Arnaud Rasquinet opened his first hotel, Le Coup de Coeur, just down the street from Brussels' Grand Place, a downtown square surrounded by Baroque and Louis XIV buildings. Taking note of the overflow of guests, Rasquinet decided on a location just above a tiny chocolate shop for his next venture: Concept Hotel.

Spotted on Design Tripper, Concept Hotel is accessed through somewhat of a secret passageway: through the chocolate shop, a back door, and up a winding staircase. Rasquinet rents the space from the government and has left the rustic charm of the main rooms and bedrooms as is, adding just a few touches of pastel paint, minimal furniture, light fixtures, and framed photographs from the local flea market. For more information, visit Concept Hotel.

Photography by Design Tripper.

Above: An antique chandelier, framed and unframed paintings, and pottery on display in the main breakfast room.

Above: Black Luxembourg Chairs from Fermbob around the table.

Above: Flea market finds accent both the main and the guest rooms.

Above: Original ceiling details stand out against a wash of pale pink paint.

Above: A mantel in one of the three bedrooms; as Design Tripper's Megan McEwen notes, "With three big bedrooms and a shared living room and kitchen, the Concept Hotel should really be called the Concept Inn or B&B."

Above: The Grand Place in Brussels.

Traveling to Belgium (even is just in spirit)? See all 22 of our favorite shops, restaurants, and hotels from Brussels to Antwerp in our Belgium City Guide and see our favorite Belgian florist in Fashion's Favorite Fleuriste: Thierry Boutemy in Belgium.

On our radar since 2009, the minimalist oasis Galerie Sofie Lachaert in Tielrode, Belgium, offers an ever-changing display of vintage and modern pieces curated by jewelry and product designer Sofie Lachaert. With two guest rooms that Lachaert runs as a bed and breakfast, you might be tempted to claim permanent residency.

Photography by Danica O. Kus.

Above: A wooden bowl by Hans-Henning Pedersen and a ceramic vase by Christina Schou Christensen sit on a minimalist table by Maarten Van Severen in the Galerie Sofie Lachaert.

Above: A minimalist dining table by Maarten van Severen is paired with wooden stools by Casimir.

Above: The Thorn Coat rack by Matthew Waetherly holds a Flax Rope Lamp designed by Christien Meindertsma in collaboration with traditional rope maker Touwslagerij Steenbergen. The small hanging mirror is by Alberto Artesani.

Above: A curated collection of objects create a vignette; bowl by Hans Stofer, portrait by Marlene Dumas, wood sculpture by Hans-Henning Pedersen and the trestle table by lachaert & dhanis.

Above: A collection of leather framed mirrors by Oscar Maschera hang on the wall.

Above: Brushnecklaces by Dutch artist Jacomijn Van Der Donk hang on the wall.

Above: A display of ceramics from the Galerie Sofie Lachaert. Artists include Piet Stockmans, Jens Fager, Astrid Keller, AldoBakker. Ruth Gurvich, Nedda el Asmar, Studio Stockmans, Rob Brandt, Illka Suppanen and Alberto Artesani.

Above: Lachaert groups sculptural lighting by Jos Devriendt together with sculptural pieces by Christina Schou Christensen. The platter which holds the fruit is by lachaert & dhanis.

Above: The Martin Van Severen Leather Lounge Chair 04 is overlooked by an antler sculpture by lachaert & dhanis with a Jos Devriendt lamp in the background.

Above: A pair of minimally detailed linen dresses by lachaert & dhanis hang in the window while the art work on the wall is by Paul Bourgeois. The suspended table on the wall is by lachaert & dhanis.

Above: A vintage book sits on a suspended table; both are by lachaert & dhanis.

Above: Bedtime is a white and calming oasis. A white vase by Robert Bronwasser is filled with colorful flowers. For information on staying, see B&B Tielrode.

Above: Even vintage hangers become works of art in the Galerie Sofie Lachaert while a Tree with Silver Nails by lachaert & danis is used to hang bath robes.

Above: A pedestal sink is sculptural in the open setting.

Above: An vintage wine decanter is used for soap.

