Where there's smoke there's fire, or at least that's the case at John Salt, a newly opened pub in Islington specializing in open-flame cuisine.

With new chef Neil Rankin at the helm, the John Salt Bar in London is operated by 580 Limited, an independent pub company managing a hand-full of unique restaurants and bars in the UK. Most of the produce is sourced from suppliers in Cornwall and 90 percent of the menu has had some degree of smoke or fire added to it. For more information, visit John Salt. Photos by Paul Winch Furness.

Above: Designer and curator Ben Chapman is the visionary behind the interiors. The table and some of the seating is made from Jewson's (the UK version of Home Depot) offcuts.

Above: Hanging globe pendant lamps with the bar's name printed in red (Photo via Petite Passport).

Above: A detail of the counter edge.

Above: The long bar counter is clad in black and white geometric pattered tiles, paired with bar stools made from tubular black steel and wooden planks.

Above: Leather seating add a masculine touch to the bar.

Above: A simple table setting with amber medicine bottle as mini vase and French Picardie glasses.

Above: One area of the restaurant has tube lighting, cane chair seating (Cesca by Marcel Breuer), and a long tufted built-in banquette.

N.B.: Visiting London any time soon? See our UK City Guide for other visit-worthy options.

The art of designing (and redesigning) a home is an act of expression available to all: it’s what Remodelista is all about. The creating, designing, imagining what will be—this is the fun part. And then there’s the upkeep; the less-than-thrilling (read: dreaded) part.

The good news? Our relationship with cleaning is one thing that we can change. Take it from me: a cleaning convert who used to recoil at the sight of a dustpan. If we can start to look at our abodes as, truly, our homes—the heart of our lives—we can adjust our perspectives on cleaning. Maybe, just maybe, we can see daily upkeep not as a chore, but as a way to say thank you. Here are 10 ways to make cleaning less of a chore:

Above: Linge Particulier linens from France, via Bodie and Fou.

1. Start every day by making your bed. As a lifelong rumpled-covers-leaver, reading the book The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg ($15.86 on Amazon) changed my life. I learned that daily bed-making is something called a keystone habit: “those routines that, if you can identify them, spill over to other habits.” According to Duhigg, changing or cultivating keystone habits "helps other habits to flourish by creating new structures, and they establish cultures where change becomes contagious." A keystone habit is essentially a catalyst for other good habits. (One year later: I’m still making my bed every day, an act typically followed by having my kids make theirs.)

2. Do it now. Trust me, I’m a professional procrastinator—but I’ve learned: that elusive period of time we call “later” never actually arrives. We all face resistance on a daily basis: I hate cleaning out the refrigerator! Hate it! Hate it! Hate it! In the yoga world, this resistance is called tapas, which means “to hurt or cause pain.” (Remember, not all pain is bad!) If we can push through this type of pain, we’ll arrive at the other side feeling much better (and, with a clean kitchen, to boot). One thing that helps me is to notice my inner screaming, silently say tapas to myself, and carry on with the cleaning anyway. Studies show that delayed tasks take longer to complete—so save yourself the time: do it now.

Above: The most beautiful cleaning implements we know of come from Andrée Jardin in France.

3. Invest in beautifully designed, quality cleaning products. Good design in everyday objects makes life more beautiful, more satisfying, and more fun. Winston Churchill said, "We shape our dwellings, and afterwards, our dwellings shape us." Invest in quality, good-looking products and let them shape your experience. Here are a few of my favorites: the Normann Dustpan + Brush ($30 at Y Living); the Spongester ($28 at Uncommon Goods), and Caldrea Pop-Up Sponges ($11.99 at Ashton Green); the Alessi Handheld Vacuum Cleaner ($195 at the Alessi shop); the Two Fold Holder from Umbra ($49.99 at Ashton Green). And once it becomes available, I’ll be snatching up this Self-Standing Broom by award-winning designer Poh Liang Hock.

4. Make your home-organizing a time of inner peace. If we want to, we can choose to see homekeeping as a way to express love for our housemates, our family, and our home. As I learned from Zen and the Art of Housekeeping ($10.95 on Amazon): Slow down, and take the time to clean mindfully. First, look at the living room in disarray, notice the newspapers scattered on the floor, the pillows deflated, and the blankets askew. Admire (ha!) the glory of this gone-to-hell-in-a-handbasket space. Then, slowly, start to clean it—feel the textures of pillows you fluff and the blankets you fold. When you finish, notice how much better you feel (and how great the room looks).

5. Put on music that you love; let it be a time to sing and move your body. As someone who truly loathed cleaning for many years, I have tried everything. One thing that always helps? Great music. Before I fold and fluff, I try to remember the value in what I am doing: creating a happy, healthy home.

Above: You're more likely to use your cleaning tools if they're close at hand; we like Vipp's dustpan with magnetic hanger.

6. Bring every room back to “ready” before you leave. I learned this tip from It’s Hard to Make a Difference When You Can’t Find Your Keys by Marilyn Paul ($12.99 for the Kindle Edition), and if I could follow just one rule of housekeeping—this would be it. It’s simple, and it works. Before you dash off to work: pause, take ten minutes now (instead of thirty-minutes-and-a-giant-mess later), and put everything back into its proper place.

