Gifts for the Anglophile in your life, from your London editor:

Above: Umbrellas are a big deal in our family (fun fact: the 18th century philanthropist Jonas Hanway, related to my husband, was the first person in London to carry an umbrella). London Undercover has many to choose from, but we particularly like the Gentleman's Umbrella, designed in collaboration with Michael Williams of A Continuous Lean; £165 from London Undercover. The Gentleman's Umbrella is also available in the US directly from A Continuous Lean for $258. Pricey, yes, but the umbrella is handmade from a single piece of polished maple wood with a silver Ferrule tip; the industrial heavy-duty framework is exceptionally sturdy, and the canopy is made with a waterproof Black Watch poly fabric with a bright orange lining.

Above: What could be more English than a tea cozy? Our friend Megan Wilson offers cheerful, pompom-topped Tea Cosies, handknit in Devon from alpaca; $45 each (you can also buy the Tea Cosies from Ancient Industries UK outpost for £16).

Above: When was the last time you bought your spoon from the person who crafted it? Spitalfields spoon carver Barnaby Carder sits in the window at 260 Hackney Road carving spoons all day. For purchasing information, go to Barn the Spoon.

Above: Ali Miller's Home Sweet Home Apron combines a black and white UK and Ireland weather map with a William Morris wallpaper print from her family home; £22.50.

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.

This acclaimed furniture designer’s reverence for wood comes through in every piece he makes, the quality of his craftsmanship running like deep roots through every step of the creative process. Local tree surgeons know him well; Lehrecke rescues fallen hardwood whenever possible. He prizes both its form and its flaws, from the white oak drying in the outside shed to the cherry in the woodshop planer.

His studio sits on a rise in the hamlet of Bangall, NY. Built in 2004 with pine beams and ash pegs, the frame was raised in two days by a Syracuse company working from Lehrecke’s drawings. This is his sixth studio in 25 years, and it’s a culmination of everything he had—and more aptly didn’t have—in previous workspaces. For more information, visit Chris Lehrecke.

Photography by Martha Pichey (except where noted).

Above: Lehrecke's three-story studio evokes the classic barns of Dutchess County.

Above: Lehrecke built the drying shed before the studio. After he chooses the wood, it goes through another drying phase on the studio’s heated basement floor.

Above: The branches are elm, sadly scarce now due to the blight of Dutch elm disease throughout the northeast. The long sculptural forms are destined to morph into tables. Photograph by Chris Lehrecke.

Above: The staircase Lehrecke designed was hoisted into position in one piece. The treads are tongue-and-grooved hemlock, salvaged from staging used to repair the Kingston Bridge; the metal spine is by Prandoni Fabrications.

Above: This area of the studio is part shipping and storage space, a moveable feast of beautifully made tables, lamps, chairs and dressers. The walls are lined with 1/8-inch plywood of Italian poplar. Photograph by Chris Lehrecke.

Above: Lehrecke designs on the top floor, with shelving as half-wall behind the desk. His working vocabulary—the history of design spanning the last century—is revealed through books, photos, and found artifacts.

Above: Turned offcuts of cherry, bleached ash and walnut live on as lustrous candlesticks. They’re on their way to his store in nearby Hudson, at 415 Warren Street. Photograph by Chris Lehrecke.

Above: Jimmy Decrescenzo, who has worked with Lehrecke for 25 years, turns a signature pedestal of walnut. Every square inch of the studio has its designated duty. Photograph by Chris Lehrecke.

Above: Panes of blue industrial glass find their way into almost every window. The table beneath is walnut, and turned on a lathe despite its size. The rot pocket, once filled with carpenter ants, defines the beauty of the piece.

Above: The wood-burning furnace feeds hot water into the radiant heating system in the basement, which heats the entire 4,500-square-foot building.

Above: The long walk home takes nearly… five minutes, through a stand of sugar maples and over the brook to the converted chapel where they raised their two sons. The design studio of his wife, jeweler Gabrielle Kiss, is across the street.

We recently remodeled a home that originally had two fireplaces. To create a better flow in the house, we unfortunately had to put a sledge hammer to one of them (we debated back and forth for about two weeks before execution). Here are five options I'm considering to store our firewood.

Above: The Rustic Log Holder from Civico Quattro in Italy is a favorite; go to Civico Quattro for ordering information.

Above: The Firewood Holder designed and made by Roy Hardin; $350 from the New General Store.

Above: The Firewood Loop Log Rack (24 inches in diameter) is $111.18 from In and Out Lifestyles.

Above: The Firewood Holder from Iron Design Company is $360.

Above: The Kanto Firewood Rack by Artek is $200 from All Modern. It is available in white, gray, red, and birch veneer.

