Designed to shine through mist, fog, and other wet-weather conditions, nautical-inspired bulkhead lighting is a great choice for outdoor spaces. Here are ten options to consider:

(N.B.: Our selections are all rated for wet conditions, but work equally well indoors.)

Above: Said to have graced the decks of famous ships, including the Titanic, the Davey Lighting Small Oval Bulkhead Light has roots dating back to the shipyards of London in the 19th century, when the company (now part of Original BTC) was formed. Handcrafted in the UK of die-cast natural brass, the light measures 7 inches tall and 5.25 inches wide (two larger sizes are also available); $285 at Design Within Reach.

Above: The round Davey Lighting Small Bulkhead Light measures 7 inches in diameter. Handcrafted in the UK of die-cast natural brass; $375 at Design Within Reach.

Above: The porthole-shaped Garey Round Wall Light designed by Thomas O'Brien measures 11.25 inches in diameter and is available in three finishes: antique brass, bronze, and polished nickel; $789 at Circa Lighting.

Above: The Round Aluminum Wall Lamp with glazed glass facing is 8.25 inches in diameter; €86 at Manufactum.

Above: The Chrome Bulkhead Light with Hood from Shiplights is designed to withstand wet conditions. It measures 9.6 inches in diameter and is also available in unlacquered brass as well as a range of custom finishes; $295 for the chrome finish shown here.

Above: The Chrome Bulkhead Light with Crossbar is 9.6 inches in diameter and is also available in unlacquered brass and a range of custom finishes; $290 at Shiplights.

Above: The Small Aluminium Wall Lamp is made of cast aluminum and glazed glass. It's just shy of 8 inches tall and is 4.3 inches wide; €74 at Manufactum.

Above: The Neptune Bulkhead Wall Sconce by Hilite Manufacturing is $138 for the 7.5 inch diameter size at Form+Function. It's shown here in a galvanized finish.

Above: The simple Amidships Bulkhead Wall Mount Light from Hi-Lite Manufacturing measures 8.5 inches tall and 5.25 inches wide. It's rated for wet locations and is available in a choice of four finishes, including white shown here; $142 at Barn Light Electric.

Above: Simple and affordable, the Access Lighting Nauticus Bulkhead Light with frosted glass is 7.5 inches in diameter and available in black, white, and satin nickel finish; $32.50 at Wayfair.

Above: Here's a stainless option: the Design Classics Stainless Steel Marine Light. It measures 8 inches in diameter, and is $39.96 at Destination Lighting.

For more outdoor lighting inspiration, see Gardenista's posts: 10 Easy Pieces: Pathway Lighting and 10 Easy Pieces: Barnhouse-Style Outdoor Lights.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on June 24, 2009.

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There are two full weeks left to submit your projects to the second annual Remodelista + Gardenista Considered Design Awards.

Be sure to get your entries in by Monday, July 7, for a chance to win a special edition Jieldé Lamp. We can't wait to see your spaces!

On Remodelista, we will run a separate contest for amateur and professional designers in each of these categories:

• Best Kitchen Space
• Best Living/Dining Space
• Best Bedroom Space
• Best Bath Space
• Best Office Space

On Gardenista, we have two categories for amateurs, two categories for professionals, and three categories open to everyone: 

• Best Overall Garden (Amateur)
• Best Small Garden (Amateur)
• Best Outdoor Living Space (Everyone)
• Best Edible Garden (Everyone)
• Best Hardscape Project (Everyone)
• Best Professional Landscape (Professional)
• Best Garden Shed or Outbuilding (Professional)

Enter here for Remodelista and Gardenista, and browse the entries already submitted. See the roster of esteemed Remodelista Guest Judges, and don't forget to submit by July 7 before midnight PDT. 

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It was just a year ago that Magnus Ek and Agneta Green opened Oaxen Krog & Slip, their twin restaurants on the island of Djurgården in the center of Stockholm. Since then both establishments have won awards for food and design: Krog is a Michelin-starred dining room, and Slip, a casual bistro (and Bib Gourmand pick, Michelin's designation for standout value). Both establishments specialize in locally sourced and seasonal Nordic cooking. 

The couple's adventures in the food world began 17 years ago at Oaxen Krog, a small restaurant on the island of Oaxen in Stockholm’s archipelago. Agneta works as a waitress (and later got her sommelier certification) and Magnus ran the kitchen. They served inventive dishes using island produce and herbs, and together created a menu and an ambiance that brought guests from near and far to experience one of Sweden's most sophisticated restaurants.

The island's harsh weather, however, kept Oaxen Krog closed for much of the year, and so Magnus and Agneta decided to relocate closer to Stockholm. Their search for a site eventually led them to Gamla Djurgårdsvarvet, a crumbling shipyard on the island of Djurgården. With the help of architect Mats Fahlander, interior designer/architect Agneta Pettersson, and general contractor Einar Mattsson, they entirely rebuilt the shipyard, constructing the new on the footprint of the old—and seeing to it that the nautical spirit remains intact.

Photographs by Lindman Photography, unless noted. 

Above: The Oaxen Krog and Slip is housed inside a new corrugated metal building. A 30-foot-tall wall-to-wall window faces the marina. The exterior and interior were given a shipyard appearance. 

Above: The exterior is painted a bright yellow.

Above: The interior of Slip, also known as the bistro, is filled with marine references, including boats hanging from the rafters. The turquoise-bottomed Tova, a Swedish wooden craft called a plymsnäcka, was built in 1905; the single scull at the restaurant's far end dates to 1920. Pettersson detailed the space with vintage furniture, porcelain, cutlery, and accessories. The community tables are old school desks from southern Sweden; the chairs come from a theater and are fixed to the floor. 

Above: The table settings are simple and informal. The bar stools date to the 1920s and were sourced from a Copenhagen restaurant. The angled wall lights are vintage Triplex lamps by Johan Petter Johnsson.

Above: At one end of the Slip, a red leather sofa, made for the dining room of a food supply company, stands against a white corrugated metal wall. Vintage Thonet bentwood chairs are matched with Roll Tables by Tom Dixon that have cast-iron bases with wheels. The hanging industrial pendant lamps are from the 1950s. 

Above: The wooden stairs have a cube-like pattern and a steel railing designed by Fahlander. Photograph via Oaxen.

Above: Oaxen Krog, the more formal dining room, seats 35 and serves six- and ten-course menus paired with wines from small European ecological vineyards. All ingredients are sourced in Scandinavia and during the summer season, the kitchen staff picks wild herbs and plants on Djurgården island. 

Above: The dining room walls and ceiling are covered in slatted oak panels. The built-in sofa is made of oak and leather. Local shipyard carpenters fabricated the custom tables, which are paired with 1950s chair design that's still in production by Swedish furniture maker Wigells. Socket lamps hang from fabric cords over the tables.

