True confession: I am a water-pressure junkie. Since that first apartment hunt in my early twenties, the first thing I do when looking at a new abode is race to the bathroom and turn on the shower. And don't get me started on the state of hotel showers. So, until recently, whenever the term "low flow" was used in the same sentence as "showerhead," I used to cringe. It's true that the early versions of these mandated 2.5-gallon-per-minute gadgets, while effective at restricting water flow, failed on the shower-experience front. But of late, technology and demand have resulted in water-efficient showerheads that deliver savings, performance, and pressure.

What exactly does low flow/high efficiency mean? In 1992 the EPA mandated that showerheads be made to restrict water flow to 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) from the previous standard of 5.5 gpm. The restriction still holds, but the EPA's voluntary WaterSense specification has gone further, requiring a 2.0 gpm flow for certification, which results in an additional 20 percent water savings.

Replacing your showerhead with a high-efficiency model is a simple, affordable switch out that can have big impact. Here's our round up of eight WaterSense-certified designs to consider.

Above: A Kohler Purist 2.0 gpm Single Function Showerhead in a bathroom by architect Barbara Bestor. The showerhead infuses air into the water stream for a fuller, more powerful spray; $69.71 at Wayfair. See Steal This Look: A Barbara Bestor–Designed Master Bath in LA for more of this project. Photograph by Jessica Comingore for Remodelista.

Above: Speakman is offering WaterSense-certified versions of its classic Anystream models. The Speakman Anystream Icon High Pressure Showerhead has a 2.0 gpm flow rate through six jets that pump out a solid stream even when contending with low-water-pressure systems; $74 (in chrome; five other finishes offered) at Amazon.

Above: Delta's WaterSense-certified showerheads receive praise for high pressure, thanks to their "H20kinetic" technology, which controls the movement and droplet size of water. The Delta Faucet H20kinetic Showerhead (RP70172) is $78.16 at eFaucets.

Above: The technologically advanced Danze Parma Five-Function Showerhead offers, you guessed it, five spray settings with a 2.0 gpm flow; $41.60 at Amazon.

Above: Highly-rated in the 2.0 gpm category, Hansgrohe's Croma C-100 Green Showerhead has a four-inch spray face and EcoAir Technology designed to increase the intensity of the spray; $47.79 at Home and Stone.

Above: There are even high-efficiency rain showerheads. Consider Moen's Velocity Eight-Inch Multi-function Rainshower Showerhead. It's WaterSense-certified (2.0 gpm) and offers two settings: a rain rinse function or a self–pressurized spray; $172.39 (in chrome) at Faucet Direct.

Above: To make the biggest dent in water flow with the smallest impact on your wallet, consider Niagara's 1.5 gpm Massage Chrome Showerhead; $7.22 at Amazon (and, yes, it gets good reviews). 

Above: While this showerhead is a bit more robust in water consumption and cost than the others, it grabs the best showerhead rating from gadget and gear site The Sweet Home. The Delta In2ition Dual Showerhead features a detachable hand shower that can run separately from or simultaneously with the head. A built-in pause function reduces the water to a trickle, allowing you to conserve while lathering up or shaving; $143 in chrome (four other finishes available) at Faucet.com. 

See Sarah's 21 Tips: How to Save Water at Home, One Drop at a Time for more ideas. 

We asked a coterie of architects and designers for their go-to shower-fixture solutions. See 10 Easy Pieces: Modern Shower Fixtures for the list of nominees. In her recent remodel, Izabella found Three Rain Showerheads Worth Considering.

Over at Gardenista, Michelle presents a simple way to Instantly Turn Your Shower into a Spa Experience.

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• 5 Favorites: Fringed Towel Roundup
• Before & After: The Two-Week Bath Remodel for Less Than $5,000
• DIY: A Simple and Elegant Towel Holder for Under $10

Do the people you live with hang up their coats and put away their shoes and bags? Yesterday Julie broached the question in our editorial meeting and a long and loud gripe session ensued—someone was even heard to say, "Why did I marry him?" Fortunately the Gardenista crew is on top of the chaos: All week they've been presenting simple, elegant entryway solutions. "A mudroom doesn't need to be grand, it doesn't even need to be a room," says Michelle.

Above: In High/Low, Michelle unveils a midcentury coat stand and a $35 Ikea look-alike. For more mudroom solutions, see Gardenista's 10 Easy Pieces: Wooden Pegs and Hooks, DIY: A Perfect Shoe Rack for a Narrow Entry, and Steal This Look: A DIY Mudroom by a Beautiful Mess.

Above: Architect Donald Lococo designed a new farmhouse as a companion for a century-old barn. Tour the Virginia property, classic mudroom included, in Architect Visit. 

Above: A cure for common terracotta: Planters that Pay Homage to Donald Judd. And there are matching Woven-Leather Storage Baskets too.

Above: Mushroom season is here. Join Kendra on a DIY forage in the woods of Sussex, England, which she says is "a toadstool's paradise." 

Above: It may take the strength of a sailor to braid your own mat—learn how in Erin's DIY: Woven Doormat—but we like knowing that it's a rainy day possibility. (In the meantime, for a supply of readymade alternatives, go to Doormats.) 

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• Trending on Gardenista: Garden Ideas to Steal from Belgium
• Trending on Gardenista: The Art of Curb Appeal (for Under $100)
• Trending on Gardenista: Style on a Budget

Like the look of fringed cotton flatweave hammam towels but prefer terry cloth for your bath towels? We do. Here's a roundup of towels with a bohemian look and the absorbency of terry.

Above: The 100 percent cotton terry Turkish Tassel Bath Towel from West Elm is $19.

Above: Originel towels by Yves Delorme have a looped fringe finished edge and come in three colors. A set of two Bath Sheets is $260 at Pioneer Linens.

Above: The Tassel Heirloom Bath Towel has hand-tied tassels; $70 from Nandina Organics.

