At the risk of stating the obvious, it's hard to find the best paint color for your house's exterior. White is a classic, but choose the wrong shade and you'll end up with a very expensive mistake. 

We wanted to take the guesswork out of choosing the best white paint for your house, so we asked the architect and designer members of our Professional Directory to share their vetted shades of exterior white paint. They've painted countless houses over the years, and know what works. Here, they generously share their 10 favorites. 

What's your go-to shade of white paint? Tell us in the comments below.

Swatch photographs by Katie Newburn for Gardenista. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Top row, left to right: Benjamin Moore Brilliant White; Benjamin Moore Simply White; Dunn-Edwards Crystal Haze; Farrow & Ball All White; Benjamin Moore White Heron. Bottom row: Sherwin-Williams Pure White; Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee; Benjamin Moore Linen White; Porter Paints Atrium White; and Benjamin Moore Cloud White. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: On this house in Connecticut, Brooklyn-based O'Neill Rose Architects used low-luster Benjamin Moore Brilliant White, which principal Devin O'Neill calls "a standard that always looks good." The firm worked with Donald Kaufman on the palette for the house, and chose Donald Kaufman Color DKC-44 in semi-gloss for the porch and ceiling.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Interior designer Meg Joannides of MLK Studio in LA recently completed this Brentwood Park home. On the exterior, she used Sherwin-Williams Pure White, a true white that barely hints toward warm. The charcoal gray shutters are painted in Benjamin Moore Onyx. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Architect Tim Barber chose Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee for this new house in Santa Monica. The color is also a favorite of SF Bay Area–based designer Nicole Hollis.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Donald Billinkoff of Billinkoff Architecture in NYC rarely uses any other white than Benjamin Moore White Heron. Says Billinkoff, "In bright light it is warm and in low light it is bright."

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: NYC-based 2Michaels worked with midcentury antiques dealer Larry Weinberg in choosing Benjamin Moore Simply White for this outdoor room on Martha's Vineyard. Interior designer Kriste Michelini also recommends this shade.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: LA-based DISC Interiors painted the exterior of this Loz Feliz home in Crystal Haze from Dunn-Edwards. This shade has the deepest tan inflection of the paints recommended here. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: SF Bay Area designer Nicole Hollis chose Farrow & Ball All White as her pick—the whitest white of our recommendations. In this image from Farrow & Ball, the door and metalwork are painted in Pitch Black.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Nashville architect Marcus DiPietro chose PPG Porter Paints Atrium White for the exterior of this modern, Japanese-influenced home in Oak Hill, Tennessee. Next to Linen White (below), Atrium White is the second warmest of the bunch. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: NYC-based Steven Harris Architects painted this Upper West Side townhouse in Benjamin Moore's Cloud White. Photograph by Elizabeth Felicella. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: SF Bay Area-based landscape architecture firm Pedersen Associates admires Benjamin Moore's Linen White, shown here on a house in Mill Valley. Says principal Pete Pedersen, "Here in Northern California, the quality of light is such that you need to take a little off of the whites to keep from too much reflective glare." Linen White is the warmest of the 10 whites shown here. 

Looking for a shade of white to paint an indoor room? See 10 Easy Pieces: Architects' White Paint Picks.

Gardenista also consulted architects for their picks for exterior shades of gray and black. For more color ideas, visit all of Gardenista's posts on Palettes & Paints.

This is an update of a post originally published September 11, 2013.

More Stories from Gardenista

• Hardscaping 101: Standing Seam Metal Roofs
• 10 Easy Pieces: Cafe-Style Outdoor String Lights
• Outbuilding of the Week: Shipping Container Greenhouse

Here at Gardenista, we're embracing warm weather by venturing outside with a good book and a cool beverage. We've found a handful of outdoor living rooms that are perfect for that, all from the Remodelista + Gardenista Architect/Designer Directory. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: San Francisco–based Creo Architects made this backyard in San Francisco's Lake District accessible and fun for the client's young children, but kept in mind that adults would also be dining and entertaining here. See the rest of the garden in To Lawn or Not to Lawn? With Kids, That is the Question. Photograph by Kayo Shibano. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Los Angeles landscape designer Judy Kameon (owner of the firm Elysian Landscapes and author of Gardens Are For Living) calls this project Room With a View. The lawn is set with large concrete squares that "make a graphic composition and lead to a built-in bench, sited for enjoying a favorite view." Photograph by Erik Otesa. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: This SoHo terrace was designed by NYC-based Gunn Landscape Architects. The client asked for a green oasis in the midst of a concrete jungle, so the designers sourced furniture made from recycled materials. Photograph courtesy of Gunn Landscape Architects.  

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The Ackley Residence in Atherton, California, is the work of Andrea Cohan Landscape Architects. The designers installed a long fireplace that "divides the geometries of the house, creating a gracious outdoor dining area." Photograph by Marion Brenner. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: This San Francisco backyard was transformed by Arterra Landscape Architects. The steel balls and soft grass "provide a constantly changing source of light, spherical movement and reflected sky." Photograph by Michele Lee Willson Photography. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: At the end of a dirt road in the Northern California surfer town Stinson Beach, Blasen Landscape Architecture created an outdoor living room, fire pit included, that welcomes the sea without capitulating to its harsh demands. Photograph by Marion Brenner. 

See more from the Gardenista + Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory in Architects' Roundup: 10 Garden Stairways and 10 Outdoor Pools from Members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory. 

More Stories from Gardenista

• Landscape Architect Visit: A Lush NYC Backyard by Robin Key
• Landscape Architect Visit: Scott Lewis Turns A Small SF Backyard Into an Urban Oasis
• You Pin It, We ID It: An Abandoned Building's Rooftop Garden

I speak from experience when I say that if one of your jobs as a child was to follow your mother through the backyard, slowly unfurling garlands of glowing bulbs for her to wrap around the trunk of the crabapple tree and drape across the yews, you have most likely inherited a tendency toward twinkly, golden light. 

