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Dwell recently featured the Freeman and Feldmann house in Houston, Texas. It's got a good handful of ideas/resources and even if you're not remodeling now, it might be worth taking notes for any future projects. Notes: Home made from shipping containers (two 40-foot-long containers and one 20-foot-long unit in the main house). Redwood shade screen to keep the house from overheating (shown lower right). Geosystems FilterPave porous pavement driveway used...Read more

If you're still enjoying warm weather, take note of this carafe: it keeps extra ice cubes and such in the carafe with a 'Smartlid', which will save you from that awkward ice avalanche when serving your guests. Jakob Wagner reinterprets the typical bottle into a simple water carafe. The discreet lid opens automatically when pouring, ensuring that ice cubes and lemon slices remain in carafe. Lid made of silicone and...Read more

This might lean towards the slightly-inappropriate-for-work category (much like those wacky ties that are so bad they're good, or sometimes just so bad they're horrible), but these socks are just too good not to share. Even if you just wear them around the house, they're funny enough to be forgivable. Also, check out the Kick the Habit Socks (not shown). Pencil Socks, $22.00 AUD, Buy it here. Notebook Socks, $22.00...Read more

As a pet owner myself, I have to say this little pet carrier looks to have a handful of benefits over my existing plastic crates. It's a bed that converts into a carrier, but it's the extra accessories enabling travel ease that has me curious. I'd check it out if you're not so happy with your current carrier. Sleepypod allows pets to travel safely in the pampered comfort of their...Read more

Apologies for the crazy price linkage on this shelf system, but it took a while to figure out who had the correct listings and for the best price, and apparently there's only one U.S. retailer (is that right?). The randomness possible with stacking blocks just can't be beat sometimes...you can buy however many you need and organize them however you want. I like the mixing of pine and white as...Read more

Do you need a notice board for your thoughts and messages? Here's two that could fit into a tight vertical space, plus, they're pink (also in red and black respectively) and on sale (because if you need a notice board, why not pink and why not get one on sale?). Innersmile Kringel-Kari Notice Board, $85.00 $51.00, Buy it here. Kringel-Kari is perhaps the most innovative notice boards every made. This...Read more

This worktop saver looks just like the pixel colored pencils I posted a while ago, doesn't it? Made from toughened glass and with non-slip rubber feet, this multi-functional board from Joseph Joseph provides a hygienic, odor- and stain-resistant work surface for all types of food preparation. Heat resistant to temperatures up to 500°F, it also makes the perfect trivet. Dishwasher-safe. 11.5"h x 15.75"w $32.00, Buy it here....Read more

Yes, please, times ten thousand. Check out these strong stripes in rich bold colors that has my heart going thumpety-thump-thump. No one could accuse you of wallflower color schemes with one of these babies thrown into a room. Kaleidostripe Pillow - Multi (left) Modern Maze Pillow - Multi (middle) Right Angle Pillow - Multi (right) $295.00 each, Buy it here....Read more

Whaa? $399, for real? That price more than qualifies this indoor/outdoor sawhorse table as an exceptionally affordable option for your dining needs. Industrial takes a stand under sleek glass to dine six, indoors and out. Sawhorse supports rivet a third leg each, with almost humorous small feet in stride. Mild steel is hot-dip galvanized to a raw crystalline gunmetal grey that's rustproof and scratch-resistant. Each piece is unique and will...Read more

This vase shows off a stem or two in a lovely understated way. Having just a few cut flowers in different spots throughout your home can make the space seem more welcoming. (No need for expensive flowers either- often showing a single stem of a rather common flower does the job just as well.) Stem Vase is a study in simplicity for a single flower or two. Blooms look fresh...Read more

Efficient minimalism, indeed. Made entirely of multi-ply bent laminated wood, this bed is just about as structurally sound as you can get with this sort of craftsmanship (while keeping the design aesthetic, of course). The smooth curves do echo Alpine sports, but I'd say it's more reminiscent of a mid century design classic than ski equipment. The frame is the first to be built almost entirely of bentwood, giving it...Read more

Holy. Someone needs to make this in porcelain so the price can be a bit more approachable, but man, for those of us that like the traditional button tufting found in the ubiquitous Chesterfield sofas, it's a lovely sight to behold. (Dare I say this light is even 'cute'?) Chester designed by Bert furthermore Dennis for Belgian Dark is available as pendant and floor lamp, and refers to the famous...Read more

Recently at my home I've been having a design dilemma and related to finding a cost effective way to deal with my current hedge/fence situation. A little background: The house I live in was a foreclosure and at one time it had a lush hedge surrounding the property, but after being empty for 9 months the hedge is mostly dead and terribly unattractive. My plan has been to replace the...Read more

You remember doing a potato clock back in school, don't you? Or at least you remember the idea? Well, using the same sort of principle, this clock creates electricity using wet soil from your own two potted plants, enabling you to have your own tiny electrical generator. It uses electricity created by a reaction between zinc and copper electrodes, which are buried in the soil (you supply two potted plants)....Read more

From the same company that brought you the "I Am Not A Paper Cup" comes the Eco Cup. It's the same sort of idea except it's a single-walled (non-thermal) porcelain cup with silicone lid and sleeve to keep your fingers safe. Stop using disposable cups for your coffee! Great for the whole office, our Eco-Cup is a porcelain cup with silicone lid and heat-protective sleeve. The silcone lid can withstand...Read more