Facing squarely to the east, Sezincote is like a fabulous dream. Though it inspired the Prince Regent in 1807 to build the highly decorated Brighton Pavilion, Sezincote is rather restrained and Cotswoldian, its design a mash of Hindu and Islam as seen through the eyes of the Raj. The interior, by the way, is Greek Revival.

Photographs by Kendra Wilson.

Above: Seen here from the edge of the ha-ha, the house, built with local Cotswold stone, lights up at dawn. The prospect is open and descending at the front and steeply wooded at the back. Sezincote is nestled in its place, looking entirely at home despite its foreign decoration.

This place should be celebrated and it has been, in poetry. Sir John Betjeman, a Bright Young Thing and regular visitor from Oxford in the 1920s, wrote of its onion domes and "amber stone," concluding "'Home of the Oaks,' exotic Sezincote."

Above: An Indian taxi decorated in the traditional manner, on the drive.

Sezincote, pronounced "Seezinc't" is a derivation of the French word for oak (chêne) and cot, which is a common term in these parts meaning dwelling or shelter. The original estate was named after the trees; while they have some visual competition from the house, the trees remain magnificent. Some very grand old cedars of Lebanon dominate the landscape. Being more than 200 years old, they have been joined by younger specimens.

Above: A massive snake winds round a column emerging from a pond in the Snake Garden, just coming to life in spring. Beyond is the Indian Bridge, an entry to the garden from the end of an unusually long drive. There are no shortcuts here: the drive goes on and on, casually winding around the countryside as the first-time visitor is given little hints of what is to come via the eccentric lodge and the old oaks.

Above: A view from the stone bench found inside (and underneath) the Indian Bridge. Stepping stones lead to a waterfall in front and a pond behind. Needless to say it is peaceful, calm, and a little bit mystical.

Above: Another view of Indian Bridge, with Brahmin bulls resting on either side of the balustrade. The section of garden spanned by the bridge is called the Thornery and is made up of streams, waterfalls, and ponds. The planting was overseen by one of the great plantsmen of the 20th century, Graham Stuart Thomas. He collaborated with Lady Kleinwort and her daughter until the 1980s, in between consulting work at Hidcote, ten miles away.

Above: The Orangery Pavilion, from the back. The Orangery stretches in a wide arc from the South Front, and they both embrace the Persian Garden.

The original design of the garden, carried out in part by the early 19th century garden designer Humphrey Repton, was determinedly non-Indian until the mid-20th century. During the Victorian Raj era, some ill-feeling developed towards "nabobs" (those employed by the East India Company, as the original owners were) and their displays of conspicuous wealth. Despite the minarets and peacock tail arches, there was an impetus to stick to the classical where possible.

Above: The house was billeted by the army during the Second World War and was sold in a sorry state in 1944. The new owners, Sir Cyril and Lady Kleinwort, remade the South Garden (Above) as a Persian Paradise Garden. This style, in which crossing canals symbolize the meeting of humanity and God, is famously seen at the Taj Mahal in India, a leftover from the Mogul dynasty. British fastigiate yews were chosen over the more traditional cypress because of their hardiness.

Above: The front door is flanked by horse mounting steps to either side. The turquoise estate colors are a brilliant complement to both the stone, arguably "oranged" with a copperas wash, and the jali work railings (Indian ornamental openwork).

For more estate colors, see: The Moody Palette of the English Country Estate. Buckingham Palace has also had this stone treatment, according to our friend Patrick Baty.

Above: The Temple Pool, which is a permanent gray-green due to the color of the clay. The temple is deicated to Surya, a Hindu sun god, and it is contemporary with the house.

Above: The back of the Tennis Pavilion, home to some deck chairs. The prospect from the house (and tennis court) is wide and glorious, overlooking the Cotswolds below, in the vague direction of Oxford.

Sezincote is literally across the street from Batsford (separated by miles of private drive). Why not visit both? See A Gothic Garden Visit, Courtesy of the Mitfords.

Looking for more modern Indian influences on British style? See Geometric Fabrics from London, By Way of India.

Built on the banks of the Kushavati River in the southern Indian state of Goa, the 18th century architecture of the Palácio de Deão exhibits an unusual mix of Indo-Portuguese influences. We spotted this breezy balcony via Rajee Sood, who discovered the house's hidden courtyards and secret back veranda on a recent summer day. Shady overhangs and cool stone surfaces coax visitors outdoors even on hot days. Here's how to recreate the look:

Above: Photograph by Rajee Sood.

Portuguese nobleman Jose Paulo, a dean of the church who built the palace for himself and lived in it for nearly 50 years before his death in 1835, surrounded his home with two acres of tropical gardens. Current owners are Ruben and Celia Vasco da Gama, both Goans, have spent nearly five years restoring the 11,000-square-foot palace and its grounds.

Above: Photograph (L) by Rajee Sood. The yellow trim on the back of the house is a reminder of the saturated yellow facade that greets visitors as they walk through the front gate. From Farrow & Ball, Print Room Yellow in an exterior eggshell finish is $110 per gallon.

Above: For a small balcony, 6-inch turned Wooden Balusters made of weather-resistant western red cedar are available in a variety of styles and heights; for more information, see Vintage Woodworks.

Above: Sandstone—available in a variety of shades, shapes, and patterns—is a common construction material in India. Quarried in northern India, Agra red sandstone is ubiquitous in the region; the Taj Mahal's marble slabs sit atop a red sandstone base. Available as floor tiles, Agra Red Sandstone in a natural or polished finish is suitable for indoor or outdoor projects; for pricing and more information visit Agra Red.

Above: A one-of-a-kind carved Vintage Teak Wood Bench from Indonesia dates to the 1920s. Constructed of weather resistant teak it can be used outdoors or in. It's $3,900 from Berkshire Home & Antiques via 1stdibs. For a selection of more than a dozen vintage carved teak garden benches, see Hip and Humble; we particularly like the lines of the 84-inch-long Original Carved Teak Bench, which is $2,295.

Above: Clay amphoras similar in design to the urn sitting next to the bench at the Palacio de Deao have been used since ancient times to store and transport fresh water. A 26-inch-tall reproduction 4-Handle Urn is $200 from Florida Plant.

Above: A fragrant flowering vine is a vital component of any Indian garden. The fast-growing tropical vine on the veranda wall at the Palácio de Deão is Rangoon Creeper; hardy in growing zones 8-11, it can reach a height of more than 30 feet. A plant in a 4-inch pot is $19.99 from Tropicals USA. Photograph by Anita WPA New Delhi. 