Above: The Michele Keeler White Bath Sheet with fringe is $98 from Lost & Found, in Los Angeles.

Above: I spotted (and admired) the White Fringe Bath Towel at Crate & Barrel the other day; $39.95.

Above: Erica Tanov's Talesma Plaid Bath Towel has one side in absorbent terry and the other in a flatweave; $38.

See more of our favorite bath towels here, and go to 10 Easy Pieces for our classic white towel picks.

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• Before & After: The Two-Week Bath Remodel for Less Than $5,000
• DIY: A Simple and Elegant Towel Holder for Under $10

The challenges of the bathroom in my family's rented house in Northern California ran the gamut from fusty glass lampshades and a heavy wrought-iron curtain rail to limp, musty curtains and a bold green-and-white striped shower curtain. The solution was pretty straightforward: Strip the place down to its bare elements, make everything white, and add layers of texture to prevent the room from feeling sterile. Here's my 10-step action plan.

Photography by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.

Above: An ornate wooden mirror originally hung over the sink. I replaced it with the Molger Mirror in birch from Ikea. Its frame, which I painted white, doubles as a handy shelf for small objects since there's little room on the pedestal sink.

1. Swap out (or doctor) the light fixtures. I initially tried to find better-looking shades than the glass ones that were in place above the mirror, but in the end, I opted for no shades and silver-tipped bulbs: They're not only visually pleasing but also they provide better light. 

Above: A Fog Linen wire hanger on the towel bar. 

2. Hang as much as possible. Built-in towel bars work well for larger towels, but I also keep out hand towels on a hanger. It's a practical storage solution and a way to add texture. 

Above: Two of my favorite objects in the bath: a vintage Danish stool that I picked up years ago for $10, and a straw mat from a recent trip to Seville. 

3. Introduce warm elements. All-white walls and tiles can feel a bit clinical; I added my wooden stool and rush mat to introduce texture and warmth to the space. I love the feeling of standing barefoot on straw first thing in the morning, and in winter it's so much nicer than cold tiles.

Above: Necklaces and wrist ties hang on the medicine cabinet knob.

4. Utilize every bit of space. Any handle or knob is fair game for storage in my book. I like keeping my jewelry on hand.

Above: One of the nice details that my period bathroom came with: an inset, glass-paneled cabinet.

5. Display well. I put out only the good-looking bottles, and I typically decant (or hide) anything with packaging that's not appealing. I think of the shelves in my cabinet as a series of vignettes that I am constantly changing.

6. Declutter. The smaller the space, the more that things need room to breathe. 

Above: Straw baskets above the cabinet make up for lack of deep shelves. They look tidy because none of their contents peek over the edge.

7. Be creative with storage. I stow toilet paper in a Japanese fisherman’s basket, and all the extra stuff goes into a leather-handled market basket picked up in a French supermarket, both shown above.

Above: Our shower curtain hangs from homemade rings.

8. Ditch the plastic. There was no good reason to keep the cheap plastic shower rings, so I swapped in my own leather ties. (I have a well-documented obsession with rawhide laces: Read about my Simple DIY Projects).

Above: The showerhead was replaced by our landlord and is a local hardware store plumbing aisle find—proof that you can get decent hardware without going high-end.

Above: The bathroom pared down. 

9. Remove anything that doesn't look good. After removing the ugly curtains and rod on my bathroom window (and putting them in storage), I used Round Wooden Thumbtacks found on Etsy to pin up a piece of unhemmed linen as a privacy screen. I also added a white linen roller blind—see Remodeling 101: Simple Roller Blinds for ideas. 

10. Accent with white. I replaced the loud shower curtain with a plain, thick, white cotton one, and all of our towels and linens are white—this keeps the look clean and fresh. 

For more bathroom inspiration, see our posts on Shower Curtains and Clothes Hangers. Considering a remodel? Read 10 Essential Tips for Designing the Bathroom. 

Could You Live Without Your Shower Curtain? On Gardenista, hear what Michelle has to say about her open bathing arrangement.

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• The Perfect Studio Apartment, Budget Edition
• Reader Rehab: A Budget Bath Remodel with Little Luxuries
• Rehab Diary: A Spare Bedroom Turned Glam Master Bath

Here's a look at a few things that have caught our attention lately.

• Above: Next week is all about storage; we love this house in Japan where every wall has a built-in shelf. Photograph courtesy of Tass Architects. 
• Proof that Halloween decor can be sophisticated. 
• Twenty-plus houses that are inhabited by the undead. 

• Above: After the renovation, there's no sign that this townhouse in Red Hook was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Photograph by Bruce Buck. 
• More reasons to love Marfa, Texas.
• In a perpetual search for the perfect kitchen towels, Dalilah has her eye on a set by Fog Linen.  

• Above: An autumn cheese spread worthy of every eye at the table. Photograph courtesy of Honestly Yum. 
• Is a grocery store made up entirely of vending machines an idea to reconsider?
• Rumor or truth? Amazon has plans to open up shop in NYC. 

• Above: There's an authentic rustic vibe in this Buffalo, New York, home. Photograph by Maxwell Tielmann. 
• The ultimate pumpkin carving set. 
• Reminder: The London Remodelista Market is just a month away, with Los Angeles and San Francisco markets shortly after. 

Instagram & Pinterest Picks of the Week

• Above: This week we're loving the light-filled Instagram feed of San Francisco–based photographer Cindy Loughridge (@CindyLoughridge).
• And after a week of bathrooms, we're fans of Briar Winters's (founder at Marble & Milkweed) Clawfoot Bathtubs board on Pinterest. 
• Find us today and tomorrow at the Field & Supply Maker Show in New York's Hudson Valley. 

If you missed out, take a look back at our past week of DIY Bathrooms, and head over to Gardenista to check out their DIY Mudroom posts. 

