Remodelista began as a group of design-obsessed friends with a mission to create a new resource, a digital guide devoted to demystifying the home design experience. Now, with our first foray into print, we've distilled all that we've learned along the way into Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home. Illustrated with original photography by the talented Brooklyn-based New Zealander Matthew Williams and including a lovely introduction by one of our design idols, Julianne Moore (plus an exclusive on her newly remodeled NYC kitchen). Read on for pre-ordering information.

Published  by Artisan Books, Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home will be in shops nationwide November 5; scroll down for pre-ordering information. We hope you find the book to be both useful and beautiful, to quote William Morris.

Here's a chapter-by-chapter guide to what you'll find inside:

• 12 Houses We Love: A big picture tour ranging from a salt-sprayed Cape Cod cottage to an art-filled Brooklyn rental apartment to a historic London town house transformed by a powdery Farrow & Ball palette.
• A User's Guide to Kitchens: Detailed dissections of seven great-looking, high-functioning designs, from the urban galley to the grand Californian.
• A User's Guide to Bathrooms: Standout bathrooms explained, from a patchwork powder room in London to a Scandinavian romantic master suite in the Hamptons.
• Design Ideas: Thirty-five of our favorite fast, simple, minimum-assembly-required projects.
• The Remodelista 100: A roundup of our top utilitarian household products, including tried-and-true standbys as well as newly minted classics.
• Remodeling Reality: A definitive guide to the remodeling process, with advice and insights from members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory.
• Resources We Swear By: The 278 shops we turn to for appliances, lighting, tablewares, textiles, wallpaper, and more.
• Featured Architects, Designers, and Builders: A guide to all the architects, designers, and builders who contributed to the book.

Curious to see a few spreads? Here's a first glimpse; photos by Matthew Williams.

Above: Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home will be in bookstores November 5 (that's designer Michaela Scherrer's dining room sanctuary on the cover).

Above: Stephanie Brechbuehler and Robert Highsmith of Brooklyn architecture firm Workstead used inexpensive hardware store and lumberyard supplies to turn their asbestos-shingled Upstate New York cottage into a Shaker-simple retreat.

Above: Here's the Workstead living room centered by a coffee table made from a wooden cot frame. (See page 274 for how to create your own.)

Above: Robert and Stephanie's home is filled with vintage objects that somehow look modern; we provide sourcing information and DIY tips in our Steal This Look section.

Above: In our kitchen chapter, we dissect nine household hubs, from galley to grand Californian.

Above: In our bathroom chapter, we explore and explain powder rooms, sprawling master sanctuaries, and all points in between.

 Above: Design Ideas covers easy, inspired, hands-on projects (next to no hammering required). The chapter includes a look at new uses for familiar objects and a section on dealing with modern clutter.

Above: The Remodelista 100 presents enduring, life-enhancing, and often extremely affordable everyday essentials plus capsule histories, all written in the intelligent and witty prose of Ancient Industries' Megan Wilson.

Above: We corralled our collective knowledge on remodeling into a step-by-step, information-packed guide that answers questions like "How to Begin?" and "Is It Worth It?".

Above: Happier at home: that's our aim with this book. Thank you to our back cover champions, Diane Keaton, for calling the book "the first complete resource for the style-minded home remodeler" and to Rita Konig, for praising the book's "great decorating intel."

Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home will be available in bookstores in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand on November 5, 2013. (If you live in Europe or Asia, you can order the book from your local Amazon site or Book Depository.)

US: Retailers include Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Powell’s Books, and specialty stores. To find your closest independent bookstore, visit IndieBound.

Canada: Retailers include Indigo (Canada), Amazon Canada, McNally Robinson, independent bookstores, and specialty stores.

UK: Retailers include Waterstones, Book Depository, and Amazon UK.

Australia:  Retailers include Booktopia, Book Depository, independent bookstores, and specialty stores.

New Zealand: To find a stockist nearest you, visit BookReps New Zealand.

Last week we rolled out our lineup of favorite front-loading washing machines. Now, our top picks in the dryer category.

Dryers haven't changed all that much over the years; they still perform a relatively simple function. The primary differences in the new models are the energy source (gas vs. electric) and a handful of features that are worthy of consideration: steam technology, moisture sensors, and vent block sensors. 

Truth be told, most dryer purchases are driven by the washing machine selection. While washers and dryers don't have to be purchased as a pair, that's what most people do. Manufacturers have gotten wise and are designing matching washer/dryer combos to encourage consumers to purchase in pairs (and keep in mind that dryers are stackable only with the matching washer).

Trying to keep the cost down? Consider selecting a white machine (there is up to a $100 premium for colors) and foregoing the steam option (there is debate whether steam technology actually translates into fewer wrinkles as manufacturers claim). Also, electric dryers are cheaper. However, the fuel cost differential between gas and electric should be taken into consideration for your actual long term costs.

