Why does storage sometimes seem like the answer to all of life's woes? Maybe it's the promise that if we could just get our acts together we'd have time left over for more worthwhile pursuits—reading, hiking, cooking. Here are 10 closet systems we're admiring, from high to low (and in between).

Above: Designed by architect Piero Lissoni, the Moduli a Giorno sets the standard for masculine sophistication; go to Porro for more information.

Above: Are you the ultimate minimalist? The Ego Walk-In Closet designed by Giuseppe Bavuso for Italian company Poliform.

Above: Again with Italian architect Piero Lissoni: the wood paneled closet system for Porro; available through Graye.

Above: Seattle-based Henrybuilt offers made-in-the-US built-in and standalone wardrobes and closets. For more information and pricing, contact Henrybuilt.

Above: The most elegant closet ever? We think so: the Anthea system from Boffi.

Above: The Hafele Elite Wardrobe system; high-quality components at a reasonable price.

Above: A reliable standby: the Rakks closet system.

Above: For a mid-range closet system, the Elfa range at the Container Store includes individual components and custom solutions like the Birch and Platinum Elfa Decor Master Walk-In Closet (shown above); $1,061.91 self install or $1,327.67 installed. For reach-in closets, consider the Birch and White Elfa Decor Classic Reach-in Closet Set (shown above), which measures 16 by 74 by 8 inches; $784.98 self-install and $981.36 installed from the Container Store

Take a cue from the fashion world; adorn your interiors with custom hardware of the highest order from San Francisco-based Jonathan Browning.  

Located in a historic building in San Francisco (a former publishing house), Jonathan Browning Studios creates hand machined bronze drapery hardware using a traditional 18th-century cast process. The aesthetic reflects Browning's affinity for early-20th century industrial design and French Beaux Arts classicism. Available to the trade through Dering Hall. 

Above: Coin Edge Drapery Hardware in an antique bronze finish. 

Above: A detail of the backplate of the Coin Edge Drapery Hardware.

Above: The Langeais Drapery Hardware in oil-rubbed bronze finish.

Above: The Castellane Drapery Hardware in antique bronze. 

Above: Bergerac Drapery Hardware in oil-rubbed bronze.

View the complete Jonathan Browning Studios Catalogue of lighting and hardware. Looking for more inspiration? Explore the Collection of Curtains in the Remodelista image gallery.

We first fell in love with British artist Sam Orlando Miller's faceted mirrored pieces at Hedge Gallery in San Francisco. Apparently we weren't the only ones to admire this low-key Brit's take on the looking glass.

Above: Sam Orlando Miller's Untitled Mirror 2 can be purchased through Hedge Gallery in San Francisco.

Above: Restoration Hardware Baby & Child's Jewel Mirror is $450.

The next time you're in Barcelona, soak up the city's infamous architecture by staying in the Praktik Rambla, a budget design hotel housed in the historic Casa Climent Arola building. Constructed in the beginning of the 19th century by the Spanish architect Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano (the Sagrada Familia was his commission first, as in pre-Gaudi), the grand building with is modern interiors allows you to immerse yourself seamlessly into the spirit of Barcelona.  

Above: The mild undulation of the ornate facade foreshadows Gaudi's organic architecture. 

Above: The decorative details on the large scale doors and metal railings conjure a haunting grandeur of the past. 

Above: A band of black paint creates a headboard and modernizes the room with 19th century proportions and moldings creatively and inexpensively.

Above: Industrial lights used as reading lights have been painted out to match the headboard. 

Above: The industrial lights take advantage of the height of the room and also provide ambient light. 

Above: The beds are make with basic white linens and a contrasting gray blanket. 

Above: A tiled floor adds texture and color.

Above: The bathrooms are tiled in dark colors. 

Above: The Ikea Ps Maskros pendant hangs in the light-filled bathroom.

Above: In a smaller bedroom, shiplapped boards with Shaker hooks surround the room while the industrial lights have been painted white to match. 

Now that we have your lodging in Barcelona covered, why don't you have a drink at Cafe Kafka or go shopping down the street at Diary Arxe. 