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• Table of Contents: The DIY Bath
• Current Obsessions: Market Season
• Architect-Designed Belgian Furniture in NYC

When Chambers + Chambers Architects, members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory, won the Remodelista Considered Design Award 2013 for Best Professional Bath Space, we made a note to see more of the 2,800-square-foot house in Mill Valley, California. We were pleased to discover an indoor/outdoor design where space flows freely.

Photography by John Merkl for Chambers + Chambers Architects.

Above: In Marin County (and points beyond), Mill Valley firm Chambers + Chambers is known for creating houses with elegant proportions and classical details. The exterior is painted in White Chocolate by Benjamin Moore and the front door is Hudson Bay by Benjamin Moore. The ceiling pendant is similar to the Carson Rod Pendant by Rejuvenation, and the Hammered Steel House Numbers are by Rejuvenation. A bluestone walkway and steps contribute to the traditional aesthetic.

Above: A similar palette of materials is used throughout, including the kitchen. "We like the architectural finishes to stay consistent to enhance the flow of space throughout the house," Chambers says. "The client can change the wall color and accessories, but we like the architecture to be classic and timeless."

Above: The master bath features a custom Calacatta marble topped vanity and recessed medicine cabinets. Modern globe pendants from Y Lighting provide additional light, and painted solid-board paneling with one-eighth-inch grooves adds texture and warmth.

Above: The Deck-Mounted Sinks are from Duravit and the plumbing fixtures and accessories are by Lefroy Brooks. 

Above: In the shower, a built-in bench has a Calacatta slab surface. Handmade wall tiles from Blue Slide of Point Reyes, California, complement the 3/8-by-3/8-inch Calacatta marble floor tiles. "When we design a bathroom, we make sure the space is filled with light (both natural light and beautiful sconces and pendants), gorgeous materials (such as handmade subway tile and polished-nickel plumbing fixtures), and well-proportioned details," says Chambers.

Above: The Japanese soaking tub, a Hinoki Ofuro by Sea Otter Woodworks of Haines, Alaska, was inspired by the clients' travels.

Above: The tub is set in a bed of river stones.

Above: The boys' bathroom features a large, deck-mounted trough sink and the same paneling as the master bath. 

Above: "The bathrooms were a favorite part of this project; they're not large but they're beautiful and functional," Chambers says.

Above: The one-story floor plan shows the relationship of the open-living area with the outside.

Interested in incorporating serenity into your bathroom? In 10 Architect-Designed Spa Spaces, we show you our favorite examples of residential baths inspired by a Japanese aesthetic. And to learn more, see How to Bathe Japanese Style. 

On Gardenista, we visit Barbara Chambers' garden in At Home in Mill Valley. 

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• Expert Advice: 10 Tips for Transforming a Rental Bath
• The Perfect Studio Apartment, Budget Edition
• Reader Rehab: A Budget Bath Remodel with Little Luxuries

It's a proven formula: Having a place for everything = order + sanity. That's why everyone has plans/hopes/dreams of someday getting organized. We certainly do, and we're devoting this week to storage answers for every room in the house.

Above: LA interior designer Michaela Scherrer had niches built into strategic spots in her Pasadena house, including the entry shown here. But she says the real secret to her orderly look is sticking to a pale palette all over: "If you have different colors and things are in disarray, it's obvious. If you have one color and things are in disarray, it looks artistic." Tour her house in the Remodelista book. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.

Monday

Above: Planning a remodel? Now is your opportunity to bring strategically planned storage into your life. In today's 10 Favorites roundup, Christine zeroes in on architect-designed built-in shelves, headboards, and other solutions in the bedroom. (And did you see last week's 10 Favorites: Bathtubs in the Bedroom?)

Tuesday

Above: Gone are the days of the root cellar, but this hanging basket is an ideal compact stand in. In our weekly Tuesday Object Lesson, Megan Wilson writes about the enduring appeal of Shaker solutions and details where to source them.

Wednesday

Above: In Wednesday's Remodel & Renovation post, Meredith presents an organizer's dream: a 190-square-foot artist's studio with color-coded drawers and shelves so that every book and brush has its place—and there's even a pullout bed for naps.

Thursday

Above: Wishing you had more closets? The armoire is making a comeback in a new, clean-lined guise. See our favorites in 10 Easy Pieces. 

Friday

Above: An orderly desk is one of life's great satisfactions—but where to put everything? In Friday's Home Offices post, Margot zeroes in on designs that clear the decks in style.

Saturday

Above: A classic one-bedroom apartment on New York City's Riverside Drive receives a refresh (and a new kitchen, shown here) from Shadow Architects. Take a tour and ask the designers questions in this weekend's Architect Is In. 

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• Object Lessons: Shaker Storage
• 12 Architectural Built-Ins for the Bedroom
• Current Obsessions: October Sky

As architects, my husband and I have fantasies of building our own house one day. He has poetic visions of modernist, open, loft-like spaces with spectacular views. As for me, my visions are more prosaic: I dream of a house where every available inch is given over to integrated, built-in storage. 

Happily the two aren't mutually exclusive, as evidenced by this newly built, modern family house in Bloemandaal, the Netherlands, by Amsterdam firm Paul de Ruiter Architects. Sited to preserve and appreciate the surrounding landscape, the structure has walls of windows to connect the rooms to the outdoors. Naturally lit, free-flowing spaces work best without clutter, and this is where the house's ingenious built-in storage steps in. The prosaic enabling the poetic—come and have a look. 

Photography by Tim Van de Velde via ArchDaily. 

Above: Built into the slope of a hill, both floors are glazed to enjoy the views of the surrounding dune landscape. The black sides of the second floor are made of WaxedWood, a sustainable timber.

Above: The open space on the ground floor contains the kitchen, dining, and living areas, all enhanced by the uniformity of the polished concrete floor. The floor-to-ceiling glazing wraps around both corners and creates a direct connection to the outdoors, accessed by large-scale sliding doors framed in light oak. See Remodeling 101: Polished Concrete Floors for our guide on this Cinderella of flooring materials.

