The world would be a happier place if everyone relaxed a little more, and the spa might be the ultimate symbol of much-needed calm. Though a weekly (or even yearly) trip to the spa might not be feasible for all of us, we could all do a little more to add some tranquility into our surroundings—and the bathroom is a good place to start. For inspiration, here are five of our favorite spa-style baths, featuring natural materials like wood and stone and calming colors like ivory and green.

Above: This wood-and-white bathroom by DeForest Architects is reminiscent of a sauna, replete with custom wood bench and wall paneling. The window (and its view) add to the appeal of the space.

Above: Architect Celeste Robbins of Robbins Architecture near Chicago makes use of traditional green frosted glass tile in a nontraditional shape lining the shower walls. Her client wanted a roomy bathroom, so she combined an underutilized dressing room with the existing master bath.

Above: Architect John DeForest has mastered the look of the spa bath; here, a wooden Nelson bench provides an architectural counterpoint to the rest of the room's serene green and white.

Above: A view of the soaking tub in the winning Best Professionally Designed Bath Space in the Remodelista Considered Design Awards. This bath by Chambers + Chambers Architects makes use of several key spa-bath elements, including a Japanese soaking tub and water-polished river rocks.

Above: Architect Mary Ann Schicketanz updated a midcentury home, including the previously cramped bathrooms. The master bath now features a large, open shower with crisply transparent glass to the make the somewhat small bath space appear larger.

Here's a genius idea from Ikea's Livet Hemma design inspirations blog (which is written in Swedish): A DIY Dining Table with a painted "runner." The top is made from ten boards, and the middle two are painted to create the stripe. The top rests on a pair of inexpensive IKEA trestle legs.

Above: Pay a visit to your local lumberyard to purchase pine boards that are 3.75 inches wide, and cut them to a length of 6.5 feet.

Above: Paint two boards the color of your choice and place them together in the middle.

Above: Secure the boards by nailing in boards crosswise; place one on each side of the trestle legs to ensure stability, since the top isn't actually fastened to the trestles, but resting on top of it. Once the project is complete, seal the surface with a clear coat to protect it.

Above: For the dark gray paint, we like Benjamin Moore's Witching Hour; image via House Beautiful.

Above: IKEA's Vika Lerberg trestle legs in white are $10 each.

This post is a rerun; the original ran on October 13, 2011.

When I was young my mother made the smart choice of a simple coverlet of pale pink flowers for my bed that was pretty enough for a little girl yet sophisticated enough to take me all the way through college. Following her lead, I've been hunting for something similar for my own young son and daughter. I was happy to discover several timeless options in Anthropologie's latest bedding collection.

Sheet sets available in all standard bedding sizes, from twin to California king. Prices quoted are for twin size.

Above: Whimsical bird drawings dot Anthropologie's Path of Flight Sheet Set; $148.

Above: Who wouldn't want golden fleece marching across their bed? Herd Sheet Set, $148, at Anthropologie.

Above L: Reminiscent of old-fashioned wallpaper, the florets on the Arga Sheet Set have a vintage appeal; $148. Above R: The pattern is also available in a pink and gray combination.

Above: For company at night, the Creatures Hideaway Sheet Set is patterned with bounding wildlife; $158.

Above L and R: Embroidered birds cover the Aviary Coverlet; also available in gray, and currently on sale for $99.55 from $198.

N.B. Looking for more ways to ensure sweet dreams? Check out all our favorite kids' bedding and ideas for for children's rooms. 

Can anyone resist the sensation of walking barefoot on a heated floor? If you’re just embarking on a renovation or building a new house, consider installing radiant heating (also known as underfloor heating), an energy-efficient way to keep warm throughout the cold months. As an architect who has supervised and survived many remodels, I have experienced radiant floor heating in other people's houses and covet it in my own. Here’s the lowdown on the subject: Read on if you're ready to rip up your floors in the name of cost-effective, energy-efficient heat.

1. What is radiant floor heating?

Invented by the engineering-savvy ancient Romans, who had slaves fanning wood-burning fires under elevated marble floors, radiant floor heating is an under the floor heating system that conducts heat through the floor surface, rather than through the air as in conventional forced-air heating systems.

Above: Imagine waking up and putting your bare feet on warm oak floor boards every morning in the winter. Image via Dinesen.

2. How does radiant floor heating work?

The two most common types of radiant floor heating systems are electric (heat via electric wires) and hydronic (heat via hot water tubes), both of which are buried underneath the floor. Here's how the two compare: Electric radiant floor heating systems are easier and more affordable to install but more expensive to operate, making them ideal for heating small areas. Hydronic systems are less expensive to operate, so they work well for large floor areas and even entire houses. The caveat is that they come with higher initial costs because they're more complicated to install and require heated water from a boiler or a water heater. For more on the pros and cons of each system and which might be better suited for you, see Radiant Floor Heating: Electric vs. Hydronic by contractor Jeff King of San Francisco-based Jeff King & Company, a member of the Remodelista Architect and Designer Directory. 

