NY-based fashion designer Jason Wu brings a dressmaker's eye to his furniture collection for Canvas: his elegant detailing (slim metal legs, brass accents, midnight linen, and lace appliqué) evoke thoughts of a glamorous evening.

Wu thinks of the pieces as wardrobe essentials; the white linen couch plays the role of the white shirt, the sleek dining chair is a stand-in for the little black dress, and the glimmering blown-glass pendant lighting is the jewelry. To see the full collection, go to Canvas.

Above: The Canvas/Jason Wu Dining Chair is made from welded steel chair with a hand-waxed finish, a midnight linen upholstered seat, and brass details; $1,290 each.

Above: The Canvas/Jason Wu Loveseat is covered in cream linen with lightly tufted down cushions; $4,800.

Above: The Canvas/Jason Wu Lace Pillows are made from cream linen with French lace applique; $140 to $160, depending on size.

Above: The Canvas/Jason Wu Glass Pendant is made of hand-blown glass with a brass canopy and fittings; $620.

This just in: Furniture with unexpected storage opportunities is the next big thing, if we're taking our cues from the recent Milan Furniture Fair 2012.

I dropped in recently at a presentation by international design consultancy Seymour Powell (they had just returned from the Milan Furniture Fair 2012). The firm, headed by Richard Seymour and Dick Powell, envisions the future by looking at “how we think, how we behave, how we dream, and how we live," as they say. On their recent trending trip to Milan, they picked up on a few organizing principles:

Above: As technology and all its accessories become a vital part of our lives, the Toi Table by Italian company Zanotta helps us organize and stow away with speed and ease. Go to Zanotta for retail information.

Above: The DeskBox was designed by Yael Mar & Shay Alkalay of Raw Edges Studio for Arco and offers an intelligent solution for a workspace at home, complete with storage space and a cable management system. You can hide your laptop and wires inside when not in use. Contact Arco for retail information.

Above: Sarah Böettger a member of Fresh from the Mint, an all female German design collective, showed Skale an open-ended flexible piece, which is "part wardrobe, part side table, shoe shelf, or simply an instrument to display our favorite outfits." Contact Sarah Böettger for retail information.

Above: Station by Norwegian designers Awaa is designed for different heights to be used as both a table and a lamp. Contact Awaa for retail information.

If you looked inside Remodelista's collective cleaning closet, here's what you'd find. Presenting our favorite utilitarian tools for scrubbing, sweeping, dusting, and other cleaning endeavors.

Above: A cleaning closet basic: the classic dustpan and brush. The Iris Hantverk Horsehair Handbroom and Red Dustpan is a Remodelista favorite; $57 at Kiosk.

Above: Christine's favorite cleaning cloths are from Swedish company Vaxbo Lin. "They are very absorbent and you can throw them in the washing machine to be used over and over again," she says. The Vaxbo Lin Linen Dish Cloth is £9.50 at Labour and Wait.

Above: Alexa uses bottle brushes in various sizes for hand washing tasks like small vases and all of her different drip coffee makers. The Kitchen Utility Brushes are available for $9.97 from Amazon, or in the UK, the Set of Four Bottle Brushes are £10 from Labour and Wait.

Above: The Tub Brush made in Germany of oiled beechwood with natural bristles has a pointed front with longer bristles for effective scrubbing; $24 at Brook Farm General Store.

Above: Shaker inspired, the corn broom has never gone out of favor. Meredith covets the Justamere Tree Farm Handcrafted Traditional Broom. It has a sassafras handle with the smooth bark left on; $60 from Justamere Tree Farm.

Above: Dusters are essential for reaching areas cloths can't. Feather dusters, like the Beckner Ostrich Feather Duster ($15), remove dust from easily damaged, delicate surfaces, like fine wood furniture, lampshades, mirrors, and art. Lambswool dusters, like the Casabella Wool Duster ($9.99), contain lanolin, which attracts dust and cobwebs and makes it cling.

