There's something Scandinavian about baths with wooden shower trays (as they're called); here's a few favorites we've bookmarked for future bath remodels:

Above: A shower in Australia that opens to the outdoors, via The Selby.

Above: A Northern Californian bath by Aidlin Darling Design.

Above: A glass wall panel creates a corner shower; photo via from Cesana.

Above: A perfectly proportioned bath by Cary Bernstein.

Above: A corner shower with wood tray via Agape.

N.B.: Looking for more inspiration? See 732 images of our favorite Showers in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

We've been fans of individual branch hooks for a while now; here's a new entry to the world of branch wall storage: the Tamarind Wall Branch from Terrain.

Above: The 59-inch Tamarind Wall Branch is hand-sanded and comes with hanging hardware; $168 at Terrain.

At Remodelista, we're obsessed with whitewashed Scandinavian floors (it started when we discovered Dinensen wood floors from Denmark). After spotting the floors of my dreams in a kitchen remodel by Betsy Brown, I asked her advice on how to create a similar look; read on to discover her secret formula.

Brown says her formula works on all types of hardwoods, and I'm planning to try it on my own red oak floors—stay tuned to see how they turn out; I'll be posting on the results in the next few months.

Above: Brown's foyer; notice how her oak wood floors feature a whitewash finish.

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to create the whitewashed look:

After sanding the floors, bleach them twice with Klean Strip wood bleach (not Clorox, and make sure to follow the instructions on the bottle). Mix your own stain (see below) in a 5-gallon bucket, according to what kind of look you prefer.

You'll need:

• 3 gallons of mineral spirits
• 1 gallon of Benjamin Moore China White low-luster oil paint
• 3 quarts of ebony stain
• A tube of purple tint (or a tube of blue and a tube of red)
• A tube of ochre tint

Start by mixing 2 gallons of mineral spirits and 3/4 gallon of China White low-luster oil paint with 1 quart of ebony stain. Mix that together thoroughly and test it on a sample board that has been bleached twice. Then add whatever you need to alter the formula to achieve the desired look.

In addition to the China White paint and ebony stain (which together, add up to gray), you should have on hand tinting pigment—bought in tubes at the paint store—in colors that counteract the color you're trying to neutralize. Bleached red and white oak turns lemon-yellowish, so the stain should include a minute amount of purple. Unbleached red oak turns reddish, so the stain should include a minute amount of green to neutralize the red. Yellow pine turns yellow/orange, so the stain should include purple/blue tint to neutralize the yellow-orange. Heart pine turns red-orange, so the stain should include green/blue tint to neutralize the red-orange. Always add the color opposite the one you're trying to neutralize. Refer to a color wheel to determine a color's exact opposite.

For instance:

• If it's too white, add more mineral spirits and ebony stain.
• If it's too yellow, add more ebony stain or a small amount of purple tint.
• If it's too gray, add more China White and mineral spirits.
• If you go too far with the purple tint, counteract it with the ochre tint.

Instructions for the flooring contractor:

Stir until you are SURE it's completely mixed. Keep re-stirring at frequent intervals throughout the staining process. Apply with a brush and quickly wipe off with a rag.

Dry overnight.

Seal with 3 coats of semi-gloss latex sealer.

Screen between 1st and 2nd coat of sealer

• It's fine that the stain is oil based and the sealer is latex, because the formula is primarily mineral spirits—so it's very thin. This formula works fine every time.

N.B.: Searching for wood floor inspiration? See 3925 images of Wood Floors in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

We're hard at work on our first Remodelista book, and we're busy rounding up our favorite remodeling projects to include. Whom better to ask for submissions than our style-savvy readers? If you've got a project you think we should include in our book, please send us scouting shots.

We'll be reviewing submissions for the next three weeks, so get out your cameras; we'll be choosing one reader kitchen and one bath to include. Please send your photos (at least 500 pixels wide) to edit[at]remodelista.com. We're looking forward to seeing your spaces!

