We're coveting these reusable wooden notebooks, made by Dutch company Snijlab: they're a marvelous merging of digital fabrication and natural materials.

By using lasers to cut the wood, the digital manufacturing company is able to transform it into a highly flexible material; plus, the fine cuts allow the wood to bend back and forth without breaking.

Above: The Wooden Booklet has a birch plywood cover with a clear varnish; € 25. To order, contact Snijlab directly.

Above: The notebook covers are reusable, with a clamp that lets you swap in a standard A7 notepad refill.

Above: Thanks to the laser-cutting technique, the cover can lie completely flat.

I'm not a single-speed bike aficionado, but I was tempted to switch when I saw David Qvick's brilliantly simple concept bike, the DV01.

Qvick is a young Swedish designer, whose student work showed up at Stockholm Design Week in 2010 (his quirky Styrbord Table was in the HDK Gothenberg display). With its wooden handlebar and mudflap, the DV01 reminds us that the ancestral bikes in the fog of history were made almost entirely of wood. On his website, Qvick says that the focus of this product has been about finding a balance in the design. "When form and function interact in a successful symbiosis, the result is often that the product may last longer and is more loved by its users," he writes.

Photography by John Wennerberg.

My perfect evening would consist of dining on new Nordic cuisine in the simple, honest interiors of Copenhagen's Restaurant Radio.

Self-professed "gastronomic entrepreneur" Claus Meyer has added another restaurant to his culinary empire, which includes Noma, the two-star Michelin restaurant where the new Nordic cuisine movement began, along with a vinegar brewery and several farms. Restaurant Radio is about high-quality seasonal ingredients from Meyer's farms, cooked by talented people with attitude, and served in a modern urban setting.

Collaborating with graphic designer Christina Meyer Bengtsson, the young Danish design firm HolmbackNordentoft have imbued the interiors with an equally local sensibility. "We have taken the essence of Nordic materials, and combined them in a distinct way to give the place its character," says Ulrik Nordentoft,

Above: Located in Frederiksberg, close to Copenhagen's scenic lakes, Restaurant Radio derives its name from the city's old Radio House. Photo by Anders Hviid.

Above: A Moooi Chandelier hangs above two large photographic images of produce from the farms. Photo by Anders Schønnemann.

Above: The dining room is outfitted with Slab Chairs by Tom Dixon. The floor is Douglas fir, treated with white soap and lye, from Danish company Dinesen. Photograph by Anders Hviid.

Above: The back wall is lined with weathered planks of reclaimed wood, which add a sense of warmth as well as provide sound absorption. Photograph by Anders Hviid.

Above: The restaurant flatware is from the design firm Normann Copenhagen. Photo by Anders Schønnemann.

Above: Jesper Kirketerp and Rasmus Kliim, the talented chefs of Restaurant Radio, select the day's menu. Photo by Anders Schønnemann.

Above: Meyer believes that eating more vegetables and less meat is a precondition for health and a sustainable future, and refers to this attitude as "hedonistic sustainability." Photo by Anders Schønnemann.

Above: The simple presentation of the food is consistent with the design ethos. Photo by Anders Schønnemann.

Glass pendants are among our favorite lighting solutions; here's our (updated) roundup of favorites.

MODERN OPTIONS

Above: Solitaire Pendant by Jeremy Pyles of Niche (available in a range of colors); $475 at Y Lighting.

Above: Aquatinta Murano Handblown Glass Pendant Light by Michele de Lucchi, also available in green, glazed white, sanded, silver, or black; $690 at Y Lighting.

Above: The Miconos Suspension Light by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide has achieved iconic status; $790 at Y Lighting.

Above: The quintessential Globe Pendant; $129 at West Elm.

Above: The Perseo 44 Suspension Lamp, designed by Michele de Lucchi, is $1,240 at Y Lighting.

Above: Bubble Pendant by NYC glass artist Jeffrey Goodman; available in various heights and diameters.