N.B. See 37 more Fireplace and Hearth Accessories.

When a modern-design fan purchased a plot of land approved for construction of a traditional Slovenian hut, his architects created a very modern cabin that still technically follows the rules.

The property in question is located inside Slovenia's Triglav National Park, where strict rules of design and construction are enforced. The building site came with a permit for a traditional Alpine hut, and though the owner wanted a modern design, he did not want to attempt to change the permit. So Slovenian architects OFIS Arhitekti designed a cabin with the same dimensions, roof pitch, and materials as were mandated in a traditional hut—but with a decidedly modern take. From a distance, the hut blends into the surrounding architecture, but up close the tiny home is a shining example of modern design.

Photography by Tomas Gregoric.

Above: The second floor is cantilevered above the ground floor and acts as a shade from the summer sun.

Above: Environmentally friendly features include extra thermal insulation between the wooden cladding and vertical pipes inside beams that collect rainwater from the roof.

Above: The kitchen is small but entirely modern.

Above: Unlike a more traditional hut, in this version windows and doors were sited to maximize views.

Above: The ground floor has an open floor plan with kitchen, dining, and living rooms, and storage tucked under the central staircase.

Above: Vaulted beam ceilings are hallmarks of the traditional local architecture.

Above: The homeowners mixed occasional antique pieces like this armoire with the rest of the hut's simple modern furnishings.

Above: To maximize views and minimize furnishings, the architects extended the windows to meet low bench shelves that function as sofas. Sun-facing corner windows mean no heat is required on sunny days.

Above: Exterior features like stone and wood columns came from local sources and echo the region's architectural vernacular.

Looking for more inspiration? See 63 images of Winter Scenes in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

The founders of Biolite started the company with "a strong sense of responsibility not just to develop products that work well but also to create businesses that make a positive contribution to the global community." We'd also like to point out that they look good and even allow you to charge your phone, lights, and gadgets while you cook.

Partners Alexander Drummond and Jonathan Cedar met working at the design consultancy Smart Design, where they developed products for clients such as Oxo. Hewlett Packard, Bosch, Motorola, and GE. This crossover between kitchen and electronics is fully realized in the design for the Campstove. Initially intended for the camping and adventuring set, the stove quickly caught on in the emergency preparedness market (the stove is currently on back order since hurricane Sandy).

Above: The BioLite CampStove is $129 directly from BioLite (it's on back order until mid/late January). The stoves allow you to cook your meals with nothing but the twigs you collect on your journey, eliminating the need for heavy, expensive, polluting petroleum gas. It’s quick to light, fast to boil and clean to use. By converting heat from the fire into usable electricity, our stoves will recharge your phones, lights and other gadgets while you cook dinner.

Here's a roundup of goods for the hearty rugged individual.

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 Joey Roth Compass is made from laminated maple and East Indian rosewood; $75 from Joey Roth.

Above: The Round-A-Bout Bag from Beckel Canvas in Portland, OR; $74.

Above: The S'well Silver Bottle is an insulated flask that keeps drinks cold or hot for up to 24 hours; $34.95 from Crate and Barrel.

Above: The extra-wide Man Board is for the serious camper cook; $150 from Unionmade.

One-percenters, this is for you: a sauna in a box. Just needs ribbon.

Should you be lucky enough to have a spare $41,000 lining your pocket, Matter in NYC offers a fully contained sauna encased in a shipping container with a corten steel exterior hardy enough to withstand saltwater. Built by Canadian design firm Castor, the watertight container is completely self sufficient with solar power and a wood-fired stove. The Sauna Box is available at Matter in NYC.

Above: Each sauna box comes with an iPod stereo, electric guitar hook-up, a stool made be Castor, a magnetic truck light, and bronze antlers.

Above: The sauna box has a wood fired stove.

Above: The self-contained sauna box can be installed anywhere.

Every year, my grandmother would light the holiday candles with long golden matches contained in a bold poinsettia box. I have no idea where she got them—some relic from the 1960s, no doubt—but ever since then I've had a fondness for vintage-style matchboxes.

Perfect for the holidays and winter months to come, today's favorites channel much of the whimsy and charm of the past. I think Grandma would approve.

Above: Homespun-style chic, Jen Pearson's recycled apothecary matchstick bottles feature an etched glass bottom which provides the perfect surface for striking a match; $18 for small, $25 for large.

Above: What to do with all those old library cards? Erin Roof makes them into these ephemeral matchboxes; $6.50.

Above: For all you cool cats out there, a vesta box is a safe, durable, and certainly stylish way to transport your matches. This one, designed in 1912 by HeinrichVom HofeSafer, is handmade in Germany from stainless steel. Available at Cooper-Hewitt shop; $40.

