Dutch-born, London-based industrial product designer Tord Boontje designed the Lightweight lamp to combat heavy lamp bases that are expensive to ship. We like the idea of creating a customizable lamp base that can be weighted with whatever you choose (beach stones, ripening fruit, or other favorite objects).

Photos via Tord Boontje and spotted on Dezeen.

Above: Tord Boontje's Lightweight collection includes standing lamps, desk lamps, and a hanging lamp, which is counterbalanced with a wire basket, filled with objects of your choice. For more information, see Tord Boontje.

Above: The desk lamp model in Boontje's Lightweight collection.

Above: A paper shade surrounds an LED bulb.

Above: Most of the materials (including the bamboo, paper, copper wiring, baskets, and cables) were sourced in the UK.

Above: The design consists of simple construction details.

N.B. Searching for the perfect lighting to illuminate those shorter days? See 651 backposts of Lighting.

For one Berlin-based designer, exploring the relationship between human and object has spawned an imaginative collection of makeshift pieces that are as expressive as they are practical.

Johanna Dehio is interested in actively engaging people in design. Thus, as the name suggests, her "Working Title" collection is a playful line of modular furniture that can be reconfigured into various formations. Never fixed, Dehio's improvisational pieces are designed to encourage a dynamic exchange between the furniture and the user. For pricing and availability, contact Johanna Dehio.

Above: Dehio was interested in capturing the simple elegance of old-fashioned pieces, the original makeshift furniture, which was often handmade by the very people who used them.

Above: The signature piece of the collection, Dehio's Hockerbank or "Stoolbench," is a series of stacking stools and planks with corresponding holes, that can be quickly reconfigured into benches and tables.

Above: A cooperative effort with designer Domink Hehl, Dehio's latest flexible piece, Schirme, is a lamp with interchangeable glass and ceramic shades, that can be used individually or together to create different light qualities.

Above: The entire collection also includes Dehio's Drahtbank, meaning "wire bench," a system of metal supports and wooden planks reimagined as seating, table, or shelving.

Above: Whimsical and clever, Wandewinkel, meaning "wall angles," includes a sideboard and mirror which use the wall for support.

Above: Dehio's Kleiderstiele Coat Hanger requires no hanging, just lean one (or better yet, a few of them) against the wall.

N.B.: Looking for furniture inspiration? See 638 Furniture posts for more.

This week, Bay Area architect Nick Noyes talks to us about designing a modern cabin in Healdsburg, California, that complies with 21st century building codes. Think proper insulation. For the next 48 hours, he will be available to answer any and all questions. Ask away!

What happens when your client requests a "simple" dream cabin and you have to crush that dream by informing them that in the 21st century even a simple cabin has be built to code with proper insulation? If you are Nick Noyes of Nick Noyes Architecture (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory), you look at what you have, including your constraints, and you create something new that works now.

In this case, the working parts included a 40-acre vineyard, a passive solar remit, a moderate budget; oh, and did we mention the family-owned plywood factory in Alabama?

Photography by Cesar Rubio.

Above: The cabin is lined with highly figured pine plywood boards that were hand picked from every run, set aside, and then loaded on a truck to California. An old machine from the factory was resuscitated to mill the pine floor boards. "The project was about how to detail a humble material to make it look sophisticated," says Noyes. "The exacting detail in the painted white wood trim provided a clean and crisp contrast."

Above: The living area illustrates many of the cabin's passive solar attributes, as its one-room width promotes cross ventilation. The north facing windows are higher and taller, garnering soft northern light, while the south-facing doors are protected from the strong summer sun by an exterior trellis. In the winter months, the low angle of the sun allows the light to come through under the trellis. "The proportions of the windows are bigger than you expect, which elevates the space to have a modern feel," says Noyes.

Above: A view down the outdoor trellis, which protects the southern face of the living area from the intense summer sun. A change of material in flooring marks the entrance area.

Above: The house consists of two gabled wings that are connected at the entry by an aluminum storefront system and a sunscreen made of reclaimed grape stakes from the surrounding vineyards.