Above L: An electric wire system being installed in a bathroom. Image via Maud Plantiga on Flickr. Above R: A hydronic system waiting for the flooring to be installed. Image via Triangle Tube.

3. What are the pros of radiant floor heating?

Not only does radiant floor heating keep your toes warm, but it ensures that the rest of your body will be kept at a comfortable temperature as well. Waves of infrared radiation rising from the floor warm up the building mass, insuring that heat isn't lost to surrounding surfaces. In a conventional forced-air heating system, heated air (along with dust and allergens) rises to the ceiling and drops back down as its temperature lowers, making it difficult to keep your toes warm even if everything above your shoulders is boiling. "We experience pure warmth with radiant floor heating. As we heat up from our feet, we stay warmer at a lower temperature," says contractor Jeff King. Delivering heat and comfort efficiently, what’s not to love?

Above: The diagram on the left illustrates the principle of radiant floor heating in which heated surfaces transmit heat to all surrounding objects. There is no loss of heat because everything is at the same temperature. The diagram on the right illustrates how heated air in a conventional forced-air system rises to the ceiling and then comes back down as cool air. Which explains how you can still be cold when the thermostat says 72 degrees. Diagram via Sustainability Workshop.

4. What are the cons of radiant floor heating?

A radiant floor heating system is difficult to install after a floor is already in place, and is only really feasible if you're prepared to remove your floors or are building a new house. While there are new products, such as electric radiant pads that can be installed between the joists underneath your floor, they require access from below, via a basement or crawl space. Lack of one or the other is a deal breaker.

Above: Stone tiles work well with radiant floor heating because of the material's thermal conducting properties. Shown here: rough-hewn stone tiles in a bathroom by Atelier Am of Los Angeles. Image via Mark D. Sikes.

5. Which flooring materials work best with radiant heat?

While all floor materials can be used with heated floors, some work more effectively than others. Some general rules of thumb: Materials with thermal conducting properties, such as stone, concrete, and ceramic tile, conduct, transfer, and hold heat effectively while withstanding high temperatures. Solid wood floors can shrink and expand with fluctuating temperatures, leaving unsightly gaps. If you’re in love with wood floors, however, an experienced wood floor installer will be able to manage potential shrinkage. Vinyl and plastic laminate floors also come with temperature limitations, while carpets have insulating properties that potentially reduces heat flow.

Above: Polished concrete floors with radiant floor heating warm a house converted from a horse stable by AR Design Studio. See Manor House Stables, A Champion's Home Reborn for more. Image via AR Design Studio.

Ready to rip up your floors and install radiant floor heating? Choose your next flooring by perusing images of our Favorite Floors in our gallery of rooms and spaces. 

Working on your kitchen? See Remodeling 101: Five Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Kitchen Countertops.

We recently took note of London-based designer Harry Thaler's renovation of a formerly run-down work and living space for artists in residence in Bolzano, Italy.

The project, named Atelierhouse, was commissioned by the city's Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art out of a need for a more dynamic residency studio. The mandate: to create a space that comfortably houses more than one person at a time, and also provides studio space for making and installing art. Thaler worked on the commission in 2012, just two years after graduating from the Royal College of Art in Product Design and receiving a Conran Award, designed to help launch promising careers. With a background as goldsmith and craftsman, Thaler stepped up to the job by building simple, moveable furnishings that we're ready to copy for our own rooms. For more information, visit Harry Thaler.

Above: Conceived as a live/work setup, the studio in Bolzano, Italy, is kitted out with designer Harry Thaler's nailed pine furniture. Made for the space, the pieces include a single and double bed that have closable fronts and are set on casters for maximum flexibility.

Above: Thaller supplied the modular twin murphy bed with built-in shelving and bedside lighting. For more examples of sophisticated murphy beds, see 5 Favorites: The Murphy Bed Grows Up.

Above: In its closed form, the murphy bed resembles a small wardrobe.

Above: The room's multi-person desk resembles an oversized open wall shelf, or, perhaps, an empty frame. 

Above: The closet, sequestered at the back of the bed, has an exterior of unfinished wood and interior of black-painted MDF.

Above: Hanging over the full-length mirror, a Silver Tip Light Bulb ($5 from Schoolhouse Electric) casts a low glow.

Above: A view from the desk towards the picnic-style eating area.

Above: The dining table's floor lamp, also designed by Thaler, has a wood-box base and a frame shaped like industrial piping.

Above: The knotty pine bed is lit by an incorporated pair of weighted lights.

Above: When both are beds packed away, the room becomes a clutter-free work and living space.

Looking for more inspiration? See our previous posts: A Converted Stable in Italy and DIY Seating from Max Lamb.

Ready to be a bit less plugged in? A slew of wireless charging mats have appeared on the market of late, but the Orée Wireless Power Pebble is the first we've seen that was concevied to be a simple and interesting object on its own. The wireless chargers are part of French company Orée's collection of tech designs and accessories in wood, leather, and stone that, we hope, are are glimpse of workstations to come.

