Sustainability

Finding the resolve to break out of a wasteful routine is generally not easy. But it can be. These three eco-friendly practices seem tough to take on at the start, but there are simple tricks you can employ to make them stick at home. And trust me, it’ll be worth your while if you do–they’re bad for the environment and bad for your wallet. It’s time for a shift of habit.

How much water do you use every day? Every week? Every month? Is it a lot? Is it too much? If you want to do a small part to help the environment (and lower your water bill), consider if there’s any room to adjust your water usage in these five ways. Luxuriating in a hot bath after a long day is truly a beautiful thing. So is enjoying a beer in the shower if that’s your sort of thing. But both of those activities can use up a lot of water. Showers use less water than baths.

According to the Boston University sustainability department, an average shower uses about 5 gallons of water per minute. That means if you shorten your shower by just 2 minutes each day, you can cut your water use by 10 gallons at a time. It really adds up–with major impacts to your wallet and the environment. Whatever your goal–lowering your bill or just your water usage overall–it’s quite the challenge to try and shorten your time in the shower.

Think you need an expensive bespoke solution to organize your closet? Think again. These five household objects can pull double-duty and wrangle tough-to-store jewelry and purses (at least while you save up for that Kardashian-style closet of your dreams). When stashed vertically in a magazine rack (or four), clutches and wallets take up virtually zero space. Plus, like the spines of magazines, you can still see and grab every single one.

Lets get real here: Anything you can do with a small piece of wood, you can do with a wooden cutting board. It’s a pretty versatile thing in the realm of re-purposing. In case you need a little jump start on some ideas, here are 10 examples and projects to inspire you. 1. Grab a clock hardware kit and turn it into a wall clock, like Emma did with the state-shaped cutting board above on A Beautiful Mess. 2. Use it to top an ottoman coffee table, in lieu of glass or a tray. 3.

If you’re into green cleaning like me, you probably think of vinegar as a magical elixir that will easily and cheaply clean anything in your home. Not quite. Don’t despair, vinegar is still a home care star, but there are a few places where you shouldn’t be using the tangy stuff. Sealed hardwood should only be cleaned with either soap and water or dry dusted to polish them up. Vinegar will erode the sealant and cause your floors to look dingy, not shiny and clean.

Cast iron skillets get better with age- as long as you’re consistently cooking with them, and as long as you don’t clean them with soap. If it’s been ages since you’ve actually used your skillet, chances are it’s in need of some TLC. Covered in rust, you say? No problem! Reach for these three simple kitchen staples to help you return your pan to its former glory. Coarse saltOil (vegetable, olive- even Crisco works!

Diamonds are nice and all, but in the summer ceiling fans are this girl’s best friend. Keep your cool by keeping your fan running at peak efficiency, thanks to these 6 tips. “Turn off ceiling fans when you leave a room; fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.” – Department of Energy “Use a ruler or yardstick to measure the distance between each blade’s leading edge and the ceiling.

Red Fox We’re probably not the first to tell you that bees have been disappearing from their hives, never to return, at alarming rates. Colony Collapse Disorder has been an issue here in the US since the 1990s and it’s now occurring all around the world. Among the super-bummer factors believed to be causing CCD is habitat loss. While this is a really large scale issue, there are a few things the average gardener can do to help out.

Most folks don’t realize how easy (and cheap) it is to grow your own baby greens, even with a very limited amount of space. Just think about all the plastic bags and clamshell containers used for packaged greens that you buy at the store (not to mention how long they’ve been sitting in that plastic before they even get to market). Why not save the packaging and transit time, and harvest your own baby greens at home?

Whether you’re just pulling out your sweaters or putting them away for the season, a moth repellent is key to making your winter wools last. Forget the stinky, toxic moth balls—and who really has the space for a cedar closet? What you need is good smelling, tiny alternative, and we’ve got just the thing!

Nothing threatens a closet full of clothes more than moths. And they can invade even the most well-organized closet. These pesky creatures are responsible for holes in your favorite clothing, and oftentimes, the problem occurs completely unbeknownst to you. Like pantry moths and other pests, these silent clothing killers multiply quickly, too, so it’s a problem you’ll want to solve quickly with a good moth repellent.

