News
News: March 2008 Monthly archive

It's been a busy week here at C&H. The DIY Maven guest blogged and featured some great articles and we've added a few more regular contributors who are going to provide even more home improvement and do-it-yourself content then we've ever had! But I want to introduce a couple of writers who have already been a great addition to our team, Meredith Clinton and Katy Ryan.

The trend to small homes is starting to take hold as they are typically more energy efficient and community friendly. Smaller furniture is following this lead and is now coming in vogue.
New Yorkers have always been limited in living space and a few furniture manufacturers and websites have catered to this group which continues to grow as people move to urban areas and eschew the larger homes.

Big box retailers feeling the pressure from soft sales are now resorting to the age-old tactic of haggling which is almost universally not an accepted practice in the American retail world.

Richard Neutra is one of the primary architects responsible for the modern home movement. Unfortunately his own residence (VDL Research House) located in the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles is in a state of disrepair.

With the conditions of our drinking water under increased scrutiny (here and here), promoting the availability of clean water is more important than ever. As you take a break from your home improvement or spring cleaning projects this weekend, consider eating at any of the restaurants participating in The Tap Project.

The prefab movement has evolved since 2002 when Allison Arieff wrote the book Prefab that chronicled the history of prefabricated houses and forecasted how the industry might evolve. On Saturday, March 14th at the CA Boom show in Santa Monica, CA, Arieff will lead a panel discussion titled "The Four Women of Prefab" that will include three other prefab designers; Michelle Kaufmann, Jennifer Siegal and Rocio Romero in a panel discussion titled "The Four Women of Prefab".

As tax deadlines approach, don't get cheated out of breaks you're entitled to for using energy efficient appliances in or outside your home. DSIREUSA.org is a resource, updated daily or as needed, that outlines state by state what incentives are out there for "green" families. Federal regulations are also available.

Although there have been no health warnings it seems that the tap water in some cities and communities has been compromised by a myriad of pharmaceutical drugs including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones that even in trace amounts cannot be good for our health.

More news from the DIY/craft front. Current day hip crafters may have more in common with the original DIY diva, Martha Stewart, than they originally thought.

It's only a month away and the buzz for Brownstoner's Brooklyn Flea continues to build.
This open air outdoor market is shaping up to be the largest in New York City (Fort Green nabe of Brooklyn to be exact). Starting April 6 and every Sunday after, you can expect more than 200 independent vendors selling new and vintage furniture, lighting, records, clothes, jewelry, and crafts.

We checked out the homes of some of Hollywood's A-listers but many of them are also skilled at something other than acting, with woodworking being the most popular vocation, as proven by this slideshow of handymen turned hollywood.

Interesting article from the Atlantic Monthly which speculates that the issues (mainly crime) that caused families to flee cities and urban areas in the 60's and 70's (also known as white flight) is now afflicting the suburbs which are no longer immune to vandalism, drug use, and theft.

ReadyMade magazine remains a beacon for those who are DIY inspired. Every issue contains innovative features and projects that focus on reusable and re-purposed everyday objects. Their website and books are also a great resource for "people who like to make stuff".
The co-founder of Readymade, Shoshana Berger, applied the same "roll-up the sleeves" approach when it came to launching and publishing ReadyMade and the magazine is now positioned at the forefront of many trends that are finally gaining a broader appeal such as building for sustainability, re-purposing and recycling, and clever crafting, while maintaining a cheeky attitude and playful perspective.
CH: Congratulations! ReadyMade magazine just celebrated it’s 7th anniversary after launching in December 2001. What do you envision for the magazine in the next 7 years?
SB: We typically don’t think more than 7 minutes ahead. But here are a few things that get my pulse up: publishing ReadyMade books; creating a sustainable design curriculum for grade school students; producing mini movies that feature the innovators in our pages; doubling the number of pages in the magazine; and upping our frequency to monthly (or as close to that as we can get without shooting ourselves).

Regardless of the fact that the arsonist who caused this fire claims they are an 'eco-terrorist', this report out of Seattle is truly despicable and we hope no one is injured. Five luxury homes are currently burning in the Street of Dreams development in Woodinville, Washington just north of Seattle.