Curious about how to incorporate the colors and textures of India into your New York City rental apartment? See House Call: Jaipur by Way of Brooklyn on Remodelista.

For more tips about how to recreate the paints and palettes of our favorite facades, see our Steal This Look archives.

Isabelle Palmer, aka The Balcony Gardener, is always up for a challenge. Determined to bring greenery to the smallest urban spaces, she has just come inside from the balcony and turned her attention to the indoors with her newly published book The House Gardener. With her trademark inventive gardening ideas, be prepared to look at the humble houseplant with fresh eyes. 

Photography by Helen Cathcart. 

Above: Palmer painted a terracotta pot with her favorite shade of gray to contrast with the vibrant Zantedeschia ‘Picasso’ calla lilies and Dahlia ‘Violet’. "This display isn’t merely for decoration, however, as it provides a real opportunity to be an indoor gardener, tending to the leaves and flowers," she says. "The storm-cloud-gray pot emphasizes the flowers, creating a wonderful display for a dull spot."

Above:  A Hedera helix (common ivy) in a copper hanging container brings green calm into a bathroom. 

Above: "One of the ways in which I like to use plants in the home is by placing them in an unusual position or to replace common household objects," Palmer says. "So, here, where you would usually expect to see two lamps hanging above the table, I have used these hanging baskets instead. Not only is this a really interesting way to display plants, it also adds a lovely and unique touch to a dining setting."

Above: By mixing the different greens of Soleirolia soleirolii (also called Mind-Your-Own-Business or Angel Tears), Palmer paints an indoor arrangement using pale pebbles for contrast. 

Above: Palmer plants a miniature French herb garden in a vintage wine crate with rosemary, thyme, and lavender. 

Above: With their warm and often humid conditions, bathrooms are ideal environments for growing plants, especially tropical ones such as the tall Maranta leuconeura (Prayer Plant), the dark green Aloe haworthioides and the Sansevieria trifasciata (more commonly known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) seen here. Did you know that Mother-in-Law's Tongue is a plant you can't kill? 

Above: Palmer creates an indoor country garden by planting Avena sativa (Catgrass), Ostiospermum (African daisy), Chrysanthemum, Saxifraga paniculata (white mountain saxifrage), and Phlox divaricata in different terracotta planteres of different colors, textures, and sizes. 

Above: Palmer uses a tall Howea forsteriana (Kentia palm) planted in a vintage industrial steel planter as a "living" room divider in a living room with a home office in the corner.  If you like the look, in 10 Easy Pieces: Galvanized Trough Planters, we round up some of our favorite steel planters.

Above: The hanging basket of trailing Hedera (ivy) and Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’ (Boston fern), both typically outdoor plants, come inside and hang from a door frame between rooms in an urban townhouse.

Above: The House Gardener by Isabelle Palmer is published by CICO Books; $35. The book is available in the UK from Amazon; £25. 

Have you got houseplant envy but are scared to commit? Our expert landscape gardeners and designers recommend the 10 Best Low-Maintenance Houseplants. Browse some more and take your time to find your favorite, in Gardenista's Gallery of Houseplants. And over on Remodelista, have a look at the dramatic impact a potted Mother-in-Law's Tongue can make in a Budget Bedroom in Brooklyn. 

Located in Khopoli, in Maharashtra, India (a region that fluctuates between extreme dry heat and monsoon season), a weekend house is perched on the edge of a rocky basalt cliff, with views of the hills in the distance. Made of what architects Sanjeev Panjabi and Sangeeta Merchant of Spasm Design Architects call "liquid stone" (concrete mixed with local basalt stone), the rectilinear structure features "large, bright spaces and dark intimate passages, a place to observe the spectacle of nature." Panjabi and Merchant, who met at the Academy of Architecture in Mumbai and established their firm in 1995, "seek to uplift the human spirit," as they say. "We're always looking for the 'this feels right' moment in our architectural designs."

Photographs by Sebastian Zachariah via Arch Daily.

Above: The house overlooks the Sahyadri mountains; "the concrete mixed with basalt connects it with its mountainous site, located at the start of the western ghats, or highlands," the architects say.

Above: A cantilevered overhang creates a sheltered outdoor space with a hanging daybed.

Above: "A cliffhanger pool frames the hills and a giant entry overhang creates a shaded space for outdoor living, capturing the breezes that come over the hill," according to the architects.

Above: The living and dining area is located between the building's two wings and can be closed off with blinds.

Above: The bedroom offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Above: A bathroom is partially open to the outdoors.

Above: A black matte stone stairway.

Above: A courtyard of stone dissolves into the distance.

Above: A slatted wood entry gate.

Want to explore more of India? See Housing For Elephants, and Their People. Or take shelter from monsoon's in Mumbai's Artistic Café in a Converted Barn, featured on Remodelista.

Native to Southern India and identifiable by its show-stopping yellow, turmeric has been a staple in cooking and medicine for thousands of years. The spice, a member of the ginger family and a key ingredient in curry, has countless health benefits.

Turmeric is a natural alternative to chemical dyes, too: add a pinch or two to tint buttercream frosting, or pair it with red annatto to turn cheese orange. I've been experimenting with techniques for using turmeric to dye fabric, and here's my favorite. Follow this simple tutorial to create your own turmeric-tinted tablecloth in a shibori tie-dye pattern.

Photographs by Dalilah Arja.

Materials

• Natural fabric (cotton, linen, silk,  or wool), unhemmed or hemmed and sized to cover your table (My fabric measured 4.5 by 3 feet; if you use something a lot bigger, increase the amounts of the ingredients or expect more subtle results.) N.B.: Pillowcases also work well for this project.
• 1/4 cup turmeric
• 4 cups vinegar
• Rubber bands or string to secure folded fabric
• Water

Instructions

Start by folding your fabric (or, if you want a solid color, jump to Step 4 and dye the fabric unfolded). Your folding pattern can be as random or as methodical as you like. I did a loose interpretation of a shibori fold, which is primarily used in Japanese indigo dying. See our post on Terrain's Shibori Dyed Indigo for examples. I picked this method because I like the square pattern it creates. 

Step 1: Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and then in half again. 

Step 2: To create the square pattern, fold the fabric into an accordion by alternating the sides of each fold. 

Continue the accordion fold until you run out of fabric.

Step 3: Place rubber bands horizontally and vertically to secure the fold. I used five rubber bands, but you can use as many as you want depending on the pattern you want to make. 

