Some of our favorite baths feature steel factory doors and windows as shower enclosures, shower doors, room dividers, even as a door to a lavatory. Here are ten examples of the look:

Above: Steel shower doors with frosted glass offer just enough privacy; photograph by Brandon Barré.

Above: An indoor/outdoor shower in San Francisco by Malcolm Davis Architecture (also see Davis' Expert Advice: 10 Essential Tips for Designing a Bathroom).

Above: Steel window panels add a graphic note to this light, airy bathing space in Meg Ryan's house on Martha's Vineyard, featured on Elle Decor.

Above: The bath in the home of actor Malcolm McDowell in Ojai, California, from House Beautiful.

Above: A luxe bath designed by London-based Stiff + Trevillion featuring Arabascato marble and industrial steel-framed glass doors (see the whole project at A Victorian Remodel with an Industrial Edge).

Above: A steel shower enclosure by Janus Custom Steel.

Above L: Two factory window doors in a Malibu, California, home designed by Madeline Stuart. Above R: A shower in the master bathroom of the Bouldin Castle in Austin, Texas (R).

Above: A factory window shower enclosure in a remodeled bath via Peppermint Bliss.

Above L: Factory windows in the apartment of French architect Sophie Hanniet, photographed by Didier Delmas for Côté Maison. Above R: A bath spotted on the Remains Lighting site.

Looking for more remodeling inspiration? Sift through a room gallery of 21 Industrial Baths and Steal The Look of one of these 35 bathrooms.

Here's a quick, easy fix if you're looking to conceal a light bulb: the Hang on Easy by Dutch designers Ransmeier & Floyd. The pair dreamed up the DIYM (as in "Do It Yourself Modern") lampshade that slips easily on and off a pendant light without the need for any hardware. Available from Droog through Droog Design for €60 and in the US at All Modern Outlet for $125.

Above: The translucent polypropylene lampshade slips easily on and off without any hardware.

Above: The shade gives off a translucent soft light.

Looking for a softer glow from your lighting? Check out our post with 10 Solutions for Romantic Lighting.

Explore More: Lighting.

Employing a rare mix of muted concrete with a dash of poppy, an Amsterdam family creates a warm and whimsical island retreat.

Cool concrete interiors, shot through with bursts of vibrant orange, lend a "wow factor" to this industrial loft-style home in Amsterdam (discovered via April and May). And yet the overall effect is a deeply personal space. Low furniture, tucked against textured walls, creates a grotto/lounge-like feel. Though edited, the interiors are peppered with eclectic touches—vintage furnishings or a red Chinese lantern—as well as humorous, laid-back accents such as a plastic milk-jug-cum-vase. Together, these elements create a lived-in environment, where creativity is welcome and personality is valued above perfection.

Above: Beautifully shot by Nathalie Krag (with production by Leonoor Ottink), this Amsterdam residence was originally featured in Inside Out Magazine.

Above: Characteristic whimsy, a persimmon house is chalked directly onto the wall.

Above: Most of the furniture and personal accents where acquired from second-hand shops and during travels abroad.

Above: The owners added a lively fluoro band, which provides a burst of color to the dining-area banquets.

Above: Eclectically arranged, vintage wooden elements warm this wall.

Above: In the bedroom, a casual mix of paper and cloth, as well as a photo mural, soften the industrial feel.

Above: In an inspired bit of humor (and recycling), a plastic milk jug serves as a vase for neon carnations.

See more at Inside Out.

N. B. Looking to ring in spring with a bit of neon, yourself? Check out our gallery of other colorful inspirations and accents.

On a trip to Amsterdam a while back, I visited Royal Tichelaar Makkum, the Netherlands oldest and, in some ways, most surprising company. The ethos encourages innovation, striving to "live up to this long lineage, but lets itself by no means tie down by the chains of history."

I was especially struck by the way architects Merkx & Girod used Tichelaar's traditional Dutch tiles in the very modern interiors of their flagship store; here are some other projects involving traditional tilework in modern settings.

Above: A Delft-tiled dining room in Berlin, photographed by Gregor Hohenberg for AD.

Above: Tiger Sushi in Copenhagen, designed by Joanna Laajisto.

Above: Delft-inspired wallpaper via Wall & Deco.

Above: A kitchen designed by Jelle de Jong using hand-painted Old Dutch tiles in the Yacht in Circle pattern.

Above: A Delft-tiled backsplash in the home of design editor Beth Hitchcock, via House & Home.

Above: Early English Delft tiles via Fired Earth.

On our radar since 2009, the minimalist oasis Galerie Sofie Lachaert in Tielrode, Belgium, offers an ever-changing display of vintage and modern pieces curated by jewelry and product designer Sofie Lachaert. With two guest rooms that Lachaert runs as a bed and breakfast, you might be tempted to claim permanent residency.