Handmade soap is an easy and effective way to add a personalized touch to your bathroom. Whether you’ve got sensitive skin and want to know exactly what ingredients are going into your soaps, or you want to give your guests that ’boutique hotel’ experience while they’re staying with you, it’s fast, fun and totally worth the investment. You can purchase soap making kits that come with everything you need, or gather your supplies individually.

Arbor Day is April 24th! Arbor Day is a fabulous day to go out and plant a tree, but if you don’t happen to have any land, it’s the perfect day to stay in and plant a tree. These thriving specimens from our House Tours are sure to inspire your green thumb…or make you green with envy, if you’re me.

Though it might be tempting to use a commercial cleanser, think about trying one of these natural fireplace-cleaning options first.

If you’ve an avid recycler like myself, chances are you’ve wondered, as you stuffed all your bottles in the bin — what really happens to all this stuff? Maybe you’re curious about why some places require you to sort out cans, plastic, and glass, while in other places, everything can be all jumbled up in the same container. How does all that disparate stuff get sorted? And does it really all find a new life?

Name: Gabriela Franceschini, Thaïs, 10-years-old, and Samba, the golden retriever Location: Itacimirim; Bahia, Brazil Size: 1,400 square feet/130 square meters Years lived in: 8 years, Owned; Lived in 6 months Straddled between one of Bahia’s most cherished beaches and a forest preserve is where you will find Beija Flor resort subdivision, meaning Hummingbird.

No matter how clean a room may be, a dirty fireplace can make it look messy and unkempt. Tidying up can take time and effort, but the end results are rewarding, and will help keep your fireplace in great working order. More than likely you’re only dealing with some soot here and ther—and if that’s the case, your cleaning adventure won’t take all that long. But if you’ve inherited a neglected fireplace like mine, prepare to put in some time and serious elbow grease!

If you’re tight on space and don’t want a bottle of rarely-used wood polish hogging the shelf, don’t buy it! Wood polish is easy to make in small, single use batches, so you don’t have to worry about trying to jam yet another bottle away under the cupboard. Depending on the size lemon you use, the polish ends up being around about 1/2 cup of liquid.

Sometimes we find ourselves in the most cliché nerd predicament: a leaking or exploding ink pen (where was your pocket protector when you needed it!?). But you can put away your inhaler, because removing an ink blob is easier than you think. Just grab some milk and vinegar and get to the stain ASAP! 2 parts whole milk1 part white distilled vinegarLarge bowl 1. Place your garment in a bowl at the most shallow part, allowing it to be covered completely with the mixture. 2.

Plants are well known as great way to add some color, texture and life to a space, and when they also happen to be beautifully oversized hanging plants, they also bring the drama. We’ve rounded up some examples from our archives and around the web. 1. An oversized Boston Fern adds texture and brings character to the room. Gregory and Jenny’s Relaxed Hippie Bungalow Tour from Apartment Therapy. 2. Following curve of a staircase these Bears-Paw Ferns have a cascading effect.

You see a chair on the curb. It’s sitting right in front of your building and it’s free. Or, you’re at the thrift store and spy a cheap sofa. But something holds you back. You’re just. not. quite. sure. If only there were guidelines — holy reminders if you will — of things to keep in mind while looking at used furniture. How do you decide if it’s the right thing to re-do? Or if you should run in the other direction?

It’s so easy to push a button and order flowers online (and a wonderful option for those far apart) but imagine delivering a handmade bouquet filled with vibrant, fragrant, seasonal flowers. Too expensive? Not more expensive than the internet. Too complicated? Nope. We can do it! I decided to write this post because I’m making handmade Valentine’s bouquets this year. The only problem? I don’t really know what I’m doing when it comes to flower arranging.

Wooden cable reel, drum, or spool tables come dangerously close to wagon wheel coffee tables, and that can be a problem. Not a real problem mind you, but a decidedly first-world design blog kind of problem. Because some people find them charming and some people find them less charming. I’m here to try to push you into the “yes” column by sharing some examples where these humble materials become something interesting. 1.

