I was visiting my sister Dorrie at her home in Arizona when she told me about a store she discovered in Tucson. We hit Interstate 19 and found Bon Boutique located in a Josias Joesler building. "Wow." That's what I said to Dorrie. "Wow!"

Joesler, arguably Tucson's greatest historic architect, is a perfect fit for Bon, which is owned by the beautiful mother and daughter team Bonnie and Crystal Flynt. The pair have a genius gift for discovering one-of-a kind items for the home and garden. Many are handmade, a perfect match with the Joesler handcrafted decorative motifs of the building. Some of the cool items include vintage French toys mixed with John Derian furnishings, brightly colored Bolivian rugs with Coral & Tusk pillows, and paper flower garlands aplenty. It's completely imaginative, and trust me, a lot of fun.

I fell in love with a pair of three-foot-high concrete dogs flanking either side of the entrance. Dorrie bought my birthday present, a pair of black hand-stitched arrows pointing in opposite directions. Perfect for a wrong-way person like me. Bonnie and Crystal and their fabulous staff have created a gracious atmosphere to frame their entirely unique vision. As they put it: "The two of us share a love of things that are well made and well designed. We like a mix of new and old, rough and refined, colorful and dark, east and west, fun and serious." I couldn't agree more.

Photography courtesy of Bon Boutique.

Above: "Most of our things are made in the USA, France, or Japan on a small production level," Bonnie says. The Je T'Aime Pillow from Coral & Tusk (made in Brooklyn) is $118.

Above: The mother/daughter team of Bonnie (L) and Crystal Flynt, who have been working together for eight years. "We wanted to have a store together because we wanted to bring things to Tucson that we loved—things we couldn't find in Tucson ourselves," Bonnie says. "We are really lucky that we get along so well and also that our style is complementary. I think we inspire each other; well, my mom is an inspiration to me. She grew up on a ranch just above Santa Barbara, surrounded by nature and by hardworking people. She has this wonderful, rich background that taught her many things that can't be learned in school. I admire that."

Above: A view of the shop interior; "My mom has the green thumb and she is always planting the most beautiful things —always succulents and cactus of course, but also seasonal things like wheat grass and daffodils for spring and paperwhites for winter," Bonnie says.

Above: A collection of succulents on display.

Above: Vintage Bolivian Frazada; $340 each. "These are so beautiful and work beautifully in the desert," Bonnie says.

Above: Floral Silk Scarves from France; $132 each.

Above: Presents wrapped in twine with violets.

Above: The entrance to the Josias Joesler building. Born in Zurich, Joesler practiced in the Tucson area and designed many of the buildings in the historic Tucson city center.

Add a dash of color to your dining space with red dining chairs—even a single one adds a festive note.

Here are our 10 favorite bright red dining chairs designed in everything from molded plastic to painted birch and in colors like "Rhubarb Red" and "Tomato." Have a chair we've left off our list? Let us know in the comments section below and for the crimson palette enthusiast, see all 60 Red Dining Rooms in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

Above: Photograph from At Home With Country (Cabbages & Roses); $22.33 at Amazon.

Above: Emeco's 111 Navy Chair is made from 111 recycled plastic Coke bottles (the production of this red chair is expected to keep three million plastic Coke bottles out of landfills each year); $270 at Design Within Reach.

Above: Vitra's Basel Red Chair, designed by Jasper Morrison, features a natural beech frame topped with brick-colored plastic; $555 at Hive Modern; photo from Archiproducts.

Above: The Easton Dining Chair in Rhubarb; $390 at Maine Cottage Furniture.

Above: Designed by Piero Lissoni, Kartell's Lizz Red Chair is made from a single sheet of batch-dyed techno polymer thermal plastic (shockproof, scratch resistant, and suitable for indoor/outdoor); $315 at YLighting.

Above: The Red Tolix Cafe Chair; $269 at Pottery Barn.

Above: A casual take on a classic design, Ikea's stackable red Herman Chair is a great budget choice at $14.99.

Above: The Eames Molded Plastic Eiffel Side Chair in red is $319 at Design Within Reach.

Above: From Staach, one of our favorite companies, the Cain Collection Chair in red (other finishes available); $680 for a pair at 2Modern.

Above: The Cokie Chair in Rhubarb, made from solid maple and poplar, is $490 at Maine Cottage Furniture.

Above: Arne Jacobsen's Series 7 Chair in high gloss (other colors available) painted beech; $692 at Design Within Reach.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on February 16, 2011.

We're making wild inferences about the name, but the Sextantio hotels are among the most romantic we've covered. (If we're being honest, "Sextantio" more likely refers to a six-sided something than anything sensual. But I've run the name by my Italian friends and no one knows what it means, so I'm free to make it up.)

