We first spotted Glithero’s Blueware Tiles in a Notting Hill flat designed by London designer Ebba Thott. Intrigued by the photographic-negative images of pressed weeds from the streets of London, we wanted to know more.

Glithero founders Tim Simpson and Sarah van Gamaren met at the Royal College of Art and are obsessed with capturing beauty in the ephemeral moment of creation. Using the oldest non-silver photographic printing process (called Cyanotype, commonly referred to as Sun Printing or Blueprinting), the pair preserve fleeting botanical moments on ceramic tiles.

Unless otherwise noted, images via Glithero.

Above: The Blueware Tiles bring a hint of nature into this Victorian flat. For more, see Ebba Thott of Sigmar in Notting Hill. Photo by Petr Krejci.

Above: "The light comes through at different rates depending on the weight of the stems or leaves," Simpson says.

Above: "By flipping the negative over, we can create symmetrical patterns," Simpson says.

Above: The darkroom process involves placing a negative (pressed specimens between two layers of glass as shown on the left) on top of ceramic tiles that have been treated with photo-sensitive chemicals. Under ultraviolet light, the parts of the tile that are not covered by the specimens turn Prussian blue while the covered parts remain the white color of the original tiles.

Above L: The designers inspect their negatives. Above R: A detail of a moment caught in time.

Above: The negative is laid on top of the ceramic tiles, which have been treated with a photo-sensitive chemical.

Looking for other ways to incorporate Botanical Specimens into your home? See The Ultimate Pressed Flowers to see artist Rachel Dein's ghost impressions of flowers.

In the UK and Europe, where streets are often narrow and houses look right onto the pavement, gaining privacy while preserving light is often an issue for those who eschew curtains. Here are a few solutions that tackle the issue.

Above: Designer Cynthia Carlson uses double-hung windows in the bathroom of this LA Home covered with a simple oil cloth roller shade and translucent glass in the lower half of the window and clear glass above.

Above: Light diffusing opal perspex shutters with chrome hinges cover the windows of this London home. Made to order the shutters are available from Parma Lilac, for pricing contact directly. Photograph via Shoot Factory.

Above: A house in London by Carl Turner Architects with sliding translucent doors that open up onto a balcony. Photograph by Ioana Marinescu.

Above: A bathroom in the same London home with translucent windows via LIght Locations.

Above; The living room in this London home uses translucent glass on the bottom panels with the upper ones left clear. Photography via Light Locations.

Above: A house in Amsterdam that opens straight onto the street uses strips of film on the window allowing for privacy without having to compromise their light source. (No mean feat in the grey winter months). For a similar look, Gila Frosted White Window Film is easy to install on standard residential windows. $20.67 for a 48-inch-by-6.5-foot roll from Amazon. Another option is static cling film, the Non-Adhesive Frosted Privacy Window Film is $24.99 for a 3-feet-by- 6.5 ft foot roll from Amazon.

Prefer the idea of shutters? Check out our post on Indoor Shutters.

See more of our posts on Windows.

After 20 years together, my husband and I have finally graduated to a bathroom with two sinks. Unfortunately the ugly, oversized mirror running the length of the wall between them reads like pulp fiction: "The Looking Glass That Ate My Bath." And so I've been researching more artful ideas for multiple mirrors.

Above: A pair of midcentury modern vanities are a perfect foil for this contemporary bath in Australia by Wonder.

Above: I always love an enfilade. You can create this dramatic effect (seen here in a baths by Stine Langvad and Richard Powers) with mirrors placed on opposite walls.

Above: Placed over a horizontal sink, simple rectangular mirrors add a striking vertical element at Aperitivo Bar in Solvenia.

Above: Minimal but multi-faceted, vintage triptych mirrors are ideal in smaller, modern baths. Photographs of Ombline de Kersabiec's home featured on Design Sponge (L) and Frederic Lucano Photography for Serendipity in France (R).

Above: A bathroom at Hare + Klein's Carriageworks project photographed by Pejper.

Above: Subtle whimsy, pairs of round mirrors add a understated bubbly effect in this London townhouse via Studio Too Good (L) and at the home of Zuster co-founder Wilhelmina McCarrol from Desire to Inspire (R).

Above: Casa de Masi by Stefano Zanardi.

Above: Glass menageries: whether displayed along with other treasures or in a more minimal fashion, a random grouping of mirrors adds a bit of whimsy. Images via Light Locations and Vitra.

Above: Simple mirrors echo the square planes of a bath at "God's Loft Story" photograhed by Leijh Kappelhoff Seckel van denDoppelsteen Architecten.

Above: Layered along a wall, the fanciful Victorian vanity mirrors add an air of romance. Photograph from Elle Decor UK via Decor8 (L) and Foster House (R).

Above: Admire yourself from every angle with a bath like this one from German-based Tulip Design.

N.B. Great, so I've narrowed down the look I want. Now, where to buy the mirrors...