Our picks of full-size front-loading dryers partner well with our High-Efficiency Front-loading Washing Machine Selections (stay tuned for an upcoming roundup of compact machines). 

NB: While the models shown are electric, they are all available in gas option.

Above: The LG Steam Dryer Series (DLEX2650) offers nine drying programs, five temperature settings, moisture sensor, and a duct-clogging indicator. Available in white or wild cherry red; $805.50 and $895.50 at AJ Madison.

Above: Drum drying racks are worth considering; they're often available as an additional accessory, drum racks do come as standard in several models, including the LG Steam Dryer Series (DLEX2650). The drum circulates around the stationary rack, allowing you to dry items as they lay flat. 

Above: The entry-level dryer from LG offers many of the features that the higher level machines provide (including eight sensor dry cycles and a duct-clog indicator) without the steam drying functionality. Available in white, the LG (DLE2250W) Electric Dryer is $715.50 at AJ Madison.

Above: At the top end of the heap, the LG True Steam Dryer (DLEX8000V) has a "mega" 9-cubic-foot capacity, achieved in part by making the machine 29 inches wide (two inches larger than the standard size). The low-decibel quiet machine offers 14 cycles, duct-clog indicator, moisture sensor, touch electronic controls, and a drying rack. Shown in graphite steel, but also available in white; $1,345.50 at AJ Madison.

Above: The Samsung Steam Dryer (DV365ETBGWR) is the entry-level steam dryer from Samsung. It offers moisture sensor technology and 13 drying cycles with four temperature options; $809 at Plessers.

Above: Samsung is known for pushing the technology envelope in the appliance department: case in point, the Smart Control app for the Samsung Dryer (DV455EVGS) with Steam Dry Technology which allows you to monitor your laundry's progress from afar. Other features include a stainless steel drum, vent blockage indicator, and 13 preset drying cycles. Available in white or onyx; $1,169 and $1,259 respectively at Plessers.

Above: Made in the US, the Whirlpool Duet Steam Dryer (WED86HEBW) touts a quiet dry-noise reduction system, advanced moisture sensing, and nine cycles with six temperature options. The entry-level Whirlpool Duet 27-inch Electric Dryer (WED70HEBW) offers nearly the same selection of features without steam; $894.60 and $714.60 respectively at AJ Madison (see more American-Made Appliances).

Above:The Maytag Maxima EcoConserve Series Dryer (MED6000X) is also made in Ohio by Whirlpool. The highly rated machine uses commercial-grade parts and features a direct water connector that eliminates the need to fill a reservoir for the steam-enhanced cycles. Designed with four interior baffles to promote clothing movement for better drying; $1,074.60 at AJ Madison.

Above: The Electrolux IQ-Touch Series Dryer (EIMED551) has an 8.0-cubic-foot capacity, the largest of the 27-inch dryers on the market. This steam dryer (shown with its partner, the Electrolux IQ-Touch Series Washer EIFLS55I) has moisture sensors, 11 cycles, and touch controls. Available in white and Mediterranean blue; $899.10 and $1,073.70 respectively at AJ Madison.

Above: The GE Front Load Steam Dryer (GFDS260EFWW) measures in at 28-inches wide, offering an 8.1 cubic-foot capacity with twelve cycles and a stainless steel drum. It has a "detangle" feature that promises to keep sheets and towels out of a twisted mess by reversing directions during the cycle; $989.10 at Abt.

For ideas on where to put your machines, see our image gallery of Laundry & Utility Rooms.

We've been following textile designer Lindsay Alker ever since she debuted her first collection at the ICFF in New York a few years ago. At this year's Decorex show in London, she launches a handful of new patterns inspired by Italian terrazzo tile from the 1920s. We're onboard. See the full line at Lindsay Alker.

Above: A curtain made Alker's Palmira print.

Above: All fabrics are hand-printed in England for a perfectly imperfect look.

Above: An armchair in Alker's leafy Nook Beach pattern.

Above: Pillows in a mix of patterns; go to Lindsay Alker for ordering information.

Last year during London Design Week, Christine caught up with husband-and-wife design duo Russel Pinch and Oona Bannon of Pinch Design to discuss armoires. This year it's their lighting that we're coveting, in particular the copper, banana fiber, and linen Soren Light shade.

N.B. Russel Pinch will be discussing the opportunities and issues pertaining to design entrepreneurs as part of the Designers Block Listen Watch Share seminar at The London Design Festival tomorrow, September 19th.

Above: The Soren Light has a strong copper frame, a structure that can be seen from the outside when the lamp is illuminated; £610.

Above: The light has a bulb requirement of an E27 or a screw-in bulb with a maximum of 100w (US fittings are available on request).