The second project of the Sextantio Albergo Diffuso group is Le Grotte della Civita, a hotel sited in the caves of Matera, in southern Italy. The ancient mountain town is impressively historic, flaunting ruins from the Neolithic age. (Mel Gibson took note of its pedigree and filmed most of "The Passion of the Christ" in Matera.)

As with Sextantio's first hotel, Santo Stefano di Sessanio in L'Aquila, the developer/owners aimed to revitalize an ancient village via responsible and sustainable tourism. But unlike L'Aquila, where prior efforts to grab quick tourist dollars had left an ancient site with a host of inauthentic "improvements," the caves of Matera were in dire disrepair. Upon beginning work, the new owners found graffiti, caches of stolen goods, and worse. But by teaming with Matera residents to restore and staff the hotel and source produce, furnishings, and gift shop wares from locals, Sextantio is so far succeeding at improving the local economy and sharing regional Italian history with the rest of the world. Today, the caves are filled with bathtubs and candlelight, tisanes and wines; romance has been restored. For booking information, visit Le Grotte della Civita.

Above: At right, an original--very, very old--stone basin sink in one of the guest rooms.

Above: The property features details from many eras; the oldest floors are rough-cut stone while newer flooring is more brick-like.

Above: Antique furnishings were sourced locally; the owners made an effort to use the materials they found on site. Where new furnishings were required, like the bathtub and faucet, they chose minimal, modern designs.

Above: Arches and vaults throughout the property suggest ancient crusades.

Above: Guests can dine al fresco in a meandering courtyard.

Above: Perfumed oils in the spa.

Above: A modern Agape bathtub in an ancient stone cave.

Above: Bed linens are new and locally made.

Above: Guests can enjoy Abruzzo wines in the hotel restaurant, which is located inside a deconsecrated thirteenth-century church and lit solely by candles.

Above: What once served as a stable and manger is now a quiet place to sit and read.

Above: The depth of history in Matera is humbling. Free for the exploring are cells of a Benedictine convent abandoned in 1283; these are relatively recent structures compared to nearby caves from a Neolithic village.

Craving a getaway? Start daydreaming now with 1,096 photos of Design Hotels in our image gallery.

Kristin Barone is an inveterate world traveler: Paris, London, Los Angeles, Kampala. So much so that her apartment in New York’s Gramercy Park has become a sort of depository (only in the nicest sense) for the souvenirs she brings home.

Barone, an LA native (it's where she learned to surf), worked as international fashion director at WWD in New York and Europe (where she continues to travel as a creative consultant). Her most important travels, however, have been to Africa, in her role as a volunteer for The Global Support Mission, an NGO which delivers aid in the form of education, food, and medicine to the children and families of Uganda and Kenya. “I've been going to Africa for five years now,” Barone says. “I always think I am going over to help, but in the end I am the one who benefits.”

For more information, see The Global Support Mission and its subsidiary organizations, Know.Think.Act. and Red Earth Trading Company.

Photography by Michael Mundy /An Afternoon With.

Above: Barone in her brownstone apartment, with one of her favorite images, Helmut Newton's 1974 iconic photograph of a reclining Charlotte Rampling in the nude. Barone quotes Sophia Coppola, "She's (Rampling) so striking and cool, and you can tell she's smart. Who doesn't want to be that?"

Above: Barone's surf board was custom made to match her apartment. "I knew I couldn't hide it away," she says. The hat on the left is from Big Sur, while the Panama hat is from one of Barone's many trips to Rio (she once contemplated moving there).

Above: "I love the juxtaposition of metal and wood," Barone says about dining table and her Tolix chairs.

Above: A convergence of Barone's life from a blanket from the Masai Mara Tribe (L) to her gray and white surf board (R). "Every trip to Uganda, I bring military surplus bags," Barone says. "British Airways allows three duffel bags free of charge for donations to third world countries—so the military surplus bags are the donation bags I buy, fill, and then leave there every trip."

Above: To hide the small kitchen, Barone hung West Elm curtains from a curtain rod she created out of plumbing piping from Home Depot, which cost her $14. "It actually cost me more to get it home in the cab," she says.

Above: Barone's one-bedroom apartment means that lots of things take place in the main room—piano playing, TV watching, dining, lounging.

Above: Barone creates Maison Martin Margiela-inspired vignettes around her apartment by painting everything white. An ornate framed mirror painted white sits above her collection of vintage medicine bottles.

Above: Barone purchased her piano for $200 from a flea market in downtown LA and painted it white. "I played when I was younger," Barone says. "Going to Africa inspires me to practice as the children love to sing."

Above: "I collect a cross from every country I visit," Barone says. "I am not particularly religious but I am spiritual and the weird thing is every country has crosses."

Above: Pale gray curtains from West Elm add a note of hushed color to Barone's Maison Martin Margiela-inspired interiors.

Above: The black and white geometric patterns on the pots from Uganda are paired with a black and white photo.

