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A DIY Bed Made from Reclaimed Wood

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Katrin Arens has been designing furniture out of reclaimed, "abused wood" since 1998 out of her home, a converted 15th century mill in Bergamo, Italy. We recently noticed her handmade wood slatted bed frame and a mattress filled with virgin wool and cotton.

Arens, originally from Germany, has spent the last 15 years in Northern Italy pulling materials from derelict country houses, cellars, and carpentry studios; each piece retains, as Arens puts it, "forgotten colors and scents." See more at Katrin Arens, and our previous post Slow Design: Katrin Arens.

Katrin Arens bedframe in room

Above: Ho Sognato di Te (meaning "I Dreamed of You") measures 120/200 by 200 cm (mattress dimensions). The mattress is made from 100 percent virgin wool filling and a 100 percent cotton outer lining.

Katrin Arens bedframe detail

Above: Detail of the raw wood frame.

Katrin Arens baby in bed

Above: Aren's baby in the Ho Sognato di Te bed at home in Villa D'Adda, Bergamo. Photograph from Milk Magazine.

N.B.: Looking for more bedroom furniture? See 92 more Beds in our Shop section.


Studio Visit: A Roman Artisan in New England

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You may have noticed Angela Liguori's vibrant shop in last November's issue of Martha Stewart Living. I certainly did, and luckily for me, she happens to work right in my own Boston-area neighborhood. So off I went to her trunk show a couple of weeks ago, where I encountered not only exquisite papers and ribbons but also a lovely woman to match.

Born and raised in Rome, Angela Liguori first apprenticed in the book arts in a studio in Bologna, where she learned the traditional style of bookbinding while simultaneously completing a university degree in Renaissance art history. Today, this multi-talented designer can be found dreaming up new wonders in her sunlit studio in Brookline, MA. Studio Carta specializes in custom-made stationery, invitations, and hand-bound, limited edition books, as well as cotton ribbon imported directly from Italy. (Angela is the exclusive importer and the only US source for these high-quality ribbons.) For information, go to Studio Carta.

Photography by Justine Hand (except where noted).

Studio carts by Angela Liguori

Above: A treasure trove of trimmings welcomes visitors to Angela's sunlit studio.

vintage stamps and press at Studio Carta

Above: Packages of antique stamps, which Angela uses for her handmade books and cards, sit next to a vintage press from 1928 (coincidentally, the same year that Angela's father was born).

imported Italian ribbons at Studio Carta

Above: Available in myriad widths, hues, patterns, and weaves, Angela's ribbon selection is so vast it's literally floor-to-ceiling.

measuring tapes from Studio Carta

Above: Newly imported from Italy, traditional measuring tapes are an homage to Angela's mother, who was a seamstress. Photo by Angela Liguiori.

wrapped cotton string from Studio Carta

Above: Entwined around vintage clothes pins, Angela's wrapped cotton string, would make an unexpected and delightful house gift, but for more serious crafters, it's available in a 94-yard ball; $8 and $20. Photos by Angela Liguori.

Studio Carta with bookhou alphabet

Above: In a vintage, modern, handmade melange, Bookhou's wooden alphabet and a saucer lamp by George Nelson hang over a table that Angela found on the street.

cotton ribbons from Studio Carta and Pikku

Above: All colors of the rainbow: Angela's Italian cotton ribbons are stacked neatly on a shelf alongside Scandi-style ties designed by Angela's friend and collaborator Valerie Ormiston of Pikku.

Angela Liguori work table

Above: In production: pieces from Angela's annual calendar, designed in collaboration with her friend, Roman graphic designer Silvana Amato, await assembly.

cotton thread and twine at studio carta

Above: For book binding and other crafts, Angela supplies cotton thread and twine.

desk of Angela Liguori

Above: Angela's desk is framed by work by friends: a calendar by Pikku and prints by fellow Boston artist Susy Pilgrim Waters.

vintage stamps at studio carta

Above: Packs of vintage stamps are also available at Studio Carta; $7.

detail Angela Liguori's worktable

Above: Atop Angela's worktable, tools of the trade await their next task.

pins on Angela Liguori's desk

Above: One of Angela's passions, pins from Merchant Mills and elsewhere are frequently featured in Angela's packaging and projects.

A Trattoria with Charm to Spare

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When co-owners Giovanna Parolari and chef John Taboada opened Luce (which was recently named fourth Best New Restaurant of 2012 by Bon Appétit) in Portland, Oregon, they were looking to recreate the feeling of a small Italian alimentari, like those they frequent on trips to Italy: "Basically, a casual place filled with old men playing cards, drinking, teasing each other, and eating lunch with the ladies in the kitchen yelling at them all the while," says Parolari.