We're now solidly immersed in the festive months, fellow outdoor-string-light addicts. If you haven't gotten to it already, let's commence now with the draping and festooning, so we can move on to the important things: warm evenings, clinking wineglasses, and fireflies at dusk. Here are 10 garlands of outdoor string lights at a variety of prices that can give those fireflies competition:

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: An 11-foot-long strand holds 10 lights with unglazed, ultra-thin ceramic shades that give off a translucent glow. Pleated String Lights are suitable for outdoor or indoor use; $224 from Pigeon Toe.

  Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: A 20-light Hanging String of Light Balls is made of rattan wrapped with cotton. Suitable for both outdoor and indoor use, it's $12.99 from Cottonlight via Etsy.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

 Above: This garland of 20 White Festoon Lights uses low-energy-consuming LED bulbs and is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. The starter kit is £45 from Cox & Cox; extension sets also available.

  Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

 Above: A 54-foot-long string of Terrazzo Outdoor Lights holds 24 bulbs. It is $199 from NapaStyle.

  Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: A Party Globe Light String, with choice of two sizes of bulb, is currently on sale for $35 (marked down from $45) at Restoration Hardware. The string comes with either 10 large globes or 20 small.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The Table in a Bag Outdoor Commercial 15-Light String Light Set Up is $67.60 for the 48-foot-long strand from Amazon.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

 Above: A 12-light chain of solar-powered Solvinden Lights is $12.99 from Ikea. For more, see Solar Landscape Lighting From Ikea.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: A strand of Mercury Glass Globe String Lights comes in two lengths, with either 10 or 20 lights; the price is $39.50 or $79 at Pottery Barn.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: With 10 filament bulbs per strand, a 10-foot length of Smith & Hawken String Lights is $24.99 from Target.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.  

Above: A 50-foot-long Vintage Light String with 24 bulbs and all-weather wiring is marked down from $195 to $155, at Restoration Hardware.

For a week's worth of ideas for outdoor parties, see Entertaining: Summer Edition.

This is an update of a post originally published May 16, 2013.

More Stories from Gardenista

• Hardscaping 101: Standing Seam Metal Roofs
• 10 Easy Pieces: Architects' White Exterior Paint Picks
• Outbuilding of the Week: Shipping Container Greenhouse

The only thing that stops me from hanging a huge glider in my front porch is the knowledge that I would turn into one of those crazy porch swing addicts who refuses to do anything except nap, read, and yell at the children to bring more snacks. Perhaps you have more willpower? 

If so, here's a simple DIY giant porch swing, spotted via Nest Egg, that you can recreate with a few simple materials: wood, rope, hooks, cushions, and (optional) a beautiful view. For step-by-step instructions, go to Nest Egg.

Photographs via Nest Egg.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Nashville-based designer Rachel Halvorson designed this big swing to be suspended beneath the overhang of a barn. To make it, start by building a wooden platform, roughly 6 feet by 4 feet, and add railings for the back and sides. See Nest Egg for details.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: To hang the swing, Halvorson used sturdy gymnastic climbing rope. A 30-foot length of 1.5-inch-thick Manila Climbing Rope With Eyelet End is $115.95 from CFFIT. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Ms. Halvorson had custom cushions made. I recently ordered custom cushions for my own outdoor furniture from Cushion Source. I was pleased with the service, price, and speedy delivery. The site offers 884 different fabrics, seat cushions in three different thicknesses, and all kinds of custom shapes. For more information, see Cushion Source.

For more addictive porch swings, see 5 Favorites: Porch Swing Roundup.

This is an update of a post originally published June 20, 2013.

More Stories from Gardenista

• DIY Video: How to Make Leaf Prints
• DIY: A Fire Escape-Style Garden
• DIY: Instant Indoor Herb Garden

Fire escapes are romantic places; just ask Tony and Maria. Add a splash of greenery in the form of potted plants, and an eyesore becomes an urban oasis. But if you live in New York City, remember that the law requires a fire escape be kept clear, in case you need it to escape an actual fire (or for a West Side Story-style balcony scene).

Photographs by Erin Boyle.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Walk through nearly any New York City neighborhood in the summertime and you'll see fire escapes draped in plants, despite a law prohibiting fire-escape gardens. Whenever my sister and I visit the Union Square Farmers' Market, we leave with some hardy finds for her fifth-floor fire escape. I don't advocate that you follow suit, but I can offer some advice for a windowsill garden that can be just as lovely, as well as perfectly legal.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

I love my wooden window box, but when you're housing pots in a place where high winds (or the threat of fines) could mean that you'll sometimes need to bring your plants inside, it's better to use smaller containers that are easier to maneuver. A few pots can be more easily incorporated into your apartment décor than a bulky window box. Just make sure that the pots you use are heavy enough—or weighted with stones—so they don't blow away.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Think carefully about the amount of sun that your particular window gets. My sister lives on the top floor of her building and has direct sunlight on her plants for much of the day. Without taller buildings around to provide shade, she needs plants that thrive in bright sunshine. Ageratum, above, and sweet alyssum both do well in full sun.

Available at local nurseries or online, Ageratum Blue Horizon is $7.95 per plant from White Flower Farm. A packet of Sweet Alyssum Seeds is on sale for $1.95 from Eden Bros.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

I like to do my potting on the apartment floor covered in newspaper, but my sister prefers the easy cleanup of potting directly in the kitchen sink. In either scenario, make sure that you're working with well-hydrated soil. Plants on windowsills need a lot more water than you might expect. Get in the habit of checking your soil every morning. If it feels dry, give it a good soak. Even though windowsill plants tend to dry out quickly, it's still important that your pots have proper drainage holes to prevent rot.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

In the past, my sister has also kept pots of herbs on her fire escape. If you're growing edibles, make sure that they get plenty of fresh water and that they're not placed directly below a neighbor's air conditioner drip or other source of possible contamination. Herbs grow quickly, so resist the temptation to cram lots of seedlings into small containers.

A six-pack of Essential Kitchen Garden Herbs (rosemary, garlic chives, thyme, basil, sage, and oregano) is $29.95 from Williams-Sonoma Agrarian.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Finally, If you amend your soil with fertilizer, make sure you're using something organic, like the Plant-tone that I add to my window box.