Above: A shade made from a banana fiber and linen mix fits over the copper construction.

For more on Pinch and Bannon, see their work in Almost Bespoke Armoires from last year and Pinch Design in London back in 2009. This isn't the first time we've admired fabric pendant lights: see DIY: Rustic Linen Lampshades from Italy and DIY: Koushi Lamp by Mark Eden Schooley.

Earlier this week we featured the new Ace Hotel in Shoreditch; here's another project from the same design team, the newly imagined One Leicester Street. Formerly the St. John Hotel (we covered it back in 2011), the hotel is now owned and operated by Unlisted Collection, a family of design-oriented hotels. The new owners have spiffed up the interiors and overhauled the look of the restaurant (happily, chef Fergus Henderson is still manning the stoves). For booking information, go to One Leicester Street.

Interiors by Universal Design Studios.

Above: The brick exterior; the hotel's building once housed Manzi's, a legendary London restaurant.

Above: The dining room, formerly painted glacier white, has a new, moodier look.

Above: Simplicity reigns in the dining room's decor; the food takes center stage.

Above: Earthenware pitchers from Another Country grace the tables.

Above: Flowers by Miria Harris.

Above: Painted shutters shield diners from the (slightly gritty) streetscape.

Above: The small Post-Supper Rooms "remove the need for a taxi home after dinner" and feature Shaker-pegged lined guestroom. Rooms are small and spare and outfitted with design classics (Aalto stools, Bestlite lighting).

Above: The Top Floor Suite can be rented out in its entirety and includes three bedrooms and a large living space.

Brass might be enjoying a moment, but UK designer Tom Dxon has been having a long love affair with the material: his Beat Light is now a classic. His latest collection features the material in a line of cooking accessories combined with marble: abstract sculpture for the kitchen. The designs were informed by what Dixon refers to as his "adventures in food" (it turns out that he spends a bit of time in his Dock Restaurant kitchen as well as in his daughter Florence's Tart Cafe, located in the company's showroom). For more from the line, go to Tom Dixon. 

Above: The Stone Spice Grinder is made from turned Morwad marble; the grinder is a brass ball with a cast iron inner core; £75.

Above: The Stone Chopping Board is made from white Morwad marble with an inset brass saucer; £70.

Above: The Stone Pestle and Mortar with an exaggerated marble lip to provide extra grip and a brass pestle featuring an inner iron core; £150.

See our posts on Tart Cafe and the Dock Kitchen, both housed within the Tom Dixon studio complex overlooking London's Grand Union Canal.

Interior stylist Louisa Grey turns her London basement kitchen into an open plan living/dining space—the room where “everyone hangs out.”

Before applying her stylist skills (her clients include Fired Earth and Living Etc.), Grey knew she wanted an eat-in kitchen with as much light as possible. One wall removal later, she no longer had a hallway and a kitchen; instead, she had a comfortable room that was big enough to accommodate a table, chairs, and her AGA cooker; a welcome addition to any London kitchen, especially one in the basement. And the light? Read more to see her secrets.

Photography by Carl Bartram.

Above: By placing her Aga range in front of an old fireplace recess and painting the surround black, Grey turns the cooker into a hearth for her kitchen. A limestone floor is effective in reflecting light in the basement kitchen.

Above: Grey's kitchen cabinets wrap around two sides of the room. She uses a glass top on the dining table to reflect light.

Above: Vintage ceramic gold coffee pots and copper vessels are another stylist tip of Grey. "I have elements of gold in every room of my house," she says, "it lifts the home."

Above: A wood countertop adds texture and warmth to the room.

Above: Obsessed by vintage cutlery, Grey pulls her sets together from many sources.

Above: Grays favorite props are on display in her kitchen; her sources include car boot sales, markets and vintage thrift stores.

Above: A collection of props that Grey has used on previous shoots add character in her kitchen.

Above: Grey prefers to create center pieces out of props rather than use flowers.

Above: A collection of sea urchins, coral, ceramic mushroom and magnifying glass pulled together by Grey are set on a mirror and become a starting point for one of her shoots.

Above: The interior stylist Louisa Grey likes to make people look at things in a different way.

Inspired by the way Grey uses open shelving? See 337 images of Open Shelving in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

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

When was the last time you thought about vinyl floor tiles? If you're like us, it's been, well, forever. That's why we took note when we saw UK designer Neisha Crosland's newish line of attractive and affordable vinyl floor tiles. Perhaps it's time to reconsider? 

Above: Crosland's Parquet Vinyl Flooring for Harvey Maria was inspired by Celtic crosses; £47.89 per 12-piece pack (each pack covers 1.115 square meters) at John Lewis; shown above in charcoal.

