Drawing inspiration from the forms and textures of their native land, a Gothenburg-based design team conceives an allegorical collection for modern times.

For Johannes Yjernberg and Rasmus Malbert, the Swedish duo behind Modern Times, the design process begins with a story. And like any good yarn, their work is multifaceted and layered but never too complex. Employing a surprising mix of materials—both natural and man-made—Modern Times' pieces engage the sense of touch and smell, as well as sight. Even though their forms are sleek and contemporary, they are grounded by a sense of history and place.

Above: Recognizing that in this rational, modern world, traditional techniques sometimes become trivialized, Modern Times' painted Decor table deliberately celebrates the art of imitation marble.

Above: With its rough granite top and lithe birch legs, the Malmön table is inspired by the harsh cliffs and slender trees of Sweden's West Coast. Here it is shown with Modern Times' trestle stool.

Above: A detail of the Malmön table shows the juxtaposition of textures.

Above: Based on classic, utilitarian trestles, Modern Times' Trestle Stool is likewise a multipurpose piece of furniture. Featuring birch legs, Trestle's seat is covered in a matte-finished linoleum.

It's always news when London-based Ilse Crawford designs a new project; we've been admiring her quietly luxurious hotel in Stockholm, Ett Hem, since it opened not long ago.

Located in a 1910 manor house designed by architect Fredrik Dahlber, the intimate hotel features "robust, paneled spaces that offer shelter from the harsh winters" on the downstairs level. Upstairs, "the house evokes the summery whiteness and lightness of Carl Larsson's Scandinavian interiors." Go to Ett Hem for more information; to see more of the designer's work, go to Studio Ilse.

Above: A lounge area featuring Crawford's distinctive mix of classics and midcentury pieces, including lighting by Michael Anastassiades. Photo via AD Espana.

Above L: A pair of Wegner Papa Bear chairs. Above R: A shearling-covered Pelikan lounge chair by Finn Juhl. Photo via AD Espana.

Above: The downstairs consists of several distinct reception areas for guests. Image via Studio Ilse.

Above: A brass chandelier and brass cabinet hardware add a note of warmth.

Above: An oval dining table where breakfast is served. Image via Studio Ilse.

Above: A guest suite featuring pieces from Crawford's collection for De Les Espada. Image via Studio Ilse.

Above: One of the 12 guest suites available for rent. Photo via AD Espana.

Above: Throughout the interiors, Crawford uses brass fixtures and fittings for warmth. Photo via AD Espana.

Above: A soaking tub carved out of a single piece of marble.

Above: A daybed for quiet moments. Image via Ett Hem.

Above: A moody bedroom featuring a mix of contemporary and vintage materials such as cane, wood, leather and velvet. Image via Ett Hem.

Above: A glassed-in atrium overlooks a private garden. Photo via AD Espana.

Above: The garden offers a retreat from urban life for guests.

Founded in 1898 by the same family that runs the company today, Denmark-based Dinesen custom makes wood floors featuring unusually wide and long planks. Dinesen sources raw wood—Douglas fir and oak—from "the best forests in Europe, which have been nurtured for generations; the trees we select are between 80 and 120 years old. We make precise, uncompromising demands regarding grains, knots, and structure."

The boards are treated with lye and white floor soap for a pale finish. Not surprisingly, the company counts relentless perfectionists such as John Pawson, Michaelis Boyd Associates, and Anouska Hempel among its adherents. Go to Dinesen for more information.

Above: John Pawson's dining room in London features Dinesen Douglas fir floors.

Above: A Dinesen Douglas fir floor in an apartment by Anouska Hempel.

Above: A private residence in Denmark with Dinesen Douglas fir floors by Anouska Hempel.

Above: A project featuring Dinesen Douglas fir floors by Architekturburo Hellwig Hofmann.

Above: Owners Heidi and Thomas Dinesen at the Dinesen facility in Denmark.

Above: For more inspiring wood flooring materials, see 5,089 images of Wood Floors in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on July 21, 2010.

We recently featured Arborica, the West Marin lumber yard of arborist Evan Shively (see The Ultimate Arborist). Today, we visit his workspace, which features an appropriately rustic, woodsy vibe.

