Archive   |   June, 2009

five things we learned last week

Posted by in surfing


1) Radios are conversation pieces. Martha says: “I have an old Panasonic radio that was my grandmother’s displayed on the end of a long bookshelf near the entry of my apartment. It’s one of the first things people comment on when they come in. You have a real radio?!? is often a question.” See Erica’s “collection of one” here.

2) You’re fans of recycling bottles for automatic watering. Ellie says: “No way, this is fantastic. Something I already have to use for something I’ve been tempted to buy so often? genius.” Click here for this easy watering solution.

3) What are speengies? Something you want! Bridget says: “I’ve never heard of these, but now I WANT ONE….no, I want EIGHT!” See what she’s drooling over here.

4) Building a shed? Add a rain barrel. Sarah says: “My Dad just finished building a larger shed using partially reclaimed materials. He found some gutters and downspouts and added them to one side to drain into a rain barrel. The rain barrel he made from a 39-gallon garbage can and a $2 spigot kit. He’s a retired carpenter so that helps, but can’t wait to see the results for myself. Or to get him to make a rain barrel for our shed.” Click for our reader’s inspiring reclaimed shed.

5) You don’t agree with This Old House’s choice of best old-house neighborhoods. Yolanda says: “TOH needs to expand its search. Yes, Temescal is nice (and many more neighborhoods in Oakland are awesome!) but to overlook 75% of Alameda? Victorian and Craftsman Heaven, right across the Estuary!” See more suggestions here.

NOTE: We’ll announce the winner of the DustBuster contest on Tuesday.

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blogwatch: where we were clicking this week

Posted by in decorating


Check out the pom pom pomegranate by abbydid at Craft.

The Woolly Pocket Garden Company at Better Living Through Design — fantastic!

Have you sworn off purchasing with plastic? MSNBC has a story on those who have.

Via Boing Boing, here’s a great set of paper taco trucks by goopymart on Flickr that you can print out and fold!

An interesting idea at The Infrastructurist: Would painting roofs and roads white help reduce temperatures?

Cheap, chic ideas to steal at Casa Sugar — we approve of that.

Depending on where you live, this can be tricky: How to grow moss on rocks at About.com:Gardening.

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a collection of 1: my vintage portable radio

Posted by in collecting, decorating


I’m starting a collection. So far I’ve only got one item in said collection, but my intention is to expand. I found the pictured Best Ever portable radio at a flea market for just $5. It was the bright green “carrying case” that caught my eye, but I’ve since fallen in love with everything about my new purchase (including the box and the warranty). I have the radio and the box displayed as part of a vignette in my living room, but I think I might actually frame the warranty for the wall behind the table. I hadn’t originally intended to expand my collection of one, but then I saw this post on transistor radios over at Notcot, and I was inspired to find more. We’ve asked to see your collections before — have you started any new ones recently? –Erica P.

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michael and farrah: a tribute in decor

Posted by in decorating

What can I say — two icons of my youth pass away on the same day, and I get nostalgic. I couldn’t resist this nod to Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett (inspired by Casa Sugar’s “Inspired” posts like this one). Even if we may not have been a fan of their personal lives or even their work, no one can dispute their status in pop culture. –Mary T.


Farrah Fawcett — Though she originally hailed from Texas, the 1970s pinup was the quintessential sunny California girl. Here are a few breezy selections in her honor.

Slip Sliding Away: original felt artwork by Snaggs, $545.

Angela Adams 5×8 Ocean Seaglass Rug, $840.

Los Angeles Tote by Map Tote, $15.
IKEA KARLSKRONA chaise lounge, $169.

Big Hair by James Innes-Smith, $2.95 at Powell’s Books.

And of course, the iconic Farrah poster, shown here in Nate Berkus’s Milan apartment, starting at around $20 on eBay.

Michael Jackson — The King of Pop’s style was glitzy, showy, and yes, rather crazy. Here are a few items to match.


Vintage European crown wall hanging from Etsy seller heirloommarket, $150.


Silver sequins accent pillow from Pillow Decor, $29.95.

IKEA KLIPPAN red leather loveseat, $499.


Crosley Archive Portable USB Turntable from Urban Outfitters, $140, for your vintage Jackson 5 LPs.


Finally, some glow zombie finger puppets from Archie McPhee, $4.95. Recreate the Thriller video from the comfort of your own desk.

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help! something stinks

Posted by in cleaning

We’ve dealt with smells before, but reader Lena needs more help. She writes:

I just moved into my first studio…without any roommates! It’s one big room with an open kitchen; the bathroom is sectioned off as its own individual room. I am a neat and clean person (I do have a cat, but I clean the litter box every other day) yet when I walk in my apartment after being gone for about two hours, there is an odor in the air that I cannot pinpoint. It’s almost like a musty smell. Is it from cooking? Can it be the carpet? Half the room is carpeted, so I thought maybe it comes from there. If the air conditioner is on, it doesn’t smell. I might need a covered garbage can, but I’m usually pretty good about taking it out when there is food in it. I know one can control the smell of a refrigerator by placing a open container of baking soda in it…is there anything like that for a room? Please help!

First, Lena, as unpleasant as it sounds, you may have to do a sniff test — get up close and personal with anything in your apartment that you think could be the culprit. If the smell isn’t around when the AC is on, could the warmth of sunlight be activating a long-hidden smell in your carpet? Maybe just closing the drapes could help in that case. You can also rent a steam cleaner cheaply at a lot of grocery stores.

Check out our suggestions on how to make the air smell fresh and our roundup on candles that bring on spring. And of course, we’ll ask our readers — any suggestions?

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