A social experiment involving cucumber facials and group saunas? Strange but true. Located in a suburban area of East London, the Barking Bathhouse aims to recapture the communal spirit of historic bathhouses.

Designed by Something & Son (the cutting-edge firm behind FARM:shop), the pop-up spa and social space references the area's industrial history (the black-stained timber frame exudes a sooty chic). Commissioned by arts agency Create, the Barking Bathhouse was sufficiently successful that it will reopen in a new location in spring 2013 (stay tuned).

Above: The exterior features black-stained timber.

Above: The bathhouse consists of a series of interconnected volumes.

Above: The cafe's furniture is made from salvaged railroad timber.

Above: Various healthful libations are served in the courtyard cafe.

Above: Barking Bathhouse robes.

Above: In the sauna room, a wood-burning stove emits aromas of burning elm and birch. A concealed shutter releases excess steam, allowing the space to be ventilated naturally.

Above: A Barking Bathhouse robe.

Perfect for small bath spaces: hotel-style towel shelves that double as towel warmers.

Above: Myson's Lekoro Classic Electric Towel Warmer in polished chrome is only 18 inches wide; $1,150 at eFaucets.

Above: The Lekoro features a back-lit on/off switch and comes with a five-year warranty. The rack needs to be hard-wired (the installation is not difficult, but requires an electrician).

Above: For a solution that does not require tapping into your wiring, the Luena Wall Mount Plug-In Towel Warmer Shelf, just over 22 inches, has a hollow steel frame that is filled with glycol; the liquid circulates through the rails when heated. It's $305.17 for the chrome finish at Signature Hardware.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on January 11, 2012.

Here are our latest additions in our long-running obsession with loo roll holders.

Above: Add a dash of color to the bathroom with the Diabolo Holder, a simple rope and metal hub inspired by sailing equipment and designed by London-based Yang:Ripol Design Studio for Vandiss. Also available in black rope with a chrome hub, both available soon at GSelect.

Above: One of my favorites to date, the Concrete Toilet Paper Holder with birch handle by Swedish designer Lovisa Wattman; CA $65 from Mjolk.

Above: Josh Owen's Hanging Line is comprised of a silicon band with a magnetic catch. Available in Ferrari Red, shown above, and Matte Black and Porcelain White. The Toilet Paper Hanging Line is $19 from Kontextur.

Above: Glimpsed in a European bath (spotted on OWI): a rubber strap used as toilet roll holder. For something similar, consider the Droog Strap by NL Architects; $34.38 from All Modern.

Above: Decidedly low tech, but this hanging string bag holds plenty of rolls, a useful solution in a small bathroom. The Ecobag String Bag is available for $9.99 from Green Living.

See more of our Toilet Paper solutions and If you missed it, check out Michelle's TP wrangling post on Gardenista: Crisis in the Commode: Powder Room Edition.

Explore More: DIY, Baths

Now that my children are a bit older, I miss the days when I needed to stand by while they took a bath. I don't miss the mountains of bath toys, though; here's a selection of bath toys that have stood the test of time.

Above: Winner of the Duke of Edinburgh's Design Award in 1970, Patrick Ryland's bird and fish bath toys have recently been reissued by the Victoria and Albert Museum; £19.90.

Above: Toy and sponge in one: made in Greece, this natural Wooden Duck is available at Brook Farm General Store; $22.

Above: Simply adorable, this little canoe is handmade in Quebec, using natural oils and non-toxic water-based dyes, by L'Atelier du Cheval de Bois, which has making toys for 40 years. Also available in sailboat and kayak from Ava's Appletree; $19 - $24.

Above: Made in German, the beechwood and natural bristle nail brush is great for bath time play and scrubbing those little toes. At Brook Farm General Store; $12.

Above: Kid O's Bath Time Ducks have a timeless appeal (my kids love them); available through Amazon; $10.15.

Above: Combine bath time with early reading or just some goofy fun with Milliwik's Splashimals, which allow tots to mix and match to create their own fantasical critters; $9.72 at Amazon.

N.B. Looking for more creative play for tots? Browse our selection of the most imaginative building blocks.

I admit it: I love it when my friends covet my obsessively sourced household essentials. For instance: my woven Portuguese bathmat from the White Company in London that a certain someone is eyeing (Gardenista Michelle, I'm talking to you). Here are five options for Michelle to consider:

Above: The bathmat that's the object of envy in my neighborhood? It's the Toulon Mat from the White Company (I brought mine home in my suitcase) and it comes in four sizes (including a runner length). Prices start at £16 for the medium size.

Above: A handmade pink-dyed Portuguese Bath Mat is $17.50 at CJ Shop.

Above: A handmade Portuguese Bath Mat is $75 at A Detacher in New York.

Above: The Woven Portuguese Bath Mat is $54 at Anthropologie and is available in white or coral.

Above: A similar hand-woven Cotton Hand-Knotted Rug (19 by 41 inches) from Portugal is $60 at Bitters & Co. in Seattle.