For more container plant ideas, see DIY: A Window Box Grows in Brooklyn.

This is an update of a post originally published April 4, 2013.

More Stories from Gardenista

• DIY Video: How to Make Leaf Prints
• DIY: Giant Porch Swing
• DIY: Instant Indoor Herb Garden

When we surveyed members of the Remodelista + Gardenista Architect/Designer Directory for their favored roofing material, we were surprised by the answers. Did the recommendations vary? NO. Were we surprised? YES. Hands down, the "go to" roofing material was standing seam metal. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: A white barn-style residence in Pennsylvania by Lee Calisti Architecture + Design features a standing seam metal roof. Photograph by Skysight Photography via ATAS International, the metal roofing manufacturer used for the project.

What is Standing Seam Metal?

Standing seam metal roofs are made of metal panels that run from the top of the roof to the eaves. Each panel has a high lip or rib on each side. The ribs overlap and fit together, concealing the fasteners and creating raised seams that run from top to bottom. 

Standing seam metal roofs aren't new: This style of metal roofing was used as early as the mid 1700s. It became more prevalent in the mid 1800s when copper was more readily available. Today, the most common metals used are steel, aluminum, and copper—which is the most expensive. 

The Benefits:

• A standing seam metal roof is energy-efficient, reducing home energy costs—especially in hot climates.
• It is sustainable. Most metal roofing contains a significant amount of recycled content, and it is 100 percent recyclable at the end of its house-topping life.
• It is long-lasting and durable, not to mention fire- and wind-resistant. While the upfront cost may be higher than composite shingles, metal roofing can last three times longer, maybe more. Most of these roofs carry a 30- to 50-year warranty.
• It is lightweight, reducing load-bearing structural costs. A metal roof can often be installed directly over an existing roof, eliminating the expense and waste of removal and disposal. Consult with an installer for your specific case.
• It looks great and is equally suited to barn-style, modern and traditional homes. 

Here's what the architects had to say:

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: For a cabin in Hansville, Washington, Rohleder Borges Architecture installed a simple gutter-less standing seam roof made of galvanized metal. Rainwater runs down to a bed of river rock below. Image by Cynthia Grabau Photography.

"Metal roofs are always a great, low-maintenance high-aesthetic option," says architect Andrew Borges. "We love metal for its crisp aesthetic and long-lasting functionality. Metal roofing has been around for quite some time and hasn’t really changed much in its application. The under-layers have gotten more advanced, but in the end the metal itself is there for the ages . . . and is recyclable when it reaches the end of its useful life." 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.  

Above: An historic Dutch Colonial house in Ghent, New York, has an antique standing seam metal roof in black. James Dixon Architect matched the roofing material on the addition the firm designed (shown at right).

James Dixon likes the fact that standing seam metal roof panels are available in many different finishes. "Our favorites are galvanized aluminum and, when the budget allows, copper," says Dixon. "Not only do metal roofs look great, but they are extremely durable—many old barns throughout the Northeast have them. Because of its durability, metal roofs make a great 'green' choice. Shake roofs are lovely, but the material that's available today only lasts about ten years or so, compared to thirty-plus for metal."

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.  

Above: Metal roofing can be partnered with an existing shake or composite roof. In this example, the porch's galvanized aluminum standing seam metal roof was installed below the house's shingled roof. James Dixon considers standing seam metal to be especially well suited for porches, since these often have flatter pitches: "The snow just slides right off." 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Todd Hansen of Albertsson & Hansen in Minneapolis uses a variety of materials for roofing, including Galvalume or Bonderized standing seam metal, as shown in this cabin on Wisconsin's Cable Lake. The firm also combines asphalt and metal roofing, using metal for low-pitched roofs.

In areas where heat is a concern, such as in California wine country, seamed metal roofing is the first choice for architect Amy Alper. The metal reflects sunlight, so the roof absorbs less heat and less energy is needed to cool the house's interior. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.  

Above: San Antonio-based Lake Flato Architects often uses standing seam metal roofs (as pictured in this Pine Ridge cabin) because they're long-lasting, require little maintenance, and come in a wide range of materials, such as copper, weathered steel, and zinc. Image by Paul Hester.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.  

Above: The roof on this Austin hillside house by Lake Flato Architects is made of a material called "paint grip" steel. Image by Aaron Leitz.

"We often work in mild climates, and we love the look of uncoated paint grip steel," says Lake Flato architect Rebecca Bruce. "It's steel that has been dipped in a phosphate bath to make it ready for painting. It has a great matte finish that's similar to weathered zinc, but it's much less costly."

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Seattle-based architects Suyama Peterson Deguchi topped this San Juan Island retreat with a vaulted zinc standing seam roof shell. Image by Paul Warchol.

Ric Peterson of Suyama Peterson Deguchi favors zinc for a standing seam metal roof. "Zinc is possibly a lifetime solution if it's correctly detailed and installed," he says. John Dutton, of the L.A. firm Dutton Architects, agrees. "The king of roofs for us is Rheinzinc," he says, adding, "A nice thing about a metal roof is you can do an integrated gutter."

Instead of metal, are you considering the switch to a green roof? See our Hardscaping 101: Green Roofs.  

This is an update of a post originally published November 5th, 2013.

More Stories from Gardenista

• 10 Easy Pieces: Cafe-Style Outdoor String Lights
• 10 Easy Pieces: Architects' White Exterior Paint Picks
• Outbuilding of the Week: Shipping Container Greenhouse

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Leaf prints are one of the easiest DIY projects you can do—and appeal to both kids and adults. The final product is brilliant, either as wrapping paper or to cover kids' schoolbooks, and we like to frame single leaf prints to create impromptu art.

While we were leaf-pressing away the other day, we were thinking about more uses for the final product: next time, we'll press leaves onto a long strip of butcher paper to make a table runner for a dinner party.

Gardenista features editor Meredith Swinehart shows us just how easy it is to make leaf prints:

Leaf Prints

• Fresh leaves
• Paper
• Paint
• Paint tray
• Paper towels

1. Collect leaves from the garden. The thinnest leaves work the best; their veins will show through when pressed onto paper. Remove any obvious dirt or debris from the leaves.