Above: The kitchen cabinets and island form an anchor.

Above: On the ground floor, open and closed storage made from veneered plywood forms a wall between the public, open areas and the smaller, private spaces.

Above: The plywood wall extends out and serves as a backdrop for the living area. 

Above: Sliding glass doors lead to the private quarters in the back.

Above: A woodstove provides a hearth for the living area. The diagonal wall behind it shows where the house is built into the hill.

Above: The back of the kitchen cabinets serve as a partition and as a surface for hanging posters.

Above: Industrial galvanized metal stairs work well with the polished concrete floors. 

Above: A skylight fills the stairwell with natural light.

Above: On the second floor living area, a thick plywood wall houses a fireplace and also acts as a room divider.

Above: The wall above the sofa provides an opportunity for shelving.

Above: On the other side of the fireplace, cabinets and shelving can be hidden away via sliding doors.

Above: In the master bedroom, the bed is integrated into the headboard and the thickness of the wall is used to create pockets of storage. 

Above: In the children's room, a bed and desk (with nook space) are built out from the closet.

Above: Below the entry level, the architects created a basement garage.

Above: The house's layout is on full view at night.

Above: The entry-level floor plan and surrounding greenery.

Above: The second floor.

Above: A section of the house illustrates how the structure is built into the slope of a hill.

Like the look of plywood interiors? The Unexpected Appeal of Plywood explains why. And learn the nitty gritty in Remodeling 101: The Ins and Outs of Plywood.

Over on Gardenista, discover more uses for plywood in Outbuilding of the Week: A Woodshed Transformed, Italian Style.

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• Expert Advice: 10 Tips for Transforming a Rental Bath
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In 10 Secrets for a Better Night's Sleep, the "bedroom as sanctuary" plays a key role. Architects have long known that creating calm and killing clutter in your sleep space is simple and efficient with built-in storage. Here are 12 favorite examples.

Above: In his own bedroom, Vincent Van Duysen incorporates a headboard into a wall of bookshelves. At bedside level, the shelves turn into drawers with a pullout night table. Hear what the Belgian architect has to say about everything from essential objects to everyday exercise in 20 Questions: Julianne Moore and Vincent Van Duysen Talk Design. Photograph by Martyn Thompson.

Above: In London, interiors firm Sigmar's design for a bedroom, extra storage is created by building a wall out from the window, creating a window seat and cabinets at the same time.

Above: A bed with pullout drawers and a headboard with a recessed niche becomes a room within a room. Photograph via Vtwonen.

Above: Architect Jerome Buttrick carved out vertical shelving, complete with accessible light switches and outlets on either side of Remodelista editor Julie Carlson's bed. Photograph by Maria del Rio for Refinery 29.

Above: Paul de Ruiter Architects of Amsterdam integrate a bed into a built-in headboard and use the thickness of the wall to create storage on the sides. Photograph by Tim Van de Velde via ArchDaily. Take a tour of the rest of the house in Rooms With a View and Maximum Storage Too. 

Above: Architect Claire Cousins fashions a bedroom out of plywood in a loft in Melbourne replete with built-in storage. See more in The Plywood Makeover: An Artful Apartment in Melbourne. Photograph by Lisbeth Grosman via Desire to Inspire.  

Above: In a remodel of a Victorian house in San Francisco, architects Mork Ulnes commissioned furniture designer Yvonne Mouser to design an ingenious wood headboard that incorporates built-in storage while also providing structural reinforcement. See the complete remodel in The Architect Is In: Saving the Hippie Soul of a Victorian House. 

Above: Norm Architects of Copenhagen created a display niche that takes the place of a headboard.

Above: San Francisco architects Turnbull Griffin Haesloop incorporate bedside tables and a dresser into the headboard of a bed, which also acts as a room partition. 

Above: In Japan, mA-style Architects designed a double-layered house where the exterior layer is used as a zone for closets and storage. Photograph by Kai Nakamura via mA-style Architects. 

Above: Floor-to-ceiling cabinets are built flush into the wall of this bedroom. Photograph by Jonas Berg via Style Files.

Above: In my own bedroom, my husband and I maximized space by building our bed into an awkward niche and creating built-in storage above and pullout drawers below. More of our space-saving solutions can be seen in Living Small in London. 

For more space-efficient bedroom ideas, have a look at Sleep and Stow: Bed Frames with Built-in Storage and Steal This Look: A Well-Organized Closet on a Budget.

On Gardenista, Michelle presents a 186-Square-Foot Garage Converted into the Ideal Guest Room.

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• Object Lessons: Shaker Storage
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• Current Obsessions: October Sky

I loathe the look of cardboard tissue boxes, and even worse, if you ask me, are tissue boxes with attempted cool designs on the exterior. I've always longed for a wall-mounted, stainless steel cover, but I don't have one. What I do have at my disposal is some excess canvas (thanks to the many painter's drop cloths in my closet) and a few tubes of acrylic paint left over from that time I thought I'd take up painting. Here's how I solved the problem.

Materials

• 1 standard square tissue box to use for measurements
• 1/2 yard of canvas fabric or a section of a Painter's Drop Cloth ($26 from Gempler's)
• Sewing machine or a medium needle
• Green thread, such as Gutermann Sew-All Polyester Thread, available for $2.90 from Crafty Sewn Sews on Etsy
• Acrylic paint in a color of your choice; I used Amsterdam Standard Series Acrylic Paint in Permanent Green Light; $7.51 from Blick.
• Scissors, seam ripper (for mistakes), and Tailor's Measuring Tape ($2.72 at T Mart)

Instructions

Step 1: Cut a square of canvas larger than you'll need to fully cover the tissue box. Place the tissue box in the center of the canvas and trace measurements onto the fabric. On the perimeter of the square, trace an additional square inch out for a seam allowance for when you hem the fabric.