Above: The Club Room, located above the restaurant, offers private events and dinners—and impressive views from a balcony of Saltsjön Bay and the island of Beckholmen. The paneled walls and ceiling are painted in a linseed oil and the glass ceiling lamps are by Massimo Vignelli for Venini. The chairs are Arne Jacobsen's Grand Prix design for Fritz Hansen, first introduced in 1957.

Above: The white-and-black-tiled bathroom has an industrial feel. It's detailed with classic porcelain Belfast sinks and faucets made from exposed copper piping. The tiles are handmade by Spanish company Decorativa. 

 
Above: Owners Magnus and Agneta also operate a hotel ship called the Prince van Orangiën. It was built in 1935 in Holland as a combination home and office for its original owner. Photograph via Oaxen.

Above: The newly renovated ship has six guest cabins and is moored off Beckholmen island, a short distance from the restaurant. For more information and reservations, go to Oaxen Krog & Slip. Photograph via Oaxen. 

Check out our Stockholm City Guide for more visit-worthy places, including Restaurant Museet (which has its own Siberian tiger). Gardenista takes you to one of Stockholm's most beautiful garden shops: Zetas Trädgård.

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The coastal vibe of this pale blue bath caught our eye. We like the shallow shelves—and the fact that they're used to display an ad hoc collection seashells, starfish, and sand dollars. Recreate the look with the following elements:

Above: The bathroom is the work of French interior designer Jacques Grange; it was photographed by Dominique Vorillon for Elle Decor.

The Basics

Above: Benjamin Moore's Picture Perfect is a light soft blue; $6.99 for a sample pint and $36.99 for a gallon of Ben Interior Paint from Benjamin Moore.

Above: Another option is Yolo Colorhouse's Caribbean-inspired shade Water; $35.95 for a gallon from Home Depot.

Above: Made in a polished brass, Elizabethan Classics' Tub Filler with Handshower and Plain Porcelain Lever Handles is $406 through Wayfair or directly from Elizabethan Classics. A polished brass End Mount Shower Riser for the shower curtain can also be sourced through Elizabethan Classics.

Above: The Randolph Morris 72-Inch Classic Clawfoot Tub is porcelain over cast-iron; $1,199.95 from Vintage Tub. For more options, see 10 Easy Pieces: Classic Freestanding Bathtubs.

Furniture and Lighting

Above: A nautical bulkhead light would work well in the room as a wall sconce. The Davey Lighting Small Oval Bulkhead Light, handcrafted in the UK of die-cast natural brass, is 7 inches tall and 5.25 inches wide (two larger sizes are also available); $285 at Design Within Reach. For more ideas, see 10 Easy Pieces: Outdoor Nautical Bulkhead Lighting.

Above: CB2's Torii Chair is a simple beech wood chair painted matte white; $69.99.

Above: Ohio Design's ode to Donald Judd, the Blocky Stool is available in three types of solid wood: carbonized radiata pine (shown; $249), radiata pine ($249), and oak ($429). For more small table options, see 10 Easy Pieces: Solid Block Side Tables.

Accessories

Above L: The Tea House Doorknob in glass and antique-finished brass is $38. Above R: The Compass Doorknob in cast iron and ceramic is $48; both from Anthropologie.

Above: Go all the way with the nautical look by propping open the door with a Marseille Knot Door Stopper; $52 from Layla Grace.

Above: Restoration Hardware's Plush Pile Bath Rug in white (or Shore, Marine, Azure, and 36 other colors) is currently on sale for $28 for the 17-by-24-inch size.

Above: We advocate displaying found objects, but if you want to jumpstart your collection, you can source shells, sand dollars, and starfish online. Sold for craft projects, 20 Natural Sugar Starfish are $32.98 and 100 Natural Sugar Starfish are $76 from Running Tide on Etsy. Photograph via The Inspired Trader.

Looking for more remodeling sources for the bath? See our past Steal This Look posts: A Modern Bathroom in Sonoma, Bath at the Ace Hotel and Eric Pike's Glamorous NYC Bath. On Gardenista, learn about 5 Favorite Plants for the Bath.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on June 13, 2013 as part of our Nautical Notes issue.

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The story of Calico Wallpaper starts with the discovery of an antique book. Interior designer Nicholas Cope brought the book to his partner, artist Rachel Mosler, inspired not by its contents but by its marbleized endpapers.

Cope and Mosler subsequently spent years mastering marbleizing themselves. They incorporated Japanese and Turkish techniques into their approach, and eventually decided to bring their results out into the open by making marbled cotton and linen wallpapers. They founded Calico, their New York wallpaper company in 2013, and have since broadened their scope to include a range of wallpapers drawn from nature: their marbled collection captures the pattern of water through stones, and Aurora, their newest line, is inspired by "horizons at dawn and the phenomena of light." Mosler formerly worked as an art therapist and Calico's latest work benefits from her training: designed to "immerse rooms in waves and washes of color," the ombre wallpapers have a distinctly calming effect.

Calico's designs are hand produced by Mosler herself and a small team at Dieu Donné, a nonprofit paper art center in New York. Here's a look at the wallpaper in progress and finished results:

Above: The marbling process begins with a bath made from a mix of methylcelullose and water that is added at different temperatures—from icy to boiling—to achieve the right consistency. Photograph from Cope and Mosler's artist residency at Villa Lena in Italy via Sight Unseen.

Above: Handmade cotton paper is then floated across a gelatin bath. Photograph via Sight Unseen.

Above: The paper is removed and dipped in alum for the paint to take. Photograph via Sight Unseen.

Above: Calico's Wabi River Wallpaper is a blend of marbled gold over pale blue; it's $32 per square foot from The Future Perfect, and is also available through 2Modern.

Above: The Aurora collection's Bayou pattern presents misty shades of greens; it's available directly through Calico.

Above L and R: Calico's Ray Wallpaper conjures a new day; $32 per square foot from The Future Perfect.

Still on the hunt for the perfect wallpaper? Have a look at Shadows on a Wall in Autumn: Wallpaper from Callidus Guild and Escape to the Tropics: Leafy Handmade Wallpaper. And on Gardenista, follow Michelle's Wallpaper Hunt. Another option? Justine shows us how to DIY an Economical Wallpaper Alternative.

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We've long been fans of marine-style hardware, and nautical cleats are no exception. Designed to hold boat lines (and handle weight of the attached bouy or boat), this tough, weather-proof, high quality piece of metal can easily take on the role of cabinet pull, drawer handle, or hook. See Alexa's DIY: Nautical Cleat as Toilet Roll Holder for another creative use of this piece of marine hardware.

Above: Nautical cleats make great cabinet pulls, especially in the kitchen an bath. Image via 215 Ash Lane.

Above: The Stainless Steel Yacht Cleat is available in six sizes ranging from 4 inches to 12 inches; $12.49 to $94.99 at West Marine.