Photography by Danica O. Kus.

Above: A wooden bowl by Hans-Henning Pedersen and a ceramic vase by Christina Schou Christensen sit on a minimalist table by Maarten Van Severen in the Galerie Sofie Lachaert.

Above: A minimalist dining table by Maarten van Severen is paired with wooden stools by Casimir.

Above: The Thorn Coat rack by Matthew Waetherly holds a Flax Rope Lamp designed by Christien Meindertsma in collaboration with traditional rope maker Touwslagerij Steenbergen. The small hanging mirror is by Alberto Artesani.

Above: A curated collection of objects create a vignette; bowl by Hans Stofer, portrait by Marlene Dumas, wood sculpture by Hans-Henning Pedersen and the trestle table by lachaert & dhanis.

Above: A collection of leather framed mirrors by Oscar Maschera hang on the wall.

Above: Brushnecklaces by Dutch artist Jacomijn Van Der Donk hang on the wall.

Above: A display of ceramics from the Galerie Sofie Lachaert. Artists include Piet Stockmans, Jens Fager, Astrid Keller, AldoBakker. Ruth Gurvich, Nedda el Asmar, Studio Stockmans, Rob Brandt, Illka Suppanen and Alberto Artesani.

Above: Lachaert groups sculptural lighting by Jos Devriendt together with sculptural pieces by Christina Schou Christensen. The platter which holds the fruit is by lachaert & dhanis.

Above: The Martin Van Severen Leather Lounge Chair 04 is overlooked by an antler sculpture by lachaert & dhanis with a Jos Devriendt lamp in the background.

Above: A pair of minimally detailed linen dresses by lachaert & dhanis hang in the window while the art work on the wall is by Paul Bourgeois. The suspended table on the wall is by lachaert & dhanis.

Above: A vintage book sits on a suspended table; both are by lachaert & dhanis.

Above: Bedtime is a white and calming oasis. A white vase by Robert Bronwasser is filled with colorful flowers. For information on staying, see B&B Tielrode.

Above: Even vintage hangers become works of art in the Galerie Sofie Lachaert while a Tree with Silver Nails by lachaert & danis is used to hang bath robes.

Above: A pedestal sink is sculptural in the open setting.

Above: An vintage wine decanter is used for soap.

Above: A Studio Job bath towel hangs on an elliptical Japanese inspired ofuros. For more information on Japanese Ofuros, see Japanese Soaking Tub Roundup. The 'hot' silver candlestick is by lachaert & dhanis.

Above: A ceramic bird sculpture by lachaert & dhanis bids you sweet dreams. For more see Hotels & Lodgings: Sofie Lachaert in Belgium.

What is it about those Belgians and design? For more, see 155 back posts of Belgian Design.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on October 30, 2012.

We admit it: we're card-carrying members of the white spa towel cult (see 10 Easy Pieces: White Bath Towels). But ever since we spotted the plush, richly patterned, vibrantly hued towels from LA-based Fresco we've been questioning our allegiances. Is it time to add pattern and texture to the bath? What do you think?

Above: A bath at the Surf Lodge in Montauk, via Ann Street Studio.

Above: The towels in question: the Royal Blue Bohemian Damask towels are available directly from Fresco; prices start at $23 for a washcloth and go up to $69 for a bath towel.

Spotted (and admired) on the blog Met Melk en Suiker: a madcap lamp made from a mashup of three pendant lights with an Alice in Wonderland vibe. The surrealist trio inspired us to research on drilling porcelain to make one ourselves. Read on for instructions:

Above: Source two pendant lamp cords, antique teacups, and a pleated chandelier lampshade. To drill holes through the porcelain teacups, use a Diamond Drill Bit (made for drilling ceramic and glass) to drill a hole just large enough for the pendant cord you're using. Be sure to start by drilling on a low, gentle speed to avoid cracking the porcelain. Thread the teacups through the cord and stack one on top of the other and attach the bulb at the bottom. Photograph from Met Melk En Suiker.

Above: West Elm's White Cord Set (shown) is $29 each and Ikea's Hemma Cord Set is $4.99.

Above: Source your pick of antique teacups found at your local flea or on Etsy, like these Porcelain Teacups from Bavaria; $32.81 for a set of 2 from Project Safaran.

Above: The small, 4.25-Inch Side Pleated Chandelier Shade is $14 from Shades of Light.

Above: The Meridian Pendant Light is $195 from Sundance.

Looking for more lighting to make yourself? See our previous posts: DIY: Industrial Bedside Pulley Lamp and 5 Favorites: Fabric Light Fixtures.