Above: The exterior materials were selected for their low-maintenance properties. When painted, Hardie Board siding and clad aluminum windows are durable and long lasting. While a copper roof is expensive at the initial outlay, it lasts for 100 years.

Above: A sunscreen made from the vineyard's reclaimed grape stakes woven through a steel infrastructure protects the entry area from the strong sun but allows visual access through to the vineyards.

Above: The plywood in the bedrooms updates the traditional expectation of a simple cabin interior.

Above: On the western exposure where it can get very hot, the windows have been minimized to a clerestory band of glazing. The clients worked with color consultant Helen Eging to achieve a color that worked for all four seasons. "We even experimented with painting the two gables different colors, but it looked like the circus had come to town," says Noyes.

Above: The house was inserted into the existing grid of the vineyard to make best use of the existing conditions.

Here's a roundup of what's piquing our interest this week:

• Checking out [N2X] Arquitectos' solar-powered project in Água d'Alto, Portugal.

• Both Christine and Meredith have been looking at Brad Pitt's Furniture; finding it strangely compelling, especially the minimalist marble tub for two.

Above: Izabella has been reading about this abandoned farmhouse in Kollafjørður, Iceland from Home & Delicious, Issue One.

• Sarah is listening to Rodriguez's soundtrack from Searching for Sugar Man.

• Margot's heading to New York vintner Passanella and Son for their post-Sandy flood sale; "Perfectly good wine. Perfectly icky labels. Great discounts."

Above: Checking out Little Full's Pinboard, Craftsmen; featured above is printmaker Cameron Short.

• Alexa has been painting her apartment all-white and referring to this simple painting guide.

• Even if you share the same tastes when it comes to your home, would you dress your other half? Christine doesn't think so. This article explains why and yes, it was her husband who bought the architectural jewelry.

Above: Alexa's obsession with Japanese brand Cosmic Wonder is at a new level thanks to their recent lookbook photographed by Anders Edström.

• Sarah wanting to get a head start on holiday shopping at this LA event at Environment.

• Admiring the clustered lampshades in Hostem, East London's latest menswear boutique.

Above: Looking forward to checking out this pop-up at Erica Tanov at Marin Country Mart.

• We're liking the mix of styling between Iris Apfel and Beatrix Ost.

Meanwhile on Gardenista:

Above: Impressed with this arrangement from Little Flower School's Dutch Masters Class.

• Obsessing over the idea of Stepladders as Planters lately.

Above: Michelle is thinking about her grandmother, who kept saucers of water on top of a hot radiator to create warm humidity for her African violets in winter. Not sure yet if that tip was included in Helen Van Pelt Wilson's The African Violet; should know in a week or so, after the package from Etsy arrives. (Michelle can't resist vintage gardening books.)

A reimagined 1820 farmhouse situated at the edge of a waterfall fuses country primitive with urban industrial architecture.

NY-based Tom Givone is on a mission to explore "the contrast between historic and modern and play these extreme elements against one another." Case in point: Givone's four-year renovation of a dilapidated farmhouse in upstate New York, which is "a study in contrasts; fully restored to its period grandeur while featuring purely modernist elements." To see more of his work, go to Givone Home.

N.B.: Fun fact: Floating Farmhouse is available for rent.

Above: The 22-foot-high glazed curtain wall in the kitchen is made from skyscraper glass with a steel framework. The kitchen overlooks the brook and a gazebo.

Above: A trio of French doors opens onto the cantilevered porch.

Above: A vintage sink contrasts with sleek bluestone countertops.

Above: The floors are polished concrete; the wood-burning fireplace is faced with oxidized Cor-Ten steel.

Above: A bedroom with a full-length mirror as headboard.

Above: A shingled eave adds an outdoors touch.

Above: A vintage Italian marble sink seems to hover, thanks to angle supports concealed in the wall.

Above: A bath combining old and new elements.

Above: Faucets from Hudson Reed contrast with a salvaged bathtub encased in stainless steel.

Above: A simple outdoor shower.

Above: Old (traditional porch rocking chairs) contrasts with new (steel framed skyscraper windows).