On a recent trip to Portland, I visited Luce on the recommendation of several friends; we went for dinner the first night, and then the next, and the next. There is an ease to everything at Luce, from the decor, food, and in-house corner store stocking Iris Hantverk brushes, Khadi & Co. linens, and imported Italian ingredients. In addition to the restaurant, Luce hosts a simple events space next door that is, as Parolari says, "inspired by our own disappointment in over-decorated event spaces while researching for our own wedding."

Visit Luce at 2138 and 2140 E. Burnside in Portland, Oregon; see their blog, Luce Events, for more information.

Photography by Jaclyn Campanaro.

Giovanna and John of Luce in Portland

Above: Taboada and Parolari, who also own nearby restaurant Navarre and cultishly admired shop Una.

Luce restaurant in Portland, Oregon before opening

Above: Shaker-style black Salt Chairs (available at Design Within Reach) and orange barn pendant lights with silver-tipped bulbs.

Server at Luce in Portland, Oregon

Above: A bowl of ready-to-crack walnuts sits on the restaurant's back countertop.

Serving serving pasta at Luce in Portland, Oregon

Above: A simple pasta dish; Luce is, as Bon Appétit's Andrew Knowlton says, "almost monastic in its affinity for stripping dishes down to their essential ingredients."

Italian wine at Luce in Portland, Oregon

Sandwich board and cutting boards at Luce in Portland, Oregon

Above: Hand-carved cutting boards hang on a side wall (for more about the boards, stay tuned for our Design Sleuth post).

Server and chef at Luce in Portland, Oregon

Black windsor chairs at Luce in Portland, Oregon

Server at Luce in the afternoon in Portland, Oregon

Above: Photograph from Luce Events blog.

N.B.: Traveling to Portland? See 29 places to visit in our Portland, Oregon, City Guide.

Design Sleuth: Charcuterie Boards at Luce in Portland, Oregon

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Earlier today, we posted on Portland, Oregon, Italian restaurant Luce, where we admired the wall display of sculptural walnut wood cutting boards.

The boards, by Canadian product designer Geoffrey Lilge, are made from FSC-certified North American maple and walnut with a hand-polished natural oil and beeswax finish. When Lilge was tasked with outfitting his wife Cindy's restaurant Highlands Kitchen, he become obsessed with finding the perfect cutting boards and the simplicity of solid wood boards, "how they feel, how they are held, and how they wear," says Lilge. After four years of prototyping and testing "gluttonous amounts of charcuterie," Lilge and his company, OnOurTable, came up with the perfect design (at least we think so).

OnOurTable cutting boards at Luce in Portland, Oregon

Above: Lilge's boards surround Luce's sandwich board menu; photograph by Giovanna Parolari at Luce.

Walnut cutting boards by OnOurTable

Above: To purchase the boards, contact OnOurTable directly.

Walnut and light maple boards from Geoffrey Lilge

Above: Light and dark: walnut and light maple boards.

N.B.: Looking to be a design detective? See 116 more Design Sleuth posts in our archive.

A 19th Century Flat in Italy Gets a Modern Upgrade

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When Genova-based firm Grooppo renovated a flat in an 1870s building in Savona, Italy, they were looking to update the traditional space with modern fixtures and an energy-efficient heating system.

But the architects at Grooppo never lost sight of the historical qualities of the classic Italian home ("we aimed to bring out the peculiarities of the original building," as they say). Each room features a different tiled floor of unglazed porcelain hexagonal tiles; the basic theme carries from one room to the next, creating a continuous but subtly shifting pathway. Throughout the interiors, the designers incorporated antique furniture and objects from the original owners, which are characteristic to the region. For more information, visit Grooppo.

Photography by Anna Positano for Grooppo.

Floor tile in Italy at Grooppo's Casa G+S

Above: A small study in one of the eight rooms feature contrasting tile floors.

Plates as wall decor at Grooppo's Casa G+S in Italy

Above: A collection of plates hang on the wall above a simple farmhouse dining table.

Dining room at Grooppo's Casa G+S in Italy

Above: Visible through the black painted door frame, a collection of antique mirrors.

Italian tile at Grooppo's Casa G+S in Italy

Above: A view of the contrasting tiles used throughout the flat.

Above: A kitchen table with a mint-green laminate top adds a dash of color to the kitchen.

Grooppo Casa G+S in Italy bathroom

Above: A modern bath with a vintage look.

Grooppo Casa G+S in Italy

Above: Grooppo installed a heating system powdered by a condensed boiler below the newly tiled floors.

Leather sofa at Grooppo's Casa G+S in Italy

N.B.: Looking for more architectural inspiration? See all our Architect Visit posts to date in our archive.