Above: The Orée collection of wireless tech products includes, from left to right, a wooden keyboard, leather tablet pouch, wooden tablet board, wireless phone chargers in wood and marble, and leather and wooden phone sleeves. Orée is a French tech company whose name stands for original, rational, elegant, and engaged.

Above: The Orée Wireless Power Pebble provides wireless charging for Qi compatible smartphones (such as the Google Nexus 4 and LG Revolution) or tablets simply by placing them across it. It's shown here in tilia (linden wood) and is also available in walnut; €110 from Orée. 

Above L and R: The Orée Wireless Power Pebble is also made in two kinds of marble: white Carrara and a veined red marble, €150. The company says it takes approximately 20 to 30 percent longer to fully charge a phone using the Pebble vs. standard plug charging.

Above L and R: A smartphone and tablet being charged on an Orée Wireless Power Pebble in white marble.

Above L and R: For iPhone and Galaxy users, there's a wrinkle: to enable the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5, and Galaxy S4 to work with the Power Pebble—or any Qi-compatible charging mat—the company offers the Orée Wireless Power Sleeve made of leather (in natural or indigo) and wood (maple or walnut); €90. It makes these phone designs (but no others) Qi compatible. Confession: We like the way these cases look and are still trying to wrap our minds around the technicalities.

Above: The Orée Board is a portable wireless keyboard cut from a single piece of maple (shown) or walnut, so that each key matches the overall look; €150. It comes in three keyboard fonts, is powered by a pair of AAA batteries, and works with tablets, smartphones, and PCs equipped with Bluetooth (an invisible varnish protects the wood from finger smudges and water spills.) It's shown here paired with the Orée Board Leather Pouch, a stand for a smart phone or tablet (it's sized to also work as a tablet cover) that comes in natural or indigo leather; €50. 

Ready to be less plugged in? Read 10 Cures for Technostress.

When I first moved to California, land of earthquakes, one of the first rules I learned was not to hang anything over the bed. This strikes me as a good solution: recessed shelving over the bed.

Above: Shelving above a guest bed from Tine K in Denmark.

Above: A shelf above the bed at Margiela's La Maison Champs-Elysées in Paris.

Above: A bed niche painted dark gray, via Design Ville.

Above: A simple bedroom in a London apartment via Airspace.

Above: An illuminated niche displays a collection of tribal pots in a South African beach house via French by Design.

Above: A bedroom in a Tribeca Loft designed by Stephen Roberts Inc. via Architizer.

Above: A bedroom by Danish firm Norm Arkitekter seen on The Contemporist. For more from the architects, see our recent post: Clever Kitchen Lighting from Copenhagen.

Above: An entire shelving unit is carved into the wall in an Australian beach house on Home Life via My Scandinavian Home.

Above: A bedroom featuring Design Within Reach's American Modern Bed in Maple and a maple-lined shelf overhead to match. Photograph via Design Within Reach.

Above: A concrete wall opens up lots of wall niche possibilities as seen in this masculine bedroom via The Style Files.

Looking for more traditional headboard ideas but won't compromise the smart storage? See our post 10 Favorites: Headboard Storage.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on May 8, 2009 as part of our Shaker Style issue.

Just in time for the holiday season: a trio of brass lighting fixtures that will add a gleam to your interior without draining your bank account (prices range from $59 to $129).

Above: The Magical Thinking Geo Pendant is $69 from Urban Outfitters.

Above: The Angled Wall Lamp is $59 from Urban Outfitters.

Above: The Magical Thinking Geo Wire Lamp is $129 at Urban Outfitters.

Let's face it: Travel, particularly during this hectic time of year, is exhausting. Hitting the road for work or pleasure can disrupt your sleep, put the kibosh on your new exercise routine, and throw you into a knee-deep backlog at the office. It also compromises the immune system, setting the perfect stage for a seasonal encore of colds and flus. But a little effort to maintain a healthy routine while you're away will keep you in good shape from door to door. Here, 10 tips for staying calm and happy while in transit.

Above: Smart entryway storage makes packing and preparing for travel less complicated; photograph via Welke.

1. Get some exercise the day before you travel. Adjusting to time changes and jet lag is never easy, but a study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (via Men's Fitness) shows that working out before you dash off on a trip helps the body function and acclimate more effectively.

Above: One of Aesop's destination-based Travel Kits profiled on Mr. Essentialist.

2. Stash your carry-on with essential oils, vitamins, and saline spray to stay healthy. I recommend Flight Spray ($9.99 at Amazon) for keeping nasal passages clear. It's lined with turmeric, a natural antibacterial, and spearmint to clear congestion. Another of my go-to's, Aesop's Ginger Flight Therapy ($31 from Aesop), is formulated to boost your senses during the weary hours of travel: Apply a few drops to your neck, temples, and wrists for a mid-flight pick-me-up. Colleagues of mine also swear by Source Naturals' Wellness Formula ($21.39 from Vitamin Shoppe), capsules containing a combination of herbs, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. And several of our editors like to keep their skin hydrated while in flight by spritzing with La Roche-Posay's Thermal Spring Water ($9.99 for the 1.8 ounce size from Amazon).