Above: Sarah likes the Redecker Copper Cloths (made in the Netherlands) for their functionality and looks. Fine copper threads are extremely effective but gentle enough to use without scratching your glassware, cookware, and dishware. Outside the kitchen, they are useful for everything from polishing rust off silverware to cleaning a grill. And, they are machine washable (I toss mine in the dishwasher); $9.95 for a set of two at Sur La Table.

Above: Toothbrushes are an under-appreciated cleaning tool; consider the Smile Squared Toothbrush with a bamboo handle (I like the child-size for cleaning purposes); $5.99 through Smile Squared.

Above: My can't-live-without cleaning tool is the Casabella Swivel-It Wet/Dry Microfiber Mop. I have a stack of removable microfiber covers that go straight into the washing machine after use; $44.95 at Williams Sonoma. Another widely available option is the Bona Microfiber Floor Mop available for $27.71 at Amazon.

Above: Julie is a recent convert to the Swedish Dish Washing Brush, made from broom root and string (and ideal for sweeping the sink clean if you don't have a sprayer); $6 at Ancient Industries.

Above L: Alexa swears by latex-free vinyl True Blue Gloves, which are tough enough for jam making and (because they're cotton lined) even can be used as oven mitts; $9.95 at Chef's Catalog. Above R: Janet likes the Casabella Way Clean Waterstop Rubber Gloves; $8.99 at Amazon.

The Ironrite Health Chair, designed by Herman H. Sperlich in 1938 for the Ironrite Ironer Co. in Detroit, Michigan, is made of steel and lacquered plywood. Originally designed for workers using the company's mangle ironing machines, the chair is in the permanent collection at MoMA.

Above: An ergonomic Ironrite Chair, featuring a pivoting back rest, is $365 at Factory 20.

Above: More views of the Ironrite chair on offer from Factory 20. More sources for a similar chair: Etsy seller Mechanical Junkie has one for $225; Atomic Warehouse is offering one for $225, and Etsy seller Dale Long has one for $79.

Above: Atelier 154 in Paris features the Chaise Sperlich on its blog.

Above: An Ironrite Chair from Factory 20 (sold) in a wood finish.

This post is an update; the original ran on May 14, 2009.

I knew something was up when I saw the rows of town cars lined up outside the brand-new Wythe Hotel, located in a gritty street in Williamsburg.

In keeping with the Brooklyn design spirit, the white-hot Wythe Hotel is housed in a restored historical industrial building topped with a three-story glass tower addition. The interiors feature an authentic mix of Old World charm (restored brick facade, original timber beams, cast-iron columns) and new local design (graphic wallpaper, crisp white sheets, polished concrete floors); it all feels like the culmination of Brooklyn's design evolution. For booking information, go to Wythe Hotel.

N.B.: One of our favorite NY firms, Workstead, worked on the public spaces.

Above: The Wythe bedrooms feature nouveau toile wallpaper designed by Dan Funderburgh and printed in Brooklyn by Flavor Paper (he calls it "a delicate tribute to the perfectly imperfect sights and scenes of Williamsburg, Brooklyn; specifically, North 11th and Wythe where the hotel is located").

Above: The custom beds are made from reclaimed ceiling timbers by Dave Hollier Woodwork and Design.

Above: Simple snowy white linens cover the beds.

Above: Bunk Rooms are on offer for $175 a night.

Above: The mini bars feature small-batch liquors, housemade ice cream, and artisan granola.

Above: Goldies Bath Products, made in Rockaway, New York, are on offer.

Above: Black bentwood chairs and cafe tables.

Above: Andrew Tarlow (of Marlow & Sons, Diner, and Roman's) is behind the hotel's Reynards Restaurant.

Above: Tiled floors evoke an earlier era.

Above: Subway tiles (this is Brooklyn, after all) line the bathroom walls; on the floor, vibrantly patterned tiles from Popham add a note of exotica.

Above: The threshold features custom blue hex tiles and inlaid brass lettering.

Above: A view of the hotel and the glass addition.