The road leading to Shively's mill is piled sky high with salvaged tree trunks, and his showroom is stacked with slabs of wood. Amid all this sits Shively's small office, a haven away from the din of sawing and chopping outdoors. The simple space is anchored by a desk of Shively's own design, as well as seating made from rough-hewn eucalyptus trunks. For more information, go to Arborica.

Photography by Mimi Giboin for Remodelista.

Above: Shively's desk is made from three pieces of wood; a slab of redwood sourced from a salvaged wine tank, propped on top of two pieces of eucalyptus. The desk legs that serve as the base are eucalyptus. Two halves of a eucalyptus tree (complete with bark) mounted on casters serve as seats (remarkably comfy, may I note).

Above: A steel cabinet and an Eames desk chair add a note of modernism to the space.

Above: The ceiling is made from the same salvaged redwood from a reclaimed wine tank as the desk top. In the summer, when the wood heats up, a gentle smell of wine permeates the air.

Above: A reclaimed chair.

Above: The small wood clad office sits amidst reclaimed wood.

See our previous post on Shively, The World's Best Play Structure.

Check out our Gallery of houses featuring wood or explore more Sustainable Design

Not all white paints are created equal. A number of factors come into play when deciding on the perfect white: the region (Northwest? East Coast? Los Angeles?), the quality of the natural light, the window placement, the size of the room and the height of the ceiling. We consulted a selection of architects from the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory for their go-to white paint picks.

Above: The top choice for an all-purpose white is Benjamin Moore's White Dove (OC-17). San Francisco-based Cary Bernstein calls low-VOC White Dove a "foolproof, livable shade of white." According to John DeForest of DeForest Architects in Seattle, "White Dove is clean and calm, a great backdrop for art." Celeste Robbins of Robbins Architecture in Winnetka, Illinois, is another proponent of Benjamin Moore's White Dove.

Above: The go-to white for Brooklyn-based architect Clay Miller of Bergen Street Studio is Farrow & Ball's White Tie (No. 2002)—a warm. neutral white ("the white of old, pre-brightened, starched cotton," as the company says). Sample pots are available for $7 at Farrow & Ball.

Above: Jim Poteet of Poteet Architects in San Antonio, Texas, says, "Our favorite is Pittsburgh 520-1 Gypsum. It has a tiny amount of gray and a warmth to it that moves it away from pure white. We primarily use eggshell finish on walls and prefer that they be sprayed for a smooth, hard finish."

Above: Malibu-based architect Bruce Bolander uses Dunn Edwards White (DEW 380). "It hits the gallery white pretty well, not too warm or too cool," he says (the paint is available in Dunn Edwards' low-VOC paint line, Enso).

Above: Brooklyn-based Delson or Sherman Architects favor Benjamin Moore's low- and no-VOC paints in either Super White (L) or Decorators White (R, photo via House Beautiful). "Because color is so dependent on context, we always select colors based on the material palette and lighting in each room; the relative amount of gray or yellow is critical. We avoid pink-tinted whites."

Above: Hope Dana of Platt Dana Architects in New York favors a mix of half Benjamin Moore Linen White (above top) and half Benjamin Moore Decorator White for walls, which creates a "warm and consistent color whether it is in shade or sun."

Above: For woodwork, molding, and cabinetry, Dana likes Farrow & Ball's All White (in an enamel oil-base high gloss). Sample pots are available for $7 at Farrow & Ball.

Above: Bay Area architect Ken Linsteadt's"patented favorite" is Benjamin Moore's White Chocolate (2149-70).

Above: A favorite white for Michielli+Wyetzner Architects in New York is Benjamin Moore Atrium White. "We like it because it has a warm, almost reddish tone, as opposed to most whites, which we find either too blue, too icy, or too yellow," Michael Wyetzner says.

Above: Pulltab A+D prefers Fine Paints of Europe in Pantone Bright White (Fine Paints of Europe can specify any Pantone shade); the firm also likes Benjamin Moore's Snowfall White.