Above: Crosland's Parquet Vinyl Flooring for Harvey Maria was inspired by Celtic crosses; £47.89 per 12-piece pack (each pack covers 1.115 square meters) at John Lewis. Available in stone, turquoise, charcoal, and sage.

Above: Crosland's Parquet Vinyl Flooring for Harvey Maria was inspired by Celtic crosses; £47.89 per 12-piece pack (each pack covers 1.115 square meters) at John Lewis (shown above in turquoise).

See more of Crosland's designs at Paris in London: Neisha Crosland's Garden Garden Oasis and Artful Tiles from an English Textile Designer.

Let others spend their savings on fancy cars. If you're like us, kitchen appliances are the finely tuned investment pieces that you care about and obsess over. What we’re eternally searching for are kitchen workhorses that look (unobtrusively) good and work (exceptionally) well. Oh, and they have to be energy efficient (while barely making a sound). And to fit space-challenged setups. And if it's not too much to ask, we'd like them to be manufactured in the US. You too? Consider a visit to the GE Monogram Design Centers in New York and Chicago.

Above: GE Monogram Design Centers are located in New York's Architects & Designers Building, on East 58th Street, and in Chicago's Merchandise Mart, shown above. Both are open to the public and host regularly scheduled cooking demonstrations. They're staffed by product specialists who can answer specific appliances questions, as well as help you select the right models for your home.

Above: GE Monogram is GE's luxury series. Its ranges, refrigerators, and dishwashers are made for serious home cooks and are highly rated in terms of reliability and energy efficiency. But what really sets them apart in our book is the custom built-in design option. In other words, they're team players not scene stealers.

Above: GE Monogram offers appliances in three different styles: European, Pro, and Custom—and are scaled for domestic settings of all sizes. As seen here, built-in refrigerators with custom panels compliment adjacent cabinetry. They also have dishwashers and under-counter refrigerators that can accept custom panels.

Above: Space-saving undercounter refrigerators are made for chilling beverages but are also ideal for general use in small kitchens. GE Monogram beverage centers and wine chillers are available with a privacy glass feature—the press of a button turns the glass from opaque to clear using liquid-crystal technology.

Above: Another undercounter wine chiller and beverage center installed side by side for a complete bar solution.

Above: A GE Monogram 30-inch full integrated refrigerator with custom panels (supplied by the homeowner) and a glass window, estimated retail $6,249. These Monogram refrigerators are the first HFC-free refrigerators in the US, meaning they replace the standard hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant with isobutene, an alternative that creates significantly fewer greenhouses gases. They're manufactured in Selmer, Tennessee.

Above: The 30" fully integrated refrigerators have two lower drawers; the top drawer includes an ice maker and freezer storage, the lower drawer is completely convertible and can be used as a refrigerator, freezer, or wine chiller (and can be converted at any time).

Above: The hearth of the house—the 48-inch stainless steel GE Monogram Professional Range, available in all gas or dual fuel (estimated retail $11,399). It features dual-flame stacked burners that go from a low simmer of 140 degrees Fahrenheit to 18,000 BTUs, and can be ordered with a grill and/or griddle. The larger of the two ovens is scaled to hold three 18-by-26-inch caterer's sheet pans while the smaller oven can accommodate 9-by-13-inch casserole dishes. Its thoughtful detailing extends to the control knobs, which are lit by concealed LED lights. Fun fact learned during a showroom visit: the full extension oven racks use a lubricant developed in conjunction with GE Aviation, which allows the racks to stay in the oven during the self-clean cycle.

Above: The six-burner 36-inch Pro Rangetop. Its removable grates can be cleaned in the dishwasher or in the range itself on self-clean mode. 

Above: A 36-inch glass canopy hood, powerful without being obtrusive. 

Above: It's no longer necessary to look to foreign manufacturers for good-looking, sleek appliances. Shown here, the GE Monogram 30-inch built-in Double Wall Oven in the European style.

Above: The 30-inch induction cooktop, paired with a 30 inch chimney hood and convection wall oven; a perfect configuration for tight spaces.

Above: We like a dishwasher that disappears. Shown here, GE Monogram's fully integrated dishwasher with an illuminated stainless steel interior and three racks (one for cutlery). In addition to being Energy-Star qualified, it received the highest efficiency rating available in Europe—the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) Tier 2 rating.  

Above: An 18-inch dishwasher (and nicely detailed towel-bar handle) is designed to be flush with the surrounding cabinetry; it's ideal for a small kitchen or bar area.

Beagle Restaurant (named after an old locomotive that once chugged along the original Northern line) is situated by the Hoxton overground railway station in the London borough of Hackney. Co-owners (and brothers) Danny and Kieran Clancy hired London-based design collective Fabled Studio to restore the three railway arches and turn the space into a 52-seat dining area, bar, cafe, and large outdoor patio. To learn more, go to Beagle.