Above: Black and white photos and artwork from every place Barone visits sit above a black leather Chesterfield sofa. "I love traveling through countries on a motorcycle," she says. "This is how you really get the smell of a country."

Above: "My small bedroom was a designer challenge," Barone says. "I decided to overscale everything from bed to dresser."

Above: Fun romantic fact: On a recent trip to Iceland, Barone's Australian surfer boyfriend proposed to her. Besides the ring, she still managed to bring souvenirs home—the green Jielde lamp on her bedside table and a cross, of course.

If you enjoyed Barone's interpretation of Maison Martin Margiela, see 152 back posts where we feature either the designer himself or others who are inspired by him.

Virginia native Dianne Nordt discovered her craft in college and envisioned a future as a weaver, living on a farm with her husband and children, and raising sheep. It's all panned out with the Nordt Family Farm.

Weaver and designer Dianne Nordt, together with her husband, runs the 400-acre Nordt Family Farm on the banks of the James River in Charles City County, Virginia. Here, the couple raises the Merino sheep—in white, black, tan, and gray—that provide the soft wool for her handmade blankets. Each spring after the shearing, Dianne weaves her wares, one blanket at a time, enjoying a process that, much like life on the farm, is "slow and contemplative," grounded, and connected to the earth.

Photography by Chris Pittman via Scout Design.

Above: Adult blankets (72 by 50 inches) are available in a variety of classic farmhouse stripes: $195.

Above: Each spring Dianne's Merino sheep are sheared by hand by Carrie MacDougall of Colonial Williamsburg.

Above: Dianne wears one of her earthy baby blankets as a wrap.

Above: The smooth creams, rich cocoas, and heather grays are the results of variations in the shades of the sheep's own wool. For the pinks, yellows, and blues, Dianne uses natural plant dyes such as black walnut, indigo, and coreopsis.

Above: A Baby Blanket trimmed in soft pink is lightweight enough for year-round use; $110.

Above: Dianne at the loom that her father gave her as a college graduation present.

Above: The simple tabby weave of this pink and cocoa baby blanket produces a richly textured piece.

N.B. Looking for more wooly wraps for winter? Browse our selection of cozy blankets with style.

All of us at Remodelista love to cook and entertain (dinner parties are a staple; in fact, when are you coming over?). Here are some ideas on setting the scene aromatically for your guests (and banishing unwanted odors before they arrive).

1) Francesca greets her guests with a pretty vase filled with soft green gray eucalyptus and a scented candle strategically placed by the front door for an aromatic entry. Whole Blossoms sells Seeded Eucalyptus by the bunch, starting at $8. We think a eucalyptus chandelier would work just as well. A eucalyptus chandelier, such as this one spotted on 100 Layer Cake, is another option.

2) Am I the only one not to know of this? Run citrus peels through the sink disposal to banish odors with a fresh citrus scent, a technique favored by Christine, Meredith, and Julie.

3) It's not rocket science, but before cooking fish, Michelle opens windows in an adjacent room (not the kitchen). The open window draws the air from the kitchen and sends it outdoors so cooking odors don't build up.

4) Julie relies on a stash of rosemary in the garden for instant tabletop aroma. She also adds a couple of sprigs to the bottom of the trash can before placing in the bag—an effective odor killer. Another trick: incense from Juniper Ridge; Douglas Fir is a favorite (it's especially useful for masking fish odors). Photograph from Gourmandistan.

5) Justine recommends Nellie's Lavender Sticks (she places hers in a tiny porcelain plate on the bathroom shelf); they're meant to be used in the clothes dryer, but work equally well as room fragrance.

6) Alexa likes to throw a vanilla bean and a bay leaf into a stock pot of boiling water (good for neutralizing odors). Premium Bourbon Madagascar Vanilla Beans; $11.49 for a pack of 16 from Amazon. Photograph from Eating Rules.

7) After one of our Remodelista shoots last year, I took home a bunch of fennel stalks tied together with string and hung them upside down on the front door. An added bonus? The scent of anise that wafted in whenever the door was open.

8) Stacey uses a high-grade essential geranium oil for cleaning, but also likes to add several drops to a pot of lightly boiling water. She lets it simmer for 20 minutes until the steam zaps any cooking odors (especially effective after grilling fish). The Aura Cacia Geranium Essential Oil is $8.05 for a 0.5 ounce bottle.

9) I have lots of lavender bushes in the garden. When in bloom, I harvest the flowers and put them in a bowl in the kitchen. I'll often use a few for cooking, but when in need I'll rub the flowers together for a quick blast of lavender.

10) Michelle dislikes the industrial smell of commercial cleaning products. Instead, she uses diluted white vinegar to clean; although it's initially offputting, the acidic smell dissipates faster than commercial products (see our post on how to make your own cleaning solution: Move Over, Mrs Meyer).