2. Dip the backside of a leaf into a small pool of paint in the tray. Blot off excess paint on a thin stack of paper towels. 

3. Press the painted leaf onto a piece of paper. (Be sure to use paper that is thick enough to hold the paint. I used butcher paper.) Set it down and gently press the tips and base of the leaf onto the paper, to ensure you'll have a print of the entire leaf. 

4. Repeat the process to make as many prints as you'd like. You'll want to swap leaves every so often, after your leaf becomes heavy with paint. You'll also want to swap in a new stack of paper towels to absorb the excess paint. 

5. Let the leaf-printed paper dry completely. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.  

More Stories from Gardenista

• DIY: A Fire Escape-Style Garden
• DIY: Giant Porch Swing
• DIY: Instant Indoor Herb Garden

Sometimes when I'm awake in the middle of the night, I obsess about the zillions of shipping containers in the world. (That is, when I am not obsessing over bills, tomorrow's commute, or why I am not asleep.) What happens to all those corrugated metal boxes in the end? Is there some graveyard where obsolete cargo containers go to be piled into a sad, rusty mountain of metal?

Maybe I should take a sleeping pill (I think, at 3 a.m.). Or get up and wander around Pinterest until I feel sleepy, or—

Well, will you look at this pin? A New Zealand architecture firm called Atelierworkshop has transformed a shipping container into a holiday house—or a "bach." (That's what they call a vacation cabin in New Zealand, by the way; it's short for "bachelor pad.") It has clever bunk beds, a tiny kitchenette, even a foldout terrace.

Photographs via Atelierworkshop.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: This particular holiday house—a prototype for a design I'd very much like to see in mass production—is a "port-a-bach," because it doesn't have a permanent foundation. Move it to a nice sunny spot with a view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: For open-air sleeping, the bunks fold out like Murphy beds.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: In fact, the whole port-a-bach folds open, Barbie-Dream-House style, to reveal a patio.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Indoors, the shipping container has a built-in wood-paneled kitchenette and a shower heated by solar power.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Louvered doors and a retractable awning aid ventilation.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Clever storage shelves don't obstruct the view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Want, want, want.

I used to think shipping-container cabins sounded like a crazy idea. But now I'm a convert. For another of my favorite shipping-container campsites, see Little Cargo Container in the Big Woods.

This is an update of a post originally published April 29, 2013.

More Stories from Gardenista

• A Secret Garden in the Middle of Regent's Park in London
• Architects' Roundup: Our Favorite Outdoor Living Rooms
• Landscape Architect Visit: A Lush NYC Backyard by Robin Key

Usually secrets don't stay secret for very long. That's why I was genuinely worried that my "secret garden" in central London would be gone, ruined, or not secret any more, when I went back after an absence of nine years.

Early one evening, I headed for the Inner Circle in Regent's Park, took a right at the Rose Garden, and followed the road as it curved past the Park Office. And there it was, an alley with one gate open and one gate closed. At the end of this wisteria-clad tunnel, my secret garden was looking more ravishing than ever.

Photographs by Kendra Wilson.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Like a country house park in the middle of town, the garden is overlooked by a large Regency villa. A line of potted shrubs separates the garden from the private house, which is owned by the Sultan of Brunei.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Our business, however, is the garden, which has been open to the public since 1928. For 40 years before that it was a designed garden, intended by its owner, the Marquess of Bute, as a place for "quiet contemplation." Part of its secret charm may lie in the fact that it was a neglected corner for many years after becoming public. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: It is still a place of quiet contemplation, partly because no one is around. It is also a glamorous garden, and the attention lavished on it by invisible gardeners (do they work through the night?) sets it apart from the other Royal Parks.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Pleached limes are used to enclose two smaller, even quieter gardens, satellites to the main pond area.

Regent's Park is a highly cultivated public playground, with impressive floral displays. In contrast, the St. John's Lodge Garden (for this is the name of my secret garden) is more personal than civic. The soil is richer and darker, and the plantings are not intended to withstand the hurly-burly of the general public.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: A rustic arbor among the pleaching. Some very informal cow parsley stands waist high.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Tulips and a giant urn. Similar urns are much in evidence around the avenues of Regent's Park, but here in the secret garden they are put together in a different way.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Cardoons and delphiniums prepare to surge outward and upward in the formal borders. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The lupines are also ready to go. Woven willow structures, long associated with yurts and festivals, are now part of the vernacular of grand gardens. They can also be spotted in the highly formalized front gardens along Peto Place, one of the Regency terraces designed by John Nash in the early 1800s, adjacent to Regent's Park.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: White violets, hostas, and euphorbia enjoy the moisture of an English dusk.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Free glamor for those who seek it, in London NW1.

For more of London's little-known gems, see An Under-the-Radar Food Market, Beneath London's Railway Arches.

This is an update of a post originally published May 15, 2013.

More Stories from Gardenista

• Outbuilding of the Week: A Shipping Container Transformed Into the Ultimate Holiday House
• Architects' Roundup: Our Favorite Outdoor Living Rooms
• Landscape Architect Visit: A Lush NYC Backyard by Robin Key

I'm not good at remembering to drink water. The number of glasses I drink on a daily basis often doesn't move beyond two—never mind the recommended eight. But like most things, if I put some effort into the ritual, I find myself taking gulps more regularly.

Whether you're trying to increase your own liquid intake or impress guests with a fancified version of a classic refreshment, these two herbal waters will elevate drinking water from a mere necessity to a veritable pleasure.

Photographs by Erin Boyle.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

During a weekend visit to my parents in Connecticut, I took advantage of their ample herb garden to concoct two herbal waters that are perfect for early summer. A mix of sweet woodruff, stevia, and strawberry made a sweet thirst quencher, while lovage, lemon peel, and lemon balm made one that was as bright as it was refreshing. 

A 4-inch-tall Rings Juice Glass is 95 cents from Crate & Barrel.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

For my first herbal water, I did a non-alcoholic riff on the classic German May Wine. The ingredients: sweet woodruff, stevia, and a handful of fresh strawberries.

