Remodelista

Understated in form (but not functionality), the low-profile stainless linear drain can be used in a variety of locations in the shower area. Available in eight lengths, ranging from the 28-inch Linear Drain ($511) to the 58-inch Linear Drain ($691), from Quick Drain USA.

Discovered via GOOP: the Hotel Particulier in Paris, a Directoire-style villa turned into a five-suite hotel in the Montmartre area of Paris. Glamorous and intimate at once; with a mix of mod furnishings (ponyskin rugs, black leather Barcelona Stools) and formal elements (gilt mirrors, brass bath fixtures). Go to Hotel Particulier for information.

We first admired Flora Grubb's vertical garden installations on last spring's AIA tour (see Architect Visit: Boor Bridges in San Francisco). Then we spotted another installation at the Bardessono in Napa (see Shopper's Diary: The Shop at Bardessono). So we were interested to learn that Grubb is now offering a DIY system for creating your own vertical garden; as she says, "Literally hundreds of people who've seen our vertical gardens have asked how to get the same purpose-built panels that we use so they can build one for themselves. Not wanting to keep a good thing all to ourselves (for too long, anyway), we're offering a DIY solution." The 20-by-20-inch tray contains 45 slanted planting cells and can be mounted on the wall. Each Vertical Garden DIY Panel is $99; go to Flora Grubb for more information.

New at CB2: the useful, well-priced Industrial Mesh Basket of stainless steel with white epoxy finish for $39.95.

We like this technique for transitioning from one room to the next: floors painted in different colors, meeting in the middle.