See more genius ideas for the home with our 5 Quick Fixes.

When Gabrielle Ekedal moved her SF antiques shop Gypsy Honeymoon from a quiet corner on Guerrero Street to a marque space on bustling Valencia Street, "it was like moving from the country to the city," she says (even the NY Times took note).

A serene space with plenty of natural light, the shop is filled with vintage pieces like silver teapots and porcelain cups arranged artfully on an 18th century Italian console and linens and textiles tucked away behind glass front drawers; as you wind your way to the back of the shop, where owner’s bird chirps quietly away, you feel you've left the urban world behind.

"Everything in the shop is one of a kind," Gabrielle says. Her commitment to offering one-of-a-kind objects is something she considers to be one of Gypsy Honeymoon’s strengths; but she acknowledges that at times it can be a challenge, particularly when an item’s uniqueness comes with a high price. To stay true to her vision of selling “soulful” objects while also offering a mix of prices, Gabrielle began holding stoop sales on the weekend, offering items ranging in price from $1 to $10 dollars. For more information, visit Gypsy Honeymoon.

Above: Gabrielle Ekedal behind the counter at Gypsy Honeymoon; photo by Lianne Milton for the NY Times.

Above: A collection of vintage furniture functions as display for Ekedal's eclectic wares.

Above: One of the shop’s many vignettes, featuring seashells, bits of masonry, and statuettes.

Above: An engraved silver teapot; photograph via Handful of Salt.

Above: A rusted garden table holds pristine white porcelain coffee cups. Photograph via Handful of Salt.

Above: A pale blue wall painted with gold leaf.

Looking for more shops to visit in the area? See 83 additional San Francisco Shops in our City Guide. Sleuthing out the best antique resources? See 137 of our Antiques & Vintage posts in our archive.

Located in Apt, a historic town in Provence, this pair of apartments represents the latest projects from husband and wife design team Sharon and Paul Mrozinski (of the Marston House B&B in Wicasset, Maine).

For the redesign, the couple drew heavily on the ancient spirit of the 17th-century home while at the same time adding a contemporary sensibility. Everywhere the colors and materials of the region are evident; in the deep indigos and terra-cotta reds, the fine linens, and the cool cottons. Though furnished entirely with French vintage pieces and antiques, the effect is timeless. For more information, visit The Marston House and read more about the Mrozinskis and their projects at Design Skool.

Above: A single white glass pendant light hangs over the dining room table.

Above: A room with a view.

Above: Cafe-style seating indoors; for more cafe chairs see our post: 10 Easy Pieces: Cafe-Style Outdoor Seating.

Above: A relaxing garden courtyard is shared between the two apartments.

Two-Bedroom Apartment

Above: The walls of the 17th century building are left in their original condition.

Above: An antique bed frame and single stem rose inspire romance in the tiny bedroom.

Looking for more romantic destinations in France? See 43 of our favorite places to visit in Paris and 7 more in the South of France. Our most recent favorite? D'une Ile Hotel in Le Perche.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on July 14, 2011.

London-based furniture dealer Christopher Howe says of his painted Windsor chairs: "We should all have at least one in a heart-rending color." We agree—and so, apparently, does Crate & Barrel, which has come out with a trio of classic painted chairs at a compelling price.

Above: Howe's Windsor Chairs are traditionally made of beechwood; £225 each.

Above: Crate and Barrel's Willa Chair is an interpretation of the Windsor chair featuring a beechwood frame and a slender spindle back; available in peacock, dove, or snow (we think a mix would be nice around a dining table); $149 each.

Always on the lookout for a deal? See more than 70 finds in our High/Low section.

Last week we celebrated florals and the color pink; this coming week we're taking our inspiration from the movies (is it Oscars week already?).

Above: A new look at based designer Rose Uniacke's grand London home, via the new T Magazine. Photo by Henry Bourne.

• To round off our week of perfumes, check out this video on Bulgarian Rose Oil, spotted on 101 Cookbooks).

• Michelle is sleuthing out the best wallpaper, but what to do with all the samples? We like these 5 Unexpected Uses for Leftover Wallpaper; and stay tuned for more on this topic from Michelle.

Above: We're still thinking about Lace Curtains. Photograph from Bella Notte.

• Christine was mesmerized by this concept of modern monument in multiple cities.

• Love or loathe? The newly designed logo for T Magazine (and did you watch Sofia Coppola's interview with Lee Radziwill?).

• Child-sized furniture by modern masters at Mondo Cane (photo by Lee Clower for Town & Country).

• Alexa's thinking about swapping out her hand-me-down iron, but which of these 10 Best Irons to pick? Leaning toward the Smartek Handheld Steamer.

• Admiring the cool concrete interiors of Sorrento House.

• A French-inspired loft in Atlanta, Georgia?