Above: The closest thing I could find to my Grandmother's matches, these vintage gold matches come in a rare California Savings and Loan box; $15.

Above: Offering innumerable designs, HomArt has one of the largest collections of vintage style boxes that I've ever seen; $3.95 each.

Above: It's killing me that you can't actually buy these matches. (If you know differently, please do tell!) They are a project by lighting designer Kaoru Mende for Kenya Hara's Re-Design.

Above: One of my favorites, extra long matches in black are both practical (fewer burnt fingers) and simply elegant; £4.60.

Above: This vibrant Bengali Tiger is one of many retro designs by A Fine Match Box Company, available at Present; £5.

Above: For adventurous types, Pro Force's survival matches are water and wind proof; $8.

Above: Sometimes American landscapes are as ephemeral as matches. Recording these vicissitudes, as well as the occasional continuity, artist Krista Charles takes salvages match books, locates the original establishment, and then sketches the current scene on the inside cover; $20 to $35.

N.B.; Looking for some illuminating products to go with your stylish matches? See 929 candles in our Accessories section.

Featuring over 800 wines that are grouped by weight, rather than varietal or region, the new Urban Grape in Boston's historic South End features a unique organizational system called Progressive Shelving. The design, a relaxed and inviting mix of modern-industrial and old-town tavern, is pretty progressive, too.

To help them realize their vision of an approachable, but innovative wine store, Urban Grape owners T. J. and Hadley Douglas, who previously clocked many hours as restaurant managers, wine representatives, and marketing directors, turned to the team of South End-based Oudens-Ello Architecture. Working collaboratively with their clients, the architects conceived of an open, loft-style space defined by the Douglas's innovative approach to wine. The results are an utterly original wine store, where anyone from amateurs to oenophiles will feel right at home.

Photography by Justine Hand for Remodelista.

Above: A modern interpretation of traditional demijohns, Urban Grapes's original chandeliers came about in a group brainstorming session between the owners and architects. Amidst the discussion, T. J. found a simple pendant online. It was the architects' idea to group these into dramatic centerpiece. Individual Demijohn Lamps are available in three sizes at Wildflower Organics; from $330.

Above: The owners and architects' vision of having the wine bottles float in air was executed by Marc LaRochelle of Metal Tech Industries in North Falmouth, MA. Here you can also see Urban Grapes' labeling system, by which you can shop your preferred palette.

Above: Paying homage to Bean-Town's many traditional taverns, Urban Grape's design features large windows that take in the view of the historic brick townhouses of Boston's South End. Inside, floating on a sea of polished concrete, the rich wood of the walnut tasting table is warmed by the light from the demijohns.

Above: Encouraging customers to "take off their coats and stay a while," there's plenty of seating in which to lounge about at Urban Grape. The custom fabrics where designed by the Douglas' good friend and interior designer Michelle Gubitosa of Phi Design Group, whose finishing touches enhanced the cozy feel.

Above: Under the glow of the demijohns, Urban Grape's generous tasting table features cooling draws, so a chilled bottle is always on hand.

Above: Central to the design is Urban Grape's signature wine wall, a unique metal shelving system developed specifically for T. J. and Hadley, in which the bottles appear to float on air. Along the wall, wines are arranged progressively according to weight, from light to full-bodied. Upon entering the store, guests may saddle up to the EnoRound Elite Tasting Machine, where they can sample 16 wines to determine their preferred palette.

Above: Urban Grape's progressive system seeks to demystify what can be an intimidating process, so that customers have more time to actually enjoy their wines, perhaps while seated in one of the store's Eames chairs.

Above: In additional to an impressive selection of wine a spirits, the Urban Grape also stocks over 400 regional and micro-brews, as well as 60 sakes.

Above: Echoing the tasting table, the walnut counter is likewise illuminated by another demijohn chandelier.

Overseeing the construction of Urban Grape, Acella completed the project on time and on budget. The South End store is the second Urban Grape location. (the Hadley's have another store in Chestnut Hill, MA).

N.B.: Looking for more Bean-Town hot spots? Visit our guide to Massachusetts.

SPONSORED POST

Sometimes it seems like humans are distant relatives of birds: we all seem to be attracted to shiny objects. Here are five of our favorite glittering holiday decorations from Anthropologie's latest winter collection sure to carry you from the Christmas season into New Year's Eve.

Don’t know what to give? We’ve got just the right thing. Grab an Anthropologie Gift Card and spread some cheer.

Above: The Glass Diamonds Garland is six feet of silver mercury glass for $58 each.

Above: The Confetti Paper Placemats are made of recycled paper by Cake Vintage, a Nashville-based home decor company, for $28 for a set of 50 sheets.