A Stool Too Pretty to Sit On?

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Last time we wrote about British designer Max Lamb, we featured his Round and Round Table—this time, we're admiring his latest creation: the Last Stool (luckily, it's available in the US).

The Last Stool (for Italian Discipline) is spun from a single sheet of metal and is available in copper or steel enameled in various colors. The indented circle makes for a handle which allows you to easily move, lift, and stack the stools. For more about the Last Stool, visit Max Lamb.

Max Lamb British Designer Last Stool

Above: Max Lamb at home (photograph by Leslie Williamson for the New York Times).

;Last Stool Max Lamb Italy Discipline

Above: The Last Stool comes in white, mint, hunter and black; $265 from Design Within Reach.

Last Stool Max Lamb Italy Discipline

Above: The copper version of the Last Stool is $585 from Design Within Reach.

Last Stool Max Lamb Italy Discipline

Above: The Last Stool in unpolished copper.

N.B.: Looking for more stools? See our 239 stool inspired posts.

Georgia Bettoja Tapestries in Rome

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The best discovery I made on a recent trip to Rome? Tapestries by self-taught artist Georgia Bettoja, spotted in a friend's apartment.

Bettoja makes her wall hangings from reclaimed textiles (linen towels from the Italian army, raw Indian silk, Russian cotton). "I'm inspired by Islamic textile designs," Bettoja says. "At the moment, I'm working on Soviet-inspired pieces, reproducing graphics and soviet fabric designs from the 1920s and 30s."

For more information, contact Georgia Bettoja directly via email.

Above: "The idea of using appliqué comes from the Uzbek Suzani, which feature powerful embroidered designs on big hanging pieces," Bertoja says. "Instead of embroidery, I use fabric."

Above: Bertoja's designs feature traditional motifs but are somehow modern.

Above: A detail of the intricate stitching.

Above: A modern graphic piece with a circular motif.

5 Favorite Italian Tile Makers

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The world's largest tile show might not sound that exciting, but a couple of years ago I went to Cersaie, the annual tile show held in Bologna and quickly discovered that the Italians know how to throw a trade show (let's just say there was a lot of espresso, post afternoon drinks, a healthy dose of design celebrities, and lots of great tiles). So why are the Italians so good at tile design? We asked local tile maker and expert Deborah Osburn of Sausalito, CA-based Cle Tile to explain why. Here's what we learned:

Italians have enjoyed a long history of tile making, and it's everywhere in their homes, bedroom floors included (rugs are something you put over tiles). Where the Italians excel is in combining a traditional craft with new technology: they've taken a labor-intensive three-step process (involving two rounds in the kiln) and turned it into a one-step operation where decorated clay tiles are fired in one go.

In recent years, the ability to transpose digital images onto tiles has led to new creativity in tile design. While Osburn lauds these new technologies, her favorite tile, il Monile, is "completely and utterly handcrafted using old world processes." Below, we've rounded up five of the latest tile creations from Italy.

Frame tile from Refin designed by Italian graphic design firm Studio FM premiered at Cersaie

Above: "Frame" from Refin premiered at Cersaie last year. Italian graphic design firm Studio FM has reinterpreted traditional design motifs (carpet, weave, geometric, majolica) onto super graphic 24-inch-square ceramic tiles. Italy Tile offers information on where to source Refin Tiles in the US.

Azulej tiles by Patricia Urquiola for Mutina

Above: Azulej by Patricia Urquiola is the designer's latest collection for Mutina; inspired by handcrafted majolica, the tiles are made of hydraulic cement. The eight-inch-square porcelain tiles are available in three neutral base colors (white, light gray, and dark gray) in a choice of nine patterns or as a patchwork combination of 27 different designs. Italy Tile offers information on where to source Mutina Tiles in the US.

Inessence by Provenza, a mix of recycled wood and stone-cement looks.

Above: Inessence by Provenza is a mix of recycled wood and stone-cement looks, a trend that has grown in the past few years. Italy Tile offers information on where to source Provenza Tiles in the US.

LEA TIle Goccia Three Dimensional Tile Collection by Lenny Kravitz

Above: Lenny Kravitz collaborated with LEA to create the Goccia Three Dimensional Tile Collection, which imitates the features of moving water. Italy Tile offers information on where to source LEA Tiles in the US.

il Monile Byzantina Mosaic collection

Above: Osburne's favorite: the il Monile Byzantina Mosaic collection, is shown above in Moonlight (L) and Platinum (R). Hand crafted in an Italian artisan studio led by Adriano Ricchetti, the tiles are cut with a chisel and hammer, broken into pieces, and placed onto another glazed tile to create a mosaic of sorts. Noted for their super-saturated high-fire glazes, these tiles are the haute couture of the tile world. Available from Cle Tiles.