Above: A Studio Job bath towel hangs on an elliptical Japanese inspired ofuros. For more information on Japanese Ofuros, see Japanese Soaking Tub Roundup. The 'hot' silver candlestick is by lachaert & dhanis.

Above: A ceramic bird sculpture by lachaert & dhanis bids you sweet dreams. For more see Hotels & Lodgings: Sofie Lachaert in Belgium.

What is it about those Belgians and design? For more, see 155 back posts of Belgian Design.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on October 30, 2012.

Don't be fooled: Le Jardin Bohemien may sound like an arboretum, but it's actually a cafe with a B&B.

Situated in a 17th century building in the center of Ghent, Le Jardin Bohemien is owned and operated by Jean Pierre De Taeye and Kristine Dehond. The couple, who are passionate about art (he's an interior designer and she's a sculptor), decided to renovate the old building and turn it into a cafe, B&B, and home for themselves and their two young children. The cafe is full of vintage furniture and goods, most of which are at offer for their guests. For more information, visit Le Jardin Bohemien.

Photography by Petite Passport except where noted.

Above: The cafe entrance. In the background you can see a counter made from bricks. Photo by New Places To Be.

Above: Stacked firewood acts as a dividing wall between two seating areas.

Above: Vintage Eames rockers and rustic stools.

Above: A communal dining table seats more than a dozen guests. Photo by Ten Speed Hero.

Above: Vintage furniture and a free-standing fireplace.

Above: The stairwell leading up to the B&B called Le Jardin Dormezbien. Photo by New Places To Be.

Above: The light-filled B&B sleeps up to five people. Photo by Ten Speed Hero.

Above: A TV is inserted into a fireplace niche.

Above: A vintage Saarinen tulip chair and Mormor blue and white decanter and cups by Normann Copenhagen.

Above: Chairs covered in white sheepskin and a trundle bed invite additional sleeping guests.

N.B.: Are you a B&B or Hotel person? Either way, here are 196 Lodging posts to consider.

Last Christmas, on a quick trip to Somerset, I was lucky enough to spend a night at At the Chapel, a former Congregational church dating to the 17th century in the village of Bruton. On the premises: a bakery, a wine shop, a café, bar, and restaurant, and upstairs, five recently renovated bedrooms for drowsy diners; some with views over Bruton's 12th century Saxon rooftops. As Matthew Norman wrote in the Guardian, "It was as close to a religious experience as this rampant atheist is ever likely to have in a house of the Lord."

Owned by former Notting Hill denizens Catherine Butler, a restaurateur, and her husband, architect and furniture designer Ahmed Sidki, At the Chapel gives nearby Babington House a run for the money. For more information, go to At the Chapel. The beautiful photos shown below were taken by Dee Purdy of She Had Us at Hello, unless otherwise noted.

Above: The double-height dining room is illuminated by a cascading glass fiber optic chandelier by Bruce Monro. The owners enlisted architects Mackenzie Wheeler to oversee the rehabilitation of the building.

Above: In the interior, "materials are limited to reclaimed oak, local Doulton stone, simple blackened wrought iron fittings," the architects say.

Above: "Faith" by Lucy Glendinning.

Above: A Pebble Coffee Table by Ahmed Sidki.

Above: At the Chapel also has a cafe and bakery where locals flock for breakfast.

Above: Freshly baked loaves.

Above: Interior details.

Above: A detail of the restaurant's graphics.

Above: Spartan marble-tiled baths.

Image via At the Chapel.

Above: Above the restaurant, there are five bedrooms.

Above: The exterior resembles a church but in fact was originally a coaching inn.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on January 9, 2013.

Who hasn’t fantasized about trading it all for a life on a farm? Dutch marketing genius Luite Moraal has us pegged, and his network of Feather Down Farms delivers the homespun fantasy, with sleeping quarters included (chores optional).

Moraal (an alum of Disney World Paris) came up with the concept of supplying historic, family-run working farms with a kit that enables them to welcome overnight guests in rustic high style. In the past decade, Feather Down has built a network of 57 farms in rural locations stretching from the Netherlands, France, Germany, and the UK, upstate New York and California. Visitors stay in three-room canvas tents that Moraal designed with help from an architect (and, presumably, some input from the Brothers Grimm).