Above: Kitchens with Open Shelving from our new room gallery.

Admired at the recent Dwell on Design, the Deskhouse, a drawing board-cum-playhouse for children.

Designed by Alberto Marcos for Spanish furniture and design company Ninetonine, the cleverly designed two-sided drawing desk doubles as a playhouse. The Deskhouse costs $425 and will be shortly available from Coolkids in the US; in Europe, the Deskhouse can be purchased directly from Ninetonine for €195.

N.B. Looking for children's room inspiration? Check out our collection of favorite rooms on our newly launched Room Gallery.

Above: Good to know: all of Ninetonine products are environmentally friendly, made from sustainable sources, and treated with certified non-toxic paints and lacquers.

Above: An aerial view of the "chimney," which is a removable wooden pencil box that can be positioned anywhere along the ridge of the playhouse roof.

Above: The Drum Stool shown here is also made by Ninetonine and will soon be available in three colors from Cool Kids for $199.

For some reason, the 11th century Vikings were not anticipating future luxury hotel needs when they claimed Häringe Peninsula for themselves. Luckily, however, Swedish Count Gustav Hornhad had the foresight 600 years later to build just the thing: a stone castle on the outskirts of Stockholm.

A half hour's drive away in Västerhaninge, Häringe Slott has survived many colorful incarnations since the count's day, serving time as an orphanage, a rowdy saloon, a grand palace, and the site of Sweden's first outdoor pool with a slide from a second floor bathroom (we wonder: is there a second one?). Let's check in for the weekend:

Photographs via Ingalls Photography. To see the gardens, go to An Enchanted Swedish Castle's Gardens.

Above: Afternoon tea is served daily, featuring scones, cakes, cookies...and tea.

Above: In the 1930s, industrialist Axel Wenner-Gren—the Electrolux vacuum cleaner magnate—owned the castle.

Above: A voracious collector, Wenner-Gren filled the palace with antique furniture, armor, silver, and mementos from his travels.

Above: After Wenner-Gren's death in 1961, the lavish furnishings disappeared—briefly. After new owner, crab importer Olle Hartwig, pored over Wenner-Gren's photo albums looking for clues, he was able to re-purchase most of the items.

Above: Previous owner Wenner-Gren was a collector of antique weaponry.

Above: And yes, antlers too. Is it possible Wenner-Gren had too much money?

Above: A guest room.

Above: A bathtub fit for a vacuum cleaner magnate.

Above: Now, about that slide...

To see the surroundings, go to An Enchanted Swedish Castle's Gardens.

Is the multi-purpose galvanized tub the most useful invention ever? It's cheap, durable, rust resistant, and can even be used as an ad hoc sink.

I spotted this example of galvanized tub genius on my annual trip home to Sweden last year, at the garden and home decor store Enkla Ting. Kajsa, the store owner, is an avid gardener; when she isn't potting plants or weeding her flower beds, she writes an inspiring blog where she posts about her home projects. Kajsa made her own sink by using a galvanized vintage tub for the store's bathroom. Recreate this look with the following items:

Above: The faucet is elevated with the help of a concrete block.

Above: The sturdy vintage bucket adds an industrial note to the shop's rustic bathroom.

Above: Galvanized Oval Wash Tub; $17.49 from Amazon.

Above: Fima by Nameeks Double Handle Single Hole Bar Kitchen Sink Faucet; $358.20 from Wayfair.

Above: Oldcastle Concrete Block is 16 inches long; $1.14 at Home Depot.

Portland, Oregon-based interior designer Jessica Helgerson has been living, for the past year, "rather experimentally in a 540-square-foot cottage on five acres of farmland." She and her family raise chickens, turkeys, bees, and grow their own food.