Just in time for summer: we've discovered a new line of minimalist outdoor grills from Röshults, inspired by the world of architecture.

Swedish interior architects Mat Broberg and Johan Ridderstrale, graduates of Sweden's Konstfack University, designed the grills for Röshults.The stark barbecue grills feature a powder-coated body in anthracite, zinc-plated charcoal holders, and adjustable airflow (for regulating heat indoors and out).

Above: The 200 BBQ Grill measures 37 inches wide for $2,660 from Finnish Design Shop.

Above: An outdoor set up featuring the largest of the grills, the 300 model.

Above: The Table Grill is designed to fit on tables and balconies; $615 from Finnish Design Shop.

Above: The full-size 300 BBQ Grill measures 54 inches wide; $3,500 from Finnish Design Shop.

Above: The small-space oriented 100 BBQ Grill measures 19 inches wide; $1,680 from Finnish Design Shop.

A trio of restaurateurs colonizes a strip of Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights; the crowds are coming in droves.

Founders Elise Rosenberg, Emelie Kihlstrom and Tamer Hamawi, who opened Colonie in February, raised money from a Kickstarter campaign to get the restaurant off the ground; they worked with architect Alex Meyers of MADesign, who used reclaimed materials throughout the interior (banquettes are made from repurposed church pews). For more information, go to Colonie.

Above: The lush vertical garden (edible herbs are included in the mix) is the work of Woodland Landscapes.

Above: Meyers used reclaimed wood throughout the project.

Above: Above the bar, a reclaimed mirror found locally provides a reflective glimmer.

Above: Steel industrial stools serve as counter seating.

Above: The light fixture is made from a repurposed steel beam found on the roof of the building.

With origins in Provence, Petanque is often played in the company of aperitifs, which makes it worth adding to your repertoire of summer lawn games, in our book.

Petanque is more than just a version of the Italian game of bocce. It's less of a bowling game and more of a tossing game; the aim is to propel the ball as close as possible to the target. For more information, visit Pentanque for the official rules.

Above: Petanque boules (or balls) are hollow steel alloy.

Above: Designed by Hans Thyge and Akiko Kuwahata, the Teak Pentanque Set includes six boules (or balls), a wooden jack (or cochonnet), and the teak box with a handle for easy transport; $310 at Design Within Reach.

Above: From British company Jaques, a longtime maker of garden games, the Jaques Alloy Six Petanque Set in Wooden Box is $169.99 through Amazon.

Above: Jaques Polished Alloy Petanque Set with a canvas carrying bag is $99.99 at Hayneedle.

As actress Julianne Moore learned during her first attempts to design her garden in Manhattan's West Village, the shady dampness that plagues the average townhouse lot can pose a challenge to many plants.

But that's precisely the climate in which staghorn ferns—they've been enjoying a moment as indoor houseplants for a while now—thrive. We've been admiring their strikingly sculptural look outdoors, as well, since we first spotted Moore's garden in Architectural Digest. Here's how to get the look:

N.B.: For more photos of the garden, go to Architectural Digest.

Above: Moore's staghorn ferns, mounted on boards painted black to match the trim on her townhouse, are grouped like antler trophies on the brick wall. Staghorn ferns thrive in the low filtered light that Moore's garden enjoys.

Above: A 12-inch Staghorn Fern Plaque is $44.95 at Wind and Weather. Mix and match fern sizes, with mounted Staghorn Ferns from Paxton Gate; they're $39 to $69, depending on size.

Above: Platycerium bifurcatum prefers, if left to its own devices, to grow on trees in rainforests. It can survive outdoors in temperatures ranging from 40 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. In other climates, shelter it indoors when necessary. Image via Terrain.

Above: To create a dramatic focal point, consider a 14-inch Large Mounted Staghorn Fern; it's $105 from Terrain.

Just in time for summer: our roundup of tried-and-true summer essentials for the deck, the patio, the porch, the beach.

Above: For outdoor seating, Julie likes the well-priced Brommo Folding Deck Chair, made from acacia wood and polypropylene rope; $59.99 at Ikea.

