses: "they're the most inexpensive way to stabilize the roof structure; I like the idea of expressing simple construction."

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: Taka and Christina choose to live in a house in which every object is on view and carefully chosen. Here, a sideboard displays some of their favorite things. Placement of the windows and sliding glass doors was initially marked in the room with blue painter's tape.

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: The kitchen is in the back of the room (and the fridge and stove are out of view behind an 18-foot-long freestanding wall). Taka explains that he assembled the sink in a rush days before the family moved in from parts bought at Home Depot. He used metal legs painted gray, a large stainless sink that they already owned, and a plywood top stained with two coats of Benjamin Moore walnut and finished with a food-grade sealant. Steel stairs fabricated by a neighbor's metal company from Taka's design lead to a loft where Taka and Christina sleep. 

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: Industrial metal shelves house kitchen essentials (and more pantry goods are stored behind the wall). The Chicago faucet is "the most utilitarian choice," says Taka. "Architects love it for cost and performance." (To learn more, see Julie's ode to her Chicago Faucets.)

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: A metal screen wound with string sections off a corner of the living space as a combination kids' playroom, bedroom, closet, and art gallery. "We thought about using shoji screens, but they're too fragile for a house with young kids," says Taka. "Down the line, we may introduce paper inserts." 

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: The family hang their clothes on a metal rack (a small attic off the sleeping loft comes in very handy for storing out-of-season wear as well as the kids' bedding). The cabin's original ceiling is left exposed in this section of the room. 

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: The kids are encouraged to play with one toy at a time; the bulk of their things are stashed in a straw basket.

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: Taka has his kids pick out images from art books to hang in the gallery. "They show me what they like and I scan the pages and print them," he says. "We use metal clips and pushpins." Every night, Taka and Christina toss down the kids' rolled-up futons and bedding from the sleeping loft and the kids make their own beds; in the morning, the kids roll up their beds for storage.

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: "We used white nylon string to create the screen," says Taka. "Christina wound it around and around the frame." Taka installed the house's new Douglas Fir beams himself.

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: Taka and Christina sleep in the loft on a futon purchased on the Lower East Side. The loft, like the rest of the house, has no window shades—"that's the beauty of living upstate, nobody sees in," says Taka. "Around 5:30 in the morning light pours in and we wake up. It's a beautiful soft glow. It's really quiet because the kids are still sleeping; we love that time." No bedside lights? "If we want to read, we bring a light and plug it in. We also use our laptops." The family has no TV—but they watch movies and cartoons on their computers.

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: The 18-foot-long freestanding wall behind the kitchen conceals the bathroom (in lieu of a door, there's a curtain—and installing a sliding door is on Taka's To Do list).

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: The shower is sheathed with Italian gray porcelain tiles. Notations on the ceiling beams were a discovery made during construction—"we love that detail," says Taka. 

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: Taka and Christina designed a suspended towel rack. 

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley house | Remodelista

Above: A second custom towel bar leans on a wall. The Calder-esque mobile is cardboard and wire, a collaboration between Taka and the kids.

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: Christina's office is in a section of the basement that opens to the garden. She runs her own interior design firm, Takatina, and works with Taka on jobs that require an architect. The table is made from a hollow-core door—"the cheapest you can find at Home Depot," says Taka—and metal sawhorse legs. The desk chair, the Mies van der Rohe MR Chair from Knoll, was a bigger splurge.

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: Living in a one-room house is ideal for now, while the kids are young, but part of the plan in purchasing a small place is that someday the family will build an addition. Stay tuned.

Architect Takaaki Kawabata's Hudson Valley open-plan house | Remodelista

Above: Creating an open floor plan involved removing a lot of walls, and consulting an engineer to make sure it was feasible and affordable. The main floor is 1,100 square feet and the sleeping loft is 200 square feet.

To see other recent remodels, have a look at our Rehab Diary posts. And if you like Japanese design, peruse our Autumn in Japan issue. A nice getaway in Upstate New York?  Have a look at Table on Ten's Room with a View on Gardenista.

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Coopers Hall, an Urban Winery in Portland, Oregon

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The developers who brought us Portland’s Ace Hotel are shaking things up again. Dave Schrott and Robert Sacks teamed up with Kurt Huffman and sommelier Joel Gunderson of ChefStable along with AlexEli Vineyards from the nearby Willamette Valley to open Coopers Hall, an urban winery and tap room in Portland's happening industrial Southeast neighborhood. As Huffman and Gunderson tell us, "We wanted to create an experience where people could come and drink wine, and fill up bottles to go, sans stuffiness." 

Coopers Hall Portland photograph by Samantha Bakall for The  Oregonian | Remodelista

Above: Housed in a former auto body shop, Coopers Hall's look is modern industrial with a dash of beer hall Bavarian. Photograph by Samantha Bakall for The Oregonian.

Coopers Hall Portland photograph by Samantha Bakall for The  Oregonian | Remodelista

Above: A zinc counter with bentwood chairs and a tiled backsplash from Ann Sacks Tile & Stone. Coopers Hall currently serves 44 wines on tap from local, California, and international producers—or as they explain, "producers who have been forward-thinking enough to embrace wine on tap." 

Coopers Hall Portland | Remodelista

Above: The dining area with the barrel room behind. Roll-up garage doors provide plenty of daylight.

Coopers Hall Portland Oregon | Remodelista

Above: Industrial string lighting is hung from the ceiling. To source similar string lights, see our post on Cafe Style Lighting.

Coopers Hall Portland | Remodelista

Above: An upstairs level overlooks the barrel room and bar.

Coopers Hall Portland | Remodelista

Above: Barrels store wine that is blended on site.

Coopers Hall Portland | Remodelista

Above: A view into the bar area from the winery production side.

Coopers Hall Portland | Remodelista

Above: Coopers Hall on a summer night. 

Have a look at our Portland, Oregon City Guide for more finds, including high-style sports bar Spirit of 77.  On Gardenista, read about Pistils Nursery in Portland, a gardener's mecca with baby chicks.

Below: Location of Coopers Hall:

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Merchant Marine: Guideboat Co. in Mill Valley, CA

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Restoration Hardware founder Stephen Gordon is back with a new retail venture called Guideboat Co. (it's where Robert Redford's character in All Is Lost might shop), celebrating "ruggedness, honesty, sexiness, authenticity, and long-lived goods."