Norfolk, England-based illustrator, printmaker, and designer Paul Bommer is having a moment. He's "Busy. Busy. Busy. A tile art exhibition on at the moment at Tinsmiths in Ledbury; three more next month (Pick Me Up at Somerset House, a solo show at Sack & Sugar in Norwich, and a group show at the Gallery Norfolk in Cromer)." We're tempted to fly over just to see his line of Delft tiles depicting denizens of Spitalfields reimagined for the 21st century.

As Spitalfields Life says, "Paul’s sly, witty style is perfectly at home on tiles, bringing an extra level of humor and sophistication to this appealing vernacular art." To see more of his work, go to Paul Bommer.

Above: "Here's me, signing my new screen print edition, based upon Ingmar Bergman's film The Seventh Seal. The drafting table is a very recent purchase, I got it this Thursday just gone, at Spitalfields Antique Market. My mate Steve, who sold it to me, told me he was told by the guy he got it off that it used to belong to the guy who drew Roy of the Rovers. I like to think the provenance is true." Image via Flickr.

Above: The Gentle Author, depicting the anonymous writer of Spitalfields Life.

Above: The Auriculas of Spitalfields.

Above: William Shakespeare in Spitalfields.

Above: Tubby Isaac's Jellied Eels Stall.

Before Anouck Lepère was the face of Chanel and Hugo Boss and walking the runway of Dries van Noten, she was holed up in the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp studying architecture.

The Antwerp-born supermodel has applied her design eye to her own apartment, a considered space blending Danish midcentury design with cultural antiques beyond the borders of central Europe. Visit Nowness for more.

Photography by Estelle Hanania, courtesy of Nowness.

Above: Lepère perched on a buttery leather sofa in her living room; the Moroccan rug is from Antwerp’s vintage market Kloosterstraat.

Above: A bespoke spiral staircase made by Import-Export, a Belgian architecture company.

Above: Stacks of boxes on a black lacquer cabinet stand out against the pale pink painted walls.

Above: Lepere's kitchen features a stainless steel and pastel green color palette.

For more inspiration from Antwerp, Belgium, see all 12 shops, restaurants, and hotels in our Antwerp City Guide.

Don't be fooled: Le Jardin Bohemien may sound like an arboretum, but it's actually a cafe with a B&B.

Situated in a 17th century building in the center of Ghent, Le Jardin Bohemien is owned and operated by Jean Pierre De Taeye and Kristine Dehond. The couple, who are passionate about art (he's an interior designer and she's a sculptor), decided to renovate the old building and turn it into a cafe, B&B, and home for themselves and their two young children. The cafe is full of vintage furniture and goods, most of which are at offer for their guests. For more information, visit Le Jardin Bohemien.

Photography by Petite Passport except where noted.

Above: The cafe entrance. In the background you can see a counter made from bricks. Photo by New Places To Be.

Above: Stacked firewood acts as a dividing wall between two seating areas.

Above: Vintage Eames rockers and rustic stools.

Above: A communal dining table seats more than a dozen guests. Photo by Ten Speed Hero.

Above: Vintage furniture and a free-standing fireplace.

Above: The stairwell leading up to the B&B called Le Jardin Dormezbien. Photo by New Places To Be.

Above: The light-filled B&B sleeps up to five people. Photo by Ten Speed Hero.

Above: A TV is inserted into a fireplace niche.

Above: A vintage Saarinen tulip chair and Mormor blue and white decanter and cups by Normann Copenhagen.

Above: Chairs covered in white sheepskin and a trundle bed invite additional sleeping guests.

N.B.: Are you a B&B or Hotel person? Either way, here are 196 Lodging posts to consider.

We've cornered our 10 favorite linen slipcovered sofas, beginning with the costliest ($14,500) to the most modestly priced ($778).

Above: The Lucca Sofa, slipcovered in Belgium linen, is made to order; $14,500 from Lucca & Co.

Above: The Washington 91-Inch Sofa is slipcovered in Belgian linen; $5,300 from Lekker Home.

Above: The Duke Sofa by Verellen is slipcovered in a linen-cotton blend; $5,265 from Ruby Living.

Above: The Montauk Geoffrey White Sofa can be customized with linen upholstery; $4,000.

Above: The Philip Timings Oswald Flax Linen Sofa is £3,185 from the Conran Shop.

Above: The Morgan 90-Inch Slip-Covered Sofa in a shale-colored linen blend is $3,325 from Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams.

Above: Restoration Hardware's Belgian Classic Roll Arm Sofa is $2,245 for the 7-foot version with down-feather fill.

Above: Add a Bemz Belgian Linen Blend Slipcover ($519) to the Ikea Stockholm 3 1/2 Seat Sofa ($999); the total comes to $1,518.

Above: The York Slip-Covered Sofa is available in gray (shown), linen, olive, or pebble-colored Danish linen; $1,299 from Room & Board.