Above: Francesca swears by Design Within Reach's Tuuci Hexegon Umbrella (its cleat and pulley system of marine-grade stainless steel is the same used on racing boats). Currently on sale for $1,450 (umbrella only), it's an investment piece that will last from one summer to the next. The companion Tucci Umbrella Stands are available for $525 each.

Above: Sarah has a Cast-Iron Fire Bowl in her Napa Valley back yard. ("It is great at the beginning and end of summer when the evenings get a little chilly and you still want to be outdoors," she says.) The bowl measures 23 inches in diameter and has two built-in handles for portability; $465 at Design Within Reach.

Above: In the summer, Sarah moves her surprisingly comfortable Snow Peak Long Back Camp Chairs from her guest cottage to her patio; $215.95 at Snow Peak.

Above: Alexa uses durable enamel ware dishes for outdoor camping, picnicking, and days at the beach; The black Enamel Dish (L) is £12.95 and the Enamel Mug (R) is £6.95 from Toast.

Above: Julie is contemplating a generously sized sheared cotton Beach Towels from Chance in New York (choose from Reserved, La Plage, La Piscine, or SPF 10,000); $85 each.

Above: A staple in Sarah's back garden, the Biergarten Table (88 inches long) from Germany; $549.99 at Beer Garden Tables.

Above: Christine was introduced to the Wooden Platters by Jonathan Legge of Makers & Brothers, "these wooden plates have become my 'go to' plates for everything; including outdoor picnics." €27 for the large (L) and €22 for the small (R).

Above: Christine uses the quick-release Peterboro Picnic Time Bicycle Basket to transport food and drink for picnics at the beach: $55 at Peterboro Basket Company.

Above: Michelle's outdoor summer pick is Pawley's Island rope hammocks; the Large DuraCord Rope Hammock is $169.99 from Pawley's Island Hammocks.

Above: Janet uses Galvanized Wash Tubs filled with ice to keep beverages cool for outdoor entertaining (the smaller tubs work well as wine coolers, while large tubs can hold an evening's supply of drinks); $21.17 at Amazon for the 22-inch-diameter tub shown.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on June 2, 2011.

Postmaster General take note: If every post office were this appealing, we might see an increase in people sending parcels by post.

Located on the premises of the reimagined Marin Country Mart (a venture of James Rosenfield, who transformed the Brentwood Country Mart in Los Angeles), the pristine post office anchors the complex of sparkling white-painted shops. Rosenfield pays tribute to the seventies era of the buildings without freezing them in time; case in point, the central post office, which features a West Marin vibe (the mounted staghorn ferns on the building's entry should be sufficient clue that this post office offers more than stamps and mail service). Like the look? Read on for a list of sources.

Photography by Mimi Giboin for Remodelista.

Above: The Graduate Lamp ($189 from Schoolhouse Electric) sits on the table; for a similar wall-mounted bulletin board, consider the Dooley Wood-Framed Cork Board for $17.68 from Amazon. For a retro-looking clock, Schoolhouse Electric offers the IBM Standard Issue Clock for $235.

Above: The entrance to the post office features a collection of Mounted Staghorn Ferns; $105 each from Terrain.

Above: For the patriotically inclined, a 3-by-5-foot American Flag, made of 100 percent cotton, is $17.95 at Amazon.

Above: Designed by Inverness-based Rufus Blunk, son of the artist J. B. Blunk (he's known in Northern California for his gnarly, organically shaped sculptural pieces; his tables and seating can be seen at Green's restaurant in San Francisco). The board displays a map from the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, whose mission is to preserve farmland in Marin County.

Above: The post office's ceiling is covered in untreated ash with planks running at an angle; the built-in shelving is also made from ash. The Luna Rod pendant lights, sourced from Schoolhouse Electric, are $119. Need a haircut? Head to Barber Lane next door.