Above: For a warm white, Jennifer Weiss of J. Weiss Design in the Bay Area favors LC 43.2 Ivoire from the Polychromie Le Corbusier line from Swiss company kt.Color. "The fan deck itself is brilliant, not just the beauty of the colors, but also the concept (and reality) that they all work together," she says. The paints are available from Aronson's in New York.

N.B.: This post is an update, the original story ran on April 20, 2011.

Working the old-fashioned way, a potter from the Isle of Wight creates fundamental pieces that echo the chalky cliffs and elemental beauty of her native land.

Watching Sue Paraskeva work on her traditional momentum wheel is a bit hypnotic. From the moment the initial lump of clay is cast on the wheel, to the point where the final shaving hit the floor, you can feel the artist's connection to her work as well as to the process by which it is formed. The results are graceful and balanced but also, tactile and dynamic, as satisfying to hold and they are to behold.

Above: Stacked high the porcelain plates and bowls from Paraskeva's Tableware Collection are art in-and-of-themselves; £28 to £50 each.

Above: A serene creamer stands alone. Available by direct order from Sue or at Fen and Ned; £25.

Above: Porcelains beakers and bowls by also Paraskeva are available through Fen and Ned; £20 - £24.

Above: Paraskeva's tablewares, pictured here with a spackled glaze, are also available at Contemporary Ceramics Centre and Contemporary Applied Arts, both in London.

Above: An excerpt from the video of Paraskeva at work by Jamie Isbell.

Above: A piece from a recent art installation. Paraskeva's next show, 'Make, Believe, Make' opens at Portsmouth City Museum December 1. You can see Paraskeva's full exhibit calendar here.

We've admired the humble plumbing pipe reimagined as storage rails ever since we spotted designers Roman and Williams using the industrial piping in the bathrooms of the Ace Hotels. Indestructible plumbing pipe is perfect for hanging towels, curtains, kitchen pots, or the coats and bags that can overwhelm an entry.

Above: The bathrooms at the Ace Hotels in Portland, New York and Palm Springs incorporate bath hooks, towel bars, and toilet roll holders made by Roman and Williams from powder-coated plumbing pipe.

Above: The 18-Inch Plumbing Pipe Storage Bar can be used as a towel bar with or without hooks (the set of Vintage French Butcher Hooks is $60). Made with recycled 1/2-inch diameter steel plumbing pipe and fittings that are hand finished with an ebonized rust patina with a moisture-resistant protective satin clear-coat finish; $135 from Flea Market Rx.

Above: Flea Market Rx offers the vintage plumbing pipe bars in a variety of lengths, including the 24-Inch Plumbing Pipe Storage Bar shown here working as an entry coat rack; $140.

Above: West Elm's Industrial Pipe Curtain Rods are available in rubbed iron or brushed nickel finishes. Offered in two adjustable sizes: 22 to 48 inches and 44 to 108 inches; $69 and $99 respectively.

Above: Wire & Twine sells an Industrial Toilet Roll Holder for $45. For more ideas on creating an industrial bath space, see Steal This Look: Ace Hotel Bath.

Explore more images of Industrial Spaces in our Gallery.

LA-based DISC Interiors creates a modern rustic retreat for a wine-making couple in a former Sonoma warehouse space.

The couple, based in LA but partners in a boutique winery in Sonoma, was looking to create a "modern, open, airy, comfortable" space for their visits to wine country. To realize their vision, they turned to David John and Krista Schrock of DISC Interiors; a newish firm that's quietly making its mark on the design scene with their clean yet classic interiors. For this 1,000-square-foot Sonoma Valley loft, a renovation of a onetime commercial office space, John and Schrock employed a neutral, quiet palette with textural accents like cork, reclaimed wood, and seagrass carpet. Stay tuned for a Steal This Look on the kitchen.

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: John and Schrock opened up the ceilings and painted it the same color as the walls, creating a loft-like, airy feel. In a nod to the surrounding wine country, they used cork for the kitchen flooring.

Above: A long custom shelf runs the entire length of the kitchen. "The shelf is perfect for wine glasses and ease of living. Over time, I'm sure this kitchen will be full of wine bottles and some good wine stains." The owner is a partner in a boutique winery specializing in "intense terroir-driven zinfandels" from the Russian River and outlying areas.

