Posts with tag help

When you open that holiday gift containing the latest and greatest tech gadget this year, think twice about what you're going to do with the old one.

The typical American family throws away 540 pounds of metals each year. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, Americans own approximately 24 electronic products per household, which means that electronics are a significant part of our trash each year -- and many contain harmful chemicals, like lead and mercury. This is called "e-waste" and it has a harmful effect on our environment and our overall health (check out these crazy electronic waste photos from China!). Yikes.

Take it from us: Here's how to get rid of your old gadgets in a way that's better for you and the environment.

1. Sell 'em
First, you can try to get some cash by listing the items on Craigslist, eBay or a company like Gazelle or TechForward who will pay you cash for your old phones and such. Remember, your trash might be someone else's treasure.

2. Give 'em away
If that doesn't work, try donating your old electronics to an organization. The EPA has a great list of orgs that will accept your old iPod. Another option is listing it on Freecycle, which helps connect individuals hunting for items with those giving them away.

3. Recycle
Another option is to recycle -- or ecycle -- them. Ecycling, which refers to the recycling of metals and electronics, is big business these days since electronics are almost replaced on a yearly basis. First, check to see if the brand you're chucking has a recycling program. For example, Sony, Samsung and Nokia have put programs in place for old electronics.

There are national ecycling centers that are dedicated to recycling electronics. Find one near you by entering your zip code at myGreenElectronics, E-cycling Central or the EPA website. Some places will even come and pick up your stuff!

There's more to fireplaces than chopping wood. Actually, there are several different ways to heat a fireplace. In addition to a wood-burning fireplace and gas inserts, you can keep your tootsies warm with a fire fueled by corn pellets or even ethanol. Which is the best option? Let's see.

1. Wood-burning
Pro: There's nothing like the sizzle and pop of a wood fire.
Con: Who needs to be out chopping wood through the winter months? Hello, Java Logs!
Behind the flame:
Wood burning fireplaces have been around since, well, the beginning of history! Fire was used to cook, and later, the fireplace became just a cozy place to snuggle up and read. Nowadays, fireplaces are considered a common luxury. Traditional wood-burning fireplaces rely on real wood or you can get inserts, if you don't feel like stockpiling wood each year. There is quite a bit of upkeep you must perform on your fireplace as well, such as checking the chimney, removing soot or grease and also capping your chimney so that you don't get any uninvited guests coming in for a visit (and I'm not talking about Santa!)!






2. Gas
Pro: You light a fire with the push of a button.
Con: It drives up gas and electric bills, which sort of defeats the point of being green. Plus, these options are expensive.
Behind the flame:
There are three types of gas fireplaces: direct vented, which can be vented through the wall or roof, top vented which needs a chimney or vent, and ventless which expels exhaust into your home (this last one sounds kind of scary and we don't recommend it). Ventless gas fireplaces have been deemed safe because they include an oxygen-depletion sensor that turns gas off before carbon monoxide reaches dangerous levels in the room.


3. Electric
Pro: You could buy one tomorrow and install it anywhere.
Con: Design hasn't really caught up with ease of use. And since you plug them in, they just don't seem real. Where's the crackle and pop of the flame?
Behind the flame:
Electric fireplaces do not produce any flame and don't require venting. Therefore, they can be easily installed anywhere (including apartments and condos), even next to wood. All you have to do is plug them in to get your fireplace going. However, they can run up your electric bill pretty quickly.


4. Pellets
Pro: Corn pellets are very eco-friendly; you can heat the house with heat given off from a corn pellet stove.
Con: $$$
Behind the flame:
This option is an increasingly popular option for fireplaces. The pellets are made of compressed wood and produce virtually no smoke as well as less odor than other wood-burning appliances. Pellets may be hard to locate in some areas, and pellet stoves use internal fans, which require about 100 KWH of electricity each month, so cost might be a consideration. There are pellet stoves that you can purchase that are EPA-certified. For more information see the EPA's website. Corn pellets may also be an option for these types of fireplaces, which is a more eco-friendly option.


5. Ethanol
Pro: With ethanol being talked about as a possible gas of the future, you could be ahead of the curve.
Con: $$$
Behind the flame:
Ethanol is an alcohol made from plants, mostly corn in North America, which is used as a burning fuel. It is also referred to as "ethyl alcohol" or "grain alcohol." It is flammable, but tasteless and colorless. Burning ethanol does not release any new carbon dioxide or other toxic chemicals into the air and there is no need for venting. There are a number of manufacturers that make ethanol-friendly fireplaces, such as EcoSmartFire, Real Flame and Pureflame. Although these are great choices for the environment and your safety, they can be costly.