Above: The Silvered Snow Glass Tree (far right) is made from silver mercury glass for $38 each.

Above: Voluspa's Grand Maison, Vermeil Collection Candle is made of coconut wax and essential oils and available in Branche Vermeil (spruce, citron, balsam, and sugar), Clove Pomander (red clove, pear, bergamot and nutmeg), Makassar Ebony & Peach (ebony wood, ripe peaches, apple blossom), French Bourbon & Vanille. With a burn time of 100 hours, the candle is $68.

Above: Start the new year with the 2013 Unravel Knitted Calendar made from cotton and wood; $98 each.

Sponsored By:

Once in a while, I try a new dish and overnight become obsessed with finding out the recipe. So it was after I tried Stacy Lauer's farro dish at our recent Remodelista Dinner. Stacy, who is not prone to answering e-mails with any speed, proved quite elusive, so when she swung by our Remodelista Market last weekend I cornered her with a pen and paper and begged for the recipe. She kindly obliged. Like many good things, it is surprisingly simple. See below for the recipe (we think it makes an excellent addition to the holiday table).

Photography by Aya Brackett for Remodelista.

Above: Farro with sausage and fava beans decorated with pomegranate seeds, fennel fronds, and sprigs of chervil.

Ingredients:

1 cup farro
2 cups chicken stock
2 T fresh thyme
2 Andouille sausages
1 lb fava beans

Cook the farro in the chicken stock. Chop and sautée the sausage with the thyme. Blanch the fava beans and remove the skin, leaving only the tender inner beans. Toss all the ingredients together and season with salt, pepper and olive oil.

Above: Stacy Lauer and Gwendolyn Meyer of Saltwater made a recent dinner for us that included farro salad with pomegranate and sausage; a platter of grilled chanterelles, onions, and a cauliflower hazelnut salad.

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

Above: Julie is admiring the Artek High Chair K65 stool in white.

• Checking out photos of a replica of Le Corbusier's Le Cabanon shown at Art Basel.

Above: Alexa's been making holiday cookies, like these toasted almond sables from 101 Cookbooks. Photograph by Heidi Swanson.

Above: Sarah's latest Gin fix.

• Admiring Felipe Hess' São Paulo residence.

Above: Check out our Remodelista Holiday Market Video.

• Francesca just heard that Lindsey Adelman's light fixtures are now at Reclaim NYC.

Above: It's no surprise that Christine is hoping that a few of these White Ercol Chairs might show up under her tree. She'd have them join the others at her Christmas table.

Above: Stacey is looking forward to checking out set decorator Leslie Pope's recent work in the new Judd Apatow movie This Is 40. Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures.

Meanwhile, over at Gardenista, Michelle did some last-minute holiday shopping at Flora Grubb in San Francisco:

Above: Visit Gardenista on Facebook to see what Michelle brought back to the office.

Above: Obsessed with snow—maybe it's because we know we're not getting any in San Francisco—we're collecting wintry gardens on our Holidays in the Garden pinboard. Photograph by Ashley Ann via Pinterest.

Brooklyn-based Renaissance woman Paula Greif set herself a creative goal: to make everything in her kitchen by hand.

Greif views her working life as a horizontal line—she started as a graphic designer for magazines; later, she directed music videos and commercials; more recently, she's turned her attention to ceramics. Greif's house in Brooklyn is a project on that continuum; filled with her own hand-hooked rugs and distinctive pottery. Her inspiration? Alexander Calder (specifically, the book Calder at Home), who "extended his creativity to every corner of his existence." After reading about Calder, Greif began to make things for her own home; rug hooking led her to pottery, and ultimately, a desire to remake everything in her kitchen by hand.

Greif's pottery is available at Beautiful Dreamers in Brooklyn, Iko Iko in Los Angeles, and through Paula Greif Ceramics.

Photography by Anita Calero and Gemma Comas.

Above: Greif's kitchen is stocked with pottery from her own collection, along with vintage baskets and ceramics.

Above: A hooked rug made by Greif sits in front of the stove.

Above: Porcelain pottery with a white glaze and cobalt blue pinstripes. The Pinstripe Bowl is $45 from Iko Iko.

Above: A collection of Greif's stoneware footed bowls in shades of brown.

Above: Grief is drawn to sculptural pieces like the graceful table in the hallway.

Above: An eclectic mix of vintage and modern furniture animates Greif's living room.

Above: Greif's dining table is set with pieces from her own collection.

Above: A collection of dishes, spoons, and a napkin; all hand made by Greif.

Above: Dashes of yellow skip across the living area.