7. Always be pruning. Or, what I call: Ten minutes a day, keeps the clutter-crazies away. I’ve mentioned Gretchen Rubin's best-selling book The Happiness Project before, as it has many pearls of wisdom about happiness and daily life at home. My copy is earmarked and note-filled, with many quotes underlined. One of my favorites reads, "What you do every day matters more than what you do every once in awhile." Most of us have an abundance of stuff, and we’re always acquiring more. But, if we prune, prune, prune throughout the day and toss any Haven’t Used In A Year items, we can avoid the humongous pile-up and dreaded cleaning marathon.

8. Reward yourself for cleaning up. Another thing I learned from Duhigg’s fascinating book is that we are, in fact, creatures of habit. (And we love rewards.) Habits are made up of a three-part loop: the trigger (a gorgeous dustpan), the routine (dust, dust, dust), and the reward (a trip to that new gelato place down the street, anyone?). The reward is key—it tells our brain if we should store this habit for future use or not. (Gelato means, yes.)

9. If you can afford it, hire a house cleaner. As the great playwright John Heywood said, “Many hands make light work.” (Nobody said you had to do it all by yourself.) If you can outsource some of your housework, I say, good for you—and go for it. An added bonus: you may find yourself tidying up before your cleaner arrives.

10. Remember that your house (your apartment, wherever you reside) is a home. It bears repeating, as this simple attitude adjustment is the key to changing your relationship with housework. I’ve posted this quote, by Truman Capote, to remind me: "If you sweep a house, and tend its fires and fill its stove, and there is love in you all the years you are doing this, then you and that house are married, that house is yours."

William Hefner and Kazuko Hoshino design some of LA's grandest homes, but when it came time to remodel their own 3,800-square-foot Hancock Park house, they took a different route.

The couple (he's the principal at Studio William Hefner and she heads the firm's interior design department) consciously "decided not to think about resale value and instead to do what we like," Hefner says. "We didn't want the house to feel too large. The whole idea was not to fill up the lot with house, but to create a living space that takes advantage of the outdoors." To that end, Hefner oriented the rear of the house to the outdoors; French doors open onto a landscaped garden and pool area, with a small poolhouse serving as guest quarters.

When the couple bought the 1920s Spanish-style stucco house, "The interior had been stripped of all character," Hefner says. "The kitchen had Formica countertops, and the windows were sliding aluminum." Inspired by a trip to Provence, Hefner and Hoshino took their design cues from that region, stripping the house to the studs and creating an entirely overhauled interior with subtle, rustic touches. To see more, go to Studio William Hefner.

Above: Hefner designed the landscaping himself ("I'm a control freak," he says. "I like to execute the entire vision on my projects").

Above: The couple used a single shade of Benjamin Moore white throughout the interiors to create a calm, unified feel. The floors are 5-inch-wide white oak stained walnut.

Above: Hoshino designed the crisp, modern interiors.

Above: In the kitchen, Hefner designed the tongue and groove white oak cabinetry, which has a semi-transparent wash. "The idea was to add rustic elements like the wrought iron cabinet pulls from Gerber Hardware," Hefner says. "The Calacatta gold marble that we used for the counters and the backsplashes adds a warm tone and add a bit of drama. We looked long and hard for the right slab."

Above: Hefner designed the custom steel doors and had them made by a fabricator for "a fraction of the cost of commercially available doors."

Above: "The French doors face east, toward the pool; you really feel like you're outside," Hefner says. "Since we spend most our time as a family in the kitchen (we have a four-year-old son), we decided to add a fireplace for a living room feel." The pendants are from Circa Lighting.

Above: Hoshino uses a mix of traditional and modern pieces in her interiors.

Above: An elegant dining area with gold and brass accents.

Above: The Mercer Bathtub and the plumbing fixtures are from Urban Archaelogy in New York ("we wanted it to feel more like a room and less like a bathroom," Hefner says); the floor is tumbled travertine parquet.

Above: Hefner designed the whimsical marble backsplash.

Above: A view of the garden.

Above: A view of the elegant pool area.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on September 14, 2012.

It's UK designer Ilse Crawford's fault: she turned us on to the charms of brass hardware a while back. Ever since, we've been on a quest for the perfect unlacquered brass cabinet knob.

When searching for the perfect knob, skip the zinc core and go straight to solid brass. Here are 10 solid brass cabinet knobs to choose from, in a mix of finishes:

Above: Brass cabinet hardware and a brass chandelier add a note of warmth in the kitchen of the Ilse Crawford-designed Ett Hem; see more at Subtle Splendor in Stockholm.

Above: The Plain Round Cabinet Knob is made of hand-polished, unlacquered brass; $10 each from Rejuvenation.

Above: The Baldwin Brass Pull from the Classic Collection is made of solid brass with a polished finish for $4.20 each from Handle Sets.

Above: The Trent Knurled Knob is $85 for the polished brass knob from Urban Archeology.

Above: The Top Knob Somerset Flat-Faced Round Knob is made of pure brass with a polished finish; $6.39 from Knobs and Hardware.

Above: The Lauréy 443 Solid Brass Knob with a satin finish is $6.99 from Knobs and Hardware.

Above: The 3/4-Inch Knob is made of solid brass and available in polished (shown) or antiqued brass; $5.60 each from Whitechapel.

Above: House of Antique Hardware's Providence Cabinet Knob is 1.25 inches in diameter and made of solid forged brass; $6.59 each.

Above: The Classic, Round Brass Cabinet Knob is made from solid brass bar stock with a traditional shape for $5.49 from Crown City Hardware.