Above: We all enjoyed An Afternoon With's Mayor Ed Koch at home.

• Here's an idea (11 in fact) that we like: How to Make a Small Space Seem Bigger.

• We've all voted (A+ Architizer Awards). Now it's your turn.

And what about you? Any great books, movies, design discoveries we should know about? Clue us in in the Comments section below!

This week, New York designer Brad Ford describes his version of of what he calls "Authentic Design," illustrated via a guided tour of his own home. He is available for the next 48 hours to answer any and all questions. Ask away!

Growing up in rural Arkansas with the woods for a backyard, designer and taste maker Brad Ford (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) has always been drawn to the organic shapes and colors found in nature. In his New York Chelsea apartment, the designer practices what he preaches and surrounds himself with meaningful objects and artwork that tell interesting stories about his life and experiences. “Designing authentically means working with my clients to work their interests into their spaces,” says Ford. “It’s about getting them over the fear of feeling vulnerable that the things they own and love can't be placed in a context that is beautiful.”

Photography by Eric Striffler.

Above: The designer constantly finds inspiration in nature, whether in its organic shapes and forms or in plants themselves, such as the blossom branches he picked up from the Chelsea flower market around the corner from his apartment. His obsession even extends to insects (notice the Austrian metal grasshopper sitting on the the frame of a Robert Mapplethorpe print). "I have always been intrigued by insects; there is so much beauty in their color and structure," Ford says.

Above: In Ford's harmonious world, a neutral palette allows everything to exist calmly without fighting for attention; as reflected in a Captain's Mirror by BDDW.

Above: Ford mixes vintage midcentury chairs by Danish designer Paul Kjaerholm with an organically shaped wood coffee table by French artist Jerome Abel Seguin. Green cuttings bring a splash of color and nature inside.

Above: The "Donald Juddesque" wall sculpture is made up of wall-mounted metal cabinets from Ikea. "The storage is actually quite handy," Ford says. Ford's father did woodworking as a hobby, and the wood sculpture from a friend reminds him of his father.

Above: "I am drawn to things that are handmade and reflect the work that was put into them," Ford says.

Above: After a trip to South Africa, Ford's family gave him an Impala head which hangs on the wall next to a series of vintage Victorian medical splints. "I am fascinated by their shapes," he says.

Above: Ford was drawn to this midcentury desk because of the unexpected shelf detail, which is ideal for displaying his ceramics. The adjustable standing lamp was designed by the late French designer Andrée Putman.

Above: Ford's artwork includes a small still life painting by the artist who painted the backdrops on the Muppet Show; the watercolor is by David Rathman (it's of a rather polite cowboy: "Sorry, I need to borrow your horse," he says).

Above: "I was drawn to the contrast of the modern use of the color red with the traditional concept of a silhouette," Ford says. "When I start a project, I often ask my clients what their favorite color is and what it represents to them."

Above: Ford's gentle giant Turbo relaxes on the bed as he is overlooked by a map of the moon that Ford found in a flea market. Ford celebrated his first birthday on the day of the first moon landing in 1969.

Above: Ford maximized the width of his bedroom and designed a wall to wall built-in headboard.

Above: Ford introduces a sea of color into this bedroom through his collection of Scandinavian pottery.

Above: "I am drawn to the muted subtle colors of Scandinavian glazing," Ford says. "While bright, they are not garish."

Interested in seeing more of Ford's "Authentic Design"? See A Mobile Bar Inspired by Bourbon and A Holiday Table with Soul.

Have any questions about "Authentic Design" and how to put the concept to work in your own space? Ask away in the Comments section below.

SPONSORED POST

If there’s one thing that makes our job worthwhile, it’s when we hear our friends and readers talk excitedly about their homes. While the small details of color and fabric are important, it’s the grand picture that matters; creating a place of comfort and happiness for family and friends. So when M&M’S® recently invited us to New Orleans to take part in a construction project for a mother and daughter sponsored by Habitat for Humanity, we were excited.

Two days in the vibrant city found us meeting forward-thinking creatives and talking homes and design. We kicked off our trip with the Better with M cocktail hour and dinner at The Foundry, where we toasted with artists and philanthropists (including Ms. Brown herself) over Mars’ efforts to "M-Prove America." The following day, we gathered (hammers in hand) with volunteers at a New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity build site. Working next to like-minded people from all over the country, we were reminded of what motivates us at Remodelista: creating a home of one's own.

Photography by Stacey Lindsay for Remodelista, unless otherwise noted.

Above: On our first night in town, we chose to walk through the French Quarter to the Better with M kickoff party in the warehouse district, which allowed us to admire the city's legendary architecture.