For more eco-friendly options and a list of EPA-certified appliances, please visit the EPA's Burn Wise website.

Just because we spend most of our time indoors, doesn't mean that we should neglect the fundamental parts of our home's exterior, like the roof. Replacing or repairing roof damage can be expensive and a good roof is an important part of decision-making when buying a new home. A good quality roof can provide extra warmth in the winter, general protection from the elements and also prevent major damage to your home from moisture seepage (like the dreaded "m" word -- mold). So, what kinds of roofing are out there? Let's examine some of the more popular materials used for today's roof.

Asphalt
Asphalt shingles are probably the most common types of shingles used. Asphalt shingles are made by layering multiple layers of asphalt on top of a base composed of either fiberglass or organic material such as cellulose fibers. They are fairly inexpensive, costing between $15 and $25 per square foot and last anywhere from 20 to 30 years. The are fairly fire resistant and easy to install or replace.

Slate
Slate roof tiles are like the granite countertops of roofing and are increasing in popularity. Slate is available in many lovely colors and the look is just beautiful. These shingles can last 100 years or more, but are very costly. The also require special reinforcements, which can make them difficult to replace and more costly.

Wood
Wood shingles, or shakes, have a warm and inviting feeling. They are also sometimes used on the exterior of the home in place of siding. Many times, cedar is used but pine and spruce are also popular. With proper care, wood shingles can last up to 50 years. Unfortunately, wood shingles are not fire-resistant and it can be more costly when insuring your home.

Tile/Clay
Tile shingles, concrete or clay, are popular in warmer climates and have a Mediterranean look. Flat shingle or a barrel-shaped shingle. They are cheaper than slate but can cost much more than asphalt. These tiles can last up to 50 years and are fire-resistant.

For more information on roofing, check out The Roofery.

I'm a massive fan of hardwood floors, so rugs are a must in my home. And although I'm probably the biggest supporter of rug use, there's always one question that leaves me utterly baffled: Round or rectangle? I could tell you my opinion, but I thought it would be much more fun to ask one of my favorite interior designers what the pros think.

Read on to hear Canadian interior designer Lori Andrews weigh in on the age-old debate (you don't want to miss this advice!).

Exhibit A: Round
"A round rug can add color and softness in a small space or an awkwardly shaped room," says Lori. "For example, in the above pictured modern ranch style home of my Swedish born friend Oscar, the fireplace angles out in an unusual manner. This colorful round rug from IKEA works well as it enhances the shape of the furnishings without detracting from the star of the show -- the fireplace design."

Lori points to the photo of one of her client's living rooms (above). Since the space is small, a round rug would work well, she says. "While we opted not to use a rug in this space, I can visualize something like this rug from Thomas Paul," she says.

Families that play together, stay together and encouraging all members of your family to take up an outdoor activity or team sport is a healthy pursuit. But some sports require a tremendous amount of equipment that takes its toll on your already limited storage space. (Think: garage cluttered with bats, balls, golf clubs, helmets, etc.)

If everyone played soccer or basketball then it would only be a matter of dealing with ball storage. This portable rack from Champion Sports holds 12 balls securely and makes for easy access. If you want to be really organized, then consider this portable ball locker. It will hide those stinky pads and/or helmets.

Athletic endeavors such as hockey, lacrosse and baseball require a storage solution to keep sticks and bats from becoming a tripping hazard.

This sports gear station from Rubbermaid holds bats, sticks, helmets and balls with ease. It also contains a mesh bag for ball storage but can be cinched up and removed for easy portability.

The mass of sports gear cluttering your garage may look intimidating, but with the proper storage solution you'll have easy access to the gear. You'll also create a safer environment since there isn't a million things to trip over. You also won't lose as much equipment, which will save you money.

Homemade cleaning products are cheaper -- but do they actually work? Laura, our fearless blogger, invites us into her Brooklyn home and puts a few to the test. You may be surprised at which cleaners are worth the effort, and which fall short. We certainly were!

Lucite, the clear material that the design world lusts after, has many, many good aesthetic qualities. It projects a floating look, can be quite spage-agey and is often the perfect thing to balance or neutralize many a decorating scheme.

Also called Perspex, Plexiglas or just plain acrylic, it's basically a highly specialized sort of plastic. So what gives? What makes this fancy cousin of humble origins so pricey?