3. Make those hostage-like hours on the aircraft more comfortable with a neck pillow, eye mask, and noise canceling headphones. Travelrest's Travel Pillow, $26.95, effectively provides the support you need for a restful sleep. The Blackout Travel Eye Mask ($19.99 from Brookstone) lives up to its name, while the Binchotan Charcoal Eye Mask ($23 from Rikumo) stimulates blood flow to soothe the eye area. For headphones, Bose has it: their QuietComfort Headphones ($299 at Amazon) provide in-flight protection against toddler meltdowns and loud coughing.

Above: The ideal travel alarm clock? Our vote goes to the updated Braun AB1A Small Travel Alarm Clock designed by Dieter Rams with Dietrich Lubs, $32 from Amazon. For a bit of backstory, see Germany's Iconic Designer: A Day with Dieter Rams.

4. Change your watch to local time as soon as possible, and soak in the local sunlight at your new destination. Allow mother earth to set you straight: Sunlight, fresh air, and the great outdoors are powerful mood lifters, time-change-enablers, and energy boosters. 

5. Try to keep up a few of your routines while on the road. Experiencing new things and breaking old habits may be a big part of travel, but our bodies and psyches crave routine. Whether it's maintaining your morning run or avoiding the "I'll eat healthy when I get home" tack, sticking to your usual feel-good methods will pay off over the course of the trip.

Above: The Porcelain Donut Coffee Dripper is an on-the-go favorite, available for $24.24 from Rakuten. Read about it as a Holiday Gift idea.

6. Bring a few of the comforts of home with you. When I travel, I carry pictures by my children to help me feel closer to home—my daughter knows this and I often find drawings that she's secretly stashed in my suitcase as I unpack. Alexa says that her boyfriend's bandmate brings a small drip-coffee maker with him on long tours; it's an easy way to boost morning morale.

7. Keep your sleep as regular as possible. Going to sleep and waking up at around the same time each day helps the body maintain its circadian rhythms. Within reason, try to keep your sleep patterns within your normal range. There is no such thing as catching up on missed sleep. But if you're on a true, relaxing vacation, I recommend: sleep, nap, more sleep, repeat. For more advice, see our previous post: 10 Secrets for a Better Night's Sleep and the National Sleep Foundation's article on Jet Lag Remedies & Sleep.

Above: Photograph of the High Line Hotel's bedside table from The Gothic Getaway, NYC Edition.

8. Bring something soothing for your bedside table. As with tip No. 6, an item from home placed next to your hotel bed can signal the end of the day in a comforting way. You could pack a small candle or a framed photograph. A friend of mine even brings her own sheets for work travel—at the end of every day she plunges into her hotel bed feeling right at home.

9. Have realistic expectations for your trip: anticipate problems and delays. It's best to under promise and over deliver, right? It's all too easy to grab your boarding pass and fly out the door assuming that your flight really will take off at 8:07, but realistic expectations can change the tone of your entire trip. Anticipate the snafus, but hope for the best.

Above: A well-stocked travel bag from The New Bookstore Model: Book/Shop in Oakland, California.

10. When travel delays strike—and they will—try to use the extra time to unplug and decompress. Delays are out of your control; instead of feeling stressed, try to adopt the mindset that the extra time is a little gift. Grab a good book, slap on the noise canceling headphones, and be transported.

Looking for more tips for staying sane at home and away? See all our Happier at Home posts.

Brücke 49 Hotel Pension, a modern-rustic, four-room guest house in the alpine spa town of Vals, is exactly where we'd like to be right now. Located in a 1902 house with four guest rooms, the B & B is the work of Ruth Kramer and Thomas Schacht, a Swiss-Danish couple who traded careers in Denmark—she as a designer, he as a business developer—for mountain village living. They restored and designed the place themselves: It's not fancy," they say, "just very personal with a lot of thought going into what we think will give you a cozy feeling." From what we've seen, they got that last part exactly right. For more information, go to Brücke 49 Hotel Pension.

Above: The century-old house is painted slate gray with white shutters. Vals is a historic Alpine village with a population of 950 (mostly farmers and craftspeople, say Ruth and Thomas). It's situated in the country's largest canton, Graubünden, not far from the borders of Austria and Italy, and has a five-lift ski resort and an extraordinary thermal hot springs resort, Therme Vals, designed by architect Peter Zumthor (day visitors welcome). Read about the spa in our post Poetry in Space: Vals Thermal Spa in Switzerland.

Above: We love the B & B's glossy black front door. The house had been damaged by a fire before Ruth and Thomas took over; they've resuscitated every inch of it.

Above: Vals is famous for its limestone, and the entrance of the house has its original, locally quarried stone floor and stairs. The couple painted the walls in a charcoal gray that carries over from the exterior. We like the way they paired it with doors in a soft brown. The side chair was in the house when they bought it, and is emblematic of the way Ruth and Thomas introduced a mix of old and new: they upholstered the seat in a Paul Smith stripe from Kvadrat.

