Crazy Rooms (That We’re Crazy About) From New York Magazine
Shelter Pop
“This week’s issue of New York focuses on extreme design…and we’re extremely excited. Check out our five favorite spaces.”

Do You Dance While You Iron?
DIY Life
“Everybody, at some point, has busted a move while cleaning. These people were kind enough to share their methods on YouTube. ”

America’s Most Decadent Kitchens
MSN Real Estate
“Forbes compiled a list of some of the most luxurious kitchens in homes now for sale, with help from Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Sotheby’s International and Coldwell Banker.”

How Much Can You Save with Green Remodeling Tax Credits?
Calfinder
“Happy Earth Day, folks! In honor of the 41st anniversary of this greenest of holidays, I’d like to share a breakdown on energy-saving home improvements, and the federal tax incentives that make them affordable.”

Concerned about the state of your lawn and garden after this hard winter? Looking for a way to go green? Oh boy, have we ever got a solution for you: goats! Yes, goats, the adorably mischievous ruminants.

According to The Wall Street Journal via MSN, goats are becoming the new way to keep your lawn in tip-top shape without having to fire up the lawnmower or the weed whacker. Goats will eat almost anything, will work tirelessly at clearing lawns and are a great conversation starter!

Unless you live on a farm, you probably don’t want to invest in a goat, let alone a herd (and local code probably wouldn’t allow city dwellers to), but there are rental options, such as www.rent-a-goat.com. And what about the “fertilization” the goats naturally provide? Reputable goat rental companies will clean up after their animals.

So if you are seeking a unique, green way to clear your yard, how about letting some adorable hard-working goats do it (homeowners should check their local codes to find out if livestock rental is permitted and for what purposes)? Would you rent some goats to spruce up your yard? Let us know in the comments!

Image courtesy of Michael Vincent Miller on Flickr.

April is Earth Month, an expansion of the more traditional Earth Day celebrations that take place in April. In the spirit of the holiday, here are some quick tips and ideas for things you can do at home to go green now.

A few tips from Re-Nest:

• Reduce vampire energy by plugging your electrical appliances into power strips and turning the strips off when not in use. Not only will this save energy, it will save you money (check out this chart for proof).
• Shop locally. Check out your area’s farmers market and try to buy items from local sources to reduce the environmental impact of transporting your goods from the other side of the world.
• Start a vegetable garden. A great way to start being mindful of your consumption is to watch your food grow. Need help starting? We have some tips here.

And some more from Top Green Products:

• Change air conditioner filters at least once a month.
• Start a compost bin.
• Water grass only when necessary, and do so in early morning.

The Green Living guide at About.com offers some somewhat less common advice:

• Don’t buy something today
• Tune up your car
• Buy organic food

[photo]

The latest in our series of advice posts at Inhabitat focusing on green living, energy efficiency and the like features our own Christine Marvin. She’s sharing a detailed look at the window replacement process an how it can make your home more energy efficient. From the article’s introduction:

…one of the most important elements to maintaining a green home: windows! Windows aren’t just a portal to the outside world — they can improve the comfort of your home, the interior light and ambiance, the ventilation, and above all, they can dramatically increase your energy savings. Joining us this week is Marvin Windows expert Christine Marvin, who is among the fourth generation to work for the family-owned and sustainably operated made-to-order window and door company. Christine provides us with a wealth of knowledge, giving us her top 5 considerations for transforming our homes with new windows.

Her tips:

1. Consider All Factors: Climate, Energy, Design & Style
   The number one consideration is going to be window performance. Standards for performance often come listed on a manufacturer’s label, where makers list performance data that can arm you with the information you need to make intelligent comparisons between products and manufacturers depending on your needs and location.
2. Know Your Climate – Where You Live Impacts What You Should Buy
   The next question you might ask is, “How do I know which energy considerations are suitable for me?” The region in which you live plays a crucial role in deciding which window is the right product for you. In particular regions, certain glazing options are better than others in maximizing comfort and energy efficiency.
3. Understand the Label – Performance Rating Information
   Currently, there are a few prime gauges of performance that can be found on your window’s labels. Every label highlights the various characteristics and performance factors of your window, such as whether or not a window is dual-pane or has a specific U-factor. Generally these labels will come in three flavors…
4. Make Sure Your Windows Are Under Warranty
   Window replacements are very much a part of this long-term investment, so you should be certain that you are installing a product that is of the highest quality and value – this can often be signaled by the type of warranty your manufacturer offers.
5. Look for a Company With Values That Match Your Own
   If you take all the tips above into consideration,it’s easy to see that picking the right company to source your windows from is just as important as the windows themselves. Look for a company with heritage, a proven track record, and a commitment to bringing you the best products and services.

Be sure to read the full article for more detail on each of these tips, which are likely to help make the window shopping process a bit easier.