Her five-acre property on Sauvie Island, an agricultural island on the Columbia River 15 minutes north of Portland, is "an interesting experiment in reduction and reuse," Helgerson says. She remodeled the house using nearly exclusively reclaimed materials; added a green roof for insulation, and a chicken coop where she raises chickens. Paradise found? Martha Stewart thinks so; she featured the house in her March 2012 issue; go to Martha Stewart to read more.

To read more about the project, go to Jessica Helgerson Design. Photos by Lincoln Barbour.

Above: A collection of brightly colored Fermob French cafe chairs add a cheery note to the outdoor dining table.

Above: As part of the remodel, Helgerson added a green roof planted with moss and ferns gathered along the Columbia River Gorge.

Above: Helgerson redesigned the interior for maximum space efficiency with an open-plan kitchen, dining room, and living room.

Above: Built-in bookshelves and daybeds with drawers that hold children’s toys provide additional storage. The ladder leads to a sleeping loft.

Above: Built-in bunks in the children's room.

Above: Helgerson managed to squeeze a soaking tub into the tiny bath.

Above: The cottage glows from within at night.

Above: The house sits on a five-acre property on Sauvie Island, an agricultural island on the Columbia River 15 minutes north of Portland. To look at 250 other images of cottages and cabins visit our Gallery.

New from Save the C in Finland: clever bicycle bags made from reclaimed sails, for the eco-conscious cyclist.

SavetheC was founded by two sailors in Hamari, a small village where the river Porvoo meets the Baltic Sea, "one of the most beautiful and sensitive sea areas in the world," they say. "The idea is to make beautiful products from recycled sails and other sustainable materials." For retailers, go to Save the C; in the US, Save the C bags are available from Ivana Helsinki in NYC.

Above: Good for transporting laptops and papers: the Do Laptop Bag.

Above: The Do Laptop Bag is €189.

Above: The Carry Tote Bag can be affixed to the handlebars and is large enough to accommodate a laptop.

Above: Designed by Alto + Alto, the Carry Tote Bag in orange is €169 (it's also available in blue or in all-white).

Above: The Go Wrist Bag is "perfect for smaller personal items."

Above: The Go Wrist Bag is €99.

What do you get when you dress a bearded artistic male in button-up shirts and trousers? Other than my boyfriend, you get Swedish menswear brand Our Legacy.

Founded in 2005 by Jockum Hallin, Christopher Nying, and Richardos Klarén, Our Legacy emphasizes clothes that are "like a classic garment from your grandfather's wardrobe, remodeled to fit our life and our time." When it comes to inspiration, the trio casts a wide net: pop culture, Hawaiian printed cotton, art installations, exaggerated proportions, and melange tweed suits are just a few of their fascinations.

This past spring, Our Legacy opened up their third location in Södra Larmgatan, Gothenburg. With interiors designed by Arrhov Frick, the shop exhibits the same cool classicism that defines the clothing. Architects Johan Arrhov and Henrik Frick were looking to highlight the unique spatial qualities of the space as a whole; as with the flagship store in Stockholm, they stripped the interior of everything but its essential elements—bare walls, untreated wood, and exposed floors.

N.B.: Nying and Our Legacy art director Tony Cederteg also run Libraryman, a publishing company focusing on limited edition art and photography books.

Above: The Our Legacy men in corduroy, chambray, and wool.

Above: The new Our Legacy store is located at 7 Södra Larmgatan in Gothenburg.

Above: A healthy geranium and the Success Shirt in snow leopard, currently on sale for €108 from Our Legacy.

Above: Two floor mirrors lean against intentionally bare walls.

Above: Although Our Legacy began in 2005, its true inception was between 1980-81, when Hallin, Nying, and Klarén were all born.

Above: Dress shoes, Jumbo Shirt Clown Dot in black (currently on sale for €72), and summer shorts. A selection of Our Legacy pieces are available in the US through Très Bien and Mass & Stacks.

Above: Vignettes around the shop (L) and a sneak peek into the dressing rooms (R).

N.B.: Looking for more inspiration? See 107 images of Work Studios in our gallery of rooms and spaces.