Photography by Beagle, except where noted. 

Above: Each arch represents a different seating area (the steel straps that arc across the restaurant ceiling was inspired by Victorian railway cars, which were framed in metal hoops). Photo via The Telegraph. 

Above: The exposed brickwork is original and the flooring is made from reclaimed railway sleepers. Photo via Retail Design Blog.

Above: The lighting was inspired by Adolf Loos chandeliers and old Fresnel lens lamps. Photo by Retail Design Blog. 

Above: With chef James Ferguson at the helm, staff prepares the dishes in an open kitchen.

Above: The bar is clad in a green marble slab. 

Above: Retro-inspired cocktails are served at the deep green marble bar.

Above: Located in the third arch is an Italian-inspired cafe.

Above: The outdoor terrace features wooden planters and furniture made from old railway sleepers. Photo by Retail Design Blog.

Looking for crêpes in London? Make sure to check out The Lost Art of the Buckwheat Crêpe: La Petite Bretagne in London.  

When Farrow & Ball says they're releasing nine new paint colors, what else is there to do but get out the sander and a roll of blue tape? Walls and furniture beware, it might be time for an update.

The recently released colors are a combination of four neutrals, two darker shades and three brights (brights like Nancy's Blushes, a color named after a "mystery Nancy"). Most of the colors draw inspiration from the Dorset coastline: fossils, mud, and words from old dialects of the region. The colors themselves are as convincing as their names: who can pass up a shade called Mole's Breath? Especially when that color is the richest of grays; a color the Dutch masters would have fought over. Here we showcase five of our favorites, see the others: Nancy's Blushes, Dimpse, St. Giles Blue, and Purbeck Stone at Farrow & Ball.

Above: Ammonite No. 274 is a color reminiscent of fossils found along the Dorset coast

Above: Porcelain spoons dipped in the new paint shades.

Above: Stiffkey Blue No. 281 is inspired by the colorful mud at Stiffkey beach in Norfolk.

Above: On the wall is a versatile white, Wevet No. 273, named after the old Dorset term for a spider's web.

Above: Mole's Breath No. 276 is linked to its cousin, Farrow & Ball's popular Elephant's Breath, but in the darker shade of a mole's coat.

Above: Yellowcake No. 279 is a revivalist paint color, a yellow much like the one used in kitchens of the 1960s.

Embarking on a new paint project? Get inspired with our Palette & Paints section, then learn the down and dirty tricks in Expert Advice: 12 Essential Tips for the Perfect Paint Job.

Erin and Michelle are busily getting ready for winter over at Gardenista: this week they made handmade bayberry candles; plotted out a plan for planting next spring's bulbs, reviewed the 5 best canning jars, and devised a life-extending recipe for cut flowers.

Above: Our Cape Cod correspondent Justine Hand shows us how to make handmade bayberry candles, a la colonial New England.

Above: Meredith went a little overboard on the oregano this summer; what should she do with her bumper crop?

Above: Michelle is thinking ahead: She outlines 10 crucial steps for planting spring's best bulb garden.

Above: Erin performed a science experiment to discover the ultimate formula for extending the life of cut flowers.

Above: Sarah rounded up the five best canning jars out there.

Dublin-based architects Peter Legge Associates inject a sense of humor and a dose of color into a kitchen extension and remodel of a Victorian house.

Architect Peter Legge worked out that a 160-square-foot single-story extension was all that was needed to transform this late-19th century Victorian terraced house into a contemporary family home. As with many Victorian houses of this type in Dublin, the main body of the house contained two large rooms with generous ceiling heights, while the rear of the house contained a small, dark, low-ceilinged kitchen. Legge’s initial response on entering the front hall was to open a view to the garden, and his solution involved reworking the back by adding a single-story extension to accommodate a new kitchen, dining space, and additional utility and storage spaces. How did the low-ceilinged kitchen gain more height, then? Keep reading.

Photography by Sean Breithaupt and Yvette Monohan.

Above: Legge's extension appears to run through the house like an intersecting ribbon. The double-height dining space/kitchen space was facilitated by stealing space from an existing bedroom above. The brick patterning on the extension is an homage to Alvar Aalto's summer house in Muuratsalo and offers a less formal and more playful face to the garden. 

Above: In the entry hall, the green carpet stair runner spills into an unexpected puddle; a hint that the inhabitants don't take themselves too seriously. It was the architect's intent to soften the the introduction to the ascent up through the three stories of the house. An Ilse Crawford 446 Settee adds spare elegance.

Above: "This is the first room you enter from the entrance hall, and we wanted to complement the existing Victorian period features while still relating to the more contemporary aesthetic one encounters as one moves through the house," Legge says. The Thistle Rug is from Timorous Beasties.