Above: Grapefruit by Yoko Ono sits in one of Greif's stoneware bowls—memorabilia from her first job working in the art department at Rolling Stone.

N.B.: As part of our Remodelista Exclusives week, this post is a rerun and originally ran on April 9, 2012.

You couldn't invent designer Matt Dick; his approach to style is so personal, so particular, so unexpected. Although he was born and raised in the Bay Area, Matt is clearly a citizen of the world.

Last week I dropped in on the SF-based sage of global style for a Q & A. The takeaway? It's all about layers—tunics over jeans, scents on top of scents, strands of necklaces and stacks of leather bracelets.

Photography by Mimi Giboin for Remodelista.

Above: Matt in the doorway of Small Trade Company, his studio and workshop on the edge of SF's Tenderloin.

RM: When did the tunic become your everyday uniform?
MD: I first started wearing a kurta (Turkish for tunic) about 10 years ago when I began doing yoga. I bought my first at Dosa, as I loved the Khadi cotton, but it went threadbare pretty quickly so I started making my own.

RM: The necklaces?
MD: I've acquired a collection over time, and each one has a story. This one includes feathers from Accident and Artifact on Valencia, bells from Kapital in Tokyo (one of my favorite stores), and a wooden charm I whittled myself during a weekend in Inverness

RM: On your wrists?
MD: The cuffs are by Henry Beguelin (for the record, it's stamped leather). The rest are mostly pieces by Stacey Lorinczi, which we collaborated on when I oversaw the shop at Bardessono.

RM: Jeans of choice?
MD: Kota, who works here in the studio with me, makes a lot of my jeans. He has a vintage Levi's machine that is solely for creating the double-locked chain stitch (it was originally used for the inseam of the 501 jeans). If I do buy jeans, it's either Levis or Acne.

RM: Where do you find your simple white shirts?
MD: They're all Comme des Garcons, one from each trip to Japan. There are a few Yohji mixed in, too.

RM: What's on your feet?
MD: These boots are by Belgian line Elsa, although my everyday ones are Fiorentini and Baker.

RM: Key chain?
MD: I make my own with leather and indigo tassels.

RM: The wallets?
MD: Ben Philips at Levi's saw one of the wallets that I had made for myself and commissioned these. I used to have two Martin Margiela Wallets that I bought in LA, but I lost them both; luxury goods seem to run away from me. We added the indigo tassels instead of a label, as they seem to have become our logo.

RM: Hair care?
MD: I'm an Oribe devotee. I use Oribe Signature Shampoo and Conditioner, which my hair cutter Marcy Harman (she's based in LA but comes periodically to Harper Paige in SF) introduced me to.

RM: What's your everyday scent?
MD: I wear In Fiore's solid perfumes, either Oud Amberi Attar or Vetiver Sambac. Then I might layer on Escentric Molecules 01, which starts neutral then develops a scent with the skin.

RM:: Reading material?
MD: I'm a magazine junkie. I read Apartamento, Casa Brutus, Man About Town, Fantastic Man, Monocle, Numero and Numero Home, and Acne Paper. I even get a Sunday-only subscription to the New York Times just for T Magazine.

N.B.: As part of our Remodelista Exclusives week, this post is a rerun and originally ran on February 17, 2012.

On our must-visit list in LA: Garde, a new shop on Beverly Boulevard, featuring stylishly understated housewares and accessories.

Our friend David John of You Have Been Here Sometime alerted us to Garde's arrival: "Garde is the latest addition to Beverly Boulevard's design-centric community, which includes Heath Ceramics, Lawson-Fenning, Bourgeois Boheme, and Eccola, to name a few. Scotti Sitz, who worked with fashion brands like Calvin Klein and Giorgio Armani, opened Garde to showcase works that that were not being seen elsewhere in LA. She is currently carrying drinking glasses by llse Crawford with Michael Anastassiades that heighten the awareness of drinking something special, as well as work by Lindsey Adelman, the lighting designer, and ceramic work by California potter Sarah Paloma. On the back wall, there is shelving inspired by Donald Judd's 1969 Blue Box sculpture, perfect for showcasing linens and such. It's these small details that make Garde such a welcome addition to Beverly Boulevard." For more information, go to Garde.

Photography by David John.

Above: The storefront on Beverly Boulevard.

Above: The original concrete floors contrast with a wall of raw poplar.

Above: Hand-thrown stone bells on hemp rope made by Michelle Quan; prices range from $135 to $195, depending on size.

Above: Sitz designed custom tables with copper bases and poplar tops featuring painted stripes. The tables are available by custom order, prices available on request.

Above: A selection of blankets and throws from Peru; $425 each.

Above: Brass trivets designed by Masanori Oji for Toyama-based metalware company Futagami; prices range from $110 to $115.