Photographs via Feather Down Farms.

Above: Feather Down Farms seem straight out of Masterpiece Theater: 'T Wessenlink, in Schaltkhaar, the Netherlands, dates to the 17th century and is set near an ancient woodland. Time your visit to catch the daily dairy cow parade.

Above: Camping at Feather Down Farms means staying in wood-framed tents lit by candles and oil lamps, but equipped with kitchen sinks and flush toilets.

Above: Some locations have wood-fired hot tubs overlooking swimming ponds.

Above: Others have rolling pastures.

Above: Each farm also has a communal pizza oven and sells all the fixings (including dough and toppings) as well as ingredients for making your own pizza from scratch.

Above: In Walton, New York, three generations of the same family run Stoney Creek Farm. They raise chickens, pigs, and cows on 85 acres, and adhere to what they call "beyond organic" standards.

Above: Just-picked produce, bound for dinner.

Above: Each tent sleeps six in a Dutch-style bedstee, a sleep cupboard tucked behind the dining table. There's also a master bedroom and a bunk room. Meals are cooked on a wood-fired stove from farm ingredients—each Feather Down setup has an honor store stocked with everything guests need, including coffee that you grind yourself.

This is an update of a post originally published June 25, 2012.

Photographs by Martin Hahn via House and Leisure.

Above: The whitewashed brick exterior.

Above: The polished concrete floors are cool to the touch in the warmer months.

Above: A pair of armchairs are upholstered in tribal printed fabric.

Above: Grass rugs add an organic touch to the all-white interiors.

Above: Narrow windows protect from the beating sun.

Above: French quilts in the cave-like bedroom.

Above: A modern bathtub anchors the rustic, whitewashed brick bathroom.

Irish jewelry designer Penny Winter recently restored a villa in the heart of Lamu Old Town to its former glory and now rents it out to travelers seeking an out-of-the-ordinary African experience.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001, Lamu Old Town is regarded as one of the oldest and best preserved Swahili settlements in East Africa. "There are no roads or cars on the island," Penny says. "Residents and visitors alike move about on foot or by boat. Donkeys are mainly used to transport goods and materials. Working with Kenya-based architects Urko Sanchez, Winter removed a couple of floors to create a courtyard with a plunge pool, add a sense of openness and lightness to the interiors. All four floors of the house open out onto the courtyard, and the upper floors have views of the ocean.

For rental information, go to Amber House Lamu.

Above: Built of mangrove timber and coral stone with elaborately carved wooden doors, Amber House is a reflection of contemporary Swahili style.

Above: Rooms are furnished with vintage campaign style furniture.

Above: Carved wooden screens act as privacy partitions.

Above: An intricately carved bed with mosquito netting.

Above: A carved mantle detail.

Above: A shaded balcony made of carved Mvule wood offers protection from the sun.

Above: A lounging area in the courtyard. Classic Lamu architectural touches such as lime finishes, which allow the walls to breathe in the hot climate.

Above: The plunge pool offers a cool respite to guests.

Andrew Glenn and Jonathan Rutherfurd Best are two Brits who, fed up with their careers in marketing and event management, escaped to Waiheke Island in New Zealand to open a boutique hotel.

Glenn and Best enlisted the help of stylist and designer Katie Lockhart for the interiors and Special Group for graphics and branding. The result is the Oyster Inn, made up of just three guest rooms, a restaurant seating 80, and a beach boutique. True to form, Lockhart's calm and minimalist interiors highlight some of our shared favorite designers with furniture by Another Country and Falcon Enamelware in the guest rooms.

Visit the Oyster Inn on Waiheke's Ocean View Road, and for more of Lockhart's work, see our previous post on her shop, Everyday Needs.

Above: The 80-seat restaurant offers veranda dining under the shade of surrounding palms, where worn metal chairs give a sense of the salt water air of the island.

Above: Lockhart opted for cane seating in the main dining room with vintage Thonet Era Chairs and a few shelves displaying groupings of objects sourced from the sea: abalone shells, white coral, and seaweed.

Above: Era Barstools surround the bar where guests of the inn and wanderers from beyond can find sangria, lemonade, and a selection of wine chosen by sommelier Clare Dunleavy.

