When master gardener and chef Marta Teegen and her partner, Robert Stelzner, owners of Cookbook in Echo Park, opened up a companion restaurant last year, we took note.

"With Cortez, we wanted to open a small, neighborhood restaurant focused on the food of the Mediterranean, using the best sustainably grown produce and meats possible," Teegan says. "The space itself is a former tire store—we stripped it down to dirt floors, and then slowly built it back up with the idea of Spanish modern in the back of our minds." The result is a space, which much like their food, is simple and restrained, allowing the basic elements to take center stage.

N.B. Not in LA? I live almost 400 miles away, but Cookbook's weekly newsletter is one of the highlights of my week, not only for the menu, which serves as constant inspiration for what to cook, but also for the weekly poem thoughtfully chosen by Teegan. It always hits the mark.

For more, go to Cortez or see our previous post on Cookbook.

Photography by Laure Joliet for Remodelista.

Above: Two large communal tables made from solid oak with bentwood chairs anchor the space.

Above: Handmade pottery.

Above: "Lighting was also very important to us", explains Teegan, "we have a small, narrow dining room, and we struggled for many months with how best to light the space. We finally settled on two large chandeliers that occupy most of the ceiling space and cast a wonderful, candle-like warmth throughout."

Above: A bunch of bay laurel hangs on the wall with a pomegranate displayed beneath.

Above: "The overall design is quite spare—a steel storefront, clean white walls, unglazed terracotta tiled floors, with solid oak tables. We specifically chose materials that would weather beautifully over time; our tile floors only get warmer each day, and our oak tables softer and rounder with each use," Teegan says. Bentwood style bar stools with brass footing line the oak counter in the window.

Above: The semi glazed terracotta pot echoes the tiled floor.

Above: On the wall is a hand-felted textile piece from predator-friendly Navajo churro wool by Seattle-based textile designer Ashley Helvey.

Above: Dessert offerings at Cortez.

Above: Bay laurel adorns the brick wall.

Above: The steel store front of Cortez with bay laurel wreath on the door.

See more of our favorite restaurants at Hotels & Lodging

SPONSORED POST

At Remodelista, we all love to entertain, even on weekday nights. We're constantly dashing out of the office just in time to throw together an impromptu dinner party (let us know when you're coming to town!). Here are our five tips for pulling your space together just in time for your guests' arrival:

1 Hour Before: Stash the Clutter

Above: It's amazing what you can accomplish just by decluttering the main living areas: stash any errant coats, hats, shoes in the closet (you can organize later); clear out the newspapers, laptops, and cords; and give the room a quick once-over with a vacuum. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Workstead in Brooklyn.

45 Minutes: Prep the Room

Above: Open the windows to let fresh air circulate through the room, plump up the cushions, straighten the paintings. Consider strategically placed, scented candles in the kitchen or near the entryway. For more tips on banishing unpleasant scents in the home, see our post: The Power of Fragrance: 10 Secrets for Banishing Odors. Above photo via Bolaget.

30 Minutes: Set the Table

Above: Setting out the silver, glassware, and any dishes ahead of your guests' arrival makes it seem like you've got everything under control (even if you're still scrambling in the kitchen). For menu and recipe ideas, visit Mimi Thorisson's site, Manger; photograph by Oddur Thorisson.

15 Minutes: Create the Ambiance

Above: Dim the lights, cue up the music, and light the candles. Photograph from A Modern-Day Creperie in a Medieval Scandinavian City.

5 Minutes: Finishing Touches

Above: Check your lipstick, take a deep breath, and pour yourself a glass of wine. Photograph of a Swedish Segmented Glass Mirror with Arched Top from Christopher Howe in the UK.

Sponsored by Dyson Digital Slim, DC44 Animal -The most powerful cordless vacuum.

There's something very cinematic about the lacquered wood candelabras and lighting fixtures from Dunes & Duchess, a newish homewares line from a photographer (Michael Partenio) and a stylist (Stacy Kunstel).

To see the full line, go to Dunes & Duchess.

Above: A Dunes & Duchess candelabra in white lacquer.

