apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

We just got a great tip about a new DIY on Instructables. This wood scrap table was made completely of salvaged wood rescued from decaying buildings in and around Hale County, Alabama... All told, the project cost less than $100 and, with the help of a few friends, took only a couple weekends' work...

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After renovating most of my own home, there are certainly some things I'd recommend doing myself, and somethings that are better left to the pros. The renovator of a 1920's bungalow in L.A. recently gave an interview about some of the lessons learned from his own DIY experience...

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Last week we received an email about The Working Proof— an online print gallery and shop showcasing emerging artists. But here's the special part: its mission is to promote both art and social responsibility, as 15% of the sale of each print is donated to a charity of the artist's choice. And not only are these prints unique, but they're extremely affordable...

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We've blogged about sustainable Coconut Fiber doormats before but not these from Angela Adams. The newest addition to her modern line of environmentally-sensitive products are these beautiful and simple doormats, made from natural coconut fiber ...

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An upholsterer’s approach to fabric is completely different than that of a decorator or designer. Their main relationship with fabric is mainly an aesthetic one whereas mine is more of a utilitarian one. Basically, I look at the fabric in relationship to the piece that I am going to be upholstering to gauge whether it has the correct elasticity and give for me to apply it properly...

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There is nothing more frustrating than gutters that are clogged during the fall and then ice-damaged during the winter. It's bad for your house and a nuisance to repair. RainTube, one of Sustainable Industries top green building products of the year, will not only alleviate these problems, but also assist in a rainwater collection system...

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We spent a few hours helping clean house last weekend for the 'rents, and room after room of wood floors meant we used the Swiffer to our heart's content. But tossing the cleaning pad and reaching for another one made us feel wasteful, so we searched for an alternative...

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We know, we know. Hearing "burlap" and "green style" might make some of you want to crawl into a dark hole. Just when people begin to realize that eco-friendly decorating is not all burlap and tree stumps, we ...come back to burlap. But it might be okay this time around. There are some pretty cool things being done with the fabric, and it does give off an earthy, informal vibe which can work in the right setting...

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The SmogShoppe, an event space in LA (used for weddings, movie screenings, and the like) was a former smog-check station before Sherry Walsh and Miguel Nelson transformed it...

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Let's now tackle the issue of “green upholstery." Without naming names, there are companies out there claiming they specialize in and sell “green” upholstered furniture using natural, non-toxic and biodegradable materials offered at the same price as mass-produced companies. This is totally untrue and misleading. The reality is that the products and materials currently available for doing green upholstery are minimal and exorbitantly expensive...

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Before a recent trip home to pick vegetables, my mom (and as I've said before, my green hero) told me excitedly over the phone about a new music stand that her husband made for her. But when she explained just what he'd made it with, I was confused. There was no way it could be beautiful, I thought, let alone fit in with her home's decor...

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A serene bathroom is not only beautiful but functional. Unfortunately, for most of us something in the bathroom always causes us problems, whether it's a running toilet or a dripping sink. But before you call in the plumber, see if you can tackle it yourself. Here are fixes for some of the most common problems...

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I find the tasks in Week 2 to be some of the most rewarding of all the assignments, since they mark the beginning of a hands-on relationship with your home. For starters, you'll be deep cleaning your kitchen, the room that encompasses many of the green lifestyle tenets we often talk about on Re-Nest: gardening, composting, recycling, and cooking with organic and/or local food that is good, clean, and fair...

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Okay granted, unlike most of my fellow Re-Nest bloggers, I live in Los Angeles. Lately, however, we've had quite the spell of cold and rainy weather, and the same thick plaster walls that keep my home cool in the summer now make it distinctly chilly with even the slightest drop in temperature. How to stay warm at home without resorting to blasting the heat? Here are some thoughts...

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