According to Allen Frechter of Plexi-Craft, whose family-run business has been manufacturing everything from Lucite dining tables to magazine racks for years, many things play into the high stakes world of Lucite. For one, petroleum is its primary ingredient, which makes Lucite very dependent on the price of oil. Secondly, each piece is customarily made by hand -- There's no manufacturing in China here.

At Shelterpop, we looooove helping our readers, and sometimes, we learn a thing or two along the way. This week, a lovely reader wrote in asking about luxury sheets and, more specifically, how she can find a set for wayyy less. Always up for a challenge, I went shopping (in the name of research, of course)!

Here's everything you needed to know about when to splurge on sheets -- and when you're getting ripped off.

Which thread count is best?
First of all, let's talk thread count. A sheet's thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads in each square inch of fabric. The average shopper believes the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet. However, after researching linen buyer's guides and talking to a few textile manufacturers, it turns out that any sheet with a thread count larger than 380 is a bit of a falsity. Much like sunscreen, higher doesn't always mean better. Many manufacturers often twist two threads together to create a larger thread count, which, as a result, gives you less of the natural fiber you're purchasing.

Which fabric blend is worth the money?
Alternatively, rather than choosing your sheets based on thread count alone, take into account the type of fibers the sheets are crafted from. A few popular options are Pima, Supima, and Egyptian Cotton, which generally have thread counts between 200 and 300 and are known for a soft, silky but durable quality. Steer clear of any muslin blend, as these sheets are often hard and scratchy.



Where to find them?
A good tip is to search for American-made sheets, as imported fabrics can double your cost. Here are a few great sources I'd recommend:

• Domestic Bin:
  Try the Egyptian cotton 275 thread count sheet set from Wamsutta (at just $39.99!).
• Linen Place:
  Try the Echelon Sateen set, made from 100% Egyptian cotton with a thread count of 300 for just $72 for the queen sheet set.
• Overstock:
  Try the Pima Cotton 350 thread count sheet set for just $49.99.

By now you should have a better idea of what to look for in luxury sheets. As always, a good deal isn't a good deal if you don't take care of it, so remember to hang-dry your sheets and avoid heavy detergents and bleaches.

Happy dreaming!

Read More:
-DIY Rope Headboard
-Makeover Your Dresser in 3 Easy Steps
-Chandeliers in the Bedroom

I empathize with renters, I really do. The flights of stairs, paper-thin walls, noisy neighbors? And to top it off, many landlords drag their feet when it comes to painting walls or updating the space in any way. In fact, today's Help! topic was sent in by a fellow reader in need of a major overhaul in her apartment... but her landlord says it's a no-go.

Renters, breathe a collective sigh of relief. These easy updates require few holes, cans of paint and/or equipment, perfect for a renter and guaranteed to make your landlord proud.

IN THE KITCHEN:
Can't paint the cabinets? Remove the doors temporarily and tape contact paper to the inside of cupboards. Organize your dinnerware and cover any unsightly messes with bright fabric.

Beige and unsightly tiles? Cover them up with temporary flooring tiles, such as FLOR. A bit of an investment, but you can peel them off and carry them with you to your new home!

Old appliances? Check out how to make these retro beauties work for you right here.

No storage? Add a few pegboards like Project Runway finalist Daniel Vosovic did in his beautiful (and rented!) kitchen.

IN THE LIVING ROOM
Can't paint your wall? Try a few fun wall decals, like these from Blik.

Can't put holes in your walls? Display your artwork using a ladder for shelving a la Real Simple.

Small space? Use small-scale furniture to avoid a cluttered look, and avoid boxy furniture. Glass end tables and coffee tables work best, as does pedestal furniture.

Hate white paint on your walls? Cover one wall with a floor-length drapery to add pattern to your space. Who said curtains can only cover windows?

IN THE BATHROOM
Hate your faux wood cabinets? Cover them with removable decals or contact paper (or a soft adhesive wallpaper like Nick did to his fridge!).

No storage? Add a tall pot rack in the corner of your bathroom for towels, toiletries and soaps.

Boring decor? Invest in a shower curtain you love, which will make all the difference. Keep it light and bright to maximize your space (I loooove this one!).


Clearly, the possibilities are endless. And no lawn to mow? Renting just went up like eighty points in my book...

Read More:
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If you're thinking about improving your carbon footprint, your kitchen might be one of the most important places to start. The ugly truth about what we use to clean our homes is quite unsettling, but if you put your best eco foot forward with these five easy steps, you can have a cleaner, greener and healthier kitchen.