A house of one’s own is one of the perks that comes with being the child of an architect (or at least that’s what the Bach children believed when they asked their parents for one).

Barcelona architects Anna and Eugeni Bach briefly considered ignoring the request before coming up with this well detailed and beautifully executed folly inspired by Finnish construction methods. We’re wondering if the children will notice when the adults have moved in.

Photography by Tiia Ettala via Dezeen.

Above: A simple wooden window flap can be propped open easily.

Above: The loft is designed for napping grownups.

Above: The spaces have been designed to be open and flexible.

Above: The house is made of wood using traditional construction techniques used in Finnish barns. These details include leaving a nail distance between slats to ventilate the house and a roofing system made from overlapped grooved wooden planks to prevent water from entering.

Above: Over time, the untreated wood will age and weather in contrast to the strips that have been painted white. The architects' intention? To mark the growth of their children.

Above: The house is comprised of two simple single-pitched modules oriented in opposite directions.

N.B. Looking for more children's rooms? See 191 images of Children's Rooms in our gallery of rooms and spaces.

Karin and Bjorn Milton returned to their hometown two years ago to create Hotel Stelor, a style-infused outpost on the Baltic island of Gotland.

Located in the village of Vastergarn, 20 minutes from Visby, the hotel is sited on two acres of scenic woodland. Each of the six bedroom suites is inspired by a different theme; our favorite is No. 6 (shown below), located under the eaves and designed for an architect (N.B. all the vintage furniture, sourced from a local antiques dealer, is for sale).

Go to Hotel Stelor for more information.

Above: In Room No. 6, a drafting table doubles as a desk.

Above: More vintage pieces (all are for sale).

Above: A battered chair serves as a bedside table.

Above: Sunlight floods the pristine space.

Above: The Stelor team (L to R): John, Joanna, Karin, and Bjorn.

Above: The classic farmhouse dates to the 18th century.

Above: Tea, served in the garden.

Above: The property's barn has been turned into a restaurant.

Above: Scenes from the dining room.

Architects who assign homework? John DeForest and Brett Smith of Seattle-based DeForest Architects like their clients to participate in the designs of their own projects; this week, they take us through their “client-inspired design” of a lakeside cabin. For the next 48 hours, DeForest and Smith are available to answer your queries; leave your questions in the comments section below.

Realizing architectural dreams can be a loaded prospect. DeForest Architects (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) take a fresh perspective; they describe themselves as “personal guides to great adventures in design. We put our clients at ease so they will contribute and collaborate,“ says DeForest.

For this project, a couple with grown children wanted to create a family vacation getaway on a hillside side in Lake Wenatchee, Washington. The DeForest homework assignment? A series of activities which enabled the design team and the clients to work together to identify the core values of the project. A subsequent series of hands-on model workshops, mockups, and walkthroughs on site contributed to the design process. Judging the results, we’re assuming DeForest Architects awarded their clients high grades for their efforts.

Unless otherwise noted, photographs via DeForest Architects.

Above: The cabin is sited on a slope that leads to the lake.

Above: Blackened steel was used for the fireplace surround. The benches on the sides have been detailed as sleeping alcoves and are used to accommodate extra guests. Photograph by Ben Benschneider.

Above: The double-height living area is lined with western red cedar on the walls and the ceiling while the glulam beams are made from Douglas fir. Porcelain tiles run through the entire space. Photograph by Ben Benschneider.

Above: A screened porch with fireplace. Photograph by Ben Benschneider.

Above: The single kitchen opens into the double-height dining room. The clients wanted a low-maintenance house, and all finishes were selected accordingly. The kitchen cabinets are made of a local Douglas fir veneer and the countertops and backsplash are made of Caesarstone.

Above: While the architects used a custom red oak handrail, the metal railings were selected from a semi-custom stock.

Above: A secret bookcase reveals a media room/guest room.