Gordon, who grew up in the Adirondacks, spent his childhood on Lake Champlain, where he developed an appreciation for the guideboat. "They're the fastest fixed-seat rowboat in the world," he says. A few years ago, he acquired a rare 1892 J. H. Rushton guideboat and became entranced with the idea of creating an authentic, handmade rendition of the boat. With Guideboat, he's offering a trio of handmade boats (two other models in addition to the Guideboat), as well as an assortment of nautical goods, ranging from a $5 box of Stormproof matches to a handmade $315 foul weather jacket from Stutterheim in Sweden.

Gordon's doing something right: When we stopped in last weekend, Josh—that would be my husband—who is normally allergic to shopping, bought a watch (the Bertucci Field Watch, to be precise). For more information, go to Guideboat.

Photographs by Katie Newburn for Remodelista, except where noted.

Guideboat Exterior Mill Valley Remodelista

Above: The Guideboat flagship occupies a former cabinet shop on the site of what had been the Mill Valley Lumberyard.

Guideboat Mill Valley Interior Remodelista

Above: In addition to maritime accoutrements like foul weather gear and canvas tote bags, Guideboat also offers English marine lighting, including the handmade Cargo Cluster Light ($775) from Davey.

Guideboat Flashlight Mill Valley | Remodelista

Above: The stainless steel Canyon Lantern in black is $80. Photo via Guideboat.

Guideboat Interior Remodelista

Above: Gordon's California-built Guideboat features hand-joined, oil-rubbed American cherry trim and is finished in midnight blue. "Before the Hamptons, the wealthy summered in the Adirondacks," Gordon says. "Guideboats were the only way in and out, ferrying the Roosevelts and the Rockefellers to their Great Camps."

Guideboat Mill Valley Painted Oars Remodelista

Above: Gordon's team hand paints the Limited Edition Oars and Paddles on site.

Guideboat Mill Valley Growlers Remodelista

Above: Handmade Portland Ceramic Growlers (available in white or black) are $60 each. Porcelain Enamelware Mugs from Riess in Austria are $25 each.

Guideboat Interior Remodelista

Above: First built in the 1940s, the 8-foot-long Naples Sabot was named for the district of Long Beach, CA, where it was developed and launched. "It was referred to as a budget-sized yacht when it was introduced," Gordon says. "It's small, wicked fast, and maneuverable under sail."

Guideboat Product Selection Remodelista

Above: A selection of smaller goods on offer, including books (Canoeing with Nessmuk; $19.95), Venetian Shoe Cream ($8), and Stormproof Matches ($5).

Maritime Scarf Guideboat Mill Valley | Remodelista

Above: The 100-percent wool Scarf Bretagne is $55. Photo via Guideboat.

Guideboat Mill Valley Dressing Room Remodelista

Above: Dressing room curtains are made from vintage flags.

Guideboat Interior Remodelista

Above: A selection of outerware for men, ranging from a Washed Denim Chore Coat ($95) made by the Pointer family in Bristol, Tennessee, to a Navy Tote Jacket ($325) hand tailored by UK-based Guild of Labor.

Guideboat Axes Remodelista

Above: Made in North Carolina, the American Felling Axe is $175 and comes with a leather sheath.

Guideboat Mill Valley Blankets Remodelista

Above: Woolrich's 100 percent wool Allegheny Blanket, made in Pennsylvania, is $135. (Read about another classic in Object Lessons: The Hudson's Bay Point Blanket.)

Guideboat Mill Valley Sailor Jacket Remodelista

Above: On the shelves: stacks of wool US Navy blankets ($185).

Guideboat Tape Measure | Remodelista

Above: The 20-Meter Field Tape from Germany is $48.

Guideboat Adirondack Chairs Remodelista

Above: Gordon is planning to offer reproduction 1909 Willsboro Adirondack chairs, based on the original specs, made of marine plywood and finished with durable high-gloss marine paint. Photograph by Cynthia Pillsbury.

For more design ideas with a maritime twist, see all our Nautical Style posts, including 7 Scandi-Style Bath Products, Nautical Edition and 5 Favorites: Summer Boathouse Roundup. On Gardenista, have a look at A New Storage System—from the Sea and Sails as Awnings.

This post is an update; the original ran on October 18, 2013.

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10 Favorites: Father's Day Gift Guide

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Looking for a well-designed gift that will be put to instant use? We gathered 10 of our favorite Father's Day finds from Etsy sellers near and far. 

bike shelf by Elevated Wood, Remodelista

Above: Elevate Woodwork's Poplar Bike Rack doubles as a shelf; $130.

day bag by Peg and Awl, Remodelista

Above: Handmade from waxed canvas and recycled WWII leather gun slings, Peg and Awl's Daybag comes in six colors (Tumbleweed is shown here); $240.

stainless steel and leather growler by Pedal Happy Designs, Remodelista

Above: Happy hour on the go: this Stainless Steel Beer Growler from Pedal Happy Design is equipped with a handy leather strap (and is good for carrying coffee, too); $39.95

apron by Artifact, Remodelista

Above: Artifact Bag's No. 325 Artisan Apron in cone selvage denim and Horween leather with brass hardware is ideal for any hands-on task; $145. Also available in olive and tan waxed canvas (and in women's sizes).

Restored vintage camera incased in wood by Anchors and Anvils, Remodelista

Above: For shutterbugs and professionals alike, Anchors and Anvils restores vintage cameras like this Graflex Kowa Century 35mm Rangefinder and covers them in real wood; $479.

handmade neck tie by Son of Soren

Above: Neckties by Son of Soren, such as this Chambray-Block Narrow Necktie in Indigo Denim, are made to order in Minneapolis; $74.

Blanket Guitar Case | Etsy

Above: For musical Dads, Marie Nicole fashions witty guitar cases from old blankets, such as these custom Repurposed Blanket Guitar Cases; $177.46. Readymade cases and more subdued patterns also available.

men's leather braclet by Elizi, Remodelista

Above: Manly bling, this Men's Leather Bracelet is handmade in Turkey by Elizi; $27.

hand carved maple spoon by Lots fo Wood, Remodelista

Above: Dads with a culinary flair will appreciate this Hand-Carved Maple Cooking Spoon by Lots of Wood; $27.

mens toiletry bag by Fritz and Fraulein, Remodelista

Above: Brooklyn-based purveyors Fritz and Fraulein offer a number of dopkits, including this Men's Toiletry Bag made from a vintage military blanket with a waxed, water-resistant seersucker lining; $68.

