It used to be that outdoor materials came in a thick heavy-weight canvas with limited colors to choose from. Today there are vast colorways, fabric weights and weaves that are perfect for outdoor and indoor entertaining. But knowing what to look for in terms of performance can be confusing. Here's a primer on outdoor textiles and a few facts to remember.

When it comes to classic and well-known home styles there's the Brooklyn brownstone, the Manhattan Classic Six, the stylish California Modern Ranch and in Singapore, we have the Black and White.

Resting on a tiny plot of land in the Tokyo suburb of Saitama, sits a bright, white box of a home. Like a bento box, you won't believe how much fits into this small space.

This month we're getting a little crafty here at Apartment Therapy. Aside from the fabulous DIY ideas on our site we love finding inspiration from other blogs and websites (there are so many creative people out there!). I love discovering local crafters as they can be a great resource for finding supplies and we can help support each other via local craft exhibitions and bizarres.

Singapore may be a small country but what it lacks in geographical size it makes up for with its strong assembly of uniquely talented designers and artists who consistently produce unique goods. Here is one collective that's worth the virtual trip.

Very often designers depart their usual arena and branch out into new territory. Such as it was for this Singapore-based graphic design firm who decided to look beyond their normal scope of work and delve into the world of furniture. "We're not only interested in printed works that are ephemeral but hope to create works that are long lasting and hopefully outlive us."

Whether you own your own home or not, keeping your floors clean and in good condition is an important step in general house keeping. Flooring, particularly in high-traffic areas, takes a lot of beating and you may sometimes feel as if your floors are never free from injury and insult. If you have hardwood floors here are some tips for how to keep them looking their best.

Your home's vertical space is an important element in home organization. Shelving, either custom built or off the rack, can be arranged in a variety of ways that will not only keep your treasures off the floor but make for a design element all on it's own.

And now for something completely different... a dynamic interior with plenty of alternating viewpoints. Don't judge by photos alone. This crafty collection of triangular shapes serves as a gallery space in Hangzhou, China (approximately 100 miles southwest of Shanghai) and presents a modern take on the usual static exhibition space.

The holidays are the perfect time to show off your love of tradition. Even staunch modernists have been known to throw away their minimalist rules for something that reflect fond childhood memories or traditional, cultural designs.