The map below shows the location of Praktik Rambla in the Eixample section of Barcelona. 

Our friend Richard Ostell introduced us to Dmitriy & Co. in NYC, a bespoke furniture atelier founded by husband and wife team Donna and David Feldman. The couple displays a collection of antique furniture and decorative objects from around the world, plus their own line of Belgian-influenced, Manhattan-made bespoke furniture. To see more, go to Dmitriy & Co. To see the pieces in situ, go to The Quiet Man: At Home with a NYC Designer.

Above: The Dmitriy & Co. Daybed. is handmade with a French mattress stitch.

Above: A sampling of the fabrics on offer at Dmitriy & Co.

Above: A Bespoke Settee in mohair velvet.

Above R: The Leon Club Chair.

Lighting designer Michelle James' 1890s brownstone in Brooklyn is like the perfect pared-down wardrobe: a little black dress; a crisp white shirt; a touch of velvet; and, of course, a bit of jewelry-like glitz via her own glamorous fixtures (made, surprisingly enough, from parts scavenged on eBay).

A former fashion stylist, James has an eye for finding the exact piece that will make an ensemble—or, in this case, a room—special. She spends several hours a day on eBay foraging for vintage glass globes and brass hardware, which she collects and reconfigures in her basement workroom. For more information on her lighting fixtures, go to Michelle James.

Photography by Nicole Franzen for Remodelista.

Above: The classically detailed entry hints at the glamor to be found within.

Above: The walls ceiling, and trim on the parlor floor are painted in Benjamin Moore's Simply White.

Above: James found the pair of vintage chairs on eBay and had them recovered in gray wool.

Above: The sectional sofa is custom from Swaim Furniture of North Carolina upholstered in Chocolate Martini mohair from John Hutton Textiles.

Above: James painted the existing glass-fronted cabinets white and added a marble slab to the island countertop. (For more on marble slabs, go to 5 Favorites: Marble Boards in the Kitchen.)

Above: The glass-paned doors leading from the dining area to the living room are original to the house. The marble-topped table is from Williams-Sonoma Home and the chairs are from Spanish company Andreu World.

Above: A glossy black tiled backsplash adds a hint of disco glamor to the kitchen.

Above: The top floor landing with a wire tray propped on a stool and James' Globe Chandelier.

Above: A closeup of James' Globe Chandelier.

Above: Michelle's seven-year-old son, Gray, lives in one of the more sophisticated boy's bedroom we've seen. A BluDot Modu-licious bed and side table pop against the walls painted in Benjamin Moore's Hale Navy.

Above: Michelle's attic office features a shelving wall painted Benjamin Moore Whale Gray; she found the vintage Italian light fixture on eBay.

Above: A marble mosaic floor and ebonized wood sink cabinet are softened by a fur-covered stool.

Above: A guest bedroom with vintage globe chandelier.

The best new store to open in London recently (in our humble opinion)? Mouki, a concept shop on Chiltern Street in Marylebone—like a mini and more bohemian Dover Street Market. I dropped in recently to admire the premises, take a few snaps, and chat with owner Maria Lemos.

Maria, a world traveler and UK agent for fashion lines such as Peter Pilotto, J Brand, and Carven, was inspired to open her own shop showcasing her personal favorite cult artisan labels (ours too, we might add). Brilliant move: she hired William Russell and Angus Hyland of Pentagram to design the store and packaging to fit the Mouki brand, with an emphasis on timelessness.

Unless otherwise noted, photography by Christine Chang Hanway.

Above: Mouki is on up-and-coming Chiltern Street in Marylebone, London. Photo courtesy of Pentagram.

Above: A row of  contemporary display cases exhibit the jewelry Maria has sourced from artists around the world. "The jewelry we carry is the jewelry that you wear every day," she says. "For me, luxury is about the craft and time spent on design and production as opposed to precious materials—beautifully made pieces from humble metals such as bronze." Photo courtesy of Pentagram. 

Above: Blackened steel, Carrara marble, and plywood come together in a way that speaks of the Mouki aesthetic of "rough luxury" and serve as a backdrop for Susanne Kaufmann's spa products made with herbs from the Bregenz forest in Austria. Photo courtesy of Pentagram. 