Above: Add a Bemz Belgian Linen Blend Slipcover ($379) to the Ikea Karlstad Sofa ($399) for a total of $778.

Looking for more classic sofas? See our previous post: 10 Easy Pieces: The Perfect White Sofa.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on February 29, 2012.

Our NYC-based friend Zak Profera swung by Remodelista headquarters in SF the other day (sporting fabulous silver Jill Sander sneakers) with a bag of samples from his latest collection of linens from his line Zak + Fox. Zak launched his line a year ago with an assortment of historically inspired designs and patterns, presented for a modern audience. As he says, "I'm always drawn to the narrative behind something, and the creative process for me goes beyond the aesthetic, but also requires a dedicated search for the 'reason.' "

To wit, his latest collection of Belgian linens, called "Kiyohime," which was inspired by Japanese folktales. Zak notes that with both Japanese and Belgian design, "There's a lot of heart and thought behind each detail, even for the most unadorned object; design is driven from the mix of natural materials and organic hues, and the creation of something beautiful emerges by allowing those elements room to breathe."

The collection will be available in showrooms in April. For more information, go to Zak + Fox. To see more on the collection, see his pictorial interpretation of the legendary myth Kiyohime.

Above: Zak Profera with his Shiba Inu.

Above: Uroko shown in ink (also available in snow, shown on stool). Uroko translates to "scale," like that of a fish or snake. In Japanese folklore, Kiyohime, a lovelorn woman entranced by a traveling monk is often depicted in a kimono of this pattern.

Above: Kesa shown in umber with Hidaka beneath.

Above: Kesa, shown in snow and umber, represents the tale of a traveling monk. Kesa or Kesaya, is a vestment worn by a Buddhist priest over his robes; the rectangular geometric pattern referencing the small, patchwork assembly which makes up its construction.

Above: Hidaka is named after the river Hidaka that stands as a barrier between love and rage in the ancient fable of Kiyohime. Zak notes, "The three new designs all represent different key elements of the story, but the challenge was figuring out how to distil these complicated metaphors and this imagery down to something wholly accessible and suited even for a minimalist. The legitimate translation of metaphor-to-geometry is what I found most compelling when I was creating these designs."

See Zak+Fox's previous collection, Textiles inspired by Exotica.

Explore more Fabrics & Linens.

Desiree Groenendal of Vosges Paris is one of the bloggers we've been faithfully following. When she's not blogging from her modish black and white Amsterdam pad, she can be found cycling through the streets of the city. We asked Desiree, just back from New York, to share some of her favorite places in Amsterdam.

Remodelista: You travel a lot and as a blogger you must be good at scoping out the best finds?
Vosges Paris: Although I love to be at home I also love to travel. Exploring new cities is what I love most and this year I have been to London and also Scandinavia where I met up with fellow bloggers who took me around town and pointed out the best restaurants and amazing interior shops. There is nothing better then wandering the city with a fellow blogger. I think because we see so many images of amazing interiors and new design, we have the ability to scan a shop very fast in order to know if we like it. I just came back from New York where I was on the Modenus BlogTour. We discovered the design scene there and went to the best workshops in Brooklyn. This is exactly what I would like to share about Amsterdam.

Above: Sukha Amsterdam offers a mix of clothing, accessories and goods for the home (see more on Sukha).

RM: One of your favorite stores?
VP: Sukha is truly one of my top three most beautiful stores in town. Their ability to transform the look of the store into a completely new wonder world every time I visit shows how strong their concept is as well and how talented their styling team is.

Above: Raw Materials.

RM: Your go-to home interiors store?
VP: Raw Materials: think old floorboards, an unfinished wall, simple furniture such as old Indian market tables, metal open cabinets, huge signs, Italian ceramic in neutral tones, soft linens, and more.

Above: Mazzo, designed by Concrete in Amsterdam.

RM: Where do you like to eat?
VP: Mazzo is a great Italian place for lunch or dinner and drinks with a good environment. Also Mondo Mediterraneo (the uptown one) is a charming little restaurant and lunch spot run by two passionate Italian cooks, with many of the products brought fresh in from Italy a few time a week.

Above: Harvest and Company

RM: Good furniture finds?
VP: I am pretty proud of this project by Jeroen and Denise, two friends of mine. Harvest and Company is an amazing new one-stop-shop specialized in high quality vintage and industrial furniture, interior goods, specialty coffee, fine art, and beautifully crafted items for travel, work and living. At Harvest they've created an atmosphere that inspires, excites and feels comfortable. You will love it.

Above: Lighting on display at Pols Potten.

RM: A good source for design?
VP: Frozen Fountain is great for international classics and contemporary design. Another store is Pols Potten, which is dedicated to artists, designers, and producers. They supervise the design and production and have a collection that is constantly updated.This is how they describe their shop: "We like to call it idiosyncratic. Hopefully, you’ll call it inspirational."