Want more ideas for Father's Day? Take a look at Julie's selects for the best Portable Outdoor Grills and on Gardenista browse Erin's 5 Favorite Men's Garden Gloves.

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Steal This Look: A Masculine Bathroom with a Hit of Color

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Maybe we've just seen one too many perfectly manicured and feminine guest baths, but this masculine design in Denmark seems especially fresh. It belongs to graphic designer Lone Tommerup and Søren Jensen, owner of clothing company Terminal A. The couple live in the city of Odense in a renovated 1920s house with orange accents throughout, including in the bath, which is the domaine of their college-aged son, Nicholas, and house guests. Read on for how you can recreate the look.

Lone Tommerup and Soren Jensen in Scandinavia | Remodelista

Above: Tommerup and Jensen began with a washed black palette and layered in a few hints of color, starting with their favorite: neon orange. Photograph by Frederikke Heiberg for Bolig magazine.

The Basics

Heath Ceramics Classic Field Ceramic Tile in Black | Remodelista

Above: Heath Ceramics' made-to-order Classic Field Tile are available in a matte black glaze that resembles granite. They come in a range of sizes; contact Heath Ceramics for more information. Looking for small black tiles? See our post on Basic Black Mosaic Tiles.

Duravit Vero Series Bath Sink | Remodelista

Above: The Duravit Vero Series Wall Mount Hand Rinse Basin is 13 3/4 inches by 17 3/4 inches; $274 from Quality Bath. A similar faucet is the Hansgrohe Metris S Single Hole Lavatory Faucet; $152.46 from Quality Bath.

Duravit Starck Three-Piece Toilet Set | Remodelista

Above: Duravit's Starck 3 Two-Piece Toilet (Model D19062) has an elongated seat and is WaterSense Certified by the EPA; $322.50 for the complete set at eFaucets. For more options, see The Best Water-Conserving Toilets.

Lighting and Furniture

Schoolhouse Electric Alabax Medium Ceiling-Mount Light | Remodelista

Above: Schoolhouse Electric's ceramic Alabax Surface Mount Light in medium is an ideal size for a compact bathroom; $95. Read more about the fixture in Schoolhouse Electric's Alabax Light in New Colors.

Tom Dixon Offcut stool in fluoro orange | Remodelista

Above: For a dose of shocking orange, consider Tom Dixon's Offcut Stool in Fluoro, a shade similar to the one in Tommerup and Jensen's bath; it's $260 from All Modern. To get a rustic wood look, consider West Elm's Natural Tree Stump Side Table ($199), which could be painted in Krylon's Fluorescent Red/Orange Spray Paint ($10.16). For more, see 10 Easy Pieces: Solid Block Side Tables.

Accessories

Tom Dixon colored glass knobs | Remodelista

Above: Tom Dixon's Glass Knobs are made of extra-thick pressed glass and work well as wall hooks. They're available in Butter, Lecko, and Blue in two sizes: small $65 each; large $115 from Y Lighting.

Moeve teak wood soap dish set | Remodelista

Above: The Moeve Teak Wood Soap Dispenser has a stainless steel pump and can be coupled with other elements in the teak set; £29.40 from Amara in the UK.

Ikea Fräjen bath sheet in black | Remodelista

Above: Ikea's Fräjen Bath Sheet in black measures 39 by 59 inches; $9.99 each.

Turkish two-sided cotton towel in orange | Remodelista

Above: A Two-Sided Turkish Cotton Pestemal Towel in orange is $27.45 from the Turkish Towel Store.

West Elm 3-Inch Chalkboard Plant Pot | Remodelista

Above: West Elm's 3-Inch Chalkboard Planter is perfect for a small plant (and you can write a note about plant care on the back as a reminder); $4 each. For more, see 10 Easy Pieces: Little Black Planters on Gardenista.

Redesigning a bathroom? For more ideas, see our Steal This Look posts on the Ace Hotel in LA Bathroom and the San Giorgio Mykonos Bathroom. And have a look at Gardenista's Steal This Look on An Open-Air Concrete Bathroom.

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A Close Shave: A Cutting-Edge Barber Shop in Amsterdam

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Is the barbershop the new boutique? Lately we've been spotting stylish hair salons with decor to rival the latest cutting-edge concept shop or art gallery (see An Artful Salon in London).

Here's a shaving salon we've been admiring: the Barber Amsterdam by up-and-coming Dutch firm Ard Hoksbergen, first spotted on Dezeen. Housed in a 19th century building in Amsterdam's Jordaan neighborhood, the interiors feature clay plaster walls, white tile, leather seating, reclaimed sawn floor beams, and plywood cabinetry. Copper pipes crisscross the interior, serving as both conduits for electricity and water.

Above: Subway tiles introduce a clean look to the entry, furnished with a concrete reception desk and copper tubing as apron holders. 

Above: A raw industrial aesthetic pervades the interior.

Above: Tiled niches hold pomades, shampoos, and other unguents.

Above: An unzipped toiletry kit displays the tools of the trade.

Above: Simple plywood shelving contrasts with the rough-hewn reclaimed wood flooring.

Above: Traditional porcelain sinks and copper tubing used in a modern way.

Above: The storefront bears the simple signage: "Barber: Shaves & Trims."

Like the white tiled look? See our Remodeling 101: White Tile Pattern Glossary for ideas. And for another notable salon, check out this Nail Salon in Osaka. Heading to Amsterdam? On Gardenista, read about a Greenhouse as Restaurant.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on September 20, 2012 as part of our issue called The Low Countries.

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7 Flasks for the Tipsy Dad

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Is the stylish hip flask making a comeback? Lately I've been observing dads whip them out at school events, outdoor concerts, and Saturday afternoon soccer games. Here's a roundup for the tippler in your life.

Ceramic Flask | Remodelista

Above: The made-in-the-US Ceramic Flask features leather straps and a brass stud and brass button; $92 from Misc. Goods Co., a new enterprise founded by graphic designer Tyler Deeb.

Pewter Flask Leather Case | Remodelista

Above: The 4-oz Handmade Pewter Flask from England is $69 (with leather sheath it's $104) from Kaufmann Mercantile.

Stanley Flask | Remodelista

Above: The classic 8-oz Stanley Flask is $28 from Stanley. Photo via Cool Material.

Williams Sonoma Flask | Remodelista

Above: The 8-oz Stainless-Steel Flask from Williams-Sonoma is $15.95.

Henley Flask | Remodelista

Above: The 8-oz stainless steel Henley Flask with waxed canvas case from San Francisco company Henley is $36 from Orange & Pear. Photo via Rare Device.