Above: Rustic elements include the reclaimed wood-clad island base. The butcher block countertops will age over time.

Above: A Noguchi lamp hangs In the living room. The sofa is a custom DISC design. Natural seagrass flooring was used to compliment the natural cork on the kitchen floor.

Above: The entire space was painted in Benjamin Moore's Wind's Breath 981 to make the 1,000-square-foot space feel larger than it actually is.

For the last 18 years, my family and I have been living the expat life in London. With family and friends around the globe, let's just say we have pretty much mastered the art of traveling light; requiring a knowledge of where everything is and having it all to hand at any given moment. Here are some of our tips to pass on to your favorite traveler.

N.B.: To make sure we've got everyone on your list covered, we're running a new gift guide every weekday from now until Christmas. You can see all of our gift guides to date in our House Gifts section.

Above: My architect/urban designer husband travels every week and is a stickler for carry-on luggage only. In an attempt to wean him off his ubiquitous black wheelie bag, I'd like to introduce him to the Aviation Luggage Parachuter Bag, designed to specifically meet airline carry-on restrictions; €540. For more information about the Parachuter Bag, see Aviation Luggage in Kildare Town, Ireland.

Above: The Midori Traveler's Notebook accommodates paper, passport, and pen; $56. For more information on the Traveler's Notebook, see The Notebook That Launched a Business.

Above: I have a drawer full of Muji's Nylon Mesh Hard Cases in all sizes; perfect for toiletries, foreign money, and teen electronic accessories; the cases are available in small, medium, and large and range in price from $4.75 to $6.25.

Above: And finally at home, it's fun to mark past trips or future ones with the Pin City/Pin World Wall Maps from Palomar. They make a perfect base for pinning souvenirs and photos. Cities include Amsterdam, Paris, New York, London, and Berlin; City Map, €35; World Map, €40.

Why does everything cool happen in Copenhagen? Discovered via Dezeen, Playtype is a pop-up shop in the center of the city showcasing the work of Danish typeface designers e-Types. On offer: fonts loaded on USB sticks, framed or unframed posters, mugs, and other font-related essentials. Go to Playtype for more information.

Above: The shop's facade features a giant A: “We've always been type nerds," says partner Jonas Hecksher. "It’s what keeps the midnight oil burning; we spend hours on the correct curvature of a C or the proper amount of space around an A."

Above: The shop features an array of typographically stimulating products.

Above: A selection of journals, books, and Ceramic Mugs, available in 62 different characters; €18 each.

Above: A neon sign lights the tiny store.

Above: Stacking wood boxes serve as bookshelves.

Above L: The Poster ABCD features the Noir Text Light font; €18 unframed. Above R: Poster A7 features JP Special Serif Bold; €27 unframed.

N.B.: This post is a rerun; the original ran on November 8, 2011.

This is the story of a serial renovator with a serial addiction to Remodelista. The story goes like this. I was moving to a temporary home while I built a new one. The house, a new spec, needed something punchy. I referred to Remodelista's Palette & Paints and Restaurant Visits posts. There it came to me.

Paint. It's cheap. Throw some words on the walls. So I did. In the basement level, the wine cellar looked like a closet. My friend Steve Shadley mentioned the monologue from Sideways. I hired Rick Freeman, a sign painter, and suddenly the wine room was a fun room, and not just because of the wine. To the right is the guest bedroom. Dreary. I thought of all the polka dots I'd seen on Remodelista, and bam. A polka dot room. Why not? It's just paint, after all. Then I asked my daughter Dexter if there was a quote she'd like in her bedroom. She said, "Don't Cry Because It's Over, Smile Because It Happened." Dr. Seuss never fails. Then there was the dining room. Disappointing. Until I remembered the words. "We're Glad You're Here." And guess what? Rick did it again. And just think, all it took was a little paint.

Photography by Nick Reid.

Above: Rick Freeman used Benjamin Moore chalkboard paint in the dining room.

Above: In the kitchen, a trio of industrial stools from Rejuvenation and a pinboard with black and white postcards.

Above: Rick Freeman painted a monologue from Sideways on the entrance to the wine cellar.