A set of three Vintage Glass Ball Jars with glass lids and wire bale seals was offered at $18.99 by KTsVersion via Etsy.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Sweet woodruff is an herb that carpets shady spots under trees. I picked a few stems from the patch in my parents' yard, and used both the flowers and the leaves to make my water.

  Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

First, I let the woodruff flowers wilt a little to make their slightly sweet scent more pronounced.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Next, I picked a stem of stevia. An innocuous-looking herb with a very sweet secret, it's often used in powdered form as a sugar substitute. The leaves can also lend a sweet note to cooking.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

I pinched five or six stevia leaves and slightly bruised them with the back of a wooden spoon to release their essential oils. Then I added them to my quart jar.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

For the best flavor, I got strawberries from the farmers' market.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

I sliced five strawberries thinly and added them to the stevia and sweet woodruff in my quart jar. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

More Stories from Gardenista

• DIY Video: How to Make Leaf Prints
• DIY: A Fire Escape-Style Garden
• DIY: Giant Porch Swing

Thanks, Remodelista, for spending the week doing what we love best: finding new ways to make the indoors an extension of our outdoor living space. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Table settings bring a little outdoors (eucalyptus leaves) to the plate. Julie thinks LA designer Heather Taylor is making the perfect linen napkins for summer. Couldn't agree more. See why in Left Coast Luxury, Table Linen Edition.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Christine tells all in her Remodeling 101 post on How Shaker Peg Rails Saved My Summer Sanity: her fear of losing it over the soggy towels and swimsuits tossed aside by her sons and their friends at her Connecticut home. To the rescue: Shaker peg rails, inspired by rooms like this one at the serene High Road House hotel in London, where floors are mercifully clutter-free. 

  Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Do we even need to say this? If it's too hot, get out of the kitchen. We can help you with that, with a backyard setup. See Beyond the Barbecue: 13 Modern Outdoor Kitchens.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Izabella spotted this Built-in Picnic Table Wine Bar at Medlock Ames Winery, in the Napa Valley town of Healdsburg, and shows us how easy it is to make the same thing for our backyard. Our new motto: tipsy without toppling bottles.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: In her Design Sleuth post about Shade Sails, Julie hunts down stylish versions of those tension-mounted triangles of UV-blocking fabric that double the comfort of your outdoor space when temperatures rise. For example, the Coolaroo Shade Sail shown here shuts out up to 90 percent of UV rays. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Furniture that works just as well inside as outside: Is there such a thing? A husband-and-wife team in Melbourne, Australia, makes carefree rockers, Shiny Happy Furniture From Melbourne, that will cheer up both a deck and a living room.

For more from Remodelista, see this week's full report on Indoor/Outdoor design. 

More Stories from Gardenista

• Table of Contents: Outdoor Living
• Trending on Remodelista: Modest Modern
• Required Reading: The Edible Balcony

Yes, roses, we know you're in bloom. (How could we miss you?) But you're not the only kid on the block this week: 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

• Above: You'd think the lines to get into the Brooklyn Botanic Garden would wrap around the block this week. And yet, you can walk right in. Photograph by Morrigan McCarthy. 
• Our holy grail: the perfect steak. 
• Pre-barbecue party: clean a grill. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

• Above: Best £5 you'll ever spend.  Photograph courtesy of Bannerman Design.  
• Legal juicing (thank you, Pressed Juicery). 
• A visit to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is on the top of Dalilah's summer wish list. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

• Above: What dad doesn't love salad? Photograph by Heidi Swanson. 
• Is it time to sharpen your knife skills?
  
• If you're a gardener near Denton, Texas, there's still time to submit your entries to the 2014 Denton County Fruit, Vegetable, Herb and Flower Show on June 14.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

• Wait, Father's Day is when? Kaufmann Mercantile's Father's Day Collection to the rescue.
• Congratulations to Jeanne, who won the equivalent of a Pulitzer of Garden Writing for this story.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

• Above: Oh, and roses? No hard feelings, guys, we love you too. (We'll be snapping and pinning you like mad all week.) Look for us on Pinterest and Instagram.

For more from this week on Gardenista, see Outdoor Living. And check out Remodelista's Indoor/Outdoor issue. 

More Stories from Gardenista

• Current Obsessions: Almost Summer
• Current Obsessions: Going Outdoors
• Current Obsessions: In Full Bloom

"One evening in Paris, we walked over to the grounds of the Louvre, hoping to visit the Tuileries Garden at dusk," reports Manhattan-based photographer Alice Gao. "Unfortunately the garden was just closing, and the gates were already up."

So Alice stuck her camera through the fence openings, "just doing the best I could" to capture the golden light. We think her best is pretty perfect:

Photographs by Alice Gao.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Foxgloves march in a row.

It is hard to imagine anything looking lovelier than the Tuileries Garden in the golden light of dusk. And yet, the French did not always appreciate Catherine de Medici's taste in gardens.

In the mid 1500s, Catherine de Medici was in mourning for her husband, the king of France—who was killed jousting, after a lance went into his brain—when she commissioned the Tuileries Palace to be built on the Right Bank of the Seine. She hired a landscape architect from Florence to create Italian-style gardens that would remind her of home.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Catherine's grand gardens featured fountains and statues, a grotto, and canals. She also had vineyards, and a kitchen garden, and sprawling lawns separated by long allées.

During Catherine's lifetime, the gardens were not as beloved as they are today. This had something to do with the fact that the average 16th-century Frenchman was facing the threat of plague, starvation, and poverty while the queen was spending buckets of money on exorbitantly expensive architectural projects (she had a penchant for elaborately carved columns, too). As the poet Pierre de Ronsard put it: 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Over the next centuries, the Tuileries went the way of many royal gardens: ephemeral, ignored, and overgrown for a while. Then the garden was rediscovered.

New terraces were built. Royals romped. Hunts were hosted. Exotic menageries roamed the lawns. In captivity, Marie Antoinette strolled restlessly in the same golden light during the French Revolution.