Above: Rough yet refined pots by Maria's favorite ceramicist Janaki Larsen from Marche St. George in Vancouver.

Above: Bracelets by Fay Andrada, a New York-based metalsmith, along with earrings and necklaces by Mikkel Brogger, a Danish designer, are displayed on custom designed blackened steel jewelry holders. 

Above L: The raw black steel staircase is paired against black hexagonal floor tiles. Above R: A stool with a cork seat sits against a plywood wall. 

Above: The two floors are connected by a raw steel spiral stair case.

Above: The blackened steel clothes rails were designed by Russell.

Above: A refurbished fireplace mantel displays Fields candles by Land by Land. The lower-level rooms have individual and distinct characters, like the shiplap covered walls and parquet floors in this room, to reinforce the uniqueness of the pieces in the collection. 

Above: The floors in the two rooms on the lower level are tiled in different patterns.

Above: Cult artisan fashion labels include LA-based Dosa and Arts and Science from Japan. Maria also carries 45RPM (another Japanese label), Edeline Lee, Rachel Comey from NY, Salvatore Piccolo handmade shirts from Naples, and Denis Colomb scarves.

Above: Maria sourced the vintage furniture and accessories.

Above: The blue, black, and white encaustic tiles bring cheer to a basement space. Photo courtesy of Pentagram. 

Above: The Encaustic Grau and Encaustic Evora tiles are from Fired Earth. 

Above: The shop's tissue paper was inspired by the floor tiles.

With new outfit in hand, why don't you pop around the corner in Marylebone to Tracey Neuls for some new shoes?

T Magazine called it: the most exciting (and fashionable) restaurant to open in NYC recently? Vinateria in Harlem. We admit it, we're plotting a visit ASAP.

Maybe it's not such a surprise: the interiors were orchestrated by Salty Lab, a design group headed by Jonsara Ruth, the director of the MFA Interior Design program at Parsons, as well as Fritz Karch (see An Architect and Collector at Home). Owner Yvette Leeper-Bueno knows what she's doing, design wise. To see more, go to T Magazine.

Unless otherwise noted, photos via Salty Lab.

Above: The dining room is outfitted almost entirely in vintage finds.

Above: The moody bar with a vase full of smoke bush.

Above: The menu is written on a chalkboard wall.

Above: Stainless steel shelving adds a glimmer to the interiors.

Above: Glass shelves display a collection of barware.

Above: Corner seating offers a view of the streetscape.

Above: Chair legs were painted to align precisely with the room's baseboards.

Above: The restaurant's tiled entryway; photo via Harlem Gal.

Above: Even the bathroom has a vintage air; photo via Harlem Gal.

Japanese designers "[ 10¹² ]" understand that there's more to plants than what happens above the surface. Their Terra Hydro vases are modeled on terrariums, but they're designed with the express purpose of allowing plants to show off their roots. We like to think of it as artful hydroponics.

Above: No soil required, these vases are designed for plants whose roots will grow directly in water.

Above: The Terra Hydro comes in five different sizes to accommodate a whole collection of specimens.

Above: For more information about the designers head to Japanese Products Trading; to purchase, visit the Japanese e-commerce 10¹² site.

For a homegrown version, start your own bulbs in glass bottles.

There is something about a hat that instantly transforms the everyday to a slightly elevated look (just look at Georgia O'Keeffe). Designer Dani Griffiths of Clyde, an accessories label based out of New York, was inspired by the regal artist when she launched her own collection.

Originally from Vancouver and of Welsh descent, Griffiths took to crocheting at an early age, and at different periods in her life would knit woolen accessories for herself. Today, Griffiths' relationship with wool has evolved into tailored, sculptural headwear most often made from pure felted angora. A proponent of slow fashion, Griffiths hand-forms each piece herself in limited runs. For more information, see the interview with Giffiths on Domahoka and visit Clyde online.

Above: The Brim Flat Top Hat with Neckshade has a detachable cotton neck shade that can be tied, wrapped, or left loose for $248. The hat is also available in black straw for the same price at Clyde.