Above: The store Sissyboy is located on KNSM island.

RM: Other areas to check out?
VP: Behind central station you will find a total different area where the Amsterdam Harbor starts—head eastward, where you can walk along the quay side of the former harbor. It's a historical area with many renovated warehouses and modern architecture. I love to have a coffee at Sissy Boy, a store with basic clothes, furniture, home decoration, children toys, and French and Moroccan bathroom accessories.

Above: Seating at the Exchange Hotel (read our Post).

RM: Any other must sees?
VP: You really should have a look at the fashion-related concept store Options. The interior features industrial pipes left in sight and the walls are simply painted white or tiled. They have a mix of Scandinavian and some Japanese design. Attached to the shop is restaurant Stock, where they serve breakfast, sandwiches, and soup all day. And finally, there is Hotel Exchange, all part of this amazing concept. Students of the Amsterdam Fashion Institute dressed the rooms like models on the catwalk. The result: a hotel where architecture meets fashion.

Above: Cafe Roest. Photography via Places We Know.

RM: Last tip?
VP: Another place to check out is Cafe Roest. It is a cafe-bar in an historic building at the VOC Kade on the Oostenburgereiland. Roest is different from all other locations as it is minimal and raw. Roest (Dutch for "rusty") is not just a cafe but also a creative place for movies, theater, art, and music. There is a big terrace and a sandy beach with chairs where you can enjoy freedom and creativity in this city oasis.

RM readers, do you have any other suggestions to add to the list? Please let us know in the comments section below.

Need somewhere to stay in Amsterdam? Maison Rika is a favorite of ours. And for more lodging, shopping, and dining ideas, check out our Amsterdam City Guide.

Have a look at our City Guides to find other places to visit.

April is almost here, and we're busy in the garden (hiding eggs and pulling weeds); here's a roundup of what's piquing our interest this week:

Above: This Capetown kitchen photographed by David Ross has a cross detail reminiscent of Tadao Ando's Church of Light in Obaraki, Japan (Sarah and Christine's favorite building).

• Having a look at Restoration Hardware's monumental new store in Boston, located in city's former New England Museum of Natural History.

• Inspired by this genius home office makeover in the once-cluttered home of a family of seven.

• In addition to our 10 Wardrobe Maintenance Essentials, here are two more tips for keeping clothes organized.

Above: Loving the Easter table we set with Diane Keaton last year featuring her Dinnerware Set for Bed, Bath & Beyond (see more at Easter in the Garden with Diane Keaton). Photograph by Nicole McIntosh Bruce for Remodelista.

Above: Also revisiting the Easter table we set with Gwyneth Paltrow a while back (see Tablescapes: Easter Lunch in London) and Rose Uniacke. (Julie liked GP's first book so much she's ordering a copy of her latest cookbook, It's All Good.) Photo by Simon Bevan for Remodelista.

Above: After this week's Gardenista post on Givré in Japan, we're all inspired to fill our homes with flowers; reading about how to get the most out of spring flowers.

• Speaking of sleep cycles: If you enjoyed our post 10 Secrets to a Better Night's Sleep here's further (fascinating) proof that getting a good night's sleep is more important than ever: Memory Triage and Other Secrets of Sleep.

• Stacey has been admiring handbags from Libby Lane, a line created by a Texas rancher turned stylist and designer (the bags are made from soft, local leather).

Above: Sarah is enjoying this Temporary Tree Project which took place during Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven a couple of years ago (spotted on nonchalant mom). For more from design group, Raw Color, see our previous post: Raw Color: Creating the Ultimate Organic Dye.

Above: Admiring Nani Marquina's world of natural rug making in Barcelona, Spain.

• Wishing we had attended Sovperiod (meaning "sleep cycle" in Swedish), a textile show from Hermine van Dijck, Eefje de Coninck, and Mayken at Kornél in Berchem.

This week, San Francisco-based architect Neal Schwartz tells us about the 1,900-square-foot house he developed in Sonoma as a prototype he could then offer his clients. He is available for the next 48 hours to answer any and all questions. Ask away!

Have a plot of land and want to build a small house that won’t break the bank? Prefab would be the obvious way to go, right? Not necessarily, according to San Francisco-based architect Neal Schwartz of Schwartz and Architecture, a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory. For his own house, he started with a simple, one-story rectangular floor plan, not unlike various pre-fab prototypes for low cost, sustainable single-family homes. He made a few shifts in the plan to embrace the surrounding environment, including a working vineyard, and was able to maximize for site-specific views, solar orientation, breezes, and privacy while retaining the benefits of the original simple plan with its streamlined construction. “Often, prefab solutions are less flexible in maximizing the qualities of a particular site,” he says. “Many clients are interested in prefab options, which can be wonderful, but are not necessarily cheaper than a smart, custom solution. Simply having the flexibility to sensitively respond to the particularities of a site adds so much value to a home.”

