Apartment Therapy recently asked the question and concluded that “Bamboo isn’t always better.” Like everything in building and life, there are tradeoffs and compromises. TreeHugger and Planet Green have been looking at this issue for a number of years; do we agree with their answers? 1. Is bamboo more durable than the other material you’re considering?
Bamboo has been marketed as being harder than wood; it is not necessarily. The darker it is, the longer it has been carbonized, and the softer it is. Many think the stuff is going to be hard and impervious to denting and it just isn’t. It is also harder to refinish than solid wood.
Read more…
Green, Green Made
BUYING YOUR FIRST PLACE?
Then HGTV is looking for you!
MY FIRST PLACE, HGTV’s hit series, is coming back for an ninth season and looking to cast first-time homebuyers (and their agents!) in the St. Louis area and in Austin RIGHT NOW!
The show is looking for fun, high-energy people who are just starting the home-buying process for their first place and would like to share their story with HGTV. The goal is to capture all the trials and tribulations of looking for, bidding on and buying your first place.
Taping takes place this summer. Id
Read more…
Buyers
Growing Furniture is not a new concept, though I find this one particularly interesting. I read about it on dornob, and it is a bit short on actual DIY details, but I think that it would be fairly easy to re-construct Michel Bussien’s Growing Chair design with some perspex or Plexiglas. And when the chair is finished growing, the frame can be kept or removed….though I kind of like the idea of keeping it. What do you think?
All of these living furniture ideas (of which I have seen many over the years) I think need to be created with the idea that they are more about a message and design challenge or artistic endeavor than truly usable and practical furniture. Michel Bussien has his own Nature Manifesto that accompanies the idea behind this chair.
Having evolved from nature, we have gradually differentiated ourselves from it. Modern s
Read more…
Grow, Grow Own
Especially during a recession, home owners are forced to re-evaluate all of their expenses. What expenses can you avoid to save money? Are there things that you can get rid of in order to keep more money in your bank account and spend less?
Some home owners might consider deactivating their home security system. It’s an expense we don’t need they figure. This single decision can have long-term effects on your house and your security.
If you don’t have a security system, you make your home more vulnerable. You are less prepared in the event of a disaster and you are more susceptible to experience a break-in. Also,
Read more…