apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

When Daryle Dutton's local food co-op was shut down to make way for high-rise condos, he and his neighbors found themselves having to get in the car and drive 30 minutes just to pick up a tomato for dinner. With the goal of bringing fresh, local food back to the community, Dutton opened Tempe Farmers Market, a new indoor market in downtown Tempe, Arizona. We stopped by last week to check out the store and pick up some regional specialties...

On Saturday mornings, nestled into the foothills of the Mojave desert, the Joshua Tree farmers' market welcomes everyone from free-spirited locals to military base families, park rangers, and tourists. We paid a visit to the market last Saturday, picked up some gorgeous persimmons, pomegranates, and other fall gems, and soaked up the friendly, community-oriented vibe...

Were you as excited as we were about the PBS premiere of The Botany of Desire? Based on Michael Pollan's best-selling book of the same name, the documentary examines the relationship between people and four plants: apples, tulips, marijuana, and potatoes. Click through for a preview video and highlights from the accompanying Web site...

Recently, I was listening to my mother describe the quilt square she had sewn for 350.org's International Day Of Climate Action on October 24 (that's tomorrow!). As I learned about the quilt and saw images of similar projects around the globe, they struck me as powerful reminders of the importance of community, contribution, and sharing. We can try to green our own homes and lives by ourselves, but it's so much more effective – and fulfilling – when we work as neighbors...

Have you banished all your vampires, or do you still have some lurking around the corners of your home? Here's a snazzy new "Vampire Awareness" Web site and video...

Wrap dough tightly in plastic wrap. These are familiar instructions to home bakers, and I even include them in my own recipes here on The Kitchn. Though I don't use plastic wrap for many purposes other than chilling pastry, pie, and cookie dough, I am always looking for ways to make my kitchen more environmentally friendly and now that plastic bags and paper towels are (mostly) out of the picture, I'm turning to plastic wrap...

We were discussing kitchen sponges with some friends recently (riveting party topic!) and were surprised to hear that one of them discards and replaces her sponge every week. Certainly this isn't such a green practice, but it's true that sponges can get pretty icky. What's an eco-conscious dish washer to do? Here are five suggestions...

We've always gone for the bigger, more impressive pumpkins at the Hollywood farmers' market, but this year we're utterly charmed by all the minis on sale throughout the market. Perhaps it's because we realized we can actually eat mini pumpkins, not just decorate with them...

From autumnal pillows to felted coasters, Etsy crafters are ingenious at giving new life to old woolen sweaters, and the aesthetic is just perfect for fall. Here are 10 upcycled wool creations guaranteed to keep your home and your beverages warm and cozy.

Did you know you can compost pet droppings? Although it shouldn't be mixed in with regular compost, poo from dogs, cats, or rodents can still be converted into rich fertilizer for your garden.

We've blogged about the Green Garbage Project, one couple's attempt to live for an entire year without throwing anything away. While their endeavor is certainly admirable, it's not something most of us would – or could – emulate. But how about a week? ReadyMade just gave it a try...

Is your "green" chair truly sustainable? What makes something totally beautiful or secretly ugly? A series of podcasts from Open University aims to educate designers and consumers about these and other key issues in product design.

The magazine publishing market is so rocky these days that we consider the launch of any new title an act of bravery. It is fitting, then, that one of the latest additions to newsstands promotes the the vital and enterprising act of sustainable city living...

In celebration of Apartment Therapy's color contest, we thought we'd highlight some the most spectacular hues seen at the Hollywood farmers' market this past weekend...