Spotted at Design Junction during London Design Week: the work of Barnby Day, two friends who share a passion for designing and making furniture simply and with intelligence, in Hay-on-Wye on the Welsh border.

Above: The Bridge Hall Table ideal in a hallway; £850.

Above: The Bridge Hall Table comes in oak and sycamore but other combinations of wood can be specified.

Above: The Barnby Day design philosophy follows the Dieter Rams principle: "Good design should be as little design as possible." The Bridge Bench with felt insert works well as a hall table; £550.

Above: Frame Desk in oak and sycamore; £950.

Above: Stools made from local ash with felt inserts, £75; and small table, £160.

Above: The Barnby Day barn where friends Robert Barnby and Lewis Day collaborate and create in Hay-on-Wye.

N.B. Lewis Day left a career in engineering to work in wood; see 4592 images of Wood in our Gallery of rooms and spaces to see why.

Irene Finne, who writes the blog Lopelilla, created a clever floor lamp using a large branch from the woods that lie just beyond her front door in Vestlandet, Norway. For those of us who live a less charmed life, we might need to source a branch from the internet. The good news is we can.

Finne, who takes a stark, Nordic approach to design, used a large branch to create her lamp base and knitted the accompanying lamp shade using a rib stitch pattern. Build your own lamp with help from Grand Brass, our sources below, or have it custom made from Dog Fork.

Above: Photograph via Loppelilla (see House Call: Christmas Decor by Lopelilla).

Above: Source a Custom Scalloped Lampshade Frame, starting at $22, and other circular frames from eBay.

Above: Rowan's Lima Yarn is made up of mostly baby alpaca blended with merino wool and nylon; available through Rowan. Image via Noekkeon's Blog.

Above: A Nickel-Plated Regular Duty Lamp Harp with Saddle (L) and Dark Antique Finished Regular Duty Lamp Harp with Saddle (R) both range from $1.75 to $2 from Grand Brass.

Above: For those living in rural areas or with access to birch bark, source that perfect branch naturally. For urbanites, find Decorative Birch Poles for $42 from Birch Logs.

Above: A 10-Foot Twisted Two Conductor Wire Cord Set features an 18-gauge wire covered in fabric (shown here in gold and gray) and an antique-style polarized plug; $10 each from Grand Brass. In addition to the cord set, see all the available bulb sockets from Grand Brass.

N.B.: Looking for more DIY? See 225 DIY Posts and videos for more inspiration.

We recently bought our own copy of Diane Keaton's "House" (Rizzoli) at the SF Fall Antiques Show, where Keaton was signing her book for a long line of admirers. Did you miss her appearance? Enter our Pinterest contest for a chance to win your own copy of House—and Keaton will sign your book.

Trust us: you need to own House. Why? As the New York Times says, Keaton "delights in the work of architects who repurpose old buildings or riff on iconic forms to create what she calls 'a kind of cutting-edge revision of our shared past.' Her enthusiasm for these houses is a bit nerdy, but also contagious." Houses by some our favorite architects are featured: Annabelle Selldorf, Rick Joy, Tom Kundig, and Steven Harris, among others.

Here's how to win:

• Follow both Remodelista and Gardenista on Pinterest.
• Create a pinboard called "Barn Style" featuring images of your favorite barns, rustic interiors, and farms.
• Pin at least 15 images (feel free to pin more) with five images pinned from Remodelista or Gardenista.
• Post a direct link to your pinboard in our comments section by 6 pm PST, Sunday, November 18.

We'll announce the winning pinboard on Tuesday, November 20, at 8:30 am PST. See our Barn Style pinboard on Pinterest, House by Diane Keaton, and a few favorite inspiration images.

Photographs by Mimi Giboin for Remodelista.

Above: House by Diane Keaton with text by D. J. Waldie; $85 from Rizzoli New York.

Above: The overleaf features bold typography, a favorite theme (see Palette & Paints with Diane Keaton).

Above: A glance inside House.

Above: A barn in Napa.

Above: Keaton's online inspiration—from Nowness to Remodelista (we're in good company).