Want to know what towels Remodelista editors favor? See 10 Easy Pieces: Basic White Towel.

Wood paneling adds an organic element to otherwise spare, modern spaces; here are our 10 favorites:

Above: Plywood is used to create an appealing camp-style bath in Japan by mA-style Architects via Design Boom. See more from 10 Favorites: The Unexpected Appeal of Plywood.

Above: A wood-paneled bath in Austin, Texas, via AT.

Above: Clean-lined rusticity from the portfolio of photographer Richard Powers (L). A sink in a Little Venice house by London-based architects Wells Mackereth (R).

Above: A bathroom designed by MW/Works Architecture & Design from A Coastal Retreat in the Pacific Northwest, Mountain Views Included.

Above: A modern bath by San Francisco architects Aidlin Darling Design (L) and a small space bath via Marie Claire Maison.

Above: A bath in a Soho penthouse by MR Architecture.

Above: A wood paneled bathroom made from reclaimed long leaf pine sealed with oil from our post: In Austin, a Woodworker Takes Affordable Creativity to New Heights.

Above: A bath in Stockholm by Sandell Sandberg.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on May 6, 2010.

I recently upgraded my bathmat and have since discovered the wonders of stepping out onto slatted mango wood post shower. The simple change has turned what I consider daily drudgery into a spa-like experience.

Here are 10 wooden bath mats in various moisture- and rot-resistant woods (towel shopping, too? See 10 Easy Pieces: Basic White Bath Towels).

Above: The Mango Wood Bath Mat is a slatted mat measuring 27 inches long by 18 inches wide; £42 from Toast in the UK.

Above: Prized for its bacteria-resistant resin, the Japanese Hinoki cypress used in this Hinoki Bath Mat, also prevents mildew and withstands humidity. Designed by Yoko Ueno Lewis in Japan, the bath mat is $100 from Design Within Reach.

Above: The Solid Ash Bathmat is handsanded to a smooth finish with an open slat design elevated off the floor to circulate air and water. The square measures about 22 by 22 inches to accommodate for small space bathrooms; $34.95 from CB2.

Above: The Skagerak Bathroom Mat is made of South-East Asian teak wood, a material resistant to wet and dry rot. Made in Denmark, the mat is $110.38 from All Modern.

Above: The oiled ash Thermowood Bath Mat is made from wood treated with a thermal process that renders it moisture, mold, and mildew resistant; €126 from Manufactum in Germany. For more made with the same material, see our post Bath: Thermowood Accessories from Manufactum.

Above: Waterworks' Teak Bath Mat is made from solid, moisture resistant teak and features rounded detailing; $255 from Waterworks.

Above: Canoe's Hinoki Bath Mat is designer in smaller proportions (24 inches long by 14 inches wide) than most; $50 each.

Above: Teakworks4u's Teak Shower Mat is made in the US and available in two sizes: 25- or 30-inch widths; $125.43

Above: The White Wooden Shaker Style Bath Mat features anti-slip pad and grooved white-painted pine wood for £15 each from Roman at Home. Contact directly for restocking and shipping.

Above: The recently-stocked Hinoki Bath Mat with slanted wood slats (to impede water form building on the surface of the mat) has quickly sold out at Mjolk in Toronto. Made by artists in Kiso, Japan, the mat measures about 20 inches long by 14 inches wide. $220CAD each, contact directly for restocking dates.

Thinking of remodeling your bathroom? Sift through 943 inspiration images of Baths in our Gallery of rooms and spaces, then shop 148 Bath Accessories in our Shop section.

Influenced by color, pattern, and texture; a London art collector’s home is an art installation in itself.

With a client list that includes Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, and the White Cube Gallery, Rundell Associates (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) is used to designing for and around art. In the renovation of a London Victorian town house, the architects created a family home to also house an extensive art collection.

Photography by James Harris.

Above: Large-scale contemporary art works by Anselm Kiefer and Damian Hirst find a comfortable home in the open spaces and tall ceilings of the living, dining and kitchen area.

Above: The fluoro chairs by Barber Osgerby make a strong visual impact in the family dining room, which is adjacent to the kitchen. The chairs are made out of bentwood and are very lightweight.

Above: The architects bring color into the dressing room through the solid cedar cabinetry, which is lined with fluorescent glass. "I love Daniel Chadwick's Perspex mobiles and I wanted to make use of "live edge" Perspex to give the drawers a lift," says Mike Rundell the founding partner of Rundell Associates. "Back painted glass is very flat so for the rest of the units we designed a system where we laminated Perspex between two layers of glass and then painted the back of the glass white so that colored light would reflect back off it—the result is a genuinely vibrant color."

About: "The guest bathroom at the top of the house was a small room and needed something to give it a strong personality," Rundell says. N.B.: See Flouro Brights in the Bath for other uses of florescent color in the bathroom.

Above: The spines of binders covered in Florentine marbleized paper are framed by leather covered, Bill Amberg bookshelves.