Above: The Four-Arm Candelabra by Dunes and Duchess. $585 from Hudson. Also available in a selection of other colors including Italian red.

Above: A Dunes & Duchess candelabra, after the party.

Above: 2-Arm Sconce by Dunes and Duchess. The lacquered sconces are American made from maple and come in a choice of colors; $690 from Hudson.

Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, the duo behind the New York-based design firm Roman and Williams (their projects include some of the city's chicest venues, including the Ace Hotel), met in the 1990s when they were working in Hollywood as production designers and art directors. The pair has a shared background in architecture, painting, interiors, and furniture design, and they have over 20 Hollywood movies under their belt, including "Practical Magic," "The New Age," and "Zoolander."

We were curious to learn how their background as set designers has influenced their work, which is now focused on residential and commercial projects. What's the intangible that they bring to the mix? Here's what Stephen Alesch had to say:

Above: A living room-like suite at the Ace Hotel in New York.

Remodelista: Can you tell us what you took from production design and art direction that informs your current approach to design?
Stephen Alesch: Production designing is not only about creative design, it's about creating an environment. Design in the design Industry typically is only showing off, it is very rare for Interior designers and architects to know how to play with attention levels. In production design, this is everything. Creativity is secondary.

Above: The Victorian house starring in Practical Magic.

RM: How is the process of designing for movies different?
SA: In film making, there are no excuses, no sick days, no flat tires, no "I forgot." You run, scrape, fight, beg, steal, borrow, in order to get things ready. I don't know exactly why, but it is very, very intense and strict and almost military in its fight to the finish. It's some sort of bet against the dull forces of reality. In the natural world, everyone procrastinates and moves slowly—it drives us crazy.

Above: A drawing by Alesch from Practical Magic; he does all of Roman and Williams’ architectural presentation drawings by hand.

RM: What's the hallmark of your design process?
SA: Draw, draw, plan, plan. Get as close to the finishing line as you can with this method, then wing It at the end by the skin of your teeth—that creates magic, contradiction, conflict. A well-planned ending has no magic.

Above: The library from their first residential project; Ben Stiller's Los Angeles home.

RM: Unexpected advice for would-be designers starting out?
SA: Study the mundane: delis, freeway off-ramps, unprofessionally designed spaces, makeshift spaces, spontaneously created spaces that had no planning. Study these and replicate them, and you learn a tremendous amount about people and you learn how phony and surface "design" actually is. Unconscious creation is special and it is our natural built world: "designed" spaces are usually only good for representing one thing in film: dishonest and lost characters.

Above: The master bathroom in Ben Stiller's home.

RM: What are some of the most important lessons you've learned?
SA: Keep your ego out of the solution, keep preconceived ideas to yourself, listen and focus on the goal of the project; whether it's a film set, a home, a hotel, a restaurant, it has nothing to do with you! You are a tool for it to exist. You have to serve the goal. Maybe with a little fluffing up.

RM: What do you miss about the production world?
SA: We miss the skilled crews, the carpenters, painters, sculptors, prop builders. Film pays well, so if you're good at something, you usually end up in film. We miss directors, crazy, wild-eyed bossy mad authoritative directors who were the boss. It's a special breed of nut that's fantastic to watch: Scorsese, Griffin Dunne, Ben Stiller, Kasi Lemmons, Andrew Niccol, Danny DeVito, John Turturro, David Salle, and more, all nuts, all fully in charge and all brilliant and devoted to their story. Owners come and go, from focused one day to oblivious the next, they have no script, no story, they make arbitrary choices, you end up steering for them, later you have to hand the controls over to them and you hope they can drive what you created together. Sometimes they can, and sometimes they can't. The same goes for directors, too; we have built sets some directors couldn't handle. Luckily, they can just pull focus.

Above: The entrance to Roman and Williams' New York City offices.

RM: Favorite or unexpected sources for your projects?
SA: Undesigned things, things that were not planned, built by unknowns, anonymous, vernacular things. Professional "design" just floats on the surface, is trend driven and premeditated to the point that it's mostly dead and decorative. You can see its goals a mile away and it holds no mystery or depth. Anything built from necessity by the earnest effort of a user is going to have character, include ingenious solutions, and have common sense. This we are devoted to and love.