Above: The Classic Brass Cabinet Knob 1032PB is $3.05 from Crown Hardware.

Obsessed with brass? Get inspired with 53 ways of incorporating Bronze & Brass in interiors. In the middle of a remodeling project? Source all your Cabinet Hardware from our Shop section. Or make it yourself with our DIY Video: How to Make a $20 Cabinet Pull for $2.

I first noticed it in "The Last Station." That glorious combo of autumnal amber and inky blue, it had all the majesty and warmth of fall leaves against a bright blue sky. It seems the rest of film and television caught on because now I see this regal duo everywhere, from "Wallander's" moody domain to the US Marshall's office in "Justified." Of course, even off screen, designers are not ignorant of the drama of indigo and gold.

Above: At Matto, and Italian eatery in Shanghai, Darryl Goveas, Founder and Director, Pure Creative International used golden lamps and rich indigo fabrics to add touch of warmth and elegance to the industrial space. Image via Yatzer.

Above: From an old issue of Domino, this almost-black wall dramatically offsets the graphic and gold art collection.

Above: At LA's Laurel Hardware, golden pendants against indigo wallpaper adds an air of pub-like romance to the dining area.

Above: At Hudson Merchant House indigo and gold are employed to evoke a more classical feel.

Above: At Susan and William Brinson's house an indigo wall is an excellent place to showcase the couple's collection of vintage letter plates. Image via Design Sponge.

Above: A little bathroom humor, English color-masters Farrow and Ball use indigo to create and dramatic (but not too serious) bath.

N.B. Looking to add a little mystery to your home? Browse all our indigo inspirations.

Cinema Sil Plaz was born out of necessity. When the last cinema in the Alpine town of Ilanz, Switzerland, closed down over twenty years ago, resident moviegoers banded together to form their own film club. The club’s 300 members were constantly on the lookout for places to screen movies, and after several years of screening in makeshift locations, the idea of having a permanent home for a new theater began to take hold.

In 2004, club members discovered a former 19th century forge that had recently become vacant. Using a mix of local and imported materials, film club members and local architects Ramun Capaul and Gordian Blumenthal created an inviting, minimalist movie theater that has become a cultural hub for the inhabitants of the surrounding Surselva district.

What can’t be conveyed through photographs are the sensory details that add to Cinema Sil Plaz’s charm: the smell of aged leather and raw wood, the feel of the waxed rammed earth floor and untreated walls, and even the occasional (unintended) sound of church bells ringing from next door, sometimes right in the middle of a movie.

Photography by Bruno Augsburger and Laura Egger for Cinema Sil Plaz, unless otherwise noted.

Above: Cinema Sil Plaz opened in the fall of 2010 with a screening of Jean Luc Godard’s Breathless. The screening room is made of rammed earth.

Above: The earthy hue of the theater’s 52 seats contrast with the stark black speakers and spartan light fixtures. The seats were made locally with an oak hardwood frame. And while the architects express a preference for local materials, the sheep leather they chose for the chairs was sourced from Marrakech.

Above: A porthole provides a view into the screening room from the projectionists’ room. Photograph from Foundation Pour L'Architecture.

Above: Intermission during movies is regularly observed in the theater’s upstairs bar, which was designed to encourage lingering. A raised wooden stage houses vintage tables and chairs on movie nights where moviegoers can sit to enjoy drinks and snacks. On nights when there are no screenings scheduled, it’s also where bands perform.

Above: A sliding barn door made of steel opens into the bath.

Above: The bathroom just off the theater's bar.

Above: A raised wooden stage houses tables and chairs on movie nights. Bands perform on this stage on nights when there is no movie scheduled.

Above: Cinema Sil Plaz is located at Via Centrala 2 in Ilanz, Switzerland.

For more about rammed earth, see our post: Rammed Earth House by CCS Architects. Interested in a similar look? See more posts on Concrete in our archive. Like French film like Godard's Breathless? See our recent post on Truffaut-Inspired Colored Carnations.

Is there anything more glamorous than a chaise lounge (or longue)? Greek gods and goddesses were thought to recline in them, Egyptian royalty rested on ebony or ivory frames, and they were used to exhibit social status during the French Rococo period.

Chaise lounge chairs are meant for one thing: lounging—even if that means with laptop in hand (as we might be inclined to do here at Remodelista). Below are our ten favorite fainting couches; some are more modern daybeds, others a traditional méridienne style, and a few unconventional options.

Above: From Francesca: "I have this chaise in my bedroom covered in pale blue velvet. It's a reproduction that Lost City Arts makes. Perfectly proportioned; lean and sleek, and surprisingly comfortable. A great spot for kids that have wondered in in the middle of the night." The Mirror Image Sofa is $4,200 from Lost City Arts. See more of Francesca's Brooklyn Heights home, featured in this month's Elle Decor.

Above: Margot is coveting John Derian's Pond Chaise Lounge from Cisco Brothers, "I like that it's diminutive (so many chaises these days are outsized and overly padded) and looks ideal for reading a Barbara Pym novel." She currently owns a chaise from the late sculptor John Risely, who taught at Wesleyan University and specialized in making figural steel furniture in the 1960s and 70s: "John was the father of a friend, and I commissioned one of his nun chaises when I was earning my first paychecks and the chair was one of his vintage designs. It's lived with me ever since—currently perched outside under a shady elm. It's more art than chair, a model of inspiration if not comfort."