Above: A selection of packaged seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds are available online or directly from the Petaluma Seed Bank. For a similar-looking potted fern, consider the Wrapped Bark Pot; $12 from Terrain.

Above: Rosenfield commissioned well-known West Marin wood artist Evan Shively to create the organic wood play structures outside the post office.

Beyond the standard issue hose hanger; five practical and innovative ideas to detangle the garden hose and keep it off the ground.

Above: The galvanized Steel Hose Hanger from Swiss company Alba Krapf hangs on to any existing tap wall mounting, neatly solving the problem of where to stow the garden hose; €19 at Manufactum.

Above: Old wooden textile spools (found at antique shops and flea markets) bolted to a backyard fence create a hose hangar. Via Sunset.

Above: An industrial-strength steel bracket is bolted to a deck support beam for instant hose storage. Via Modern Cottage.

Above: This Galvanized Bucket bolted to the wall not only serves as a hose hanger, but also as a caddy for the sprinkler (or other gardening implements); $13.99 at Amazon. Go to Martha Stewart for instructions.

Above: Another simple bucket solution: store your hose in a large galvanized wash tub, like the Behrens 35-Gallon Round Steel Tub ($46.80 at Amazon). Via Addicted to Homes.

Among the many notable objects spotted in our post on the home of Jérôme and Karine Clynckemaillie (also known as the Clynks) was this modern Camp Light.

Constructed using a thin, lacquered steel with a tapered, ash handle and fine, cotton shade, Mr. & Mrs. Clynk's Camp Light possesses the same lithe profile of delicate paper lanterns, but is much more sturdy. It's available in playful summer hues or crisp white (and it's at the top of our wish list).

Above: The lacquered steel frame comes is a number of summer hues.

Above: The Camp Light is available in two sizes; the small is €165 and the large is €230.

Above: The Camp Lamp is so light even a child can lift it. The cords are cotton as well.

Above: The Camp Lamp is also available in pink and plum fabric with black frame. For more \, see Chez Nous with Mr. & Mrs. Clynk.

We've been scheming a visit to Babylonstoren in South Africa for a while now; here's one more reason to go: the newly opened Karen's Tea House.

Located inside a giant glass conservatory on the grounds of the sprawling resort (one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in South Africa), the tea house's menu includes plum and verbena cordial, lemon thyme lemonade, rosewater cupcakes, and herb sorbet popsicles. For more information, go to Babylonstoren.

Photography via Yatzer.

Above: A view of the tea house interior.

Above: Throughout the property, vegetables are used in lieu of flowers as decor.

Above: A tea time setting.

Above: An arrangement of mint.

Above: Small meals are served in wood boxes.

Above: A system of glass panels resembles fish scales.

Above: A mosaic of Delft tiles under a persimmon tree.

Italian designer Paola Navone, known for her fanciful designs, has done it again with her Eu/phoria chair for Eumenes.

Navone's Eu/phoria chair features a steel support topped by mod shell, made from a composite polypropylene and recycled wood material (which means it's eco-friendly). Her patterns are reminiscent of plaid nylon shopping bags, to create a playful twist on a mid-century classic.

Above: The Euphoria chair in tartan, checks, or stripes is available by contacting Eumenes or Yoox. Image via Designboom.

Above: Eu/phoria's painted steel legs come in eight different colors. The seat is also available in several solid options.

Above: This candy-striped loveseat reminds us of old-fashioned ice cream parlors made modern. Image via Designboom.

In California, where the climate is temperate and houses are small (and expensive), it's common for homeowners to annex the garage as living space. This parking-space-turned-garden-room in West LA by David John and Krista Schrock of DISC Interiors might be the prettiest garage conversion we've seen yet.

To see more of the firm's work, go to DISC; to read David John's blog, go to You Have Been Here Sometime.

Photographs by David John.