Copper Flask | Remodelista

Above: Handmade in Tennessee, the Copper Flask from Kaufmann Mercantile features an American birch and cork stopper; $198.

Steel Flask Restoration Hardware | Remodelista

Above: The Pocket Size Flask from Restoration Hardware is currently on sale for $14.49 (down from $29).

Curious about our favorite workaday wine glasses? See 10 Easy Pieces: Everyday Wine Glasses. And over at Gardenista, they're geniuses with cocktail recipes.

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World's Most Beautiful Ping-Pong Table

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If your office has an open floor plan, drip coffee, and a casual dress code, chances are there's a ping-pong table in the vicinity. We have ping-pong in our New York and SF offices, but I have yet to pick up a paddle. This lux table from BDDW, however, has me reconsidering my interests.

As with all of BDDW's furniture, the Ping-Pong Table is designed by founder Tyler Hays; the leather net is detachable, so the piece functions as a dining table and an apres-dinner games venue.

BDDW Ping Pong Table | Remodelista

Above: The table has a cherry top on a maple frame painted white (the bottom quarter of the legs are raw maple); the piece is held together by wooden dowel joints.

BDDW Leather Net for Ping Pong Table | Remodelista

Above: The leather net is engraved with a BDDW "Athletics Division" stamp.

BDDW Leather Net Ping Pong Table | Remodelista

Above: The leather net is connected by removable cast-bronze arms.

BDDW Ping Pong Table and Paddles with Leather Cases | Remodelista

Above L: Four BDDW wooden paddles made of oak and cherry come with the table. Above R: Leather paddle cases are sold separately.

For pricing and shipping information, contact BDDW directly.

Interested in living with rec gear? See our post on Summer Sports Equipment as Decor. To see more from BDDW visit: New Sofas from BDDW in New York

Lawn games? Have a look at Gardenista's finds.

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Object Lessons: The Iconic Eames Lounge Chair, Dad's Edition

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This story begins with Billy Wilder, director of Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, Sunset Boulevard, and other movie classics. Wilder was a noted collector of modern art and design, and when Wilder met Charles and Ray Eames in Los Angeles in the 1940s, they struck up a friendship; its legacy is the Eames Lounge Chair (which owes its existence to the developments in bent plywood spearheaded by the Eameses themselves during WWII, when they created splints and stretchers for the US Navy).

Wilder wanted a comfortable chair for reading and extended napping, one that would have the "warm, receptive look of a well-worn first baseman's mitt" combined with the elegance of an English club chair. The resulting lounge is composed of three curved shells, each made of five layers of plywood covered in Brazilian rosewood veneer (it's now available in other finishes as well). The leather cushions are identical in size to the shells and are attached with zips and hidden clips that allow the exterior to remain unmarred by bolts. The flexible chairback is angled in permanent recline, the seat swivels, and the whole thing is balanced on a slender but robust cast aluminum base. 

This modern masterpiece suited not only Mr. Wilder, who was presented with one of the first chairs for his fiftieth birthday in 1956, but has been enjoyed by readers, psychiatrists, writers (it's Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Michael Chabon's work chair of choice), and afternoon nappers ever since.

Above: A vintage Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman in the corner of Joan McNamara's loft bedroom (see Joan at Home in LA). The chair is $3,875 at Design Within Reach. Photograph by Laure Joliet for Remodelista. 

Above: The Eames Lounge Chair is available in a variety of colors and finishes, including ivory leather and natural cherry wood. Image via VKV Visuals.

Above: The wood veneer shell is unmarred by bolts.

 

Above: Charles and Ray Eames at home; image via Pencil. (Source more Eames Designs in our Shop section.)

On Gardenista, have a look at Michael Chabon's Eames lounge in the Shingled Backyard Studio that he shares with his wife, novelist Ayelet Waldman. 

Object Lessons columnist Megan Wilson is the owner of Ancient Industries and curator of the Remodelista 100 presented in the Remodelista book. Watch for her column every Tuesday, and have a look at her past lessons on the Atlas Pepper Mill, Sheila Maid Clothes Drying Rack, and another midcentury classic, the Butterfly Chair.

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10 Easy Pieces: Outdoor Charcoal Grills

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The charcoal vs. gas grill debate will go on as long as there are backyards and patios. Suffice it to say we are on the charcoal side of the debate—hotter flame, richer flavor (albeit more sooty mess and less spontaneity). In the charcoal arena, there are three types of grills to choose from: kamado, open fire, and kettle; here are 10 favorites across the cateogories.

N.B.: Last week we explored the 10 best Portable Outdoor Grills, best for picnicking and camping.

Kamado Cookers

The Egg, Green Kamado Outdoor Grill | Remodelista

Above: A kamado is a traditional Japanese wood- or charcoal-fired earthen vessel. The modern versions of the kamado cooker are marketed as barbecues for outdoor use. Their special appeal is the ability to cook at lower temperatures, so meats and vegetables emerge more tender. Kamado-style cookers are made from a variety of materials, including high-fire ceramics, refractory materials, traditional terracotta, and a mix of Portland cement and crushed lava rock. Outer surfaces are usually a high-gloss ceramic glaze. The leader in the category is The Big Green Egg with five sizes from Mini ($220) to XL ($900), and an active BGE Bulletin Board Site with posts about cooking almost everything under the sun on a Big Green Egg—from Thanksgiving turkeys to the perfect brisket to grilled pizzas.

Kamado Joe Pro Joe Outdoor Grill | Remodelista

Above: On the high end of the pricing spectrum, the Kamado Joe ProJoe Stainless Steel Grill is made from commercial-grade stainless steel and heat-resistant ceramic; $7,499 from Shopper's Choice.

Primo Kamado Outdoor Grill | Remodelista

Above: The Primo All-in-One Kamado Round Grill includes cradle shelves, an ash tool, and a lift for $875.99 from Amazon.

Open Fire Grills

The Grillworks' Grillery and Grillworks Outdoor Grills | Remodelista

Above: The leader in this category is the Grillery. Pundits such as Tom Brokaw and the late R. W. Apple of the NY Times put this open-flame grill in a league of its own. Available directly from the manufacturer, Grillworks Inc., each unit is custom manufactured in the US. The grill is available in two sizes: the original model, The Grillery, is 19-inches-by-20-inches-wide ($2,850), and now there is also The Grillworks ($4,975), which, at 19-inches-deep-by-42-inches-wide, is perfect for Texas-size barbecues.