Above: Christine says, "When you live small, you are always looking for furniture with more than one use. This Day Bed by Another Country works perfectly for daytime lounging and as a guest bed at night." The Oak Day Bed with a Gray Mattress is $2,425 (or £2,150 in the UK) from Another Country. Photograph by Matthew Williams.

Above: From Janet: I like a chaise to envelope m, a spot to cozy up with a book at the end of a long day. I am coveting the traditional Sherlock Daybed from the venerable British furniture maker George Sherlock. The Sherlock daybed has a webbed and hand-stuffed back and hand-sprung seat with loose feather filled back and seat cushions. Available through Ruby Beets at a base price of $5,750.

Above: Julie admired Ochre's Eternal Dreamer Corner Ottoman chaise last week on a visit to New York. "I like the contrast between the minimalist steel frame and the almost absurdly overstuffed cushions covered in bright, ethnic-inspired wool."

Above: Sarah's pick: "It's not a traditional chaise lounge, but it's exactly what I would use to recline with a good book and plenty of pillows. This is one of those products that only when I saw it in person, at Heath Ceramics in San Francisco, did I really appreciate the design. It's on the 'will-buy-one-day' list." The Saddle Leather Cot is available in seven different finishes of steel legs; contact Garza Furniture for pricing and availability.

Above: In the right setting, Alexa's favorite chaise is Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Couch for the hand tufted cowhide leather and mahogany hardware, but she likes it best in white. Available at Design Within Reach for $8,856.

Above: Meredith's pick is the e15 Theban Daybed for being, "so ahead of its time for having been designed in 1925. The chair is inspired by Egypt, hence the name; the sandy color and woven seat are fit for a pharoah." Available in waxed solid European oak with a gray textile or vegetable tanned woven leather surface, the daybed is £3,200 from Nest in the UK.

Above: From Justine: I'm longing to create a storied reading nook in a corner by a tall window in my historical home with an antique chaise like this one from Jayson Home. This piece has such history, it makes me feel like I myself am a character in a novel." The Antique Unupholstered Chaise Lounge is $3,495 from Jayson Home.

Above: From Michelle: "I like the business end of a sectional, the chaise part of it where you can put your feet up and settle in for a long evening of Foyle's War. Somehow the fact that other TV watchers in the room have their feet on the floor heightens it for me." A Gus Modern Jane Loft Bi-Sectional (in "husk" color) is $2,495 from ABC Home.

Looking for more living room seating? Explore 136 Sofas and 32 Side Chairs in our Shop section.

Whenever we're in LA, Julie and I head straight to Joan's on Third (it doesn't hurt that it's across the street from Noodle Stories, our favorite clothing shop in the city).

Joan McNamara founded her eponymous cafe and gourmet goods market in the 1990s, when her catering company expanded to include a sliver of a cafe. (At the time, Third Street was a much quieter affair.) Today McNamara's culinary emporium has grown to include deli cases packed with sparkling fresh salads, a bakery, a gelato bar, and a cheese counter. McNamara, who hails from New Jersey, spent a brief stint working for industrial designer Paul McCobb in New York before she moved into the culinary world. Her love of design has been a constant and is on display throughout the interiors of Joan's, from the all-white interior with black accents to the vintage finds she uses to display goods. We're looking forward to her next iteration; another Joan's is scheduled to open in Studio City later this year. For information, visit Joan's on Third.

Photography by Laure Joliet for Remodelista.

Above: The exterior features an antique, wall-mounted stone water fountain by the main doors.

Above: An antique communal dining table; white hex tiles cover the floor.

Above: McNamara's attention to detail is evident throughout: Silverware is stored in stoneware jars, vintage baking tins house sachets of sugar, and stoneware mustard jars hold flowers. We're always impressed by the array of simple, fresh flowers on display.

Above: Vintage dolly tubs (originally used to wash clothes) display popcorn and crackers.

Above: A marble-topped table under a vintage mirror (L). A wall of gourmet goods on display; note the vintage clock on the far wall (R).

Above: Vintage scales sit on a marble counter; white marble is used throughout the store.

Above: Pasta, cheeses, and fresh bread.

Above: The bakery section features a selection of goods displayed on cake stands. Vintage milk glass lighting hangs above.

Above: An antique cupboard serves as a station for milk and sugar.

Above: Black Tolix chairs in the outdoor dining area on Third Street.

Want more apothecary chic? Consult Steal This Look: Perfect Powder Room at Joan's on Third.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on April 16, 2012.

The ultimate, Downton Abbey-worthy work apron? We think so; Kelly Dawson and Scott Ogden of Dawson Denim have spent the last 15 years working in denim; they hand-make their selvage workwear aprons in their Brighton workshop UK using top-of-the-line Red line selvage from Japan. "Drop us a line for more geeky denim history anytime," they say.

Every Dawson apron comes in a presentation box with a Log Book (you can return your apron to Dawson Denim if it needs a repairing). There are four apron models to choose from, all based on historical garments that the couple have collected over the years. To see the range, go to Dawson Denim.

Above: The Mechanic Apron was inspired by WWII army issue; £95.

Above: Each apron comes in its own presentation box, complete with a Log Book.

Above: The apron features copper grommets, Dawson-branded die set buttons, heavy cotton webbing tape, and copper rivets.

See more of our retro-inspired Domestic Science picks (we admit it; we have a weakness for utilitarian, hard-wearing household goods.