Above: The teardrop shape of the Perko Chrome-Plated Zinc Teardrop Cleat is perfect to use as a towel or coat hook (hang vertically). Available in 2-, 3-, and 4.5-inch lengths; $14.99 to $23.99 per pair respectively at West Marine.

Above: The Atwood Chrome-plated Zinc Open Base Cleat is available in 4.5 and 6 inch sizes; $19.49 and $28.99 for a set of four cleats at West Marine.

Above: No-nonsense shape with a refined stainless steel finish, the Shaeffer Open Base Cleat measures 4.75 inches (larger sizes also available); $31.99 at West Marine. 

Above: A nautical coat rack made of reclaimed wood and galvanized boat cleats from Dockside Cottage on Etsy. The design is no longer available, but you can create your own using the galvanized cleats shown below.

Above: The rustic Sea Dog Galvanized Cleats can be hung horizontally or vertically to use as hooks or cabinet pulls. Offered in seven sizes ranging from 4 inches to 14 inches; $1.99 to $24.99, depending on size, at West Marine.

Above: We're picturing this white polyester-coated Dock Edge High Profile Dock Cleat in a laundry room for hanging laundry bags and wet beach towels; $19.49 to $33.99.

Interested in other ideas for Marine-Style Hardware?

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on June 12, 2013 as part of our Nautical Notes issue.

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Channeling Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic mixed with a dash of vintage yacht club, chef Josh Henderson and designer Matthew Parker of the Huxley Wallace Collective have created Westward, a restaurant and oyster bar on Seattle's Lake Union with views across the water to downtown. The duo relied on a coterie of local designers to finesse the nautical notes. 

Abvoe: The 25-feet-bar was created from a slice of a ship and anchors (no pun intended) the restaurant. Created by local art fabricators Electric Coffin, several of the compartments are crafted into a quirky diorama. The drum lighting shades are made of recycled sailcloth, and the white ceramic lights in the shape of buoys are from local firm Fleet Objects. 

Above: Restaurant staff wear St. James boat shirts and other marine attire.

Above: The food served is Northwest-meets-the-Med.

Above: In the oyster bar, pilings are used as pillars with brightly painted cleats for hanging coats.

Above: The Little Gull Grocery in the oyster bar has shelving suspended by rope.

Above: Strung rope serves as a screen of sorts.

Above: Portraits of various captains in history decorate the restaurant (Captain Kirk and Bill Murray as Captain Steve Zissou, included).

Above: Adirondack chairs line the shore of Lake Union, and diners gather around a large fire pit surrounded by a ring of oyster shells. Downtown Seattle rises in the distance.  

Above: Nautical rope is used as outside decor.

Above: The restaurant has a 150-foot dock for boaters to drop by.

Inspired by the maritime look? See our Steal This Look on another Seattle favorite, The Walrus and the Carpenter.  For more on Seattle, consult our City Guide. 

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When Remodelista was offered the opportunity to explore Las Vegas from a design vantage, I volunteered, but not without a bit of skepticism. I live in San Francisco, where I like to think the food and night life can't be topped. And all I knew about Vegas came from a quick visit four years ago, plus the usual movies. Are there Remodelista-worthy destinations to be found?

Equipped with tips from in-the-know locals, I spent a weekend exploring the Strip and Downtown Las Vegas, an up-and-coming neighborhood just north of all the action. To say I was pleasantly surprised by what I discovered is an understatement. 

Photographs by Dalilah Arja, unless otherwise noted. 

On the Strip

Above: As soon as I'd landed, I was hungry—so I headed out for lunch at my first design destination. Located in the Wynn resort, La Cave serves tapas in a summery, rustic setting, open patio and swinging chairs included: my journey was off to a great start.

After lunch, I checked into ARIA Resort & Casino and noticed a bounty of restaurants and cafes there, too. At FIVE50, a hip pizzeria, I loved the olive-oil-and-mint-infused burrata. One night, after riding the new High Roller, a 500-foot tall observation wheel just across from Caesars Palace, I found myself craving potstickers. Lucky for me, Lemongrass, a Thai restaurant at ARIA, was an easy stop on my way back to my room. 

Above: It goes without saying that food at any Charlie Palmer institution is bound to impress, and Aureole was no exception, starting with the bread selection. The menu is made up of seasonal dishes and delicacies.

Above: I started with an octopus salad, followed by a plate of seared ahi tuna and scallops, shown here. Following on the success of the New York Aureole, Charlie Palmer brought Aureole to the Mandalay Bay back in 1999 and set the bar for fine dining on the Strip. 

Above: I never imagined I'd find a better selection of wine outside of Northern California, but the wine tower at Aureole taught me otherwise. 

The four-story wine tower that anchors the dimly lit restaurant is temperature controlled and houses more than 50,000 bottles and 3,200 different varietals. At first, it seemed impossible to make a selection, but a touch screen wine menu let me filter options into red or white and then by the bottle or glass. After making those selections, I was able to choose the varietal—and was thrilled to see my favorite (but hard to find) Chenin Blanc was on the menu.

Above: Have you ever been in a hotel suite with a $40,000 per night price tag? Neither had I—until I toured the two-story Sky Villa at the Palms Resort and Casino. Formerly known as the Hugh Hefner suite, the 9,000-square-foot palace has its own elevator, swimming pool, and pool table. It comes with five bathrooms, including a huge Carrara marble master bath (shown here), furnished with modern classics, such as the Harry Bertoia wire Diamond Chair. Tiger Woods and Britney Spears stay here.

Above: Inside the Bellagio, I came across an art gallery with wood floors, classic wood moldings, and an impressive lineup of shows. The current exhibition, Painting Women: Works from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, includes work by Georgia O'Keefe, Elizabeth Okie Paxton, and Mary Cassatt.

Downtown Las Vegas

Above: If you're looking to experience Las Vegas from a local's perspective, Downtown Las Vegas is the place to be. In 2012, the Downtown Projects was launched to revitalize the neighborhood, which is ideal for exploring on foot. One of the most interesting projects I came across was the Container Park, an outdoor shopping and entertainment venue that hosts 39 local retailers in repurposed shipping containers. Fun fact: the Container Park is home to the only elevator made from a shipping container. Bin 702 (shown here) is an intimate wine bar and lounge made of two adjacent shipping containers. Photograph by Emily Wilson/Downtown Project. 

Above: Upstairs from Bin 702 is Tennessee Loveless's showroom. A colorblind artist, he uses an algorithm of his own creation to recognize color and paint vibrant canvases, portraits of Twiggy included. 

Above: Just a block from the Container Park is the aptly named Park on Fremont, a quirky bar and restaurant built on the site of what used to be an abandoned parking lot. It's owned and operated by Ryan Doherty who also contributed the design: the floors are made of up-cycled church pews, most of the decor was thrifted, and the bar displays are the work of a local taxidermist. Photograph courtesy of Wicked Creative. 