Above: All of the floors in the house, including the living room, shown here, are original wide-plank pine—"long, massive planks that came from the local woods." The couple added new panels to the walls in the old style. The rug-free room is furnished with Danish clasics, including a 1940s armchair by Finn Juhl.

Above: Guests are not only welcome in the stainless-steel-appointed kitchen but encouraged to cook if inclined. Note the apples stored in a wooden crate on the floor.

Above: A guest room under the eaves. The B & B sleeps a maximum of 10 people.

Above L: A turn-of-the-century doorknob with its original key. Above R: A bentwood chair hung on a peg rack in a bedroom.

Above: A patchwork-upholsted vintage Danish chair in a guest room.

Above: A case for the (nearly) all-white bathroom.

Above: A montage of Brücke 49 details: including tasseled towels designed by Ruth and made for the B & B by a friend in Turkey, a Royal Copehagen mug, and a window railing—"a little bent and bitten by time."

Above: Breakfast at Brücke 49 is served on Royal Copenhagen's hand-painted Multi-Colored Elements porcelain. Yes, that's the B & B's signature homemade bread and muesli with yogurt and fresh fruit. 

Above: An alpine arrangement that we plan to replicate.

Above: The 1902 knob on a bathroom window. The couple went to enormous trouble to restore the house's details—though this closure is original, "the rest is handmade new" to fit it, explains Thomas, and includes old handblown glass "which makes looking through the windows a little unsharp."

Above: Folding wooden chairs for taking in the mountain air year round. For rates and reservations, go to Brücke 49 Hotel Pension.

For more design and travel inspiration, browse our posts on standout lodgings around the world. And don't miss, For Rent: A Ski Cabin by Peter Zumthor, World-Renowned Swiss Architect.

This past week, Gardenista's issue theme was "Love Letter to the Houseplant." Erin and Michelle explored the history of indoor greenery, sussed out the best exterior green paints, visited a greenhouse restaurant in England, and discovered the new "it" plant (hint: it's not the fiddle head fig).

Above: See the nine exterior green paints that made the cut when Meredith surveyed our Architect and Designer Directory in Architects Pick the Best Exterior Green Paints.

Above: Some of us at Remodelista, when faced with gardening obstacles (read: vermin and insects), tend to give up entirely. Which is why we have Erin Boyle to help us out; see her tips on Getting Rid of Fungus Gnats. And curious what the next "It" houseplant is? See Erin's pick here.

Above: Apple Flip cocktail anyone? Kendra explored the offerings in the Ethicurean Cookbook, new from the team behind the Ethicurean restaurant in Somerset, England.

Above: "I hate houseplants. I mean, really hate them," Meredith writes in Houseplants for a Hater. So how did she learn to love houseplants?

Above: Amanda explored the evolution of indoor greenery in 5 Houseplants That Changed History.  

Above: See the Woven Hanging Pot that made Julie rethink living with a hanging plant.

It's that time of year: every evening (or every weekend, at least), there seems to be a can't-miss celebratory bash. So we hope you can join us at our upcoming events, starting with our first-ever NYC market. And before you dash out the door, here are a few things we've been obsessing over:

Above: Next week we'll be in NYC at the Park Avenue Garage Sale from November 21-23. For more information and to RSVP to our Wednesday night party, see Announcing the Remodelista Market in New York. Bonus points: Our lovely friends at Sweets & Bitters have come up with a Winter Market Citrus Punch (and they'll be leaving recipe cards for our Market shoppers to consult).

Above: On those nights we're staying in, we'll be cooking from David Tanis's new cookbook, One Good Dish—100 easy (but elevated) recipes? We're on board.

Above: Are you (like us) a Tom Delavan fan (it even rhymes!). Good news: he's designed a line of bed linens, available at Gilt Home. We're coveting the 100 percent cotton Quilt Throw (available in six shades ranging from storm gray to midnight blue).

Above: Another one for our "only in Japan" file: Tato Architect's dental clinic in Nakayamate, complete with a color palette based on the obligatory dentist green, via This Is Paper.

Coffee making as we've never seen it: on HuffPost Home.

Above: Alexa has been reading Annie Sloan's blog (the same Annie Sloan of Chalk Paint fame) where she dissects colors spotted all around France, Australia, and Cuba and attaches a chalk paint color to them.

Weekend recipe to try: Moroccan Carrot Soup from Country Living.

Above: Janet, a longtime aficionado of Glassybaby votives ("You have to see them to believe them"), has been dropping into their new San Francisco store at 3665 Sacramento St. in Presidio Heights.

We're making note of this clever staircase-turned-library idea seen on PopSugar Home.

Tasked with renovating a derelict Georgian house in Marylebone, London, architects Luke McLaren and Robert Excell of McLaren Excell approached the job with respect for the history of the structure, without preserving it in aspic. The 1820 four-story building had been converted into office space and an apartment—and then entered a decline involving squatters and roof leaks that extended to first floor. McLaren Excell's rescue approach was two pronged: Converting the setup back to a one-family house required peeling away layers of paint to reveal what was concealed, as well as repairing and replacing historic details that had been stripped out. The architects then carefully introduced contemporary interventions, a selection of natural materials that will in time attain their own texture and become part of the patina of the house. 