Above: The black pipe desk with brass fittings and ash tabletop is from LA-based To Do Something. The Enzo Task Lamp of antiqued brass with a shesham wood base is $550 at Jayson Home & Garden. The brass Nina Tapered Table Lamp by Thomas O'Brien for Visual Comfort is $272.90. The copper Spun Metal Side Table is $395 at Lawson Fenning in Los Angeles. The Blue and White Spotted Vase by Matthias Merkel Hess was sourced from Iko Iko and the Adam Silverman vase is from Heath Ceramics.

Above: The custom cabinetry was designed by DISC and fabricated by To Do Something (it's painted in Benjamin Moore OC-12 Muslin); the Classic Cabinet Knobs in brass are from Rejuvenation Hardware. The vintage side table is from Lawson-Fenning and the 1960s ceramic table lamp is from Surfing Cowboys. The Blue Pebble Pillow is by LA textile designer Annabel Inganni of Wolfum.

Above: DISC designed the custom ottoman covered in a tweedy fabric; the vase is vintage. The Braided Hemp Rug is from Restoration Hardware. The floors are painted in Benjamin Moore's Epoxy OC-1 Natural Wicker.

Above R: The owner made the ceiling pendant in a crafts class using a wire frame and popsicle sticks.

Above: DISC painted the mirrored doors, which were original to the house, in chalkboard paint.

Above: The custom purple awning from Van Nuys Awning is made from Sunbrella fabric.

A report from the frontlines: newly opened Berkeley restaurant Comal features innovative interior design—plus a next-wave, state-of-the-art sound system.

Owned by John Paluska, the former manager of rock band Phish, Comal is the first restaurant anywhere to feature a newly developed sound system by Berkeley-based acoustic experts Meyer Sound. As Paluska notes, restaurant owners often get complaints from diners that their spaces are either too quiet—lacking vibrancy and buzz—or too loud. The Meyer system is intended to straddle the perfect middle ground.

Meanwhile, the interiors, designed by Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory members Marites Abueg and Keith Morris of Abueg Morris Architects, were inspired by the colors and sensations of Oaxaca (I know this because I happen to work for the firm, and this was my first experience working on a restaurant project). One thing I learned in the design process? An open mind and an adventurous spirit result in the best work. For instance, during their first visit to the empty restaurant-to-be, Abueg and Morris tore at the existing sheetrock to discover what lay beneath. When they found old wood lath covering even older board-formed concrete walls, they knew the bones of the place were asking to be used. From there, a multi-layered design began to take shape.

Says Abueg, "Many people start out with a neutral palette and then stop, producing a space that is modern but not dynamic. Just adding a few more textures and colors—burlap, copper, an amber glow, turquoise blue glass—added layers of dynamism to make this environment sparkle and come to life."

Need more reasons to stop by? A quick hits list: Cocktails from the Bon Vivants. Chef Matt Gandin, formerly of Delfina. A large backyard patio with a fire pit and a walk-up bar. And a music playlist by the former manager of Phish. See you soon.

Photography by Eurydice Galka, except where noted.

Above: The turquoise hand-blown glass pendants are by Photosynthesis in Berkeley.

Above: Custom iron stools by Ferrous Studios in Richmond, CA, feature designs created with a branding iron by American sculptor John Bisbee. Amber LED strips illuminate the bar shelving; the bar-front panel is utility-grade oak flooring installed backward, to expose more texture; a clever application at a very low cost. Photo by John Paluska.

Above: Repurposed burlap coffee bags provide color, texture, and acoustic absorption.

Above: The artwork is a Meyer Sound acoustic panel printed with a photograph of Oaxaca City by Deborah O'Grady. Original Douglas Fir flooring bears the marks of many years of use. Photo by John Paluska.

Above: An amber LED strip warms the space where the banquets meet the original board-formed concrete walls. The copper mesh pendants are by Metro Lighting in Berkeley.

Above: Wood lath taken from the existing ceiling and walls was repurposed as a decorative wall finish. The architects allowed its original colors to show, giving the lath only a wire-brush cleaning and fire treatment prior to install.