Above: Proving that everything is Better with M, the cocktail hour and dinner at The Foundry was decorated with the iconic candies (they were even present on the menu). The event space was designed by award-winning producer and designer Jes Gordon. When talking about her inspiration for the evening's decor, Gordon said she was going for a "heightened New Orleans" look with a supper club vibe. Gordon, who owns the design firm Proper Fun, marked each table with New Orleans street signs.

Above: Chef, cookbook author, and restaurateur John Besh prepared the evening’s menu of local vegetables, crawfish, and slow-roasted prime rib. Born in Mississippi and raised in New Orleans, he lived and worked in various parts of the world before returning to his roots. When speaking of New Orleans, Besh describes the city as having a true “sense of place,” as well as “the only indigenous urban cuisine left in America.” An avid philanthropist, he uses food as a way to “make a difference in communities across the country.” Photo by Jonathan Bachman.

Above: The following day, we all gathered at the build site with the home's future owner, Gloria Smith, and her daughter Quana. Smith partnered with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity to build "her dream home." A passionate cook, she's most excited to use her new kitchen and will be leaving all the decorating decisions to her daughter. We worked with numerous volunteers constructing and elevating the foundational walls of the three-bedroom home. Of all the houses built, there are about 15 different plans, said Scott Pointer, Director of Construction for New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity.

Above: Near the day's end, the structure was beginning to look like a house. The program staff chooses the plan according to the architecture of the neighborhood, as well as the size of the lot. When we asked about the general strategy behind Habitat, Pointer explained "sweat equity," which refers to the hours of labor each future homeowner must dedicate upon acceptance into the Habitat program (it includes helping to build their own home, as well as those for others). A proven method of educating members on homeownership and maintenance, Pointer says it also builds self-esteem, empowerment, and a sense of community. And this was the spirit of our two days in New Orleans: Building a home, and, as Doug Williams said, "giving people a hand."

Sponsored by:

Spotted at Light Locations: A restored Victorian house in SE London, with a kitchen for the modern-day Mrs. Patmore. Deep farmhouse sink? Check. Marble countertops for rolling out pastry? Check. Classic Aga range for cooking, baking, and drying the tea towels? Yes.

To see more, go to Light Locations and JJ Locations.

Above: The kitchen features a mix of old and new, rough (painted white brick) and refined (marble countertops).

Above: A brick wall painted white serves as a backsplash.

Above: Rustic shelves provide over-the-range storage opportunities.

Above: Rows of windows allow light to flood the dining area.

Above: A rocking chair strategically positioned in a corner allows for kitchen conversations.

Above: A wood paneled wall adds texture in the spare dining area.

Above: In the living room, a pair of gray upholstered Sark Armchairs and a classic Bluebell Sofa, both from Sofa.com.

Above: In the entry hall, a radiator valve painted red adds the only dose of color.

Above: The neutral palette continues in the bedroom, where pale shades of cream, sage green, and lavender prevail.

Above: In the bath, a vintage dresser serves as sink stand.

Do you have brick surfaces in your house, and if so, have you considered painting them white? See more examples at Another Brick in the Wall and Brick Fireplaces Painted White.

Ivania Carpio is an Amsterdam blogger with a distinctive space-age style (dyed gray hair and a monochromatic wardrobe of black, white, and gray). She's also a genius DIYer (or her boyfriend is, at least). Case in point: this simple lean-to wardrobe she devised using plumbing parts.

For instructions, go to Love Aesthetics.

Above: The unit leans against a wall; a lower rail serves as shoe storage.

Above: The ingredients, sourced from a plumbing supply store.

Above: The tubes are held together with brass plumbing joints.

When I decided it was time to change out the curtains in my apartment, I figured I could do it in one weekend. Wrong. First there's the hardware to contend with (I've purchased all eight curtain rods, but they've been sitting in the closet while I decide on the perfect curtain panel). If only I had known about the Bouroullec Brother's latest venture: Ready Made Curtains.

The Ready Made Curtain is an easy-to-install kit that includes everything you need: the curtains themselves, two wooden hanging mechanisms, nine pegs, and 196 inches of cord. The systems are available with a woolen fabric panel in flaming red, navy, or white or as a non-woven textile in white, pale blue (with red cord), or navy. Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec designed the curtain systems for Kvadrat and debuted them at the recent imm Cologne.

Above: The curtains are available with an extension kit for wider windows.

Above: Ready Made Curtains are currently available through Ligne Roset, contact directly for stores and availability.

Above: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec photographed by Linus Ricard for Disegno Magazine.

Above: The curtains can be installed in five easy steps: fix the two mechanisms to the wall or ceiling, wind to create tension in the cord, cut your fabric to the correct length, attach the pegs to the fabric, and hang your curtain.

Above: Two kits: one in warm white with a wood mechanism and the other in pure navy blue.

Above: A peg clamps the top of the non-woven textile to hold it in place.

Above: Studies for determining the peg and winding cord mechanism protype.