Whenever I enter my go-to yoga studio, I am at once calm in body and quiet in mind. So I began to take notice: What elements are there in the studio that I can implement at home? The studio is in a pretty ordinary building, so these tips are take-homes for anyone, anywhere: Once inside, this keeps things clean and make your footfall oh-so-quiet. I’ve even noticed that we use louder voices when shoes are still on, softer voices when shoes come off.

Coconut oil is increasingly a go-to ingredient for cooking and body care, but this versatile substance can work wonders in a number of different contexts. Read on to discover 14 ways that you can use coconut oil in every part of your home. KITCHEN Season a cast iron pan. Cast iron needs a protective surface to stay in good working order.

Whether you’ve resolved to lay off the libations in January (Anyone out there giving Drynuary a try this year?), have just a few drops left in a bottle, or are stuck with bottom-shelf booze after a big bash, we’ve got some great alternatives to pouring the party down the drain—clean with it!

We’re big fans of adaptive re-use and also of small spaces, and sometimes, when we’re lucky, the stars align and bring us a project that’s the perfect synthesis of both. Like this 94-square-foot, 98-year-old boiler room that a clever San Francisco architect turned into the perfect tiny house. Architect Christi Azevedo oversaw the property’s transition from a disused boiler room into an incredibly compact, lovely guest house.

Yurts were at the center of a really fascinating trend in 2014: glamping. Or glamorous camping, if you will. And while most yurts featured in the design community are in warm, scenic locations – this one struck me. It’s just north of Bemidji, Minnesota and it’s the full time home of two very brave souls. Grace Brogan and John Kamman bought a used yurt for $5,000 and moved into it last year, full time. It’s not their vacation home. It’s their home.

Over the years I’ve been guilty of occasionally buying whatever bath cleaner is on sale at the store -could be all-natural, could not. The moment I try to settle into a nice, relaxing bath I immediately start thinking about what chemicals I’m being subjected to and majorly regret my decision.

Wool blankets are one of the most coveted finds at flea markets these days. They are practical, durable, and fashionable. And we’ve found a great way to clean them that costs only your time —and maybe your comfort if you don’t have a big warm winter coat. People have been cleaning with snow for ages.

Gift the gift of access, no wrapping required! Here are our favorite eight subscriptions you can send with no fuss and no muss: 1. The New Yorker Digital Plan, $12/12 weeks For some reason, I tend to flip idly through physical copies of The New Yorker, but I devour the articles online. So much quality writing. 2. Consumer Reports Online Subscription, $30/year access to this enormous database of intelligent, thorough reviews is so, so worth it.

Every winter I try to seek out the best remedies for congestion specifically, because it’s the ailment that seems to haunt our family throughout the entire season. This year I decided to give the over-the-counter cold medicines and treatments a rest and try the all-natural route and am very pleased with what I’ve found so far. If you don’t already have the assortment of essential oils and coconut oil on hand, this recipe can be a little pricey.

I’ve been shopping for our traditional Chanumas Eve pyjamas, and keep encountering sets like the one you see above: so adorable, and yet so impractical. If it’s cold enough for flannel, isn’t it cold enough for pants? Heat rises, for crying out loud! I would love a set of flannel plaid shorty jammies, or a darling striped nightgown, but I would have to crank the heat waaaaaay up to be comfortable wearing them.

Whether you’re battling dry skin, tending to a sore throat, or just trying to keep germs at bay, rosemary oil is an excellent remedy for what ails you this winter. Check out just a few of our favorite uses and consider adding it to your health and wellness arsenal! Rosemary has been used medically for centuries as an antiseptic, an aid in digestive and respiratory health, and in skincare.

It’s said that smell is the sense with the closet ties to memory. As you prepare your home for the holidays with plenty of love, laughter and decoration, don’t forget about ambiance. ‘Tis the season to dim the lights, put on some soft music and, if you’re so inclined, prepare one of these lovely and fragrant little recipes to fill your home with great memories. Toss one of these wax bombs into the fire.