Above: To decorate the space above the bar, Ryan and his team handpicked plates from thrift stores around the country. 

Above: Kittycorner to Park on Fremont is another one of Ryan's establishments, Commonwealth, a swanky bar and lounge. And, yes, the eclectic design approach continues. Ryan gathered a hodgepodge of chairs at estate sales and thrift shops and had them reupholstered. He collects art by Mark Ryden, Peter Gronquist, and Mark Mothersbaugh for each of his venues. Photograph courtesy of Wicked Creative. 

Above: Who knew? Las Vegas has its own Frank Gehry: The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, a state-of-the-art mental health facility. It was commissioned by Larry Ruvo, owner of Southern Wines and Spirits, in honor of his father, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease; Gehry himself lost a close friend to a brain disorder and had a hand in every aspect of the design.

Above: The Lou Ruvo Center opened in 2006; its campus includes a hospital at the north end with Frank Gehry-designed event center behind it. The event space (shown here) is available to rent, and all of its revenue gets poured into funding for the hospital and its research work.

-Dalilah Arja

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When Christopher Columbus set out to find Japan in 1492, he might have discovered futons, but instead he found the Bahamas and hammocks. The name came from a word meaning "fish net," and the West Indians made their hammocks out of sisal, suspending them between trees to avoid being bitten by snakes and other creatures that like to chomp on humans and spread disease. Columbus brought several examples back to Europe, and eventually the Royal Navy did away with traditional berths in favor of this new kind of bed. The naval hammock was made of canvas with enough fabric to wrap the sailor in a cocoon as he slept, preventing him from falling out. The hammock rocked with the movement of the ship, and was easily stowed during the day. 

From here, the story takes a Huckleberry Finn turn: Cap'n Josh was a riverboat captain in 19th century South Carolina. He found the canvas hammock too hot for the sultry Southern nights, and the rope hammock too scratchy, so he set about improving the details. Using a smooth cotton rope, he devised a double lattice, and then he plucked some slats from an oak barrel and created a spreader bar. This changed the shape of the hammock entirely and gave us the Pawleys Island Hammock, a classic American design still woven on Pawleys Island. These days, it's one of many notable options for use indoors or out, on land and sea, made of rope or cotton. Here are five favorites:

Above: The classic American cotton rope hammock, created by Cap' Josh and available from the company he founded, Pawleys Island Hammocks, for $159.99.

 Above: The Maritime Brazil Cotton Hammock resembles the unstructured hammock adopted by the Royal Navy. It's available at Novica for $69.99. 

Above: A rope hammock remains pristine when kept indoors. This one is off the coast of Sicily; photograph via The Travel Files.

Above: A striped Cotton Hammock with Spreader Bar made in Austria; €196 euros at Manufactum.  

Above: A Le Beanock Hammock, $590, in a Swedish country house. To make a facsimile from a drop cloth, see Gardenista's DIY: Instant Summer Hammock.

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 Eames Lounge Chair, Atlas Pepper Mill, and Sheila Maid Clothes Drying Rack.

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Whether claw-footed or modern and clean-lined, freestanding bathtubs with no faucet holes require a floor- or wall-mounted tub filler. We like the flexibility of floor-mounted models. Here are 10 to consider.

N.B.: The bathtub comes first. Variations in shape, height, style, and placement in your bathroom will drive faucet-buying considerations. And, as with all faucets, quality counts. This is a fitting that warrants an investment; look for faucets constructed of brass.

Modern

Above: The space-saving Kohler K-8359 Floor-Mount Bath Filler in polished chrome (other finishes available) comes with a lifetime warranty; $660.86 at Plumber's Surplus.

Above: The Hansgrohe Axor Starck Free Standing Tub Filler in chrome features a hand shower and a 6 1/8 inch spout reach; $936.50 at Amazon.

Above: Kohler's Purist Floor Mount Bath Filler in polished chrome (other finishes available) has a one-handle operation and a hand shower; $884.44 at Plumber's Surplus.

Above: The pared-down Waterworks Flyte Floor-Mounted Tub Spout is available in chrome and nickel finishes, and offers a generous flow of 12 gallons per minute; $964 for the spout only (Waterworks Mounting Hardware Kit is $58.)

Above: The Kohler Stillness Floor Mount Bath Filler with Hand Shower has an 8.5-inch spout reach; $1,094.48 at eFaucets.

Above: The Vola Floor-Mount Swivel Tub Spout is available in 18 finishes, ranging from chrome (shown here) to bright red and dark gray.  It's offered in four different heights; prices start at $1,935 at Quality Bath.

Traditional

Above: The Hansgrohe Axor Montreux Free Standing Roman Tub Filler Faucet with cross handles (a lever-handle model is also available) and hand shower is $1,578 at Faucet Direct.

Above: Rohl's Edwardian Perrin and Rowe Floor Mount Tub Filler Faucet features a hand shower and cross handles; $3,150 at Vintage Tub and Bath. 

Above: Prefer a traditional tub filler without a hand shower? Rohl's Edwardian Perrin and Rowe Exposed Floor Mount Tub Filler with Lever Handles is available in five finishes (including polished nickel, as shown); $2,850 at HomeClick. 

Above: Clean lines mixed with a traditional shape, the Waterworks Ludlow Exposed Floor Mounted Tub Filler features a hand shower and metal cross handles. It comes in chrome (as shown) or nickel finishes; $2,020 at Waterworks.

Above: Add a touch of black with the Lefroy Brooks Classic Black Bath and Shower Floor Mounted Mixer shown in a chromium plate finish; $2,963 at Home and Stone.

Above: Cheviot's Freestanding Claw Foot Tub Handshower Faucet is available in four finishes including chrome (as shown); $755.99 at Vintage Tub.

Looking for tub inspiration? See 10 Easy Pieces: Modern Freestanding Bathtubs and 10 Easy Pieces: Classic Freestanding Bathtubs. And have a look at Michelle's Easy Tip for Adding a Spa Element to your bathroom (hint: aromatic plants are involved).

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Three years ago, Gabe Cohen and Jolie Signorile caught wind that a beat-up houseboat was for sale. Desperate for a weekend ticket out of the city, the two, co-founders of Brooklyn design company Fredericks & Mae, recruited six friends and pooled their cash. Two months later, the group stood on the roof of their new purchase as a hired tug pulled it from Saugerties, New York, down the Hudson to Rockaway Beach, Queens, where it's now permanently docked.

Built as a party boat (with wine fridge, Jacuzzi, and washer/drawer) for a Goldman Sachs exec, it had later been stripped of its frills and used as a crash pad for the winter crew of the Clearwater, the historic Hudson River sloop. Gabe, Jolie, and gang, many of whom met as students at Oberlin College, came to the project prepped for teamwork. They ripped out the mildewed carpets, painted every surface, and furnished the boat with Craig's List finds and Fredericks & Mae's own games and accessories (that's one of their windsocks catching the breeze on the roof). It's been more of an adventure than any of them could have predicted, but also more fun. And it's only a subway ride away.