See more posts on Tiles.


A Medieval Hotel in Italy, Restored for the 21st Century

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In Italy, a new model for historical preservation aims to restore the character of medieval villages while reviving local economies.

Development company Sextantio Albergo Diffuso's first project was the Santo Stefano di Sessanio Hotel in L'Aquila. There, a Middle Ages villages with a landscape and rich architectural and agricultural heritage lay dormant, quietly crumbling after past efforts at courting tourist dollars had taken their toll. In contrast to past exploits, Albergo Diffuso's primary goal was to maintain the historical integrity of the place, believing that an honest representation of history and culture would pique the interest of travelers (it doesn't hurt that David Chipperfield Architects is an adviser on the project). The owners even aim to use individual rooms for their original purposes; however, what is now the hotel reception was once a pig sty. Still, we laud their efforts. For booking information, visit Santo Stefano di Sessanio.

Rustic bedroom in hotel in Italy with aged wood beam ceiling and crochet bedspread

Above: The most dilapidated parts of the building were the wood framing and attic lofts, which required structural reinforcements.

Bed in medieval hotel in Italy with yellow crochet bedspread

Above: Linens and bed covers were made of new materials using traditional techniques, often replicated from period drawings and archival photographs.

Romantic hotel in Italy with crochet bedspread and rustic wood

Above: The "Alchemist" room is a romantic getaway that can be tricky to find; the path to the room requires a long and winding jaunt through village alleyways.

Hotel dining room in Italy in medieval cave

Above: Fortunately, any "improvements" made to the structure over the last century were superficial—such as thin partition walls and low-quality plaster—and required only modest removal efforts. Time, however, had taken a greater toll, and deteriorated elements like stone paving blocks were restored using local materials and medieval techniques.

Bedroom in hotel in Italy with red crochet bedspread and plaster walls

Above: Where walls were crumbling beyond use, they were repaired with plaster and whitewashed lime.

Bedroom in hotel in Italy with crochet bedspread and Duravit bathtub

Above: Where modern comforts were added—such as toilets and bathtubs—minimalist contemporary designs were chosen. Here, a Duravit bathtub designed by Philipe Starck.

Dining room in medieval hotel in Italy with stone floors

Above: The hotel offers a variety of dining rooms, all of which make use of the ancient Mediterranean cultivations that still grow here—including spelt, lentils, saffron, and dill.

Medieval crafts in hotel in Italy with wool yarn in many colors

Above: The hotel employs local residents to revive "ancient and outdated female manual skills" via the region's traditional crafts and sells the wares in a market offering only handmade goods. Using authentic, centuries-old machinery, offerings include woven blankets and carpets and knitted sweaters and scarves.

Hotel in Italy medieval stone castle with small windows and doors

Above: The dimensions of doors and windows were left unchanged, as were the internal layouts and divisions of rooms.

Looking for more inspiration? See 241 images of farmhouse style in our gallery of rooms and spaces.

A Family House in Mantua, Italy

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Discovered on Emma's Design Blogg: the house of the Bottoli family in Mantua, Italy, featuring a mix of ancient and modern elements, combined with an effortless ease.

Photographer Federica Bottoli and architect Vittorio Longheu overhauled the interiors of Federica's family house, combining Vittorio's penchant for Mies van der Rohe with Federica's more eclectic sensibilities.

Photos by Gianni Basso via Milk Magazine.

Above: Federica with her son, Arturo.

Above: A collection of lyrical glassware; displayed on a sleek countertop.

Above: A Prouve Potence light illuminates the kitchen.

Above: A collection of black ceramics.

Above: A collection of antiques adds an eclectic note.

Above: A whitewashed timber ceiling in the living room adds an airiness to the space.

Above: Glass paneled doors allow light to penetrate the interior rooms of the apartment.

Above: A children's bedroom with a clever newspaper wallpaper detail.

Current Obsessions: Hunkering Down

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This weekend we're curling up with a good book.

bellocq tea speciality tea

Above: Sarah's favorite brew: Bellocq.

• 10 things to know about the Eames.

Above: Sad to say goodbye to regal French interior designer Andrée Putman.

• Alexa's been admiring the white skirts from Rochas S/S 2013 collection.

How to grow ginger in a pot

Above: Now is the time to start growing ginger. Learn how from Dream State.

Eric Goode and Vanity Fair's Turtle Ball invitation

Above: In NYC? We think you should go to Eric Goode and Vanity Fair's Turtle Ball.