RM: What's next?
SA: A small literary hotel in Chelsea, a hotel in San Antonio in a 100-year-old brewery, a new line of furniture with Matter. The Lafayette Restaurant in the old Chinatown Brasserie, which should be a raw alternative to Balthazar with what we hope is perceived as not a re-creation of anything, it's simply a restaurant we want to eat food in, surrounded by nice shapes we like. Architects will hate it, but who cares what they think.

For more on the design duo, get your hands on a copy of their book, "Things We Made" or check out our previous posts on Roman and Williams.

The temperature might be low in most of the Northern Hemisphere, but blooming magnolia and plum trees don't lie. Here's what we've been reading, watching, and making this past week:

• Admiring the pivoting blinds of Pitsou Kedem Architects' latest project in Tel Aviv, Israel.

• Alexa appreciates the transformative power of paint (like her coffee table selvaged off the street, then painted white). She's checking out these different paint project ideas.

• Sarah's enjoying the first print issue of a Handful of Salt, with its mix of craft and design, available online.

• After Jackie's advice in this week's 10 Secrets for Happy Housekeeping, we're fixated on domestic science solutions, like How to Shorten Cleaning Time.

• Stacey is looking forward to picking up one of the new White Moleksine Notebooks as soon as possible.

• Enjoying Sight Unseen's look at Brian Ferry's Brooklyn apartment. For more of Ferry's work, see his blog, The Blue Hour, and in A Designer's Haunt in Greenwich Village.

• As we head into Bath & Spa week, Alexa has been noticing some smart DIY ideas, like this clothing hanger manipulated as a toilet paper holder (stay tuned for more ideas like this one). Photographed by Ashley Rose Helvey.

• Sylvan Mishima Brackett from Peko Peko preparing pickled cherry blossom photographed by Chloe Aftel. Sarah's excited to see the first sign of plum blossom in the garden - in anticipation of making her own Pickled Blossom this year.

• Christine was happily reminded of Le Grand Project of Renovations that began it all—the complete transformation of 18th century townhouse to Parisian industrial chic in 1928.

• Hosting friends for Oscars watching this evening? Here are 16 Fresh Ways to Dress Up a Table.

A former textile workshop transformed into a New York-style loft is located in the center of Barcelona, in a century-old industrial building (lots of ideas to steal here). Original details (rough-hewn beams, double-hung windows) have been preserved, and the interiors have been whitewashed for a unified look.

For ideas on recreating the look, go to Steal This Look: Library Loft in Barcelona. Photography by Jordi Miralles, via Shoot 115.

Above: For similar accent pillows, consider Patch NYC's Yellow Velvet Pillows ($198 for a pair).

Above: A VP Globe Pendant Light from Vernon Panton illuminates the living space.

Above: A disparate grouping of furniture is unified by white slipcovers.

Above: A natural fiber rug anchors the living area; for something similar, go to Restoration Hardware.

Above: A vintage steel office desk and chair; for something similar, visit Retro Office.

Above: For ideas on wall-mounted pot racks, go to Pot Racks by Enclume.

Above: For similar seating, consider the Aluminum Stacking Cafe Chairs from Novi.

Above: A freestanding closet acts as room divider, creating a bedroom at one end of the loft.

Above: For window covering ideas, go to Instant Curtains by the Genius Bouroullec Brothers.

Above: In the bath, a steel cabinet provides storage opportunities (for something similar, consider the Pharmacy collection from Restoration Hardware) and an Eames

Alas, my attention to detail in the bath flags somewhere after the soap dish. But I do admire my friends who take WC-style all the way, right down to the very last detail—the toothpaste. Here are some of their favorites for tubes that are so stylish they earn a place outside the medicine cabinet.

Above: My aspiration: a bath that's lovely all the way down to the toothbrush and paste. Image via Father Rabbit Limited.