Photographs by Douglas Lyle Thompson for Remodelista, unless noted.

Above: The houseboat, a Sundance House Barge built in 1986 on Long Island, is moored on a dock in the Rockaways, in Queens, a few blocks from the beach—and the A train. Hurricane Sandy hit just after the group's first summer on the houseboat, and though much of the area was ravaged, the boat rose with the tides and required only patching (but didn't have electricity for eight months). 

Above: A curtained sliding glass door leads to the entry hung with a fishing trap. That's one of Frederick & Mae's new Linen Towels on the chair. (See our post on the Summer's Best Beach Towels for a better look and more examples.)

Above: The entry's built-in sofa. 

Above: All eight owners of the boat pitched in to paint, reupholster cushions, and decorate the walls—and the work continues. During last winter's deep freeze, the pipes burst. "It's called boat for 'bust out another thousand,'" says Jolie. 

Above: A built-in daybed (with firewood storage) and wood stove in the living room.

Above: The room has a much-used hammock with a view. The round straw rug came from West Elm via Craig's List. The low chair is a canoe seat with new caning.

Above: Jolie and Gabe play backgammon on a board that they designed and built. Weekends on the boat are spent lounging, grilling fish (given to them by the sanitation workers who own the boat next door), surfing, and making cucumber-mint gin and tonics. Cleanup and maintenance somehow happen without designated roles—"this place is so important to all of us that it just gets done," says Gabe.

 Above: The room opens onto the kitchen sectioned off by a bar. The rope chairs are from Urban Outfitters.

Above: The boat came with a burnt orange sink, so the group kitted out the kitchen with orange and white tableware.

Above: Sophia and Honora, two of the houseboaters, painted the wooden bar in a pattern inspired by the old Rockaway boardwalk (since destroyed by Hurricane Sandy).

Above: Limiting the kitchen's palette keeps the open shelves looking tidy.

 Above: Another built-in sofa—this one is on the starboard side of the living room. 

 Above: Every boat needs a whale; this one came from Gabe's grandmother's house and was likely once used a serving board. (For a similar wooden whale, see our post on Sir/Madam's Nostalgic Tableware.)

Above: Stairs beyond the kitchen lead to the two-tiered roof where big parties take place (maximum capacity, they've discovered: 120 people).

Above: Gabe and Jolie on the top of the boat.

Above: There are four bunk rooms—each sleeps two—and the group has a no nesting rule: "We all just take turns staying in each room and we keep it all neutral. Psychically, it's so much nicer that way," says Jolie. The bedcover is one of Fredericks & Mae's Linen Towels.

Above: The Captain's Room, on the roof, is the largest—"but," points out Gabe, "it also can be the loudest—seagulls drop shells on the roof."

Above: The additional three bunks are below deck. This one has a ceiling light made from a beeswax-dipped glass jug with the bottom cut off.

Above: A nautical poster tacked to the wall.

Above: Fredericks & Mae Darts, Beach Tennis Paddles, and Bocce Balls—Gabe and Jolie like to say that they specialize in "objects for the home, garden, and sky."

Above: A Hudson's Bay Blanket and rattan thrift-store light in a wood-paneled room. (Go to our 12 Easy Pieces if you're looking for a Mosquito Net of your own.) 

Above: A corner of the room is decorated with straw hand fans and Fredericks & Mae Darts (the dart bodies are made by US manufacturer Apex; Gabe hand finishes them with colored thread and fletching).

Above: Morgan Evans, one of the houseboaters, drew this "visualization" during the purchase process to "help the group understand what we were getting into," says Gabe. 

Above: A tug called the Patty Nolan moved the houseboat (and new owners) down the Hudson River, a journey that took two 13-hour days. Will Van Dorp of the blog Tugster took this portrait as the boat entered New York Harbor.

Above: The houseboat's marina in the Rockaways is surrounded by urban life. The boat doesn't have a working bathroom or shower, but the marina is equipped with surprisingly nice versions of both.

Above: A Fredericks & Mae Windsock flies from a fishing rod. Watch Alexa's video of the windsock in action (seagull cameo, included) on our Instagram feed.

For more designs by Fredericks & Mae, see Back to the Future and A Modern Take on Worry Beads.

Interested in life on the water? Have a look at the Ultimate Seattle Houseboat and Gardenista's DIY Cobalt Blue Planters (Houseboat Optional).

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• A Swedish Summerhouse Made from Humble Materials
• Rhapsody in Blue: A Finnish Stylist at Home in the Hamptons

Our favorite beach towels this season are all about simple graphics: bold color blocks and summery stripes in linen or Turkish cotton. And they're often big enough to share with friends, or even to use as bedspreads or wall hangings. Here are 10 summery standouts. Which is your favorite?

Above: Designed in collaboration with Todd Heim Projects, Fredericks & Mae's Linen Towels are made of 100-percent Irish linen (which holds about 20 times its weight in water and dries much more quickly than terry towels). They're available in four banded patterns and measure 80 inches by 56 inches (perfect for twin bed covers); $300 each.

Above: Anthropologie's timeless Awning Stripe Towels in navy and white look great stacked together; made of Turkish cotton, they're $68 each.

Above: Todd Heim Projects (the same workshop that produces the Fredericks & Mae design above) offers its own 100-percent Irish linen Beach Towels in a range of corals, marine blues, and bright citrus stripes. Handmade in Brooklyn, they measure 80 inches by 56 inches and are machine washable; $300.

Above: For purists, Everlane's Terry Pool Towels come in navy and white, and are made in Turkey from 100-percent cotton yarns; $40.

Above: The Deck Towel is another linen design that you may be tempted to use as bed sheet or throw. Offered in solids and a variety of stripes, Deck Towels are made of 100-percent Irish linen and measure 70 inches by 57 inches; $178.

Above: Made from hand-loomed cotton, Pisu's Fouta Turkish Towel is both lightweight and absorbent. It's 67 inches by 36 inches and is available at Steven Alan in three soft shades: gray (shown above), raspberry, and denim; $45.

Above: Substantial enough for two, Etsy seller Chosiette's 56-inch-by-70-inch Simone Beach Towels are handmade in the US from washed linen; $108.

Above: 8 Knots' Seersucker Stripe Towels, 36 inches by 70 inches, are made from Aegean cotton and finished with hand-knotted tassels. Available at Lekker Home in three different striped color combinations; $49. They're also sold at Indigo & Cotton.

Above: In subtle ticking and charcoal chambray, these 47-by-70-inch linen beach towels/picnic blankets from Alder & Co. are handmade in France; $120

Above: Another ample towel, Serena and Lily's 40-by-70-inch Turkish Fouta in Tomato and Navy combines smooth cotton on one side and terry on the other; $48.