Above: The architects used perspective sketches to illustrate design intent.

Above: The expression of the cabin on the sloping site is integrated into the surrounding landscape.

Above: One of the many models used in the design process illustrates the relationships of the buildings to the site.

Above: The client wanted the entrance of the cabin to resemble a rest stop on a hiking trail; a place to pause and admire the views.

Above: Actively participating in the DeForest rules of engagement, the client produced this diagram, which set the tone for the project.

Above: A hands-on model workshop allows clients to actively engage in the space planning of their projects. See In the Studio to learn more about the DeForest client design program. Good news for Northern Californians: DeForest Architects recently opened an office in Lake Tahoe.

Above: Can you spot the architects? Hint: they are neither sitting nor drawing.

Several years ago, when a Japanese friend gave me a Kyocera ceramic knife, I was a tad skeptical.

I was thoroughly misguided: The knife, although lacking the weightiness of a traditional one, has proved to be a great asset in the kitchen; the blade is razor sharp, easy to clean, and, unlike metal, does not absorb flavors. In short, perfect for chopping and dicing a range of vegetables, including onions and garlic. Riding on Kyocera's success, several other companies are producing ceramic knives.

N.B. Knife addicts, the book Japanese Kitchen Knives offers a good in-depth look at traditional knives.

Above: The essential elements of a proper artillery (Kyocera knife in the middle) via The Importance of Salt.

Above: The Kyocera Revolution Series 6-Inch Chef's Knife; $61.13 from Amazon.

Above: White Zirconia Ceramic Knives: The entire knife set with black handles and white ceramic blades is £326.95 from Harts in the UK. A Kyocera Paring and Santoku Knife Set is $46.59 at Amazon.

Serious chefs take note: A new wave of ovens combining steam cooking technology with traditional convection functions may be the perfect cooking combination.

Advocates of steam ovens claim that steam is the best way to cook because it adds moisture, retains nutrients, and maintains, or even enhances, flavor. Additional benefits include faster cooking times (imagine roasting a turkey in just 90 minutes), lower energy use, ability to reheat foods without drying them out, and no need for added oils or fats for flavor or for non-stick purposes (the moisture takes care of that). The drawbacks? Detractors bemoan the fact that steam cooking doesn't brown foods. Steam ovens are also known for their small interiors.

Combi-steam ovens provide the benefits of steam paired with the finishing touches that convection delivers. But the cost of these new ovens can be daunting, and the question is whether the long-term energy savings and benefits outweigh the upfront investment.

Here are some options to consider. If you have experiences with steam or combi-steam ovens, please let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Above: New in 2012, the Wolf 24-inch Convection Steam Oven offers 12 cooking modes, four rack levels, and comes with two stainless steel pans. It can be mounted with a standard or flush inset (30-inch trim kits are available); $3,500 at AJ Madison.

Above: The Wolf 24-Inch Convection Steam Oven offers the largest interior capacity (1.8 cubic feet) of any steam oven on the market.

Above: The Thermador Masterpiece 24-Inch Combination Steam / Convection Oven offers steam, conventional convection, and steam/convection cooking modes. With a 1.4 cubic-foot capacity, it comes with one rack, two perforated pans, and two non-perforated pans; $2,999 at Plessers.

Above: Gaggenau 24-Inch Combination Steam and Convection Oven offers Gaggenau's signature minimal styling and has a swing door that opens a full 180-degrees for ease of use. This built-in oven has a direct water connection with (plumbing connection required) for an unlimited water supply; $6,999. Contact Gaggenau to locate a dealer near you.

Above: From a century-old German kitchen cooker company known for its professional-grade cookers, the Kuppersbusch Combination Steam Oven was a winner of the Red Dot Design Award; $4,740 through Kuppersbusch Dealers.

Above: The versatile, compact (1.1 cubic-foot capacity) Sharp SuperSteam Oven offers steam, convection, toasting, and microwave modes in one appliance. It can be built in (with a trim kit) or placed on the countertop; $916.49 (for the stainless steel finish) at AJ Madison.