Image 6 - The master bathroom was clad in Brescia Violetta, an extremely rare marble; completely covering all the walls to produce a seamless finish.

Above: The shower niche was clad in the last available sheets of pink Flor di Pesco.

Marble doesn't have to be rare to look luxurious. See 273 Marble Bathroom images in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

Claw foot tub: your time may be up. There’s a sexy, sculpted tub designed by an Italian architect that's the new modern classic.

London- and Winchester-based designers McLean Quinlan (members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) use the Spoon XL by Agape to add a new dimension to the classic proportions of this minimalist bathroom. “The client loved the shape, and we felt that this unusual centerpiece created a dramatic contrast while transforming the formality of the room at the same time,” the architects say.

Photography by Leigh Simpson.

Above: With their signature quiet, modern style, McLean Quinlan create a calm retreat from busy London life in a Notting Hill bathroom.

Above: Sliding laminated glass screens control the changing qualities of light and mood in the space.

Above: McLean Quinlan used a custom blend of brown mosaic tiles to highlight both ends of the bathroom, which house the shower, toilet and double sink. "The curved edges evolved from a practical form in the shower area, which also helped emphasize the sense of a lining," the architects say. This was then reflected on the sink side to form shelves for towels and create a more pleasant scale when standing at the sinks.

Above: The Spoon XL by Agape has a shaped basin, which is tilted for optimal water distribution.

Above: Towel rails have been installed to span the width of the radiators ensuring that towels are warm and dry. White porcelain ceramic tiles have been used on the floor.

Above: The scooped-out bath shape contrasts with the minimal lines of the floors and windows.

Above: The double sinks are bespoke from a single Corian surface with oval bowls.

As far as we're concerned, a spa like bathroom begins and ends with the bathtub. See 343 images of Bathtubs in our Gallery of rooms and spaces to plan yours.

Can anything top a marble bath? Simple and elegant, marble in the bath seems to obviate the need for any other adornment in the loo. Do you agree? Share your thoughts in the comments, below.

Here, ten marble baths from members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory.

Above: A curvaceous marble sink surround in a NYC bath by Selldorf Architects.

Above: A dark-veined marble in a bathroom by NYC-based Steven Harris Architects. For another great bath, see Architect Visit: Steven Harris at 54 Bond Street in New York.

Above: We love the marble shower niche in this bathroom by Deborah Berke & Partners, based in New York City. For more from the firm, see Architect Visit: Deborah Berke in Litchfield County, Connecticut.

Above: London-based Openstudio Architects restored a historic terrace home with an emphasis on "elegance, privacy, and clean planning." We second the elegant part, especially that marble door. Hear from Openstudio architect Jennifer Beningfield in The Architect Is In: Loft Living in a London Victorian. Photos by Richard Bryant.

Above: A dramatic use of dark-veined marble means little else is needed in this bath by Front Studio Architects. For more from the firm, see RADD Visit: Front Studio in New York. Photos by Alexandra Neuber.

Above: NYC-based Wettling Architects used marble in this simple kids' bath in a Tribeca Loft. For more from Wettling, see 10 Elegant Stairs from the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory.

Above: A perennial favorite from SF-based Malcolm Davis Architecture, this master bath opens onto a patio with views of the Presidio in San Francisco. For an equally enviable kitchen (also featuring marble), see Steal This Look: Malcolm Davis Kitchen in San Francisco. Photo by Joe Fletcher.

Above: A dramatic freestanding marble tub is the focal point of this West Village townhouse bath, owned by actress Julianne Moore and remodeled by Brooklyn-based Made LLC. For the rest of the house, see Architect Visit: Made LLC for Julianne Moore in New York. Photo by Thibault Jeanson.

Above: The owners of this Park Avenue duplex wanted a luxurious but kid-friendly home; NYC-based Wettling Architects obliged.

Above: We featured this striking minimal bath with custom marble sink by Messana O'Rorke in Calm and Composed in the West Village. Hear from architects Brian Messana and Toby O'Rorke via The Architect Is In: A NYC Firm Answers Your Questions. Photo by Eric Laignel.

Now craving some color? See 298 photos of Bright & Colorful Spaces in our new image gallery.

Last year, I thought I was really onto something when I purchased a bottle of Eau Illuminée by San Francisco-based Parfums DelRae. I became an overnight evangelist, only to discover that, well, all my friends (Julie included) already owned a bottle. It was what I dub a TMM (a Ted Muehling moment, the time I discovered that all my friends wore the same earrings)—and was I to throw myself off a cliff for my lack of originality or congratulate myself on my friends' good taste?

Then I decided that Eau Illuminée is the new modern classic, the inheritor to the Chanel No. 5 throne, an elegant, subtle, grown-up perfume evocative of a classic French scent. What's extraordinary is the story of DelRae Roth, who with no experience created a line of perfumes. Read on to learn more:

Remodelista: How did this begin?
DelRae Roth: I had worked as art director at Esprit, and was surrounded by some of the best people around. I knew how to see a project through from beginning to end and how to work with creatives. I really wanted to have my own business, and I had always loved perfume.

