Today, March 20th, is the spring equinox, the official start of spring in the Northern hemisphere. To celebrate, this post features some truly inspirational pieces inspired by the flora of nature, especially the tree sofa in the main photo. Designed by La Chance & Noé Duchaufour Lawrance, it's a sofa I can't stop looking at. More

As much as we love natural light in the home and in all the gorgeous bedrooms in our Bedroom Contest this month, it's healthier to sleep in complete darkness. A friend of mine is moving her bedroom to the smallest, darkest room in her home because she sleeps better in pitch darkness.

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Last week I posted about a site which simulated the ambient sounds of working from a coffee shop. But maybe a coffee shop isn't your cup of beans? How about the relaxing lull of the San Diego shoreline, the spray of a park fountain, the pitter-pat of rain, or even the gleeful sounds of children playing?

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Sitting at my desk every day is the most unhealthy part of my lifestyle. Being sedentary is connected to an increased diabetes risk and weight gain. Standing desks are a great solution for some, but I found they're just too awkward for me. If sitting at a desk all day is practically your job description, what can you do? More

When it comes to making neighborly requests — be it for for noise, trash, aesthetics, smells — it really depends on what kind of person you're dealing with. Also, the kind of person you are. Are you a good neighbor? I have a tendency to be pretty forgiving when it comes to noises during the day. Living in an apartment building, it's common sense that as long as a neighbor is making noise during normal daily hours for something that isn't needless (construction, cleaning, music at a reasonable volume), live and let live. When it comes to nighttime noise, or harmful components such as smoking — that's when it makes sense to raise a complaint. More

Even a dream apartment can be a nightmare if you lie awake all night staring at your gorgeous, vaulted ceiling. Don't let street noise drive you batty — read on for a three-tiered solution. More

I have been eating my way through crates of winter citrus, and recently decided to use some of the peels to make a homemade cleaner. I added orange peels to vinegar, and let them sit in an airtight container for a couple of weeks. The result: a powerful, inexpensive, natural cleaner. More

As someone who was battling and losing to the effects of cross-country travel recently, the idea of jumping into the shower and cleaning off the bothersome lethargy of jetlag sounds like a dream come true...

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Calm.com iOS app
• Free
• Calm.com (desktop version)

You know how sometimes you have to just tell someone to take a chill pill? Usually the person just needs an emotional time out; ideally this means literally stepping away from the situation and outside. Something about fresh air and sunlight can help get the balance right. But it's not always possible to get outside, especially at work. So next time someone looks like they need a mini moment of rest and relaxation, send them the link to this app which will help quiet their mind with 7 guided relaxation sessions, ranging from from 2 to 30 minutes. It's not quite as effective as a day at the beach or a hike, but it's funny how powerful sound and suggestion can be.

Here in Illinois, we've got 3-5 more inches of snow forecast for the evening, and here in the house, I've got a bad case of cabin fever. Time to bust out the chainsaws and the lightsabers! More