Unless otherwise noted, photography by Mathew Millman.

Above: "I wanted the home to be somewhat bullet proof because of the vacation rental and our desire to allow dogs to stay there as well," Schwartz says. "The concrete floors are great in this regard as is the black metal recessed baseboard at all of the walls." Schwartz shifted the orientation of the box floor plan to take advantage of the views of the vineyard. "I orientated the house to essentially block the view of the vineyard upon entry, adding to the surprise of the expansive view when you open the front door," he says.

Above: Schwartz built the house to either sell as a turn-key development project or use as a part-time vacation rental, and even with a mind to eventually using it as a permanent home for himself. He currently rents it out as a short term vacation rental and uses it himself on the weekends when it's not occupied.

Above: Schwartz selected the materials throughout the house to be long-lasting and easy to maintain. The kitchen materials include soapstone counters, Douglas Fir cabinetry and concrete floors. One of Schwartz's favorite details is the custom designed, reflective glass backsplash wall in the kitchen. "We often use a simple back-painted tempered glass backsplash in kitchens because it is so easy to clean and elegant looking," he says. "One of my employees, Eddy Joaquim is an amazing photographer and he shot photos of the surrounding grasses and vineyards in Sonoma. I then picked my favorite abstract image and had it turned into wall paper by a Brooklyn based company called Flavor Paper. It arrived in a tube, we wall papered the wall and put the glass on top of it."

Above: Schwartz admits to having a pet peeve about things on kitchen countertops. "I design all my kitchens to have at least the ability to have nothing on the countertops - everything has a place," he says. "Why have an architect design you a kitchen and then still be forced to look at your toaster?"

Above: Schwartz wanted to maintain the disheveled meadow like lawn and selected a low maintenance, clumping grass; requiring very little water and mowing just once a year. The large overhang facing the west controls the sun while maximizing the views.

Above: Schwartz detailed the large swing door which folds back onto the wall as an abstract artwork and chose the orange color to be a counterpoint to the color and feel of the glass backsplash.

Above: The colors were inspired by a spring and autumnal palette that ties in with the seasons. "Blues, oranges and greens seem to just fit in beautifully and I think we intensified each a bit to match the vibrancy of the surroundings outside the house," Schwartz says. "The exterior of the house, however, remains very muted and simple as a way to intensify the surprise blast of color on the inside." The terrariums on the table are from the wedding of one of Schwartz's friends who was married in the house last summer.

Above: Inspired by the birds which constantly fly across the upper clerestory windows in the living room, Schwartz recreated their movement with images from Andrew Zuckerman's book, Bird. "I simply bought the coffee table book and took out my X-acto blade and cut out the pages create the bird mural," he says. White cypress trunks from a Marin based sawyer were put on castors and turned into coffee tables. The lighting sconce, which Schwartz has shaped to mimic tree branches is a DIY project with free instructions from Lindsay Adelman's website.

Above: Schwartz designed a quiet reading nook into the living room. The aluminum windows throughout the house have high quality, insulated Low E glass and are supplied by a local company, Bonelli Enterprises.

Above: The overhang which runs along the west side of the house provides a shaded exterior terrace outside the bedroom.

Above: Originally Schwartz wanted to create small, private exterior courtyards for the bathrooms, but budgetary constraints meant they did not happen. Instead the architect sandblasted the glass for privacy and the exterior is brought into the house through the shadows of the vegetation. "This exercise has been great for me as an architect; I really empathize with my clients on how hard it is to let go of some things when the budget just won't sustain them," he says.

Above: The views, sunsets and the sun all come from the same direction. A large overhang to the west was incorporated into the design to control this while maximizing views of the vineyards. In the afternoon, breezes pick up from the vineyard side and the house is designed to maximize the ability for cross ventilation from every room.

Above: "I love these photos because half the art and fun of a project is in the process of design and construction, so these images are really special and beautiful to me," Schwartz says. "We try to bring this enthusiasm for the entire project to all of our clients." Photograph by Eddy Joaquim.

Above: The architect has created a more solid front on the road entry side for privacy.

Above: An under construction photo of the front of the house. Photograph by Eddy Joaquim.

Above: A series of diagrams illustrates how the site specific conditions shaped a simple box plan into Schwartz's final design.

Above: The plan of Schwartz's site sensitive house where the open plan kitchen, dining and living area serve as an anchor to the two bedrooms at either end.

Above: A view of Schwartz's home from the vineyards.