Step 2: Paint one side of your fabric in the color of your choice and wait for it to fully dry before proceeding. Taking inspiration from Pete Oyler's Roll With It toilet paper holder, I opted for a bright kelly green.

Step 3: Once the paint has dried, sew a half-inch hem around each side of the square piece of canvas.

Step 4: Next, gather the four sides of the overall square to make four darts (folds in fabric that will provide a three-dimensional shape, also seen below), sewing each on the unpainted side of the fabric and making sure as you go that the shape is coming together nicely.

Step 5: Once you have sewn each corner to create an inside-out box, turn it right side out to reveal the painted face of the canvas. Now you can either tuck in each dart or cut a bit of the excess fabric.

Step 6: Finally, make about a three-inch cut at the top of the box where you'll pull the tissue through. I left this seam raw because I don't mind the look, and the paint actually keeps the cut threads in nicely.

The Finished Look

Above: Set against the background of a mostly white bathroom, the tissue cover creates a nice dollop of color.

Michael Verheyden had a similar idea when he designed a tissue box cover in saddle leather; see it in our Steal This Look on a bathroom at the Ace Hotel, in Downtown Los Angeles. For those in the DIY spirit, consider block-printing fabric or, as seen on Gardenista, making your own indigo dye.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original ran on March 17, 2014, as part of our British Isles issue.

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• Remodeling 101: Where to Locate Electrical Outlets, Bath Edition
• Remodeling 101: Limewash Paint
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According to Martha Stewart Living alums Fritz Karch and Rebecca Robertson, collectors can be neatly divided into 15 personalities. In their new book, they devote a chapter to each type, along with the astonishing results when pack rats put their finds on full display. The two—who happen to be seasoned hunter/gatherers themselves—note that too often beloved objects are squirreled away out of sight; the authors' mission is to show how rooms come alive when dozens of pressed glass plates or vintage toasters or found feathers are masterfully brought out into the open. The book is about to be published by Abrams; here's a preview.

Above: A tabletop assemblage of clothespins that the authors describe as "a trail of invention and ingenuity." Photograph by Dana Gallagher.

Above: The late fashion designer Bill Blass, a collector who Karch and Robertson classify as an Exceptionalist—"if the object isn't rarified, they're not interested"—displayed his old master drawings (many of them fittingly of nudes) in his New York dressing room. "Even his suits and shoes were arranged as a precious collection, hung from a gilded pole and spaced just so." Photograph by Pieter Estersohn.

Above: A Maximalist architect lines his Sag Harbor bathroom in wood-framed mirrors. The salon-style arrangement, Karch and Robertson point out, is more than decorative: "A multiplicity of mirrors helps amplify light and create views in window-challenged rooms." What do you think of the trough bathtub and sinks? Photograph by David Allee.

Above: Even bandannas are collectible—and can be put to unexpected use. This desk is built from a hollow-core door topped with a patchwork of bandannas under protective vinyl. Also note the bandanna-covered wastebasket. Photograph by Ditte Isager.

Above: The power of numbers: Our favorite spread in the book presents a wall of old coat hangers as sculpture. Photograph by Dana Gallagher.

Above: Wire baskets for eggs and vegetables decorate a kitchen. The top row is a subset collection of wire egg dippers, whisks, and other gizmos. Photograph by Antoine Bootz.

Above: Containerist collectors gravitate toward vessels of all sorts; this one built a pyramid out of Hermès boxes—a display that doubles as storage. Photograph by Dana Gallagher.

Above: A beachcomber's collection of feathers are taped in winglike bundles to her kitchen wall. This Naturalist, the authors point out, even has a table with the elemental look of driftwood. Photograph by Bill Batten.

Above: Collected: Living with the Things You Love comes out tomorrow from Abrams.

We're longstanding fans of both authors' work. See Fritz Karch's own apartment in our post, An Architect and a Collector at Home. Rebecca Robertson is an interior designer—she and her husband, Marco Pasanella, helped create A Whimsical Family Loft in Brooklyn, Whale Wallpaper Included, and they own the Best-Looking Vintner in Manhattan.

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• Design Sleuth: The Alape Bucket Sink from Germany
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• Furniture Care: Tips from an LA Antiques Maestro

The kitchen Chez Juliette, an 18-square-meter (194-square-foot) Paris apartment designed by Marianne Evennou, incorporates plenty of storage—and charm. We're especially fond of the gray and white palette paired with a Moroccan-tiled floor. We've sourced the ingredients for you to re-create the look.

Above: The compact kitchen is equipped with overhead shelving while maintaining an open feel. Photograph by Jean-Marc Palisse for Marianne Evennou.

Above L: Wall-mounted box frames form a constellation on the far wall. Above R: A winning combo against the room's grays—orange-patterned tile made in Morocco and striped cabinet curtains. Photograph by Jean-Marc Palisse for Marianne Evennou.

Above: The Tolix Marais Barstool, a 1930s design by Xavier Pauchard, is currently on sale for $276.25 (down from $325) at Design Within Reach. 

Above: Farrow & Ball's Mole's Breath is a close match for the kitchen's warm gray. (For other good options, see Remodeling 101: 10 Architects' Moody Paint Picks.)

Above: For twin hanging lights, connect two pendants using the Original Cloth Cord Swag & Pendant Light Kit from the Joy of Lighting, shown here with red cord and nickel hardware. The cloth cord is made in the US and the kit is assembled to order in Millerton, New York; contact the company for pricing.

Above: The Förhöja wall cabinet from Ikea is available in birch, gray, and white; $14.99.

Above: This three-inch Handmade White Ceramic Dish is a good start to a handmade ceramics collection; $22.01 from Looks Like White on Etsy. 

Above: A Bormiolo Rocco Giara Clear Glass Bottle with Stopper makes an ideal water carafe; $8.88 via Amazon.

Above: For cut-to-size curtains to hide below-counter storage, consider the striped Pure Linen Fabric in white, black, and natural; $19 per meter from Linen Step on Etsy. 