Hotel-meets-loft-living in this "one-of-a-kind urban lodge that conjures up the ideal pied-a-terre" as Palihotel describes itself. Conveniently located in West Hollywood between Sunset and Melrose the hotel offers a combination of suites and residences and has become a bolt-hole for those needing an extended stay, civilians and celebs alike. For more information go to Palihouse.

Above: The French inspired bar with marble topped bistro tables.

Above: The hotel's tiled lobby has plenty of space for congregating groups.

Above: Morning coffee.

Above: The Courtyard Brasserie leading off the lobby area.

Above: A clubby look decorated with a mix of one of a kind finds.

Above: One of the bedrooms that comes with a mini kitchen.

Above: A kitchen in one of the penthouse suites that are for sale.

Combining striking views of London with 1970s Brutalist architecture (lacking in warmth and personality for some) can pose an interesting design challenge. This English and Italian couple wanted their easily distracted guests to cease thinking of their apartment as a viewing platform; after all, this 29th floor flat in London's Barbican Center was their home.

Enter London’s most high-profile reclamation experts and designers, Retrouvius. Not only did they bring in their own mix of reworked materials and furniture, they also worked with the couple to highlight their personal artifacts; enabling them to ultimately reclaim their home.

Unless otherwise noted, photography by Tom Fallon for Retrouvius.

Above: Retrouvius used the colored spines of the couple's antique books as a starting point in determining the palette of the soft furnishings. The custom upholstery of the sofa echoes the spines of the books.

Above: Retrouvius used the graceful lines of the couple's existing standing Italian lamp to inform their choices of midcentury Italian furniture. Photograph by Debi Treloar for Ryland Peters & Small from Reclaiming Style by Retrouvius partners Maria Speake and Adam Hills.

Above: At the beginning of the project, Retrouvius brought in a selection of midcentury pieces and arranged them in different configurations to understand the various ways in which the space could be used. Photograph by Debi Treloar for Ryland Peters & Small from Reclaiming Style by Retrouvius partners Maria Speake and Adam Hills.

Above L: The colors of the large and small mosaic tiles in this 1950s boomerang-shaped coffee table inspired the tones of the upholstery in the living area of the flat. Above R: A more neutral palette sits in front of the sliding partition, made from reclaimed parquet flooring from the floor of a primary school.

Above: The parquet partition breaks down the scale of the main space by dividing it into three interlinked sections while adding warmth and color through its reconditioned rich shades of aged tropical hardwood. Retrouvius created the partition with hardwood parquet pieces that were hand sanded and applied them to an existing sliding five meter partition panel. The partition houses heating as well as reflecting warm lighting tones into the room becoming a radiator both physically and visually.

Above: The dining table was made with salvaged hardwoods that complement the tones of the parquet partition.

Above: The deep red hue in a strip along the bottom of the wall cabinets in the kitchen is also used on the sliding doors of the dining room and inspired by the colors in the rug under the dining room table. To keep things from appearing too coordinated, Retrouvius upholstered the 1954 JL Moller Model 75 chairs with different materials; red leather salvaged from Dunhill and neutral linen. Photograph by Debi Treloar for Ryland Peters & Small from Reclaiming Style by Retrouvius partners Maria Speake and Adam Hills.

Above: "Designing with salvaged materials requires vision," Retrouvius say. "What were once old scuffed floors have become a sculptural feature at the heart of a sophisticated apartment." Photograph by Debi Treloar for Ryland Peters & Small taken from Reclaiming Style by Retrouvius partners Maria Speake and Adam Hills.

Above: Retrouvius reclaimed a Turkish flat weave rug by turning it into the headboard cover.

Above: Retrouvius sourced an elegant 1950s sideboard and mirror for the clients.

Above: The vintage Indian bedspread sets the tone and color palette of the guest bedroom.

Above L: The bathroom has been lined in reclaimed iroko hardwood and fossil limestone. Above R: The view of London that may not be so distracting anymore.

The owners of this flat are great book lovers whose collection of books were very influential in the design of this flat. See 382 images of how Books can influence the design of your home in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

Love them or loathe them, the flat screen TV is part of the domestic landscape. Here are five clever suggestions for integrating one into your life.

Above: In a Brooklyn loft, the TV becomes part of an art wall. Photograph by Ragnar Ómarsso via Skona Hem.

Above: A black-framed television is barely noticeable when hung on a chalkboard painted wall in this Calgary kitchen designed by Nam Dang-Mitchell. Photograph by Stacey Van Berkel-Haines via Style at Home.

Above: A flat screen TV is cleverly concealed in the gas fireplace chimney clad in reclaimed white pine in this Hudson Valley home featured in Country Living. Photograph by Mikkel Vang.

Above: An artist's easel in the San Francisco home of graphic designer and artist Jennifer Morla and her architect husband Nilus de Matran. Morla's art studio doubles as a den for her teen girls with a TV propped on her easel (a flower pot accommodates the rest of the electronics). See a tour of their house in our post, At Home with an SF Design Duo. Photograph by Mimi Giboin for Remodelista.

Above: Sliding wood panels conceal a flat screen in the meeting room at Kenzo Estates designed by Backen Gillam Kroeger Architects.

For more clever solutions to domestic dilemmas, check out our 5 Quick Fixes.