Above: The Luna Rod Pendant, in an antique black finish, has a fixed rod and a 10-inch transparent shade (opaque shade also available); $119 at Schoolhouse Electric.

Above: The Mega-Bulb Pendant Light by Sofie Refer mimics the incandescent bulb; $285 at Y Lighting.

TRADITIONAL OPTIONS

Above: The Berlin Pendant by Roost is on sale for $170 (down from $199) at Velocity Art & Design.

Above: Clear Glass Dome with "chrome or sludgy brown" fittings; £98 at Baileys Home and Garden.

Above: Meridian Pendant Lamp; $195 from Sundance.

Is Le Petit Atelier de Paris the most magical shop in France? We think so; the tiny workshop and boutique in the Marais offers ceramics and housewares reflecting the store's motto: "Du bonheur au quotidien" ("Happiness in the everyday").

Owned by artists Jae-Hyun Cheong and Stéphane Froger, the shop is a showcase for wares of their own porcelain creations and by resident artisans (the workshop has an artist-in-residence program), along with rotating art exhibitions. The shop closes for a few months out of the year so the space can be devoted to creating pottery, and to allow the owners (and their dog, a Shiba Inu named Pompom) to go picnicking on the coast of the Étretat region in upper Normandy. Go to Le Petit Atelier de Paris to plan your visit.

Above: Le Petit Atelier de Paris is located at 31 Rue de Montmorency in the Marais.

Above: Delicate jewelry and porcelain mobiles hang in the window. Image via The Design Seen.

Above: The shop has its own mascot, Pompom. Image via Flickr.

Above: In a window, an apple branch is suspended from twine.

Above: The shop's Espresso Cups (€6 for the small and €7 for the large) and Porcelain Vases (€14 for the small and €26 for the large) come packaged in wood boxes; additional pieces available at La Maison de Pompon. Image via Flickr.

Above: Pompom in his elegantly framed dog bed. Image via Flickr.

Above: The ceramics for sale include porcelain plates in the shape of stars and clouds.

Above: Ceramic tableware by Le Petit Atelier de Paris and a vase with illustration by Joanna Concejo.

Above: Ceramics from the Le Petit Atelier de Paris collection feature a delicate stamp.

Above: The team (including Pompom) at Le Petit Atelier de Paris.

Above: House of operation are painted directly on the window. For more information and a gallery of images, visit Le Petit Atelier de Paris. Image via The Design Seen.

In Europe, radiators are the embodiment of quiet, gentle warmth and sleek architectural style. Why haven't they caught on in the US, you may ask?

Radiators have been dinged by a bad reputation: They used to be clunky, hissing pieces of iron that took up valuable space. Modern wall-mounted (sometimes called wall-panel) radiators are well-designed, quiet, and efficient. They still work essentially the same way as old-fashioned radiators, circulating hot water through pipes to heat the surrounding air, but new models have a vastly increased surface area for giving off heat and operate at a much lower, energy-efficient temperature. And they don't stir up dust like central forced-air systems.

An alternative to space-consuming ductwork, they can be used to retrofit an old house and can easily be added to bathrooms and kitchens using existing plumbing. Price-wise, radiators can be a little more expensive than installing a forced-air system, but the energy savings make up for the cost difference over the long term. Baseboard units are generally the most efficient for heating, but panel radiators are more architecturally pleasing. Here are a few of our favored options; we'd love to hear about your experience with modern radiators.

N.B.: Most of the products listed here are also available in floor-mount and baseboard options, and come in a range of finishes and colors.

Above: Founded in 1953, Swiss company Runtal touts its combination of engineering expertise and architectural design; its Runtal Arteplano Radiator is shown here in anodized aluminum. Contact Runtal USA for specifications and pricing.

Above: The Runtal Jet-X Radiator Panel heats up a room quickly, with air gaps between the flat tubes, and can be mounted horizontally or vertically; contact Runtal USA for more information.