In the end, Catherine's gardens outlived her Tuileries Palace (which did not survive a fire set during the 1871 Paris Uprising).

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Ronsard's prophecy proved only partially prophetic. Yes, the palace is gone. But the gardens, more than 400 years later, are anything but deserted.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Lawns and perennial beds line the allées.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The Tuileries are open to the public every day; the gates close at 9 pm in the summer months and at 7:30 pm from September through March.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: "I mean, seriously, is it a different sun over there?" photographer Alice Gao writes. "Can I just bring this light with me to NYC, please?"

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: An avenue lined by horse chestnut trees.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: For more of Alice Gao's photos from Paris, see Lingered Upon.

View Larger Map

Above: The Tuileries Garden is located at Rue de Rivoli, Paris.

N.B.: This is an update of a post published June 4, 2013.

More Stories from Gardenista

• A Secret Garden in the Middle of Regent's Park in London
• Outbuilding of the Week: A Shipping Container Transformed Into the Ultimate Holiday House
• Architects' Roundup: Our Favorite Outdoor Living Rooms

It's time to celebrate fathers and all they do. And in the garden, they do a lot, especially when it comes to digging. And grilling. And turning the compost. Join us this week as we give dads the recognition they deserve—and work our way up to Father's Day (yes, it's this Sunday—get shopping).

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Monday

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: A tomato on the vine—is there a more sublime sign of summer? Yours probably aren't ripe yet, but this week's Field Guide will help them on their way, with advice that's especially useful to novice growers. Photograph by Melanie M. via Flickr.

Tuesday

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Sophia's Uncle Jorge raised three grown children at his home in the San Isidro neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Then he turned his hand to raising orchids. Sophia takes us on a Garden Visit to see the rare and spectacular orchids that Jorge collects on his travels and hangs from the trees.

Wednesday

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: However you feel about compost, you'll gain new respect for "black gold" after you read Kendra's DIY post. And if you thought you'd never see gorgeous compost photos, get ready to be amazed. Photograph by Jim Powell.

Thursday

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: As theories about growing roses have evolved, even England's oh-so-traditional Royal Horticultural Society has been moved to rethink the design of the rose garden at Wisley, in Surrey. Here's how their once-rectangular beds entered the modern era. Photograph by Allan Pollok-Morris.

Friday

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: After architect Ben Davidson inherited his grandfather's woodworking tools and workbench, he designed a garden shed to house them in style at his home in Cambridge, England. How could the world's most gorgeous tool shed not be our Outbuilding of the Week? Photograph courtesy of Ben Davidson and Rodić Davidson Architects.

 And be sure to check out the Cool Dads showcased in this week's issue of Remodelista.

More Stories from Gardenista

• Trend Alert: GROW London, The Contemporary Garden Fair
• Trending on Remodelista: Indoor/Outdoor
• Table of Contents: Outdoor Living

Received wisdom says: Find your talent and stick to it. You cannot do lots of things well. But what about Jacqueline Morabito, designer of interiors and objects, from jewelry to lighting? Surely she can't be a genius garden designer, too? She can. We visit her olive grove garden in Provence:

Photography by Clive Nichols.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The Grove, Jacqueline Morabito's retreat, lies on the French Riviera just north of Nice. The garden's layout is a response to the terrain that was there when she found it: terraces of olive trees. The walls and the trees stayed as signs of habitation were carefully added. Angular structures, such as this dining shelter, fit in with the angular terraces, and nothing looks too new.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: A white cube house can be dropped into this landscape without looking too bright because the whitewash is allowed to age. The building's off-white color echoes the local limestone; its angles rub up against the unpredictable shapes of nature.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Straight white walls emerge from clipped, rounded green. The singular shapes of olive trees lend some silver and black.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Ah, the canvas and steel butterfly chair. Do we need anything else?

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The swimming pool slotted into the terrace adds its rectangular shape to the other manmade rectangles. The effect is elegant utilitarian.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The narrow pool is lined with gray concrete to avoid swimming-pool-turquoise—and to better reflect the changing color of the sky through the seasons.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Stone circle, wooden-plank trestle table. The eating areas are fluid; it's more of an adventure to pick up the table and move somewhere different every day. With so many trees, you always can find the right degree of light and shadow.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The old-grove vernacular of stone walls and straight rows of olive trees echoes the parallels of the house, pool, and sheltered dining area. The low walls resemble house foundations. There is an intriguing interplay here between ancient and modern, the former looking more linear than usual and the latter more scruffed up.

For more Provençal clippings, see: A Magical Garden Where Clouds Grow on a Hillside in Provence and, on Remodelista, A Week in Provence. Traveling to France this summer? Plan your itinerary with help from our City Guide: France.

More Stories from Gardenista

• Garden Visit: The Tuileries at Sunset, with Alice Gao
• A Secret Garden in the Middle of Regent's Park in London
• Outbuilding of the Week: A Shipping Container Transformed Into the Ultimate Holiday House

Why does London have all the luck? A new garden fair is coming to Hampstead Heath this month. Well, at least we get to co-sponsor it. Billed as a contemporary garden fair, GROW London will feature modern design, small-space garden ideas, informational workshops—and a trend forecast from our own editors.

We'll be co-sponsoring the fair, which runs from June 20th to 22nd, on Hampstead Heath. Look for new and rare plants; fresh ideas in outdoor furniture, accessories, and planters for gardeners who want to extend their living space to the outdoors; and even a champagne bar. Tickets are £16; Gardenista readers will receive a 50 percent discount when they purchase tickets online at GROW London and use the discount code GROWGARDENISTA.

For more information, visit GROW London.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Speakers will include floral designers Shane Connolly (perhaps you remember the wedding bouquet he made for Kate Middleton?), the very amusing gardening columnist James Alexander-Sinclair, and our own Christine Chang Hanway (with our trend forecast).

And don't forget to stop by the Gardenista Editors' Showcase of outdoor furniture and accessories, curated by our UK correspondent Kendra Wilson.