New York Loft from Office of Word and Image

Above: A lovely New York loft spotted on OWI.

• Christine likes Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei's 760 Bike Installation.

Above: On Thursday 24th, Dwell Media talks "Design Resolutions" with local designers Lauren Geremia and Lorena Siminovich at Zinc Details in SF. Check out our own interview with Geremia here.

• The Sartorialist was in Milan. Wish we could pull off this look.

• We could live here: Brownstoner's Building of the Day.

Modern house with rooftop sails in Chicago

Above: Have you ever seen rooftop sails? We hadn't; photograph by David Robert Elliot for Dwell.

Chris Campbell ceramic pieces

Above: Alexa is coveting a piece from Chris Campbell's ceramics.

• Julie's cat obsession continues on Pinterest; and have you seen these architectural cat shelters?

N.B.: Looking for more of our obsessions from past months? See 28 other Design News posts in our archive.

The Designers Are In: Expert Tips from Remodeling Pros

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In two years, Sam Gnatovich and Alexi Rennalls of LA firm Simo Design have completed 11 remodels (including five that they purchased, renovated, and resold). This week, they tell us why this California Craftsman bungalow remodel was one of their favorites. For the next 48 hours, they are available to answer any and all questions. Ask away!

With a background in architecture (him) and fashion (her), the founding partners of Simo Design (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) are very selective when it comes to purchasing houses for remodel. For them, it’s about good bones and character. “We’re not interested in gutting a house and starting over; we want to feel like the house has always been there,” says Gnatovich. “We like to draw out its personality, enhancing what already exists while updating it for 21st-century living.”

Photography by Joe Schmelzer.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, Bungalow, dining room with white walls and gray painted trim, cabinets and underside of beams

Above: "With our limited remodel budget, paint was our solution for making the most dramatic impact in a small house," says Rennalls.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, Bungalow, kitchen with blue and white glazed tiles

Above: Glazed tiles are in keeping with the California Craftsman style.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, Bungalow, deep blue green painted fireplace surround

Above: "Color can make a small house feel more grand," says Rennalls.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, Bungalow, white covered porch, gray stone floor

Above: The dining room and the office open up onto the covered porch. The brick wall and wood panels have been painted white to keep the room open and light.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, Bungalow, white bedroom with dark blue ceiling

Above: The small bedrooms were devoid of character. "We felt that there was nowhere for the eye to go, so we decided to put contrast into the room by painting the ceiling," says Rennalls. The ceilings originally had a stucco plaster finish, which the designers covered with a quarter-inch thin dry wall board.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, Bungalow, white bedroom with pink ceiling

Above: Built-in storage was added to all the bedrooms.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, Bungalow, turquoise bathroom, black accents, black fixtures

Above: The small bathroom benefits from Rennall's dramatic impact color theory.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, Bungalow, master bathroom, two pedestal sinks, two medicine cabinet with mirrors, white tile floor with black and white decorative trim

Above: Rennalls uses black as a contrasting accent to good effect.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, Bungalow, master bedroom, 100 year old quarter sawn oak floor

Above: All finishes were new, except the 100-year-old quarter sawn red oak floors.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, Bungalow, outdoor room, brick walls, vines and white painted roof

Above: The designers tidied up an outdoor room, original to the house, by trimming the overgrown vines, repairing and painting the roof. "It's dark and cool back here in the heat of the summer," says Gnatovich.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, Bungalow, before photo of entry hall

Above: The entry hall of the house before the remodel.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, Bungalow, before photo of living room

Above: "It's difficult to put character back into a house once it's gone," says Gnatovich.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, gray bungalow with pitched roof and porch

Above: The California Craftsman bungalow was built in 1920 and is located in a Historical Preservation Overlay Zone in Hollwood Groves.

Simo Design, California Craftsman, Bungalow, plans

Above: The 'Before' and 'After' floor plans illustrate the good bones of the house. The minor changes that were made included combining the dining room and living room spaces by removing a wall, using existing closet space to add an additional bathroom, enlarging the original master bathroom, updating the appliances in the utility room and in the kitchen and adding a rear deck.

N.B.: Inspired by Rennalls' creative use of paint? See 338 back posts of Paint.

Living Small in an Architectural Landmark, Brooklyn Edition

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Injecting a modern sensibility into the context of a grand landmark prewar Brooklyn building was always going to be a tricky proposition. Leave it to Workstead to manage it with equanimity, intelligence, and grace.

Asked to refinish and furnish a 1928 prewar apartment in 47 Plaza Building, designed by the eminent Rosario Candela and often referred to as Brooklyn’s Flatiron Building, Workstead (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) came up with a simple strategy involving a single paint color and a predominant material (natural wood) to create their own masterpiece of modern living—practical and functional but elegant as well.