Above: My daughter Dexter's bedroom, with the Dr. Seuss quote "Don't Cry Because It's Over, Smile Because It Happened."

Above: The numbered hooks are from Solo in Solano Beach, the vintage storage baskets are from Rejuvenation, and the striped towels are from Coastal on Nantucket.

Above: A polka dot guest room. Why not? It's just paint, after all.

Ed. Note: We'll be giving away a signed copy of Diane Keaton's splendid new book House ($53.55 from Amazon) in a Pinterest contest next week. Stay tuned.

N.B. Have you seen Diane Keaton's library where she uses more words on walls; Seeing Different: The Artful Home Library?

Michael Deakin of Hertiage Salvage in Petaluma was early to the salvaged wood business; he built his first home out of reclaimed wood in 1970 and he has been running his salvage business for 11 years.

His showroom is a yard stacked with piles of wood salvaged from old barns, water tanks, warehouses, and other sources from California and beyond. He's become a resource for not only architects and builders but also DIY-ers looking to fix up their homes, and even artists looking for that perfect piece of wood (a selection process that he has seen take up to five hours for the latter). When asked what his favorite type of wood is, it's akin to asking him to pick a favorite child. He says, "Every pieces of wood evokes more than the sum of it's parts. How you treat it typifies what it's going to be. One wood that everybody wants is weathered barn siding. It's what they have in their head when they come in here." It's not necessarily what they leave with, as Deakin is a master at steering people towards what it is they really need, not what they think they want. For more, go to Heritage Salvage.

Photography by Mimi Giboin for Remodelista.

Above: Deakin is a proponent of reclaimed ship lap for flooring, which unlike tongue and groove is easier to install. The technique was first used by ship builders where the boards are butted together and attached with a lap joint.

Above: Planks of wood. Lumber yards typically paint the ends of wood red to seal it and stop the wood from checking.

Above: Deakin's wood covers the gamut from oak, elm, and ash to redwood and douglas fir. He likes to offer the latter as a flooring option as it is the most affordable wood. It's a soft wood, but as he points out, if it's reclaimed it will have many marks on it anyway, "so one more ding won't matter."

Above: Deakin's showroom features architectural salvaged elements as well as more exotic pieces of wood such as reclaimed Chocolate Acacia and Spalted Mango.

Above: Samples of oak with examples of finishes.

Above: Salvaged corrugated metal.

Above: The wooden pyramid at the entry to Heritage Salvage has become a landmark. It was built from the remnants of a burnt down warehouse. It made it out to Burning Man and back, and is now a permanent piece in the yard.

Above: The entrance to Heritage Salvage.

See more posts on Sustainable Design.

Noticed lately: neon lettering as instant Jenny Holzer-inspired wall art. Here are five spaces we're admiring.

Above: A white-painted porch with a white neon sign; photo by Mikkel Vang for Vogue Living Australia.

Above L: The Canadian National Anthem as wall art in an installation by Mason Studio. Above R: An off-kilter neon "L"; image via Signed by Tina.

Above: A London house by UK firm Stiff +Trevillion.

Above: A glamorous pool photographed by Mikkel Vang for Vogue Living Australia.

New from Italian company Seletti: Neon Art, individual letters inspired by typewriter font that allow you to create your own signage.

Above: For US dealers, go to Seletti. Individual Neon Letters are available for £43.50 through SCP.

Above: The letters are sold individually and can be combined to create words and phrases.

Above: An installation by Seletti.

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Last week, we launched our new video series, "Remodelista in Conversation with Design Innovators," featuring some of the most exciting design luminaries (architects, interior designers, artisans) working today. Today we hear from Daniel Piechota, a partner in the San Francisco firm Sagan Piechota Architecture.

Piechota graduated from architecture school, but his first job was as a carpenter on the Price Residence, designed by pioneer architect, Bart Prince. Next, he worked with renowned architect Mickey Muennig on the Post Ranch Inn, the iconic back-to-earth lodge in Big Sur. The experience of living in a VW bus and working for Muennig was a seminal one, giving him an appreciation for nature, architecture, and craft. Join us for a chat with Piechota, who recently won the 2012 Cabin Fever Design Competition.