1) Textile Transformation. Consider replacing your current textiles with bamboo/organic cotton kitchen towels, reusable dish cloths, and eco-friendly sponges and wipes. Use old dish towels as dust cloths instead of tossing them.

2) Clean Green. Try to use cleaners with less chemicals, like Green Works, Mrs. Meyers, or Method. Replacing a few of your old cleaners with these more natural cleaners will instantly help the environment and protect your family against harsh chemical residue and fumes from chemical irritants such as bleach, carpet cleaners, aerosols, air fresheners or ammonia.

3) Just Bamboo It. Use bamboo cooking and baking utensils. A few years ago, I noticed that some of my plastic ones started melting and chipping into my food, and I quickly went out and purchased a fairly inexpensive set of bamboo ones and haven't looked back. If you want to take it a step further, there is a variety of bamboo kitchen accessories available.

4) Save Energy. Replace your light bulbs with low-impact lighting, and make good use of natural light whenever possible. If you're in the market for new appliances, be sure to look for Energy Star appliances because they save energy and money!

5) Throw it away and feel OK. Did you know you can even get recycled trash bags or biodegradable cups and dishware? If it absolutely has to be thrown away, why contribute to landfill trash? Go biodegradable, and lose the guilt.

Read More

-A Cool New Use For Recycled Tin Cans

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Ah, the dreaded refrigerator clean-out. De-cluttering the fridge is one of those jobs I like to think husbands are made for, but one of these days I hope to step up to the plate and do it myself. So I scoured the web for some great ideas to make his (um, my) job easier.

Alas, a step-by-step guide to cleaning out your fridge (in less than an hour!):

1) Grab a few cardboard boxes, a laundry basket, or any Rubbermaid bins you've got in your home. Remove everything from the refrigerator. Keep in mind that condiments and/or vegetables and fruits should stay together. Keep dairy (milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, etc) in a separate container so you know these items need to go back in the refrigerator asap.

2) Remove your drawers, trays and dividers and place in a bathtub with hot water and bleach. Let sit, then return to the kitchen for some heavy duty sorting.

3) Put on your rubber gloves and scrub down with a non-toxic cleaner (I love Method's all-surface cleaner) from top to bottom, gathering food crumbs at the bottom and wiping clean. After scrubbing, wipe down with a warm cloth to remove all cleaning agents.


4) Place an open box of baking soda to absorb any smells that are left in your fridge, and head to the bathroom to check on your shelves!

5) Check to see if spots have dissolved in the tub. If not, use your non-toxic cleaner on shelves, drawers and trays, and wipe down with a warm cloth.

6) Back in the kitchen, sort through the contents of your bins, boxes and tubs. If you haven't used a product in six months, pitch it. Anything that's expired is not allowed back in the refrigerator, no matter how much your teenage son will protest his E-Z Cheese in the garbage.

7) Re-categorize your items as you place them back in the refrigerator, keeping like items together. Line your drawers with a paper towel to keep fruit and veggies crisper, as well as collect any food remnants for your next cleaning (in three months or as needed).

Not bad, right? You'll have a clean fridge in an hour, and chances are, you'll re-discover that hot fudge you'd been missing for weeks...Now where's that ice cream?




Read More

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Sometimes we just need to separate. Our spaces, that is. Houses and rooms are just growing in size and defining space is becoming a problem. If you live in a loft, you know this problem all too well. Room dividers have come a long way: the options range far beyond a simple shoji screen. I thought it would be fun to take a look a variety of screens, one of which might just define your personal style.

Modern
If you've got some cash to burn, check out the Petal Screen (left), $7,970 to $11,955 at Bobby Berk Home. If not, grab an IKEA EXPEDIT for $199 (right) -- It makes a great room divider while still functioning as a bookcase.

It's a common problem: Your bathroom's tile work is stuck in another decade. Whether it's Pepto-Bismol pink, bright blue or bleh brown, it's hard to work around an oddly colored tile job. While your immediate reaction might be to gut the whole thing and start fresh, there are a few things you can do to make it more stylish. Here are some low-cost ideas to help you fix up the space:

Must do:
- Clean your bathroom within an inch of its life. You'd be surprised how much a good scrubbing can do.
- Remove hokey plastic shower-doors and replace them with a shower curtain instead.
- Toss outdated window coverings like venetian blinds. Try to do:
- If you're stuck with an unusually-colored toilet, try to track down a toilet seat that matches the bowl.
- If you're blessed with a vintage white tub, you can consider having it reglazed, but this is only worthwhile if you actually love the tub. Don't do:
- Do not, under any circumstance, try to paint the tile! Trust us, there's just no way to do this - -even so-called professional services can't "paint" your tile.

