apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

There is a lot to like in this photo. Besides all the bright colors (and you've now seen my Fiestaware collection, so you know how I love color in the kitchen!), I love how the owner, Nusara, strung a simple cord across her window to hang her pot holders and dish towels. I like the plants in the wire container, the Mrs. Meyer's All-Purpose cleaner close at hand, the collection of wine corks, and the recycling bins. What a lovely and simple visual vignette.

Have you seen these adorable robots at Anthropologie? Handmade in the USA by artist Amy Flynn, these found object robots (or "fobots") were created from repurposed bits and pieces, like an engine oiler, a funnel, and hydraulic fittings.

Some packages are just too pretty to part with. That's how we felt when we saw Integrity Spirits' Lovejoy Vodka bottles. If the name alone doesn't put you in a festive mood, the chic graphic label will. With five different designs, you can even choose the color and pattern that fits your decor.

It's a gray day here in Chicago, and we're in the mood for a virtual vacation. Filled with plants and flowers, these greenhouses offer a bright spot of color.

• Read the full post at AT:Chicago

Last week we got an announcement that Artistic Tile, the large luxury tile store, has implemented several new green initiatives to lower their carbon footprint and set a new example for the tile industry. Some of the initiatives include recycling post-production scrap material, using 100% filtered rain water, and shipping products in recycled boxes with biodegradable bubble wrap.

Last week we heard a quick news story on NPR: California is planning the nation’s first ban on large screen televisions to curb energy use. We know that California is typically on the cutting edge of energy regulation, but of all things, limiting the size of TVs is a surprise to us.

We love the Vers line of iPod speaker docks for your home, and now there are equally elegant iPod cases to match. Check out all the new, handcrafted, renewable bamboo and US hardwood iPod cases!

Now that it's fall and the Green Cure is in full swing, some of us are looking at our closets and making hard decisions. What stays and what goes? Trent recommends giving away the summer clothes that you know you didn't wear this year. You could have an early fall stoop sale, or you could try something new.

It's not too late to participate in another No Impact Week, inspired by Colin Beaven, the No Impact Man. We pointed it out last month but didn't hear much back from readers, so either the idea for participating in a no-impact lifestyle for a week just hasn't caught steam, or it's a little daunting. What's your holdup? We'll start with our reasons for holding back.

Q: My boyfriend and I are moving in together, but as grad students who will graduate at different times, it may be a temporary arrangement. In the meantime we've been trying to combine our things without getting rid of duplicate items so that we can separate without also losing essentials. I've been attempting to also come up with ways to only use what we have and not buy anything new for our new place either.

We have two beds, the less nice of the two being the bottom part of a metal frame bunk bed with a foam mattress. My thought is to turn that into an amazing lounge for outdoor use, solving both a storage need and a need for outdoor furniture — a little metal paint, fabric, and outdoor pillows - voila!

As an resident of Los Angeles, seeing 2012, the latest end-of-the-world disaster film, last night was a little...well...it's kinda disturbing to watch as the city you live in and know intimately crumbles and falls into the sea. Suddenly, earthquake warnings take on a whole new meaning. Maybe, instead of relying on a big government-built ark, we should think about one of our own? Then we remembered something similar we'd seen in Florida.

Buy second hand and keep stuff alive longer! Lots of great furniture finds New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, and Washington DC in today's PM Scavenger...

We've found a company giving old furniture new eco-friendly and gorgeous life (the above being before photos, of course) as well as helping homeowners navigate the confusing waters of green design. Weigh in on whether you feel like there are enough chemical and toxic free interior furnishing options out there!

We've outgrown our two bookshelves, and have been looking for another one. We'd love to try out this solution.