Images via McLaren Excell. 

Above: The kitchen was moved to the ground floor adjacent to the new dining room. It features a table and cabinetry that McLaren Excell designed with an eye to creating a careful balance between old and new. They used natural materials that will in time attain their own texture. As they explain:  "For the non-restorative designs, we selected a soft palette of materials that could sit comfortably in the refined surroundings: Italian limestone, Welsh slate, cast concrete, African wenge, and weathered zinc." 

Above: In a corner of the kitchen, the cast concrete backsplash extends past the counter and becomes a back rest for a storage bench of African wenge wood. The house's original wood shutters were freed of many layers of paint.

Above L: A pair of double doors with minimalist detailing lead from the kitchen into the dining room where the original fireplace mantel has been restored. Above R: Most of the house's baseboards, door frames, and doors had disappeared; the architects restored or replaced these features important to the history of the building.

Above: Suspended from the kitchen's tall ceilings, exposed pendant bulbs hang to dramatic effect. The counter and backsplash are made from cast concrete and the kitchen island is covered in weathered zinc, materials that will age with character.

Above L: A before shot of the living room. All the house's fireplaces had been blocked out and many of the shutters had been painted shut. Above R: The post-restoration living room. "We stripped the paintwork from the windows and discovered a near complete set of original functioning shutters throughout the house," the architects say. "We copied sections of all the surviving internal joinery and replicated their exact profiles to repair woodwork in areas where necessary; we opened up three fireplaces and re-instated chimney pieces appropriate to the period of the house; impressions were taken of the original cornice sections and reproduced in plaster to the reinstated collapsed ceilings; and all the original pine floorboards were pulled up, sanded down, and re-laid."

Above: In the stairwell between the public spaces of the first floor and bedrooms of second floor, the floor materials shift from limestone to carpeting. Many of the wood finishes, such as the window trim and stair rails, were stripped back to a natural finish and a stair wall of wood was added as a bridge.

Above: Contemporary insertions upstairs include additional storage made of African wenge wood.

Above: A textured wall behind the bathtub provides a waterproof surface and a space for plumbing and lighting.

Above: African wenge wood drawers are set within a cast-concrete double sink.

Above: On the top floor, which has an artist's studio and two bathrooms, the architects removed the low flat ceilings to expose pitched roof trusses.

Above: Dark gray Welsh slate is paired with deep brown African wenge wood in one of the top floor bathrooms.

Above L: A before shot of the other top floor bathroom shows a narrow sink pedestal next to the window. Above R: The new solution: a long trough sink.

Above: The exterior of the once derelict 1820 house.

Striking a balance between the historic and modern is always tricky. For another artful London restoration, see A Forever Home in Notting Hill by Hackett Holland, members of the Remodelista Architect and Designer Directory.

The Arctic Pear chandelier from London-based Ochre has defined glamor for the past few years (if light fixtures can achieve "it" status, this one has), so it was only a matter of time before lower-priced imitators emerged. There have been several reinterpretations of the design; the most recent one comes from the White Company in London. We talked to Andrew Corrie of Ochre a couple of days ago, and you might be surprised by his take on it all.

Above: The Arctic Pear Chandelier from Ochre, a London design studio and shop that has two New York outposts and showrooms across the country. Made of clear glass drops suspended from a bronze or nickel frame, the chandelier comes in sizes ranging from 18 inches in diameter to 48 inches in diameter, and prices start at $4,060 and go up to $11,560. How does Corrie of Ochre feel about the imitators? "We tend to get a flurry of orders when companies knock us off, especially when the imitation is low quality," he says. "People recognize the integrity of the original."

Above: The White Company's Solid Glass Orb Ceiling Light is £350. In the US, Robert Abbey's Bling Collection Large Deep Chandelier is another lookalike for $1,793.91 at Lamps Plus.

For similar discoveries, browse the 90 posts in our High/Low Design gallery. And please share your own high/low finds in our comments section. 

Meet London's latest spot in Soho for a quick bite and a G & T: Damson and Co, a modern delicatessen offering British cheeses and charcuterie, as well as a broad-ranging bar with a strict English-only policy when it comes to wine.

The restaurant was designed by Ian Haigh of London interior design company Central Design Studio. Haigh and team focused on a utilitarian aesthetic with the goal of what he describes as "a practical and unfussy atmosphere." For more information, read on and drop by Damson and Co.

Photographs by James Balson for Central Design Studio, first seen on Studio Annetta.

Above: The restaurant's sign is displayed prominently on a white awning against a windowed exterior painted charcoal gray.

Above: The bar serves everything from cocktails to fresh juice and Ozone coffee.

Above: Central Design Studio came up with creative ways to hang signage and squeeze in seating at the bar.

Above: An eye-opening fresh juice served at the bar. Photograph via Tiki Chris.