Step 4: In a stockpot, add 4 cups of vinegar to 16 cups of water and immerse the folded fabric; heat on medium. This will allow the fabric to take the dye. 

Step 5: While the stockpot heats, make the dye in a second pot by adding 1/4 cup of turmeric to 12 cups of water; heat on medium. After both pots begin boiling, turn down the heat and simmer for about an hour. 

Step 6: Drain the vinegar mixture and pour the turmeric dye over the fabric; heat over medium-low flame. The longer you leave the fabric in the turmeric dye, the darker the color will be. I dyed my fabric for an hour, but you can dye it for as little as 15 minutes to achieve a light, washed look. 

Step 7: After you finish dyeing the fabric, drain the turmeric dye from the pot and rinse the fabric under a running tap to remove excess dye. Warning: the dye may stain porcelain or ceramic surfaces, so it's important to rinse in a stainless steel sink or at an outdoor tap. And the first time the tablecloth goes in the washing machine, be sure it's with similar colors or on its own.

Step 8: Let the fabric dry overnight. Here's the finished cloth, brightening my kitchen table. Ready to make your own? Show us pictures of your results in the comments section.

Interested in learning more ways to create chemical-free dyes? A New York textile designer repurposes spent flowers in Shopper's Diary: Natural Floral Dyes and Silk Scarves, from Cara Marie Piazza, and colorist Deepa Natarjan creates elegant pigments from organic materials in DIY: Seasonal Vegetable Dye: Holiday Edition. 

Add an earthy and elegant note to your garden with a bronze-finished planter. Here are ten to consider:

(N.B: Solid bronze planters are available, but they are weighty in both pounds and price. Our roundup includes planters made of a variety of accessible materials finished with a bronze patina.)

Above: Scottish designer Kenneth Topp's company Bronzino makes by hand garden planters in solid copper and zinc using historic metalworking techniques. We particularly like the Sylvan Ribbed Planter in bronze finish on copper, available in single (L) or two-ribbed (R) versions. The single-ribbed planter is £534 and the small two-ribbed planter is £660 through Bronzino.

Above: The terra cotta Bronze Egg Planters have a metallic bronze glaze. Available in four sizes ranging from small (8 by 9 inches) to extra-large (18.5 by 18.5 inches), and priced from $29 to $170 at Detroit Garden Works.

Above: Square tapered planters stand in a row. For a similar look, consider the Chelsea Tapered Planter available in an old bronze finish. Made of a textured robust resin that is color- and crack-guaranteed for ten years, it is available in three sizes starting at 31 inches in height for $223 at Urban Pot.

Above: The Trellis & Trugs Bronze Planter IV is the real deal. Crafted by European artisans of bronze, it measures 38 inches tall and 26 inches in diameter. Contact Trellis & Trugs for pricing and ordering information.  

Above: The Asian Ceramics V-Shaped Planters glazed in bronze from Los Angeles-based A Plant Affair. Contact A Plant Affair for pricing and ordering information. 

Above: The Aros Bronze Planter Bowl is made of reinforced fiberglass finished in bronze that will develop a patina over time. Measuring 24 inches in diameter and 10 inches tall, it is $270 (on sale) from Brown & Jordan.  

Above: The Bronze-Tone Metal Windowbox is made of galvanized steel powder coated with a bronze metallic finish. Available in a variety of lengths from 24 inches and up, at prices starting at $72 from Windowbox.

Above: The Bronze Modern Cube Planter is made from rust-resistant aluminum. The bronze finish is a powder coat with the appearance of architectural bronze in a matte finish. Available in three sizes with or without drain holes. The small size is 18 inches square and is $449 at Pure Modern.

Above: Crescent's traditionally shaped Madison Planter in old bronze finish is a high-quality lightweight resin. Available in several sizes starting at 14 inches tall for $59.99 at Hayneedle. 

Above: Handmade, the Talmont Planter has drainage holes to enable direct planting. Made of bronze-finished iron, it is available in three sizes ranging from 18 to 26.5 inches in diameter, and from 16 to 23 inches high; $119.99 to 239.99 at Pottery Barn.

Above: Looking large? The Geo Vase Old Penny Bronze Planters have a textured finish on a long-wearing fiberglass body. Available in four generous sizes ranging from 24 inches (small) to 59 inches tall (extra-large); $289 and up at Burke Decor.  

Above: Modeled after the traditional French wooden box planters, the Bronze Versailles Planters are made of aluminum with a bronze finish. Well-suited and sized for planting citrus, topiaries, laurels, magnolias, palms, or coniferous trees, the planters include drainage holes; prices range from $545 to $859 depending on size at Restoration Hardware. Prefer the traditional wood variety? See our earlier post, A Planter with Pedigree. 

Looking for a one-of-a-kind? Antique pots and planters can be sourced at shops specializing in garden antiques, including Inner Gardens, Detroit Garden Works, and Kimball & Bean Garden Antiques.

For more planter options, consider Garden Urns and Galvanized Trough Planters.

And, if you are taken with bronze for inside the home, see Casting Ancient Bronze in a Modern Light.

If you're like most people, you use lawn furniture about as often as your bathing suit: only if the weather is appropriately warm and most often while on a tropical vacation. During winter months—and San Francisco summer months—you might think, why shiver outside when you've got a cozy living room?

Enter Galanter & Jones, the heated outdoor furniture company that's changing how (and how often) we experience the backyard. Owners Aaron and Miranda Jones (they're brother and sister) debuted their first design, the four-seater lounge chair Helios ($4,900) last year and this spring are introducing the three-seater Evia Heated Lounge ($3,800).

We think garden guru Flora Grubb said it perfectly: "This is the best thing to happen in outdoor furniture in, oh, forever."

Photographs by Laure Joliet.

Above: Inspired by a love for classic leather sling chairs, the Evia Heated Lounge is more modern in its sleek lines than the curvy Helios. "We wanted to create that same feeling of lightness and movement, but with concrete," says Miranda. "We also wanted to make sure clients who are interested in something smaller [than the Helios] could enjoy the benefit of heated outdoor seating." 

Above: With a cast stone surface and powder-coated steel base, the favorite design feature is the one you don't see: The bench heats the body (like the radiant flooring in your home) through an integrated variable control system that's so energy efficient the electricity use is comparable to that of a hair dryer. (Unlike radiant flooring, the Evia arrives plug-in ready—with on/off buttons and a thermostat.)