Forget harmful oven cleaners: This two ingredient, all-natural recipe is great for more recent stains, like quickly cleaning up the lasagna spillage in your oven (and on your pans!). I know baking soda is a miracle compound, so I had pretty high expectations as to what this magical paste would do for my oven. The photo below is what I was hoping to tackle, but alas, this years-old stain was just too much for the simple recipe.

It’s warm and soothing for your body, but did you know you can also use black tea to clean your hardwood floors? Tannins in the tea add a light, warm “stain” and help to bring out the wood’s natural warm tones. In addition to it’s beautifying qualities, black tea derived from the Camellia sinensis plant contain polyphenolic compounds that prevent microbial growth.

Our furry friends sure are adorable… but sometimes, they leave behind smells that are less than cute. Here’s a simple, green solution for getting rid of pet odors, plus a few other solutions for everyday household problems. From maker John Gleeson Connolly, here’s a simple, green solution for getting rid of lingering odors to due to dog and cat pee. Speaking of green solutions… did you know you can clean your windows with newspaper?

By now you know that switching off the lights when you’re not using them will save both energy and dollars on your electric bill. WRONG! Turns out, if you’re using CFL bulbs you may actually be better off leaving the lights on! Whaaaaa? Carter Oosterhouse recently shared this little tidbit on the Rachael Ray show, prompting us to check into just how CFLs actually work. Here’s the deal.

We put four all-natural silverware-cleaning methods to the test, and one came out on top.

We’ve all experienced it at one point: fruit flies, first a few then an infestation surrounding your fruit bowl. They’re pesky little critters, but we’ve found the best way to rid your kitchen of them. Here are our quick instructions for making a fruit fly trap with just a few simple materials. Vinegar, fruit or wine (apple cider vinegar works especially well)Glass or jarSheet of paperTape Find a suitable glass or jar.

Lemons and vinegar are the great dynamic duo of green cleaning, but there’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh grapefruit. It’s fresh and sweet, and can give your bathroom that extra boost of freshness that is usually only obtained with heavily scented candles and other cleaning products that aren’t so earth-friendly. I recently moved into a home that had sat empty for a year and while it was in great condition, the old cast iron tub looked pretty rough.

A couple weeks ago, I got to preview the beautiful Boston Magazine Design Home 2014 in Salisbury, Ma. While I was inspired by many of the rooms and green features of this net zero energy home, these were the seven décor ideas I wanted to steal for my own space: Note: While its eco-friendliness is a huge draw, I’m going to focus on purely decorating tips. To find out more about its energy efficient features, visit the Design Home website. Here are my seven decorating ideas to steal: 1.

Every well-run home is teeming with tricks and shortcuts to keep it humming along. We’re sharing our best quick tips — for cleaning, organizing and repairing stuff at home — to save you time and money. Click through for today’s helpful hint, and links to tons more… A quick dusting of TALCUM POWDER will silence those creaks and squeaks. Simply dust it on and help work it into the cracks with an old paint brush.

Ladies and gentlemen, the future is now. Solar power, which has long been an expensive and bulky, if well-intentioned, concept, is steps away from getting a pretty exciting new identity. According to Co.Exist, scientists at the University of Sheffield are turning a corner on a low-cost, more environmentally-friendly technology that would allow people to easily take advantage of solar energy.

Every well-run home is teeming with tricks and shortcuts to keep it humming along. We’re sharing our best quick tips — for cleaning, organizing and repairing stuff at home — to save you time and money. Click through for today’s helpful hint, and links to tons more… Using a pair of SHARP SCISSORS, simply trim back the burnt pile and glue back a few extra fibers trimmed from along a wall board, or even in a closet.

Pallet projects, in every possible form, were early guests to the DIY party and have stayed around ever since. Using them for the reclaimed wood certainly has its risks (more on that later), but you can’t beat the price (which is usually free). Here’s a guide to everything you need to know: finding, choosing, cleaning, and breaking down one for use. Once you know the what’s what, you can decide for yourself if they are worth the effort.

Hitting the local farmers market in your town has plenty of advantages over your local grocery store. By buying direct, you are getting the freshest possible produce at the best prices, plus you can better understand where your food is actually coming from. That being said, they can be a little overwhelming to navigate. Here is our field guide to get you started. 1. Come prepared. Bring bags, small bills, sunscreen, comfortable shoes and a list.

