apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

We are big fans of Danny Seo and his myriad tips for living a greener life. So many times "eco-living" advice is no more than a list of products to buy, which kind of misses the point completely. Danny, on the other hand, always has thoughtful ideas on how to reuse items around you home in new, chic and easy ways.

One of the major negatives associated with switching to Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) from standard bulbs is the hazards associated with disposing of them when through. Because they contain trace amounts of Mercury, CFLs can cause harm to the environment if not properly recycled, but it can be difficult to find recycling centers that will take them on a regular basis (they're usually only able to be dropped off on days designated for hazardous waste). Luckily a large national chain announced today their solution to the dilemma...

Are you a writer and/or designer who wants to spread the real word on living green at home to a big daily audience? Well, we are looking for you. It's time for Re-Nest to grow just a little bigger as we near our first birthday. Our original small team of bloggers is based on the West Coast, so we are hoping to find someone from the East this time around... Interested? Jump below for details:

Last year, Mio captured our interest with their Nomad cardboard room divider. This year, the Philadelphia-based company launched three new concepts at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair — a modular storage unit, a stool that uses discarded tires as its seat and a recycleable Tyvek wall covering...

There has been a huge shift in the market for paint in recent years — as consumers demand more environmentally friendly paint, the paint companies are working hard to satisfy these concerns but still offer a product that is durable and lives up to previous expectations. And it's tough work! The New York Times explores the local and federal laws governing VOCs and offers some insight into various "green" paint products...

If you have an old a/c unit in your apartment, you may want to listen to what Sen. Chuck Schumer is saying. We have a very large, old unit that sits in the basement, rarely used (we haven't taken it out over these last couple of sweltering days, for instance). Our first floor apartment just happens to stay remarkably cool on hot summer days, but if we used our a/c more, we'd definitely follow Chuck Schumer's urging:

When we recently asked the question What Do You Do With Wire Hangers? The majority of readers answered that they recycle them. Designer Vanessa Marie Robinson recycled forty-seven dry cleaning hangers into a chair...

Mulch much? The Washington Post featured a story on the overuse of mulch in the U.S.

Apparently, Americans now use about 40 million cubic yards of it a year (estimated by the Mulch and Soil Council) and there is controversy over which type is best: synthetic or organic, pine or hardwood bark, cedar or redwood.

Some environmental groups are trying to halt the use of mulch because of the over clearing of forests and the negative effects of synthetic mulch, which can raise soil temperature...

This oiled teak dining table is from INCH Furniture, a Swiss company based in Basel. We're fond of the untraditional shape, the extendability, and the use of teak. Designed in Switzerland, the Lima Table is manufactured at an Indonesian woodworking school. INCH is very interested in producing long-lasting, sustainable furniture that helps promote the Forest Stewardship Council label in Indonesia...

Ever wanted a peak into a world explorer's home? Home & Design's Spring 2008 issue features Philippe Cousteau, Jr. and his Pentagon City, VA condo. We're jealous that they got to do the tour, and we've developed a crush on the cute bachelor and his uniquely-decorated home. Living up to family tradition, Cousteau is a world-traveling environmentalist, explorer and tv producer. His sleek condo is...

They popped up on Earth Day back in April. On Montague Street, the struggling commercial street in Brooklyn Heights, green shoji lanterns were installed by the Montague Street Business Improvement District. Each little lantern is powered by a solar cell, which gives each green sphere a faint glow come evening...

The Kansas town of Greensburg, devastated by a tornado in May 2007, is rebuilding as an entirely green community of 1500 people. There is a lot of publicity surrounding the town's reconstruction: a Missouri architectural firm is planning the green town, a new television documentary series on Greensburg is starting up, and the town itself has started up an online initiative to reach out and tell their story...

In our new apartment we've only recently begun to use a new feature, one that we'd never encountered before, a Mr. Slim split-ductless AC system. Not totally attractive at first because these bulbous things are mounted high on the walls, we've been blown away lately at how damn powerful, efficient and quiet they are...

Perfect for Spring Cleaning Month — The New York Times explores the growing number of people eschewing store-bought, big name brands and making their own cleaning products at home. In addition to cutting down on harsh chemicals and costs, the practice can be helpful to those suffering from various allergies to unlisted chemicals and fragrances...

Many folks these days are using Reel Mowers to manage their lawn. They require little up keep and are better for the environment by far, but have you ever wondered how to maintain them properly?
Click through the jump to see how to take care of your mower so it will last as long as your grandparent's reel mower did!

The auction house Phillips de Pury asked a group of international designers to work with their waste materials when creating homes for some of Britain's threatened species of birds, bats and bees. Made from out-dated auction catalogs and packing materials, the various designs will be auctioned on June 27th, in London. The three most successful designs will be replicated and sold commercially...

We just heard from Aaron at AT:NY that Zipcar is running a special promotion in Chicago this summer called the Low Car Diet. If you agree to forgo using your car for 1 month (7/21 - 8/15) and use a combination of Zipcars and other ways to get around (walking, biking, public transit) they will give you a free 1 year membership, a loaded transit pass and a driving time credit. What a deal!

Copies become original in the hands of Jens Praet. He turns discarded spreadsheets, et al, into shelves and consoles with the strength of wood and ghost of old business.

Last week we found out how to make a flower box out of a credit card. Now this little project, also from Instructables, makes an incandescent light bulb into a symbol of green, not waste...

Room & Board has always been a favorite of ours for interiors, but they do beautiful and environmentally responsible outdoor furnishings, too...

Maybe it's just us, but we don't use paper towels in our home. When guests are hanging out in the kitchen, they're always shocked that we don't have a roll on hand. We think it started out as thriftiness first thing out of school. But now we continue a paper towel-less life...

We popped into Mohr & McPherson’s clearance center last week and discovered these great side tables from India. They’re 20” square and constructed of Shesham wood, also known as Indian Rosewood. Shesham is a fast-growing hardwood, typically sourced from sustainably managed plantations...