Our friend David John of You Have Been Here Sometime recently turned us on to Bestia, the latest addition to LA's burgeoning downtown Arts District. Here's what John has to say:

"Across the street from the Modernica warehouse in the developing area of downtown, Bestia (translated as 'The Beast') is a modern Italian restaurant from husband and wife team Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. Gergis, a pastry chef, worked with downtown design firm Studio Unltd on the design; the 4,000-square-foot restaurant has, as she says, a "discarded-slaughterhouse vibe" meets old-world Italian farmhouse, combined with elements of elegance from the art deco period." For more, go to Bestia.

Photography by David John.

Above: Industrial lighting comprised of meat hooks and light bulbs.

Above: In working with the idea of a "discarded-slaughterhouse," Studio Unltd designed meat-hook inspired lighting over the communal tables, adding a sense of darkness and humor to the restaurant.

Above: A detail of the light bulb hanging from the meat hook.

Above: Red stools lined up at the cocktail bar with custom-designed copper surface built to age over time.

Above: Tables with bright safety orange painted farmhouse legs and a red and white oak table top designed by LA fabrication team District. The sleek "barrier free" booths anchor the warehouse industrial brick room.

Above: The wallpaper in the bar area is from Brooklyn company Flavor Paper.

Above: Patterned tiles are used in front of the pizza oven-bar and in the entryway.

Above: A rustic chunky cottonwood butcher block table.

Above: Custom tulip lights by Brothers of Industry hover over the booths, creating a field of metal flowers.

Above: Hanging above the bar are a suite of yellow glass jug pendants by Cisco in Los Angeles.

Above: The former factory building's corrugated siding with Bestia painted in oversized letters.

Want to check out more of LA's latest restaurants? See our LA City Guide.

A few months after the release of Tom Ford's first movie, "A Single Man," my brother-in-law asked me what I thought of the film. I said that I loved it and thought it was beautiful. When he (a cinematographer, and ergo a film snob) asked why, I said, "Because that house is so gorgeous!"

The cinematic Schaffer House is a midcentury masterpiece designed in 1949 by architect John Lautner, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West and became one of the more prolific modernists practicing in Southern California during the mid-century. Designed for the Schaffers, a couple who wanted "a house that feels as if we're picnicking under the oak trees," the house is constructed of wood, concrete, and glass in Lautner's signature organic minimalist style.

As for "A Single Man," Tom Ford (of Gucci and YSL fame) didn't leave any art direction to chance for his first film, and filled it with beautiful things: actors Julianne Moore and Colin Firth, cameos by former Gucci models, and of course, that house.

N.B. The Schaffer House, located in Glendale outside of LA, recently sold for a cool $1.395 million.

Photography by Elizabeth Daniels.

Above: The roof of the Schaffer House appears to float, leaning against a sheet of glass.

Above: The home is surrounded by an oak forest, which influenced both the form and orientation of the house. At the back of the living room is a chaise by George Nakashima.

Above: The wood used in the home is entirely clear-heart redwood. Above, a chair and stools by Nakashima.

Above L: Lautner used planes of slatted wood--both horizontal and vertical--to divide space and provide privacy throughout the open floor plan. Above R: Pebbles reside both indoors and out, a nod to the famed ideal of California indoor/outdoor living.

Above: Concrete floors transition seamlessly from indoors out. (Inside, original sub-floor radiant heating warms the home.)

Above: Installed at an angle, a wall of glass maximizes light and nature views.

Above: When the large pivoting doors are open, the patio becomes another room.

Above: The redwood ceiling extends well beyond the interior of the house.

Above: Like many midcentury masterpieces, the Schaffer House looks best at night.

Loving midcentury but itching for kitchens? See 21 photos of Midcentury Kitchens in our gallery of rooms and spaces.

Earlier this week, we posted on Swedish designer Axel Bjurstrom's TV easel, but Tricia Rose of Rough Linen might have beat him to it.

Tricia Rose, our Marin County-based friend, designed and built her own flat screen easel with the help of a chop saw, which she highly recommends, "it makes it all so much easier, perfect angles and straight cuts." Read on for further instruction:

Above: The finished product.

Above: "The tricky bit was getting the correct compound angles where they all join at the top with one long bolt," says Rose, who is shown here working out the right angles, brace points, and eyeline of the easel. In the end, she used three 2 x 4s, bracing the front legs with two shorter, horizontally placed pieces of wood; one at the top where the TV screen is screwed into, and one at the bottom where it rests.

Above: Rose installed a chain to run from the lower horizontal brace in front to the back leg of wood to balance the entire piece, just a standard easel does. The final touch was adding three Steel Casters to the bottom of the legs. Our favorite detail? Rose covers the set with an interesting piece of linen scrim that she pieced together when the TV is not in use.

Read more about Tricia Rose and her line of linens based out of Northern California in our previous post: Fabrics & Linens: Smooth White Linen Sheets from Rough Linen.

Last summer there was a different kind of star in the Bourne Legacy, and it wasn't Jeremy Renner. No, the character that stole the show was the home with the soaring spiral staircase—played by the Dr. Oliver Bronson House.

Universal Pictures looked all over New York State for a suitable
 location 
for
 the
 home 
of 
the
 film’s
 female lead, a scientist an 
avid
 old
 house 
restorer (played by Rachel Weisz). Once the the location manager laid eyes on Dr. Oliver Bronson's House, an important 
survivor 
from 
the
 Picturesque
 era 
in 
America architecture located in Hudson, NY, no other site would do. Eventually it was determined that the structure was too fragile to handle a complex action sequence, so production 
designer
 Kevin 
Thompson recreated the historic gem right down to the pealing wallpaper.

