apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

This is green design's dream come true--a group of a few dozen students and researchers who work every day to bring sustainable architecture to the masses.

That's C.A.S.E., the Center for Architecture Science and Ecology. A research facility that's been open for about a year now, as the New York Times reports, it researches sustainable architecture and design and constantly churns out new ideas to implement in new building projects--today.

Jump below for more details and links.

So we've heard of solar-powered lamps before, but here comes a brand-new concept. Apparently, Dutch designer Marieke Staps has figured out a way to harness power from wet soil.

Getting ready to bake that apple pie for Thanksgiving dinner? Make sure the apples are clean!

Until today, we washed all of our fruits and veggies as well as we knew how: by running tap water over it and scrubbing until it looked clean enough to eat. But the point of washing a piece of fruit or vegetable is to rid it of any germs that might be lurking on it surface, whether it's organic or conventionally-grown. You're washing off residual pesticides, something from the conveyer belt at the grocery store, or germs hiding on your countertops.

We found a solution: here's a super-easy green way to wash your fresh produce.

Bike parts are obviously mechanical--and that means they're graphically bold and symmetrical. So it makes sense that the parts, taken away from the whole, are very appealing to the eye and have a dramatic design impact. We've seen chairs made from bike parts, but we found this interesting clock, perfect for the bicycle enthusiast (or mechanical-minded person) in your life.

In prepping for a weekend of holiday crafting, we came across our random collection of buttons. Over the years, the collection has amassed all varieties—from flat and colorful to big and bulbous, found in thrift shops, grandma’s attic, and sometimes on the floor. Buttons always seem to be left behind, and lots of crafters have kept every stray or interesting button they've come across. So here are a handful of tips to put all those buttons to use. Or re-use, assuming they’ve already lived at least one life as a fastener. Jump below for our ideas, then share your own.

Last week, thousands of bus-hopping citizens in Austin watched as their drivers went on strike, fighting for better health benefits.

While we understand the rules of unions and why strikes work for union members, we weren't quite sure where we, a daily commuter, fit in to the picture. With parking so pricey and work so far away, what's the immediate strike-resistant solution to get from home to work?

Reader April wrote us with a question that we've been thinking about lately, too:
I am looking for a non-slip mat to put in our tub which is not made of vinyl, and does not off-gas all the horrible smells that usually accompany them. Any suggestions?

We're not homeowners yet, but we dream of flooring. Often. Which is only slightly disturbing, unless you knew what we dreamt about. Well, here it is folks: reclaimed milled barnwood. This is truly the stuff our dreams are made of. Having spent its first life out on the farm, which is where we spent our first eighteen years of life, antique barnwood floors positively elate us. Rustic, organic, warm, inviting, with a twist of mod depending on how you play it...and a beautiful way to reuse.

Jump below for the link and more photos.

Living in Texas makes for fantastic, mild winters and generally gorgeous weather. But we don't get to see the leaves turn this magnificent shade of red. This week, though, we're out of our home state and spending time in Illinois and Wisconsin, where trees look like this all over. It's absolutely gorgeous!

We've learned a lot about growing seasons this year because we're trying to keep a small container garden thriving. Several things have surprised us, but this is the most surprising planting tidbit we've heard thus far. Did you know fall is the best time of year to plant a tree?

Turns out...

The photo yesterday of Jessica Alba's home reminded us so much of a home near and dear to us, that we just had to share these garden creations with you.

See the chandelier and get the low-down after the jump...

Without getting too political...Last night's election meant a lot to me as an individual, and I think meant a lot to this nation as a whole. And as luck would have it, today I'm flying through Chicago for work. I'll only be there for a few hours before I take a train up to Wisconsin, but I am looking forward to feeling the excitement in the air. I mean, did you not see the thousands at Grant Park last night?

Trust me--there's a green theme here. I just want to mention a couple of things I always do when I travel for work, since I don't like to leave all my green tendencies behind me in Texas. Jump below for my ideas, and then share your own!

Remember way back when we talked about organic foods being available at Wal-Mart? Well, we heard another story on NPR yesterday about Whole Foods' sales slowing down in this tight economic crunch and how some folks are turning to the organics available elsewhere to keep up their green diets.

And that got us to thinking...when it comes to eating organically and locally, are you doing anything to tighten your belt?

We happened upon an article in the NYT this weekend and got to thinking... What better for the earth-loving couples ready to say "I do" than to work a green theme into their wedding ceremony--beyond just organic food at the reception and soy ink on the post-consumer recycled paper invites?

How about getting hitched on a farm?

Has anyone else already heard the holiday music being pumped through places like department stores, craft shops, and home improvement places? Today we're dressing up for Halloween, and already we're bombarded—even in a tough economy—to buy, buy, buy.

To alleviate some of the serious stresses of holiday shopping that seem like they're already upon us, we'd like to share a few tips that will make your gift-giving greener and more economically sound. Trust us, it's better to hear this way in advance than to wish you'd heard it by mid-December! Jump below for our advice, and then share your own.