apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Most of this really resonates with me, but reading Brown's 10 priciples, I must say that I believe the generally anti-corporate message is misled.

While I don't want a cookie cutter suburban home any more than Brown does, mass production has the potential to be far more green (and more economic - thereby reaching more people) than doing everything on a custom basis. Same applies to consumer products, furniture, etc.

The real question is whether consumers will start demanding more green and inteligently designed (and located) homes and products en masse. Don't ignore the big developers, rather call around and ask them what green features are included in their homes and what public transportation options will be available.

Corporations are great tools for bringing great ideas to the masses in the most efficient way. They are not moral in themselves, but reflect the best or worst of consumer demands (Americans generally want cheap, disposable, big houses/cars/etc. and that's exactly what they're given).

Brown is on the right track that we as consumers must start demanding something different, and we must educate other consumers too. I just wish he and most "environmentalists" would recognise that corporations (and governments) are our best potential partners in making this world more livable. It's unconscious consumers that are the enemy.

What a great thing!

I was really digging this space, the light, the airiness, the Kolford Larson rocker . . . and then I saw the three massive turtle shells on the wall as decoration. I am no animal rights activist, but man, that just made me feel like something in the picture wasn't all adding up. I mean green/slow and then you've got the turtles? (And honestly I couldn't help the black humor from clicking on either, like hey, those turtles really do represent their peeps for the slow housing movement!) What exactly is thoughtful, sustainable, local and slow about slapping a trio of shells on a wall? I mean, wouldn't a rocking piece of art by a local artisan been just as powerful?

Wordparty -- you'll have to ask Julianne Moore about those turtle shells -- that's her brownstone living room.

Monika1--I was just about to comment on that being Julianne Moore's place...I've had that article from MetHome that featured it clipped and in my idea binder for several years. Her husband's brother, a very young and aspiring architect named Bert? Fruedlich or something close to that did the interior design...it's a wonderful home...

TommyMiller50 - I agree with your comment about making the big corporations part of the solution. They are here to stay and will be responsible for much that gets built in the future. I believe that they will only start to change when their customers start demanding more from them. (Think McDonalds offering a salad option and eliminating Transfats). This is why the slow home site is directed to a public audience. The criticism of the big corps. is part of this strategy of empowerment so that people will know where they should direct their demand for something better than the cookie cutter status quo.