Above: Tote bags designed by Matt Dick of Small Trade Company are available in indigo (L) for $240 and in denim and linen (shown denter and R) for $360. Sitz designed the beaded hanging hooks for display purposes, buts, but has ended up selling a few, due to customer demand.

Above: Danish home interiors line Tine K's Striped Pillows and Quilt are $45 and $150, respectively.

Above: Salt and pepper Bottle Grinders designed by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and Kasper Rønn. The small set is $62 and the single tall grinder (in ash or carbon) is $55.

N.B.: As part of our Remodelista Exclusives week, this post is a rerun and originally ran on April 16, 2012.

In an age where everything is beginning to look increasingly homogenous, an idiosyncratic store like Bell'occhio in San Francisco stands out all the more.

Claudia Schwartz, the proprietress, travels the world in search of rarefied merchandise from small ateliers: Austrian felt rucksacks, handmade brushes from Sweden, a huge selection of ribbons and ric rac from France, Pineider stationery from Italy. Long before the advent of online shopping, Schwartz would buy up European telephone books seeking out interesting places and fax ahead to set up meetings. "You can find something interesting anywhere you go," she says. "Discoveries are usually a result of talking a long time" (example: a trove of metallic flowers Schwartz sleuthed by chatting to a women in a market in Montpellier, France). Lucky for us, Schwartz likes to talk. To shop online, go to Bell'occhio.

Photography by Mimi Giboin for Remodelista.

Above: The day we visited Bell'occhio, we were greeted by the sounds of Alpine cow bells (a shop staple), followed by Schubert and Rossini (Schwartz's husband creates a daily playlist for her from an enormous pile of CDs).

Above: Schwartz's store is layered with detail; the wall of shelving is from a Dominican convent.

Above: The two chandeliers are suspended from a custom boom, rigged by a nautical specialist. "When we need to change bulbs or ornaments, we simply loosen the ropes and the chandelier comes down via a pulley," says Schwartz.

Above: French ribbons are a staple at Bell'ochio.

Above: The store is known for its handmade boxes; the Aqua and Red Boxes range from $18 to $34.

Above: Schwartz commission her own H2 Eau Carafe, inspired by some vials she bought in France.

Above: The pile of hats on the left are Lavendiere Chapeaux traditionally worn by French lavender harvesters; $72.

Above: A collection of baskets are from the southwest of France. Schwartz employs an in-house calligrapher who hand-letters all her signs.

Above: An assortment of brushes.

Above: From Schwartz's Tyrolean Collection: Tyrolean Hat; $56, Checked Shirt, $36; Lederhosen, $100; Socks, $30; and Austrian Felt Rucksack, $195.

Above: Schwartz occasionally carries select fashion pieces: "Growing up, we had a dressing-up drawer that was packed with clothes discarded by my mother; everything from white Victorian night gowns, Marimekko dresses, silk slips, to her wedding dress."

Above: Proprietress Claudia Schwartz in her signature ribbon bow made from antique French ribbon; Schwartz wear a Pip Squeak Chapeau dress.

Above: Bell'occhio means "beautiful eye" in Italian. When the eye is open, the shop is open; when it's reversed, the shop is closed.

N.B To see more, go to: A Store That Separates the Wheat from the Chaff.

N.B.: As part of our Remodelista Exclusives week, this post is a rerun and originally ran on October 9, 2012.

Nostalgic for the old (pre-glitz) Malibu where she grew up, an LA native restores a West Marin barn by the water.

Mindy Marin (yes, that's her name) has been coming to a notoriously publicity-shy town in West Marin for more than 30 years. She had always dreamed of owning her own working ranch by the water, so when a ramshackle barn sited on a ridge with views of the ocean became available, she leapt at the opportunity. Marin, who refers to herself as a "Casting director by trade but an entrepreneur at heart," sees Bluewater Ranch as a retreat; "my long-term goal is to use the barn as a place for writers to come and work with nature as their backdrop."

There's a backstory here: when I met Mindy at last year's Remodelista Holiday Market, she invited me out for a visit. Forever the talent spotter, she cast my friend Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks as the photographer, which is how the two of us found ourselves at her barn on a recent sunny afternoon. Mindy Marin is good at her job.

Photography by Heidi Swanson.

Above: Dubbed the "power table," the outdoor dining table is made from a chunk of wood from Paradise Valley propped on a pair of sawhorses. Seating consists of tree stumps.