Above: DelRae Roth of Parfums DelRae; photo by Mark Seelen via the Style Saloniste.

RM: How did you go from concept to creation?
DR: It was a huge risk. In 2000, I ordered some of the best oils from France and started experimenting. I wanted to work with the very best, so I started cold calling the prestigious French perfumer families. Being American, and female, I was (and am) a wild card in the industry. The Roudnitskas were first on my list; Edmond Roudnitska had passed away but is known as the father of modern perfumery. His wife, Thérèse, and son Michel took me on, and in 2002 Michel and I launched with a trio of fragrances: Eau Illuminée, Amoureuse, and Bois de Paradis,

RM: How do you come up with a scent?
DR: I always have a name when I first conceptualize a perfume. Amoureuse was inspired by the blooming trees and Victoria's box that line the streets of San Francisco mixed with the feeling of sunshine and the marine air. The names are really important to me and I want them to describe the personality of the perfumes.

Above: A bottle of Emotionelle; $135 from Parfums DelRae, inspired by a transformative stay in Paris. The starting point was a journal from that time. It is Roudnitska's favorite perfume from the line. Roth describes it as "very unusual, unlike anything else. It covers a lot of distance and is a big story that it tells. It's for someone who is confident and who knows themselves; someone who has good taste and wants something avant-garde."

RM: How should you wear perfume?
DR: It's a different way of wearing perfume in Europe than in America. In Paris you note the perfume on people as you walk down the street. Americans are much more restrained but they are getting better. Wear it on your body, of course, but also spray it in your hair and on your clothes. Perfume has the ability to be so personal—it becomes part of your personal story, that's why people become so attached to their perfume.

RM: Suggestions on how to choose a perfume?
DR: You should always have an open mind when you shop for perfume; disarm yourself of preconceived notions. I have Coup de Foudre, which is a beautiful perfume made with high quality rose oil. You might not think you like roses, but since the perfume is made up of so many different materials you might be surprised by how good it is. It's like cooking, saffron by itself might nor be good but in a recipe it can take a dish to a new height. Always narrow your choice down to two perfumes before you compare, as the nose can get overloaded really quickly. And be adventurous.

Above: Rose petals. According to Roth, the best rose oil is found in the fields outside Grasse in Provence, where perfume started. For a long time, it was the center of glove making, and scent was added to the leather gloves to make them smell better which is how the industry really began.

RM: How to store perfume?
DR: Perfume should never be stored where there are temperature changes, so not in bathroom. Store on a dresser but out of direct sunlight. Think of perfume like storing wine, the same principles apply. Perfume is at its optimum when you first buy it, so it's best worn within a year of purchase.

RM: Why wear perfume?
DR: Perfume is an art form; it should be worn for pleasure. It's romantic, sensual, and sexy and should be enjoyed like fine food and good wine. It is an enhancement that can make people feel beautiful. The world can be abrasive and sad and I think we need this kind of thing in life.

RM: A perfume you like other than your own?
DR: Chanel No. 5, I wish I had made that. It's a really old perfume that is timeless. It's the perfect little black dress.

Above: Hotel de l"Abbaye located in the 6th arrondissement.

RM: You refer to Paris as your second home. What are some of your favorite places there?
DR: My love for Paris continues undiminished and informs my life and work in a daily way that I cannot imagine living without. There are so many beautiful things to do there. I usually stay in the 6th at Hotel de l'Abbaye. It's a very traditional small hotel with rooms overlooking a garden and at night you can hear the sound of owls. I like Cafe Rostand in the Luxembourg gardens where I have a kir royal and watch people coming and going. I love the museums and the Palais Royale and the Tuileries. I like to drink wine at Les Deux Magots and I'll often have dinner at a window seat at Brasserie Lipp, typically a steak tartare. I eat a lot of them when I'm in Paris.

For more on Paris, check out our City Guide.

It's been a long, brutal cold and flu season and we're all tired of tissue boxes at Remodelista; maybe that's why we're so attracted to this Danish bathroom featuring a wall-mounted tissue box. Here are a couple of wall-mounted stainless tissue boxes to consider:

Above: A wall-mounted tissue box holder in a Danish bathroom; photo via My Scandinavian Retreat.

Above: Sonia Commercial Wall-Mounted Tissue Box Cover of polished stainless steel; $82.50 from Quality Bath.

Above: The German-designed Primo Tissue Box from Blomus is made of matte stainless steel and can be wall mounted; $71 at Lumens.

I first got to know San Francisco architect Malcolm Davis of Malcolm Davis Architecture when he designed my friend Berry's house (coincidentally, years earlier I had ripped out one of his projects from a magazine). Among the many highlights of his projects? The bathrooms, which are light, airy, and full of well-considered details. So who better to turn to for advice?