Photography by Matthew Williams.

Workstead, Rosario Candela, Brooklyn, Farrow and Ball French Gray, Truncheon Suspension Lamp by Cmmnwlth, Light Extending Table by Matthew Hilton and Kingstown Barstools by Studio Dunn, white Eames chairs with wood dowel legs

Above: The paint color used throughout was French Gray by Farrow and Ball; used to paint the original trim and moldings as well as the new casework. The Truncheon Suspension Lamp by Cmmnwlth, a Light Extending Table by Matthew Hilton, and Kingstown Barstools by Studio Dunn are all made of wood, the predominant material used in this refurbishment. The Eames dining chairs with wood dowel-legs maintains this consistency.

Workstead, Rosario Candela, Brooklyn, Farrow and Ball French Gray, kitchen cabinets, shutters, white subway tile

Above: In the kitchen, only the cabinet faces were replaced (the architects saved the existing cabinet boxes), freeing up the budget to allow the clients to focus on other improvements, such as new countertops and fixtures.

Workstead, Rosario Candela, Brooklyn, Farrow and Ball French Gray, Another Country wood day bed and stools, Workstead Bent Wall Lamp

Above: A signature Workstead Bent Wall Lamp hovers over the contemporary oak furniture of UK company Another Country. The wood floors, which are original to the apartment, were sanded and refinished as part of the refurbishment.

Workstead, Rosario Candela, Brooklyn, Farrow and Ball French Gray, oak breakfast nook, Eck Bank

Above: "The inspiration for the breakfast nook was a traditional “Eck Bank,” which can often be found in classic Swiss/German homes. It’s a built-in bench, usually in a corner, with a table. This was a very tight space, so we had to think creatively in order to fit a breakfast nook," says Ryan Mahoney, the Workstead partner in charge of this project. This custom-designed built-in table and bench works on various levels; as a place to eat in the morning, a central location for homework, a flexible office/work nook, and a storage space (located under the bench). " It’s really quite a multi-functional little spot," says Mahoney.

Workstead, Rosario Candela, Brooklyn, Farrow and Ball French Gray, entry hall, 4 storage lockers

Above: The entry hall is an orchestration of family organization. There are four lockers—one for each member of the family—and each one has open and closed storage, hooks for hanging coats and bags, cubbies below for shoes, and small compartments for cell phones and other accessories.

Workstead, Rosario Candela, Brooklyn, Farrow and Ball French Gray, entry hall, oak bench, shelves and hooks

Above: Spanning the width of the lockers is a solid white oak bench—a convenient place to sit while taking shoes off and on.

Workstead, Rosario Candela, Brooklyn, Farrow and Ball French Gray, detail of oak handles integrated into cabinetry

Above: New custom wooden handles are integrated into the design of the cabinets; adding warmth to the cabinet faces.

N.B.: For more Workstead projects see An Urban Cabin Made in Brooklyn and Workstead Visit in Cobble Hill.

10 Easy Pieces: Classic Floor Reading Lamps

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In addition to providing focused, direct light for the reading of newspapers or novels, classic reading lamps add an architectural feel to your living space; here are ten we love (and use in our own houses), ranging in price from $15 to $1,000.

Bestlite BL3 Floor Lamp

Above: Designed by Robert Dudley Best in 1930, the Bestlite BL3 Floor Lamp is $825 at Horne; it's available in matte black or white and in glossy white.

Bellevue AJ2 Floor Lamp

Above: The Bellevue AJ2 Floor Lamp was Arne Jacobsen's first lighting design; it's available in black or white at Horne for $1,100.

Lampe Gras Floor Lamp 215

Above: The Lampe Gras Floor Lamp 215, designed by Bernard-Albin Gras in 1921 and admired (and used) by Le Corbusier, is back in production after a several-decades hiatus. It's currently on sale at DWR for $743.75 (down from $875) and is available in chrome or black.

Grasshopper Lamp

Above: Currently on sale at Design Within Reach, the Grasshopper Lamp by Greta Grossman for Gubi is $743.75 (down from $875) and is available in six colors.

Tab Lamp for Flos

Above: The Tab Lamp for Flos, designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby in 2008 is $445 at Room & Board.

Hector Medium Floor Lamp

Above: The Hector Medium Floor Lamp by Original BTC features a bone china shade and base; it's $350 at Horne.

Type 75 Anglepoise Floor Lamp

Above: The Type 75 Anglepoise Floor Lamp from UK company Anglepoise is available for £170.40 in the UK; in the US, the Type 75 Floor Lamp is $250 at Horne.