Above: The large window is original to the building, as are the wooden ceiling rafters; an original hay bale pulley still hangs from the rafters. The round table in the living room is made from redwood recycled from an old water tank on the property. The table placed between the two sofas is an old door that Marin found on the property, propped on a pair of sawhorses Mindy borrowed from her contractor. On the ceiling are industrial pendant lights that Marin found at the Paris Flea Market at Clignancourt (there's a cinematic story here: she was en route taking her recently deceased mother's ashes to Switzerland and wanted something to remember the trip; to this day she still recalls her mother when she turns the lights on).

Above: Two owl paintings by a local artist are propped against the wooden barn wall with its original chalk paint. Marin has been testing out different types of milk pant in an effort to recreate the patina for painting the rest of the barn.

Above: Marin opened up the warren of rooms, exposing the beams and removing ceilings to reveal the original structure. "I follow the light and let it in," she says. Much of the slipcovered furniture is from Gianetti Home in LA.

Above: Many of the light fixtures are from Barn Light Electric. Beside the Regency wood burning stove is a fish that used to sit on top of her family's home in Malibu. "Use what you have" is one of Marin's mottos.

Above: Marin uses a branch from a felled walnut tree for hanging her pots and pans in the kitchen; "You can still see the sap suckers in the patterns on the wood," she says. A mix of Griswold Wagner cast iron pans inherited from her mother hang beside newer Lodge pans. The S hooks were purchased in Petaluma.

Above: The bone-handled knives were passed down from Marin's mother, who collected antiques.

Above: An old workbench bought at Sienna Antiques in Petaluma serves as a kitchen island. The drawers are painted in a low VOC Farrow & Ball blue, Marin's signature color. The wooden trivets and coasters, many of which she gave away as holiday gifts last year, were made from a walnut tree on her property that had to be taken down.

Above: In the dining area are built-in benches with linen-covered cushions sourced from Euro-Linens, located near Santa Cruz. The vase is made from an upturned glass lamp that once covered a light on a gate at her parent's home in Malibu.

Above: A Steel Coral stove that sat in her parents guest house serves as a side table.

Above L: A view from the guest room. Above R: Marin kept the wide plank Douglas fir flooring, and instead of replacing the wood where it was worn, added tin patches.

Above: A sliding barn door to the guest room. Splatters of paint can still be seen on the floor, from when it was used a pottery studio.

Above: A cupboard with original plates from the pottery studio, revealing the different color palettes.

Above: A sink is sandwiched between the bathroom and the bedrooms in the middle of the barn. "The sink was here when I moved in, and while it didn't make sense, I kept it and added the wooden bench to put things on, and I now use it all the time for overspill."

Above: Marin draped her bed in Ikea mosquito netting: "The barn does not have a lot of insulation, so you need something to keep the critters off you while you sleep." She added sandblasted shades to the metal lamps that had been sitting in her garage.

Above: An outdoor seating area opens off the kitchen. The mop sink is from Ohmega Salvage in Berkeley; Marin had a wooden stand built for it. The mulch was put down for her birthday party and has remained ever since because, as Marin says, "It looks so nice and smells so good."

Above: The barn was originally built as a stagecoach stop in 1886 is still a work in progress. Marin opened up the walls to let the light in, working with a local who custom makes windows and doors. The views overlook rolling hills with the Pacific Ocean at one end and with the occasional bobcats and mountain lion passing by.

N.B.: As part of our Remodelista Exclusives week, this post is a rerun and originally ran on October 15, 2012.

I've been having a moment with leather laces, using them in all sorts of ways: as Christmas present ties, napkin rings, drawer pulls, and now the latest iteration, shower curtain rings.

I am forever tinkering with my home, making small edits along the way; since my guest bath is almost entirely white (tiles, walls, fixtures), I added texture and a bit of color to the space by replacing the standard chrome curtain rings with leather ties.

Above: You can source leather laces at your local hardware store, or order online (Tandy Rawhide Lace is $19.99 for a 20-yard spool at Amazon). Since the shower is rarely used, I haven't run into any problems with leather dye running onto the shower curtain, but I would probably not use the ties in a heavily used shower. I replaced the standard rings with 16-inch lengths of leather cord, knotted together.

Above: Source a Sturdy Duck Shower Curtain ($36.99) from Amazon.

N.B.: As part of our Remodelista Exclusives week, this post is a rerun and originally ran on January 12, 2012.

I've been renting my flat in San Francisco for a few years now, and ever since I moved in, I've been bothered (make that incensed) by the cabinet hardware in the kitchen. The real dilemma? Twenty-four cabinets, combined with an obsessive love for leather pulls priced at $20 each (do the math and that's a $480 investment). The good news is that I figured out a way to get the cabinet pulls of my dreams and still have enough money to eat lunch.

Want to give it a try? See my DIY video for step-by-step instructions (you'll need to source the materials outlined below).