Above: The walls of the sitting room were painted Mineral Haze by Dulux. A Non Random White pendant by Bertian Pot for Moooi provides a contemporary contrast in the view to the next room.

Above: "The wood trim surround picks up on both the oak floors of the playroom and the oak of the kitchen beyond," Legge says. "The doors are useful in either opening up the circulation between the front and rear or alternatively closing the playroom for more privacy."

Above: In the dining area, the floors are polished concrete.

Above: Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs provide seating to the long wooden dining table by Dublin-based Oikos Furniture.

Above: The cabinet handles are vertical oak strips with a cut out for a hand grip at the appropriate height. 

Above: "We installed a wood floor in the actual kitchen area because wood is a more accommodating material to stand on for any period of time than concrete," Legge says. A skylight brings daylight from above into the one story part of the remodel.

Above: The kitchen cabinets and island were manufactured in Kiltegan, County Wicklow, by Langrell. 

Above: Additional storage and utility rooms sit beyond the dining room in the new extension.

Above: "The green roof on the extension exists to soften the roof when viewed from the rooms above and links it to the garden beyond," Legge says. "It also assists in reducing the amount of surface water runoff from the extension." The double-height ceiling in the dining area was achieved by using the space from what was previously a bedroom.

Above L: The stair runner, which continues all the way up through the house, gradually changing color as it goes reflects the client’s interest in color and also picks up on the colors used elsewhere in the house. Above R: The orange grout in the bathroom introduces color as a subtle highlight. 

Above: In the storage hall that looks below to the dining area, the painted scribed paneling is routed MDF. The wood floorboards were sized to continue these lines.

Above L: Legge injects color into the bathroom with a bright pink tap by Vola. Above R: The changing colorful carpet continues. 

This week as part of London Design Week,  Sarah and I dropped in on Dublin-born rug designer Luke Irwin's Tarantella Collection launch. See Luke Irwin Rugs in London for more.  

Spotted at London Design Week 2013: Inspired by the Manuka flower of New Zealand, David Trubridge adds a layer of polycarbonate petals to a base of bamboo petals to replicate the delicate, five-pointed blossoms of the native blossom. The Manuka Light's embedded LED bulbs cast razor sharp intricate patterns around the room, keeping things bright and interesting on the inside. The Manuka Light is available through Holloways of Ludlow in the UK and Wakanine in the US.

Above: The Manuka Light was inspired by the Manuka flower.

Above: LED bulbs are embedded into the structure of the shade.

Above: Polycarbonate and bamboo petals form an intricate pattern and cast interesting shadows. 

Above: The David Trubridge stand at Design Junction 2013. Photograph by Christine Chang Hanway.

Looking for other ways to bring the outdoors in? See Happier at Home: 10 Reasons to Bring the Outdoors In. 

Our favorite recent London culinary discovery? PipsDish in Hoxton Square, a lunch and dinner popup located on the lower level of the British Standard Showroom. Philip Dundas, a former BBC-producer-turned-kitchen-entrepreneur and his cooking partner, Mary Doherty, create improvised meals in their below-stairs kitchen, driven by their highly honed instincts and what they've found at the market that morning.

Philip came to restaurant entrepreurship in a roundabout way; a former BBC producer and food writer for the Guardian and The Scotsman, he started his blog, PipsDish, as a way to share "ideas about great cooking—mine and others." In 2010, he was inspired to write his first book, Cooking Without Recipes, by his father’s late-life discovery and passion for cooking. Next, he began hosting supper clubs in his East London apartment and, after a residency in a London pub kitchen, Philip is now setting up pop-up kitchens across London to promote community through food and is working on a new restaurant in Covent Garden.

Unless otherwise noted, photography by Simon Bevan.

Above: PipsDish in Hoxton Square can be booked for private lunches and dinners for 10 people; it's also open as a lunch club on Thursdays and Fridays, with two sittings:12pm and 1:30pm; £20 per person. Private events can be scheduled for £35 per person. To make a reservation, call 07503 293 438 or email bookings@pipsdish.co.uk. Photo by Julie Carlson.

Above: Typical in many London houses, the kitchen is in the basement, with a service stair leading to the street. British Standard kitchen designs are on display on the first floor (for a peek, go to A Kitchen for the People, Courtesy of Prince Charles).

Above: Philip and Mary set the table with china from an old Scottish country house.

Above: "What we cook is informed too by the weather and the mood of the day," Mary says. "French breakfast radishes always look so fresh and perky on the table, inviting you to their peppery crunch. And having bought some amazing English goat's cheese that morning, we thought the combination of its freshness with a goats' cheese and herb tzatziki would stir the palate into action on a hot day."

Above: Glasses from La Rochère, a French company that has been making glassware since 1475, add a rustic continental flair. Philip sources his cutlery in second-hand shops and antique fairs; the vases are from Ikea.