Above: In 19th century Portugal, Victorian toothpaste was powdered and abrasive, made with things like brick powder and ground cuttlefish. In 1932, pharmacist Alberto Ferreira do Couto formulated one of the first mild, glycerin-based pastes that is still enjoyed today. Couto Toothpaste is available at Kaufman Mercantile; $7.95.

Above: In flavors like ginger mint, jasmine mint, aquatic mint, amarelli licorice, cinnamon mint, whitening and classic mint, Italian Marvis toothpaste is available at Bigelow Chemist; $10.50 for a 3.86oz /75ml tube. Photo via Drugstore Love in Australia.

Above: Invented in 1755 for King Louis XV of France, spicy Botot uses natural cleansing ingredients such as gillyflower, ginger, and cinnamon; $11.50 from The Motley.

Above: In production since 1898, the "pepto-pink" Euthymol comes in a vintage-style tube. Fluoride-free (please note, we are not coming down on either side of that debate). Euthymol uses thymol, a natural derivative of thyme prized for its antiseptic properties; $9.95 at Vermont Country Store. Image via We Are You Neak.

Above: Yes, I did start using Weleda diaper cream on my babies because the tube was attractive (it's a great product to boot). Perhaps I should try the Weleda Toothpaste; $8 via Weleda North America.

Above: Of course, let's not forget Tom's of Maine, a good ole (since 1970) American classic, shown here at my friend, Marnie's sink; $4.99 directly at Tom's of Maine.

Above: Fans swear by the whitening power and great taste of Denblan; $18.99 from Amazon.

Above: Made in Italy, Acca Kappa is a fluoride-free paste, containing essential oils of mint, star anise, eucalyptus, and sage; $9.50 from Royal Shave.

Above: They had me at the name (it's my favorite bird): UK's Kingfisher comes in baking soda, aloe, and tee tree, fennel, and mint (with or without fluoride); £2.95 directly at Kingfisher Toothpaste.

Above: My friends may boast the prettiest toothpastes, but I do believe that I have found the most stylish floss, Le Négri made in Switzerland; £8.40 from Manufactum in Germany.

N.B. Looking for more inspired bathroom basics? Browse all our favorite accessories for the stylish bath.

We like the idea of hardworking fixtures in the bath; the kind that go beyond expectations and offer something more than a standard function (have you seen the Toto toilet, for instance?).

Stockholm-based Note Design Studio has recently released just that: a ceramic wash basin with a removable upper wooden deck. The deck provides a drying surface and underneath, a storage area for bathroom accessories (think: bright green toothbrush below, classic steel razor above). The best part? You can actually buy it.

Photography by Mathais Nero for Note.

Above: Designed for Ex-t in Italy, the Step Basin is €675 directly from Ex-t online. Also available is the Flat Pop-Up Drain Stopper in chrome (shown) or white for €50.15 and €59, respectively.

Above: A look at the wash basin's double bowl from above.

Above: A view from the side of the white ceramic bowl.

Above: Shown in a white ceramic, the basin is also available with a matte gray exterior glaze.

Looking for more? Sift through 70 Bath Sinks & Washstands and 148 Bath Accessories to go with in our Shop section.

A solution for the shower drain dilemma: Infinity Drains that virtually disappear.

Infinity Drain recently introduced two drain systems that should be on the list for any bathroom remodel or shower upgrade. The TileDrain is a traditional center floor drain which incorporates your shower tile or solid surface flooring into the drain for a seamless look. If you don't like a center drain, which requires pitching the floor in four directions, Infinity's Linear Drain allows you to pitch your surface in one direction, perfect for open showers and showers without thresholds. The Linear Drain can be placed at the shower entrance, against the wall, or even under a bench (with two direction pitching) to catch water runoff.

N.B.: Infinity's site-sizable linear drains can also be used for pool surrounds, patios, balconies, and driveways. Contact an Infinity Drain Dealer for more information.

Above: The TileDrain lifts out for easy cleaning.

Above: Infinity's TileDrain allows your tile or solid surface material to be installed within the grate, providing camouflage for the drain.