N.B.: Looking for photos to pin to your board? See 118 Barns and 192 Farmhouses in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

Our friend Jerome Buttrick (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) recently spent a few days at the Domaine des Etangs in the Dordogne, a restored chateau complete with floating tennis court. Here's his report:

Owned by a Swiss woman who inherited the property from her father, Domaine des Etangs has undergone extensive renovation over the past few years. In the reception building, located next to the main chateau, you are greeted by a collection of colorful boots, a whimsical way of reminding urbanites that while they will be comfortable here—the boots are clean and new—you are really on a farm, in the country. There is a wonderful garden that the equally wonderful restaurant benefits from as well as cows dotting the premises.

In a "back to the past" way, you are placed somewhere between the vernacular of hundreds of years ago and the latest that the simple aesthetic life has to offer. The limestone walls are unaltered save for a brilliant renovation move: the massive, textured walls are sliced by openings, filled with single sheets of glass. The uneven stone surfaces, cleanly cut by a skilled craftsman's blade, retain the glass effortlessly. Door and window frames are not used where they are not absolutely necessary—deep walls provide overhangs. Where a frame, or a piece of hardware is required, the ghost of Carlos Scarpa appears as if to hand you what you need—a hinge, a coverplate, a frame—in solid copper. You can't help but pause and admire how reduced it all feels; it is the disciplined design strategy that stands out here, nothing is overwrought. For more information, go to Domaine des Etangs.

Photos by Jerome Buttrick, except where otherwise indicated.

Above: A herd of cows reminds you that this is a working farm. Photo via Domaine des Etangs.

Above: The estate sprawls over several acres of farmland and forest. The main chateau alterations are still underway and will add several more rooms and a spa.

Above: A row of boots welcomes visitors. Photo via Domaine des Etangs.

Above: A sunlit corner in one of the outbuildings, now home to one of the dozen or so guest suites.

Above: The simple dining room; the only color is provided by the upholstered chairs. Photo via Domaine des Etangs.

Above: The primitive-looking rough-hewn chairs are surprisingly comfortable. Photo via Domaine des Etangs.

Above L: The plunge shower features a single temperature water that's a tad on the cool side (perhaps as a way to wake you to the fact that this is not all quite real, except that it is). Above R: The floors are also stone—set in radiant slabs that also carry all the plumbing and electrics, leaving the historic stone walls alone to do what they do best: support and shelter.

Above: A copper soaking tub in a spa area.

Above: A tennis court seems to float on the edge of the lake. Photo via Domaine des Etangs.

Above: A stream is diverted to traverse one of the many biking paths.

Above: The history of the estate is not particularly interesting, to judge from the slim binder available on the property. One notable exception is that at one point several centuries ago, it was inherited by a Frenchman who brashly declared that he was not Catholic, thus setting him apart in a region otherwise very much inclined toward the church. As if this were not enough, he proceeded to murder several of his immediate neighbors. Soon enough, he was the recipient of a similar fate while on his own property.

See more of our Hotels & Lodging selections in France.

Made of either maple or cherrywood with a dip-dyed handle, the Objets Mecanique cutting boards are as decorative as they are useful. Objets Mecanique is a slow design laboratory based in Montreal whose mission is to design handmade everyday objects.

Above: Maple Cutting Board 1.2; $98.

Above: Maple Cutting Board 1.4; $88.

Above: Cutting Board 1.3; $88.

An oasis of urban rusticity in the heart of Greenwich Village, grapevine-draped dining patio included.

Much of the charm within is due to details like distressed plaster walls, unadorned wood tables, glass wine jug lighting, and a general feeling of been-there-foreverness. For information go to August.

Photos by Nicole Franzen.

Above: A rough-hewn wood sign hints at the rusticity within.

Above: The outdoor patio has a greenhouse feel, with distressed plaster walls and cobblestone flooring.

Above: Lights are entwined in the overhanging vines.

Above: Prouve-style chairs add a midcentury note to the rustic surroundings.

Above: A simple table setting.