Above: Equal parts style and function, the Evia and Helios heated lounges are as much garden art as they are all-season lawn furniture. "Having the Helios means that we now can use our outdoor space year-round," says customer Marianna Leuschel of Gualala, California, "And like its name implies, it has become the center of our universe." 

Above: Currently available in five seat colors (Arctic White, Helios Orange, Charcoal, Loam and River Rock) and four base options (White, Black, Brass, and Silver), watch for more color combinations available for the Evia soon.

Above: For the Galanter & Jones brother/sister team, Aaron and Miranda Jones, creativity (and innovative genius?) runs in the family.

Above: While the Evia's classic design and neutral color palette will compliment your other outdoor furniture, there will be jealousy.

Want to try it for yourself? Check the Galanter & Jones website for locations (the Evia will be making its east coast debut at ICFF (booth #1386) in May) or to visit their San Francisco showroom opening this month. And check back for new designs—chairs!—coming soon.  

See Remodeling 101: Five Things to Know About Radiant Floor Heating for more on keeping your toes toasty. Heated furniture not necessary in your climate? See 10 Easy Pieces: Outdoor Chaise Longues for plug-free options.

What did Indian gardens look like before the invaders arrived? The Mughals imposed their 16th century Persian constraints—they were all for walls and the fussy geometry of symmetry—and then came the British, to foist their water-guzzling lawns on a climate ill-prepared to keep grass green. But before all that?

While those early gardens are mostly lost to history, they would have been refuges: designed for fragrance, cooling breezes, and privacy. "In a hot climate, people mostly didn't stir until the evenings, and their gardens would draw them out," says garden historian Eugenia Herbert, author of Flora's Empire: British Gardens in India ($45 from University of Pennsylvania Press).

The gardens we think of today as being quintessentially Indian are those with Persian roots: with raised walkways, and intersecting water channels and quadrants (microcosm gardens, in effect) and flowers and fruit trees and high walls. 

Wondering how to incorporate such 16th century ideas into a modern garden design? Here are ten tips: 

Above: A lap pool in Awas, India. Photograph via RMA Architects.

1. Water: Canals and reflecting pools remain typical features of Indian gardens, where water is perhaps the greatest luxury of all. "Most of the year is very hot and very dry, and you crave water," says Herbert.

Above: Floating lotus plants. Photograph via Shutterstock.

2. Lotus: As the baby Buddha took his first steps, lotus flowers bloomed beneath his feet. "Lotus is the quintessential Indian plant; it grows in ponds, often muddy ponds," says Herbert.

Will lotus grow in your pond? The plant, hardy in zones 4-10, needs fresh water. "It will not tolerate any level of salt," warns Pond Plants, which sells ten varieties (available seasonally, now through June).

Above: A fountain created by Lutsko Associates is set in a curving bronze garden wall.

3. Fountains: "They are tremendously important in gardens for obvious reasons: for the cooling effect in a hot climate," says Herbert. "If you strolled in a garden in the evening, there would be a wonderful sound of water from the fountains and highly scented shrubs, and moonlight on the flowers. It's a magical effect."

Want to add a fountain to your garden? See some of our favorite backyard fountains in In Praise of the Water Fountain.

Above: Spasm Design Architects' cantilevered overhang creates a shady, sheltered outdoor space with a hanging daybed at a weekend house in Khopoli, in Maharashtra, India.

4. Shade: Most of the year it's hot and dry in India. To make a garden hospitable, "Brahmins choose shade to fight the heat," says Herbert.

Above: Fruit trees espaliered in a walled garden. Photograph by Kendra Wilson.

5. Boundary Walls: "The tradition goes back to very, very distant times in Persia. The Mughal gardens were always walled," says Herbert. "There were portions of the garden that were only for women, and the rule of thumb was that the walls had to be high enough so that nobody sitting on an elephant could see over."

Above: The 16th century Mughal ruler Humayun's tomb in Delhi served as inspiration for the Taj Mahal; two acres of gardens are divided into eight squares, each bisected by canals and walkways. Photograph by ZipandZim.

6. Symmetry: Persian gardens, separated into symmetrical quadrants designed to emulate the purported layout of Paradise, are often crisscrossed by waterways or tree-lined paths. Create a similarly pleasant visual symmetry with repetition: two identical planters flanking an entryway, for example.

7. Sandstone: Quarried in India, sandstone is a ubiquitous hardscaping material. It's available in all sort of shades—including tan, red, pink, white, and black. 

Above: Fragrant jasmine vine in the garden. Photograph by Michelle Slatalla.

8. Fragrance: "In antiquity, there weren't that many flowers—many that we associate with India, like marigolds, were imports—and there was a tremendous importance of scented shrubs. Also jasmine. It would bloom at night, and the smell heavenly in moonlight," says Herbert. "That's where the British got the idea of a white garden."

Above: Jasmine garlands at the market in Madurai, India. Photograph by Scott Norsworthy.

9. Fresh flowers: Drape a flower garland anywhere: in a door, over an entryway, on a table. "Flowers are woven profoundly into all aspects of Indian culture," says Herbert. "In India, they'll cover anything sacred in a garland. It really is striking to see, when you go to a flower market, that it's just the flower heads there, and they're being strung."

Above: Bananas ripen on a tree in Saharanpur, in Northern India. Photograph via India Garden.

10. Fruit trees: "The Mughal gardens were meant to support themselves—they planted trees that produced fruit for market," says Herbert. "A grove of orange blossoms once surrounded the Taj Mahal, and it must have smelled fantastic." 

Looking for more Garden Inspiration from India? Browse through the images in our Gardenista Gallery.

For modern indoor-outdoor living on India's coast, see A River Runs Through It: Brio Architects in India on Remodelista.

When the poet W. H. Auden tried to imagine paradise, he wrote, "What I see is a limestone landscape." Us too. Or at least a limestone terrace:

As a building material, limestone is both universal and timeless. Its use in architecture dates back thousands of years; many of the world's greatest buildings (the pyramids of Egypt, the White House, the Houses of Parliament, the Empire State Building) are made of limestone. Why such fascination with a stone? I believe there is something unique about its natural feel and sense of permanence.  

We all can dream about living in an elegant limestone-clad house. But extensive use of this expensive stone costs too much for most of us. The good news is limestone is remarkably versatile, both inside and outside of the house, and limestone can easily be used to create a more affordable patio or terrace.

