This one is a more appropriate for dry waste, or a bathroom, than our larger kitchen garbage cans, but it's worth mentioning nonetheless for its sleek design and elevated materials. Menu Pedal Waste Bin by Norm Architects, $240.

Pedal Waste Bin by Norm Architects for Menu, $239.95.

Pedal Bin 14-liter by Vipp, $319 It’s tough to beat a classic, like the metal bin that Holger Nielsen designed in 1939 for use in hair salons. The limited-edition citron yellow colorway is available only in 2014.

Staggered balconies add to the drama of the exterior without competing with the breathtaking view.

Chandelier in nude plywood

Trash Bin Mobil 65-liter 2 Bucket by Perigot, $840 This is the Cadillac of kitchen-appropriate garbage cans, in both size and price. Two compartments mean you can keep trash and recycling under one lid. perigot.com

Lynda's knick knacks and crafty supplies are kept in the kitchen's metal shelving system, which came with the couple from their previous apartment.

Retro Bin 20-liter in Mineral Mint by Brabantia, $137 An unusual pastel shade, a matching removable liner, and a carrying handle distinguish this petite pedal bin from its competitors. johnlewis.com

A small Eames Wire-base table provides the perfect dining space for son, Paul.

Crisis Chair in nude plywood

The teepee is also handmade, and reflective of the earthy, bohemian, and yet kid-friendly style the Wheelers are all about.

With its Wire Trash Bin, Menu takes a necessary accessory and recasts it as a distinctive accent. Comprised of steel wire, the wire paper bin is available in powder-coated colors, or chrome-plated and brass-plated versions.

Leave it to the bloggers at Remodelista to find attractive recycling bins, we love their ten picks.

A covered deck off the master bedroom with a Huron sofa by West Elm provides another spot to take in the city’s pleasant days.

With its Wire Trash Bin, Menu takes a necessary accessory and recasts it as a distinctive accent. Comprised of steel wire, this wire bin has been copper plated for a sophisticated look. It is also available in chrome-plated and powder-coated styles.

Here's a sample menu from the restaurant. "We wanted to subtly nod to the early to mid-20th century through choices like the logo 'stamp' for the packaging and hand-embossed menus on recycled cream paper stock," says Hooper.

This stylized vintage trailer is the image of small-scale luxury.

The renovated deck stayed true to the original design.

Crisis Chair in nude plywood, stacked.

Deck overlooking Little Round Bay

CitiBin products are made of high-quality bamboo and plastic composite with an aluminum frame and stainless steel hardware. They have both top and side doors, so users can easily add trash or move the bin out when it's time for collection.

This beautiful handcrafted trash can is made from 100% Western red cedar and the square paneling can "add charm to small spaces and break up large sprawling areas."

Plantrellis Using chicken wire to support growing vines is a thing of the past thanks to these sleek wire trellises set inside concrete planters.

The fence surrounding the property consists of wire mesh that will become a visual screen as it is overtaken by ivy, and gabion walls that contrast with the sleek materiality of the architecture.

The long hallways do as much to delineate the home's space as the windows do. A pair of Wire series chairs for Knoll by Warren Platner add a space-age modern feel to the home's leafy vibe.

Kickmaster trash can by Wesco, $280 The German manufacturer has been making kitchenware since 1867. We like the bullet-shaped update to its sturdy sheet-steel line.

Wood decking extends out to the yard.

Patent Ochsner, a household name in Switzerland, has been around since 1928. Their stainless steel bins are great for smaller spaces that don't generate a ton of trash, and the utilitarian industrial vibe of the classic bin is warmed up by an optional beech wood seat with felt cushion. About $285 at Patent Ochsner.

Though most of the contenders on our approved trash can list are European, one of our all-time favorites is made right here in the US of A. Sure, you might picture, say, a plunger when you think of Rubbermaid, but the company's Silent Defenders line of commercial waste bins is almost perfect. Very roomy, a soft close (hence the name), a sturdy wrap-around foot pedal, and a fuss-free industrial silhouette. You can find most sizes and colors on Amazon, starting around $150.

The Weiners’ first stab at a decorative green roof went awry when workers installed the fabric membrane incorrectly; the plants didn’t thrive, and soil leached down the drain, causing a backup in the yard below. But with the help of an artist friend—–and avid gardener—–they successfully brought a piece of cultivated wildness, including hardy flora like creeping thyme, honeysuckle, hops, and kiwi, to their roof.

BIRILLO WASTE BIN and of course, throw tissues in the bin and keep the sick zone tidy for easy clean up and sterilization when the worst of it has passed. We all have to get sick, the least we can do is surround ourselves with great design to ease the pain.

"This piece came out of a need for a bread bin which carried our aesthetic into the kitchen space," Pedersen says. "Kitchens have become increasingly smaller; we are aware that it's precious real estate, hence the more compact size and the added feature of the lid flipping over to become a recipe book stand."

A balcony that looks out to the busy port.

Casa Bri Bri.

Of the three-module addition, Siegal says, “I wanted to have a place where I could expose people to vertical dwelling. There’s no reason why more people can’t build this way.”