California Fire Pit Sequoia Outdoor Grill | Remodelista

Above: California Fire Pit has several models that double as both a cooking surface and an open pit fire for warmth and ambience. Until recently only available on the West Coast, they are now available across the US. The Monterey Firepit ($499 + $160 shipping) is the smaller model—24 inches in diameter—while the Sequoia ($659 +$175), shown here, is 30 inches across and has a rotisserie rig that grills four chickens, or eight steaks, or 20 burgers; sold directly through California Fire Pit.

Piet Hein Eek Outdoor Grill | Remodelista

Above: We like the modern lines of this sturdy, all-steel Piet Hein Eek Grill, a Dutch design that has two cooking levels and a shelf for storage. The price is €1,665, plus shipping from the Netherlands.

Kettle Grills

Weber Outdoor Charcoal Grill | Remodelista

Above: Weber has dominated the kettle grill category since the first was invented by George A. Stephen, Sr., one of the co-owners of the Weber Brothers Metal Works, a Chicago custom order sheet metal shop. Stephen took two half-spheres that were destined to be buoys in Lake Michigan and fashioned them into a dome-shaped grill with a rounded lid, and the classic Weber kettle grill was born. We like the Weber One-Touch Kettle Grill in black; $149 from Amazon.

Dancook Kettle Barbecue in Stainless Steel and Aluminum | Remodelista

Above: As usual, the Scandis do us one better in the design department. Danish company Dancook's stainless steel and aluminum 1400 Kettle Charcoal Barbecue is sleek and stylish; £161.09 from Amazon.

Weber Ranch Charcoal Kettle Grill | Remodelista

Above: Weber's Ranch Charcoal Kettle Grill is the perfect size for small backyards and patios; $1,299 from Amazon.

Maserbuilt Standing Kettle Grill in Black Porcelain | Remodelista

Above: The Masterbuilt Kettle Grill has a porcelain-coated lid and cooking grate for $67.84 through Amazon.

Ready to fully live outside for the summer? See Beyond the Barbecue: 13 Modern Outdoor Kitchens. And go to Gardenista for entertaining ideas, including Summer Party: Cocktails and Caramel Corn and Galvanized Goods for Summer Entertaining.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on May 5, 2009 as part of our Shaker Style issue. 

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Revolution Road: A Ground-Breaking Kitchen in London

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The National Trust has yet to come calling, but we wouldn't be surprised if someday Alastair Hendy's kitchen is declared a landmark. Located in the East End loft that he built in 1987, the celebrated chef, shop owner, and food photographer was among the early adopters of professional appliances and industrial detailing at home. Featured in print and on television the UK, Hendy's kitchen design helped spark a worldwide trend that continues—he's one of the people to thank for your lab lighting and powerful stainless-steel range. And though now showing its age a touch, Hendy's kitchen chugs on, filled with made-to-last equipment and smart, easy storage solutions. 

Photographs for Remodelista by Matthew Williams.

Alastair Hendy's London kitchen via Remodelista

Above: Hendy at his worktable. The two-story loft is set in a converted industrial building in Hoxton and has a living room that overlooks the kitchen. "When cooking, I can easily communicate with friends upstairs—and this saves the kitchen from actually being in the living area," says Hendy. Note the cast concrete work counter and vintage Anglepoise hospital lights ("£2.50 back in the day when no one valued industrial").

Alastair Hendy's London kitchen via Remodelista

Above: The stainless-steel-topped island is used for food prep; when the meal is ready, Hendy pulls up stools and it becomes the dining table. "Everything in this space was chosen for efficiency and ergonomics," he says. The floor is concrete slab made for outdoor use and purchased from Travis Perkins. "Concrete in the kitchen was radical back then, particularly for work surfaces," says Hendy. "I chose it for its brutalist/industrial quality and also because it's incredibly soft and luxurious (when polished). It has an honesty and sensitivity, and costs little."     

Alastair Hendy's London kitchen via Remodelista

Above: The vintage wood and metal stacking stools came from a college science lab via the Ardingly International Antiques Fair in Sussex. 

Alastair-Hendy-London-kitchen-tools-via-Remodelista.jpg  

Above: When installed, this Zanussi range and broiler had almost never been seen in a domestic setting. It's topped with a hive-shaped, industrial-sized steamer from a trip to Singapore—"great for making dim sum or a shoal of sea bass for a party."  Hendy buys his appliances from Nisbets on Shaftesbury Avenue.

Alastair-Hendy-London-kitchen-tools-via-Remodelista.jpg

Above: Under a concrete counter top, Hendy had a steel frame made to hold old steaming drawers from an oven. They're filled wth his kitchen essentials, from dish towels to twine. 

Alastair-Hendy-London-kitchen-cabinet-via-Remodelista.jpg

Above: A collection of trays from Hue, Vietnam: "I found then in the fish section of the market filled with live eels in shallow pools of water. I use them as vast platters."

Alastair Hendy's London kitchen via Remodelista

Above: The worktable came from a school. Hendy added the stainless steel top (over crumbling melamine), painted the frame eggshell white, and added new handles. 

Alastair Hendy's London kitchen via Remodelista

 Above: A yellow brick-walled scullery off the kitchen is for storage and washing up; food staples are stored in an adjacent pantry. The stainless steel restaurant trolley holds, among other things, the electric tea kettle and toaster. A dentist's lamp, visible in the top right, lights the butler's sink. "The scullery and pantry have gone out of fashion but I think they're of utmost importance," says Hendy. "Rip out all those fitted cupboards and have a walk-in area; it's much more efficient and if positioned correctly, food is kept properly cool."

Alastair Hendy's London kitchen via Remodelista

Above: Resting on the sink's hot water pipe, a baking tray serves as an ad hoc shelf.

Alastair Hendy's London kitchen via Remodelista

Above: Scrub brushes hang from S-hooks on the sink's exposed piping.

Alastair Hendy's London kitchen via Remodelista

 Above: A cabinet from Habitat holds Hendy's all-white dinnerware. "Food always looks great on plain white. The food then does all the talking. I can't abide patterned plates."

Alastair Hendy's London kitchen via Remodelista

Above: Everyday flatware is tidily kept out in the open in a ceramic dish.

Alastair Hendy's London kitchen via Remodelista

Above: Surface-mounted galvanized steel conduit (for light switches and outlets) surrounds a medicine cabinet used for spice storage 

Alastair-Hendy-London-kitchen-trays-via-Remodelista.jpg

Above: For maximum use of space, Japanese-style custom-built stairs with built-in drawers.