Above: If you have a full-height closet to curtain off, we like the Rustic Linen Shower Curtain in midnight; $236 from Coyuchi. 

Above: A close approximation of the kitchen's floor tile, Mosaic House's Marianne Cement Tile is hand-poured in Morocco; contact Mosaic House for pricing. For more, see Modern Takes on Moroccan Tile. 

Working on a kitchen or dining area? Find more looks to steal in Instant Camp-Style Kitchen; A Bright Green Dining Room in Amsterdam; and A Well-Stocked Modern Kitchen. 

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The biggest mistake I made in my Seattle kitchen remodel was not extending my cabinets to the ceiling. I thought it would be a waste to install inaccessible storage; but instead the space just became a collector of dust and paper airplanes launched by my children. Why didn't I consider a library ladder?

Above: The high-elevation storage in this TriBeCa Kitchen by Fearon Hay is accessed by a steel design from German manufacturer MWE. The Positionable Classic Stainless Steel Ladder doesn't require a rail—the stable rocker arm and rubber feet allow the ladder to be safely adjusted to any tilted angle; $2,402 (for the eight-foot size) at Better Building Hardware.

Above: The MWE Quattro Rolling Stainless Steel Ladder has top and bottom rollers to allow for easy movement without any lifting. An automatic stopping device is activated by stepping onto the ladder, preventing it from budging while in use; $5,218.40 for the standard system with a 10-foot rail and an eight-foot ladder at Better Building Hardware.

Above: The rolling ladder at New York City confectionary Papabubble was sourced at Elephant's Trunk Country Flea Market, a seasonal monthly market in New Milford, Connecticut. A sure-bet source for something similar: Putnam Rolling Ladder Co., a downtown New York institution since 1905. Custom rolling ladders start at $1,137.

Above: Architect Chris Greenawalt used a wood hook ladder to optimize storage in the kitchen of a small apartment in a historic building in Charlestown, Boston. Spiral Stairs of Erie, Pennsylvania, offers Rolling Wooden Ladders in red oak, maple, and cherry in 8-, 9-, and 10-foot lengths; $490 to $740. Corresponding Rolling Wooden Ladder Hardware Kits are $468 to $715 depending on finish.

Above: For ultra-secure footing, consider the Azkent Stainless Steel Hook Ladder with stainless steel steps (as opposed to bars); $3,903 for an 8-foot ladder and 10-foot rail system at Better Building Hardware.

Like ladders in kitchens but don't have out-of-reach storage? See Sarah's DIY: Ladder as Pot Rack. On Gardenista, discover the Eiffel Tower of Ladders.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on April 3, 2013, as part of our Cult of the Kitchen issue.

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Despite their unusually complicated name, the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Coming were all about simplicity. The group's leader, Mother Ann Lee, proclaimed "there is no dirt in Heaven," but her followers also understood that simple design meant less to dust. Founded in 1774 by a group of rebellious Quakers who left England for the New World, the Shakers (as they became known because of their ecstatic form of worship) believed that making things well was an act of prayer.

They set about stripping away embellishment during a very embellished (and undoubtedly dusty) time in domestic history, anticipating the modernist movement by about 150 years. "Less is more," said Mies van de Rohe, and he and his fellow purists freely acknowledged their debt to the Shakers. Though the Shakers themselves lived and worked in graciously proportioned buildings in country villages, the practical aspect of their aesthetic is more relevant than ever, especially for those of us in cramped, urban spaces. Here are some examples of Shaker design that stand ready to restore some order to our lives.

 Five to Buy

Above: The Shakers devised a storage system within a storage system: wooden boxes that nest within a single box when not in use. A selection of Birdseye Shaker Boxes is available at Canterbury Shaker Village, starting at $42 for the smallest.

Above: Shaker pegs provide an economical way to transform a room from cluttered to tidy, and are equally at home in a hallway, dining room, or bedroom. Cherry Shaker Pegboard is available by the foot from Shaker Workshops, starting at $12.50. See Shaker pegs used to great effect in the Newly Revamped High Road House in London. Photograph via High Road House.

Above: Having devised the peg system, the Shakers then set about creating household objects made to hang. The Shaker Onion Basket can be suspended high up from the ground, and the open weave allows for good air circulation, which helps to prevent mold. A compact alternative to the root cellar, the basket measures six inches in diameter and is available at Kiosk for $45.

Above: UK kitchen specialists Plain English studied classic Shaker detailing and came up with the Williamsburg Kitchen, which makes use of Shaker-favored maple and cherry woods to create a warm, streamlined look. Learn more about Plain English in our post Kitchen Confidential: 10 Ways to Achieve the Plain English Look. And in the US, consider Shaker Workshops' Kentucky Shaker Wall Cupboard ($462.50), which can be used with a Shaker Pegboard ($12.50 per linear foot).

Above: The handmade Shaker Clothes Horse has canvas hinges and folds up neatly; £130 ($208.87 USD) from DeVol. In the US, the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Towel Rack is $92.50 unassembled and $171.25 assembled from Shaker Workshops.

Object Lessons columnist Megan Wilson is the owner of Ancient Industries and the curator of the Remodelista 100, a collection of essential everyday objects presented in the Remodelista book. Watch for her column every Tuesday, and have a look at her Past Lessons on iconic designs, including the Sheila Maid Clothes Airer, Classic Mattress Ticking, and Lodge Cast Ironware.

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Urban Cottage Industries started life in 2007 on a kitchen table in East London with a plan to sell light fixtures salvaged from textile mills and factories. The team tracked down the workshops and factories in the UK that were still in business and making the original fittings and components of the industrial lights from England's manufacturing heyday. In 2011, having outgrown their London location, the owners relocated the business to a renovated trouser factory near Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire. Urban Cottage Industries now offers more than 500 interchangeable and connectable components, which can be combined to make customized lighting fixtures, and the small company has worked with everyone from Jamie Oliver (on his restaurants) to SoHo House Group and Levi's. 