Is limestone the right material for your hardscaping project? Read on to learn about colors, types, maintenance issues, and price:

Above: The cracked surface of Mandalay blue riven limestone is naturally slip-resistant. Photograph via Mandarin Stone. See it put to use in Steal This Look: A House With Slate Shingle Siding.

What is limestone?

Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed of mostly calcium carbonate (the remains of marine fossils) and varying amounts of clay, silt, or sand. These other minerals are the source of limestone's wide range of colors—it can be blue or gray, red or tan, beige or green. 

As limestone makes up about 10 percent of all sedimentary rock, there are deposits all over the world. Quarries exist in the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia, India, areas of the United States (especially Texas and the area around the Great Lakes), as well as in many other countries. 

As dense as marble, limestone is known as a heavy, hard-wearing stone with a lightly textured surface which makes it an excellent material for patios. It's also known for its insulating properties; it's unlikely to get too cold in the winter or too hot for bare feet in the summer.

Above: Desert gray limestone pavers with chiseled edges and a natural surface. Quarried in India, they are available at American Soil and Stone. Photograph by Ellen Jenkins.

Above: Irish limestone surrounds plantswoman Helen Dillon's garden pond in Dublin. Photograph by Rachel Ryvar courtesy of Garden Improvements.

What are the different types of limestone?

There are hundreds of types of limestone available in different colors, textures, and surface treatments, with different amounts and sizes of fossils, and varying degrees of permeability. Some types are better suited for flat exterior surfaces than others. Many types of limestone can be used for a patio or terrace, and then repeated for other exterior features, such as walls, borders and trim. Local limestone sellers should be able to guide you to which types are best for a patio.

Above: Randomly shaped limestone pavers from India at American Soil and Stone.  Photograph by Ellen Jenkins.

There is a broad spectrum of limestone colors: from dark to light gray, green, blue, gold, buff, cream, and white. Some limestones are more variegated than others. Generally, the lighter the limestone color the more marine fossils are present. If you choose a darker-colored limestone, keep in mind that it will fade a bit over time (personally I like the fading).

Generally limestone pavers have a honed surface, but some types can be naturally split. Like bluestone, limestone can also be thermalled (or flamed at a high temperature) to give the surface a more uniform texture. Edges can be chiseled, tumbled, split, or cut. 

Above: Antique Yellow Limestone from American Soil and Stone with natural surface and tumbled edges. Photograph by Ellen Jenkins.

How do you clean and maintain limestone?

One of the good things about a limestone patio is that it does not need to be sealed. It can be cleaned with water or water mixed with an alkaline cleaner such as bleach or ammonia (but remember not to mix the two). An acid such as lemon juice or vinegar should not be used—acid will etch the stone. The powdery white substance known as efflorescence, a mineral deposit that can appear on most masonry products, does occur with limestone, but can be cleaned off with a scrub brush.   

Above: At the 2012 Chelsea Flower Show, garden designer Sarah Price took a surprise gold medal for her wildflower garden, which incorporated limestone pavers and slabs. Photograph by Jim Powell.

How much does a limestone patio cost?

A lot. Whereas a bluestone patio may cost approximately $16 per square foot installed, the cheapest limestone starts there and prices can climb to as much as $40 per square foot; surface or edge treatments will add to the final tab.

But limestone is worth it. It's a very dense and durable stone, and will essentially add permanent outdoor living space to your home. (The density, by the way, makes limestone heavy, adding to shipping costs.)

Comparison shopping? Here's a tip: limestone from India is much less costly (prices are about one third as much as for limestone from France). While I was sleuthing at stone yards last week, I saw a couple of batches of Indian limestone priced at $5.50 per square foot.

Wondering whether to set the stone in mortar or stone? Keep in mind that mortar-set patios require a 3/4-inch-thick stone with prices ranging from $6 to $15 per square foot. For sand-set patios, a 2-inch-thick stone is recommended, which is more expensive at $10 to $25 per square foot.

Limestone Patios and Terraces Recap

Pros:

• Time tested
• Aesthetically versatile: many colors available
• Can be repeated in other architectural elements
• Good insulating properties

Cons:

• Expensive, as compared to bluestone, concrete or sandstone
• Vulnerable to acid
• Heavy (which increases transportation costs) 

Are you trying to decide between limestone and bluestone? See Hardscaping 101: Pennsylvania Bluestone. 

Need help with another Hardscaping 101 quandary? Ellen also demystified Picket Fences, Artificial Grass, and Asphalt Shingles.

When we think of India, we think of color. We imagine the nearly-neon pigments of the springtime festival Holi, and remember Diana Vreeland's declaration that "pink is the navy blue of India." (For more on that, read Michelle's Domestic Dispatches.)

But perhaps most of all, we think of India's earthy hues: still bright, but muted enough to be infinitely usable in India and beyond. We noticed that several shades in our recent post on Metallic Wall Paints would flatter these colors beautifully (Warm Silver and English Brown especially).

All the paints are available in exterior formulas, perfect for putting these bright hues to use on front doors or shutters. (Modern Masters does not have an exterior formula, but offers a Protective Topcoat that allows the metallic paint to be used outdoors.)

Photographs by Meredith Swinehart. 

Above: Top row, left to right: Farrow & Ball Incarnadine; Farrow & Ball India Yellow; Farrow & Ball Brinjal; and Ralph Lauren Baltic Blue. Bottom row: Valspar Swiftly Green; Valspar Perfect Storm; Valspar La Fonda Ortiz Gold; and Valspar Bear Claw.

Above: Farrow & Ball's Incarnadine is, if you ask us, the perfect earthy red. (The paint maker notes that this crimson is similar to one used by famed designer David Hicks in the 1970s.)

Above: Farrow & Ball's India Yellow has a colorful past—the pigment on which it is based was first available in England in the 18th century, and made by reducing the bright yellow urine of cows fed on a special diet of mango leaves.

Above: Farrow & Ball's Brinjal takes its name from a South Asian word for eggplant.

Above: Ralph Lauren's Baltic Blue reminds us of the bright shades of blue saris. 

Above: Valspar Swiftly Green is the brightest of the earthy yellow hues we've chosen here. (Achieve a similar shade yourself by making fabric dye from turmeric in DIY: Natural Turmeric-Dyed Tablecloth.)

Above: Valspar's Perfect Storm is a match for the dark teal we've admired on many an Indian embroidery. 

Above: Valspar's La Fonda Ortiz Gold may have a Spanish name, but it's a close approximation of the earthy gold hue of Farrow & Ball's India Yellow shown above. (La Fonda Ortiz is slightly redder.) 