Above: Last of summer stock, the Lace Straw Hat is an oversized fit measuring a little over 22 inches in circumference and woven from 100 percent straw. The hat is currently on sale for $97 at Assembly New York.

Above: The Fold Hat in Olive is wide brimmed and the fold can be left in the back or popped in the front; made of 100 percent angora felt for $294.

Above: Combining two techniques in one hat, the Lynot Hat is made from a fur felt crown with a straw brim for multi-season wear. Available in white and natural (shown), yellow and natural, and slate and black for $284 each.

Above: A still of Dani Griffiths from Domahoka's video interview.

Looking for more style inspiration? See all our posts on subjects ranging from Artists Smocks to Porteur-Style Bicycles in the Personal Style section of our archive.

Add wallpaper to the latest trend of all-things-ombre. What initially looks like a cleverly painted ombre wall turns out to be wallpaper. Made by Danish company Eijffinger, the Ibiza line of wallpaper comes in two colors—variations of pink and hues of yellow—and is available at  Tapethuset in Denmark and Select Wallpaper in the UK.

Above: The Eijffinger Degrado Rosado is a beige, cream, and pink photo mural and is £115 per roll from Select Wallpaper in the UK. 

Above: The Eijffinger Degrado Amarillo is a beige, white, and yellow photo mural and is£115 per roll from Select Wallpaper in the UK. 

It all started when Alexa discovered the French blog Le Dans La and started sighing a lot in the office. Sarah and I would glance over and see her mooning over a pale pink wall, or a blush-colored light, or a rose-tinged set of glassware. Then we all got a bit obsessed with the color and wondered if we were turning into girly girls. But we decided no, the trick is that the pink has to be perfectly pale; just a tinge of blush. Then it's not too cloying and too overtly feminine. Here are five low-commitment ways to bring a hint of pink into the boudoir.

Above: For a similar coverlet, consider the washed linen crepe Aspen Thermal Coverlet in Poudre; $695 from Calypso Home. Photo by Romain Ricard.

Above: For a similar duvet cover, consider the Eileen Fisher Washed Linen Bedding Collection, available in Rosewater, made of pure linen with picot detailing and raw-edge double fringe on pillowcases and the flat sheet; $145 from Garnet Hill. Photo via Rose & Crown.

Above: Bella Notte's Linen Whisper Sheer in Perfect Peach; shop a selection of the linens at Layla Grayce or find more stockists at Bella Notte.

Above: The Duvet Cover Basic Queen in biche is $545 from Calypso Home.

Above: Coyuchi's organic Jersey Sheets Set in Washed Rose includes a flat and fitted sheet with two envelope pillowcases; $185 for the queen size. Alternatively, their Pointille Sheet Set in the same color is $415 for the queen size.

Interested in more rosy color inspiration? Check out color expert Eve Ashcraft's take on our favorite shade.

Co-designers Laura Cramer and Starr Hout were friends at New York University before they began collaborating on the fashion front. Just before their 30th birthdays, they packed up an old Mercedes and drove out to West Texas—boyfriends (now husbands) in tow. The austere landscape spoke to Laura, originally a Texan herself, while the repeated concrete forms of Donald Judd and the "town itself, deconstructed, whitewashed with a modern aesthetic" is what inspired Starr. The trip inspired what would eventually become the duo's fashion enterprise, Apiece Apart, a line of elevated basics that balances the simple with the sophisticated, the classic with the modern.

The two come at fashion from an intellectual slant; each collection is a composition informed by interior spaces, architecture, and art. While their work is guided by a well-honed aesthetic, Laura and Starr are equally interested in making their clothing accessible and democratic. "We are both working women and mothers, so the clothing needs to be functional for real women," says Starr. "And at the same time, too many basics is not a very exciting idea. We all want something that's a little more textural, that isn't just for the everyday."

We asked the two designers more about their fall collection (a layering of basics and knitwear), their most recent inspirations, and how to pack an entire wardrobe into a single weekend bag.

Remodelista: Tell us about your inspirations for this year's fall collection.