Remodelista: What do your clients typically ask for in a bathroom?
Malcolm Davis: When someone comes to me, they usually know what bathrooms I design; there's always some sense of the outdoors and as much daylight as possible. When clients start looking at imagery, I ask them to think of their house as the best version of what they want it to be and what look will go with that in the bathroom, as opposed to their dream bathroom. I try and have a thread of the rest of the house incorporated in the bathroom so it feels connected.

Above: A marble-clad shower with an obscure-glass (frosted) door that opens on to a wooden roof deck and a small window looking onto the trees outside.

RM: How do you manage to make your bathrooms so light and airy?
MD: If I have any way of getting daylight into the bathroom, I do it. I always try and get a bathroom on an outside wall. In a city, you don't always get that option, so then I go for a skylight. It's important to have a visual link to the outdoors; it's neat to have some clear glimpse of the outside, even if it is just one panel of a window where you can see a tree outside or a skylight where a bird flies overhead. The more light the better. Sunlight is the best killer of mold. If you can make the windows larger that's the biggest change you can make.

Above: A Davis-designed bathroom at the Cook residence in SF.

RM: What's your approach to design?
MD: I like some bandwidth in the bathroom. It needs to be a place where if you are putting yourself together you can be the most spot on, but it's also a place where if you feel terrible you can unwind in warm water and find some solace. The bathroom has to provide a good backdrop, and not work against you. It should convey a sense of simplicity and clarity.

RM: How do you create a serene backdrop?
MD: I use simple, nice materials and work with a limited palette. I really like limestone, marble, and slate. I like to bring in some sense of nature, a piece of natural wood or a Heath tile that has a handmade quality. I use a wood shelf in a lot of bathrooms. If the surfaces feel too hard and shiny, it can feel too perfect. With materials that have a softer organic feel, that's when the person starts to feel they fit in.

Above: Baird Street project. Davis explains, "A tabletop is at 30 inches so the sink needs to be higher so you don't have to bend over so much. I usually have the sink height at 34 to 36 inches high, although I am currently doing a gentleman's sink that's higher."

RM: Storage?
MD: I like hidden storage (there's something about having a million little cupboards that looks overwhelming). I like to place a couple of tall shallow cabinets hidden in a stud bay. You don't need deep shelf storage, a shallow shelf can store a lot. I try and make as many things as dual function as possible. I like to put a recess in the shower and I try and integrate towel bars to feel built in. It's hard to pull off as it depends upon the space

Above: Davis favors plain ceramic tiles in a running bond pattern as opposed to stacked shown here in the Bole project. When using darker tiles he prefers the contrast of a lighter grout.

RM: Choice of materials?
MD: A bathroom is going to last for a long time, so I like to keep it simple. It's not clothing. When it comes to materials, I always question whether it will last for a long time. I advise clients to set out a couple of materials they like and look at them every day before deciding. Often it's the one that you thought that was boring that works in the end.

Above: In this 21st Street project, Davis notes, "I use porches a lot in my mental vocabulary where people may think that this could have been an outdoor space that has been closed".

RM: Lighting?
MD: Industrial-looking Stonco lighting is my go-to. It's a vapor tight light with a guard and they are great for tucking in a skylight shaft.

Above: 28th Street project.

RM: Favorite fixtures?
MD: I like porcelain. Duravit sinks are a favorite, and the Dornbracht Tara line is super classic, although sometimes it can be a challenge to get the hot and cold taps to line up straight. I like Chicago Faucets, but it's too bad they don't have a bigger line.

Storage: A bathroom unit with a built in towel rail in the Bartlett project.

RM: Things to note?
MD: Bathrooms don't have to be huge. When I see a large standalone tub floating in space, that's a lot of space it's taking up. I always put my mind into the small places of New York or Europe and consider how you make a space compelling.

See more work from Malcolm Davis Architecture.

Ned a fixture? Check out more than 130 posts on Faucets and Fixtures.

A young architect’s own home renovation can be like a grand DIY. Limited budgets and creative resourcefulness combined with architectural knowledge, training, and experience inevitably lead to clever solutions and interesting stories. This week, New York- and Texas-based Jen Turner tells us what it’s like to be the architect of her own renovation; a 1,350-square-foot 19th-century carriage house in Brooklyn. She is available for the next 48 hours to answer any and all questions. Ask away!

With a limited budget of roughly $60 per square foot and a compressed construction period of 42 days from the start of demolition to finish, Jen Turner (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) bravely decided to procure all the building materials (everything except for the sheetrock). "Ordering everything myself saved money, as normally a contractor would add a fee on top of the cost for the materials, but this meant I was also responsible for getting the right overage on the tile and making sure everything arrived in the right sequence," she says. "This was stressful, and I wouldn´t necessarily recommend trying this at home."

Turner does, however, have several more user-friendly tips for staying on budget and on time. "Having done extensive research I was able to make final decisions on schedule, which is one of the most important aspects of any successful project. I always recommend that clients do their research by compiling and organizing their images or links to ideas, materials, and products in a thoughtful way; this is invaluable to you as well as your architect and contractor,” she says. "Working within one's budget is always challenging. As an architect, I am well aware of what´s available in terms of materials and fixtures and covet the same things I specify for my clients. So I had to strike a balance between the high and low. I went for a fairly neutral palette with varied, rich textures and spots of color.”