Above: The dark red earth of India is evoked in Valspar's Bear Claw. 

For more paint shades, see all of our Palette & Paints posts, including the Best Black Exterior Paints and Best White Exterior Paints. For more musings on color, see Domestic Dispatches: Pink is the Navy Blue of India on Remodelista.

My 14-month-old nephew has a deep and abiding affection for a chubby little volume you might be familiar with. It features a certain ravenous caterpillar and his transformative cocoon and after reading the book for the millionth time, I too find myself ready for a long nap in a cozy place. 

No longer the stuff of dreams, the folks at Cocoon Tree have made such a slumber possible. Though they can't guarantee that you'll emerge from the experience a beautiful butterfly, their suspended spherical bed still looks like it could supply the perfect place for an afternoon siesta among the treetops.

Photographs via Cocoon Tree.

Above: The Cocoon tree is 3 meters in diameter and sleeps two adults comfortably. 

Above: Designed for sleeping, a mattress spans the sphere and is covered in a custom duvet.

Above: Water-repellent fabric stretched over an aluminum frame keeps the cocoon dry, and mosquito screens fitted into the windows keep out pesky insects.

Above: Cocoon Tree prices start at around $8,000. Visit Cocoon Tree for an exact quote and installation details.

Inspired to find your own Tiny Sleeping Spot? See more options in our Gardenista Gallery.

Prefer to do your camping inside? See An Instant Guest Bedroom—Made From Canvas.

Want to linger in the garden? See all of our Outbuilding posts.

Imagine a hotel in such a remote region of India's Himalayan foothills that prospective guests must take an overnight train from Delhi, then drive on hairpin mountain turns for eight hours, and hike for an hour and a half along a narrow path cut into the side of a steep cliff. If I actually made it there alive I might not leave. But then, why would anyone? Look at the views from Shakti 360° Leti:

Photographs courtesy of Shakti Himalaya.

Above: The brainchild of Parsi travel specialist Jamshyd Sethna, the four-cabin resort is on a plateau 8,000 feet above sea levels. It offers spectacular views and guided "village walks" to neighboring towns. The idea behind the walks is to introduce visitors to local culture that might otherwise be considered too remote for the average traveler to experience.

Above: Each guest room has a wood stove for heat.

Above: The cottages have solar power, private terraces, and fire pits. And no Internet. 

Above: Guests shower under local mountain water heated by solar power.

Above: At the resort, meals are served in a separate lounge and dining building.

Above: A stony path leads to Deora village.

Above: Deora village.

Above: Be prepared to share the road.

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Above: Shakti 360 Leti is in the Himalayan foothills in Uttarakhand, India. Map by Google.

Are you an amchair traveler instead? See Household Homespun from India on Remodelista. See more of India in our Gardenista Gallery of photos.

As we dove headlong into the world of Indian gardens, the editors at Remodelista rounded up a must-read guide to everything design-related. We're busy packing our bags and making sure our passports are in order, but head to Remodelista to see what's been trending this week:

Above: No travel adventure is complete without the discovery of a favorite neighborhood spot for afternoon refreshment. This week, Remodelista found a perfect example in Mumbai's Kala Ghoda Café.

Above: In Bagru, a flowery color treatment for hand-dyed scarves.

Above: Just in time for springtime picnics, Megan unpacks the history of an Indian food-storage staple.

Above: In Alibag, Maharashtra, indoor/outdoor living done right.

Above: For anyone Delhi-bound, Monica Patel-Cohn dishes on her favorite spots in that city.

We sang the praises of Indian gardens and landscapes —and the week flew by. Meredith inspired us with colors from India, Dalilah showed us one way to dye with turmeric, and Michelle rounded up 10 Indian-inspired ideas to steal for our own gardens. We're wrapping up our ode to India and getting ready for a week of the simple life, and until then, here a few things we're loving lately.  

• Above: Minimal inspiration at the Glenstone Museum in DC. Photograph by Peter Guthrie. 
• Houseplants for a good night's sleep.
• The moss rescuer. 

• Above: Blossoms from Beth. Photograph by Beth Kirby.  
• Bay Area residents: Walk among the olive trees. 
• Botany by post. 

• Above: Welcoming back white peach. 
• The ultimate garden checklist. 
• DIY Planters, luxe edition. 

• Above: Bud vases inspired by "the Icelandic landscape."
• A savory pancake for the herbivore. 
  
• April inspiration. 

• Above: SF's florist on wheels. Photograph by Cindy Loughridge. 
• A stylish carryall for spring picnics. 

Above: Oxidized cookware in India. Photograph by Andrea Gentl. 

See the rest of this week's issue, here, and check out India Song on Remodelista, too. 

Located in Alibag, Maharashtra, a coastal town across the harbor from Mumbai, the House on a Stream is a weekend refuge for a busy Mumbai-based couple. Set on a one-acre plot with its own microclimate thanks to an abundance of fruit trees and dense foliage, the board-formed concrete and timber house "consists of two parts: the day areas (the dining, kitchen, living room) are separated from the master bedroom by a bridge that spans across the stream," according to Robert Verrijt and Shefali Balwani, the principles of Mumbai-based Brio Architecture.

Photographs by Sebastian Zachariah via Arch Daily.

Above: "Concrete left exposed in the humid climate achieves a patina that becomes more right and alive over time and provides a muted surface against the vibrant green surroundings," the architects say.

Above: "The swimming pool is aligned along the stream, acting as a substitute for it during the dry season, and as an extension of it during the monsoons."

Above: The approach to the main living space is shaded by a slatted pergola.

Above: Multiple openings allow for abundant cross breezes in the warmer months.

Above: The dining room is fully open on two sides.

Above: The house's "day areas"—dining room, kitchen, and living room—overlook each other.

Above: The dining area opens to a courtyard.

Above: "Since the owners are enthusiastic cooks, the kitchen is the heart of the house, a large, inviting volume with a high ceiling."

Above: The kitchen is sleek and minimal.

Above: The interiors are illuminated by a central skylight.

Above: A built-in window seat does double duty as a step to the outdoors.

Above: The master bedroom, which faces west, gets the evening sun; the doors are retractable for a full indoor/outdoor experience.

Above: Ceiling fans provide ventilation during the warmer months.

Above: The guest room wing.

Above: Slanting light via a strategically positioned skylight.

Above: The bathroom is spare and minimal.