Apiece Apart: Typically, we create an atmosphere around the season, and we like a little tension, so for this collection we looked to Gauchos and Argentina. In the Pampas, the Gauchos layer, layer, layer, and wrap it all up with a belt. They layer up and then they layer down—we saw that being translated into the knitwear and heavier pieces.

Then there is Pina Bausch: a feminine, stoic, but slightly sensuous ideal that we translated into more feminine, draping pieces. We completely reduced that heaviness of the layering to the idea of Bausch dancing in a slip dress alone in a large room.

RM: Three words that describe your personal style?

Starr: Wear. Rinse. Repeat.

Laura: Casual, practical, modern.

Above: Structural hats from Etudes Studio are paired with the Julia Slit Sleeve Drape Coat and Talia Vest Dress in deep ochre.

RM: How do you pull off a hat (without looking like a fool)?

Starr: A hat works for all of us when it's truly useful. A stormy day, a sunny day, a cold day. With the conviction of function, you can always pull off a hat.

Laura: Best when the elements (or dirty hair) require it.

RM: Latest beauty product?

Starr: Laura introduced me to the Inventive Eco-Organics products, specifically, the Environmental Cleanser, Active Hydrobalance Tonic, Restorative Beauty Butter. Now I'm obsessed; my skin has never felt better. Laura tells me there is a huge, cultish following in Austin, TX, and I see why.

Laura: Liquid eye liner—it's just about the only product I use. My product of choice is Maybelline Liquid Eyeliner in Blackest Black.

Above: Photograph by Tim Hout from Notes from Apart.

RM: We love the idea of packing your wardrobe into a single travel bag. Is this something you both can achieve?

Starr: Yes. And it's amazingly freeing. I wear the same things exploring the woods as I do in a Manhattan meeting—just different shoes!

Laura: Prior to having my daughter, Eva—yes!

Above: The suede Market Tote iwith smooth leather handles.

RM: What is your favorite piece of luggage, your go-to travel bag?

Starr: Lindsey Taylor, the landscape designer and editor behind many a gorgeous garden story, turned me on to the LL Bean Hunters Tote Bag in olive drab. It's waterproof, zips shut, and comes in three sizes. For weekends away to our Vermont cabin I pack our food in the extra large tote, clothes in the large, and toiletries in the medium. When we are unpacked, we store them away like Russian dolls. Smart, multifunctional systems make me very happy.

Laura: My Apiece Apart Suede Tote and a colorful plastic mesh Indian market tote that I got from JM Dry Goods in Austin, TX. It folds up tiny and then expands to the size of a piece of luggage.

Above: Photograph by Tim Hout from Notes from Apart.

RM: What is your packing strategy—any tips or secrets?

Starr: Acknowledge your uniform. Each one of us a system of elements that we wear most often. Find it. Stand by it. With that in mind, for traveling, start by picking fabrics that look good wrinkled. Roll just 10 pieces from your wardrobe into a bag: two tops, two pants, a skirt, a jacket and an overcoat. A flat for a day and a heel for night. Make sure that they all work together, that they are comfortable. There is nothing worse then traveling to an amazing place and wearing ill-fitting, uncomfortable clothes. Secret: I always sneak a black slip dress that can double as a nightie.

Laura: Just forget the silk pieces.

RM: What's the last thing you bought for your home?

Starr: My husband fell for the Tablo Tray Table at Canoe in Portland, OR. The weight and hand of the removable tray got him so I bought it for him for his birthday. A side table is a funny gift for a husband, I admit, but I use it in the morning to bring him breakfast.

Laura: A collection of beautiful handwoven Oaxacan baskets from JM Dry Goods for my daughter's room.

Above: Baron House by John Pawson.

RM: Favorite art piece or architectural work of the moment?

Starr: My most recent architectural adoration has been Fabien Baron's vacation house in Sweden designed by John Pawson. Pawson's own house is really beautiful, too; lots of smart design solutions. I entered the John Pawson world through his wonderful book Living and Eating. I soak up anything that makes me appreciate the simple things in life. As for art, I have recently been loving the paintings of Pierre Soulages.

Laura: Hanneline Rogeberg's hard-to-categorize, huge canvases at Blackston Gallery in New York.