Photography by Mathew Williams for Remodelista.

Above: The architect Jen Turner in her bedroom on the second floor of the carriage house. "On the feature walls and floors, I splurged with Farrow & Ball and used Benjamin Moore for the rest of the house," she say. "The Farrow & Ball Blue Ground makes the room feel like it is in a cottage by the sea; a happy blue which is wonderful to wake up to."

Above: The first floor of Turner's house is essentially one large room with the kitchen and dining area at either end of the room and the living area in the middle. The painting on the wall, "Partial Map of the Known Universe with Loops," is by artist and friend Kysa Johnson. "It´s created by using tiny repeated subatomic decay patterns," Turner says.

Above: "I splurged on tiles from Heath Ceramics because of the extraordinary depth of their colors (and non-colors) and handmade character," Turner says. "The back splash tile in the kitchen is in Heath's latest series, but they don´t produce a border tile for it. Since I chose the tile for its form and pattern, I felt that leaving the edge raw celebrated this aspect."

Above: Turner's decisions in the kitchen are an example of her balancing act between high and low. The cabinets are from Ikea, which Turner and her architect sister assembled themselves over one weekend. Given the open nature of the multi-function room, she avoided upper cabinets and a full height refrigerator for a more integrated overall aesthetic. "For the kitchen splurges, I went with fridge drawers (I'll never go back!) and custom stainless steel panels to keep the kitchen quiet and monolithic," she says. "With a bigger budget, I might have used another material for the island surround to warm it up, but these are the things we learn and improve upon next time."

Above: An example of Turner's creative resourcefulness; making a feature of her lighting cords by arranging them into a geometric pattern on her ceiling.

Above: Turner used a stone called Luce de Luna for the countertop of her kitchen island. "The box on the wall is an old piece of millwork a contractor gave me when I renovated one of my first apartments in Williamsburg," she says. "It was built to be used vertically with adjustable shelves and I´ve carried it around from place to place, using it in different spaces. Here it´s a place holder for a bigger, nicer future cabinet. So I filled the shelf holes, turned it on its side and painted it gold on the interior.

Above: Turner used a neutral palette to create a background that would accommodate her high/low design approach. The existing fireplace was partially rebuilt and finished with matte black Heath tiles, which are practical for masking smoke residue. "While the Eames Sofa Compact was one of the first (actually only) fancy pieces of furniture I ever bought, the stools are from IKEA," she says. "I had used them as bedside tables for years and so their tops were not in very good condition. When I was at Ikea shopping for my kitchen cabinets, I saw the lamb's wool throws and thought they were a perfect no-fuss solution for extending the lifespan of the stools by a couple of years."

Above: Turner's home is filled with vignettes composed of natural objects she has collected on her travels or on hikes. "I love strange flowers and they seem to dry nicely, like the yellow ball ones and the poppy bulbs," she says. "The dark purple ones are millet that I bought at the San Francisco farmers market just before flying back to NYC. I´ve been known to ferry peculiar things via plane."

Above: A birthday cake made out of random packing materials, which Turner finds fascinating and collects, sits on a vintage Jonathan Adler table which she purchased at a sample sale for $30.

Above: Turner's dining area is comprised of a Lindsey Adelman DIY chandelier and a dining table whose base she purchased from a reclamation store in Redhook, "one of those places that you literally have to excavate things from the ceiling-high formations of furniture and bric-a-brac." The wood tabletop was made by a millworker as a 'thank you' on a library project Turner worked on with him when she was working at Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects.

Above: Turner feels some music types and musicians, including the Blues, Fela Kuti, and Cat Power, sound lusty and better on her Rega Planar turntable, which she loves for its "excellent function and beautiful, simple design." Sitting at a bus stop in Queens on the way to a friend's barbecue, Turner spotted her yellow chair. Drawn to its form and color, she brought it home with her. "Funnily enough, I walked into ABC carpet a couple of years later and saw four of these chairs newly upholstered at $1,300 each," she says.

Above: A vintage Le Corbusier armchair and midcentury dresser maintain Turner's neutral palette in the sitting area of the master bedroom.

Above: The glass box on the left contains pine cones in increasing sizes that Turner has collected on her walks, while the glass box on the right contains things belonging to the sea, collected in Mexico, Africa, Belize, and Costa Rica.

Above L: Turner converted a solid walnut millwork sample from a past job into a bedside table. Above R: Colorful jewelry hangs from a branch she found in Connecticut.

Above: The wood headboard with bookshelf and secret storage drawers is one of Turner's own designs, which she has named The Marfa in homage to Donald Judd.

Above: The French walnut shelf is another job sample that Turner re-purposed into a bedside table.

