green find: rebinder office and school supplies
Even in a pretty green workspace — and mine is one — it seems we still use a ton of paper for printing, presentations, and note-taking. But I’ve been working on a project recently where we’re using presentation binders that are made from 100% recycled carboard. The three-ring binders are from ReBinder. They’re surprisingly heavy duty and you can replace the covers and re-use the inner workings if they do start to show some wear. ReBinder has a full line of office and school supplies like folders, CD holders, journals, and even labels that you can buy at their site or find in supply stores like Office Depot. In fact, they have a back-to-school kit ready to go. And all are recycled! What’s even cooler is that I’ve learned while working on my project that the company also partners with groups that provide jobs for developmentally disabled adults. These products really are good all around. — Mary T.
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want it now: gardenwatch cam
Yes, it is ridiculously unnecessary and, yes, it is expensive ($140) but Think Geek’s Gardenwatch Cam is a cool present for the green-thumb-who-has-everything in your life. The all-weather camera snaps time lapse photos of your garden as it grows so you’ll have a gorgeous record of your blooming flower beds. When the growing season is over, the camera can also be used to film all those freak blizzards, as seen in their website’s demo video, so you’ll have a record of your backyard as the snow piles up as well. — Katie D.
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re-energized by design: the laundry room challenge
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Even though our team is no longer in the running, it’s still fun to keep up with what’s going on in the Re-Energized By Design competition. This week, the remaining three teams made over their laundry rooms.
In addition to $500 and energy efficient lighting from GE, the homeowners each received an brand new set of Frigidaire Affinity laundry equipment. These are not your average high-efficiency washers & dryers — this is serious technology in action here. The Affinity dryer will dry a full load in less than 30 minutes, and the washer features allergen reduction and sanitizing features along with having the highest energy star rating. And aesthetically they please, too (though I have to wonder why no one picked the red option).
Love what those scrappy Sayers did in their space with that upcycled laundry drum light fixture. Their creative approach is always surprising, and will be tough to beat in the final round. In the end, the Mendes family’s pastel laundry room didn’t make the cut — that leaves the Sayers and the Reillys to duke it out in the kitchen challenge! who do you think will win?!
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get re-energized by design!
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What is Re-Energized by Design, you ask? Well, it is an awesome web series that Shelterrific is excited to be participating in — produced by Puget Sound Energy, it’s all about incorporating energy efficiency into home design. The challenge is this: six teams of homeowners are paired with design coaches and together they compete to re-design 5 rooms with a focus on saving energy with a small budget. Cameras are documenting each leg of the challenge, and with every room one team gets the boot! The prizes are great: a home full of new LED and CFL lightbulbs from GE, a full suite of kitchen and laundry appliances from Frigidaire, and $5000.
I was fortunate to be paired with the Bedford family, who are just delightful. Kristen and her husband Slade have a great contemporary house, fun design aesthetic, and are really willing to completely put themselves into every challenge. This experience for me has literally been re-energizing to me as well, ending a year-long creative rut and getting me back into blogging and crafting and having fun again. I can’t wait to share what we’ve created together.
But as of today, I won’t have to wait much longer, as the first webisode is available at 6am PST at the Re-Energized By Design site — this week’s is an introduction to all the contestants. And stay tuned each week as we reveal another webisode. Also be sure to go to the Re-Energized page on Facebook, where you can enter to win a new Frigidaire appliance like those featured in the challenge!
bookshelf porn: closer to the real thing
It’s a fact: bookshelf arrangement is an art form. We’ve shared our strategies, and last month T Magazine’s Rita Konig explained the value of adding objects to spruce up the shelf. It all sounds so wonderful, but from where I sit in my 9’x6’ bedroom, is but a dream winking in the distance. But, have no fear, fellow bookshelf-less lit lovers: respite is here in the form of Bookshelf Porn, a blog dedicated solely to capturing the essence of beautiful bookshelves. Part design resource, part shelter for the shelf-less, it’s an eye vacation for a lazy afternoon. — Sarah C.
image from Bookshelf Porn, (via prettybooks and nothingsacred)
prettiest laundry bag ever: urban outfitters’ ruffle laundry bag
Part utilitarian sack, part prom dress, Urban Outfitters has designed the prettiest laundry bag ever! The Ruffle Laundry Bag is a frilly find to make washing even the dirtiest load of laundry a little more glamorous. Made of cotton, the bag is machine washable and can be tossed into the load to get clean alongside your delicates. –Katie D.
natural room scent: stargazer lilies
I really should call this “natural house scent.” Our home isn’t very large (about 800 square feet on the first floor, if that) and two big, hairy dogs in summer can give it that not-so-fresh feeling. I’ve definitely done the scented candles and oils thing, but it was a birthday present from my husband that made me realize there was a much prettier alternative. I’ve always adored stargazer lilies, so much so that they were our wedding flowers. Part of their appeal is their strong scent — I’m sure there are those who don’t love it, but I do. Last week, every time I opened the front door, instead of wafting dog I caught the scent of lilies! So when my birthday flowers wilted, I bought the ones you see here for just $5. (We’re blessed with some of the most abundant and inexpensive floral stands around.) I think this could be my new semi-weekly boost. — Mary T.