Spend more time with Apiece Apart on their blog, Notes from Apart, and sift through our other Style Counsel posts in our archive.

Inspired by the classical shoetree, the Belgian designer Martin Margiela puts it on the wall: Instant sculpture, not to mention functional storage. 

Above: The Shoetree Hook is part of the Line 13 Maison Martin Margiela Collection; made from varnished lime tree wood with mounting hardware included; $72 from Lumiere. Image via DesignBoom.

Above: The designer modified a shoetree by replacing the heel with a hook. 

Above: The dimensions of the Shoetree Hook are 31cm by 8.5cm by  8cm.

Above: The Shoetree Hook is made from varnished lime tree wood and features mounting hardware for easy installation; $72.

Above: Maison Martin Margiela has a knack of turning the everyday object into a much coveted household item. Who can forget the Bottle Lamp? See our DIY to create your own Maison Martin Margiela Bottle Lamps. Image via L'Atelier d'Exercises. 

We've been lusting after a light from Los Angeles designer Alison Berger for a while now; the only thing stopping us? The museum-worthy price tag. We've turned up an alternative from a Scandi source for a fraction of the cost (it's not as weighty and it's not an art piece, but it will do).

Above: Los Angeles glass artist Alison Berger creates some of the more covetable light fixtures we've seen; she's a RISD grad, worked with Dale Chihuly, and has an architecture degree from Columbia. Oh, and Brad Pitt commissioned a chandelier.

Above: Alison Berger's handblown clear Crystal Sphere Pendant features a darkened patina brass fitting; $3,000 from Plug Lighting in Los Angeles.

Above: Designed for the Restaurant Gronbech and Churchill in Copenhagen, the mouthblown Northern Lighting Unika Pendant Light is £165.83 from Nest in the UK (worldwide delivery available).

Above: Details of the lamp in situ in Copenhagen.

Above: The lamp features brass fittings and a twisted black fabric cord.

A2BC Architects merged ancient and modern in their overhaul of a crumbling farmhouse located on the terraced hillside of Cinque Terre in Liguria. They shored up the existing structure, plastered the interiors, replaced the flooring with polished concrete throughout, and added black steel windows to frame the views.

Photographs by Giovanna Silva via A2BC Architects.

Above: Steel windows add a note of modernity to the ancient stone buildings.

Above: Polished concrete floors are a cohesive thread throughout the interiors.

Above: A minimalist fireplace adds warmth in the winter months.

Above: The only dash of color in the living areas is via a pair of persimmon-upholstered armchairs.

Above: A pale bedroom with white linens; a sanctuary in the summer months.

Above: Pale green closet doors add the only note of color.

Above: More persimmon, via bed linens.

Above: An original stone wall contrasts with the new structural elements.

Above: A view of the sloping hillside.

Who doesn't love a good insider tip? We do, so our ears perked up when Jeff Sherman of Delson or Sherman Architects mentioned his trade secret for the most consistently aligned and beautiful flush recessed baseboard detail. What's a flush recessed baseboard detail, you ask? And why should we want them? 

"A flush recessed baseboard is a minimalist and seamlessly beautiful detail and since it provides no surface for dust to collect, it's practical, too," Sherman says. "The trick is to get a perfect alignment between the faces of the wood and sheetrock. With a minimalist detail like this, precision is critical; conventional stud-wall construction leaves too much wiggle room." See the architects' sketch below to see how they spec this detail.

Above: A flush recessed baseboard is like a French seam. Its precision gives the room an overall finished appearance. Image via John Maniscalco Architecture. 

Above: In a New York Chelsea loft, Delson or Sherman Architects continue the floor material (Brazilian walnut) up into the baseboard.  See Seeking Sunlight in Chelsea for more. Image via Delson or Sherman Architects. 

Above: Delson or Sherman Architects' detail sketch illustrating how a continuous plywood backer is attached to both the baseboard and the sheetrock. "We have found that this is the best way to ensure consistent alignment," Sherman says.  "To stabilize the backer, we assemble it into a box beam, which then forms a sturdy base for the stud wall that bears on it. The final touch is to scribe the baseboard to the floor, which means cutting the bottom of the baseboard to match the irregularities of the floor for a tight fit."

