Deputy director of design at Metropolitan Home magazine until it closed in 2009, Arlene Hirst is now a freelance journalist. Her byline appears frequently in New York Times Magazine as well as Surface, Modern, and Interior Design magazines and Elle Decor Italia.

A Darkened Cedar Dwelling in Portland Embodies “Less But Better” Design
After debating whether to renovate or rip up a wobbly old house, a family in Portland, Oregon, opts to start fresh and unlock the...
This Vignette-Rich Cottage on Long Island Is Full of Rare and Vintage Furniture
The Greenport Residence in New York reflects a couple’s far-reaching tastes.
This Eclectic Beach Bungalow on Fire Island Was Saved After Sandy
Two of the worst hurricanes in New York history bookend the saga of a Saltaire cottage.
Young Guns 2017: New Designers Making Waves
In our annual roundup of exciting talents in the design industry, we present a roster of up-and-comers making waves on the global...
Master Glassmaker Simon Pearce's Sustainable Factory in Vermont
At one of the last American glass factories of its kind, everything is made in-house—from the tools to the electricity.
A Pair of Designers Renovate Their Brooklyn Brownstone With a Bright Monochromatic Palette
With a monochromatic makeover, a pair of designers revive a common Brooklyn brownstone apartment.
Paper Trail
A couple’s quest to reinvent wallcoverings takes them from New York to the Ozarks.
Warp Speed
The Danish tradition of apprenticeship and woodworking lives on at Carl Hansen & Søn.
How to Shape a Shoji, Step by Step
Every order Miya Shoji receives is different, but the procedure follows the same rough pattern each time.
Undivided Attention
New York mainstay Miya Shoji continues to hone the art of Japanese screen-making.
Damaged by Superstorm Sandy, a Fire Island Cottage is Rebuilt
Damaged by Superstorm Sandy, a Fire Island cottage is rebuilt to absorb, rather than resist, 
the hit of future floods.
A Pivoting Wall Makes This Tiny Studio Fit For Any Occasion
Movable modular parts make this renovated, 400-square-foot Manhattan apartment a flexible feat.
A Danish Design Kingpin Moves to NYC With a Shipping Container of Furniture in Tow
A purveyor of contemporary Nordic design expands his brand’s presence stateside—beginning with his new Manhattan apartment.
How a Smart Interior Design Saved This House
An intervention from a clever interior designer spares an old beach house on Fire Island, New York, from demolition.
How a 1,000-Year-Old Technique Made This Pavilion
This Swedish guesthouse embodied Nordic building traditions for a modern extension.
It Took a Whole Family to Build This House
In upstate New York, two families unite to design a vacation house that will suit all their needs for years to come.
A Couple Takes an Unassuming Plot of Land and Calls it Home
After a long day at the office together, this pair relaxes in upstate New York.
How One Family of Three Does It All in 675 Square Feet
A growing family in Brooklyn downsizes their living space while expanding their collective quality of life.
Tour a 17th-Century Paris Loft Overflowing with Vintage Items
A tastemaker brings his distinct vision to an industrial loft with a centuries-old pedigree.
Seaside Views Make This Vacation Home a Relaxing Retreat
A Connecticut home with a notable architectural legacy gets an expansive update for a family of six.
You Can Now Build Your Entire Kitchen with IKEA (Appliances Too!)
IKEA unveils a new, modular kitchen system complete with appliances.
Smart Interior Update Shows When a Gut Renovation Isn't Necessary
An intervention from a clever interior designer spares an old beach house on Fire Island, New York, from demolition.
An Edible Learning Garden in Brooklyn
New York firm WORKac taps into society’s increased focus on heathy eating with a school’s learning garden.
The Midcentury Spirit is Alive and Well in This Hudson Valley Escape
Seeking an escape from bustling city life, a Manhattan couple embarks on a renovation in the verdant Hudson Valley.
Modern Meets Ancient in a Renovated Italian Vacation Home
The acclaimed Italian designers Ludovica+Roberto Palomba carve a serene retreat out of a 17th-century oil mill in Salento,...
Paola Navone's Industrial Style Renovation in Italy
A 200-year-old factory in Umbria is transformed into an inviting home by designer Paola Navone.