Ashley had a very faded striped pastel umbrella that she could have easily jettisoned. Instead, she took a little inspiration from this Urban Outfitters umbrella, budgeted about $20 for her version, and gave it a little makeover… Ashley used a paint sprayer with thinned down latex paint to give it about three coats of bright white paint. Then, she and her husband laboriously hand-painted a design on each panel. The final step was attaching pom-pom trim around the edge.

I just purchased a new rug for our hallway and am pleased as punch with it. It’s a runner from Colonial Mills’ Shear Natural collection. The entire collection is woven of undyed wool fibers, meaning that every colorway happens to be the colorway of a sheep! From creamy whites to warm brownish grays to black, there’s beautiful variety in undyed wool.

Geneva, from A Pair & A Spare, recently moved into a new studio space, and has been working through a long list of DIYs to make the space just right. She found an old ladder her builder had left behind and got to work on one of the projects she had in mind — a ladder wardrobe. She only spent $9 on the total project, and she plans to use it for storing work-in-progress DIY projects and pieces waiting to be photographed.

This DIY project is a great use for older box springs, and an affordable way to have a “brand new” bed. It only requires about four yards of upholstery fabric, and can be done in just a couple of hours… Katy from The Clever Bunny had a hand-me-down mattress which was relegated to her guest room. In lieu of a bed frame she chose to cover the box spring with fabric and add legs.

There are plenty of ways you can get creative when it comes to staying cool and saving money.  But when the heat of summer truly hits, sometimes your best bet is cranking up the AC. Learning how to save money with your air conditioner can help you keep your cool physically and budget-wise. While it certainly costs a bit more than your usual ice fan hack, things like closing off vents and rearranging furniture are effective and still pretty easy on the wallet.

Have you made any lavender laundry detergent yet? Good news: to make lemon dishwasher detergent pods you only need two additional ingredients (kosher salt and powdered lemon). They are fast and inexpensive to make, you know exactly what’s in them — and they work really well! Read on to see how to make yours. Makes approximately 35 pods. Original recipe courtesy of Happy Money Saver.

Do you have an over abundance of fabric scraps that you are holding on to, “just in case”? Cintia from My Poppet was doing just that, and then she came up with the clever idea of turning her scraps into pretty twine. You can find the simple tutorial below. Scrap fabric strips in assorted lengths (max 1″ wide) Something to wind your twine on to Scissors For more pictures and the full tutorial, head over to My Poppet.

Want to spruce up your summer vases? Try this trick – line them with a ti leaf! How to Leaf-line your vases: 1. Get Your Ti Leaves: You can get them at your local florist, grocery store, or order them online 2. Cut the Stem: This will make them malleable and easy to bend into any shaped vase (otherwise, they might snap!) 3. Bend, Wrap, and Line: Bending them around your arm works well! Then, just slip them into your vase!

You can do a lot with some fun material and glue. Below are 10 projects that use paper and fabric to give new life to old furniture and objects. TOP ROW: 1. Vintage Chair Makeover, DIY from The Sweet Escape via Apartment Therapy 2. Map Dresser, DIY from Refresh Restyle 3. Fabric Drawer Liners, DIY from Nalle’s House 4. Fabric Pots, DIY from Under the Sycamore 5. Paper Scrap Jar Lids, DIY from Design Sponge via Apartment Therapy BOTTOM ROW: 6.

It’s Spring! Time to build your planter boxes! Here’s a quick video how-to from our ever-lovely garden expert, Ben Gould. It’s Spring! Time to build your planter boxes! Here’s a quick video how-to from our ever-lovely garden expert, Ben Gould. From Ben: • The Star: Ben Gould happened upon his passion for gardening when trying to find the most inexpensive way to travel the world through the WWOOF program in Belize and India.

In lieu of buying my Mama cut flowers this year, I am thinking it would be fun to make her a sweet plant arrangement. Below are 10 potted garden ideas using succulents and cacti, which I especially like because not only are they pretty, they are also low maintenance. TOP ROW 1. Cactus Garden from From Ezter With Love 2. Pretty Lace Flower Pots, DIY from A Beautiful Mess 3. Hanging Kokedama Plant, DIY from Free People 4. Vintage Planter Cacti Garden from A Beautiful Mess 5.