Above: The Finchley Road Apostrophe Cafe, in London, features a row of Maria Banjo Brass Designer Wall Lights in the lounge area.

Above: The Maria Banjo Brass Designer Wall Light with gray shade (other colors available) is £175.20 ($281.47 USD).

Above: The Maria Spotlight Brass Antique Light with gray shade (other colors available) is £118.80 ($190.86 USD).

Above: The Ceramic Bathroom and Outdoor Ceiling Light is £106.80 ($171.58 USD).

Above: Gray Reflector Pendant with green fabric cord (shade and cord available in a variety of colors); £194.40 ($312.32 USD). For more, go to Urban Cottage Industries.

Browse Lighting in our Shop section to see more of our favorite designs. And take a look at our posts on Trainspotters' Industrial Lighting from the Edge of the Cotswolds and Made in America: Classic Porcelain Enameled Lighting from Barn Light Electric.

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Searching for more shelf and drawer space in your kitchen? The answer may be right at your feet. We've tracked down 10 kitchens that ingeniously incorporate storage into bench seating.

Above: A neon-banded bench with open storage in an Amsterdam residence. Tour the whole loft in Personality Not Perfection in Amsterdam. Photograph by Nathalie Krag.

Above: Built-in seating and drawer storage in an Oslo kitchen designed by Haptic, an architecture studio based in London and Oslo. Photograph via Dezeen. 

Above: A built-in banquette with surrounding drawers overlooks a garden in Venice, California, by Marmol Radziner.

Above: A bench with open shelving extends off a kitchen in Sweden. Photograph via Tine Hellberg for Elle Decoration, Sweden.

Above: A San Francisco kitchen by architect Cary Bernstein features a breakfast nook with storage for shoes and other items. (For a full tour, see Potrero Hill Neighborhood Home).

Above: This modern farmhouse kitchen with built-in bench drawers was designed by Tim Cuppett Architect of Austin.

Above: Built-in drawers add extra storage in this light-filled kitchen sourced via Under One Roof. 

Above: Min I Day architects of San Francisco detailed this Sonoma farmhouse kitchen with banquette seating (and drawers) wide enough to sleep on. For more, see the Architect Is In: A Farmhouse in Sonoma.

Above: Drawers front built-in benches in a kitchen nook designed by Roger Wade Deweese of Atlanta's Peachtree Architects.

Above: In a kitchen dining area by LA interior designer Alexandra Angle, drapery on a built-in bench serves as a shield for stowed things (and maintains a clean look). 

See the Remodelista Gallery for more kitchen storage inspiration. And here are 15 Life-Changing Storage Ideas for the Kitchen. Gardenista is all about storage too—check out these 10 Garage Storage Units.

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Why does storage sometimes seem like the answer to all life's woes? Maybe it's the promise that if we could just get our acts together we'd have time left over for more worthwhile pursuits—reading, hiking, cooking. Here are 10 closet systems we're admiring, from high to low and in between.

Above: UK-based Plain English Design recently began offering custom Bedroom Cupboards with a charmingly retro look.

Above: Designed by architect Piero Lissoni, the Moduli a Giorno sets the standard for masculine sophistication; go to Porro for more information.

Above: Are you the ultimate minimalist? Consider the Ego Walk-In Closet, designed by Giuseppe Bavuso for Italian company Poliform.

Above: An encore from Italian architect Piero Lissoni: the wood-paneled closet system for Porro; available through Graye.

Above: Henrybuilt of Seattle offers made-in-the-US, built-in and standalone wardrobes and closets. See more at Storage: Henrybuilt Wardrobes.

Above: The most elegant closet ever? We think so: the Anthea system from Boffi.

Above: The Hafele Elite Wardrobe system, high-quality components at a reasonable price.

Above: A reliable standby: the Rakks closet system.

Above: For a mid-range closet system, the Elfa system at the Container Store includes individual components and custom solutions, such as the Birch and Platinum Elfa Decor Master Walk-In Closet (shown above); $1,061.91 self-install or $1,327.67 installed. For reach-in closets, consider the Birch and White Elfa Decor Classic Reach-In Closet Set (shown above against back wall), which measures 16 by 74 by 8 inches; $784.98 self-install and $981.36 installed from the Container Store

Above: Ikea's Pax closet system is a reliable budget choice.

Also see Expert Advice: Architects' 10 Favorite Closet Picks, featuring advice from members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory.

And for more ideas on clothes storage, see 10 Easy Pieces: Freestanding Wood Clothing Racks and Metal Clothing Racks. On Gardenista, read about Michelle's attempt to pare down her wardrobe to 10 pieces in Out of the Closet: The Essential Minimal Wardrobe.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on September 4, 2013, as part of our Low-Key Fashion issue.

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Interior designer Patricia Adrian-Hanson’s two-story house sits perched on a Napa Valley hillside with a sweeping valley view. And while it might exude a casual California elegance, her laundry room is a paean to efficiency, which she attributes to her German roots. Contrary to the norm, she decided to place her washer and dryer on the second floor because, as she tells us, “I wanted a laundry room close to where laundry gets generated.” Finding enough free space was the challenge. But with a little creativity her builders were able to carve a laundry nook beside the chimney, and the addition of a sliding barn door enables her to keep it out of view. Here, she tells us how she maximizes the use of her hidden laundry room. 

Photography by Mimi Giboin for Remodelista, except where noted.

 Above: Wood steps lead to the upstairs hallway; the laundry area is concealed behind the sliding door on the left. Photograph by Sean Dagen.