As we’ve mentioned, we’re sponsoring a nice series of posts at Inhabitat focusing on green living, energy efficiency and the like. The most recent in that series features an interview with energy efficiency expert David Johnston. With the advice he offers, the article claims you could reduce your energy consumption by up to 50 percent.

Cutting back on your energy usage is one of the best ways to bring down your electricity bill. But did you know that making simple changes to not just your wattage consumption but the way your home retains and expels air can dramatically transform the way you experience your spaces and use electricity? Joining us this week to share 5 Tips on how we can better green our homes is green visionary and sustainable pioneer David Johnston who focuses on easy changes you can make with your appliances, air exchange, insulation and even windows that will pave the way to dramatic savings. Undoubtedly an expert on all things energy, David shares his over 30 years of experience and gives us a snapshot of some of the best ways we can reduce our energy consumption by up to 50%!

Read the full post here for some great tips.

We spoke to designers, architects, builders and others in the home and fashion industries. As we had those conversations, some topics kept cropping up.

So, here’s what the experts are talking about: the top trends for 2011 in home building and design.

Trend #1: New Life for Old Materials

It’s more than merely recycling. It’s finding ways to turn substance into style — by taking raw material from one source and repurposing it in a completely unexpected way.

From metal tiles made of reclaimed airplane parts to countertops and wall panels made of recycled glass bottles, these innovative reworkings are adding creative flair – and sustainable substance — to homes across America.

Trend #2: Designing For Yourself
Americans are staying longer in their homes. With that comes a desire to make their homes fit their lifestyle. People aren’t designing a home to be as bland as possible for the next buyer – they’re designing it for themselves, to be lived in to the fullest.

In keeping with this, architects and designers say there’s a new definition of value. It’s not about the lowest price.

It’s about quality, durability and getting the style and the performance you want from the products in your home, whether that’s a sofa or a picture window.

Trend #3: Natural Materials
If it sprouted from the earth, designers are finding a way to use it in homes.

Flooring is one area where you might find a surprising substance under your feet – like palm, for example. How about wallcoverings made of banana trees? Ceiling tiles of jute? And while not as exotic as these other materials, sustainably grown pine can be found in window frames and other structural elements.

These products deliver beauty and durability along with their eco-friendly origins. The use of natural materials is still in its infancy in mainstream housing – but expect to see them more and more in the future.

Trend #4: Trad-Mod
As the name suggests, these are traditional elements with a modern twist – a little sleeker, a little surprising. Examples include streamlined living and dining room sets, silk chandeliers and casement windows that simulate the look of a classic double hung.

Trend #5: Relaxed Outdoor Living
Forget the elaborate outdoor kitchens of a few years ago. Outdoor living is still important to American homeowners, but they’re going for a more relaxed, low-key version. Think fireplaces and fire pits, comfortable outdoor seating and dining areas, interesting lighting and simple counter space.

And to connect indoors and out, energy-efficient patio doors – either sliding or swinging — are a must.

Trend #6: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
No list of home trends would be complete without these topics – and they only get more important every year. The largest annual study of American homebuying preferences, by AVID Ratings, found that four of the top 10 desired home features involve energy efficiency. So, alongside such features as walk-in closets and kitchen islands, American homebuyers want:

• Energy-efficient windows
• Energy-efficient appliances
• High-efficiency insulation

Sustainability includes conserving water, maximizing natural heat and light, and using low-VOC materials (volatile organic compounds). Quality and durability are also part of the sustainability picture. Well-built, high quality home products last longer — and don’t end up in landfills.

Many thanks to the experts who shared their 2011 predictions. Special thanks to

Christine L. Albertsson AIA, CID, NCARB, Albertsson Hansen Architecture, Ltd.

Kurt Gough, A-AIA, Shelter Architecture

Susan Nackers Ludwig, Residential Architect

Once again, the New Year is here and we make all kinds of plans. This year I am going to lose weight, drink less coffee and be nicer to my dog. (These are examples, not my resolutions — I love my dog!)

But this year, I really think is the time to make improvements that have a long-term energy proposition for you. Below are some ideas on what and why:

Tankless water heaters. You have heard all about these and most likely read the pros and cons. I am a fan and believer in this appliance. You will have endless hot water, use little or no energy when the units are off, and will have a much longer life cycle and efficiency rating long term. Tank heaters last on average 7-10 years; tankless units last on average 20 years. Tank units can run out of hot water, tankless units will never run out. Tank units cost about $1,500 to install professionally, a tankless about $2,500-$3,500 depending on the size. While these units are more expensive upfront, the long term value for your home makes it a smart investment.

LED lighting for your home. This technology has improved leaps and bounds in the past five years. The longevity of the diode is well known on average 50,000 hours compared to a regular incandescent bulb of 2,000 hours. Under normal usage that’s about 30 years. The big improvement has been the light output and color temperature. There are residential LED bulbs that cost about $12-$15 that look like standard bulbs in shape and color. Try replacing the 6 most used bulbs in your home first to see if you like them, after that change out the whole house and bring down your monthly energy costs for lighting and never replace a burned-out bulb again.

