For those of us who save our wine corks, here's a great way to put them to use: easy to make trivets to protect your counters and tabletops from hot dishes! Here are five ideas that are easy to recreate.

Every year technology advances to make our homes more efficient, and 2011 was no exception. Here are 10 posts from this past year showcasing the ever-expanding improvements and exciting developments in store for the green home:

TOP ROW
• 1 Nest: The Learning Thermostat That Programs Itself
• 2 The Beehive of the Future
• 3 Eco Printer Prints With Disappearing Ink, Making Paper Reusable
• 4 Eco Light Bulb Technology: What's Next
• 5 Coming January 2012: The Modular Tetra Shed Workspace

Gardening enables us to grow our own food, yes, but it can also simply add beauty to our homes. Here are a few favorite posts from 2011 on innovative and/or small space gardening techniques and inspiration, including a few favorite spaces from our Small, Cool Outdoors contest:

TOP ROW
• 1 Paulo's Connecticut Cottage Garden
• 2 A Recycled Plastic Bottle Vertical Garden
• 3 Garden Envy: 10 Inspiring Gardens
• 4 Andrea's Mini Urban Farm
• 5 A Space Saving Vertical Salad Garden

Whole house renovations take "reusing and updating" to new levels, transforming spaces that may have been outdated or uncomfortable into new, truly remarkable homes. Here are a few favorites from 2011:

TOP ROW
• 1 Renovation Education: A School Turned Apartment
• 2 North Eagle Treehouse Renovation by Jeremy Levine
• 3 Before & After: An Exterior Renovation in Seattle
• 4 Matthew Hofman's Airstream Renovation
• 5 (Smart) Green Renovation in Portland

It's hard to believe that this beautiful hanging lace lamp can be made at home with little more than some creativity, a few doilies, and a balloon. Want to learn more?

Despite their beauty and functionality, urban homes with courtyards are a rarity in the U.S. Thus, the Atrium House by MESH Architectures is a rare gem of a home featuring a beautiful atrium courtyard right in the center.

The Hen's Dream is a durable, functional, and completely recyclable aluminum flat-packed chicken coop. Built to order in a range of colors and finishes, it's just the thing for the style conscious urban chicken owner.

This DIY Peace Wreath looks great and requires little more than some extra branches and wire hangers. Find out how, after the jump.

Who says solid furniture need come from one piece of wood? These stools were created from otherwise useless scrap timber, meticulously cut to size and pieced together. What better use for scraps than forming something solid and functional?

This 22-foot 1955 American Icon has been meticulously restored with a complete rebuild. The details are droolworthy and include natural hickory wood, aged oak flooring, copper sheet roofing and leather details. Even if you don't plan on bidding (it's up for auction), the photos are sure to inspire.