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Wall mounting ‘fireplace’ runs on bio-ethanol. Available online or also through distributors in the US.

• low fuel consumption (ca. 500 ml per hour)
• even flames, even when the fuel is low
• long burning (2.5 liter capacity)
• very low heating of the housing
• ideal safety thanks to a double-walled combustion chamber
• ignition even at a very low fuel level
• infinitely adjustable regulating flaps
• unlimited usage thanks to the special ceramic combustion chamber.

I can’t stop looking at this small retreat located in Norway. Built by Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen (of Saunders Architecture), it’s an experimental structure that was self-initiated and self-financed so that they “could pursue [their] architectural vision in line with [their] convictions: uncompromising, original and respect for the landscape.” Lovely.

SIZE: 20 m2
LOCATION: Kjepsø, Hardanger Fjord, Norway

Completed 2003

This makes me want to redo my shower.

Twin concealed thermostatic shower valve (1/2in NPT inlets) with Square Sheer fixed head.

(This item’s link and price was updated 11/19/09.)

This custom wallpaper is created based on the location of objects on the wall in your home. It is warped and manipulated based on doors, outlets, light fixtures and even hanging art.

This Corian wall mounting wash basin is quite stunning and would really make a bath space shine for a relatively low price for such an amazing piece.

“The Vision is a rectangular shaped fireplace. It is a freestanding piece of furniture designed to accept the EcoSmart™ flue less burner. The EcoSmart™ Vision features a double opening with a “see-through” effect. The double sided design features a toughened glass back which can be placed near a wall, or on display as a room divider – offering ultimate flexibility to move the fire anywhere that suits your living environment and creates an impressive centerpiece. This product provides unprecedented flexibility and is designed to meet contemporary interior styling for apartments, houses, bars and restaurants.”

[posted by kris]

Here’s a rather well done site showcasing a home that “will serve as a laboratory for the…ongoing research into sustainable design.” It’s worth a look to see some ideas on integrating sustainable design into a home- there’s an excellent section showing various building materials that are environmentally friendly as well as a plan of how air will circulate, cutting down on air conditioning costs, etc. You can also see a live web-cam chronicling the construction.

“The home’s seamless integration of environmental systems and green materials is expected to make it one of the first in California to garner Platiunum Certification from the USGBC LEED for Homes Program. With construction beginning this summer, Sycamore House is scheduled for completion in 2008.”

[posted by katie]

It sounds weird to say that glass garage doors are one of my favorite things, but they are. I especially like the idea of a garage door in the place of a large window, allowing for opening/closing at the push of a button, old-school style.

[posted by katie]

If you’re needing some landscape lighting, this would be something to consider.

“Solar Cynergy’s Solar LED lighting solutions exemplify the pragmatic and combine dynamic aesthetics with functional efficiency. From safety to pathway lighting, Solar Cynergy’s Residential RSC Solar LED Series will highlight your home for lifetimes to come.”

All RSC Series are made of Polycarbonite Resin and PC/ABS
Working Temp: -4 degrees to 158 F

– Made in Japan
– NO Battery! (capacitor technology)
– 10 Year Warranty, 25+ year life
– Weather resilient!
– Drive over them!
– Perfect accent for landscapes, pathways, driveways

[posted by katie]

You might blow your entire furnishing budget on this, but it might just be worth it.

“All that effort trying to hide the traditional, bulky radiator is finally eliminated with Joris Laarman’s Heat Wave Radiator. Designed with both form and function in mind, the baroque-like twists and turns of this piece are full of hidden details just waiting to be discovered with a close inspection! The design is not however just a pretty face; the form itself has more surface area than the usual radiator, hence more radiated heat.”

If it’s not in your budget for a major remodel, such as solar panels and green roofs, there are smaller things you can do in your home to reduce climate change.

1. Get the compact florescent bulbs. If every American replaced one bulb in the home with a CFL, we would save for than $600 million in annual energy costs and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars. [source] You can get a CFL at any hardware store, and if for some reason you live in an area where they’re not available, you can get them online.

2. Stop buying bottled water. Do you know where bottled water companies get their water? In most cases it’s just tap water that goes through filtering process to remove all the chemicals and impurities. While it does make it taste better, you can achieve the same, great tasting result with an undersink Reverse Osmosis filter. You can get a really great one for around $200. I have been purchasing filters and supplies from this company for over a decade and they are probably the nicest and most informed people in the business.