For inspirational contemporary houses, peruse our Architect Visits and Architecture & Interiors posts, including 10 Houses Made From Shipping Containers. Have a look at Landscape Architecture on Gardenista, plus an Irish Seaside Getaway in a Converted Stone Stable.

Why did I not realize for so long that less truly is more? Instead I spent whole decades of my life bent on accumulation and dedicated to the premise that more is more. The simple, pared down aesthetic that we'll celebrate this week has reformed me. I will be spending the week purging my closets:

Here's a preview of this week's upcoming exclusive stories:

Monday

Above: Meredith discovered the world's most beautiful swimming pool, breathtaking in its simplicity; we'll visit it later today in this week's Landscape Architect Visit.

Tuesday

Above: The perfect outdoor bathroom: it exists and Meredith shows us how to recreate it in this week's Steal This Look.

Wednesday

Above: The arrival of spring has prompted Janet to go sleuthing for a very simple—yet difficult to find—garden staple: a beautiful square wooden planter. See her haul in this week's 10 Easy Pieces.

Thursday

Above: Your hardscaping secret weapon? Decomposed granite. Ellen explains why in this week's Hardscaping 101.

Friday

Above: Justine's in love. With black pussy willow. Now we are too. You'll understand why when you see her exclusive photos in this week's DIY Garden Project. Photograph by Justine Hand.

On Remodelista, we're also embracing Warm Minimalism this week. Here's a Sneak Peak.

More Stories from Gardenista

• Hotel Visit: Shakti 360° Leti
• Palette & Paints: India-Inspired Paint Colors
• Required Reading: The House Gardener by Isabelle Palmer

Monterey, California-based landscape architect Bernard Trainor once quoted one of his design influences, the Australian architect Glenn Murcutt, in an interview for Garden Design magazine: "I see simplicity not so much as a disregard for complexity," he said, "but as the clarification of the significant.” 

High on a pristine hill near Monterey, clients of Bernard Trainor + Associates wanted a swimming pool to accompany the landscape around their new home. Trainor sunk a long, narrow pool into the earth and surrounded it tightly with native grasses and wildflowers. He then undertook an extensive restorative planting project to establish a seamless connection between the new plantings and the native plant communities surrounding the site.

Why did we choose a home with a 75-foot lap pool and million-dollar California views as an illustration of simplicity? Let's take a look around: 

Love to look at pools? For more photographs of our favorites, see our Swimming Pools archive.

Photography by Jason Liske. 

Above: The swimming pool is unexpected but at ease among the grass and wildflowers. 

Above: Seen from the house designed by Kotas/Pantaleoni Architects, the pool almost disappears into the land. A wall of glass overlooks the pool and landscape.

Above: In his book Landprints: The Landscape Designs of Bernard Trainor, the designer writes: "If you can't always tell what I've done, that's fine. I want my gardens to connect seamlessly with surrounding plant communities, to look as if they're meant to be."

Above: When the pool reflects the sky and surrounding mountains, it blends into the landscape. 

Above: According to Trainor, "great gardens are beautifully balanced compositions of hardscape and softscape...If the hardscape isn't resolved well, it doesn't do anything for the planting."

Above: The hardscaping is minimal, and includes only stone and concrete garden walls, concrete stairs, and the pool. Says Trainor, "I aim to be frugal with design and materials, stripping away ornament and focusing on what's essential and logical for each location—seeing how little I can do for the greatest impact."

Above: At left, a concrete stair leads from the house to the pool. At right, Trainor did not use exclusively native plants, but combined a mix of natives and plants from similar Mediterranean environments. 

Above: The unadorned concrete stair leads from the house and intersects with the pool.

Find more inspiring spaces in our Landscape Architect Visits; our Gallery of Gardens; and on Remodelista, see A River Runs Through It: Brio Architects in India. 

More Stories from Gardenista

• A River Runs Through It: Brio Architects in India
• 10 Garden Ideas to Steal from India
• 10 Easy Pieces: Bronze Garden Planters

Lettuce, Lactuca sativa: "The Garden Gem"

One of our oldest cultivated foods, lettuce and its wild cousins have served humans for thousands of years as medicine, religious symbol, narcotic, virility booster, and kitchen delicacy. The Roman emperor Augustus even erected a statue in honor of lettuce's pain-killing properties.

Above: See more images of Lettuce and Edible Gardens in our Gardenista Gallery.

To procure your own salad bar in the backyard, try planting at least one or two of each of the four main types of lettuce: romaine, looseleaf, butterhead, and heading. An easy crop to grow, lettuce is a seed saver's delight. You can pick from hundreds of heirloom varieties to match your lettuce to your climate, color preferences, and tastes. 

Above: Tom Thumb is an American heirloom, dating to the 1850s. It matures from seed to salad in, making small cabbage shaped green heads that are about 4 inches in diameter.

Cheat Sheet:

• Ruffly leaves make it an attractive front-of-the-bed companion to flowers
• An annual; hardy in all growing zones
• Resistant to frost and can fill holes in the early spring garden

Keep It Alive:

• Prefers moist, well-drained soil.
• Grows in both full sun or partial shade.
• Bolts quickly in hot weather.

Above: Photograph by Jamie Beck.

Lettuce seeds don't germinate well after the temperature reaches 80 degrees, but luckily they don't need light to geminate; start them in a cool, shady spot or in a cold frame. Plant in early spring, and keep planting in small amounts every seven to ten days until midsummer for a steady supply. 

Above: Floating islands; garden beds of rare lettuces by French landscape architects Atelier Altern.

Shop Our Favorites:

Are you planning your spring garden? Make a spot for Carrots and Tulsi Basil. And browse our Field Guide for other ideas and growing tips.

More Stories from Gardenista

• Tips & Tools: Sow Seeds While They're Fresh
• Required Reading: The Cut Flower Patch
• Field Guide: Narcissus

The basic philosophy of Los Angeles floral artist Lili Cuzor is that bringing bits of nature inside isn’t an indulgence, it's a necessity. And from Lili's perspective, loose, natural arrangements at home need not be a luxury, but can instead be simple and spontaneous.

We talked with Lili about how to find, mix, and style elements from a variety of everyday sources—from the farmers' market to souvenirs from a neighborhood walk—to create arrangements that are portraits of simple elegance and ease.   

Photographs by Lili Cuzor.

Above: Two stems picked up on a walk: an easy way to elevate a tabletop.