Above: A 20-seat private room called "The Pearl" is available for special events catered by chef Cristian Hossack (former head chef at London's Providores). True to its name, the Oyster Inn is the spot to find Te Matuku oysters, a variety endemic to the region.

Above: Room One (of three) is designed with a super king bed and daybed from Another Country that can be converted to a child's bed.

Above: In the guest bath, white square tiles set into dark grout contrast with a large circular mirror and smaller, accompanying shaving mirror.

Above: Just next to the apron sink, guests find white enamel Falcon tumblers and products from Aesop.

Above: Rattan ottomans and wicker furniture sit beneath a black barn pendant lamp and a wall-mounted Marlin.

Above: Graphics from Special Group add a whimsical note.

Above: "The Shop" at the inn is stocked with shirts from New York's Saturdays Surf, white-and-yellow Havaianas sandals exclusive to the inn, and more clothing and accessories for the beachgoer.

Above: The Oyster Inn on Waiheke Island is located just 40 minutes from Auckland by ferry.

On the hunt for more antipodean design? See our other favorite places to visit in New Zealand and Australia in our City Guide section.

A while back, we featured New York's Nomad Hotel, designed by Jacques Garcia, who drew from his memories of the Parisian flat of his youth in designing the lavish interiors. We especially like the bedrooms, which feature an understated Old World glamor.

Recreate the Beaux Arts ambience of the 340-squarefoot Classic Room using the following elements, and see more of the hotel (including the library's impressive mahogany spiral staircase imported from the south of France) at A Glamorous Retreat for Modern Mad Men.

Above: A king-sized bed is surrounded with an eclectic selection of artwork.

Above: A headboard in tanned etched leather.

Above: A screen upholstered in ochre damask fabric.

Above: A half-painted wall in the bath.

Above: A freestanding clawfoot bath tub sits just beneath the window.

Above: Designed by UK-based Christopher Howe, a 19th Century Swedish Stool with pine leg construction is reupholstered in a mustard damask print. Contact Christopher Howe for pricing and availability.

Above: Room & Board's Profile Frames are available in solid wood (walnut, black lacquer, white lacquer) or aluminum (with a silver or gunmetal finish). Available in five sizes, including the 8-by-10-inch Black Profile Frame for $69 (shown above). Prices range from $49 to $99, depending on size and finish. For more framing ideas, see 10 Easy Pieces: Gallery-Style Picture Frames.

Above: Restoration Hardware's Lorraine Caned Framed Bed is made from ebony-stained solid oak; $1,355 for the queen size (you can also source leather headboards from Restoration Hardware's Leather Beds Collection).

Above: For wall lamps with a Nomadish sensibility, The English House's Rodmarton Single Arm Wall Light, designed by architect Charles Morris, is made from patinated steel; £144.

Above: Coyuchi's organic percale 100 percent cotton sheets are available in white or ivory. The 300 Percale Sheets run from $86 to $140, depending on size. For more options, see 10 Easy Pieces: Simple White Sheets.

Above: Another Christopher Howe piece: a French 1950s Velvet Pouffee features original button velvet upholstery in its original condition for £850. For more from the designer, see Manor-Worthy Furniture from Christopher Howe.

Above: Pottery Barn's Cameron Cotton Drape is woven from 100 percent cotton and available in five different lengths, starting with the 50- by 63-inch panel for $25 each.

Above: Waterworks' brass Roadster Wall Mounted Tub Filler is available in a chrome or nickel finish; $1,391.

Above: Victoria and Albert's Cheshire Bath has white feet and a chrome drain for $1,785 at Home and Stone. For more ideas, see 10 Easy Pieces: Classic Freestanding Bathtubs.

Above: A luxurious addition to the freestanding bath is the Crystal Tub Rack Caddy made from brass with a chrome finish and anti-slip rubber in white for $461 from Waterworks.

Above: The Classic Room's bathroom is color blocked in a greenish-black paint color; we like Farrow & Ball's Studio Green with its dark undertones; $105 for a gallon of the Estate Eggshell finish.

Looking for more luxurious hotels in New York? Sift through our top 10 in our New York City Travel Guide.