Above: Antiqued mirrors, a wood bar, and Original BTC sconces create a classic backdrop in the dining room.

Above: The cheerful exterior, complete with window box.

Riess, a 400-year-old family-owned Austrian company, has specialized in porcelain enameled cookware for more than 80 years. The company's new stackable Aromapots line, designed by Vienna-based design company Dottings, is oven and stovetop-safe and feature a lid that doubles as a serving trivet (it was included in Monocle magazine's recent 50 Things to Improve Your Life issue). The pots are available in several different sizes (a steamer is also available) in pure white, silent blue, light gray, dark aubergine, and slow green.

Above: The Aromapot lid can be used as a trivet. For more information on the Aromapot, see Riess True Homeware for more information.

Above: The interiors are white enamel.

Above: A pure white casserole with a light gray steamer insert.

Above: Slow green casserole with light gray steamer.

Above: Designed by Viennese Industrial designers Dottings, the Aromapots can be stacked neatly for efficient storage. N.B. For efficient stackable food storage by Riess, see Kitchen Management Enamelware.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on September 7, 2011.

Last week we admired this light airy Sonoma Loft by DISC Interiors; this week we break down the elements so you can create a similar look.

Photographs by David John.

Above: The kitchen island base is made from reclaimed wood with a butcher block countertop.

Above: The elements include a cork floor, backsplash tiles from Heath Ceramics, and a long restaurant-style steel shelf.

Above: The two lights suspended over the kitchen counter are the Noir Pendant Lamp; $249 each (currently on sale for $159.20) from CB2.

Above: At the counter are three Elysian Barstool with blackened steel frames and leather-covered seats; $950 each from Lawson Fenning in LA.

Above: The backsplash in the kitchen is made with 2-by-4-inch Classic Field Tile in fog from Heath Ceramics. Contact Heath directly for pricing (tile samples are available for a dollar each).

Above: The cabinet hardware on the cabinets was sourced from Schoolhouse Electric. The Kate Knob in brass; $5.

Above: John Boos Classic Maple Butcher Block Countertops are one and a half inches thick and come in a variety of lengths and widths; go to John Boos for more information. Alternatively, Ikea's solid wood Numerar countertops are made of solid wood and start at $129 for a 73-inch length.

Above: On the counter is a rice storage baskets from Lantern Moon; the Mini Rice Basket is $14.70, the Small Rice Basket is $25.20, and the Large Rice Basket is $29.40.

Above: Hanging above the table is the Louis Poulsen Wohlert Pendant Light; $876 from Y Lighting.

Above: The Cyclone Dining Table by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll is $1,898 from Y Living.

Above: The Eames-style Eazy Chair; $275 from White on White.

Above: The cabinets are painted in HC-100 Gloucester Sage from Benjamin Moore.

Above: The walls and the ceiling are painted in Benjamin Moore's Wind's Breath 981.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out all our Steal This Look posts.

A quick (and inexpensive) way to add character to an otherwise austere space: plywood-faced ceilings. Here are five we like:

Above: A photo from the Dwell House Tour, via Morgan Satterfield's The Brick House.

Above: The Catskills kitchen of Jeff Madalena and Jason Gnewikow, via Design Crisis.

Above: A house in the Hamptons by Selldorf Architects.

Above L: A kitchen in Australia by Nathan Gibson Judd. Above R: A kitchen spotted on Kitka.

Above: A modern kitchen in Massachusetts with plywood ceilings by Burr & McCallum.

When Zak Profera introduced his line, Zak+Fox, earlier this year he featured printed textiles with patterns based on antique Japanese textiles, Matahari trade cloth, and Moroccan carpets. His latest line of rustic linens, called Kaya, takes a different tack, focusing on texture and the unadorned.

A trip to Istanbul was the inspiration for the stonewashed Kaya linens that embody the spirit of vintage Anatolian textiles that Profera discovered on his travels. The line is available at several locations, including Harbinger in Los Angeles and at Studio Four in New York. For pricing and showrooms, go to Zak + Fox.