Above: Remodelista editor Sarah Lonsdale chats with Piechota over coffee.

Above: Sagan Piechota's Otter Cove Residence in Carmel, California with sweeping views of the Pacific.

Above: Join us as we sit down for coffee with Piechota, courtesy of our friends at Starbucks.

Above: Nilus de Matran of Nilus Designs studied with internationally known architect Zaha Hadid in London before moving to San Francisco; one of his first projects was Cafe deStijl, named after the Dutch art movement.

Above: A modular kitchen for Design Within Reach, designed by De Matran.

Above: What is De Matran most excited about? The new accessibility of 3-D printing, for one (watch our video to find out why).

Above: Lauren Geremia of Geremia Design in Emeryville, CA, is the visionary behind some of the Bay Area's most innovative spaces.

Above: Geremia studied painting at RISD before segueing into interior design (she got her start decorating bars and restaurants on a budget), and her inventive approach got her noticed by the local tech community. Her clients include some of the Bay Area's most happening companies—think Dropbox and Instagram—and she's done domestic interiors for leading tech innovators as well.

Above: What's Geremia most excited about? New frontiers in LED lighting, for one (watch our video to find out why).

Spotted on Dezeen: a low-cost kitchen by Tank Architects of Tokyo, designed for a couple with a passion for cooking but a limited budget.

The homeowners of House K wanted a kitchen with enough space for serious culinary experimentation. The solution? Humble materials like concrete blocks and larch plywood topped with polished stainless steel countertops, which add a finished note to the otherwise rough-looking space. Here are some ideas for recreating the look.

Photography by Eric Bossic.

Above: The kitchen's minimalist elegance makes a virtue out of an economical building material.

Above: A stack of concrete blocks creates a slim counter that divides the space.

Above: The polished stainless counters bounce light into the kitchen.

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

Above: Stainless Steel Counter Tops are available in standard sizes from A Best Kitchen; a 24-by-25-inch length is $388. Image via fixedbyphil.com.

Above: The architects used larch plywood for the shelving, which can be hard to source in the US. One alternative: Birch C-3 Plywood in a 3/4-inch thickness for shelving; a 4-by-8-feet panel is $44.97 at Home Depot.

Above: Elements of Design Single Handle Faucet in polished chrome; $193.17 at eFaucets.

Above: Smeg Classic Design 24-Inch Gas Cooktop; $620 from AJ Madison.

Above: Nutid Free-Hanging Extractor Hood in stainless steel; $1,199 from Ikea.

Above: The exposed light sockets can be created using a Standard Porcelain Lamp Socket; $6.99 at Aubuchon Hardware.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on February 21, 2012.

This is a tale of two buildings on two islands in New Zealand. One is made of concrete; the other of wood: Both are designed by the same architect, Auckland-based Fearon Hay.

New Zealand architecture firm Fearon Hay is known for making the “most of the country's spectacular surroundings.” Their design responses to two very different islands play out in an open glass and concrete structure on Waiheke Island, New Zealand’s third most populated island. On the Great Barrier Island, one of the country’s more remote islands with only 852 people, a timber box is designed to shelter and protect. Enjoyment of the surrounding scenery and views, while imperative in both, have come about through very different means.

Photography by Patrick Reynolds, unless otherwise noted.

Above: Fearon Hay's concrete and glass design Island Retreat has a see-through view of Matiatia Bay on Waiheke Island, New Zealand's third most populated island.

Above: The remote Great Barrier Island protects the Hauraki Gulf from the ocean surface waves and the currents of the South Pacific Gyre. Fearon Hay's aptly named Storm Cottage is a 1,000-square-foot timber box that can be sealed off completely from inclement weather. N.B. See more Storm Cottage in Shelter from the Storm: A Weather-Proof Cottage in New Zealand.

Above: Island Retreat consists of three structures whose undulating and floating roofs were inspired by the surrounding natural setting.

Above: Glass wraps around Island Retreat's two fireplace breasts while the horizontal roof structure appears to be floating.

Above: Island Retreat's exterior fireplace is protected from the wind by glass panels.