N.B.: For more curtains, shop all 19 Window Coverings in our Shop section.

The ultimate spa retreat? The Ranch at Live Oak in Malibu is intimate (only 14 guests per week), austere (maximal outdoor activities and minimal sustenance), and features a rugged, dramatic setting (120 acres of trails above Malibu, with gardens designed by Scott Shrader).

Originally a hacienda from the 1920s, the Ranch was remodeled and expanded earlier this year by proprietors Alex and Sue Glasscock, who now live on the property. There's a lot to like about the interiors: the unhemmed linen coverlets on the beds, the slipcovered director's chairs in the dining room, and the floors and furniture made from salvaged painter's scaffolding. Go to the Ranch at Live Oak Malibu for more information.

All photography by Mark Adams Pictures.

Above: Dining room seating consists of simple director's chairs (some are slipcovered in natural-colored linen).

Above: Ceilings and floors feature reclaimed wood.

Above: Light and air.

Above: Wall niches display stacks of wood.

Above: The imperfect floorboards are reclaimed painter's scaffolding.

Above: Painter's scaffolding was also used to create the outdoor dining table and benches.

Above: Deck chairs and oak trees sit poolside.

Above: The path to La Roma is full of rosemary and purple bearded iris.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original ran on November 1, 2010.

For years, I happily used a vintage one-speed Oster blender with a heavy metal base and glass canister, bought for $30 at Cookin' on Divisadero Street in San Francisco. When it finally gave out, my husband replaced it with a multi-speed imposter that I loathe. On my wish list now: an industrial-strength Vitamix blender, described by one happy owner as "a table saw motor with a blender on top."

Above: Real Simple named the Vitamix 5200 the "Best Superpower Blender"; see their other top blender picks at Real Simple. Prices start at $449.95 for the Vitamix Professional 200 Blender at Williams-Sonoma.

The best flat-screen TV solution we've seen yet: the TV Easel by Swedish designer Axel Bjurstrom, mounted on wheels for easy mobility.

Above: Axel Bjurstrom developed the concept for Panasonic for the Stockholm Furniture Fair; the TV Easel is not in production, but could be a project for an industrious DIYer.

There is no question that District 12 is bleak. Yet, in contrast to the "Gaga-ghoulish" ostentation of The Hunger Games Capitol, there is something in Katniss Everdeen's impoverished home town that we relate to so much more. Perhaps it is the more human scale, or the rustic simplicity of the wood-paneled shacks. Or perhaps it is because, in this humble mining town, we recognize the well-worn, utilitarian icons of America's industrial past.

Above: To recreate District 12, the poor coal-mining district located in the region formerly known as Appalachia, production designer Phil Messina selected an abandoned textile mill village in Henry River, NC, which set decorator Larry Dias populated with industrial-style antiques sourced from local dealers.

Above L: Though tarnished, this vintage silverware still possesses a certain individual elegance. Photo by Elizabeth Maxson. Above R: Featured heavily in District 12, faded florals, ashen grays, and stone-washed blues, like those captured in this photo by Anders Hald, conjure images of America's industrial past.

Above: From Factory 20, a vintage post office wall clock, together with utilitarian sacks stained by wear, evoke the industrial aura of District 12; $935.

Above: Pretty in Patina: the nicks and chips of classic American pieces like this spindle chair from 86 Home and pewter bowls (via Floorabella) only enhance their character.

Above: Salvaged fireplaces, like the one pictured in one of the actual cabins from Henry River Village, are much sought after today. Other salvaged fireplaces available at Salvage One. Photo by Tony Kelly.

Above: Hold the sandpaper! The rust and worn wood of these industrial objects from Factory 20 add warmth, personality, and a sense of history.

Above: No company celebrates the dignity of distessed materials like Private 0204. Taking vintage hemp rugs, complete with tears and tatters, the company adds extra patina to its carpets by soaking them in salt water for the ultimate stone-washed look.

Above: Although it's been "cutisfied," tough and durable vintage ticking, like this Pillow from Tribute 212, was a long-time standard in American bedding; $32.

Above: Industrial pendants like this galvanized lamp from HK Living and Waldorf Pendant from Schoolhouse Electric ($199) were featured in many District 12 sets.

Above: My grandmother used to transfer rubbing alcohol from the ugly drugstore plastic jug to an antique apothecary bottle like these from The Hope Tree; $49. (Yes, they're French, but I loved the packaging.) You can use bottles like these as vases or to force bulbs.

Above: Synonymous with farmhouse rustic, wire crates and grain sacks from Tribute 212; $50.

Above: An industrial cart becomes a coffee table.

N.B. Looking for more District 12 inspiration? Shop our picks for the most storied industrial accents for your home.

London film director and Remodelista friend Gaby Dellal is a serial thrill-seeker; even when it comes to house renovations. Her unorthodox approach begins with intuition and carries on accordingly without a plan for the entirety of the project—definitely not a prescription for the faint-hearted.