N.B. Christine shares her favorite bath linens in The Changing of the Towels, and you can browse my bath picks in Summer Towels in Sherbet Shades. Looking for ways to tote a lunch to the beach? Gardenista has spotted The Perfect Picnic Basket and Picnic Basket Backpack.

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• Object Lessons: The Nautical Hammock
• 10 Easy Pieces: Outdoor Nautical Bulkhead Lighting
• Trending on Gardenista: Saturday Solstice Fever

The monkey's fist knot is a sailor's classic, tied around a stone and used to add weight to rope and, on occasion, as a weapon. Its form has an enchanting complexity and symmetry. Which perhaps explains why I succumbed to a looped green-and-white monkey's fist not so long ago at, of all places, a pet supermarket. It was billed as "doggie dental floss"—during games of tug of war, your canine's teeth are miraculously cleaned—but my mutt wouldn't even sniff at it. I didn't care. Dog toy or not, I like the way it hangs fetchingly on a doorknob. 

Recently, I came across sculptor Cassandra Smith's artful take on the form and felt vindicated. "They have a crafty, vintage feel yet are very precisely made," she said by way of explaining the appeal. I'm now ready to upgrade to a wall of her color-blocked twists. 

Above: A sampling of Cassandra Smith's hand-painted knots, size small; $42 each. Based in Milwaukee, WI, Smith specializes in decorating unexpected objects, such as mounted deer heads, and is best known for her painted antlers.

Above: Smith's knots come in sizes ranging from extra small (6 inches in circumference) to large (12.5 inches in circumference) and are priced at approximately $14 to $58.Each knot has a wooden ball in its center.

Above: Custom color combinations are available on request via Smith's Etsy shop, Made by Cassandra Smith. 

Above: Smith reports that most people hang the knots or perch them on shelves; they also make good curtain tiebacks. The loops vary in length from 5 inches to 20 inches.

Above: Some of the knots are patterned with tiny dots. 

Above: Smith's next project is creating painted monkey's-fist garlands, and, by popular demand, monkey's-fist necklaces.

For more maritime inspiration, browse our image gallery of Nautical Design, including DIY: Nautical Stripes on Stairs and High/Low: Nautical Rope Lights. See Gardenista for Nautical Rope Doormats.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on October 18, 2013 as part of our Handyman Special issue.

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The Refinished Bathroom

Above: In Long's master bath, the sink and bathtub have teak surrounds. 

Above: After Long's refinishing efforts, the teak looks as good as new.

The Sink

Above: Like the wood on a boat, teak surrounds need to be stripped and resealed periodically.

Above: Because the sink was used daily, its surround was in worse shape than the tub surround.

Above: Where the exposure to water was the most frequent, some of the finish was completely gone, leading to water stains and dents in the wood.

Above: Long was able to completely remove the sink's fixtures, which made the refinishing process easier. She sealed off the porcelain sink with a taped plastic bag.

Above: Wood naturally darkens when exposed to UV light. A challenging part of refinishing teak is that it changes color and gets lighter as you sand it down and can end up looking splotchy. Shown here is dent that was too deep to sand away and so Long decided to steam it. "When you steam wood, it raises the pulp," she says. "It's pretty effective but obviously you can only do this if you don't have a finish on it and if the dent isn't a massive crater."  Long typically conducts this process in stages: "Steam and let dry completely; sand, steam again, and then sand." For detailed instructions on steaming a dent, see Long's video.

Above: After the steaming, the dent was improved considerably but not completely gone. Long's next step was to fill the dent up with tinted epoxy.

Above: Long prefers tinted epoxy over wood filler for repairing dents in furniture. "Epoxy  can be tinted with the dust from sanding, ensuring a perfect match. Plus epoxy has a very hard, closed finish as opposed to wood filler, which always looks a little pulpy to me."

Above: "I use a two-part, quick-setting epoxy (10 minutes is good), so I have enough time to mix and fill without being crazed (but I also don't have to wait like 25 minutes for it to set)," says Long. "There's nothing worse than having your epoxy set before you're finished, so don't use one- or five-minute epoxy. I always measure out the two parts in separate blobs for accuracy. This also prevents the tubes from cross contaminating the tubes, making them unusable for future use." In this video, Long shows how to quickly and effectively fill in the epoxy. 

Above: Epoxy filled, sanded, and varnished, the dent is imperceptible.

Above: "I chose a satin finish spar varnish to seal the teak. It's slightly less shiny than the previous finish so I like it better," says Long. "I find that if a wood finish is too glossy, it looks plastic-y and dated."

Above: The refinished teak sink surround is set against green/gray Silver Crest walls in an eggshell finish by Benjamin Moore.

The Bathtub

Above: As with the sink, Long taped and sealed off the porcelain tub with a plastic bag, but here had to work around the fixtures.

Above: To neutralize the wood in order to ensure that the new varnish would adhere, Long needed to strip the existing varnish. Her preferred product is Citristrip, a non-toxic gel stripper that is biodegradable and stays wet for up to 24 hours (so that large surfaces can be coated and worked on over time). Prior to varnishing, Long sanded the surface lightly (up to 200 grit) and then wiped it down with a tack cloth to get rid of all of the dust and tiny particulates that can show in a varnished finish.

Above: Scrapings of debris from the old varnish.

Above: Thanks to Long's efforts, the bathtub looks as good as new. Her best remodeling tip? "Never take shortcuts when refinishing. If you do all of the steps properly and never rush the process, it shows in the results," she says."This means: keep a clean work area, tape things off, use the right type of brush, don't rush the layers of varnish, wipe down all surfaces meticulously prior to finishing, and apply many thin coats rather than a thick one." And if you're working with varnish, she has this advice: "Varnish ages in the can once it's been opened and exposed to air. So it's better to buy two small cans than one big one." 

For an easy way to introduce teak (and other moisture-resistant) in the bathroom, see 10 Easy Pieces: Wooden Bath Mats. And go to Gardenista for the World's Best Outdoor/Indoor Teak Furniture. 

Inspired by Caitlin's industriousness? See our catalogue of DIY Projects for more ideas. 

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• 10 Easy Pieces: Freestanding Bathtub Fillers
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Suffering from the humidity? Chances are your basement is, too. Dampness and its accompanying side effects: mold, mildew, and condensation can create serious problems for your house and its occupants, including rot, peeling paint, and allergies. What's a homeowner to do? Consider the dehumidifier. 

I first encountered a dehumidifier when my husband and I and our kids moved to London. Having lived on the West Coast all my life, humidity had never been part of my world. "You have damp." The words of doom from our contractor explained why the paint was flaking off the walls and ceiling of the underground office in our otherwise shipshape London abode. That's when I discovered that there's an entire industry devoted to damp proofing in London—and that a common case of damp, such as ours, can be rectified with a single appliance: a dehumidifier. We've since moved back to the West Coast, but I remain a dehumidifier devotee. Here's the lowdown on these contraptions:

Above: Dehumidifiers help keep moisture at bay in rooms, such as this London Basement Kitchen and Dining Area designed by architects Stiff + Trevillion. 