Above: The enameled steel, French industrial Jieldé Signal Floor Lamp D1260 is $1,335 at Horne and is available in 18 brilliant colors as well as chromed and brushed steel finishes. The similar, lower-priced Jielde Signal Floor Lamp SI833 is $595 at Horne.

Tolomeo Reading Floor Lamp

Above: The Tolomeo Reading Floor Lamp is $500 at Y Lighting.

Lersta Floor Lamp

Above: The affordable basic Lersta Floor Lamp is $14.99 at Ikea.

Arne Jacobsen Floor Lamp

Above: The classic Arne Jacobsen Floor Lamp, designed in 1957 for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, is available in eight colors; $998 at Y Lighting.

Mil Floor Lamp

Above: The basic and functional Mil Floor Lamp is $19.99 at Ikea.

N.B. This post is an update; the original ran on October 14, 2009.

Design Sleuth: Cremone Bolt Cabinet Hardware

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Add an instant Old World look to a cabinet with cremone bolts, which allow you to activate two separate locks at the top and bottom of doors with one handle.

Above: Vintage cremone bolts from The Door Store in Toronto add a pleasingly traditional note to a built-in glass-fronted cabinet; the cabinet and trim is painted in Benjamin Moore's Dove Wing. Photo of the 2011 Princess Margaret Showhouse by Michael Graydon via Canadian House & Home.

Cremone Bolts

Above: We like Baldwin's streamlined Cremone Bolts; prices start at $360 at Handle Sets.


5 Favorites: Editors' Reading Chairs

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The ultimate luxury? In our book, it's an afternoon with good reading material and a comfortable chair. Here are five chairs we either use or covet (join the conversation and tell us your favorites!).

Zeferilli chair, OCHRE

Above: Christine is drawn to the wood frame and leather combination and the classic shape of the Zeferilli Chair by Ochre. Photograph by Pierre Verger.

Pink Pimlico Chair, Canvas

Above: Justine's favorite reading chair used to be her bed; after reading 10 Secrets to a Better Night's Sleep she's going to do her nighttime reading in the Pimlico Chair from Canvas.

Black steel Butterfly chair with white canvas cover, sheepskin and pink pillow

Above: Sarah is partial to the midcentury classic butterfly chair. "The chair is quite low, so you can nestle into it and read comfortably for hours," she says. She found hers in a secondhand shop (both Christine and Julie own models from Circa50). Photograph by Matthew Williams.

Raffles Armchair

Above: Julie aspires to someday own the Raffles Armchair, a slimmed-down interpretation of a classic goosedown-cushioned English roll-arm chair, designed by Vico Magistretti for De Padova and available through Suite New York.

Above: "If I'm not sitting upright, I tend to doze off while reading, no matter how compelling the book is, says Alexa (Izabella seconds her sentiments). "So I've always wanted the sturdy Paulistano Armchair (currently on sale for $1,317.50 from Design Within Reach) in that rich, cognac leather on a steel frame." See DIY: Paulistano Armchair with White Canvas Cover to see how this versatile chair can change character with a different material.

N.B.: Find your perfect Reading Chair with 1,900 images from our Gallery of rooms and spaces. And tell us: Do you prefer a chair you can sprawl on or a chair that keeps you upright and awake?

A Writer's Library: Michael Cunningham at Home

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Yes, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham's literary oeuvre is impressive (his tomes include "The Hours" and "By Nightfall"), but it's really his bookshelf-lined NYC bathroom we're interested in.

Photos by Joshua Simpson via FSG Work in Progress.

Above: Cunningham's custom bathtub is surrounded by books and stacks of magazines.

Above: Avian decor mingles with the volumes.

Above: Reading within reach; books everywhere (even next to the bathroom sink).

Above: Michael Cunningham at home in his sun-flooded NYC loft. "His aesthetic sensibility also extends to his personal style," writer Elliot Holt says at The Migrant Book Club. "He tends to wear jeans, t-shirts, and boots. But not just any boots. He once told me that he buys them from Carol Christian Poell, an Austrian designer in Milan, who buries the boots in his backyard for a few weeks to give them an authentic weathered appearance."

Conceal Book Shelves

Above: Cunningham created a tower of books, spines to the wall, using Conceal Book Shelves by Umbra. Note the appealing visuals created by the different shades of aged and new paper.

Above: Prized volumes on a horn stool.

Steal This Look: Library Loft in Barcelona

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Located in a former carpet warehouse built more than a century ago, this light-flooded loft in Barcelona features a library corner with steel shelves, banker's chairs, and a vintage telephone. For sourcing ideas, read on (bonus points for anyone who can clue us in to the exact match for the cone pendant light).

Photography by Jordi Miralles via Shoot 115.