Above: Heat lamps will keep outdoor diners warm on a chilly summer's evening. The back patio (opening soon) will feature landscaping by Robert Trachtenberg of Garden Architecture in Berkeley. Vintage chairs are from Amsterdam Modern. The back wall is painted in Benjamin Moore Gentleman's Gray.

Above: The facade, designed by Trachtenberg Architects, features Cor-Ten panels that will rust over time. Storefront windows by Ferrous Studios.

Every year, British fashion doyenne Margaret Howell selects a designer whose work she admires to collaborate on a shirt. This year, she chose garden and landscape designer Dan Pearson, who reflects her passion for the “landscape and its connection with fabrics and the skilled people who weave them.” We're sold.

Above: Garden and landscape designer Dan Pearson. "Even though they’re very different, what I aim for in a shirt I also see in a Dan Pearson garden," says Howell, "a relaxed feel that comes from inspiration, editing and deep respect for materials."

Above: Howell and Pearson chose materials that were sourced in the UK; a natural undyed linen shirting woven by Spence Bryson in Northern Ireland, with horn buttons made by James Grove in the West Midlands. "The natural irregularities of these materials complement each other as do the textures of a garden," she says. The shirt is available online for £275 at Margaret Howell.

Above: An installation by Pearson in a historic garden of a Georgian Rectory in the Cotswolds: new dry stone walls with weathered timber framed openings.

Above: The work shirt has a generous inverted pleat in the back, allowing for extra movement and a useful hanging loop.

Above: An urban garden in Tokyo reflects Pearson's skill for mixing textures in the landscape.

Above: Howell's design includes generous cuff gussets to facilitate the rolling up of sleeves.

Above: Pearson creates textures with naturalistic plantings in this Northamptonshire garden.

The Victorians cataloged their botanical (and romantic) obsessions by pressing flowers; our friend Rebecca Willis continues the tradition for similar reasons; creating memories from cataloged flowers, while inadvertently creating art (sign us up).

Above: Willis (she's an editor at the Economist’s Intelligent Life) frames the results of her flower gathering efforts.

Above: Every summer, Willis and her son collect flowers from their garden to preserve in the flower press. "Don't be put off by big bulbs," she says, "the blotting paper will take the moisture out of the flower and it will become as flat as the others."

Above: The flowers take six to eight weeks to dry out before they can be arranged into frames. Willis brings her dried flowers out in the winter; a weekend project on cold, wet, dark afternoons.

Above: Flower presses come in a variety of sizes; a Six-Inch Square size is $16.98 at Amazon and a 10-by-6-Inch size is £7.95 at Amazon UK.

Above: Place a sheet of cardboard down first; press the flowers between layers of blotting paper or newspaper. After the last layer, put down another sheet of cardboard before closing the press.

Above: One final tightening of the screws before leaving the press for six to eight weeks.

I've been having a thing with roses of late, popping petals into glasses of champagne for a hint of color and floral aroma.

So when Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks gave me a jar of freshly made rhubarb and rosewater syrup, I needed to know more and guessed that it was inspired by a recent trip she took to Morocco. "I've been keeping a bottle of rosewater and a jar of petals on the counter since I've been back from Morocco, working them into all sorts of different dishes, both sweet and savory. The trick seems to be in using 'just enough'—too little, and you miss the magic, too much, and your food smells like a face cream."

She hits the mark with her rhubarb rosewater concoction balancing the rhubarbs' tartness with tangy lime juice and adding a decidedly floral note at the end with the rosewater. To get the recipe, go to Rhubarb and Rosewater Syrup from 101 Cookbooks.

Above: Heidi recommends using the syrup on plain yogurt or adding a few drops to sparkling water.

Above: "Rosewater varies greatly from brand to brand, so it really is one of those things you should add to your personal taste/liking," Swanson says.

Above: Per Swanson's instructions: "Chop a few stalks of rhubarb, toss with sugar, then let the mixture sit around until everything settles into a cold, sweet stew."

Above: Straining the rhubarb.

Above: The end result: a rose-hued drink with some rose petals added and perfect as a cocktail mixer. Summer anyone?