apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Carbon footprint? Seriously? You're still pushing that nonsense?

It's the sun people. The polar ice caps on Mars shrink also. Can't blame that on humans can you.

It's a rare reader of a "green homes" blog that doesn't believe in global warming...

Nighted: even if you don't believe in climate change / climate change is nothing to do with human beings, there are a few simple facts that none of us can argue against: we do not have an infinite supply of resources; our taking up tons of space impacts on many other species, all of whom have just as much right (possibly more) to a decent space to call their own; living with less means using less resources and less space, which is good.

Anyone in California would care to rent, or rent to own, a wee spot, I am waiting -just waiting (& searching!) for you!

I don't need fancy: insulated for warmth, shower, power, 100sf more or less w/a loft and I'm happy as a clam.

Thank you...ever so much.

Well said Nighted-
Not every scientist agrees with global warming- did everyone missed how they were toying with the numbers in the hacked emails?
Why do people choose to believe blindly rather than investigate on their own?

Wha happend to the ICE AGE that was coming as was tought in the 70's to all school children.

Okay, let me get this straight:

Nighted doesn't believe in global warming, but he/she does believe in a radical Jewish conspiracy against Christianity: http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/how-to/a-diy-menorah-for-hanukkah-readymade-103881#comments.

And Haunted_Studio, rather than believing blindly, has conducted a thorough investigation and determined that the White House is waging a war on Christmas: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/white-house-decor/white-house-holiday-decorations-2009-103337

Whatever. Ho, ho, ho.

People, are the sites not here to allow opinions of all types? Where is the tolerance if it is only allotted to those who have thoughts we agree with??

I do not believe, necessarily, with what everyone writes, but I am so proud that I live in a country where you can say whatever you want (for the time being!).

Hoping everyone out there has a fantastic 2010 :)

Rosenatti, that's hilarious. Well done, my dear. :)

Back on track...

While my home is nowhere near as small as these, for my 'spacious' 985 sq. ft. I love the challenge of making my tiny but gorgeous kitchen look spacious, choosing a bed that hides two people's seasonal clothing underneath, squeezing a home office in an area the size of a shallow closet--all while keeping it all kid-friendly. I'm told all the time that I need more space...but why?
There is such a thing as a mental freedom connected with being happy on less :)

As this thread evolved, so drained my spirit of any long-term hope for humanity. I will only pick on one individual here to single out: thank you FoodieGreenie for presenting the situation in such a way that takes the argumentative aspect of 'taking sides' and tosses it out the window. Population is booming, resources are finite & dwindling, toxic garbage piles up all over - we need to change our ways.

By looking at some comments and some profiles, the easiest first step may be to choose to speak in kindness not hostility or negativity when posting- whether you agree or not. Decency, kindness and caring leaves a person and inevitably comes back to them.

MJB: all due respect and gratitude for the joyous sign-off, but I politely disagree- with my perception of the ongoing, long-term erosion of my First Amendment rights. (though I am so very grateful to not live in lands where blood is spilling in the streets today over basic rights)

Can we kindly & respectfully speak to one another on textiles, furniture and lighting as well as gains made in clean energy and technology? You know, some good times, nice people...

Whether or not global warming is "real" is completely irrelevant. The fact is that these resources that we need to burn are limited and, if not impacting the planet as a whole, are DEFINITELY impacting the local ecology. Just read ANYTHING about the oil sands in Canada.

So, regardless whether global warming is real or not, we live in a day and age where we have the technology at least to reduce the amount we're burning and extend the time we can drive our cars to the grocery store that's two blocks away.

So while I don't mind megamansions, there's no reason that every home in the country shouldn't have solar panels and wind turbines on the roofs (weather-permitting, of course) and urban green roofs.

Ok, off my soapbox.

We are renovating a 350 square foot house for us to live in. It takes planning and a gastric bypass surgery on your stuff. But it can be done--even for a wheelchair, oxygen, and mobility dogs!

See our progress at http://www.accessahut.wordpress.com

No matter what your views on global warming or your feelings on the recycling movement - we can all agree that we all want to save money and not exhaust our resources. I am huge fan of small spaces for many reasons but, mostly, it is practical, economical, logical and FUN! My hubby and I downsized from 3000 sq ft home because we realized 90% of our time our family was in a 15x15 room eating & watching tv together & hosting huge parties. We cooled, furnished, wasted all kinds of money & energy on the idea of 'space.' Today we enjoy a smaller space, built all kinds of efficient and we have not sacrificed a thing, except excess stuff we never used and lots of money we wasted.

can someone recommend a designer who specializes in small spaces? i need to incorporate an office in my living room... and i am not sure that my furniture is laid out in the most efficient manner. thanks.

I know someone who works from home in Washington state and has a very nice 500 sq ft place ... and an amazing tree house office. Oddly enough there are architects that specialize in tree houses.

The ongoing saga of finding a discreet (but practical)place to place a trashcan in the kitchen. It's a losing battle for me. I don't want it in view, I want it VERY accessible when I'm preparing meals and I don't have the proverbial under the sink space. I have a small kitchen (too far to walk to the main trash can outside the house) and I'm looking for suggestions from any and everyone, please ! anyone have any ideas ?

Hi, I used to use a space in my kitchen where previous occupants had had a dishwasher to put all of my trash including compostable waste and recycling. I had a curtain made to cover the ugliness, so all I had to do was lift the curtain back. Now that I have had a new kitchen built, I have the under sink cupboard where I have a paper-lined pot for compostables and the cupboard next to it has a small trashcan for non-recyclables and one for recyclables. When I'm preparing meals I take out the compostables container and put it on the floor or worktop so it's handy. Some kitchens have a trashcan actually built into the worktop. My parents have a broom cupboard which stores their trashcan. Hope it is of help.

I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death my right to disagree with what you say. (chuckle)

I'm looking for the original post of the photo of the storage boxes on the upper right. Can anyone help?

Hi mackenziemarie - it's my house tour "Kittie's Tiny Tudor City Triumph". If you type "Kittie's" in the search box on the AT home page top right, it will give you the link.
Thanks for the interest!
Kittie

Hi helpme!
I am the person you need to help with your small space!
My interior design company http://www.lifestylespacedesign.com specializes in helping people live well & graciously in small apartments.
I'm based in NY, but also work online with out of town clients.
And because the majority of my clients are on restricted budgets, my services are very affordable!
Check out my house tour "Kittie's Tiny Tudor City Triumph" to see how I made a fully functional office in my 10' x 17' studio.
Contact me anytime thru my website - I'd love to help you!
Kittie

I used some acrylic finished wall cabinets that were intended for the garage in my studio. Since the colors were graphite with silver fronts it worked well with the color theme of my apartment and I used the cabinets that were mounted to the wall since I don't have much floor space. Here is the link to the page http://www.mystoragecabinets.com/fipiulprokit.html