Above: The Runtal RX Radiator features slim oval tubes, reducing the visual mass of the unit; contact Runtal USA for more information.

Above: Canadian company Jaga offers the Tetra Radiator and other models in the US; find a dealer on the Jaga website.

Above: Belgian company Vasco makes the Arche Radiator, available in horizontal or vertical configurations. Like many of the radiators shown here, it can also be outfitted with towel rails, towel rings, and robe hooks. In the US, the Vasco Arche line is available through Hydronic Alternatives.

Above: Canadian company Carisa Design Radiators offers the Aden Radiator, shown here in stainless steel.

Paris-based designer Clarisse Demory never planned on purchasing a pied-a-terre in Sofia, but after a quick trip to Bulgaria a while back she found herself signing the papers on the way to the airport.

Demory has owned the flat for six years now; she spends her summers renovating the space, waltzing through farmer's markets and enjoying a slower pace of life. When it came to the renovation, her first order of business was breaking down the walls, upgrading the electrical system, and installing new Italian plumbing fixtures. As Demory says, "in a minimalist place like mine, the details are important."

Above: Demory displays a collection of linens on an antique ladder. Photograph by Mai-Linh.

Above: A kitchen tableau includes an enamel vase from a local bazaar, German porcelain dishes from the flea market, and glassware adopted from a friend.

Above: An array of local produce and vintage dishes on a marble countertop. Photograph by Maya Lipman via Ensuite.

Above: A still-life display of grapes and glassware. Photograph by Maya Lipman via Ensuite.

Above: A simple wooden bed designed by Demory and built by a local craftsman in Sofia.

Above: Demory retained the pink lime paint on the walls as an homage to the past as part of what she calls "the ecology of styling."

Above: A view of the flat's open floor plan.

Above: During the renovation of the attic space, Demory discovered a small wooden stool, ladder, and antique housewares. "Everything was humble, but for me it was a treasure," says Demory.

Above: The impromptu utility room features a tiny closet and a white metal drying rack.

Above: Demory savors the quiet afternoons in Sofia; "the sunlight arriving through the window enchants me."

Whenever I'm searching for an authentic touch of France, one of my first stops is La Pomme, an online source of vintage items from le Midi.

Apol Lejano-Massebieau and her husband Pierre spend hours combing through flea markets around their small town in the Languedoc region, in search of finds for their online shop. Hand-embroidered linens, traditional enamelware, farm baskets, porcelain, and garden statues are among the antiques they unearth.

Above: Vintage French Enamel Pitcher and Basin; $98.

Above: Vintage French Scissors; $42 for a set of three.

Above: Vintage Brass Cups; $28 for a set of two.

Above: Vintage Enamel Candle Holders; $29 each. To see all their offerings, go to La Pomme on Etsy.

Recently noticed: colorful lanterns made with cotton string, hanging in Nanashi, a Japanese bento restaurant in Paris.

We previously covered Nanashi in Hotels, Lodging & Restaurants: Nanashi in Paris, designed by Clarisse Demory of Ensuite. Demory, who has a great eye for emerging designers, chose the Bonbon Lamps by Ana Kras for lighting the dining area.

Kras is a Serbian designer, who grew up designing simple products from everyday objects found in her parents' copy shop in Belgrade. The Bonbon Lamps came about in a similar fashion: she had cotton string left over from a previous project, and experimented with stretching it over wire frames. Kras debuted the lamps in an exhibit of Young Serbian Designers during Milan Design Week last year. For purchasing information, contact Ana Kras.

Above: The interior of Nanashi departs from traditional Japanese restaurant decor. Image via Hip Paris.

Above: Ana Kras' Bonbon Lamps add a colorful note to the space.

Above: A cluster of Bonbon Lamps are hung together to form a chandelier.

Currently admiring: color-blocked cutting boards, handmade by Lostine in Philadelphia.