Whenever my architect husband and I embark on a remodeling project in our modern London terraced house, we morph into truffle pigs, sniffing out storage opportunities in the most unlikely places.

And when there’s no more to be found, we create new opportunities. A little ingenuity and a great deal of flexibility means that over the years, our family of four (plus dog) has been completely satisfied with 1,500 square feet of living space. A couple of years ago, we contemplated moving to a bigger house to accommodate our growing teens. This was met with great resistance: “Why would we want to move?” they asked. “This is home.” We must be doing something right.

For a tour of the garden, go to The Reluctant Gardener: Christine's London Oasis. Photography by Kristin Perers.

Above: We created a niche of bookshelves and benched seating (complete with underneath storage) on the back wall. Our two Eames Tables by Vitra (of different sizes) can be configured according to our needs; we use them for dining, homework, and even some sewing. One table can be brought outside easily for al fresco dining, and my beloved Ercol chairs are stackable if we need more space.

Above L: A corner of the table serves as a solo breakfast spot. Above R: The same table, set for a dinner party.

Above: Every inch of available space in the kitchen is lined with cabinets. N.B. The World's Best Countertop Appliance, the Zojirushi Induction Heat Rice Cooker, is the only appliance on my counter.

Above: A midcentury cabinet in the entry hall contains hats, gloves and scarves.

Above: When not in use, the Ercol Nesting Tables nestle under one other and fit neatly beneath the Ercol stationery table. The ottoman holds storage underneath.

Above: We bought a set of steel Metro Shelves (commercial kitchen shelves) when we were first married. They have been reconfigured at least eight times, including twice in this house—the best $1,000 we have ever spent.

Above L: Closets for hanging clothes have been inserted into the office; the wide doors function as bulletin boards for architectural drawings. Above R: Open shelves in the bath hold storage baskets.

Above: Even our bed is fitted into a niche. We store our luggage in the drawers underneath the bed; the headboard is comprised of cabinet doors, which conceal bookshelves. The architect in me loves the straight lines of stripes, hence the Light Grey Ticking duvet cover and Organic Aegean duvet cover by Toast.

Above L. Metro shelves from our original newlywed cull provide storage and serve as a room divider. Above R: We created a mini dresser from painted Ikea Moppe Mini Drawers with a shelf below for support and a shelf on top to hold loose items.

Above: Open storage using an Ikea system (discontinued) is very effective. We have one in each of the boys' rooms and in the living room as well. Plastic storage boxes fit neatly underneath and above.

Above: Two custom-built sheds in the garden provide storage and provide a backdrop for the outdoor room. (For more, see Design Sleuth: Christine's Outdoor Rug.)

A roundup of ingenious kitchen spaces—some no larger than a closet—that are minuscule yet functional.

Above: A tiny kitchen by Mesh Architectures occupies a nook in a 300-square-foot art dealer's studio. The high-mounted oven includes a space saving feature where the bottom drops down for you to insert the food then retracts back up into the heat. See: Remodelista's Favorite Space Saving Appliances for Small Kitchens.

Above: A galley kitchen in London by Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi featuring walls of framed photographs and—ingeniously—kitchen implements either hung from hooks or mounted directly on the wall for immediate access.

Above: Brooklyn design firm Workstead integrated a tiny kitchen corner into living area of a small one-bedroom apartment; for more photos and information, go to Dwell.

Above: A compact kitchen tucked under a stairwell in the Broome Street loft project by Loading Dock 5 Architecture in New York. Photo by Sophie Munro.

Above: A tiny kitchen in a revamped carriage house in Oakland by SF architect Christi Azevedo.

Above: A kitchen in an East Village studio apartment of NYC by Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture.

Above: A minimal kitchen space made with reclaimed wood in a West Broadway loft by Ryall Porter Sheridan Architect.