Kevin rounded up some old wooden pallets by driving around to various warehouses, and through Craigslist. He had a project in mind, and just needed a bunch that were roughly equal sized. Want to see what he did with them? This impressive reclaimed wood backyard deck is the result! After measuring the space, he laid the pallets where he wanted the deck to be. Starting with the first row, Kevin lined up all gaps and used pavers to level and support the pallets.

If you’re thinking about starting a small vegetable garden but feel like a total newbie, here are some simple ideas to get you moving towards growing some vegetables on a small and manageable scale! 1) Go Vertical: Going vertical saves on space and is visually pleasing to the eye.

Stains, smells, mold or pests got you down? I think we’ve all got something going on that we’re not too excited about. I, for one, am about ready to consciously uncouple with my bathroom grout, and then there’s the toilet ring that’s been taunting me for months. But spring is here and I’m ready to take another crack at the grosser parts of my home. Who’s with me? Our mantra is white vinegar. Fun fact: This post is actually inspired by a recent life mash-up.

I recently had the chance to tour an Energy Star rated home here in Kansas City.

Frazzled. Harried. Hurried. Stressed. Flustered. Vexed. Wind-whipped. Beat. If any of these adjectives apply to you, it’s probably time to take a few moments for some self-care. Here are ten recipes that will help you recharge and unwind, most of which can be created without the hassle of an extra trip to the store. Top Row: 1.

Infant care classes routinely cover feeding, diapering, and bathing, but parents are left to their own devices when it comes to finding safe and effective solutions for cleaning kids and their belongings. Thankfully there are many great choices, whether you opt to buy or DIY. At bath time, simplicity rules. Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild Liquid Castile Soap is a great option; it’s affordable, unscented, organic, non-GMO verified, and not tested on animals.

Though I’m occasionally tempted to douse the entire house in full-strength bleach, I prefer my cleaning routine to be as neutral and gentle — yet effective — as possible. Here’s a rundown on how I keep my home clean and green… Windows + Mirrors: White Vinegar + Water I keep a spray bottle filled with equal parts white vinegar and water for cleaning glass surfaces.

Many of us spend extra time and money sourcing organic foods. Yet if you polled those same people, I imagine you would find the majority don’t think twice about organic fabrics. So what’s the big deal, you might ask? It’s intuitive to be concerned about whether fruits and vegetables have been treated with chemicals or preservatives, but fabrics? Is this taking the organic aspect too far? Are organic fabrics worth it?

I took several printmaking classes in college, and I was astounded by how toxic a lot of the materials were— especially the mineral spirits and paint thinner. I later found out about totally nontoxic printmaking, pioneered by studios such as Zea Mays in Florence, Massachusetts. Inspired by some of these methods, here are eight ways you can make your house shine using common kitchen ingredients. Soy sauce is an excellent degreaser.

Thinking back, I blush at how naive my husband and I were when we purchased our first home. There were so many things we failed to take into account as we rushed headlong into home ownership. We may have learned the hard way, but since then we’ve discovered just how expensive it can be to run a household — whether you own or rent. Now that I’m off work for a year with our children, we’ve had to scale back even more to make ends meet.

Here are 10 secondhand staples you run into at thrift stores all the time, and 10 corresponding DIY projects to modernize them. Most are simple projects that are both do-able and transformative. Keep them in mind the next time you are wandering around a flea market, or in your favorite Goodwill. Mismatched Plates: These DIY tiered stands are inexpensive to make, and a great way to use old dishes.

Allow me to confess: even if I know I should be doing something, I have a hard time actually doing it unless I get myself jazzed about doing it. So while I should shred most of my mail to protect my privacy, I won’t actually do it… unless I think about how much I want to make, say, a DIY shredded paper bowl! Here are some of our favorite projects made from shredded paper. TOP ROW: 1. Build a Bowl: paper mache bowl by Splish Splash Splatter 2.