Above: Neutral tones of gray match the concrete walls on the interiors of Island Retreat. Photo via Penny Hay.

Above: Interior designer Penny Hay takes her cue from the exteriors. L. Island Retreat looks outward with stark materials while R. Storm Cottage retreats inward with warm wood; photo via Penny Hay.

Above: The internal walls and floors of Storm Cottage are clad with oiled oak boards, providing a warm counterpoint to the dark exterior.

Above: At Storm Cottage, the artwork on the table reflects the influence of the South Pacific islands right beyond the Great Barrier Island.

Above: The view out of Storm Cottage is through a series of framed, narrow glass panes as opposed to the wide expansive glass panes of Island Retreat.

Above: Storm Cottage is a cozy retreat at night.

Above: The glazing in Storm Cottage can be sealed off and protected with perforated, metal screens.

N.B. Indulge your fantasies about owning a house on an island. See 325 images of Island Architecture in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

We've posted about the new wave of crocheted and knitted lampshades; now we're taking a look at window coverings with unexpected texture and needlework, perfect for winter.

Above: A sheer cafe curtain made from Plymouth linen isle; via Flickr.

Above: A sheer wool shawl used as a window covering, via Anouk B.

Above: A knitted wire curtain via Holmberg.

Above: A wool blanket repurposed as a window shade, via ReadyMade.

Above: The Phantom is a linen sheer by Bernie de Le Cuona and is made of stitched linen strips.

French design meets Himalayan craftsmanship in Muskhane's line of soft, plush felted wool rugs, which are warm, durable, and washable.

Based in Kathmandu, the French design house Muskhane makes sustainable and fair trade felted wool rugs handcrafted by artisans in the Himalayas using sheep's wool, water, soap, and natural dyes. Muskhane felt rugs and accessories are available through San Francisco-based Lotus Bleu, including a number of custom designs, the result of collaborations between Muskhane and Lotus Bleu's owner, Jeannie Fraise.

Photos by Janet Hall for Remodelista, except where noted.

Above: The Muskhane Two-Tone Square Rug is available in 55-inch and 79-inch squares. Currently on sale for $228 and $334, respectively, at Lotus Bleu. Image courtesy of Muskhane.

Above: The Muskhane Border Square Rug is offered in several vibrant colors with a natural oatmeal border. The 79-inch square rug is $475. Small mats are also available.

Above: Soft sophistication for a child's room, Muskhane rugs in a playful polka dot. The 79-inch diameter Muskhane Polka Dot Round Rug designed specifically for Lotus Bleu is $525. Image courtesy of Muskhane.

Above: The Striped Muskhane Wool Felt Round Rug is designed exclusively for Lotus Bleu. It measures 79 inches in diameter; $525.

Above: The rugs are offered in vibrant solids in both round and square shapes. Image courtesy of Muskhane.

Above: The Muskhane Round Solid Rug is available in a 32-inch or a 47-inch diameter and costs $100 and $150 respectively. Image courtesy of Muskhane.

Above: The Muskhane Polka Square Rug offers earthly oatmeal tone with the choice of several colors of polka dots; $325 for the 55-inch square size.

Above: A collection of the Muskhane rugs on offer at Lotus Bleu in San Francisco.

Explore More: Rooms with Rugs.

For the student of typography, a roundup of holiday gifts.

N.B.: To make sure we've got everyone on your list covered, see all of our gift guides to date in our House Gifts section.

Above: The Scrabble Mugs are $11.95 each, available at Spoon Sisters.

Above: Typographer's Linen Napkin, available in a choice of 16 different fonts and 16 different trim colors; $45 for a set of four from just-launched Mark and Graham.

Above: Massimo Vignelli's Perpetual Wall Calendar is made of heavyweight paperboard in Italy; $82 at Fitzsu.

Above: Playtype's Coffee Mugs are made from ceramic and printed in 62 different characters in both Venti Quattro and The Wave type; €18 each from Playtype.

Above: The West Coast Subway Art Typography Poster Set features three original subway designs of west coast cities in the U.S. and Canada. The prints measure 11- by 17-inches and are made with archival ink on a matte-finished heavy paper; $54 for a set of three from Going Underground on Etsy.