Above: The Infinity TileDrain comes in three sizes: 5-inch square, 8-inch square, and 3-by-20-inch rectangle. The TileDrain kit comes with a drain body to connect to the waste pipe, stainless steel tile frame (where your tile is inserted) and frame box, a pre-pitched channel, and clamp-down drain; $378.35 and up (depending on size) at Home and Stone.

Above: The Infinity Linear Drain Fixed Series FXED (drain hole style shown above) comes in four lengths: 32, 36, 48, and 60 inches. Available in satin or polished stainless finishes, the standard width is just under three inches. Here the drain is placed at the shower threshold. Priced from $327.25 to $743.75 depending on size, finish, and drain configuration at Home and Stone.

Above: The Infinity Linear Drain Fixed Series FXAS Style (grate style shown above) is available in four lengths: 32, 36, 48, and 60 inches and two finishes (polished or satin stainless). Prices range from $633.25 to $1,253.75 depending on size, finish, and drain configuration and Home and Stone.

Above: The Infinity Linear Drain used against the shower wall.

Above: The Infinity Linear Drain used under a shower bench.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on May 17, 2012.

A well-detailed skylight in a bathroom (minimal frame and soft diffused light) can transport your daily ablutions to a plein air experience. A poorly detailed skylight, on the other hand (too much frame and harsh light), will only make you wish you were outside all the more. Here are 10 favorites from the first category.

Above: A bathroom by Suppose Design Office in Japan borrows light from a courtyard skylight.

Above: A skylight placed in a raised section of the ceiling in this bathroom by San Francisco based Min|Day (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) brings down a shaft of natural light to wash over the mirror.

Above: In their addition to an Edward Larrabee Barnes home, New York based Robert Siegel Architects used pebbles as well a skylight to create the effect of an outdoor shower. Image via DesignMilk.

Above: The diffused light from the skylight in this shower designed by Cary Bernstein Architect (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) defines the shower area beneath.

Above: In this Dublin bathroom by The Architecture Republic, a surrealist painting exists in this frameless piece of glass that goes from edge to edge. Photo by Paul Tierny via ArchDaily.

Above: By hiding the frame, this shower by San Francisco based Mark Reilly Architecture feels as it if is open to the sky above.

Above: In an all wood bathroom by Australian architect Sean Godsell, the shadows created by a slatted wood screen across the skylight above creates a similar effect of the light that shines through the trees of a forest.

Above: A skylight above the soffit washes natural light across the wood wall in this bathroom by San Francisco based Adlin Darling Design.

Above: Bar the frameless skylight, the shower area in architect Cary Tamarkin's Shelter Island house is open to the elements above.

Above: Two off the shelf skylights (much less expensive than one frameless piece of glass) are cleverly combined into one. Image via FSlide.com.

Above: A skylight which defines the shower area of this bathroom by Rundell Associates (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) lends natural daylight to the mirror above the sink.

Start dreaming about summer with 1760 images of Outdoor Showers in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

Why are architects so good at lamp design (one to mention is the Grasshopper floor lamp by architect Greta Magnusson Grossman)? Our new favorite is the Strand table and floor lamp, by Dublin-based Clancy Moore Architects.

Designed by principals Andrew Clancy and Colm Moore, the Strand lamp was a gift to a client, but quickly became a hot item among friends who convinced the architect duo to put them into production. For more information, go to Clancy Moore Architects.

Above: The Strand Table Lamp is €395 from Makers and Brothers. The lamp measures 35 centimeters high and 17 centimeters wide.

Above: The Strand lamp was inspired and formed after the human figure with an inclined head.

Above: The Strand Floor Lamp is €595 from Makers and Brothers. The lamp measures 125 centimeters high and 35 centimeters wide.

Above: The lamps are produced by metal workers in Portadown (a town in northern Ireland). Each lamp is handmade and individually numbered.

Above: The holes on the back of the lamp diffuse the light.

N.B: Looking for a new favorite lamp? See if you can find it among our 104 Floor Lamps.