White is right. Cancel out the crazy tile with a white-wash. Paint the walls and trim white and buy snow-colored towels and an all-white shower curtain. All that lack of color will calm the effect of your unfortunately-hued tile.

Embrace it. This tactic is especially smart for guest bathrooms and powder rooms, but might be a bit much for your everyday bathing. Instead of trying to hide from the retro look, go with it. Shop flea markets and tag sales for retro accessories, paint the walls a crazy color and say, Hello camp! (Check out designer John Loeke's bathroom at right for a bit of inspiration--we snapped this picture while visiting the designer's home earlier this summer.)

Do a Band-Aid makeover. If you can't afford a full-on renovation, but can't stand to look at a pink toilet any longer, you can do some minor renovations. Invest in a new toilet and pedestal sink, replace the existing vanity and light fixtures if they are outdated and re-grout the existing tile. If you're careful with costs, you can get a fresh look for under $1000, including labor.

Can you guess what's behind the curtain? It's not clothes, or towels and sheets, or a bunch of canned goods...

It's an office!

If you're like me, you're cramped in your apartment struggling to keep things organized. Most every home needs a home office nowadays for homework, bill paying, going online and catching up on ShelterPop. If you can't dedicate an entire room, what about turning a guest or coat closet into an office area?

That's just what Aja did in her guest bedroom. Here is a quick, easy way to convert an unused closet space into a functional mini-office.

Step 1: Plan & measure!
Be sure that whatever it is you're putting in this space will fit properly. See if the desk fits, or if the chair can easily slide underneath the desk and the door can still shut. If not, you can either search for new pieces or remove the door(s) and use a curtain. If you need to install shelving, you will likely want to remove the old closet shelving and install your own nice new shelving.

"I made a detailed list of all the items that I would need storage for," says Aja. "I also took precise measurements of the closet and made sketches of possible layouts. You also need to know exactly how you want to use the space. I actually went so far as to measure the width of my magazine and book collection and made sure my shelving allowed for the width and height of these books and leaving myself some room for growth. "

Step 2: Consider potential obstacles, such as storage, electrical, and lighting.
"I tried to think practically about how I function and figured that since I'm more of a filer than a stacker that some type of easy filing system would be needed and had to be stored out in the open," she says. "I came up with the IKEA BYGEL rail and basket for that. I guess I just kind of bought a few things and tried to think outside of the box for storage."

Surely you will want to plug something in! Aja's closet did not have any outlets so she attached an under cabinet light strip under the bottom shelf that she used for her laptop and some lighting. Consider a lighting and electrical solution before you do any demolition.

Step 3: Clear it out!
Remove shelving and patch holes. Sand and prepare for paint.

Step 4: Paint your color of choice.
You will likely have to paint anyway, so this is your opportunity to make it suit your style. Aja decided to decorate her office in her favorite colors: pink, aqua and lime green.

Step 5: Move on in!

Small kitchens are one of the most difficult spaces to organize because there's just so much darn stuff that needs storing: plates, glasses, small appliances, beverages, food, spices, bakeware, serveware, and of course, pots and pans. I have a whole extra piece of furniture in my kitchen just for my baking and cooking sets. Here are some pot storage ideas for those of you with cramped quarters, or with a desire to display your goods.

(Think: A bike tire pot rack -- really!)


Hanging Pot Racks
Hanging pot racks are such a great idea. If you have some extra space above, then you can definitely make use of it with a pot rack. Hanging pot racks come in a variety of sizes, styles, and colors, and you're sure to find one to suit your style. Many also come with lighting, so it acts like a functional chandelier.

Pots on the Wall
Wall-mounted pot racks are another option if you've got some space above a stove or counter. There are even pot racks, like the one pictured above that double as bookshelves, for storing mixing bowls, recipe books, and other items.

Make Your Own Pot Rack
If you have a low ceiling or some empty wall space, try adding pegboard to your wall as a place to hang your pots and other cooking utensils. Follow these instructions from Instructables on creating an inexpensive and easy pot storage solution using just pegboard and some hooks.

If you're creative enough to make a pot rack, try this tutorial from Martha Stewart Living that uses a handrail and some S hooks. Or, just run out to your garage and grab that old bike tire that's been sitting there for years, like Handmade Detroit did:

Whichever way you go, you've finally got those pesky post out of the way, but still within reach.