Above: Patricia prefers to dry things on a line rather than in the dryer, but notes, “If you put laundry on the second floor, you're not going to take it outside, so I wanted to create a lot of room for drying things." To do this in the narrow space, she installed Ikea's Grundtal Drying Racks that can be closed flat when not in use. Sheets are folded in half before hung (the dry California air makes this work, especially in summer). The washer and dryer are from LG, selected for their extra-large capacity (the washer also comes with a steam function and speed wash), plus they have the bonus of storage drawers beneath. Says Patricia, “That's where I hide the really ugly stuff, like the big tubs of detergent."

Above: Patricia picked up the vintage baskets in France: “They're typical old French laundry baskets, which means they have two sturdy strips of wood underneath that help them glide off the shelves easily." 

Above: The wire Laundry Hamper on wheels is from Pottery Barn. The white whicker basket atop the step stool holds fabric softener.

Above: Since the laundry is often on show, it was important to Patricia to make the space look pretty. The vintage glass bottles are a mix of French flea market purchases and local finds from the Alameda market and antiques store Chateau Sonoma. Patricia fills them with dryer balls, clothespins, and the like. The white porcupines in the middle jar are for drying down jackets and duvets. (She says the ones she uses are softer than the usual and make much less noise.) Not shown is her latest discovery: Felt Dryer Balls to which she adds a little eucalyptus essential oil to make her sheets smell nice. 

Above: The large sliding barn door gives maximum access to the laundry space and also serves to dampen the sound in the hall when the washer and dryer are running. 

Above: The custom-built door has a homemade knot handle: a length of rope was threaded through a hole and secured in place with knots on either side. The wood is limewashed old redwood, which is in keeping with the rest of the house. 

Above: A framed French flag sits behind an enamel bucket that Patricia fills and surrounds with what she dubs "the nicer organic cleaning products." To see more of her work and her house, visit Adrian Hanson Design.

Strapped for space? See Clever Camouflage for the Washer/Dryer and Favorite Laundry Rooms, Space-Saving Edition. We're fans of front-loading washing machines; read all about them in 10 Easy Pieces: Front-Loading Washers.

Go to Laundry & Utility Rooms for design inspiration—and to see Amanda Pays and Corbin Bernsen Air Their Dirty Laundry.

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A laundry room essential: the heavy-duty canvas hamper. Here are five life-lasting options, made in the USA.

Above: The Large Steele Canvas Laundry Bin is $139 from Rejuvenation.

Above: Commercial-style canvas laundry baskets from Steele, a family-owned company based outside of Boston since 1921. The Steele Divided Canvas Sorter is $139.95 and the Steele Square Canvas Bin is $99.95 from Crate & Barrel. (Read more about Steele on page 308 in the Remodelista book.)

Above: Laundry Cart Round Natural Large is $230 from Restoration Hardware.

Above: The Elevated Laundry Basket, a slightly different version of Steele's canvas baskets, is available from Food52; $110.

Above: The Whitmor Commercial Round Laundry Hamper is $53.99 from Amazon.

Above: The Luxor Commercial Laundry Hamper features a steel frame and heavy canvas bag with metal clasp hooks; $102.99 from the Web Restaurant Store.

For more options in a range of sizes, see 10 Easy Pieces: Laundry Hampers. And go to our Laundry posts for inspired laundry rooms, including Space-Saving Laundry Rooms and 12 Natural Garment Washes and Detergents. On Gardenista, learn 7 Life-Changing Reasons to Dry Laundry Outdoors.

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• Small Space, High Style: A Napa Valley Laundry Room
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The best closets have more to offer than their contents. If you ask us, it's the structural decisions and smart organizational tricks that make a truly enviable dressing space. Here are 11 ideas to file away in your mental docket for your next big wardrobe overhaul.

Above: Norwegian blogger Nina of Stylizimo used five bathroom towel rods to create an ingenious wall-mounted shoe rack in her closet. For an affordable rail, consider Ikea's steel Bygel Rail; $2.99.

Above: The Corner Hanging Rod from CB2 makes use of an awkward corner space; $39.95.

Above: Michelle McKenna of London's Space and Grace labels her children's chest of drawers with pictographs, so that her kids can get dressed themselves (and maybe even put away their clothes). Photograph by Emma Lee for Remodelista. See the whole house in The Power of Pastels: A London Townhouse Reimagined.

Above: Constantly looking for your eyeglasses? Alaa Mendili installed a wall-mounted spec holder. For a similar design, see the Sunglasses Holder by High Tide Woodworks on Etsy; $31. Photograph by Michael A. Muller from Living in an Architectural Landmark, Seattle Edition.

Above: In the small but high-functioning New York City apartment of architects Rosa and Robert Garneau, a swinging towel bar from Häfele makes use of vertical space inside Rosa's closet. Photograph by Ian Allen for Dwell. In Architect Is In: A Tiny Work/Live Loft Made Large, Garneau explains the rest of the apartment. 

Above: In the same house, a deep closet features a built-in shoe rack on the back of the door. Photograph by Ian Allen for Dwell.

Above: PR agency owner Silke Neaumann attaches photos of her shoes to their boxes, so she never has to search through the stacks. Photograph by Ailine Liefeld for Freunde von Freunden.

Above: Also from Rosa and Robert Garneau of Studio Garneau: a simple, streamlined closet with a mirror mounted inside each door. Photograph from The Architect Is In: A Tiny Live/Work Loft Made Large.

Above: In need of a custom-shaped clothing rod? A DIY version fashioned from black plumbing pipe does the trick in Steal This Look: A Well-Organized Closet on a Budget.

Above: Henrybuilt of Seattle designs custom closets and closet systems. Here, a laundry hamper is hidden in a double-height drawer, a setup similar to a pullout kitchen waste bin. For more ideas, see 5 Favorites: Closet Storage Systems.

Above: A nice extra: linen hanger covers (see more in DIY: Rustic Linen Hanger Covers at Arts & Science in Paris).

For more on closet organization, see Architects' 10 Favorite Closet Picks and Remodeling Project: The Storage Closet Reinvented. Looking to clear up your kitchen counters? See 15 Life-Changing Storage Ideas for the Kitchen.

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