Spotted in Bolig Magazine: a simple, compact bathroom created by a DIY-loving Danish couple, who make clever use of a small space. A tiled unit, topped with a long shelf for toiletries, houses the pipes and the tank for the wall-mounted toilet; a shelf mounted above the unit holds towels and other items and takes advantage of the height of the room. Recreate a similar look with the elements shown below.

Above: The mirror on one wall creates a sense of space.

Above; The compact wall mounted Duravit Vero Single Hole Washbasin in Alpine white measures 23.50 inches by 18.50 inches: $435.37 from Plumbersurplus.

Above: The Vola HV1 White Mixer by Arne Jacobsen is a design classic; $956 at Hastings Tile and Bath. Contact directly for dealer information.

Above: For a lower-priced option, consider Ikea's Ann Sink, which measures 23.5 inches wide and costs $160 paired with the Ann Faucet for $79.99. Available in store at Ikea.

Above: Wall-mounted toilets (with concealed tank and pipes) are more common in Europe, where space is often at a premium. The Duravit Darling Wall Mounted Toilet is $243.75 from Amazon.

Above: For wall tiling Waterworks offers the Campus Staggered 2-by-4-inch Ceramic Mosaic Tile shown in white glossy solid; $15.77 per sheet from Waterworks.

Above: A lower budget optin is the United States White Ceramic Wall Tile shown in 2-by-4-inch. Other sizes available, contact Lowes directly for store and pricing information. N.B.: to achieve a similar look as in the bathroom above, use a dark-colored grout.

Above: The Kikkerland First Aid Box is made of powder-coated metal and features a single internal shelf. It measures 6 inches wide by 7.5 inches high by 3 inches deep and is wall mountable; $24 from Amazon.

Above: The graphite-colored Air Weight Towel (35 by 65 inches) is hand-loomed from 100 percent organic cotton; $63 from Coyuchi. A cheaper alternative is the Rayon Bamboo Grey Oversized Bath Towel (30 by 60 inches), made from a mix of bamboo rayon and Egyptian cotton; $26.95 at CB2.

Above: The Tivoli Audio iPAL is a portable iPod dock with AM/FM radio for $219.99 from Yliving.

Above: Store bath salts in Le Parfait Jar; $3.55 from Amazon.

Above: Store hair dryers and the like in the Prant Box, made from plywood. The box which comes with a lid measures 13 inches by 15 inches; $12.99 from Ikea.

Redesigning a bathroom? See 33 Steal This Look: Bathroom posts in our archive.

Explore More: Faucets & Fixtures, Baths

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on September 14, 2010.

For years, I have deprived my husband of one of his favorite morning activities—shaving in the shower. Why? All because I couldn’t a find a fogless mirror I liked.

Here’s a solution we both endorse—a two-arm extendable shower mirror that is installed on the outside of the shower (so it stays fog free).

Above: At Le Meridien Chambers Hotel in Minneapolis, a two-arm extendable shaving mirror allows for fogless shaving in the shower.

Above: The mirror can also be used as a sink-side vanity mirror.

Above: For ultimate flexibility, the Windisch Double-Faced Wall Mounted Mirror by Nameeks adjusts in height as well; $645.

Above: While this Wall Mount Swinging Arm Mirror does not adjust in height, it still offers valuable flexible positioning; $59.99.

Sometimes it's all about the bathroom accessories. See Crisis in the Commode: Powder Room Edition to make sure you get it right.

A humble bucket sink in the Old Library Restaurant washroom, designed by Australian firm Hecker Guthrie, is elevated by the addition of exposed copper piping and a painted wall mimicking tiles.

To see the full project, go to Paradise Found: A Library Where They Serve Cocktails.

Above: The bath at the Old Library features an Alape Bucket Sink and copper piping.

Above: The Alape Bucket Sink is glazed inside and outside and features a dark PVC edge; it can be found at Labor & Wait in London for £140.

The recent "New York Times" headline "Thin Snowpack Signals Summer of Drought" has us thinking about household water guzzlers. The No. 1 culprit? Your toilet.