Above: The Studiomama Beach Chalet on the coast of England.

Above: Two kitchens via The Tumbleweed Tiny House Company.

Above: A tiny cottage kitchen in Helsinki, photo by Andreas Meichsner for the New York Times.

N.B.: For more kitchen inspiration, see 1125 images of Kitchens in our Gallery of rooms and spaces. This post is an update; the original ran on November 4, 2010.

We like West Elm's collaboration with South African designers Luke Pedersen and James Lennard, who combine South African craft with Swedish sensibility.

Above: Pedersen + Lennard Hooks Long; $59 at West Elm.

Above: Pedersen + Lennard Hooks Single; $12.

Let's be honest: electrical cords, power strips, and personal devices are not always appealing; particularly when they're snaking all over the house. Here we're rounded up the 10 best ways to regain control without completely sacrificing style.

Above: WrapWrap is an innovative wire management tool that brings an element of simplicity and craft to the task of taming electrical cords. Carved from walnut or oak, Wrap Wrap keeps your iPod or mouse cables under control. Designed by Naoto Yoshida for to.mo.ni of Japan; 2 inches long, prices range from $20 for the small to $30 for the large from Mjolk.

Above: An attractive storage option for laptop cords, the Restore Basket from Muuto is available in blue (shown), green, and light gray; $99 from Design Within Reach.

Above: The conceptual Bosco Cutting Board by Italian designer Andrea Ponti is made from Gingko wood and features a base that holds your iPad upright while using the cutting board; via Fast Company.

Above: The Cable Box Organizer allows you to store surge protectors, power strips, and coiled cables; available in white and black for $30 from A + R Store.

Above: Instead of leaving the phone on the ground or dangling from an electrical outlet, Drinn's Cell Phone Charger Wall Holder keeps your phone and wires neatly in place while charging; $9.12 from Amazon.

Above: The Felt Laptop Cover protects the MacBook Air perfectly, enveloping them in Swedish felt made out of recycled plastic bottles. The enclosure features a brass button and leather tie. It's available in dark brown, light and dark gray for €42 from P.A.P.

Above: The iPhone Stand and Dock charges and syncs your iPhone and is made from ash wood in the US; $33 from Icolio on Etsy.

Above: Blue Lounge's Cable Clips keep cords organized and untangled; $10 for six small clips, four medium clips, or two large clips from A + R Store.

Above: Blu Dot's Juice Box Digital Dock organizes media while charging devices; $99 from Design Public.

Above: The Wall Cleat is a subtle way to wrangle in your long computer cord. Designed by Karl Zahn, the cleat is available through Boiler Design.

The Japanese are masters of building on slivers of land and maximizing tiny lots in dense urban areas. Americans less so; New Zealand-born, LA-based architect Simon Storey is a refreshing exception.

Storey, who founded Anonymous Architects in 2005 (named thus as he likes his buildings to blend into an environment), took a 15-foot-wide Echo Park lot with a tiny house above a garage and turned it into a vertical, light-filled two bedroom home and office. It was, as he puts it, "the perfect site to experiment with compact and efficient urban living." Read on to see the results.

Above: An open staircase with floating beech treads brings light into the living area.

Above: The kitchen features a concrete floor, Douglas fir cabinetry, and Formica countertops; it sits at a lower level from the wood floored dining area as a way to delineate space in the open living quarters.

Above: Large floor-to-ceiling windows at the front and back of the house provide plenty of light. Full-height doors open onto a guard rail, allowing for cross breezes. The Wow and Flutter Speaker was made by Storey.

Above: Storey designed his own wallpaper, called Torn and Confused, for the bedroom.

Above: A roof deck with built-in seating affords views that extend as far as the Hollywood sign and the San Gabriel Mountains.

Above: Since the building extends to the property line, fire code required the exterior to be fire resistant, so Storey clad the house with cement plaster.

To see what the original structure looked like, check out Curbed LA.