If this were Paris in 1969, you could bet that Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin would be staying at the Hôtel du Temps, the latest boutique hotel in Montmartre.  A project of Lionel Benesmoun and Alix Thomsen, with branding by Laura Leonard, the understated hotel is comprised of 23 rooms, a piano bar and lounge.

At its opening in February this year, Alix Thomsen debuted her Fall 2013 collection with a party; the interiors, featuring palm printed textiles and hallways blocked in woven rattan, served as a tropical backdrop for the Parisian cool festivities. Visit Hôtel du Temps for more information.

Photography courtesy of Hôtel du Temps.

Above: Similar to her fashion line and Paris home, Alix Thomsen mixed unexpected and eccentric prints together in the bedrooms.

Above: Exposed beams and a window covered in fabric in one of the top floor bedrooms.

Above: Pale blue ikat printed bed linens are all that's required in the smaller rooms, which start at €120 a night.

Above: The exterior of Hôtel du Temps, the night of the Thomsen event.

Above: Hallways on each floor are finished with woven rattan.

Above: Retro tropical wallpaper in the bedroom (the ikat print is carried over in the bath linens).

Above: Florida-tropical style, unexpected for Paris.

Above: Each room has unique vintage furniture, textiles, and lighting.

For more in and around Paris, see our Travels with an Editor: Paris series and visit our Paris City Guide.

This post is brought to you by 21c Museum Hotels.

Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, art collectors and preservationists, opened 21c in Louisville in 2006; their vision was to bring contemporary art into people's daily lives and to support the revitalization of their hometown.

Working with designer Deborah Berke, the couple converted five 19th century warehouse buildings into a 90-room boutique hotel, contemporary art museum, and restaurant, called Proof on Main. The project has created a cultural hub in downtown Louisville's Urban Bourbon Trail and on Museum Row. Earning the top honors five years in a row from the annual Readers' Choice survey in Condé Nast Traveler, the 21c Museum Hotel Louisville is located at 700 West Main Street.

Above: The entrance of the 21c Louisville location.

Above: The 9,000 square foot property includes the 21c Museum with a rotating program of curated exhibitions and site-specific commissioned installations; the museum is free and open to the public daily and year-round.

Above: The interior of Proof on Main features rotating art installations curated by the 21c Museum.

Above: At the bar, guests can choose from over 75 Kentucky bourbons as well as seasonal cocktails. 

Above: Exposed bricks and white walls feature Guapisimas, an installation of 47 guapas and manares baskets by Venezuelan artist Pepe Lopez from the 21c Museum.

Above: The Corner Suites (above and below), are 21c Louisville's largest rooms.

Above: The 90 guest rooms and suites all feature high ceilings, large windows (many have original exposed brick walls); also available is the Rooftop Apartment with a large outdoor terrace.

Above: The Luxury King City View room is equipped with Herman Miller ergonomic support chairs, Malin + Goetz bath amenities, artwork on the walls, and all the necessary tech desires (HDTV flat screen televisions, iPod docking stations, and wi-fi internet).

Location of 21c Louisville:

View Larger Map

This post is brought to you by 21c Museum Hotels.

Located in the coastal village of St. Mawes, the Hotel Tresanton is a converted yacht club overlooking the Fal Estuary, which is notable for a pair of matching castles built by Henry VIII on either shore. Overhauled by Olga Polizzi of the Forte Hotel clan, the Tresanton is actually a cluster of small buildings set into a hillside; the interiors feature a maritime theme without being heavy-handed, and rooms are furnished with antique pieces, Welsh blankets, and Cornish art.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on April 13, 2009.

Location of Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall:

Recreate this refreshingly crisp bedroom at the Hotel Tresanton with the following elements.

Above: Stripes and patterns.

Above: Waves Fabric from the 1930s collection of Borderline Fabrics in the UK. In the US, it is available through Classic Revivals in Boston, MA (One Design Center Place, Suite 534; 617-574-9030). You can also find Borderline Fabrics at Lucy Rose Design in Chicago.

Above: Broad Stripe 100-percent wool blankets, handwoven in Wales, are available from Melin Tregwynt. Gray and Oatmeal Stripe available for £83 at John Lewis. For more blanket ideas, go to 10 Easy Pieces: Wool Blankets.