One of the thirstiest fixtures in a home, toilets are estimated to be responsible for upwards of 30 percent of household water consumption. And those predating the 1992 restrictions of 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) are especially inefficient. Thanks to technological advances, a new breed of toilets offers increased efficiency and performance (early adopters may still wince at the less-than-stellar flushing capabilities of the early high-efficiency models). Consider replacing an older model with a WaterSense certified toilet to reduce water consumption and lower your costs. The featured toilets meet EPA flushing guidelines of 1.28 gpf or less, using over 20 percent less water than the recently touted 1.6 gpf models.

Above: Izabella recently installed the sleek high efficiency Kohler Persuade Toilet in her guest bath. The two-piece vitreous china toilet with an elongated bowl features a top-mounted flushing button that offer the choice of 0.8 or 1.6 gallons per flush. Note that the seat is sold separately; $315.68 through Amazon. Photograph by Izabella Simmons.

Above: New in the Toto line of high efficiency toilets is the Toto Drake II Close Coupled Toilet, which offers a 1.0-gallon-per-flush operation using the company's Double Cyclone® technology ("a state-of-the-art, hole-free rim design that offers a dual-nozzle bowl cleansing system that creates a centrifugal, cyclonic cleaning action"). It also features a Sana-gloss coating on the chinaware surface that is a super smooth, ion barrier glazing to keep the toilet bowl clean; $342.20 at Homeclick.

Above: From Australian-based Caroma, the Sydney Smart 305 Dual Flush Toilet is a one-piece high efficiency toilet that offers a 0.8 and 1.28 gallon per flush option, boasting an average 0.89 gpf for water savings; $239 at the Natural Abode.

Above: Duravit's Starck 3 Two-Piece Toilet (Model D19062) has an elongated seat and syphonic jet action. It offers a 1.28 gallon per flush and is made of high-performance ceramic; $322.50 for the complete set at eFaucets.

Above: The American Standard Clean High Efficiency Elongated Two-Piece Toilet receives the highest marks in the Watersense 1.28 gpf category from Consumer Reports. Made of vitreous china, it features a siphon action jetted bowl and an Everclean surface; $239 at Lowe's.

Above: The Niagara Conservation Stealth Toilet offers an 0.8 gallons per flush operation, saving 37 percent more water than regular high-efficiency toilets. Made of vitreous china, this ultra high-efficiency toilet uses a vacuum-assist flushing mechanism for flush performance with very low noise; $175.26 (for the round seat model) at Plumber's Surplus.

Ready to embrace modern toilet technology? Having recently visited Japan, home of high-tech toilets, I am seriously considering investing in The Best Seat in the House.

Designed by architect Theo Keller and manufactured in a locksmith's shop in Southern Germany, the stainless steel bathroom series for Thomas Hoof Produkt won a Red Dot Award in 2004. All components—from the towel rod to the toilet roll holder—are made from a folded, buckled, and turned stainless steel rod 8 mm in diameter. Keller calls his series “definite, timeless, ascetic”—we think these pieces would work equally well in a traditional or modern bath.

Above: Stainless Soap Holder; available via the Thomas Hoof catalogue for €75.

Above: Stainless Steel Toilet Brush (replacement brushes available); available via the Thomas Hoof catalogue for €49.

Above: Stainless Steel Hook; available via the Thomas Hoof catalogue for €23.

Above: Stainless Steel Shelf with Glass Pane; available via the Thomas Hoof catalogue for €110.

Above: Chrome-Plated Brass Porcelain Soap and Sponge Basket; available via the Thomas Hoof catalogue for €73.

Above: Stainless Steel Spare Roll Holder; available via the Thomas Hoof catalogue for €45.

Above: Ceramic Brush Holder; €79 available online through Thomas Hoof.

Why aren't there more well designed accessories for the bathroom? We have a theory; see Crisis in the Commode.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on April 23, 2009.

We admit it: At Remodelista, we gravitate toward pristine, all-white tiled baths; this collection of baths featuring dashes of fluorescent color might just make us change our minds, though.

Above: A pink skylight in the London bathroom of designer Harriet Anstruther; photo by Henry Bourne via the NY Times.