Originally built in 1812 as the Federal-style residence for Samuel Plumb, the house and grounds were reinvented in 1839-49 by architect Alexander Jackson Davis into a fully realized Romantic-Picturesque estate for Dr. Bronson. Despite its historical significance as the earliest extant design by Davis in the "bracketed mode," the Dr. Oliver Bronson House fell into obscurity when it was absorbed into grounds of the Hudson 
Correctional
 Facility. Abandoned in the 1970s, it suffered from years of neglect, until 1997 when Historic Hudson began a sustained program of advocacy for the house, leading to the property’s designation as a National Historic Landmark in 2003.

For more information on the Dr. Oliver Bronson House, including how you can support the restoration of this historic landmark, visit Historic Hudson, or Dr. Oliver Bronson House Day Book. All photos, unless otherwise noted, courtesy of Historic Hudson.

Above: The original Federal interior including the central staircase was largely preserved by Davis. Photo by Michael Fredericks.

Above: Featuring dramatic bay windows, the sun-filled parlors created a elegant backdrop for an Anthropologie shoot.

Above: Although the entire house is magical, the most spellbinding architectural feature is the soaring three-story elliptical staircase. Photo by Michael Fredericks.

Above: The sweeping circular stairs also served as a stage for in Anthropolgie's catalog.

Above: The front door of the house exhibits a typical Federal fan window above.

Above: In an impressive action sequence that leaves historic house buffs happy that the producers built a replica, Jeremy Renner's character Aaron Cross runs across Davis's West Veranda, enclosed by later generations.

Above: Throughout the house, generous windows illuminate the dramatic architectural details inside.

Above: A digital rendering of the East Verandah shows Davis' 1839 additions of elaborately filigreed Picturesque style porch, designed to create a physical link between the house and setting and to framed and filtered the light through architecture.

Above: An image of Davis's journal in the Avery Fine Arts Library, Columbia University in the City of New York shows one of the architect's nine drawings (for which Davis was paid a total of $30) of the 1849 addition to the west elevation of the house.

Above: The current Northwest view of the house. Phase 
I
 of
 the
 restoration/stabilization, 
including
 roofs
 and 
gutters,
 structural 
repairs, 
and
 restoration 
of
 selected
 architectural
 elements
 has been completed.

 Thanks in part to proceeds
 from 
the 
Bourne
 Legacy,
 Phase
 II, is now underway.

Above: More details of the breathtaking spiral stairs show the attention to detail existent throughout the house.

Above: In his 1849 addition which mirrored the original galleries of the house, Davis added an elegant enfilade of entertaining spaces connected by an octagonal gallery. Photo by Cherie Miller Schwartz.

Above: One of two surviving Federal style fire places awaits restoration in the original wing.

Above: Despite decades of neglect, much of the original Federal-Style woodwork has been preserved.

Should you wish to visit, Historic Hudson will open the Dr. Oliver Bronson House to the public as part of Governor Cuomo's Path Through History weekends, on June 1-2 and June 8-9 from 10 am to 5 pm.

N.B. Want more "This Old House" Style? Take a Tour of the Temple Guiting Manor House.

Subtly designed home theaters are surprisingly difficult to find; here are five inspirational spaces for the cineasts among us.

Above: A stretched canvas serves as movie screen; image via Malwine Rafalski's "Holon" series.

Above: A media room in the Woodvalley road residence in Vancouver, designed by Gaile Guevara.

Above: A media room in the NYC apartment of design partners Yabu Pushelberg.

Above two photos: A screening room in a project by Isay Weinfeld in Brazil, spotted on Dezeen.

Above: A home theater in Majorca with scattered floor cushions, by French designer Alexandre de Betak.

Above: A media room in Sweden via StyleRoom (note the ceiling-mounted projector).

Above: The screen in the media room in Sweden via StyleRoom.

Add a glimmer to your interiors with a glass globe fixture—some priced in the stratosphere, others more down to earth.

Below are our 10 favorite glass globe chandeliers (on the modern tip) in a mix of clustered glass and evenly dispersed globes. For more modern lighting options, see our post 10 Easy Pieces: Modern Chandeliers, Halo Chandeliers, and for the glass globe fanatics, 10 Easy Pieces: Globe Pendant Lights.

Above: Brooklyn-based Lindsey Adelman's custom hand blown glass pendant lights are more fine art than light fixture. A true investment piece, the BB.05.01 is available in brushed brass or oil-rubbed bronze for $11,000 directly at Lindsey Adelman.

Above: Brooklyn-based Jason Miller's glamorous, three-sided, ten-globe Modo Chandelier is $5,800 at Design Within Reach.

Above:The Cluster Pendant features four glass globe lights at staggered heights; currently on sale for $159 at West Elm.

Above: The Bocci 14 Series Five Pendant Chandelier is a modern classic; $1,750 at Lumens. The Bocci 14 Series is available in several configurations, from a single pendant to 36 glass pendant lights.

Above: Ice Chandelier includes six mouth blown globe lights and is $1,980 at ABC Carpet and Home (it's also available with nine globes, as shown above, for $2300).

Above: Designer Jeffrey Goodman's Ripple Chandelier is custom made in the jGoodDesign studio in New York City; contact jGoodDesign for pricing and availability.

Above: The recently released Bocci 28 Series 7 Pendant Canopy is made with a unique hand blowing technique to create organic shapes; $3,465 at OLighting.