Alastair-Hendy-London-kitchen-trays-via-Remodelista.jpg

Above: A steel-framed glass brick wall—a sign of the eighties—divides the kitchen from the bedroom area. It maximizes the light from the kitchen yet provides privacy. 

For an even closer look at Hendy's revolutionary kitchen ideas, turn to the Design Ideas chapter of our new book, Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home. Also don't miss our posts: Hendy's Home Store in Hastings and Hendy's Home Store Kitchen in Hastings.

For more Kitchens, browse our Photo Gallery for hundreds of ideas, and have a look at 5 Quick Fixes: In-Counter Compost Solutions on Gardenista.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on October 17, 2013 as part of our Handyman Special issue. 

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Trend Alert: 12 Unexpected Uses for File Cabinets

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Vintage file cabinets come in the oddest dimensions: flat files are short and wide, card files are skinny and stacked tall. That explains why they offer perfect storage solutions in small or awkward spaces. Here are 12 examples of file cabinets put to inspired use in every room but the office.

Alastair Hendy's Kitchen from the Remodelista book, Photographed by Matthew Williams | Remodelista

Above: A single, narrow file cabinet occupies the under-stairs space in the kitchen of chef and shop owner Alastair Hendy. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista. See the full setup, scullery included, in our post today, Revolution Road: A Ground-Breaking Kitchen in LondonPhotograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista. 

Alastair Hendy's Kitchen from the Remodelista book, Photographed by Matthew Williams | Remodelista

Above: Hendy stores an eclectic mix of vintage flatware in one of the drawers.

Jordan Carlson's House on Design Sponge | Remodelista

Above: Graphic designer Jordan Carlson uses a vintage low file cabinet as a coffee table in her Williamsburg railroad apartment featured on Design Sponge.

Lotta Agaton File Cabinet Daybed, Photographed by Pia Ulin | Remodelista

Above: Stockholm shop owner and stylist Lotta Agaton created a daybed from a pair of flat files. Photograph by Pia Ulin for Lotta Agaton; seen on Emma's Design Blogg.

Danish Designer Birgitte Rabens' Home, File Cabinets as Dresser | Remodelista

Above: Metal cabinets in the bedroom of Danish designer Birgitte Rabens are used as a dresser. Photograph by Raul Candales for Elle Decor Spain.

Le Prado Residence by Maurice Padovini | Remodelista

Above: Designed by Maurice Padovini, the Prado Residence in Marseilles has a vintage filing cabinet in the living room that serves as a bookshelf.

File Cabinet as Bed Frame from Antler & Co. House on Design Sponge | Remodelista

Above: File cabinets at the foot of the bed form an extension to a custom-built wooden frame made by Greg and Grey, owners of Portland, Oregon, shop Antler & Co.Photograph via Design Sponge.

Bemz Sofa Slipcover Company | Remodelista

Above: Two filing cabinets are put to use in a living room photographed for sofa slipcover company Bemz: one cabinet functions as standard storage and the other serves as a coffee table. For more on Bemz, see our post Instant Ikea Upgrade.

Glamorous Bathroom with Filing Cabinets from Living Etc | Remodelista

Above: A glamorous bathroom mixes a feminine chandelier with industrial cabinets used for storage. Photograph from Living Etc. seen on Lovenordic Design.

White Filing Cabinet as Headboard | Remodelista

Above: In a small bedroom, a white filing cabinet works as a headboard/bedside table. Photograph via Hananaa.

Wooden Filing Cabinet Bed in a Swedish Children's Bedroom | Remodelista

Above: Pale wood flat files are turned into a child's daybed in a Swedish house. Photograph by Kristofer Johnsson via Hitta Hem.

Flat Files as a Dresser Drawer, Photograph by Emma Mitchell | Remodelista

Above: A dresser drawer made from dark wood flat files. Photograph by Emma Mitchell seen on Desire to Inspire.

Qb3 Loft in Philadelphia | Remodelista

Above: In a Philadelphia loft designed by Qb3, a row of white flat files serves as central storage. For more on the project, see Strategic Storage in a Minimalist Loft.

To see some nice-looking vintage file cabinets, go to Justine's post on French Industry at No. 40 in Copenhagen. Tight on space? Go to Storage & Organization for more ideas. And if you're trying to make sense of your garage, see Gardenista's 10 Easy Pieces: Garage Storage Units.

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Kitchen Confidential: PipsDish in Covent Garden

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Former BBC-producer-turned-kitchen-entrepreneur Philip Dundas knows the value of sharing food. In his father’s last years, Dundas could often be found aiding and abetting his father’s late-life passion for cooking; during many meals, the pair, who had been estranged, forged a new relationship. Encouraged by his father, Dundas turned his blog, PipsDish, into a book, Cooking Without Recipes, and began hosting supper clubs in his East London apartment. More recently, he's graduated to pop-up restaurants that recreate convivial kitchen experiences across London. PipsDish Covent Garden is Dundas's latest semi-permanent venture. Join us for a tour (including the shepherd's hut in the garden out back).

Photography by Jonathan Gooch

PipsDish Covent Garden, London, pine tables, photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: PipsDish Covent Garden is homey and casual. The furniture came from Dundas's former pop-up at the Garage in Islington; the long tables were originally used for wallpaper pasting. 

PipsDish Covent Garden, London, wood island, wood cheesboard shelves, photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: In his previous eating establishments, the cooking always took place in the same room as the dining. Because of space constraints, the working kitchen of the Covent Garden premises is downstairs. At the back of the dining room, however, Dundas set up a small servery, a service counter for preparing drinks and assembling cheese boards and canapes. The one structural change he made to the space was to install a window to let in natural daylight.

PipsDish Covent Garden, London,bicycle agains brick wall, photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: The PipsDish bicycle follows Dundas from pop-up to pop-up. Its current location is in the back of the restaurant atop the metal roof of the hut.

PipsDish Covent Garden, London,subway tile, wood cheeseboard shelves , photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: Open shelves and under-mounted glass drying racks mean everything is close at hand in this practical working space. "I am forever recreating the kitchen I really want," says Dundas.

PipsDish Covent Garden, London, wood cheeseboard shelves, photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: The shelves in the servery are made from boards formerly used to mature cheese.

PipsDish Covent Garden, London, menu on blackboard, photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: Plum velvet curtains and a painted chalkboard. The London Evening Standard food critic described the cooking as "sweetly wholesome."

