No design lover who is lucky enough to visit Stockholm should miss Svenskt Tenn, one of the most well-known interior design destinations in the world. Yes, it's a retail shop and design studio, but it's also a totally immersive experience into a complete universe of style as defined by one of the 20th century's great tastemakers.
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Swedish-American furniture designer Greta Magnusson Grossman (1906 - 1999), whose work spanned industrial design, interior design and architecture, drew attention in 1933 when she became the first woman to win an award for furniture design from the Stockholm Craft Association. By 1940 she had brought her brand of Swedish modernism to the United States when she made the move to Beverly Hills and opened a shop selling her own designs. More

I've been shopping around for a mirror to replace one that broke last month, and keep coming across trumeau mirrors. Trumeau mirrors (pronounced troo-MO) are set in tall wooden frames with a large section of painted or sculptural decoration at the top. But what are these unusual mirrors, and where did they come from? More

When you think of haute hippie glamour and the design riches of the sixties and seventies, you think of the legendary scenes in London and New York, right? Well, one of the more innovative artistic minds of the time was right here in Chicago, and the company forged from the unusual but heady mix of high end handmade, Woodstock, couture, tie dye, and glitz — Maya Romanoff — is still here and going strong. More

Part of the well-known El Ateneo chain of shops, El Ateneo Grand Splendid is on the list of most visited bookstores in the world. Housed in a historic theater, this bookstore attracts just as many photographers as it does readers, and inspires a few thoughts about the reuse of architecture in a city...

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Readers, I know you're shy, so I've decided to be proactive and answer the burning window-vocabulary questions I know you've been quietly ruminating over for years. What's the difference between a mullion and a came, an oriel and a bay? Are your windows sash or casement? Are a transom and a clerestory the same thing? What did Edith Wharton have against picture windows? Read on and find out! More

Like many of you, I have a slight obsession with the Granthams, their staff, and the stunning setting of Downton Abbey. So it's no surprise that as I was flipping through New England's Historic Homes & Gardens, I imagined Lady Mary's colonial counterpart dressing for dinner in an ornate Connecticut bedroom. More

Finn Juhl (30 January 1912 - 17 May 1989) was one of the founders of the Danish design movement and introduced "Danish Modern" to the United States. His 2,200 square foot home has been preserved and contains his collection of furnishings and art, all acquired over his lifetime. The striking thing about this home is that, though it is clearly a testament to the modern aesthetic, it feels entirely liveable and warm. More

Sometimes on the road, it's easy to accidentally come across some wonderfully unusual things. During a recent weekend trip from Buenos Aries to Colonia Del Sacramento, we took a short tour outside of the historic town to explore the countryside of Uruguay. We came across a lush forest preserve of imported trees, a secret swimming hole and one of the most fascinating museum collections I've ever seen. More

Once a staple of dorm rooms everywhere, butterfly chairs have evolved into a modern design classic. And given the hefty price tag of other design classics, it's nice there's one that's relatively inexpensive. More