Peter Belanger

From picture books for pint-size readers to more involved, didactic tomes that parents can read to their kids, break out these entertaining and educational volumes for more creative play.

We’ve long known about the environmental and health benefits of biking, but the demands of savvy urban cyclists aren’t the same as those of weekend warriors.

Searching high and low for your ideal table lamp? Brighter days are ahead.

Bar the bookcase and forswear the end table; a striking wall shelf may be all you need to refresh a sagging interior.

We used and abused seven eco-friendly countertops to investigate if they could stand the heat of Dwell’s kitchen.

The right workspace can transform your creative life. Dwell puts six desks to the test. 

All it takes to play is a healthy imagination, 
but a modern playhouse adds to the fun.

Seven floors up, in an unassuming office building just shy of Chinatown, Dwell's San Francisco headquarters look out over the city we are happy to call home.

A blank canvas can really get the blood pumping. For some, the sight is a beacon. For others, it can be intimidating.

Anonymous mass production is losing its mass-market appeal, and there’s a growing movement toward owning things that have origins beyond an assembly line.

There are lots of handsome chairs out there, but sitting beauties that cost $250 or less are a rarer breed.

The meal itself may be the main event, but your tender victuals aren't much of an attraction without a means to make their way from plate to mouth.

In San Francisco, local food rules.

Sweeping up is a crummy job, but someone’s got to do it. Luckily, these eight vacuum cleaners are here to help you eliminate even the biggest of messes.

Is kitty leaving too much for you to remember him by? Are your wellies tracking dirt? Whatever the mess, these vacuums will help you suck it up. 

Bitter black brew got you down? Lackluster crema floating in your cup?

A good blender can turn almost any mischievous mixture into a delicious treat. We put four to the test in search of the best.

Far from fickle, faucets function best when they’re running hot and cold. These modern fixtures prove their mettle by making it oh-so-easy to go with the flow.

Dear Dwell, My junk drawer is out of control. Can you help me find a way to get it closed? —Lisa Scofield, Palo Alto, California

Influenced by city dwellers whose windows open to concrete vistas or brick walls, San Francisco native Ric López decided to shift the view inward and back to nature.

From the traditional with a twist to completely conceptual, these timely wall clocks will tell the hour, impress the guests, and earn you the design-savvy stamp of approval.

With wi-fi and a laptop, the world is your office. No matter where you tackle your to-do list, good desk accessories are essential.

Dear Dwell: I'm not into the hard modernism of concrete floors: I miss the cushy carpet of my youth. Are there eco-friendly options for wall-to-wall? —Craig Dewey, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

With our airwaves packed with celebrity chefs, Americans are proving to have a solid appetite for what Julia Child would call cuisine—at least on television.

Dear Dwell, I've been hearing a lot about air purifiers lately. Are they really helpful, and are there any that won't stick out like a sore thumb in my living room?

Dear Dwell: I'm tired of my old generic broom. Are there any specialized products on the market that are both hip and functional? —Edward Charles, Austin, Texas

Dear Dwell, I'd like to grow edible herbs and plants, but since I live in a tiny apartment with no outdoor space, I'm looking for a garden I can grow on my kitchen counter. Can you help?

Dear Dwell:

Without a decent dresser, can you dress decently? With the help of two outspoken Hollywood fashion critics we determine if a chest of drawers can hold the secret to sartorial success.

Dear Dwell: We'd like to get a modern-looking birdhouse. Which ones will look best in our backyard? —Erik Edwards, St. Louis, Missouri

Dear Dwell, I am new to modernism and eager to learn all I can about architecture and design. What books would you recommend to a novice? —Mathilda Feigenbaum, Mission Hills, Kansas

Reflections have captivated us (literally!) for as long as we've had intellect enough for self-awareness. Here are six mirrors that will reflect well on any room.