apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Ann built much of this house herself using materials salvaged from the rotting cabin that used to be on the site. It's designed as a part-time vacation house for herself and a full-time house for her mother, and every inch of the house is as carefully designed as it was built. Check it out.

We've also recently looked at three different ways to compost indoors—which do you use? We admire small vessels made of reclaimed and recycled materials and turned by hand on a lathe, and there's still time to snag a hot AT t-shirt by sending in an idea for our Creative Reuse series. As always: links after the jump.

Space age cool, or just another piece of unnecessary plastic? What do you think of this futuristic recycling center?

Over at Re-nest, we're continuing our Creative Reuse series with a retro-themed craft from reader Victoria. The reuse theme continues with a coffee table made from a washing machine tub and kitchen tiles made from cork. We reflect on the "unnecessary necessary"—that stuff that creeps into your life and is so difficult to get rid of... and a friend gives us a kawaii way of keeping food from spoiling in the fridge. Links after the jump.

Like everyone else, we're paring back at Re-nest, looking for ways to use what we already have more beautifully and spend less on energy. We've spotted an ingenious way to make a shelf unit out of used wine bottles, discarded planks of wood, and a bit of hardware. We also spent time recently at the West Coast Green show, and we've been blogging the highlights. For example: we explain why Icynene spray insulation can save so much energy... and why some green-minded folks don't like it.

More creative reuse: striking art made from junk mail, and eleven ways to put empty egg cartons to work. Links—as always—after the jump.

This week at Re-nest, we want to know which one of these recycling solutions you like best. Is it the sleek $179 stainless steel number? The one that’s obviously from IKEA? Or the inexpensive and lightweight totes?


Regarding other practical necessities: we’re also liking these multipurpose, colorful, and ecofriendly stools/tables crafted from New Mexico pine and finished with milk paint... and we’re also looking for advice from our readers on two other questions: first, do you know of a green and effective way to strip our kitchen’s terracotta tile floor, which has a embarrassing buildup of wax and dirt? Second, speaking of advice and the kitchen: have you purchased green cabinets lately? Pop over to Re-nest and let us know. Links after the jump.

We're noticing the little things this week at Re-Nest, like this clever and beautiful fence that reuses scraps of metal. We like ideas that make use of scraps and odds and ends that would otherwise go to waste—or just sit around and get in the way. That's why we like these cork and felt DIY coasters, and the simple twist on an ordinary shoebox that makes it more attractive when reused.

In other news, we've done a little digging into that new Microsoft ad that boasts "I'm A PC... and I design green buildings," and we try to figure out which is better: BPA-free plastic or glass food containers. Links after the jump.

  

Stephanie shows those of us who suffer from sewphobia how to make napkins—and you won't need a machine or a needle! Over at Re-nest, we're also coming around to the change of season. We're used to seeing fall as the beginning of the end, but Trent encourages us to think about the beginning of the school year as an opportunity to establish some new green habits. We spot a stylish new prefab doghouse in the style of Michelle Kaufmann, and, for those of us who can't have pets at home, we review a charity that gives needy people livestock of their own.

Two other posts of note to the yardless: first, we need your advice on clotheslines in the city. If you don't have a yard of your own, have you managed to wrangle a spot to dry clothes outdoors? Second, have you seen these shared composting facilities in city parks? As always, links after the jump...

  

We've enjoyed reading the comments on Trent's post—everyone knows jars are useful, but it's fascinating to see just how creative Re-nest readers are. And speaking of creative reuse: we spotted a fence made entirely of reclaimed wood in Portland, Oregon, and, in Chicago, a simple way to keep plants watered over a long weekend with repurposed wine bottles.

Re-nest readers also weigh in on brewing coffee: is it greener to use a paper filter or use water to rinse a reusable gold filter? Links after the jump...

  

At Re-nest, we believe that choosing to live in less space is one of the greenest decisions you can make. Recently, we've helped a reader sort out how to live in 400 square feet. If you consider 400 square feet expansive, perhaps you might want to consider a newly built 250 square foot condo in San Francisco.

We also covered why you should wait before buying that LCD TV; Wal-Mart's decision to start selling more local produce in their stores; and the snappy, leakproof (and unobtainable!) SIGG lunch box. Links below the jump.

Over at Re-nest, we've been fascinated with Yale grad student Elizabeth Turnbull's tiny little house. How is she going to live in it? Does it have plumbing? Where is she going to put it? And could something like this work for us?


Our new team is up and running. This week, Trent shares a great tip on where to find quality used filing cabinets (hint: it's not craigslist); Amber spots a birdbath made from a light fixture and broken china; and Rachel's got news of an upcoming kit to convert any toilet to dual flush. Links below the jump...

This week at Re-nest, we’ve gotten into re-use. Wooden shipping pallets, it turns out, can be used to make entire buildings, storage sheds—even the chair seen above. We also re-colored a duvet cover with $10 of Rit dye, and we learned that certain stores love to take packing peanuts back for re-use.


Trent has uncovered a crazy futuristic milk container—are you ready to buy milk in plastic bags? And Stephanie, who long ago rebuffed her electric dryer, is looking for space-friendly ideas to supplement her overloaded drying rack in her cozy apartment. Links below the jump...

We're awestruck by the modern and minimal renovation of an iconic mid-century Rummer home in Portland, Oregon. Those of us who want to capture runoff and have an attractive yard will be thrilled by Stephanie's discovery of a well-designed alternative to the typical ugly and space-wasting rain barrel.


We also ask you to join us in welcoming three new bloggers—Trent, Rachel, and Amber—to the Re-nest team. Our theme this month is escapes: Rachel's got a post on finding green destinations; Trent suggests bicycle touring; and Amber's got more than a few good ideas for escaping the heat of summer if you can't get out of town.

Pop over to Re-nest via the links below the jump, then leave a couple of comments to let our newest bloggers know they're off to a great start!

In response to this Good Question—one of our readers is wondering if she and her partner can live in 400 square feet—we're taking a closer look at strategies for living green in small spaces this week.

Sadly, a house we toured under construction was the victim of arson earlier this week. We also spotted something good and green at Wal-Mart, and we come up with a simple (admittedly unstudied) proposal to boost Houston's lousy recycling rate...

Re-nest reader Kristin is looking to replace this chandelier in her entry. She wants it to be green, and able to use CFLs. Our first idea was paper lanterns. Other readers have suggested grouping pendants, or choosing a well-made fixture from Rejuvenation. What would you choose?

We're also making progress on our quest for lightweight, portable containers for packed lunches. We've got a great DIY on how to reduce odor from your cat's litter box. And don't miss the latest two installments of our inspiring Green People series, which profile architect Eric Corey Freed and consultant Aaron Winer.

Malena and Graham have a different approach to green: they haven't done an intensive renovation, or put down bamboo floors, or built from scratch. They invested time in finding the perfect house for them. All it needed was a bit of cleaning, polishing, and paint. And now it's green and gorgeous.

Also this week, Re-nest readers chipped in with opinions on their favorite reusable bags. Stephanie took us through a 7,000 square foot (?!!) green house. We met Jay Hasbrouck, who blogs over at Verde Vista, and we went through step-by-step how to get a good finish using zero- or low-VOC paint. Also, remember Ian and Raedia's house? We saw it while it was still under construction, and now it's (almost) all done.