Above: Coyuchi's organic percale 100 percent cotton sheets are available in white or ivory. The 300 Percale Sheets run from $86 to $140, depending on size. For more ideas on simple bedlinen: go to 10 Easy Pieces: Simple White Sheets.

Above: Traditional Jenny Lind Table Lamps by Barbara Cosgrove; $545 at Gore Dean.

Above: One of our favorite sources for vintage pieces, Leonards New England Antiques (it's where Michelle and Barack Obama got their bed when they moved into the White House carries an assortment of Antique Sea Chests and Boxes to use as a bedside table.

Above: Driftwood Birds by Osamu Harihara; contact Niagara House directly for information.

Above: Sophie Conran by Portmeirion Large Pitcher; $24 at Amazon.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on April 14, 2009.

This post is brought to you by 21c Museum Hotels.

Building on its mission of engaging the public with contemporary art and supporting the revitalization of American downtowns, 21c Museum Hotels renovated the 100-year-old Metropole Hotel building—a historic landmark in downtown Cincinnati—restoring it into a contemporary art museum and cultural center against the backdrop of Cincinnati's Backstage District.

Across the street from the Aronoff Center for the Arts and next to the Contemporary Arts Center, 21c Cincinnati features 8,000 square feet of exhibition, meeting and event space that all present rotating, curated exhibitions and site-specific art installations. Designed by Deborah Berke, the building was restored following federal standards for historic rehabilition and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 21c Museum Hotel is located at 609 Walnut Street in downtown Cincinnati.

Above: Berke and 21c Museum Hotel's design team created a space that respects and preserves the character of this once grand hotel, while creating a space to show the work of living artists.

Above: Much of the building's original features were preserved: a sweeping staircase leading to the second floor ballroom and the original mosaic tile floors in the restaurant and elevator lobby.

Above: The Corner Suite includes a dining and sectional sitting area, wet room with double vanity, tub and glass enclosed shower.

Above: A simple black and white bathroom with a marble sink and original art.

Above: Modern, sectional seating in the Deluxe Suite.

Above: An office in the Luxury King room.

Above: The Spa at 21c features three treatment rooms including a couple's spa suite with en-suite whirlpool tub, steam shower with skylight and heated floors. The Spa offers a range of treatments from facials and massages to pampering spa packages.

Above: The Metropole restaurant offers a contemporary take on old world fireplace cooking technique. A showcase for the region's sustainable farmers and producers, Metropole's well-edited and ever changing menu features hearth roasted mats, fish and vegetables; grains; and house made charcuterie.

Traveling to Louisville? See our previous post on 21c Museum Hotels' other location: An Artful Hotel in Louisville.

This post is brought to you by 21c Museum Hotels.

Location of 21c Cincinnati:

Tijuana and modernist architecture seem like an oxymoron, but architect Jorge Gracia of Gracia Studio—with offices in both Tijuana and San Diego—is quickly changing that perception. Gracia, a graduate of Tijuana's Universidad Iberoamericana Noroeste, has been in the news for his award-winning pre-fab dwellings for Endemico, a winery with guest cabins located in Baja's Valle de Guadalupe, located on a natural reserve 90 minutes south of San Diego. Drawing on local materials and tradesmen, Gracia created twenty cabins that blend seamlessly into the mountainside overlooking the vineyards on the valley floor below. For more information and cabin reservations, go to Hotel Endemico.

Above: Gracia had the Corten steel cabins, which are intended to gain a a weathered patina over time,  pre-constructed in Mexicali then trucked in and installed on the mountainside.

Above: The entrance to the winery serves a as reception are for guests, with the cabins on the hill above.

Above: The winery overlooks vineyards on the valley floor in a region that is home to some of Mexico's largest wineries.

Above: The cabins are built on raised platforms tucked into the side of the mountain, causing minimal environmental impact on their surroundings.

Above: Gracia chose steel and concrete for the materials as they are plentiful and the quality of wood is not great in Mexico.

Above: Each cabin is 20 square feet in size and is minimally furnished.

Above: Local tradesmen built the custom fixtures and furniture.