When I first spotted these sycamore boards, I wondered if it made sense to have a painted cutting board. But after learning about Lostine's process, in which the boards are painted with food-safe milk paint and protected by a coat of mineral oil, I was convinced (so convinced, I ordered the colorblocked bread board for my own kitchen).

Above: The boards range from $128 to $248 at Anthropologie.

Above: The one I bought: Colorblocked Bread Board; $128.

Above: The Colorblocked Balloon Cutting Board features a leather-and-wood handle; $248.

Above: The Colorblocked Baguette Board; $198.

Above: The Colorblocked Balloon Cutting Board has a leather handle; $248.

We've been coveting Astier de Villatte's flatware for a while now, so we couldn't help but notice when West Elm came out with a similar (and lower-priced) line.

Above: Astier de Villatte's Matte Silverplate Place Setting is $155 for a five-piece setting at Huzza.

Above: West Elm's stainless steel Baroque Flatware is $16 for a five-piece set.

Maison Martin Margiela's surreal interiors for the Hotel La Maison Champs-Elysées were designed with an eye to "irony, illusion, and respect for the building's heritage."

The first hotel project of Maison Martin Margiela (founded by elusive fashion designer Martin Margiela, who departed the company a few years ago), the Hotel La Maison Champs-Elysées is consistent with Margiela's propensity for reworking a palette of blacks, whites, and pale tones. The design house applies Margiela's trademark palette to the interior spaces; the result is a fantastical, evocative world full of surprising trompe l'oeil moments and understated glamour.

Images via Hotel La Maison Champs-Elysees.

Above: The Haussmann-era townhouse was built in 1866 for the Duchess of Rivoli.

Above: A glossy black piano contrasts with the pure white surroundings, setting the scene for Maison Martin Margiela's reworked palette.

Above: A bottle lamp from Margiela's Line 13 collection.

Above: A golden door stands in dramatic contrast to the Cigar Bar.

Above: In the Closet of Rarities suite, the designers created a multi-textured dark sleeping chamber, featuring distressed charcoal gray linen, dark black stained floors, and coal black walls.

Above: Maison Martin Margiela often uses mirrored surfaces to create illusory effects, as shown here on this night table.

Above: The blue black feathers of this surreal lamp suggest flight at night.

Above: A cabinet of curiosities.

Above: A cluster of carved mushrooms create an unexpected landscape.

Above: A combination of mirrors and fabric trompe l'oeil wall stickers (available from Couture Lab) creates a feeling of infinite doorways.

There is something about pulling your own shot of espresso that elevates the experience; for home baristas, the Elektra Micro Casa a Leva is the pinnacle.

The lever espresso maker is made by Elektra, a family-owned company in Treviso, Italy, that was founded in 1947. "The word stunning doesn't quite do justice to the Micro Casa a Leva," says the Coffee Geek review. The pressure gauge needle indicates the optimal moment to extract your cup of espresso; you then pull the spring-piston lever down. And for those of us who have managed to burn out their stovetop espresso by accidentally heating it without enough water, the Elektra offers a built-in safety thermostat to prevent meltdown.

Above: The Elektra Micro Casa a Leva is shown here with a chrome finish and Bakelite handles. The price is a stunning $1,349 at Kitchen Universe. (Another classic option: the La Pavoni Europiccola Lever-Style Espresso Maker, which has a slightly less daunting price; $789 at Amazon.)

Above: Detail shots of the Elektra Micro Casa a Leva in action, via Flickr.

Pierre-Emmanuel Grange-Jaricot grew up collecting natural curiosities in the town of Ardéche and later sold painted Henri II sideboards during his punk days in Paris.

Grange-Jaricot is now the founder of the Objets de Curiosité, an interior design collective of nine individuals from varying backgrounds. By sourcing unusual, reprised, and antique finds, Objets de Curisoité designers reference the 17th-century European trend of curiosity cabinets and oddities.

Above: A tableau featuring products from Objet de Curiosite at last year's Maison & Objet in Paris.