What is a dehumidifier and how does it work?

A dehumidifier is a piece of equipment that reduces the humidity level in an enclosed space, whether a basement or room. It works by sucking in air, extracting the moisture, and then blowing out dry air via a fan. The collected water either drains into a removable basin contained in the dehumidifier or is released through a hose.

Buyer's tip: Most dehumidifiers have water pans that hold far less than the machine is rated for extracting from the air. There's typically an automatic shutoff when the basin is full, but for optimal functioning, it's wise to drain more often that you might think necessary. Alternatively, to prevent constant trips to empty the water pan, consider buying a model with permanent drainage (or the option to be rigged to a hose that runs into a nearby drain). 

Above: An inside look at a condenser dehumidifier. (Learn about condensers below.)  Image via Achoo Allergy.

Why use a dehumidifier?

Too much humidity inside can promote mold and mildew, cause condensation, and attract pests. The aftereffects can include allergy issues, and damage to the house itself and your possessions. And, then, of course, there's the comfort factor: dehumidifiers reduce the humidity indoors. 

Humidity levels are measured by relative humidity. Translation: Depending on temperature, air can hold a set amount of water vapor; relative humidity is the ratio of actual vapor in the air to this set amount. The rule of thumb is that relative humidity in houses should range between 30 and 50 percent. Mold takes root when the relative humidity exceeds 68 percent. Many dehumidifiers and some central air conditioners have a built-in humidistat that tells the system to dehumidify the air to a desired point. 

If you don't have a humidistat—most of us don't—signs that you may need to consider a dehumidifier include:

• Visible mold and mildew
• Condensation on windows
• Moisture on walls and fixtures
• Presence of silverfish and centipedes
• Peeling wallpaper or flaking paint

Basements in all parts of the country are especially prone to high humidity levels because the walls are surrounded by moist earth. When it comes to removing water flowing into a basement, you need a sump pump—see Gardenista's Hardscaping 101: Sump Pumps—but for controlling moist air, dehumidifiers are an effective tool (and they also work well in rooms beyond the basement in hot and humid climates.)

Above: Condensation on windows can result in swelling or rot of window frames and provide a perfect growing environment for molds.

Are there different types of dehumidifiers?

Dehumidifiers differ in their moisture extraction method as well as their installation type.

In terms of mechanics, the most common type of dehumidifier is a refrigerative or compressor machine. It removes the moisture using refrigerator coils to condense the air and collect the resulting water in a basin. Another type is the desiccative dehumidifier. It contains a filter or disc of silica gel-like material that absorbs moisture from the air as it passes through. 

Dehumidifiers fall into two categories: portable or whole house systems:

Portable Dehumidifiers: Sometimes called single room dehumidifiers, portable dehumidifiers are stand-alone units that don't require professional installation. They come in a range of sizes and moisture-extraction capabilities, and are categorized by daily water extraction capacity or by the size of the space that needs dehumidifying (a figure often easier to estimate than moisture quantity). Other features to consider are a built-in humidistat, multiple fan speeds, internal condensate pump, and exterior finish that best suites your setting.

Whole House Dehumidifiers Integrated into an existing HVAC system, these large machines are able to dehumidify an entire house. They require professional installation, and, according to Consumer Reports, come with a pro and con: "these units are expensive, but the large amount of moisture they remove lets you run your air conditioner less." Manufacturers say whole house dehumidifiers can handle areas of up to 3,000 square feet. There are also specialty versions sized for crawlspaces and designed for indoor pools.

Above: I used a model similar to this compact Danby 30 pt. Dehumidifier ($179 at Amazon) to ward off the damp in my London basement office.

I have an air conditioner, doesn't it work as a dehumidifier?

The simple answer is yes, to a point. An air conditioner is not designed to remove humidity, but it does so as a byproduct of the cooling process. The air is condensed as it's cooled, eliminating some of the moisture. But in very humid environments, such as the South in August, the AC's dehumidification function may not be effective enough to keep the house at a safe and comfortable humidity level or to tackle a damp basement. In addition, air conditioners don't run all the time, so they're only sporadically beneficial. Cool mornings and the summer shoulder months don't require AC even though the air is full of moisture. Bottom line: in hot, humid climates, a supplemental dehumidifier is recommended.

Above: Many dehumidifiers are controlled by a device known as a humidistat that detects moisture in the air. It works much like a thermostat, automatically turning the dehumidifier on or off as needed based on the relative humidity percentage setting you choose. Image via National Geographic.

How best to maintain a dehumidifier?

The good news is that dehumidifiers require minimal care. The coils should be checked seasonally to be kept clear of dust and dirt. If the unit has a removable front cover, there may be a filter inside that should be cleaned—it's recommended that they be cleaned every  six months to a year, depending on use. And be sure to drain the water bucket before putting the unit in storage for the winter.  

Are there other ways to control humidity?

Yes, and it's wise to try other options first—to save electricity, reduce the need for yet another household appliance, and cut down on noise (dehumidifier fans and compressors are audible, especially when operating at high levels). Here are some ways to minimize interior humidity:

• Check your AC filter to be sure it's clean and not blocked.
• In hot and humid conditions, keep your house closed during the day. Ventilate at night naturally or with fans.
• Keep air circulating as much as possible (more fans!).
• Be sure you use exhaust fans when showering or bathing, and consider outdoor showers and cooking setups for summer houses. 
• Take steps to keep your foundation dry by checking gutter drainage (it should be as far from the foundations as possible) and limiting perimeter plant watering.
• Be sure all moisture-producing appliances (such as dryers) are vented outside.

Above: A basement laundry room in Tokyo designed by Schemata Architects. Photograph via ArchDaily.

Dehumidifier Recap

Pros:

• Keeps relative humidity at optimal levels
• Prevents mold and mildew
• Prevents interior condensation
• Keeps moisture-loving pests away

Cons:

• Noisy
• Portable units can be an eyesore (industrial designers, are you listening?)

Live in a dry environment? See Alexa's 10 Easy Pieces: Humidifiers. And if your basement moisture problem is beyond damp, Gardenista's Hardscaping 101: Sump Pumps might be your answer. Looking for remodeling advice? See all of our Remodeling 101 features. 

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This carefully restored wing of a Georgian house in Cornwall, England, overlooks the tall ships in Charleston, a historic harbor village designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its spare white walls, pale wood floors, and just-so furnishings old and new, it's filled with timeless design ideas. Known as the Quay Road Villa, it's also available for rent through Kid & Coe. Classic British seaside holiday, anyone?

Images via Kid & Coe. 

Above: A painting of a boat in turbulent waters sets the seaside theme in the dining room. Note the wide board floors and arched niches that flank the arched fireplace.