Capture more of the Sonoma lifestyle and see other Remodelista Directory Members' wine country design solutions with The Architect is In: A Farmhouse in Sonoma and The Architect is In: A Modern Cabin; Natural Light and Plywood Included.

Last Christmas, on a quick trip to Somerset, I was lucky enough to spend a night at At the Chapel, a former Congregational church dating to the 17th century in the village of Bruton. On the premises: a bakery, a wine shop, a café, bar, and restaurant, and upstairs, five recently renovated bedrooms for drowsy diners; some with views over Bruton's 12th century Saxon rooftops. As Matthew Norman wrote in the Guardian, "It was as close to a religious experience as this rampant atheist is ever likely to have in a house of the Lord."

Owned by former Notting Hill denizens Catherine Butler, a restaurateur, and her husband, architect and furniture designer Ahmed Sidki, At the Chapel gives nearby Babington House a run for the money. For more information, go to At the Chapel. The beautiful photos shown below were taken by Dee Purdy of She Had Us at Hello, unless otherwise noted.

Above: The double-height dining room is illuminated by a cascading glass fiber optic chandelier by Bruce Monro. The owners enlisted architects Mackenzie Wheeler to oversee the rehabilitation of the building.

Above: In the interior, "materials are limited to reclaimed oak, local Doulton stone, simple blackened wrought iron fittings," the architects say.

Above: "Faith" by Lucy Glendinning.

Above: A Pebble Coffee Table by Ahmed Sidki.

Above: At the Chapel also has a cafe and bakery where locals flock for breakfast.

Above: Freshly baked loaves.

Above: Interior details.

Above: A detail of the restaurant's graphics.

Above: Spartan marble-tiled baths.

Image via At the Chapel.

Above: Above the restaurant, there are five bedrooms.

Above: The exterior resembles a church but in fact was originally a coaching inn.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on January 9, 2013.

Let's just make it official: the wooden bead is the most versatile object under an inch in size and a dollar in price.

To prove it, here's an example of large, unfinished wooden beads and a bronze nail used as cabinet pulls. For more uses for wooden beads, see DIY Video: Wooden Bead Trivet, Wooden Bead Hangers, a Wreath from Sweet Paul.

Above: Photograph from Brigg.

Above: A series of weekend projects (mason jars outfitted with leather straps and wooden bead pulls) and a vase of wild roses.

Above: Source an appropriate sized nail corresponding with the opening of your wooden beads from Home Depot, or for something more design forward, consider bronze Equilateral Nails; $28 for a box of four from Winsome Brave.

Above: Source 1-Inch Wooden Beads (with a 7/32-inch hole) for 10 cents each from Craft Parts.

Looking for more kitchen-related DIY ideas? Sift through 23 other Kitchen DIY Ideas in our archive. And if you're in the middle of a kitchen remodel, shop 169 of our favorite Cabinet Hardware in our Shop section.

Looking for a white backsplash with more depth than the standard issue subway tile? Here's a roundup of tiles that read classic kitchen white while offering textural interest. Be careful, your dinner guests may want to reach out and touch them.

Above: A mosaic of mismatched white ceramic tiles in a Swedish kitchen; photo by Benedikte Ugland via Skona Hem.

Above: Each Dual Glaze Tile from Sausalito-based Heath Ceramics has "a combination of glossy and matte colors, which takes texture, contrast, and depth to a new level. Glazes are overlaid on a single tile, creating variations in reflection and the illusion of varying tile sizes within an installation." The 2-by-4-inch tiles come in four colorways (opaque white blend shown) and are priced at $45 per square foot.

Above: A variation on the classic subway tile, the 3-by-6 inch Jeffrey Court Beveled Edge Pearl White Subway Tile is $4.99 per square foot at Home Depot. Photograph by Anna Kern for Skona Hem.

Above: I am coveting the smaller scale Archita Mosaics Tile. Made of unglazed porcelain, each tile measures 5/8 by 1-1/4 inches. Available in matte white (shown) and matte charcoal; $37.13 per 0.90 square-foot sheet at Complete Tile.

Above: Architect Jennifer Weiss used Heath Ceramics Oval Dimensional Tiles in a San Francisco kitchen. Based on original Heath designs dating back to the 1950's and 1960's, the tiles measure 3 by 9 inches and are available in more than fifty glossy, matte and crackle glazes; $77 per square foot.

Above: Create the illusion of painted brick with Grove Brickworks Field Tile, available in a choice of 16 colors (shown in sugar white). The tiles, handmade of red body clay, are half an inch thick (a bit thicker than standard tile), measure 2.25 by 8 inches, and retail for $17.50 per square foot at Waterworks.

Above: The aptly named Distortion Mosaic Tiles are glazed porcelain with a matte white finish. Each tile measures 1-7/8 by 3-7/8 inches. Also available in black matte, black gloss, and metallic black; $27.45 per square foot at Complete Tile.