Above: "We're always tempted by colors and textures when we're shopping; we want the kitchen to come alive with the ingredients we are cooking," Philip says. "Mackerel from Cornwall are firm-fleshed with their silvery skins, and they roast quickly in our Everhot range; we served them with Sicilian breadcrumbs, pine nuts, sultanas, lemon, and parsley with sautéed red chard and lentils." N.B.: Desert was well suited to the hot sultry weather, an apricot, raspberry meringue parfait.

Above: Mary and Philip; photo via The London Luxe.

Above: Cooking Without Recipes, with a forward by Simon Callow, is $13.08 via Amazon and £9.99 via Amazon.co.uk. Philip wrote the book for "all those people who are fed up with lists and measurements and want to learn to cook what they like to eat, from the heart." Photo by Christine Chang Hanway. 

And after lunch, we went around the corner and visited the Goodhood Lifestore, Hoxton's latest in home ware and lifestyle goods. 

See map below for location of PipsDish Hoxton in the British Standard Showroom. 

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When Prince Charles collaborated with UK-based kitchen makers Plain English on a model house, he wanted to know: "How can we get this to the people?" The answer is the new, lower-priced British Standard Cupboard line from Plain English, offered at "sensible prices for discerning folk of modest means."

A longtime campaigner for sustainable living, Prince Charles and his Prince’s Foundation for Building Community collaborated with Plain English to build a model eco-friendly house, displayed at the Ideal Home show in London last year. The Prince was so inspired by the quality and the craftsmanship of the cabinets that he prodded the company to come up with a lower-priced solution. The cabinets are built in the same Suffolk workshop as Plain English's higher priced offerings, but customers will be responsible for collecting and installing the kitchen themselves. Available in a range of sizes and configurations, the off-the-shelf cabinets are available online only. The cabinetry starts at about £5,000 (VAT included) for an entire kitchen; go to British Standard Cupboards for more information.

Above: Work top surfaces come in iroko, oak, or sycamore wood.

Above: British Standard cupboards are available in Broken White eggshell finish, ready for the customer to paint in any color they wish. In this case, the color of the cabinets extends above the work top, creating an unexpected and quirky visual datum.

Above: Prince Charles at the opening of this year's Ideal Home show.

Above: The cabinets come in a variety of sizes and styles; including floor, wall and tall cabinets. Customers have a choice of buying their hardware from British Standard or supplying their own.

Above: The British Standard line includes glazed wall cabinets as well.

See Half Painted Walls in Bold Colors to see how the two-tone paint strategy might work in other rooms in your house. 

This post is an update; the original ran on May 7, 2012.

Not your usual guest house: Fiona Atkins, an antiques dealer, began renting rooms over her shop in Spitalfields so that travelers could experience her beloved neighborhood, "an area of London that is like no other," she says. "Spitalfields is a vibrant area for all ages and cultures; for centuries, immigrants have arrived here to begin their new lives in a strange country. Each wave has left its own mark on the area: the French Huguenots and the Jews from eastern Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries and more recently the Bangladeshis."

When Atkins bought her early 18th century weaver's house on Fournier Street, it was "virtually derelict. It had never been plumbed or wired, and almost all of the original paneling had been boarded over. But fortunately, this had preserved the original detailing. "It's a somewhat quirky place to stay," she says. "Some floors may slope, the interiors can be drafty, and windows have shutters rather than curtains."

For booking information, go to Spitalfields Town House.

Above: The living room is decorated with antiques collected by Atkins over the years.

Above: The living room overlooks the vibrant Spitalfields streetscape.

Above: A wood-burning stove warms the "sometimes drafty" interior.

Above: A vignette by Atkins.

Above: The table set for dining.

Above: Atkins has added a modern kitchen to the premises.

Above: An original stairwell leads to the rooms upstairs.

Above: A bedroom under the eaves.

Above: A new bathroom.

Above: An elaborately draped four poster bed.

To see more Spitalfields life, see A Visit with Marianna Kennedy, London's Sorceress of Color or visit her rooftop garden in A Secret Roof Garden in Spitalfields. 

See map below to find location of Spitalfields Town House. 

While we've been pleased with the recent revival of enamelware dishes, a traditional dinnerware style from early twentieth century home life in Britain, we have yet to find a set manufactured in the US or UK. Until now.

Just spotted from Barn Light Electric, a collection of competitively priced porcelain enamelware that comes out of the company's factory in Titusville, Floridas. Each piece is spun from high-grade steel and enameled in porcelain that hardens under high temperature firing. The dishes are made by hand, so natural irregularities in each may be present (a welcome attribute, if you ask us).

Above: A set of white pieces includes the plate, cup, and bowl; each piece is heavy-duty and lead and cadmium free.