PipsDish Covent Garden, London,wine box as storage, photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: Old wine boxes cut down to size provide easy storage for tableside cookbooks, inspiration for guests and for Dundas himself.

PipsDish Covent Garden, London, wood plate rack, by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: Purchased at a vintage sale, the wooden wall rack is most likely French (and made for storing pewter meat trenchers). Dundas uses it to display copies of Cooking Without Recipes and prints that are for sale. 

PipsDish Covent Garden, London, green cermic hen, cutlery in mustard jars, photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: "Everything in this space is hugely personal," says Dundas. "It's all things I've collected over the years." The ceramic hen was the first present he gave his mother, when he was about eight years old. 

PipsDish Covent Garden, London, wood island, French armorire, photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista   

Above: An antique French armoire houses the control station: a computer for reservations, and the credit card machine. "The armoire was my grandmother's version of flat pack furniture," Dundas says. "She disassembled and reassembled it many times as she moved around India."

PipsDish Covent Garden, London, 70's vibe, photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: The door leads to the stair to the hut and the loo, and the working kitchen in the basement. "Even the posters on the wall have personal meaning," Dundas says. "Querelle by Fassbinder was my first gay film, and Natalie Wood in West Side Story, who couldn't fall for her?"

PipsDish, Covent Garden, London, Art in Stairs, Photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: The stairwell is lined with framed prints and etchings.

PipsDish Covent Garden, London, bookshelf above door, photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: In constant need of storage for all of his cookbooks, Dundas finds space above the door. 

PipsDish Covent Garden, London, Black and White printed photos in bathroom, photos by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: The bathroom is wallpapered with Penguin Classic postcards of great authors of the 20th century. Toilet paper is tidily stowed in a copper planter.

PipsDish Covent Garden, London, exterior of hut in garden, photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: In the small, unused garden area in back, Dundas installed a Mini Hut from Dorset Sheperd's Huts, which arrived as a ready-to-assemble kit—and gained the restaurant an extra table. 

PipsDish Covent Garden, London, recreation of alpine hut, ski posters, sheepskin seats, photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: An avid mountaineer, Dundas styled the room as an alpine hut with posters, travel photos, and sheepskins. 

PipsDish Covent Garden, London, black and white photos on panelled wall, photo by Jonathan Gooch | Remodelista

Above: The hut offers a private dining experience for six to eight. 

Philip Dundas, PipsDish Covent Garden, London, Photo by Lauren McLean | Remodelista  

Above: Dundas in front of his new enterprise.

Last summer, we visited PipsDish at its previous location—see London's Best Below-Stairs Lunch, Hoxton Edition. The pop-up was on the lower level of the British Standard Showroom—see A Kitchen for the People, Courtesy of Prince Charles.

On Gardenista: this week's Field Guide explores the dark side of Tomatoes

Below: The location of PipsDish Covent Garden:

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5 Favorites: Kitchen Tongs

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Tongs: an essential item in any cook's batterie de cuisine (useful for turning meat on the grill, too); here's a roundup of some favorites.

Sori Yanaga Kitchen Tongs | Remodelista

Above: Designer Sori Yanagi's tongs won Japan's prestigious Good Design award in 1998; above photo via Mjölk.

Above: The stainless steel Sori Yanagi Perforated Tongs are $30 CA at Mjölk in Toronto. The same perforated Sori Yanagi Tongs are $32 at Emmo Home in the US; a set of solid Sori Yanagi Tongs is $30.

Above: High-quality Locking Stainless Tongs from German company Rosle will last a lifetime; prices start at $21 for a 9-inch-long pair at Amazon.

Cuisipro Locking Tongs

Above: We like the convenient hanging loop on Cuisipro Stainless Locking Tongs; a 9.5-inch set is $10.99 at Amazon.

All Clad Kitchen Tongs | Remodelista

Above: All Clad Polished Stainless Locking Tongs are $23.95 for a 9-inch pair from Metro Kitchen—and come with a lifetime guarantee.

For more of our favorite utensils, see Julie's post 11 German-Made Kitchen Essentials.

Are you as obsessed with everyday objects as we are? See Display-Worthy Brooms, the Last Trash Bin You'll Ever BuyCans from a Cleanliness-Obsessed Nation, and the Dustpan No. 1. And gardeners, have a look at 10 Easy Pieces: Potting Shed Brushes and our favorite Indoor/Outdoor Tool Sets.

This post is an update; the original ran on April 20, 2011.

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Barrier-Free Living, SF Loft Edition

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The joy of loft living is open and unobstructed space. But what happens when requirements like bedrooms and bathrooms encroach? In this 1,200 square-foot loft in San Francisco's SOMA neighborhood, Line Office Architecture masterfully met their client's needs without carving up the space. Their design celebrates open space while also respecting the pragmatic needs of day-to-day living.

Photography by Joe Fletcher via ArchDaily

Line Office, San Francisco Loft, Exposed Wood Beam Ceiling, Wood Columns, Photo by Joe Fletcher | Remodelista

Above: In a corner of the loft, the architects inserted a sculptural, multi-faceted box that serves as a wall of the kitchen on one side while enclosing a bedroom on the other. The new additions work harmoniously with the existing Douglas fir columns, beams, and ceiling.

Line Office, San Francisco Loft, Exposed Wood Beam Ceiling, Wood Columns, Photo by Joe Fletcher | Remodelista

Above: The kitchen and dining areas flow seamlessly into each other.

Line Office, San Francisco Loft, Photo by Joe Fletcher | Remodelista

Above: In the kitchen area, a horizontal band of wood-faced cabinets sits above a glass backsplash that is lit from behind.

Line Office, San Francisco Loft, Photo by Joe Fletcher | Remodelista

Above: The glowing glass backsplash turns the corner into what becomes the entry area and presents as a light box.

Line Office, San Francisco Loft, Photo by Joe Fletcher | Remodelista

Above: Steps lead up to the bedroom, which is set on a platform inside the sculptural box. As the kitchen cabinets extend into the entry area, they shrink in depth and bcecome a narrow display cabinet.

Line Office, San Francisco Loft, Photo by Joe Fletcher | Remodelista

Above: The raised platform keeps the proportions of the room at a comfortable scale, avoiding a small dark bedroom with ceilings that are too high. Private but not fully enclosed, the sleeping area makes the most of the loft's natural daylight. The architects also incorporated built-in storage into the bedroom area.