Above: There is wi-fi in each cabin but no telephone service. Walkie talkies are used for the latter.

Above: A wooden deck leads off each cabin.

Above: A Mexican Kiva surrounded by chairs, custom made by Gracia Studio.

Above: A swimming pool built to blend in with the surrounding boulders.

Above: The poolside bar.

Above: A shaded area by the pool.

Hip hotelier Liz Lambert mixes South American, Moroccan, and midcentury pieces in her canvas frame tent lodgings at El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas. Somehow it all works.

Above: The tents are anchored on wood platforms and are wired for electricity.

Above: Montana Canvas offers a range of Wall Tents made from 100 percent cotton canvas with an aluminum frame; prices start at about $1,000. See the full range at Cabela's Outfitter Wall Tents. Another source is Kni-Co Manufacturing, which offers free-standing cotton duck Big Horn tents with aluminum frames.

Above: Case Study V-Leg Bed from Modernica is $1,595 for a queen size at Y Living.

Above: Hand-Dyed Bolivian Blankets are $250 from El Cosmico Provision Company.

Above: The Tobacco Leather Butterfly Chair is $399 at CB2.

Above: The Pin Dot Sphere from Terrain is $198 (also available in copper).

Above: Marfa-based Jamey Garza's wood and steel stools are available at Heath Ceramics or directly from Jamey Garza.

This post is brought to you by 21c Museum Hotels.

Located on the northeast corner of the town square of Bentonville, Arkansas, 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville features 104 rooms and suites and over 12,000 square feet of exhibition and event space.

The hotel, which opened this past February, was designed by Deborah Berke Partners and Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects with sustainable materials, construction, and green building practices. Berke's design balances grand public spaces scaled to suit an extensive art collection along with more intimate private spaces. With a focus on natural light throughout, the design team relied on the use of skylights, light monitors, large windows, and a light court visible from the restaurant and main corridor of the building. The hotel is located at 200 NE A Street; for more information, visit 21c Bentonville.

Above: Benches made of local stone flank the entrance of 21c Bentonville, establishing a relationship between the building and the surrounding landscape.

Above: The art-filled galleries double as meeting and event space. Guests can explore the exhibitions for free.

Above: The hotel's restaurant, The Hive, features a menu focusing on local ingredients and refined country cooking from chef Matthew McClure, an Arkansas native.

Above: The 21c Suite is comprised of a living room, dining area, wet bar, and powder room. In addition, the suite includes a 474-square-foot private outdoor terrace.

Above: All the guest rooms and suites at the hotel were designed by Berke with high ceilings, contemporary furnishings, and large windows—all to achieve a residential feel.

Above: A warm color palette in the bath of the Deluxe King room.

Above: A black accordion task lamp in the corner window of the Luxury Suite.

Traveling to Louisville or Cincinnati? See our previous posts on 21c Museum Hotel's other locations: An Artful Hotel in Louisville and Contemporary Art Comes First at 21c Cincinnati.

This post is brought to you by 21c Museum Hotels.

Location of 21c Bentonville:

Inspired by his own stays in design hostels during his backpacking travels through Australia, Guilherme Perez imported the concept to his beloved hometown of São Paulo, taking a 19th century villa in a historic neighborhood and converting it into We Hostel. Enlisting the help of his friend Brazilian architect Felipe Hess, Perez embraced the challenge with creative enthusiasm, setting a new standard for budget design travel. For more information, see We Hostel. 

Unless otherwise note, photography by Fran Parente via Yatzer.

Above: The grand entrance with the original stained glass over the door to the 19th century mansion.

Above L: A welcoming red desk marks the reception area under the grand staircase. Image via We Hostel.  Above R: A midcentury sound system occupies the corner of the common room. 

Above: The midcentury furniture was all sourced at flea markets and then restored.

Above: A vintage mirror is paired with purpose-built plastic laminate and plywood shelves.

Above: The bookshelf is filled with tomes about São Paulo. 

Above: Midcentury furnishings and accessories update the 19th century fenestration and stained glass. 

Above: In the entertainment room, the ceiling has been painted with chalkboard paint, allowing visitors to leave messages. 