And when the house in question is a large four-story London townhouse, untouched for sixty years, this can be either very frightening or, in the case of our friend, completely exhilarating. Dellal, whose recent work includes Abandoned (soon to be released in the UK), starring Jeremy Piven, and the ITV series Leaving, starring Helen McCrory (fun fact: McCrory is married to Homeland's Damian Lewis), finds inspiration in memories and spurns the concept of anything that is too perfect. "I love texture and color," she says. "I decide on something and then find a way of making it work."

Photography by Simon Bevan for Remodelista.

Above: "I spotted these graphic encaustic cement tiles from Emery et Cie and knew they were perfect for the front hall," Dellal says. "When we laid the tiles, though, they were a few inches short. I found a piece of wood in my scrap collection in the garden and we added it as trim."

Above: "I am a very visual person, and it's very important to me to get the set right on all my films," Delall says. "That's why the production designers love me—I'm always with them." The large-scale black-and-white photograph is made up of six felt panels by Brooklyn artist Lorna Simpson.

Above: "We purchased the Ancien flooring before the work on the renovation even started; we left it to dry for a year," Dellal says. "I find the uneven surface appealing." The Alexander Calder print on the wall, which Dellal grew up with, was a present from her father.

Above: When she moved in, Dellal's kitchen had a pink wall. Rather than paint over it, she proceeded to match the pink and use it around the room. She liked the texture of some of the existing panels so much that she left them unpainted.

Above: "I found the yellow midcentury yellow table at 52 Meters and moved it into the pink room," Dellal says. "I wasn't concerned about their matching, I knew I could make it work." She already owned the green and yellow glass in the sidelight and realized they would be perfect in her new kitchen. The kitchen island was designed also to be a bookshelf (a set of zinc-faced drawers add contrast to the wood cabinets). "I have never had a fitted kitchen in my life," she says.

Above: "I like to find things and make them work.," Dellal says. When her three boys were younger, the baker's trays held their sports equipment. She commissioned metal fabricator John Aspery to make the pot rail in the spirit of a stately home she visited in Cornwall. Dellal's cinematographer partner, David Johnson, bought the English Electric refrigerator when he moved to London; it was his first major appliance purchase.

Above: Dellal purchased the folk art "Fresh Eggs" panels many years ago when she lived in LA. Sitting on an airplane and looking out the window, she was inspired by the metal rivets of the plane's wing and worked with metal fabricator John Aspery to create the same effect on her kitchen cabinets.

Above: Dellal opened up a wall and installed a pine wine rack as a room divider (she commissioned John Aspery to create a metal frame with a marble shelf as a bar, providing transparency between the kitchen and the pantry). "The original idea was to fill the wine rack with empty green bottles and let the light flow through," Dellal says.

Above: The pantry holds Dellal's plate collection from South African artist Hylton Nel. Rife with political statements (example: "Champagne for my friends, fuck the bastards"), the plates are Delall's everyday china.

Above: Dellal opened the back wall out to the garden and inserted metal doors with yellow glass panes. She transformed a piece crewel work (a present from her sister, Geminola dress store owner Lorraine Kirke) into a curtain by adding brocade at the bottom and lining the crewel with pink and beige sacking cloth (we think the sisters share an eclectic design DNA; see A Designer Haunt in NY and tell us if you think the same).

Above: The neon sign is a birthday present from her three sons. "She's a Mimimins (their nickname for their mother)," and hangs above a portrait of Picasso.

Above: Dellal's three dogs snooze in front of a painting by her artist friend Damian Elwes.

Above: A series of drawings by artist Gary Simmons sets the tone in Dellal's bedroom.

Above L: A garage roller shutter is used to panel the hallway leading to one of her son's rooms. Above R: A shower is located on the other side of the bookcase, which is comprised of old bread boards. "I'm a bit of an exhibitionist, and I thought it would be fun to pull out a book and see someone in the shower," Dellal says. "I also like to see the reverse side of books," she adds. The roller shutter and bread boards were purchased from Architectural Forum.

Above: "The Americana memories I have are from visiting my best friend (the artist Tarka Kings) in Wyoming when we were young," Dellal says. "They have always stayed with me." Removing a false ceiling revealed an exposed wood ceiling, which Dellal preserved by insulating the room from the other side of the beams.

Above: Dellal created the tile pattern on her terrace based on a Frank Lloyd Wright tapestry she saw several years ago at a Guggenheim retrospective. She worked with architect Charles Tashima to create a pattern that would not repeat perfectly. "I wanted it to look like it been there forever," Dellal says. The midcentury outdoor furniture is from Philip Thomas.

Very few people can resist the allure of an exposed ceiling. Imagine what it would be like to have your own with 996 images of Exposed Ceilings in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.