Above: Silver-Plated Napoleon Chair.

Above: Henri II Style Peacock Lamp.

Above L: Square Mirror in Black Resin. Above R: Round Mirror with Leaves in Black Resin.

Above: Brass Wall Lamps with Hammered Copper Shades.

Above: Aluminum Mirror Wall Sconce.

London restaurateurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King, master conjurers of the immersive dining experience (they're the team behind the Wolseley and the Ivy), have worked their magic again with another Viennese-inspired cafe-restaurant, the Delaunay in Aldwych.

If the Wolseley takes its cue from the glamour of European fin-de-siècle grand cafes, the Delaunay recalls the sophisticated calm of a private men's dining club of the 1920s. David Collins, who also worked on the Wolseley, was asked to "create something that would bring to mind the intangible essence of the Wolseley, in a completely different building and location," he says. "The two designs share very few common characteristics, but they both make the customer feel warm and safe and feeling as if they have just discovered something very special."

Photography by David Loftus.

Above: The entrance to the Delaunay hints at the sophisticated dining experience beyond.

Above: The clock at the Delaunay refers to renowned meeting places around the world (think New York's Grand Central Station).

Above: The black and white marble flooring adds a geometric note to the interiors.

Above: Dark paneling, low lighting, and marble floors create a quiet and understated atmosphere.

Above: Small intimate areas are defined by booth seating, dim lighting, and moody oil paintings.

Above: The Delaunay's two private dining rooms seat 8 to 14 each (the rooms can also be opened up to seat 24).

Above: Afternoon tea at the Delaunay is a serious affair.

Above: The Delaunay counter offers takeaway and delivery service.

To put together a well-curated collection of objects, it helps if your interior designer is experienced in art and antiques, as is the case with Alison Davin of Jute Interior Design in Mill Valley.

Davin (whose firm is a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory), spent nearly a decade working for galleries in LA and San Francisco, and switched over to interior design when she found herself not only consulting on artwork, but everything around the art. "Clients would ask me, 'What sofa should go here?' 'What color should I paint the wall behind the art?'" says Davin.

For a young family who had recently moved into a 1920s Spanish-Revival bungalow in San Anselmo, Davin found furnishings that "had a history and a story" to them. "My client had spent time in the Peace Corps in Africa, and was very particular about where things came from, which I loved," she says.

Photography by Matthew Millman.

Above: To match the Spanish Revival architecture, Davin added wooden beams to the ceilings and a new fireplace surround (her firm also offers architectural services). The lamp and coffee table are from Arteriors Home.

Above: A vintage barrel hoop adds a distinctive sculptural element to the mantelpiece.

Above: A wall shelf features vintage wooden Quranic Teaching Tablets from Morocco, sourced from Colonial Arts in San Francisco.

Above: The dining area is decorated with a collection of African platters from Floreal in San Francisco. The dining table and bench are custom-made from reclaimed pine by Peterson Antiques in LA; the 19th-century rush stools are from Nicky Kehoe.

Above: The pendant lamp is the Teardrop Light from New York-based Tucker Robbins; it's made from a Indonesian fishing net, lined with rice paper.

Above: For the bedroom of the three-year-old girl, Davin created a toy storage system by wiring together nesting wicker cubes from Roost. The rug is Madeline Weinrib's Camel Brooke Rug; the table-and-chairs set is Kids Table One and Kids Stool One from Another Country.

After they grew weary of their existing home, located on a 400-acre farm in Yolo County near the town of Winters (a vibrant farming community in the Sacramento Valley), the owners of the Yolo Cabin asked their SF-based architect son Lewis Butler of Butler Armsden (and a Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory member) to create a modern, simple, and practical space from which to continue a long family tradition of farming; cultivating the land around them. Knowing they would eventually move the cabin to another part of the property, the owners requested that the cabin be mobile: the structure is based on two large glu-lam beams and can literally be picked up and moved by a truck, resulting in a very light footprint on the surrounding area. To see more, go to of Butler Armsden.