Above: The Enamelware Cup (also available with a splatter printed graniteware), in white (it's available in 10 colors); $18 each.

Above: A Set of Four Enamel Plates (shown here in cobalt with white) is $80.

Above: The Enamelware Cup in a solid Cherry Red is $18 (a specialty color for an extra $4).

Above: A Set of five Enamel Graniteware Nesting Bowls is $130. Shown here in Graphite, the bowls are also available in Jadite (a minty green), Delphite (the palest of blues), and cobalt, all with white splatter print.

Looking for more enamelware? See our 10 Easy Pieces: Outdoor Dining Plates for a variety of enamel options nestled in with wooden dishes.

This past week we introduced Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home, based on the concept of a step-by-step recipe book (everything you need to know to make it through a remodel). This coming week, we'll be riffing on the theme, covering subtle changes you can make the kitchen: new outlet covers, a quick lighting or hardware switch-out, a new coat of paint.

Above: See Julie's Mill Valley, CA, house in the October issue of Martha Stewart Living: Order in the House: Lessons from Remodelista (and see the full house tour in our upcoming Remodelista book). Photos by Matthew Williams.

Above: Admiring Zak + Fox's new Khotan collection of printed textiles inspired by Japanese folktales, debuting at Decorex in London, September 22 to 25.

Above: Christine has been busy all week at London Design Festival; here's a photo she snapped at the exhibition of the newly launched Wrong for Hay collection of designer Thomas Jenkins' Lens Boxes (see more on Remodelista's Instagram account).

Inspired by bourbon (Southern Living).

Our friend Rena Tom tipped us off to her latest venture: A Makeshift Society in Williamsburg. Head over to Kickstarter to support this worthy cause.

Above: What to know before updating your kitchen sink (Cultivate). Photograph from Reader Rehab: A Respectful Eichler Remodel in Marin.

Stacey has been keeping her sartorial eye on the menswear pop-up market, Northern Grade in Richmond, Virginia.

A toolshed gets a new lease on life (Sunset Magazine).

Above: Currently coveting: enamelware in cool colors seen on Country Living.

Check out Brooklyn design trio Egg Collective shop (via New York Magazine). See our previous profile: Heirloom Furniture from Egg Collective.

Sarah is looking forward to Adam Silverman's new book, Adam Silverman Ceramics, a monograph from Rizzoli Press. Heath will be hosting Silverman and a show of his one-of-a-kind pots in their new space—the Boiler Room at the Heath Ceramics campus—on Friday, September 27th. Photo by Stefano Massei.

Above: Izabella likes this technique for a pre-kitchen remodel in Kreuzberg: map it out with white tape. Via Fantastic Frank.

Drawn to the industrial loft look but concerned it might be too rough and raw for you? See how Los Angles-based Simo Design helped their client to create a loft-like look on a residential scale.

“Our client liked the look of his local restaurants and shops in Venice, and while he gravitated to their informal and industrial aspects, he preferred a smart, clean, and more refined space,” Alexi Renalls, co-founder of Simo Design, says. “The industrial style is appealing, but it does not always directly translate to the home. We were worried it would quickly become dated and wanted to create the look in a less fleeting way that would also be more inviting." 

Above: The designers created a moveable kitchen island on wheels, lending flexiblity to the open plan of the kitchen, dining, and living room. Heavy Light pendants from Decode London hang over the kitchen island.

Above: Subway-style tiles from Mission Tile West in South Pasadena form a tiled wall backdrop to the kitchen cabinets and open shelving. Sawkille Tall Stools sit on an engineered solid oak floor from Provenza Floors.

Above: "We collaborated with DM/DM on the kitchen island, which is made of American black walnut," Renalls says. "The top is lacquered so that it can be used as a working surface." A Kohler Parq Faucet in an oil-rubbed bronze finish hints at an industrial aesthetic while Belgian Sheer Linen curtains from Restoration Hardware diffuse the strong Californian light. 

Above: A photograph of the beach by Jon Rou presides over the living area. 

Above: A mixture of striped bedding and cushions complement the fabric headboard covered in washed linen, while a Solid Quarter Sawn White Oak Bedside Table by Hedge House adds a natural note to the assemblage.

Above: The designers kept the palette neutral while adding key accessories and furnishings, including the Black Cord Sconces on the wall by Brendan Ravenhill and a midcentury chair found through 1st Dibs. 

Above: A double sink vanity, made out of Carrara marble slabs, is detailed to appear monolithic.

Above: The wall tiles behind the bathtub were cut down from larger floor tiles to achieve the desired texture and pattern variation.

BEFORE

Above: The open plan kitchen, dining, and living area prior to the renovation.

Above: The pre-renovation bedroom. 

Simo Design, members of the Remodelista Architecture and Designer Directory, are professional remodelers. See their tips on getting the most out of your remodel with paint.