Line Office, San Francisco Loft, Photo by Joe Fletcher | Remodelista

Above: Across the entry hall, the door at the bottom of the stairs leads to the bathroom. 

Line Office, San Francisco Loft, Wood Columns, Photo by Joe Fletcher | Remodelista

Above: A view of the living area's window wall from the sleeping platform. 

Line Office, San Francisco Loft, Exposed Wood Beam Ceiling, Wood Columns, Photo by Joe Fletcher | Remodelista

Above: Minimal furnishings help retain the open feeling of the loft. 

Line Office, San Francisco Loft, Photo by Joe Fletcher | Remodelista

Above: in the entrance hall, the bathroom and laundry rooms are situated on the right, and the platform bedroom is on the left. 

Line Office, San Francisco Loft, white bathroom, Photo by Joe Fletcher | Remodelista

Above: The stone floor tiles from the entry continue into the bathroom.

Line Office, San Francisco Loft, Plan | Remodelista

Above: The plan of the the 1,200 square-foot loft space by Line Office Architecture in SOMA, San Francisco. 

See more loft living in The Plywood Makeover: Artful Living in Melbourne and The Unplanned Designers' Loft in Brooklyn. Over on Gardenista, Outbuilding of the Week: Retro '60s Camper explores the opposite of loft living. 

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10 Favorites: Vintage Gym Equipment as Decor

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Noted recently: vintage sports equipment as decor, for a low-key masculine vibe.

Nicolas Schuybek Gym Bench Remodelista

Above: Architect Nicolas Schuybeck uses a vintage leather gym bench as a coffee table. Seen on Coffeeklactch.

Vintage Wrestling Mats as Headboards and Boxing Gloves as Wall Decor | Remodelista

Above L: A headboard fashioned from leather gym mats in a bedroom by Ashe + Leandro. Above R: A pair of vintage boxing gloves via Brian Paquette Interiors.

Vintage Gym Rings Indoors | Remodelista

Above: A pair of vintage rings in a Scandinavian loft space via Indenfor.

Vintage Punching Bag from Normal Projects Architecture | Remodelista

Above: A vintage punching bag spotted in an interior by Normal Projects Architecture.

Vintage Leather Wrestling Mat Custom Made at In Fiore in San Francisco | Remodelista

Above: At In Fiore in San Francisco, a bench is topped with a custom-made leather cushion designed after a vintage French wrestling mat.

Vintage Gym Bench Outdoors | Remodelista

Above: A vintage leather bench spotted on Reference Library.

Vintage Gym Decor in Brighton, England | Remodelista

Above: A leather pommel horse and vintage gymnastics rings at Alex MacArthur in Brighton, England.

Carmen Huerta Leather Bicycle Seat Remodelista

Above: A leather bike seat as antler decor in the home of Carmen García Huerta, via IT Fashion.

Pummelhorse as Entryway Bench from Country Living | Remodelista

Above: A leather horse as bench in an entryway photographed by Roland Bello for Country Living, seen on Gather & Build.

Gym Bench as Coffee Table from Olsen Kundig Architects | Remodelista

Above: A gym bench in an interior by Olson Kundig Architects in Seattle.

Leather Boxing Gloves Remodelista

Above: Leather boxing gloves; photo by Robyn Lea.

Trays As Decor and Feathers as Design Motifs—browse our 10 Favorites and Trend Alert posts. And for more sports equipment, see Stylish Summer Lawn Games on Gardenista.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on March 30, 2012 as part of our Sonoma Style issue.

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The Mill: A "Bright and Messy" SF Cafe

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SF firm Boor Bridges Architecture is behind some of the most happening restaurants in the Bay Area (Trou Normand, from the Bar Agricole team, for instance). Also on their roster: Sightglass Coffee and Lusty Lady, a union worker-owned peep show downtown. Our favorite project? The Mill, a cafe where light filters into a tiled kitchen through a series of skylights; it's the perfect place to lose a few hours in.

The cafe is a collaboration between Josey Baker (yes, his real name), a bread baker who is as enthusiastic about good loaves as he is about jumping into rivers in the nude, and Fourbarrel Coffee. The menu is straightforward: premium coffee and fresh-from-the oven bread (almond butter-slathered on toast, anyone?). The design of The Mill was inspired by, in the architects' words, "Everyone's first San Francisco kitchen—that bright, messy, warm space that came with your first real apartment. It was probably at the very end of a long Victorian flat, maybe in the Mission. It probably had good light even though the laundry porch was in the way." The Mill is spot-on: subtle Victorian details and a mixed palette of wood are some of the many elements that make it feel like an extension of home.

Photography by Bruce Damonte for Boor Bridges Architecture, unless otherwise noted.

The Mill in San Francisco Designed by Boor Bridges Architecture | Remodelista

Above: The long, narrow space is airy and bright thanks to white walls and a sculptural skylight. Boor Bridges worked with contractors Roman Hunt and Jeremy Tooker to build out the interior.

The Mill in San Francisco Designed by Boor Bridges Architecture | Remodelista

Above: Custom shelving made by woodworker Alex Palecko from reclaimed Douglas fir runs the length of the restaurant.

The Mill in San Francisco Designed by Boor Bridges Architecture | Remodelista

Above: A cross section of the space shows the mix of woods: white oak, Douglas fir, and ash. Rows of ceiling beams are built beneath skylights and a light soffit; it all works to concentrate filtered light over the bakery and barista area.

The Mill in San Francisco Photographed by Behind the Food Carts | Remodelista

Above: Kneading bread on a custom table built by Alex Palecko. Photograph from Behind the Food Carts.

The Mill in San Francisco Photographed by Club Antietam | Remodelista

Above: Stacks of loaves behind the bar. Photograph from Club Antietam.

The Mill in San Francisco Photographed by the Warby Parker Blog | Remodelista

Above: Window seats are the most coveted spots in the cafe. Boor Bridges was looking to replicate the feeling of a home kitchen. Photograph from Warby Parker.

The Mill in San Francisco Designed by Boor Bridges Architecture | Remodelista

Above: The rectangular shelving system is ideal for display. Above R: The brick and tile storefront has clerestory windows for maximum sunlight.

For more to explore in the area, visit our San Francisco Bay Area City Guide. For more of our favorite Coffee Shops & Cafes around the world, have a look in our archive. On Gardenista, visit the Open-Air Flower Studio at Stable Cafe in SF's Mission District.

Below: Location of The Mill in NOPA, San Francisco:

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