Above: A bath in Brazil by photographer Richard Powers.

Above: Neon-hued shower curtains in A Quiet Bath in Japan by Tato Architects.

Above: A shower in London with translucent fluoro glass panels by Rundell Associates.

Above: A bathing platform in the Yamasaki House by You Shimada of Tato Architects.

We've covered Classic Freestanding Bathtubs in the past, but what about the modernists among us? We've rounded up 10 of the best modern freestanding bathtubs across the pricing spectrum.

Above: Victoria and Albert's Barcelona Double Ended Tub is made of Englishcast, a blend of volcanic limestone and high performance resins that results in a naturally white, solid tub that doesn't have a surface coating that can chip or peel away. Measuring 70.25 by 34.25 by 21.8 inches, it is backed by a 25 year warranty; $4,180 at Quality Bath.

Above: The Biblio by Antonio Lupi is a Corian tub with built-in shelf options. Contact Bagno for dealer information and pricing.

Above: Designed by Dutch Architect Wiel Arets for Alessi, the Il Bagno Alessi Dot Bathtub by Laufen Ceramicware is $7,540. Locate dealers through Architonic.

Above: Duravit's Starck X designed by Philippe Starck. An oversized tub with a minimal design (180 by 90 inches); available with either straight or sloping backrests. Basic tub pricing begins at $2,452 at Fixture Universe.

Above: Waterworks' Colette Freestanding Oval Bathtub is a modern take on a 19th century design with a matte exterior and high polish interior for $11,500.

Above: The Hermosa Contemporary Soaking Tub gives a nod to traditional baths with its rolled lip. Made of acrylic, it measures 69 by 32 by 26 inches and comes with the drain and overflow installed; $2,799 from Bellobagno.

Above: The Kallista One Freestanding Bathtub starts at $5,995 and features Gelcoat construction.

Above: The Freestanding Oval Composite Bathtub is available in white or ivory for $11,026 from Waterworks.

Above: The Iceland Bathtub by Boffi is designed by Piero Lissoni.

Above: Designed by Marcel Wanders, the Gobi Bathtub by Boffi, is available in two sizes (67 and 75 inches) in white Cristal Plant.

Looking for bath accessories to compliment your new tub? Find soap dispensers, shower curtains, hardware and linens in the Bath Accessories section of our Shop.

Leave it to the Dutch to figure out a way to integrate function into the concept of tiling. "We love tiles so much that we do not want to interrupt that grid for any reason," say the designers.

Dutch designers Peter van der Jagt, Erik Jan Kwakkel, and Arnout Visser invented DTile, a versatile tile system featuring built-in items for every day use. The functional tiles come with integrated fixtures, such as ceramic hooks, plugholes, and drawers. For more information and a list of dealers, go to DTile.

Above: A built-in tiled drawer.

Above: Have we found the perfect toilet paper holder? We think so. For another option, see Crisis in the Commode: Powder Room Edition.

Above: A tile square made into a vent.

Above: Tiled cubes that function as shelves.

Above: A Red Cross-tiled drawer.

Above: A 60-minute timer.

N.B. Looking for more tile inspiration? See 805 photos of tiled bathrooms in our Gallery.

For the bath enthusiasts among us, we've sleuthed out our favorite bath trays made from found objects, each with the sole purpose of holding bath brushes, reading material, and accompanying libations.

Above: A simple DIY bath board made from an old wooden ironing board or plank of wood; photograph from La Maison Douce.

Above L: A reclaimed bath board photographed by Mark Eden Schooley. Above R: A DIY board from Design Sense.

Above: LA interior designer Michaela Scherrer uses a dried banana leaf in an eco-minimal master bath in Malibu.

Above L: Reclaimed wooden boards sit across a freestanding bathtub. Photograph of Jason Gnewikow and Jeff Madalena's home via Design Sponge. Above R: A rough hewn bath plank via Martha Stewart Living.

Like the idea of making it yourself? Sift through 260 DIY Ideas to inspire this weekend's next project. For more Bath inspiration, take a look at the 13 Design Sleuth posts for the Bathroom in our archive.