More Stories from Gardenista

• Table of Contents: Cool Dads
• Trending on Remodelista: Indoor/Outdoor
• Table of Contents: Outdoor Living

Tomatoes: "Wolf Peaches"

Tomatoes are something like that co-worker who sweetly wears pencil skirts and cardigans, and is all sunshine and timely expense reports. Then she starts telling you about the motorcycle she just bought and the skydiving lessons that are her New Year's resolution. Tomatoes, like her, have a dark side. They're in the nightshade family, after all, kin to the traditional witchy plants, foxglove, and belladonna.

Tomatoes bewitch most gardeners too, with their beautiful vines and plentiful fruit. But they also require plenty of sunlight, regular irrigation and fertilization, and, most importantly, the right timing. Seasoned gardeners generally have their own laundry list of tricks and tips, and I am no exception. Below, my advice for novice tomato growers:

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Leave nothing to chance. If you plan to start tomatoes from seed, check with neighbors or local extension agents to get the exact right time for your region. Plant too soon, and your seedlings will have outgrown their pots more than once before the weather warms up. Too late, and you'll still have green plants in August.

More than 7,500 varieties of tomatoes exist. There are a number of ways to narrow the options: Choose between cherry, plum, or regular-sized fruit. Decide on bush or staking plants. If you want to get the whole crop of fruit at once, pick the determinate variety. For a harvest period that extends over several weeks, get indeterminate. Finally, select for length of growing period: for cold climates, the earlier the better. Once you find a perfect fit, be aware that tomato plants can be prolific, so choose sparingly and plant just a few seeds of each variety. (For more photos and recipes for Tomatoes, see our Gardenista Gallery.)

  Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Photograph by Melanie M. via Flickr.

On indeterminate tomato plants, the fruit ripens one by one, rather than all at once. For the best harvest, you'll need to snap or snip off the suckers—the lighter-colored vines that sprout between the V's made by the leader branches. Removing the suckers sends energy down the main vines.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Photograph by Karen Jackson via Flickr.

Cheat Sheet

• Treat tomato plants as an ornamental, interplanting them with flowers in your garden. Why not take advantage of the plant's beauty—the pale yellow flowers and dark green foliage, not to mention the fruit, in so many shades of green, red, yellow, purple, white, black, and pink?
• The tomato's delicate nature makes it a perfect choice for backyard gardens. Home-grown fruit fresh off the vine is far tastier than the grocery-store variety. You lose flavor even during the journey from the farmer's market to home.
• The tomato plant's flowers and fruit attract pollinators, and the dark green foliage sets off any flower bed beautifully. 

Keep It Alive

• Side-dress your tomato plants with compost in spring when they blossom, and again after they start to set fruit. That makes the plants resilient enough to withstand chilly temperatures on late-summer nights.
• Live in a cold climate? Stick with cherry and plum varieties, choose heirloom seeds bred for early yield and cold hardiness, and time your starts so they'll be ready when the ground thaws and temperatures warm—not before.
• Don't sneeze at container gardening. Especially with cherry varieties, you can grow very tasty tomatoes indoors. 

  Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Photograph by Laura Edwards.

A bit of history: The original tomato gardeners, Mesoamerican people like the Aztecs and Pueblos, ate tomatoes cooked, and believed the seeds could aid in divination. Following colonization, the seeds of those plants slowly spread across continents, meeting resistance in some places. Tomatoes are now a staple of cuisines from South America and North America all the way to North Africa. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: For one of our favorite easy tomato recipes, check out Irresistible Vegetable Soup in 30 Minutes or Less. Looking for a good summer salad? See Summertime Delicacies: Corn and Tomato Salad. Photograph by Erin Boyle.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: When ripe, Indigo Rose tomatoes turn almost dark purple—and are loaded with antioxidants. Seeds available from Johnny's Seeds. For more, see Why We Need a Blue Tomato.

Planting a summer garden? Read about more of our favorite edibles, including Carrots, Chives, and Rosemary in our Field Guide archive. 

More Stories from Gardenista

• Field Guide: Foxglove
• Field Guide: Peony
• Field Guide: Rosemary

The San Isidro neighborhood of Buenos Aires is filled with old stone houses, Neo-Gothic churches, cobblestone streets, and lush greenery. Huge magnolia and jacaranda trees live happily next to tropical palms, and climbing roses cover stone walls. It's a bit grand, a bit rundown, and loaded with South American charm.

This is where my aunt and uncle have raised their family. About 10 years ago, after their three children were grown, Uncle Jorge turned to raising orchids. His garden is a perfect micro-landscape of San Isidro: Orchids grow alongside sweetgum and maple trees, Japanese anemones, and the most glorious gladiolas. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: You walk down a driveway to enter my uncle's garden.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The first thing you'll notice is the orchids hanging from the trees beside the driveway. These aren't blooming yet, but they will soon.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: At the end of the driveway, you come upon a huge tree covered in more than 30 orchids.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Some of the orchids cling to the branches, some grow on the trunks, and some hang in wooden crates. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: While these orchids love humidity and wet climates, they don't like to sit in pools of water, so proper drainage is very important. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Behind the tree is my uncle's small greenhouse, filled with even more orchids, many brought home from his travels.

  Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: In summer, when it's hot and there's little rain, Jorge waters the orchids every day. In fall and winter he waters less often, depending on how much rain there is. (It's often wet in South America, but rainfall varies.)

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Jorge's orchids are used to being partly covered by the canopy of the rain forest. If I were planting orchids at home, I would research the best varieties for my region. Some orchids found in Africa, for example, do well in dry climates. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Native to Brazil, the Brassavola Tuberculata orchid loves hot and humid savannas. It is an epiphyte, meaning it grows on other plants, getting its nutrients from the air and the debris that falls from the tree it lives on. 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Epiphytic orchids cling to a tree trunk. Many of the orchids in Jorge's garden are epiphytic.

  Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Oncidium orchids, like this one, are native to Argentina and other parts of South America.

  Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: This Cattleya orchid is native to Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Mexico. They flourish in the Andes, up to altitudes of 10,000 feet. Cattleyas are epiphytes that can endure temperatures ranging from 50 degrees F to 90 degrees F—in fact, variations in temperature help them grow and bloom.

  Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: I love the color of these tiny red orchids.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: And though I'm not normally a gladiola fan, I love my uncle's use of this coral gladiola, reminiscent of the orchids in both shape and color. 

  Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: This orchid looks similar to the Miltonia Flavescens, said to be native to Peru and found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Over the years my uncle's garden has flourished. Gardens will do that.

Inspired to try growing orchids yourself? We offer advice in 5 Favorites: Essential Equipment for Orchids and How Not to Kill an Orchid. 

But don't say we didn't warn you: Orchids tend to evoke obsessive behavior (The Orchid That Owned Me).

More Stories from Gardenista

• Steal This Look: The Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen
• Landscape Architect Visit: Jacqueline Morabito on the French Riviera
• Garden Visit: The Tuileries at Sunset, with Alice Gao

I'm a skeptic when it comes to outdoor kitchens. After all, who needs anything more than a grill and a pair of tongs? I'm keeping an open mind, however, after spotting—and swooning over—the ultimate setup from the Netherlands.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

From WWOO Outdoor Kitchens comes the perfect combination of stylish design and Dutch practicality. The company uses modular components to create kitchens that range from barely-beyond-basic to fully equipped. Add-ons might include a pizza oven, a steel fireplace, and a stainless firebox. WWOO Showrooms are located throughout the Netherlands, and in Paris, Stuttgart, and Prague.

Those of us who live in the US can recreate the look using a contractor and the products we've sourced below:

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: WWOO accessories range from wooden storage boxes to cutting boards and Big Green Egg ceramic grills.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The designer behind WWOO Kitchens, Piet Jan van den Kommer, feels that many outdoor kitchens on the market are expensive, poorly designed, and require too much maintenance. His kitchen system is built for endurance.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: WWOO Kitchens are made of durable concrete, which needs next to no maintenance. The concrete components are available in gray or anthracite (shown).

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The stainless steel sink is topped with a stainless spout connected to a "fire tap."

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The Big Green Egg ceramic grill is a modern version of a Japanese kamado cooker—a wood- or charcoal-fired earthen vessel capable of achieving both high and low temperatures for greater control. The Big Green Egg comes in five sizes, from mini to extra large. The medium size is $950 (including a stand and other accessories). The Big Green Egg with a Compact Cypress Table on wheels starts at $1,175; both at Big Green Egg Chicago.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Pair a Key Stop and Waste Valve with female inlet ($41.03 at Wayfair) with a Chicago Faucets Rigid Gooseneck Spout with a male outlet ($120.30) and the necessary plumbing fittings (contact your plumber) to attach to the water supply.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The simple 15-inch stainless steel Lenova Rim Series Single Basin Sink is $392 at ATG Stores.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: For a flush counter grill, consider the Fire Magic Classic Drop-In Countertop Charcoal Grill; from $254.34 for the 23-inch size, from Amazon.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: For a countertop option, the stainless steel Kavkaz Mini Grill measures 16 inches wide and 12 inches deep (larger sizes available); $144.99 through BAS Metal. An optional top grate is available.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The Lodge 6-Quart Camp Dutch Oven works for for campfire or fireplace cooking; $59.99 at Amazon.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The sturdy Ratskeller Crate from Perry and Co. is made of pine and holds 24 glass bottles. Contact Perry and Co. for price and availability. As another option, look for vintage wooden crates offered by a variety of Etsy sellers.

For more on outdoor kitchens, see 10 Favorites: Ultimate Outdoor Kitchens.

Inspired to fire up the grill yourself? See World's Best Barbecue Grills.

This is an update of a post originally published August 14, 2012.

More Stories from Gardenista

• Garden Visit: A Hanging Orchid Garden in San Isidro, Buenos Aires
• Landscape Architect Visit: Jacqueline Morabito on the French Riviera
• Garden Visit: The Tuileries at Sunset, with Alice Gao

Looking for the perfect Father's Day gift? Rugged and timeless, just like Dad, waxed canvas carry-alls are the perfect way to honor the hardworking style of fathers everywhere. Here are our Etsy favorites to help Dad store and carry everything from logs to laptops, and from toiletries to tools.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: A piece of history, Peg and Awl's extra-large, handmade Waxed Canvas Weekender Bag has leather straps that come from WWII gunslings; $320.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The Volcano Store's Waxed Duck Canvas Half Apron is an efficient and elegant way to carry your tools as you work; $44.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Handmade from lightweight yet durable waxed canvas, Italic Home's Jack Dopp Kit in caramel brown is perfect for the traveling man; $60.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Stash your phone charger, loose change, business cards, and other odds and ends in Artifact Bag's No. 9 Personal Effects Bag. It comes in nine color combinations of waxed canvas and Horween leather; $75.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Roadside assistance for your bicycle, Overlap's Waxed Canvas Bike Tool Bag Wrap straps right to your bike; $36. Not just for tools, it holds a phone, money and more.

(For more clever storage for your bike, see Bicycle Bags From Save the C.)

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Don't be fooled by the elegant look of Artifact's No. 175-L Garden/Tool Tote in Waxed Canvas & Horween Leather. Owner and designer Chris Hughes uses this "versatile workhorse" for everything: books, tools, laptop, and groceries. Available in five color combinations; $300.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: For compact tools, Volcano Store's Handmade Tool Roll in Waxed Heavy Duty Canvas can also be worn as an apron. Available in black, tan, charcoal, olive, and red; $22.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: Forget using your arms, Rugged Material's Waxed Canvas Log Firewood Carrier Tote can heft up to 100 pounds of wood; $60.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Above: The eco-friendly "brown bag," Overlap's Waxed Canvas Lunch Bag comes in olive green, gray, brown, and black; $48.

N.B. Want to see some other enduring and versatile totes? See 10 Easy Pieces: Log Carrier Bags and 10 Easy Pieces: Canvas Weekender Bags.

More Stories from Gardenista

• Coming Soon: The 2014 Gardenista Considered Design Awards
• 10 Easy Pieces: Crank Hose Reels
• Shopper's Diary: The Gardener in Healdsburg