Above: The contrast of black and white adds drama. 

Above: The kitchen surfaces are durable and easy to maintain. A wire rail attached to the ceiling provides a framework for the hanging pendants. 

Above: The plastic laminate and plywood material used for the bookshelves in the common room are also used for kitchen storage.  

Above: The hostel’s creative director, Rodrigo Marangoni, designed simple signage while embedding smartphone-compatible QR codes, in order that guests can download everything from subway maps to music.

Above: Simple dorms and lockers provide a place to rest for young travelers. 

Above: A bedside lamp with shelf for every bed offers luxury in a hostel.

Above: The bathrooms are tiled in cheery colors. 

A map below shows the location of We Hostel in São Paulo. 

View Larger Map 

Interested in seeing other 'Design Hostels' around the world? See Hotels & Lodging: Danhostel in Copenhagen and The Ultimate Dorm Room: The Independente Hostel in Lisbon. 

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When LA-based Garrett Colton—whom we featured earlier today—was headed to Uruguay, he asked us for recommendations on where to stay. Casa Zinc was the first place that came to mind. It turned out Garrett already had reservations, it's that sort of place.

Owned by Arron Hojman, the hotel is located in the quiet enclave of La Barra away from the fray of nearby Punta del Este. Hojman used a mixture of industrial design with salvaged finds to design the hotel managing to make it look as if it has been a local fixture forever. His love of all things vintage is evident in the hotel's decor as well as in his nearby shop, the Trading Post, where he sells an eclectic selection of antiques and found objects. For more, go to Casa Zinc.

Photography via Uniq Hotels.

Above: Industrial lighting hangs from the wood clad ceiling.

Above: Reclaimed doors lead to the kitchen.

Above: Vintage light shades in the white tiled kitchen with checkerboard floor.

Above: Hojman used a collection of salvaged doors and windows for the hotel.

Above: The dining room with shelves housing Hojman's collection of vintage globes and books.

Above: One of the six rooms available at Casa Zinc.

 Above: A repurposed wood headboard.

Above: Vintage chalkboards, rulers and school chairs as decor in a guest bedroom.

Above: A utility sink in the bathroom with marble back splash.

Above: Arched windows salvaged from a Uruguay train station.

Above: Reclaimed industrial furniture in a bedroom.

Above: Outdoor dining in the garden.

Above: The entry to Casa Zinc's brick building with corrugated fencing and two industrial lights on either side of the door.

Looking for other places in South America? Check out our hotel posts in Argentina.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on March 19, 2010.

 Considered Design Awards: Vote for Your Favorites in Each Category Once a Day

Justus Kempthorne and Inez Valk-Kempthorne, who fled Manhattan a while back, make a good team: He's a carpenter and cabinetmaker, and she's a chef/caterer. When they refurbished an 1860s house in the Northwestern Catskills and opened Table on Ten, it was cause for celebration. Now, there are two rooms at the inn, and weekend visitors from NYC can stay overnight after a dinner at the cafe.

"The two upstairs bedrooms echo the atmosphere and aesthetic of the cafe," the couple says. "By staying with us, you become a de facto member of the community that congregates downstairs; venture down and enjoy the food (gathered from local farms, dairies and producers), join in a workshop, browse around the microshop, or just sit, drink coffee, read or work at your laptop."

For bookings, go to Cozy Room Above Table on Ten or Attic Above Table on Ten at Airbnb.

Photographs by Torkil Stavdal.

Above: The second floor bedroom features a handmade queen-size bed and north and east facing windows.

Above: Pillows made from reclaimed grain sacks.

Above: A wall-mounted shelf serves as a small desk.

Above: Lilacs from the garden.

Above: The walls are painted a deep dark gray.

Above: In the bath, original fixtures and fittings add to the humble feel.

Above: A vintage bathtub painted slate gray.

Above: The stairwell leading to the attic bedroom.

Above: Under the eaves.

Above: The biggest room is the entire attic floor of the building, with windows on all sides. Some look out on the life of the village, the others at the hills.

Above: The king-size bed is made from reclaimed wood.

Above: Vintage hangers.

Above: Striped cotton curtains.

Above: A peeled tree branch serves as hand rail.

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