And, then there is Penny Round Tile as Kitchen Backsplash to consider.

Hand vacuums are incredibly useful but tend to be aesthetically challenged (or bland at best). We like this simple industrial-looking Metro Hand Vacuum, easily stashed in the broom closet.

Above: At just over a foot long, the stainless steel vacuum is easily stored and comes with a shoulder strap for easy toting. It includes three specialized vacuum heads; $117.15 from West Elm.

Looking for a larger vacuum? Refer to our post on 5 Hard Working Vacuums for Serious Cleaning or weigh in on our Dyson vs Miele debate.

The ultimate color block room: a farmhouse-style kitchen in Upstate New York is updated with one bold stroke (read on to discover why we think Prince Charles would approve).

Leave it to Philadelphia-based design duo Tara Mangini and Percy Bright of Jersey Ice Cream Company to pull this look together—sourcing their inspiration from Plain English's British Standard Kitchen (an all-time Remodelista favorite), inspired by Prince Charles' wish to bring well-made cabinetry to "the people." Mangini and Bright's version of the two-tone look spills over to the smallest details, with black bin pulls, door knobs, even switch plates. Recreate the look of this DIY kitchen with our sources below and see all the "before" photos of farmhouse at Jersey Ice Cream Company.

N.B.: Great minds think alike: Anna Dorfman of Door Sixteen sleuthed out the key elements of the British Standard Kitchen that first inspired Mangini and Bright.

Above: Jersey Ice Cream Company (named after an embossing stamp the couple found at their first flea market excursion together) started out as a Vintage Shop on Etsy; today they offer full design services in the Philadelphia area. Their aptitude for finding the best antiques comes through in the accents of the kitchen, like the green metal table legs supporting the kitchen sink.

Above: A large built-in kitchen cupboard unit was stripped of its frills (see the "before" photograph here); the glass panels were replaced with lath.

Above: A compact black dishwasher disappears beneath the Ikea butcherblock countertops.

Above: The finished product: a kitchen worthy of below stairs Downtown Abbey.

Above: Mangini and Bright used Benjamin Moore's Black Horizon to slice the kitchen palette in half. A gallon of Ben Interior Paint in Black Horizon is $36.99.

Above: Crown City Hardware's Modern Bin Pull with rear mounting offers a clean look with concealed screws. Measuring 3.75 inches, it is available in four finishes. Shown in oil-rubbed bronze; $17.99. For more ideas, see 10 Easy Pieces: Modern Bin Pulls.

Above: Barn Light Electric's Ivanhoe Dino Porcelain Pendant Light is $143 for the 12-inch size.

Above: Alternatively, source a braided Tan Pendant Lamp Cord for CAD$49 from Old Faithful Shop and an Industrial Factory Lampshade on Etsy.

Above: Take a tip from the Jersey Ice Cream crew by saving on the curtains: cut and sew your own size of Ikea's Vivan Curtains in white for $9.99 a pair.

Above: The utilitarian Watermark Wall-Mount Bridge Faucet is $658.39 from Designer Plumbing. For more ideas, see High/Low Bridge Faucets.

Above: Shaws Original 2-Bowl Fireclay Apron Kitchen Sink is acid- and alkali-resistant with a 9-inch internal depth for $2,529 from Shop Designer Plumbing. A more affordable option is the Alfi 32-Inch Double Bowl Fireclay Farmhouse Kitchen Sink for $799 through Alfi on Amazon. For more options, see 10 Easy Pieces: White Kitchen Farmhouse Sinks.

Above: Ikea offers the affordable oiled-beech Numerär Wood Countertop, which comes in precut lengths. Kitchen counters measuring 49 5/8 by 25 5/8 by 1 1/2 inches are $89.

Above: Continue the colorblock effect by painting the lower half of Ikea's Bekväm Cart ($59.99) with Black Horizon.

Above: The Small Cast Brass Cupboard Latch in antique is $18.99 from House of Antique Hardware.

Above: Mangini and Bright added their own detail on a built in cupboard by replacing the sections of glass with lath (photograph two above). For their step-by-step instructions, see our previous post: DIY: Lath Wall by Jersey Ice Cream Company.

Above: For door knobs on the lower half of the wall, Rejuvenation's Black Porcelain Door Knob is available in seven different finishes for $35 each.

Above: The Small Aluminium Wall Lamp is made with cast aluminum and glazed glass. It measures just shy of 8-inches tall and 4.3 inches wide; €74 at Manufactum. For more see: 10 Easy Pieces: Outdoor Nautical Bulkhead Lighting on Gardenista.

This project is filed under our favorite color-blocking ideas along with these 10 Bold Color-Blocked Bedrooms and Color-Blocked Kitchen Backsplashes.