Above: Industrial lights with Edison bulbs line up along the bar.

Above: Short backed benches and small tables are nestled against painted paneled walls lit by metal sconces that match the bar lights.

Above: The menu is simply clipped together and hung from an S-hook on rope.

Above: Hound's tooth upholstery and vintage ceramics for a homey touch.

Above: The restaurant specializes in British charcuterie served with local cheeses, produce, and wine, and strives to use organic whenever possible.

Looking for more places to dine in and around London? Look through our London City Guide for a list of our favorites. And while we're on the subject of damson, take a look at Sarah's DIY: Damson Vodka and her report Cocktail on Wheels: The Traveling Gin Company.

Location of Damson & Co. in London:

One of the easiest ways to set an enticing table is to get creative with napkins. Here are some favorite ideas. No starch required.

Above: Linen napkins are knotted in the middle at an outdoor dinner hosted by Le Marché St. George in Vancouver, B.C.

Above: Tricia Rose of Rough Linen groups two layers of linen together and ties them with brown twine. The Orkney Linen and Smooth White Linen Napkins are $20-$24 each from Rough Linen.

Above: Spotted at Bar Agricole in San Francisco, the rolled napkin secured with leather. Here's how to DIY your own leather napkin ties.

Above: Last week on Gardenista, Erin grouped seeded eucalyptus, rosemary, and hypericum together for a Botanical Napkin Ring.

Above: Traditional in shape but unconventional in material: Live Wire Farm's Wooden Napkin Rings, made from Vermont hardwood; $20 each.

For a table setting filled with ideas to steal, see our post on Schoolhouse Electric's Fall Dinner With Friends. 

Deceptively simple pottery from Another Country, founded by Wallpaper alum Paul de Zwart. De Zwart's intention is to create “well-made, well-priced design with a modern craft heritage,” he says. The company launched with a line of contemporary craft furniture made from sustainable woods, and then expanded into pottery, candlesticks, and cushions.

Above: The individual pieces of the Another Pottery Series create a painterly still life. A full set (pitcher, platter, creamer, four dinner and side plates, cups and bowls) is £440 through Another Country.

Above: The Pinch Pot is made from black stoneware with a matte exterior and glossy glazed interior for £16 at FAO Shop; also available at Twenty One Twenty One.

Above: Designed by Ian McIntyre, the Another Pottery Jug is made of slip-cast terracotta fired to an unconventionally high temperature, which vitrifies the body of the clay and gives it the strength of stoneware (while also achieving a scorched color); £58 from David Mellor Design or from Makers & Brothers.

Above: Two standard-sized White Stoneware Bowls; £16 each from David Mellor Design.

Above: The full set is also available through David Mellor Design.

For more inspiration, browse our vast gallery of Tabletop posts. Need a quick tabletop collection for the holidays? See 5 Quick Fixes: Holiday Entertaining Prep, 10 Easy Pieces: Basic White Dinnerware, and 10 Easy Pieces: Everyday Wine Glasses.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on December 13, 2011 as part of our White Christmas issue.

Every October, our friends at Vancouver's Le Marché St. George café and grocery celebrate Le Jour de l'Action de Grâce, the French-Canadian Thanksgiving, with verve. And, in anticipation of our own Thanksgiving, we take inspiration. Last year, they feasted in their Vancouver shop—see Thanksgiving Dinner at Le Marché St. George. This year, owners Pascal Roy and Janaki Larsen, and her sister Klee Larsen, set up camp on the Larsens' land in Eastern Washington State and spent three days in the wild, building fires, gathering foliage for the table, making things (including the dining table), and celebrating with friends and family.

Photography by Janaki & Klee Larsen for Le Marché St. George. 

Above: The table was set with plates and tumblers by Janaki Larsen (she's also a ceramic artist), along with wild posies gathered on the spot and burned paper booklets created by the Le Marché crew as Thanksgiving offerings. The knotted napkins are muslin painter's rags bought at the local hardware store.

Above: Positioned to provide wide open views, the Thanksgiving table was built from construction lumber wrapped in a giant painter's canvas drop cloth and paired with Ikea folding chairs. The hurricane lanterns came from a local thrift shop.

Above: Autumn flowers in a posy. The hand-drawn leaf place markers are the work of Le Marché staff member Mark Hall-Patch.

Above: On the menu: mashed potatoes with dill, campfire roasted vegetables (including artichokes), grilled asparagus, and barbecued chicken.

Above: Fresh cranberries for a sauce made with plums. 

Above: Bread baked by Nelson the Seagull in Vancouver paired with raw sheep cheese from Clare Paris's Larkhaven Farmstead in Washington, a favorite of the Le Marché party.

Above: Campfire-roasted apples, along with yogurt, granola, and salted caramel sauce, were served for breakfast. 

Above: Janaki and Klee's mother, painter Patricia Larsen prepares Thanksgiving dinner: roasted parsnips, sweet potatoes, carrots, peppers, asparagus, accompanied by barbecued chicken. 