3. Buy a water saving showerhead.  For less than $20 you can replace your showerhead with a more efficient one which will save over 10,000 of water annually. [link to retailer]

4. Switch to more eco-friendly cleaning products. Using typical household cleaners come with a host of problems, such as contamination of water supply, how to dispose of the bottles when you’re done, etc. You can use products that are less harmful, such as 7th generation, or you can make your own products with household staples like vinegar and baking soda.

5. Stop the junk mail.  Over 8 million trees are consumed annually in the production catalogs. You can sign up for Catalog Choice, which is a free online service which allows you to log on and request that you stop receiving specific  catalogs. For example, if you always get the Sharper Image catalog but look forward to your DWR catalog, all you have to do is log on and provide your identifying code on the label and they’ll contact the Sharper Image for you, with no interruption to your other catalog deliveries. 

How great would this look on an accent wall or in a hallway?

Pattern repeat, 72cm. Roll size 10m x 52cm.
$45 for shipping to USA.

Sometimes a rather small change can make a big difference- we just switched out our kitchen faucet for one similar to these (though I’m not going to post it because it got bad product reviews, which isn’t a good sign) and it felt like we updated our whole kitchen. I would recommend the version on the right, because it has the regular faucet option. Also, if you’re handy with tools, switching out a faucet is no big deal, but if it makes you nervous, hire a plumber and save yourself the stress.

Single Handle Pull-Down Pre-Rinse Kitchen Faucet: $199.00
Luxury Pre Rinse Kitchen Faucet: $250.00

Update: These items are no longer available through original retailer, but if you follow the link you’ll find several similar faucets. (11/19/09)

I think we’ve all seen the random ‘shed’ offering us extra space without the lengthy time or hefty price that a room addition to the home has, yet this one has some extra styling which does make it seem less like a shed and more like a guest house. Extra points for that.
“Inspired by the mid century moderns by Joseph Eichler. Measuring 14′ x 12′ overall, it’s ideally suited as a home ofice or studio. Price includes delivery and setup. Standard features: SIP’s panel construction, Cementitious board cladding, Flat membrane roof, Interior walls white painted OSB, Cork flooring. Options: Timber deck, 16’x14′ overall size, custom cladding paint color. Notes: Deck shown not included, Electrical and site work not included. *You should check with your local permits office before ordering.”

[posted by katie]

The new Herzog & de Meuron designed residences for the new Ian Schrager project 40 Bond in NYC are nothing less than you would expect from the H & de M/Schrager design and real estate powerhouses.

The kitchen features high-grade materials and appliances throughout, and to reduce cost, use GE in a hidden microwave and in the garbage disposal. Each kitchen features:

-Wide-plank oak flooring.

-Custom italian imported cabinets with a high gloss lacquer doors by Varenna (est. $20,000-$40,000 depending on configuration).

-Integrated sink with Corain countertop and backsplash. ($445 for sink, ~$2500 for counters depending on linear feet)

–Vola faucet and pullout spray in polished chrome. ($1096.00)

-Custom hand-blown glass pendant light fixture. For a similar effect, you could choose the supernova pendant light. ($1,774.00)

-Up lights and under-cabinet recessed lights.

-Miele 24″ four-burner stainless steel gas cook top. ($1,249.00)

-Miele 24″ stainless steel fully-vented exhaust hood. ($2,749.00)

-Miele 27″ stainless steel electric convection oven. ($3249.00)

-Miele dishwasher with integrated panel to match cabinetry. ($1,249.00)-

-27″ Sub-Zero refrigerator with integrated panel to match cabinetry. (price withheld by manufacturer, but prepare to spend > $4000)

-GE stainless steel microwave, concealed in kitchen cabinetry. ($170)

-GE garbage disposal.

-Also features the Miura Stool by Konstantin Grcic. ($296 each)

Of course you can cut some corners by switching the appliances to less expensive brands, or even sticking with Miele, but downgrading to a more affordable model. To reduce overall cost considerably, you could try the SOLAR cabinets from Ikea with integrated handle, reducing your cost to $2500-$7,000 for cabinets. The construction technique for Ikea cabinetry is pretty similar to the Poliform cabinets, which also features full overlay doors on standard white-box frames. You could also go with the Axor faucet instead of the Vola faucet, saving almost $800.
Lastly, you could choose a different countertop instead of Corian, such as Silestone or another Quartz surface if you don’t mind losing the integrated sink option.