Above: The stone-washed Kaya linen is made in small batches and tumbled with volcanic rocks, giving it its slightly open
weave. The selvedges are reinforced during the weaving process to maintain the structure during the rugged washing.

Above: Kaya is available in two colors; (L) Eski presents the linen in its pure and natural state; while (R) Antik showcases it in pure white.

A chef friend of mine swears by her old-fashioned, manually operated apple peeler and corer (known in Sweden as Aunt Hulda's apple peeler). Here are a couple of sourcing ideas for the pie maker or the tarte tatin aficionado.

Above two photos: Aunt Hulda's Apple Peeler in black is €32 at Pannacotta.

Above: Williams-Sonoma offers a sturdy, dark red enameled cast-steel Apple Peeler/Corer for $29.95.

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

"Yesterday I decided that eating breakfast was more important than going to university," writes a Yelp reviewer of Leila's Shop. "I'm fairly certain I made the right decision."

Located on Calvert Avenue just on the border of Shoreditch and Bethnal Green, Leila's Shop is an under-the-radar favorite with locals, design luminaries like Ilse Crawford, and fashiony types like Alexa Chung. Yelp fans describe Leila's as "a bit of an oddjob of a shop; packed with nice bits and pieces that instantly make you feel comfortable. The kitchen accessories hanging from the ceiling make it feel like a posh country kitchen—or an installation art piece."

To learn more about owner and local legend Leila McAlister, go to Shopper's Diary: Leila's Way with Fruit and Vegetables on Gardenista.

Above: The rustic exterior with baskets of organic apples. "All vegetables and fruits are strictly seasonal," Leila says. "This makes people think we are eccentric and quirky (because we don't sell tomatoes and raspberries in winter months), when in fact we are very considered."

Above: Straight-from-the farm offerings: "Our bread is from Bermondsey, Brixton, Wood Green, jams are made in Bermondsey and Hackney, salmon smoked in Stoke Newington, smoked mackerel from Essex (eggs, too)," Leila says.

Above: Vintage crockery adds a humble note.

Above: A Wolfy poster; image via Deer Wolf Wolf.

Above: During London Design Week a couple of years ago, Ilse Crawford debuted her new furniture line for De La Espada on the premises (see Seating for Eating).

Above: A collection of Ercol chairs provides seating; on one wall is a noise-baffling acoustic panel made from wine corks.

Whenever I'm staying at a hotel, I'll find myself obsessing over the bed linens or a lamp long after I've checked out. At MySuites you don't have to wonder where to source that fabulous lamp—you'll find it on offer at the hotel's shop.

Italian designer Leonardo Annecca is the mastermind behind the MySuites concept (he calls it the “hotel of tomorrow”), a collection of apartments available for rent in several neighborhoods in New York City, including Nomad, Chelsea, and the West Village. Each property is decorated with one-off finds (either by local designers or scouted from flea markets and vintage stores), which are available through MySuites' online shop, called Take It Home. For more information, go to MySuites.

Above: The Bowery Suite features brick walls and floors painted in white.

Above: The all-white LA Suite features a serene vibe.

Above: The LA Suite is designed to make west coasters feel welcome.

Above: The Black Spade suite in the West Village is designed for the jazz lover, vintage record player included.

Above: Black and white photography of music icons adorn the walls in the Black Spade suite.

Above: A simple dining alcove in the XX Suite from the Nomad Suites collection.

Above: A kitchen in the LA Suite.

Whether that person on your list is a city-dwelling straphanger or a highway commuter, here are a few practical gift ideas.

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: Sandqvist's Vaktis Leather Key Case is made to wear around the neck (although the strap is removable) and for keeping all your keys in one place; €40 from Sandqvist.

Above: The Dietrich X Duller Notebook and Mechanical Pencil strategically hides the pencil within the hardcover notebook; $55 from Horne.

Above: The BKR Water Bottle is made from a silicone-covered glass is BPA-free and dishwasher safe. Available in Fog (shown) and twelve other colors for $28 from Amazon.

Above: The Reiss Enamelware Lunch Container features a tight-fitting lid, metal clasps and handles; $49 from Kaufmann Mercantile. For more carry containers, see our post 5 Favorites: Tiffin Tins.