Above: The architectural forms are inspired by the local water towers and lean-to sheds that dot the agricultural landscape in the area. Butler's father took photos of water towers that were all along the outlying areas of the farm for inspiration.

Above: The main room of the cabin is housed in the lean-to section and is elevated off the ground to enhance the view and capitalize on air circulation during the hot summers.

Above: The entire cabin is a mix of two very distinct farmhouse styles. "Its design is kind of a mash-up between two local farm forms," says Butler. "On one hand, you have this very classic water tower. On the other, you have this single, almost chicken-coop-like main building." The building has a very defined industrial feeling, part of which is due to Butler's use of standard farming materials throughout the structure.

Above: The neat loft tucked away in the living area functions as a sleeping area for overnight guests. The interior is clad in vertical grain Douglas fir.

Above: Butler used Douglas fir framing material on the porch and Alaskan yellow cedar for the decking.

Above: An open deck on top of the tower provides 360 degree views of the surrounding farmland.

Above: Looking at the open deck from below.

Photography by David Duncan Livingston.

Once again, we find ourselves admiring (and coveting) the latest from NY-based home furnishings company Ochre. Here's a sneak peek of their spring collection of textiles.

N.B. The products are currently not available online; contact Ochre directly to purchase the collection.

Above: Teixidors Square Linen Pillow; $120.

Above: Pehuen Lllama blanket; $665.

Above: Pehuen Llama pillow, available in grey and brown; $415.

Above: Pehuen Chocolate Stripe Throw; $665.

We recently revisited Mc & Co in Brooklyn's hipster neighborhood of Williamsburg, owned by French-born collector Corinne Gilbert.

Gilbert has not only added more wares to her offerings, drawn from her quirky stable of small-scale local artisans (half of the objects are produced are within a 10-mile radius of the shop) but she's also revamped the shop's website—making it easier for us to follow the latest additions. See our previous post here: Shopper's Diary: Mc & Co in Brooklyn); for the shop website, go to Mc & Co.

Above: The Mc & Co Daybed is designed to fit a twin-size futon or mattress—perfect for unexpected guests; $3,600.

Above: A Mc & Co display of arrows, which are increasingly showing up as decor these days.

Above: Mc & Co Mirrors are inspired by puddles and pebbles; $200 to $300.

Above: Handmade Mc & Co Pillow made from canvas and wool; $225.

Above L: A swing-arm lamp. Above R: Woven Wicker Bull's Head; $180.

Above: A Mobile hanging in delicate balance; $950.

Above: A Decorative Woven Wall Hanging is a collaboration between architect Tim Koelle and craftsmen in Mexico and are based on topographical maps; $650.

Above: A colorful update to the traditional Floor Lamp; $650.

SPONSORED POST

Our collective New Year's resolution? To refresh and spruce up our own homes; in that spirit, we've teamed up with Gilt Home to create a special Remodelista Sale of Home Furnishings, starting today at 9am PST and running through Friday, January 27.

The theme of the sale is "Rejuvenate Your Home," and all the items were personally selected by us from their offerings. In addition, Remodelista readers who are new to Gilt will receive 20 percent (up to $50) off their first order. Here's a small sampling of the offerings:

Above: Gray resin pieces by Tina Frey, on sale at the Remodelista curated sale on Gilt Home.

Above: Alvar Aalto's classic vase in opaque white, useful for a multitude of purposes (as we wrote about in Design Sleuth: Aalto Vase as Utensil Holder). On sale at the Remodelista curated sale on Gilt Home.

Above: Umbra Canteen Clock; on sale at the Remodelista curated sale on Gilt Home.

Above: M'Heritage Saucepan from Mauviel; see our previous post about Mauviel, a company known for its investment-quality copper cookware. On sale at the Remodelista curated sale on Gilt Home.