Just like more and more people are choosing to drive hybrid or electric cars, there's also a movement towards exploring solar-powered tech. It's eco-friendly and often wireless, which is a win-win situation for me. Here are five of the most interesting solar-powered devices I've come across recently. More

Last week I looked at refillable glass bottles so this week it's all about water filters. Brita may be the first name that comes to mind when you think of water filters and pitchers but there are other options out there, including a few with recycling options... 

More

Drew Waters has a goal of seeing a chicken coop in every back yard. To make that happen, Drew has introduced a flat pack coop with the urban chicken farmer in mind. As part of our Meet the Maker series, Drew answers questions about his inspiration, his background and the one item he wishes he had designed...

More

When using appliances like washing machines and dishwashers - putting soap in and taking clean things out - one can sometimes forget that the appliance itself needs a good cleaning now and then. And boy, did my top-loading workhorse need it. To tell you how much, I'll just say two words: Cloth. Diapers. More

Commercial air fresheners leave much to be desired — they're usually laden with chemicals and often have a cloying scent. With these DIY ones, you can customize the scent, use only natural ingredients, and make the packaging as pretty as you want. More

If you're about to start your spring cleaning soon, here's a fun project for all those old sheets that may be buried deep in the back of your closet. Instead of tossing them out or giving them away, upcycle them to use in a different part of your home! More

Shopping at architectural salvage stores will not only save you money on a renovation, it also helps keep perfectly good household items out of landfills. If you're not interested in rebuilding with secondhand goods, you can also donate yours.  More

A few years ago I made a concerted effort to stop buying bottled water and instead fill my own bottles and keep them on hand. The problem with this is that plastic and metal bottles tend to leach flavor (and who knows what else!) into the water. The solution? Glass water bottles!

More

For years IKEA's EXPEDIT has been a ubiquitous storage solution for homes everywhere. But recently the Swedish furnishing giant's VITTSJÖ has been showing up more and more on my design radar. It doesn't scream IKEA, and you'd never guess the system starts as low as $40. The black metal and glass shelving system has a nice industrial quality on its own, but it seems to really shine when it's given a bright coat of paint. Here are five really great examples of VITTSJÖ's potential. More

Project by: Moss Design
Location: Lakeview, Chicago

Matt shares the story behind Moss Design's work on this project: We gave this home a natural-light focused overhaul, which not only makes the space more beautiful, but creates the opportunity for reduced electrical lighting - which is kinder to the planet. We echo this theme in our choice of flooring, where we laid down reclaimed shipping crates to create a unique and eye-catching floor and staircase.

More