Above: Jean Pelle's DIY bubble chandelier project for ReadyMade made a big hit on the blogosphere when it first appeared; the Jean Pelle's Bubble Chandelier is available premade for purchase for $395 plus shipping via her Etsy shop. The chandelier is made from 12 hand-blown glass balls and three clear globe lights held together by cables wrapped in cotton twine.

Above: Firefly Pendant Lamp by designer Mark Daniel suspends five glass globe lights from black iron canopy. Glass pendant lights stagger in length on black cords 15 to 29 inches; hanging hardware included; $199 at CB2.

Above: The Ether 90 S, designed by Patrick Jouin for the Murano Due Collection, features clear, handblown bubbles suspended from a polished steel canopy; $5,985 at Y Lighting.

Above: The Jupiter Chandelier is made of crystal clear acrylic orbs supported by a polished nickel frame; $399 at ZGallerie.

For more on modern chandeliers, see "10 Easy Pieces: Glass Pendant Lights."

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on January 5, 2011.

Xten Architecture blend their own brand of Los Angeles drama with thoughtful Swiss restraint into a sculptural remodel of a 1960s house in Hollywood Hills.

A house in the hills of Los Angeles comes with interconnected terraces that follow the down slope as a matter of course; it's what you do with the terraces to make the most of your views that matters most. While geotechnical, zoning, and budget constraints required the architects to keep the building foundations and footprint of this house the same, Xten Architecture principals Monika Hafelfinger (she’s Swiss and worked for the renowned Swiss architects Herzog de Meuron) and Austin Kelly (he’s an American who trained with the other famous Swiss architect, Peter Zumthor, and then worked with three LA architect greats; Frank Israel, Frank Gehry, and Eric Owen Moss) were undeterred; managing to reconfigure the entire house; adding extra terraces to broaden views and increase direct connections with the landscape while tying it all together into one sculptural form with a judicious palette and use of materials.

Photography by Steve King via Architizer.

Above: "A series of abstract indoor-outdoor spaces with framed views to nature are rendered in white surfaces of various materials and finishes; lacquered cabinetry, epoxy resin floors and decks and painted metal," the architects say.

Above: The black trim of the window trim is the only thing to suggest a difference between interior kitchen space and exterior terrace space.

Above two: The architects added a 500 square foot terrace and wide outdoor stair next to the kitchen, creating an outdoor connection between the living room and the kitchen, and another between the living room and a large rooftop deck.

Above: The white interiors extend out into the terrace as outdoor room, which has been created through floor to ceiling glass sliding panels that disappear into adjacent walls when open.

Above: Views of the surrounding hills are available from different levels.

Above: The house sits on a ridge underneath the Hollywood sign and belongs to models to Ryan Burns and Aline Nakashima.

Above: A bath with a view.

Above two: "While the exterior is perceived as a specific finite and irregular object in the landscape the opposite occurs inside the building," the architects say. "Once inside the multitude of white surfaces blend the rooms together, extending ones sense of space and creating a heightened, abstract atmosphere from which to experience the varied forms of the hillside landscape."

Above: "The contrast between the interior and exterior of the house is intentional and total," the architects say.

Above: The dramatic contrast between the white interiors and the black exteriors heightens the abstract forms of the house.

Above: With a such a small building (1800 square feet), the architects felt it was important to treat the building as one single piece and wrapped the structure in new plaster which was then painted black.

Above: A diagram that illustrates the steps the architects too to reconfigure the house.

Nothing beats the graphic drama created by the contrast between black and white. Interested trying it out in your own home?See 5029 images of Black and White in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

It used to be that when my husband was in the doghouse, the peace offering would be a pair of earrings from our favorite jeweler, Ted Muehling (we’re talking serious doghouse).

These days, I ask for architectural hardware—in other words, jewelry for the house. In my newly found maturity (less vain, less selfish, and less self-centered), I realize that house jewelry is a much better investment; to be enjoyed by all on a regular basis, including the husband. Here are the top ten favorites on our list.

Above: The simple, sculptural Cabinet Knob from UK company Izé.

Above: A graceful, handcrafted brass Door Handle by Van Cronenburg Architectural Hardware from Belgium; available at Garde in LA.

Above: A Brass Lockset inspired by those found in historic homes by Van Cronenburg Architectural Hardware from Belgium; available at Garde in LA.

Above: Brass Lama Door Handle, designed by Gio Ponti; via Olivari.

Above: A continuous piano hinge can add a subtle accent. For sourcing information, see Elegant Piano Hinges.

Above: A perfectly proportioned Door Pull by by Van Cronenburg Architectural Hardware from Belgium; available at Garde in LA.

Above: Whenever Justine visits her friend Marnie, she eyes up this egg shaped Brass Door Knob from Baldwin.

Above: Mixing gold and silver is no longer taboo, this goes for personal jewelry as well. Photograph by Annabel Elston via World of Interiors.

Above: The 4-inch diameter door pull (catalog no: 4000PM) from the Vervloet Contemporary Collection at New York-based E. R. Butler is an heirloom piece.

Above: Handcrafted brass Saucer Pulls and Key Pull by New York artist Carl Martinez.

Above: Two Plant Hooks shown in situ at the Coqui Coqui spa in Mexico (photo via The Selby).

We are big fans of household accessories that acquire patina and personality over time. See 66 back posts of accessories that will acquire a patina to bring personality into your home.