Restoring redwoods by making them into furniture

photo by Marc Soller

In an earlier post on What makes a deck “green”? I said we were running out of redwood trees, so to be green you’d have to look at other options. While it may be true that most redwood logging leads to a reduction of redwood forests, there is at least one interesting [...]

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 [...]