Above: The only thing Turner kept from the original bathroom was the toilet. The American Standard bathtub, which she painted a deep blue, was salvaged from a convent in Brooklyn.

Above: The brick infill on the front facade of Turner's two story house in the Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn leads her to believe it was originally a carriage house for the building next door.

Has Jen Turner's architectural DIY got you into the mood for a weekend project? See 263 of our favorite DIY projects.

In anticipation for our upcoming Japanese week, we've been checking out Umamimart's Blog and learning how to make garlicky gomadare (sesame sauce). Check out our Umamimart post.

Above: We're contemplating Alabama Chanin's one day retreats across the country.

• Sarah thoroughly recommends the film Jiro Dreams of Sushi.

Above: Taking a look into Yusuke Seki's Kyoto store dedicated to the revival of Kimono culture in modern life.

• We're inspired to reorganize the kitchen thanks to these 24 ideas, like idea no. 4 about storing items by use.

Above: Julie has her eye on this (giant) basket from A Detacher.

• Alexa has been completely obsessed with the latest Rochas collection shown in Paris this week; in particular the hair inspired by Nicoletta Santoro of Vogue China.

Above: An image from the Kickstarter funded upcoming book by Leslie Williamson, Handcrafted Modern Europe.

• Sarah's heading to Heath SF this Thursday evening to get a sneak preview of Williamson's book on the mid-twentieth century most notable architects and designers in Europe. Check out her previous book, Handcrafted Modern.

Above: One of our favorite subjects: sliding door hardware.

• Curious about Brownstoner's latest feature, The Upstater, showcasing real estate listings within three hours north, east or west of NYC.

Above: Going on a spring vacation? Consider this idea for keeping houseplants hydrated while you're away. Photograph from the shop featured in DIY: Instant Hanging Shelves for Houseplants.

• Admiring this transformation of an old van by Welsh couple Bill and Becky Goddard of Rustic Campers.

N.B.: See our past weekly obsessions in the Design News section of our archive.

What lies between a house and a street? This was the question Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto addressed in the design of House N in Oita, southern Japan. The clients' mandate for the house was for something pure and simple. Fujimoto's solution? A white three-shelled box structure that blurs the boundaries between outdoors and indoors and connects to both the sky and the street. For more on the architect's work, visit Sou Fujimoto Architects.

Photography by Iwan Baan.

Above: The house as seen from the street. Inside the outer white shell are two more smaller shells. The entry to the left accommodates two cars. The wooden rails sides across as a barrier.

Above: The three shells of progressive sizes are nested inside one another. The 44 openings throughout the building are an integral part of the structure, with Fujimoto taking careful consideration of the views framed.

Above: A wooden deck and a minimal garden connect the outer shell to the middle one.

Above: The only sealed openings are in the glass encased middle shell shown here.

Above: The private inner shell features large cut-out openings that show the different layers connecting to the outside world. There are only three doors in total: two to the street outside, and one to the toilet.

Above L: A tatami area that doubles as guest accommodation. Above R: A narrow passage between two shells connects the living area to the kitchen and bathroom.

Above: Simple sleeping quarters.

Above: A small deck is reached through a sliding glass door.

Above: A sliding window in the middle shell for cross ventilation.

Above: Fujimoto took into consideration the movement of the sun and incorporated daylight and shade into his design. The outer shell has seven openings in the roof, allowing the sky to be glimpsed from the interior.

Above: House N sits in a residential suburb. It has a large footprint, but the transparent shells, with their myriad openings, give it a fluid form that connects with the surrounding neighborhood. Fujimoto likens it to living among the clouds, where the boundaries are blurred.

Above: A section of the house plan.

House N is one of my favorite Japanese structures to date, but here are two more worth checking out: Takeshi Hosaka and Akasaka Shinichiro Atelier.

See our City Guide for more on Japan.

I've been finding myself mesmerized by the purity of Jeff Nimeh’s sculptural ceramic lamps; a clarity borne from many years of perfecting his craft on the potter’s wheel.

Ever since he discovered the potter’s wheel at the age of 18, while studying fine arts at the College of Wooster, Jeff Nimeh has been throwing. “Every ball of porcelain I take to the potter’s wheel is imbued with potential,” he says, “The throwing process is crucial; to the degree that I feel each piece I am attempting is going to impact my life, even if in a minor way.” Nimeh was based in New York for 14 years, but he has just relocated his studio to Kyoto, Japan (we predict interesting things to come); to see more, go to Jeff Nimeh; his pieces are available at BDDW in New York, Hollace Cluny in Toronto, and Twentieth in LA.

Above: The lamps with matching shades have a monochromatic continuity; sizes range from 15 to 27 inches tall. Prices for the porcelain lamps range from $1,500 to $3,300; contact Jeff Nimeh for ordering information.

Above: A white lamp with a black shade.

Above: A black lamp with a white shade.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on April 24, 2012. Almost a year later, Nimeh still lives in Kyoto and is busy preparing for his first exhibition in Japan at the H2O Gallery.