Above: The kitchen is stocked with Cornishware, named for the blue sky and white-crested waves of Cornwall. Find out more in Cornishware: The Seaside Classic. 

Above: The house has a modern with kitchen with a pleasingly simple materials palette and new equipment. Like the look of the wood counters? See Remodeling 101: Butcher Block.

Above: A series of wood-framed oil paintings and a blue velvet armchair bring seaside colors into a white room.

Above: Traditional furniture looks equally at home against the white walls.

Above: The house has three bedrooms and one bath; it can sleep up to six people.

Above: Vacation reading: Enid Blyton's Famous Five kids' books, first published in the 1940s through the early 1960s.  

Above: Romantic detailing—brick fireplace and smoky velvet armchair, included—in a crisp white bedroom. 

Above: Above the fireplace mantel, an oil painting of a tall ship is flanked by Staffordshire figures. 

Above: In the smallest bedroom, a recess in the wall works as a headboard.

Above: In the lone bathroom, a floor-to-ceiling white shower curtain envelops a cast-iron bathtub.

Above: A gilt mirror presents an interesting contrast to the wood paneling. 

Above: Every room has a view. For more details, go to Kid & Cole.

Below: Quay Road in Charlestown, Cornwall, is a 4 1/2-hour drive from London.

Looking for other summer escapes in Cornwall? A Modern Family Home in Cornwall; History Included and A Seaside Loft in Cornwall are both available for rent. And on Gardenista, the quintessential British garden accessory is A Perfect Parasol from Sunbeam Jackie, made in Cornwall.

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Spotted (and admired): a new ceramic pendant light that puts creative use to cloth-covered electrical cord. Inspired by nautical ropework on moorings, the design is the work of Rotterdam-based industrial designer Patrick Hartoq.

Above: Available through Folklore in London, the Cable Lamp is made in Holland of slip-cast white earthenware and cable tied through a sturdy metal ring; $255.75 each. Folklore ships to the UK, Europe, US, and Canada. For more on the shop, see Folklore in London: Style Plus Sustainability.

Above: A groove in the ceramic shade allows for the cable to be wrapped and re-wrapped according to desired dimensions for hanging.

Above: The shades are unglazed and measure about 5 inches by 9 inches; the cloth-covered cable is approximately 78 inches long.

Above: Lamp cables can also be customized in different lengths and colors by contacting Folklore directly.

On the hunt for the perfect pendant? Browse through more of our favorite Pendant Lights and see How to Choose an Overhead Light Fixture. Then learn how to hang pendant to best advantage in our Remodeling 101 posts: 10 Solutions for Romantic Lighting and How to Install Flattering Lighting in the Bathroom.

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Boat house chic: 11 spaces that gain a nautical note via oars.

Above: Pro surfer and surf filmmaker Mikey DeTemple's bedroom in Brooklyn. Photograph by Helge Traxler for the New York Times.

Above: A pair of oars in a Nantucket beach house by Jeffrey Alan Marks.

Above: Crossed oars via Bob & Luis.

Above: LA interior designer Adam Bram Straus' living room, via Lonny.

Above: A beach house in Australia by Karen Akkers.

Above: Manka's Inverness Lodge boat house via Design Tripper.

Above: A pair of oars in Fredericks & Mae and friends houseboat in Rockaway Beach, New York.

Above: Guideboat Co. in Mill Valley offers a selection of hand-painted paddles.

Above: An oar on display at Camp Wandawega Tree House in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

Above: CB2 is currently offering Artisan Hand-Painted Paddles by Natasha Wittke of Canadian company Norquay; $279 (down from $379) each.

Above: Oars as decor at the Salt House Inn in Provincetown.

For more style curating, see 14 Ways to Feather Your Nest (all about feathers), Tools as Decor, and Vintage Gym Equipment as Decor. And on Gardenista, consider Vegetables As Decor.

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Located on the steeply sloped banks of Lake Austin, in Austin, Texas, this Andersson-Wise-design—a combination boathouse and screened porch—provides the ideal setting for winding down.

Approached by a narrow, elegant footbridge spanning a deep ravine, the structure appears to hover over the water, offering a respite from the heat (and concerns) of life inland.

Images courtesy of Andersson-Wise.

Above: The structure floats above the water on stilts and is clad in screened panels that open from the top like wings. The main living quarters are situated across the footbridge.

Above L: The boat is docked between the stilts. Above R: A walkway on the side of the boathouse leads to the entry. 

Above: The screened panels keep the mosquitos away, while the all-wood interior creates a cool, dark space as a respite from the summer heat.

Above L: The wood siding extends to become a shelf for a lantern that stands in a window. Above R: When open, the screened panels are held in place by wooden rods—easy to use and maintain.

Above: At night, the lantern shines and beckons to those in the main house. 

Above: Concrete panels create an enclosure for a grill.

Above: The joys of summer!

Above: The plan of the simple temple to downtime.

Above: A section through the ravine illustrates the narrow footbridge approach to the boathouse.

Above: A view from the bridge.

For more ideas, see 5 Favorites: Summer Boathouse Roundup, The Once and Future Boathouse (a Gardenista find in Norway), and 5 Favorites: Screened Sleeping Porches. And if you're heading to Austin, take a look at our City Guide for recommended hotels and design destinations.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on June 19, 2013 as part of our Summerhouse issue.

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Suddenly everywhere: products made from recycled sails. Here are 10 current favorites.

Above: The B7 Sail Cloth Lamp with White Leather Lacing is €366 from Birgit Oestergaard.

Above: The Butterfly Chair made from sailcloth is €585 from Airborne in France.

Above: The Nancy Recycled Sailcloth Bag is $65 from Etsy seller Bay Bags in Chesapeake Bay.

Above: The handmade Sail Cloth Pillow is $48 from Etsy seller Reiter 8 (more pillow designs made from recycled sailcloth available).

Above: The Do Laptop Bag from Save the C in Copenhagen is €189 (in the US, several bags from Save the C are available at Tiina the Store).

Above L: Custom Shade Sails from Trimm Copenhagen (prices start at €56). Above R: Laundry Baskets made from sails; €74 from Trimm Copenhagen.

Above: The limited edition Genois Mini Limited Beanbag from Dvelas is $315 from Mondo Collection.

Above: UK company Reefer has been upcycling retired sails since 2008; the Double Deckchair is £229.

Above: Second Wind Sails in Gloucester, MA, offers Custom Shower Curtains made from recycled sails; prices start at $250. Photo via QuerQuay.

Above: At Westward, a waterfront restaurant in Seattle, custom light fixtures have shades made from reclaimed sails.

More ideas? Have a look at our Nautical Style posts, including 11 Rooms with Oars as Decor and 10 Easy Pieces: Outdoor Bulkhead Lighting. And on Gardenista, see 10 Easy Pieces: Black Wharf Lights. 

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