See some of our best Remodeling Tips in our Catalog of back posts. 

This week on Gardenista, Michelle and Erin have been testing garden design apps (so you don't have to): they've picked the 10 best ones out there. Oh, and they found the world's best bike cart, stopped in at a hostel on Deer Isle, Maine; and looked into the nude gardening trend.

Above: "We sifted through the clutter, tested a ton, and came up with 10 apps that actually do what they say they do": check out 10 Best Garden Design Apps for Your iPad.

Above: Erin checks out the Deer Isle Hostel in Maine, a 17th century-style farmhouse that offers a glimpse into a way of life that might seem worlds away.

Above: The French have devised a wooden wheelbarrow  cart for hauling produce back from the farmer's market—tres chic!

Above: Janet stopped in at the SF outpost of Muji the other day and fell for the Mobile Garden House by Japanese architect and artist Kyohei Sakaguchi.

Above: Nude gardening? Check out Erin's report on Wilder Quarterly.

With September in full swing, work and study schedules are filling up fast, so this week we're decluttering, stashing away and overhauling both our work and home offices. But before we get organized and back to work, a look at what has been distracting us this past week:

Above: Alexa has been enjoying the messy workspaces photographed by Mieke Verbijlen in Antwerp, Belgium.

Revisiting: 10 tips on how to cope with TechnoStress.

An Annabelle Selldorf-designed recycling center? Yes, says Brownstoner.

Above: Sarah's been admiring the work of Nathalie Audibert.

Making every inch count, via Sunset Magazine,

Christine has been eyeing Architizer's list of back to school shopping essentials for the student of architecture.

Above: Currently coveting: the perfect desk lamp.

An interesting look at the evolution of the skyscraper. (Architizer)

Gardening in the nude? (Gardenista)

Above: Admiring designer Marie Dessuant's Etagère de Coin, a shelf that emphasizes the significance of the corner space in the house. See it at Cinna Showroom during Paris Design Week from September 9th through the 15th.

With everyone back to school and back to work, wondering what to make for dinner? Check out 30 easy and quick meals at Country Living.

Above: Sure, summer is almost over but that doesn't stop us from wanting to try this DIY fire pit. (The Brick House)

Artist, furniture designer, and architect Roy McMakin’s cabin design on Vashon Island, Washington, may seem traditional at first, but it becomes less and less so with every step you take.

With his unusual sense of color and unexpected details, McMakin, founder of the Seattle-based Domestic Architecture, takes us on a Lewis Caroll Through the Looking Glass-like journey into deceptively familiar spaces that are slightly out of kilter—not necessarily uncomfortable but definitely thought provoking.

Photography via Domestic Architecture. 

Above: McMakin paints the porch and column a mustard yellow. 

Above L: The roof trim is called out with an emerald green paint. Above R: Exposed wood trim highlights the door opening. 

Above: The pine kitchen has an unexpected integrated lab-like stainless steel counter and sink.

Above: A framed painting of a a tree mimics the view of the trees through framed window opening beyond.

Above: A porcelain ceramic sculpture adds bright color to the wall.

Above: All window and door openings align with each other at the top.

Above: The screened porch has been outfitted in various shades of green.

Above: By painting the table base green, the furniture is no longer an object as it becomes part of the porch. 

Above: The green structural members of the porch stand out from the house. 

Above: McMakin creates a private area under the roof eaves from which to enjoy the view.

Above: Multi-colored cushions are scattered on the neutral colored sofa. 

Above: Two wider-than-standard doors fold back and create one large opening.

Above: The floor-to-ceiling openings create unusual proportions and a greater transparency throughout the cabin.

Above: The exterior siding runs vertically instead of in the typical horizontal direction.

Above: The red/orange flowers and outdoor dining set complement each other while standing out from the surrounding verdant foliage.

Above: By painting the table and the chairs the same color, McMakin creates an installation in the woods.

Inspired by Roy McMakin's colors? See our Catalog of Palettes & Paints for more ideas.