Lili, who grew up in France and went to art school in California, has always felt drawn to nature as both a medium in itself and as a way to unite her creative impulses with a childhood connection to the outdoors. In LA, she has created her own flexible definition of what it means to be a florist, doing work ranging from directing floral editorial photo shoots to creating giant plant installations. 

Above: One small branch of lilac—simple and unexpectedly fragrant—purchased in a bunch at the local farmers' market for $5. 

Lili describes her aesthetic as erring toward looseness; she likes to create still life arrangements that “keep flowers as wild as possible." She explains, "I like it when there is a lot of airiness and lack of order between [each stem]. I try to use local and wildflowers whenever possible. Those are the easiest because they work for themselves. No need to bundle them tightly with others or force them into rigid shapes.” 

Above: Morning glories picked on a walk.

As part of her floral design work, Lili has curated arrangements for the Standard Hotel and hosted regular wildflower pop-ups at Cookbook Market in Echo Park, where every week she would spend a few hours at Silver Lake Farms picking flowers. Picking the flowers when they were in bloom meant that they would stay fresh for up to two weeks. Lili explains, “Although it was strenuous work, it was rewarding and even meditative to be in the fields… I knew the story of these flowers from beginning to end.”

Above: An oyster mushroom arrangement.

Lili’s style errs toward the unexpected. Although flowers are often star players in an arrangement, they are not the only things that can be showcased, she explains. “One oyster mushroom—purchased at the farmers' market—was so magnificent that I put it in a cleaned yogurt ceramic pot and left it at that!” An added benefit of using mushrooms in your own arrangements? They'll last a long time if you change the water regularly.

Above: The same oyster mushroom used in a different arrangement, this time with blue plumbago, California poppy, and a morning glory.

On sourcing flowers, Lili says, “Certainly someone can purchase three dozen of the most exotic flowers grown on a remote island under pristine conditions and consider that a luxury because they are expensive. However, I would argue that one could also step outside and cut a single sprig of blooming jasmine and that would be equally luxurious.”

She goes on, “In my opinion, there’s nothing luxurious in the large-picture cost that the exotic flowers have on the environment, especially if they were force-grown, sprayed, packed, shipped, and then unpacked and set up in a shop already a week old.” In general, Lili explains that she likes to work with what's growing around her, following the motto, "keep it natural and keep it wild.”

Above: Two stems in a clear glass vessel. “Two stems are perfection,” says Lili. “You can appreciate their form when left so simply."

As another starting point for a simple arrangement, Lili suggests grabbing a few bunches of flowers at the farmers' market to give a base of color and texture. “Then, once your flowers are in water, go out for a walk and take a moment to look at what’s around you: are there wild grasses, branches, vines, or herbs nearby? Pick a few without over-thinking about whether they will work with what you already have. When you get home lay out what you gathered and start mixing them in with the flowers.” 

Above: When styling, Lili suggests that you don’t always have to go big. A few vibrant flowers and a green or two can make for a stellar small arrangement. Lili works from the perspective that arrangements don't have to be perfect. She likes to consider the flow and space of an arrangement: “I always ask if some of the pieces would be better just by themselves.” 

Above: A more traditional display of wild roses and lilac from the farmers' market, mixed with California poppies and wisteria, and "found" lavender and greens. The found elements “give the roses a wilder feel,” says Lili. 

Above: Oyster mushroom, a farmers' market lilac, and found morning glories.

To prolong the life of an arrangement, Lili advises giving everything a clean half-inch cut from the bottom. remove any leaves that will be submerged. If you have sugar or vodka on hand, she suggests adding from 1 to 2 teaspoons to fresh water. 

Above: A simple collection of dried eucalyptus and dried flowers makes an easy arrangement for those in colder climates still coming out of winter. Lili also encourages considering elements like rocks, bark, branches, or fallen acorns in new ways. 

Above: A collection of small branches in a simple ceramic pot is another subtle way to keep a piece of nature indoors. 

For more floral design tips, see our Floral Arrangement photos in the Gardenista Gallery.

On Remodelista, see Trend Alert: 10 Jagged Edges for another way to bring natural elements indoors.

More Stories from Gardenista

• DIY: Ode to Spring Bouquet
• The Language of Flowers Workshop with Ginny Branch and Ashley Bailey
• DIY: Reclaiming an Outmoded Cut Glass Vase with James's Daughter Flowers

Over the weekend, Julie showed us a Mumbai-area house perched on a stream; the owners cross a bridge to reach the master bedroom and bath. We instantly fell for the minimal concrete bath that lives both indoors and out. Here, we've sourced the elements to recreate the look: 

For more, see A River Runs Through It: Brio Architects in India.

Above: The open-air bath, where a narrow patch of open ceiling allows a beam of sunlight into the room. Photograph by Sebastian Zachariah. 

Above: For a weather-resistant floor surface that stays cool, consider black Kerala Slate Pavers; 24-by-24-inch square tiles that are 1 1/4 inches thick are $2.29 per square foot from Builder Direct.

Above: At night a ceiling light, courtesy of a simple disk with an LED, stands in for sunlight. A Disc Double LED Wall Or Ceiling Light is $400 from YLighting.

Above: The Stone Store in Hanover, Maryland offers 5-8 inch DelVal River Decorative Gravel; check with regional suppliers about purchasing similar stone locally.

Above: For the free-standing towel rack, we like the Ekoline Free Standing Wooden Towel Rail in oak; £97.20 from Homebits UK. In the US, try the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Towel Rack Kit; it's made in the US of solid maple and available from Amazon for $92.50.

Above: For the wastebasket, we found the Manado Square Round Basket from Crate & Barrel, made in Indonesia of banana fiber and rattan; currently on sale for $39.97 (down from $69.95) from Crate & Barrel.

Above: Nandina Organics is a good source to find a similar bath towel. A 39-by-71-inch Peshtemal Striped hand-loomed organic cotton towel is $59.

Above: For the sink, recreate the look affordably with the Kraus Ceramic Vessel Bathroom Sink with chrome pop-up drain; $129.95 at Faucet.com.

Above: The Ariel CO1009 Contemporary European Toilet with dual flush is a good approximation of the toilet shown here and is available in the US; $485 at Appliances Connection.

For more bathing outdoors, see 10 Favorites: Outdoor Showers; Steal This Look: An Airy Outdoor Shower; and on Remodelista, High/Low: Rugged Outdoor Shower.

More Stories from Gardenista

• Outbuilding of the Week: Tree Cocoon
• Hardscaping 101: Limestone Pavers
• The Evia Heated Lounge by Galanter & Jones