Above: A classic Eames conference table is paired with traditional banker's chairs.

Above: Translucent window shades cut the glare but allow light to filter the room; the Shade Store has a good selection.

Heath Ceramics Multi-Stem Vase

Above: For a similar vase, consider the Heath Ceramics Multi-Stem Vase; $89 at Didrik's.

Vintage Industrial Bookcases

Above: A trio of simple Vintage Industrial Bookcases from Restoration Hardware would create a similar shelving unit ($995 each); alternatively, the 108-inch-wide French Library Shelving unit is $2,795.

Eames Rectangular Table

Above: The Eames Rectangular Table with laminate top and segmented base is $1,299 at Y Living.

1940s Banker's Chair

Above: The 1940s Banker's Chair in antiqued black is $495 at Restoration Hardware. Traditional solid oak Banker's Guest Chairs (without casters) are available for $753 each from 33Office.

Above: It's not a perfect match, but Tom Dixon's Large Cone Pendant Light ($1,285 at Y Lighting) is a good option. Can any of our genius Remodelista readers provide an exact match for the cone pendant light used in the Barcelona library loft?

Crosley 302 Desk Phone

Above: The Crosley 302 Desk Phone is $49.99 at Target.

Creative Fuel: Mobile Espresso in Ireland

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Belfast-based Sam Alexander is on a quest to make his latest venture, Attridge & Cole, one of Northern Ireland's premier coffee catering companies. The winning equation? A restored French commercial vehicle (a Citroën H Van), locally hand-roasted coffee, and a expert barista team.

Attridge & Cole is usually parked in a lot off Newforge Lane, but you can also spot it wheeling through the streets of Belfast, or turning off its engine near the Trim castle along the River Boyne. What's on offer? Attridge & Cole boasts an array of baked goods and coffee from Bailies Coffee Co., served up by a staff trained by UK barista champion Sarah McCandless.

Photography by Opposite Page for Attridge & Cole (except where noted).

Attridge and Cole coffee truck in Belfast

Above: The van parked in Newforge Lane's open parking lot.

Above: A barista outfitted in a sturdy denim work apron.

Attridge and Cole coffee truck in Belfast

Above: Cruising the streets of Belfast.

Attridge and Cole coffee truck in Belfast

Above: The Citroën's speedometer.

Attridge and Cole coffee truck in Belfast

Above: The coffee van is available for markets, concerts, and corporate events; contact Attridge & Cole for more information.

Attridge and Cole coffee truck in Belfast

Above: Photograph via Between You and Me.

Cookies at Attridge and Cole coffee truck in Belfast

Above: Freshly baked cookies on offer.

Attridge and Cole coffee truck in Belfast

Attridge & Cole coffee in Northern Ireland, coffee truck

Above: The van parked at a hot air balloon festival in Trim, County Meath. Photograph via Facebook.

N.B.: Looking for more design on the go? Have a look at San Francisco's Del Popolo pizza truck, an Airstream hotel in Vienna, and the Traveling Gin Company in London (think pop-up drinks on a butcher's bike).

5 Tips for Taking Care of Your Books

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If you are a book lover and owner (like my husband, who collects fly-fishing tomes), you are, by default, a conservator. Here are five tools we use at home to protect our library.

For more ideas, see How to Protect Your Books at the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. And if you have any genius tips, let us know in the comments section.

• A hygrometer (shown above) is used to detect levels of humidity. My husband bought his from a cigar store in Chicago and strives for the opposite range of moisture that cigars enjoy. Cigars like humidity (think Miami, FL, at 65 percent), while books love low humidity levels, in the 30 to 40 percent range. Less than 20 percent humidity causes paper to become brittle and susceptible to cracking. Rule of thumb: if you are comfortable, your books are as well. A similar looking Analog Hygrometer is available for $11.79 from Amazon.

The Lambswool Duster naturally attracts and holds dirt

• Keep your books dust-free with Lambswool Dusters made by the Wool Shop in Missouri, which come in three sizes, from $5 to $12, at West Elm.

Book Jacket Protectors (known in the book industry by their trade name, “Brodart”) preserve books and protect they from harmful UV rays. The covers start at $7.55, depending on size, from Brodart.

Bone Paper Holders are used to apply pressure and crease the corners over dust jackets. This authentic knife-like device is indeed made of bone, but is now also alternatively available made from Teflon; depending on size, they start at $6.60 from Blick.

Nest Learning Thermostat

• Books like a stable temperature (ideally, between 65 and 70 degrees Farenheit); during our recent remodel, we installed the Nest Learning Thermostat, which automatically adjusts your home’s temperature ($249 at the company's online store).

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