Above: Eugene, OR-based Gorm Studios recently designed a set of small accessories, including this Gorm Key Holder; $24 from Canoe.

Above: A luxurious option is the ergonomic Backpack from P.A.P Sweden that fits a 17-inch MacBook with additional room for papers and magazines and has a front pocket for the smaller accessories. In black leather with brass details, the bag is €550.

After purchasing a restored Welsh farmhouse from her architect in-laws, knitwear designer Kathleen Holland set forth on making it her own.

When designing knitwear for Alpaca Pie, Holland looks to two places dear to her heart for inspiration: the stunning contrasts of the Peruvian landscapes where she was born, and the mountains of Cader Idris in Snowdonia National Park in North Wales, where she and her family escape to on the weekends from their busy London lives. “The colors, the isolation, and the peace that surround our home have a strong impact on my knitwear designs,” she says. “We wanted the house to be rustic and simple but have an unexpected feel to it.”

N.B. The farmhouse was restored and previously owned by architects Jane Hackett and Johnny Holland of Hackett Holland (members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory). See Off the Grid: A Modern Farm Sans Electricity to get the inside story on their sensitive restoration.

Photography by Simon Brown, unless otherwise noted.

Above: A view of the 200-year-old farmhouse with sheep freely grazing on the mountain slopes. The previous owners, architects Hackett Holland, had renovated the house using traditional building techniques and materials.

Above: "The flagstone hall way is typically brimming with wellies and footballs," Holland says. "Sun hats and raincoats are always ready for the varied weather conditions North Wales throws at you."

Above: The large ingle nook fireplace houses an original bread oven. The sofa has been covered in a plum-colored linen fabric from Romo and draped with impala skins. The worn antique carpets were sourced by Joshua Lumley.

Above: A portrait of a young girl hangs above an old Welsh grain chest inherited by the family. A milk urn displays foxgloves, oak leaves, ferns, and wild daisies, while an old oil can has been converted into one of the few low-wattage lamps in the house.

Above: "Lit by candles and a temperamental antique paraffin lamp, the kitchen is heart of the house, with an Aga cooking up heat and treats such as hearty stews and homemade scones," Holland says. "The kitchen table is where everyone congregates after a long walks and cycle rides." The farm house table and chairs were purchased from auction houses and the curtains are from Aleta, custom printed on heavy linen with original mogal fern designs.

Above L: Exposed wood beams line the ceiling in the kitchen. A wooden plate rack made by local craftsman Ian Willis is within easy reach of the butler sink. Above R: "We picked up the Welsh dresser at a local antiques shop; the side cupboards are still lined with charming old wallpaper," Holland says.

Above: Holland designed the pitted iron four poster bed and commissioned a local blacksmith to make it. A headboard has been fashioned out of a length of coarsely woven linen draped over the head end of the bed.

Above: A traditional utilitarian settle sits against the white lime-washed stone walls in the master bedroom.

Above L. The children’s bedroom in the converted hayloft adds a burst of vivid color, with appliquéd Alpaca Pie cushions and a brightly colored woven Peruvian rug. Above R: The candle-lit ensuite bathroom is clad in tongue and groove panels. The hot water is heated by the Aga and wood burning stove.

Above: Cotton lined and interlined curtains keep the cold at bay. Brightly knitted Alpaca Pie toys sit on an old crate box which doubles up as a shelf and extra hanging space for a Peruvian-inspired Alpaca Pie embroidered calico dress.

Above: "The gray stone walls combined with the shock of wild foxgloves and color and texture of the surrounding area are a great source of inspiration for my knitwear designs," says Holland. Photo by Sibs Meany.

Above L: The logs are gathered from the surrounding woodland. Above R. Colorful bunting adds a festive air to the stone farm buildings.

Above: Indoor furniture has been brought outdoors for an evening barbecue around an antique Indian fire pit, or Kadai bowl.

N.B. Inspired by Holland's rural idyll? See 54 images of Farmhouses in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.