We recently contributed to TimeOut New York's Home Design 2009 issue which hit newsstands today.
We're featured in the Steal This Idea section for creating a patina mirror just like you've seen on the walls of your favorite French bistro (We prefer Le Singe Vert over Schiller's any night).
Pick up a copy today!
October 14, 2009 | Comments ()
Close loop water systems are sustainable and a major step in water conservation.
Ecologist Brent Bucknum, principal of Hyphae Design Lab in Oakland, California, shares the ABC's of re-routing a home's waste water (greywater) to sustainably irrigate gardens and other green spaces. He takes us from his live/work space in Oakland to several residential sites around Berkeley that feature greywater systems in various stages of completion.
[via Dwell]
Tags: diy, dwell, greywater, hyphae, water reuse
October 6, 2009 | Comments ()
American's have become used to expecting a strong stream of water from our faucets and shower heads. Thanks to larger diameter plumbing and high-pressure water pumps, the stream that flows into American homes is one of the highest in terms of gallons-per-second. Unlike our European or Asian counterparts who deal with older and less modern plumbing systems as well as more urban environments that put a higher demand on each water source, American's typically enjoy baths and high water pressure that other parts of the world do not.
In an age of water conservation the rise of high pressure yet low stream kitchen and bath products have become popular. The technology behind shower heads that feel as if they are delivering strong streams of water but really use much less is interesting. Many shower heads use a combination of water constriction and air injection to provide a shower with a strong stream but using less water.
September 21, 2009 | Comments ()
There is nothing more refreshing than taking a cool shower outdoors. Unfortunately the only chance we get to do this is at a public shower near a beach which is great but wouldn't it be nice to just cool off quickly in your own backyard without investing in a pool.
You can build your own outdoor shower or check out this list from Maxwell of Apartment Therapy as he's done a roundup of the coolest (literally and figuratively) outdoor showers around.
Make sure you subscribe to his newsletter as he shares great product reviews and house tours on a daily basis.
August 25, 2009 | Comments ()
This photo slideshow from Dwell shows some of the sharpest outdoor showers and baths we've ever seen. The settings certainly help (the mountain one) but they all are minimalist and tend to flow with the design of the home. Here is a simple outdoor shower you can build yourself.
May 4, 2009 | Comments ()
We've had a leaking bathtub faucet for awhile and never realized just how much water we were wasting until we placed a canister underneath which filled up overnight. Our dog had gotten used to water always being in the tub and now considers it an alternate source of water beyond her bowl. At this point we realized we had to do something about it.
First make sure to shut off your water, both your main line and your water heater line. Our main line shut-off is located in our front yard near the wall and the water heater shut off is located at the water heater.
March 26, 2009 | Comments ()
We've had plumbers snake our sewer drains before as tree roots have infiltrated the line from our house, but typically when our kitchen and bath sinks clog up we break out the plunger and gently try the clear the line. In a two-sink kitchen make sure you've covered the opposite drain opening with a rag or something to create a seal or else you will simply blow air into the open drain and not through to the clog in the line.
March 19, 2009 | Comments ()
The Japanese soaking tubs (Ofuro) are becoming much more popular in the West due to their convenient size and ease of use and although the ofuro is used for washing it's primary purpose is relaxation.
Tags: bathroom, japan, ofuro, soaking tubs, tubs
February 11, 2009 | Comments ()
Anyone who has visited New York is probably familiar with the iconic subway map that was designed by Michael Hertz Associates. Illustrator Christoph Niemann was remodeling his bathroom and took subway tile to the next level. He used this map as inspiration to tile his bathroom floors and walls.
Tags: bathroom, christoph niemann, new york, remodel, subway tile
December 1, 2008 | Comments ()
One of the best virtual interior design applications we've seen was recently launched by Autodesk Labs Project Showroom. Their virtual showroom has a photo-like quality to it and it renders changes in color and product quickly.
Tags: auto desk labs, bathroom design, decor, interior design, kitchen design, virtual room planners
November 24, 2008 | Comments ()
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