Above: The finished product, inspired by a sophisticated pull spotted on Remodelista.

Here's What You Need:

• Vegetable-tanned Leather Hide, $20 on Etsy (a single hide yields 30 cabinet pulls).

• Matte Behr Interior Paint in white; $11.23 at Home Depot.

• Nuts and Carriage Bolts; $5.44 for a pack of 20 at Home Depot.

• General Tool 818 Scratch Awl; $6.60 at Amazon.

• Paint Brushes; $1.15 each at Home Depot.

N.B. If you want to see project that started Alexa's obsession, go to Leather Handles from Nu.

N.B.: As part of our Remodelista Exclusives week, this post is a rerun and originally ran on September 17, 2012.

We're delighted to introduce the first installment of Style Counsel, in which we solicit sartorial secrets from our friends in the design world. First up: Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks.

I first got to know Swanson on a flight to Portland, OR, where she was heading to a book signing. She was decked out in a navy pea coat and riding boots; her hair was tied back and her luggage consisted of a single black valise on wheels. It was immediately apparent she'd worked out the art of traveling. Here, she shares with us her essential travel kit.

Photography by Heidi Swanson.

Above: Swanson strolls through the Place des Vosges. Photograph by Wayne Bremser.

Remodelista: How do you wrangle your luggage?

Heidi Swanson: I use a compact black Samsonite carry-on with wheels.

Above: Swanson's go-to uniform is built around a Sofie d'Hoore dress from MAC (Modern Appeal Clothing) in San Francisco.

Above: Instant evening outfit: a Sofie d'Hoore dress with gold sandals from the Gap and an Erica Tanov gold wallet.

RM: What's your approach to packing?

HS: I'm a big believer in the Russian Doll system—lots of bags within bags. I lay everything out on the bed and put together an outfit for each day. I'll make a sketch of what I'm going to wear beforehand; I flat-pack my outfits in clear bags from the Container Store with all the air squished out. It makes dressing on the road super easy.

RM: Wardrobe basics?

HS: I have a few key pieces, such as a pair of Riding Boots from Corso Como (this is my fifth pair, I've worn them forever and they've become my uniform). I always pack some fingerless gloves as well so I can shoot a camera, work an iPhone, and stay warm.

Above: I like to sketch out the outfits I'll be wearing each day; it takes away the guesswork.

RM: What's in your travel make-up bag?

HS: Rose and tuberose perfume in a rosewood case from Frazer Perfumes, Mulitplye Mascara from Tarte (a recent discovery at Sephora), a standard brown lipstick from MAC, a Nars Lipstick in jungle red, a Nars Lipstick in schiap, Bite Vitamin Gel, and clear Butter Nail Polish.

RM: Beauty essentials?

HS: I bring two small Malin + Goetz bottles of shampoo and carry a comb instead of a brush. I'm addicted to Korres Pomegranate Wipes; I use them to cleanse at the end of the day and to freshen up after a flight. Other essentials: Boots Face Renewal Creme from the Botanics line, Aesop Tuberose Lip Heal, and Welda Wild Rose Deodorant.

Above: I pack a vintage Bakelite bracelet and other simple pieces when I travel since I like to get through airport security quickly.

RM: Analog or digital?

HS: I bring a Kindle Fire in a felt pouch for reading and movies; I don't take my laptop unless I really have to. I love Moleskin notebooks for travel notes and recipes worth remembering. The pink diary is from J Crew—I still like to write down appointments. The Micron Pens are Japanese and have an extra-fine tip which I use for book signings, and the pink MT tape is my way of making sure they don't disappear.

Above: Heidi's pin board displays story ideas for her next book and photos from her travels.

RM: Favorite places to stay when you travel?

HS: Hotels are not so important to us; we’d rather spend the money on other things. We've tried out Airbnb a few times and had good experiences. Last time we were in Paris, we did a house-swap with Clotilde from Chocolate and Zucchini, which was great. We'll also rent if we are in a place for a while. We're pretty casual travelers.

RM: Airline food?

HS: Never. I always bring my own food in a DCI Collapsible Lunch Box. These Golden Pot Stickers are a favorite for long-haul journeys as they are full of protein. I also drink plenty of water on a flight, nothing else.

RM: Travel tip?

HS: My friend turned me on to a small Tumi Just In Case Tote that slides on the top of the suitcase handles and stays fixed in place. I'll wrap my cameras in a cloth and keep them there. It's fudging the carry-on but I've never been called on it yet.

RM: Next destination?

HS: Paris and Morocco. I want to go back to Tokyo soon, and India is on the list. I would love to go and cook there.

N.B.: As part of our Remodelista Exclusives week, this post is a rerun and originally ran on January 27, 2012.