Dulkinys uses the remote-controlled mountaineer’s harness to peruse the two-story bookshelf.

The humidifier sends moisturized air throughout the room using the same technology you’ll recognize from the brand's line of space heaters and cooling fans. The units is made of polycarbonate and can be used as a regular fan, as well. It operates via remote control, and can be set to a sleep timer.

Atelier Riri devised a creative way to make living inside a shipping container in Indonesia’s tropical climate both comfortable and economical. The architects layered recycled pine, glass wool, and planter mesh on top of the home to help keep temperatures down.

The Pico Remote by Lutron is smaller than a deck of cards and operates the dimmable lighting in the great room.

Miele's Range and Induction Cooktop figured notably into their KBIS presence, and they are centerpieces of their revamped Experience Center in New York. The appliances' refined appeal belies their sturdy details, like the Range's heavy-duty knobs, which are backlit to signal when they're on.

One of a kind pillow made of reclaimed wool kilims, fabric and trims with removable cover and hidden zipper.

Here, Teenage Engineering’s masterful take on the Carlsson Loudspeaker shows off its sleek white cabinet and black grille. The optional Ortho Remote is also shown. Unfortunately, the cat is not included.

Grey Matter pillow by Nathalie Du Pasquier for Wrong for HAY. Sebastian Wrong’s new collection for the Danish design giant includes textiles from the archives of one of the Memphis group’s founding members.

Tip seven: Getting Serious "If this is a man cave or a woman cave, there are further things you can do," Bush says. "One is to buy already fabricated fiberglass absorber panels in the cloth color of your choice. I would stick with four-inch-thick or thicker panels as the thin ones, like thin foam, just absorb highs and leave you with an overly mid-rangy room. If you are a craftsperson, you can make these types of panels by ordering Owens Corning #703 in four-inch thickness or in a two-inch and glue two layers together to get four inches. I use 3M spray 77 glue but others might work as well. This will need covering so I recommend a thin layer of polyester batting and your choice of upholstery fabric to cover. This can be inserted into frames or glued to a backer board to hang. Specially made diffusors work well, but tend to be very spendy. Let your budget be a guide here and remember that plain old bushy plants work well and spruce up a cave well." "I would tend to stay away from the acoustic foams available unless they are at least four inces thick," Bush says. "Thicker is better. A thin layer of acoustic foam used as a cosmetic treatment over a four-inch-thick Owens Corning #703 fiberglass panel is a nice finish and works very well. Spend some time listening and let your ears be your guide."

Pillow by Joel Karlsson and Krook&Tjäder for Karl Andersson & Söner $255 each Acoustic wall tiles, made of recycled fabric and PET bottles and covered in wool, are available in eight different colors, with or without a button.

The Virtue Pillow by Mary features positive messages in Icelandic. Sayings include: patience, honesty, faith, positivity, integrity, and friendship. According to the designer, the virtues are a reminder of the intangible things that matter in life. Available in three colors, the pillows are made from undyed Icelandic wool.

The spring 2015 ollection also includes six new Fauna pillows, which feature animals inspired by 19th-century illustrations. Head to areaware.com for more information on how to shop the new releases.

Smartphone Control You may not realize it, but you probably already own a useful home automation tool: your smartphone. All you have to do is download one of the many home automation apps, and use it to link together your various technologies. Photo via Vivint.

Designer Christiane Hogner, Bruxelles

The Ortho Remote further brings the speaker to a modern audience. The remote has a magnetic base, so it can be placed on a refrigerator or other metal surface and will not be easily misplaced.

The cushioned sofa was originally a project in which Högner made a sofa from sandbags. This iteration takes the sofa's smallest component--the pillow--and builds up.

The Storm Square pillow ($69 each) by Sylvain Willenz features a razzle dazzle pattern inspired by a camouflaging technique used by WWII ships. Hem uses a 3D weaving technique to achieve the texture.

Kangan Arora designs boldly printed textiles in her North London studio.

Stacked Stones pillows from Coyuchi: Made in India, this throw pillow features a hand-stitched appliqué and buttons made from coconut shells. Ideal for adding a graphic pop to your bedding motif. $115

Borders Pillow by Hella Jongerius, $275 from store.dwell.com

@bromco: These pillows flipping rock!! Literally! @rockpillows. #DODLA

Bolster Pillow by Blu Dot Sturdy his and hers bolster pillows brighten up the room in a deep aqua hue. $49

Buendia pillow by Inigo Elizalde Rugs: Inigo Elizalde’s woven dhurries are hand-knotted in Nepal, but he’s deconstructed a few of his boldest patterns into a collection of pillows, all printed in North Carolina and sewn in New York City. From $165

Ojo De Dios: Inspired by primitive iconography, the “eye of the god” print is simple and geometric, price upon request.

Studio Dunn exhibited a line of pillows made from naturally dyed textiles.

Inhabit's Pussy Willow pillows in ice have a basic, stylish pattern and contrast well with the somber gray and brown tones. From $45

Pillow smartphone rest by Snarkitecture, $85 at shop.snarkitecture.com Riffing on Snarkitecture's large-scale installation work, their desktop piece appears plush but is cast in durable white gypsum cement. It serves as a resting place for a smartphone; a small niche on the bottom holds a charging cable.

“The plan was to enter the house through the machine room, like in Han Solo’s spaceship, the Millennium Falcon,” Guiu says.

The Control lamp by TAF Architects for Muuto is a small-space option that can be operated by a knob on the base. It draws inspiration from Hi-Fi equipment and industrial control panels.

4) Technology Advancements in technology are making the kitchen more efficient in myriad ways. Things like sleek digital controls that present more options than analog presets are no longer an extra bonus—they’re a requirement. KitchenAid appliances feature digital controls illuminated by white lighting for added legibility. Read about more cutting-edge kitchen features here.

Inside La Bâthie's control room

KitchenAid refrigerators feature a temperature-controlled drawer with five preset settings specialized for vegetables, meat, drinks, and more.

iSteam Touch by Mr. Steam, $1,200 From one screen, control the temperature, time, even the aroma of your steam shower. The fused-silica glass and polished, cast-aluminum housing keep the electronics dry and functioning.

RadioRA 2 by Lutron, $1,150–$1,490 Replace your light switches with these dimmers, and control your home’s lighting entirely from your iPad. Adjust the brightness according to presets, like bright lights for waking up or softer glows for falling asleep.

This midcentury gem lays in Crestwood Hills, in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, an endangered enclave of midcentury post-and-beam houses designed by A. Quincy Jones and Whitney R. Smith.