Hands-free kitchen faucet controls

photo by Joshua

Years ago the new great thing at the kitchen sink was a single lever to control water flow and temperature. No more need to twiddle with two knobs. Today the new great thing is “Look, Ma! No hands!” faucets.

As natural as a hobbit house

photo by Simon Dale

I recently saw the “Lord of the Rings” movies in the theater as a special rerelease. Seeing the hobbits in their under-the-hill little houses with round doors and traditional wood and plaster makes we wish I lived in one of those cozy Shire homes. At least for as long as the [...]

Introduction to induction stoves

photo by Steve Evans

Cooking with an induction stove seems a little foreign–and a little magical. Turn one on and stick your hand on it. It’s cool. Put a pot of water on the “burner” and it quickly boils. What’s up with that?

Seeing through exterior solar screens

photo by YAZMDG

Have you ever been in a house with the curtains closed on a lovely sunny day? Usually it’s an effort to have privacy from nearby houses or passersby.

I think living that way is a shame. A person ought to be able to enjoy the sunshine streaming in and a view of the [...]

Lower ceilings to make ceilings higher

photo by Ken McCown

What does that mean, you must be asking yourself. Many of us live in homes where the ceiling height is the same in every room. Often that height is also the same in every room of our neighbors’ homes as well—eight feet. All due to standardized wallboard. And kind of boring.