Above: A bouquet of sage grass on a striped wool Djellaba, a Moroccan robe, was brought back from Morocco as a gift to Janaki by her friends Richelle and Shawn Greibel. In this setting, hurricane lamps are essential.

Above: "The sun is so strong on the property that it's perfect for bleaching woods," says Janaki. "Every time we visit, I bring something that I want to gray out—this is an old wooden bowl I've been graying for a while." The bowl is filled with artichokes and eucalyptus. 

Above: Along with wild greenery, the key accompaniment to the feast: unpasteurized Oktoberfest beer made by Alpine Brewing in Oroville, WA; owner and brewmaster Bart Traubeck has become a friend of the Larsens.

Above: Patricia heads out on a hunt for natural art supplies. The canvas prospector tent in the  background served as guest quarters for friends who made the trek from Canada to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Above: A 1969 Airstream Land Yacht stays parked on the property and provides family lodging. 

Above: Le Marché staff member Mandy creates a burnt booklet (from old paper and campfire embers) at a table set up for art activities.           

Above: A ceramic plate made by Janaki Larsen.

Heading to Vancouver, BC? Don't miss Le Marché St. George.

Looking for more tabletop inspiration using things you have on hand? See Seasonal Potager Centerpiece and Ben Pentreath's Cabinet of Curiosities.

Located in Hudson, NY, on Warren Street (the town's main thoroughfare, known for its antiques shops and restaurants), The Hudson Milliner is a recently opened bed & breakfast from Shannon Greer (a photographer) and Charlotta Janssen (a painter and restaurateur). The building formerly housed the town's millinery shop, and Greer and Janssen have turned it into a guesthouse that looks to us like a perfect Thanksgiving retreat. Our favorite spaces? The two kitchens, which feature reconditioned vintage ranges, plumbing pipe shelving, butcher block counters, and simple schoolhouse furniture. Get the look with the following elements:

Photos via I Love Hudson and The Hudson Milliner

Above: Greer and Janssen created DIY shelving from plumbing pipes and reclaimed wood. Home Depot has a good tutorial on Plumbing Pipe Shelving by Ethan Hagan of One Project Closer. Reclaimed Goods on Etsy sells made-to-order custom black pipe shelving units; prices start at $99 for an Industrial Pipe Curio Shelf.

Above: For a similar sink, consider Ikea's double-bowl Domsjo Sink for $312.98. For the faucet, we'd recommend Chicago faucets (see Faucets & Fixtures: Chicago Commercial Kitchen Faucets).

Above: A side view of the kitchen.

Above: Reconditioned vintage ranges can be sourced from Savon Appliance in LA, which specializes in Wedgwood and O'Keefe & Merrit (I once lived with a vintage O'Keefe & Merrit and loved it). The Antique Appliance Company, also in LA, is another good source. For a list of 26 vintage range dealers across the country, go to Retro Renovation.

Above: On another floor of the Hudson Millinery, an eat-in kitchen with simple wall-mounted Ikea Adel glass-door cabinets.

Above: A detail of the tiled flooring. To recreate the look, consider the Hexagon Patterns from American Restoration Tile. For a similar chair design, see the Prairie Schoolhouse Chair from K. Petersen made of solid American oak.

Steal This Look runs every Tuesday on Remodelista. Did you see A Shaker-Inspired Kitchen in London and Susie Tompkins Buell's San Francisco Kitchen?

Ever since we spotted artichokes, carrot greens, and whole beets used as tabletop flowers (see Babel Restaurant in Cape Town) , we've been seeing vegetables in a new light. With their dark, leafy greens, winter veg in particular are perfect for decorating a long Thanksgiving table: they're cost efficient (totaling under $10 for as many as ten arrangements—and you can add the leftovers to the soup stock.

The Arrangements

Above: All of the leafy produce in your vegetable bin are fair game: just pick a vase to roughly match the shape of your veg. Original photography shot with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR. The filmmaker's camera. Here's how to recreate the look for your holiday table:

Materials

• 2 fennel bulbs with stems attached
• 1 bunch green chard
• 1 bunch heirloom carrots, tops included
• 3 leeks of varying sizes
• 1 bunch white radishes
• 6-10 clear-glass vessels of any sort: I used a Chemex Coffee Maker, a Bedside Water Carafe, the carafe's cup, a vintage glass vase, and four Weck Glass Storage Jars in different sizes.

Instructions

Step One: Wash and clean the vegetables and dry excess water from the leaves.

Step Two: Fill vases with water about half way full; be prepared to pour out water when adding weighty items such as fennel bulbs.

Step Three: Add the vegetables in groups to the vases. For each vase, decide if you want the stems and roots to be fully or half way submerged, or sitting on top of the lip (this works well for radishes and other round vegetables).

Above: Two carrots criss-cross in a Chemex Coffee Maker put to use as a vase.

Above: The finished set looks hearty in a group; it can also be paraded down the length of a table, mantel, or kitchen shelf.

Looking for more floral decor ideas? Sift through Gardenista's archive of Flora posts.