Wind and solar power. This is another area that has improved greatly in the last 5 years. There are several manufacturers of wind turbines that can mount on your home and generate up to 20 percent of your homes energy. I have seen units that can be installed for as little as $8,000. A lot of money, yes, but many states offer up to a 50 percent tax credit on these. Solar panels can now be integrated into your roofing shingles. No more large panels. These shingles go right on your roof and can generate up to 50 percent of your homes energy needs. The best part of both of these systems is that, when your demand is low, you are actually providing energy back into the energy grid and in many parts of the country the utility companies have to pay you for the energy.

TopTen Helps You Find the Most Energy-Efficient Products
Re-Nest
“This week TopTen USA, a new non-profit organization, launched its free, web-based rankings of the 10 most energy-efficient household products in a wide range of categories, from televisions to refrigerators and washers.”

15 ways remodeling equals a better life
Remodeling Guy
“Why remodel? I used to think the answer was as much resale value as anything else. I’m older and wiser now and that’s a good thing because resale value is, at least for now, not the best reason to remodel. So why? Of course we both know that there are lots and lots and lots of reasons, but they all boil down to the same thing. A better life. How can remodeling equal a better life?”

Steal This Look: Simple San Francisco kitchen
Remodelista
“First spotted on Desire to Inspire: the simple kitchen of San Francisco-based photographer Heidi Lender. Recreate the streamlined look with a few reasonably priced elements from Ikea and other sources.”

Winterizing your windows with class
Houzz.com
“Winterizing your windows for the cold weather can not only create a season-appropriate beauty for your dwelling, but can, according to the US Department of Energy, also reduce your heating cost as much as 30 percent. … But don’t think that you have to undergo a major renovation project to help winterize your windows and keep out the cold this winter. And don’t think that creating a winter home means laboriously creating an entirely new home. Though structural changes can improve efficiency the most, small changes can also do wonders. From small things you can do to the actual windows, to ways to shielding from the cold, these examples show how to keep out the cold with class.”

L.A. designer Alison Blumenfeld on effortless un-decorating
Cococozy
“Lately I am hearing the same thing from clients, they all want houses that don’t feel “decorated”. This does not mean they don’t want to use a decorator, or that they don’t want to decorate their homes, it’s that they are striving for a new aesthetic. One that feels less mass produced, more personal. Perhaps it’s a reaction to the pillow littered, tassel trimmed, overstuffed houses they grew up in, or since we as a society are more casual they are striving for an environment to mirror that, perhaps it’s nothing more than wanting to define themselves in a new way. With social networks and magazines encouraging us to define ourselves through our acquisitions, associations, and interests it makes sense that the home is responding in kind.”

It’s that time of year when we maybe get a little introspective and start to take stock of how the last year has gone. Did we lose that weight we wanted? Read all those books? Finally get on board with this whole Twitter thing we’ve been hearing about?

Since home is, for many people, an important extension of self, Apartment Therapy recently featured five home resolutions they’ll be keeping in the next year. Great ideas, and it inspired us to think about what resolutions we want to do, home-wise. Here goes:

• Organizing: We’re going to rid ourselves of extraneous paper and shred old bills, as appropriate. We’ll also be organizing our closets and not just shoving the mess into there. New closet organizers, boxes and bins may also be pressed into use.
• Cooking: Eating out and supporting local restaurants is great, but cooking at home not only saves money, but allows you unprecedented control of the food you put into your body. Plus, you can flex your culinary muscles and become known for sparkling hosting and fabulous dinner parties.
• Curb appealing: With all the zeal over interior decorating, it’s easy to forget the home’s exterior. No more! This year, we will be painting, repairing, refreshing and landscaping to make our houses the envy of the neighborhood. New walkway? Flowerbeds? Our only limit is our imaginations!
• Greening: We want to make this year the greenest ever. So we’ll be looking at ways to make our homes — and our lives — more energy efficient. We’re going to try to re-use stuff more, evaluate whether we really need something and think of ways to buy locally as needed.
• Learning: We’re going to attempt to pick up some sort of DIY skill this year. Whether that means something like learning some home repair basics, or a softer skill like making our own throw pillows, we’ll be doing it for ourselves.

New Year’s resolutions are notoriously difficult to keep, but we believe that if you start small and have a purpose, it can be done. What are your home resolutions? Let us know in the comments.

Colder weather isn’t  the only culprit for escalating energy bills come December. No one ever said Christmas spirit was cheap.

Outdated Christmas lights can be a major power drain compared to modern, energy efficient lights. In fact, according to HGTV.com, “a household with an extravagant Christmas light display will spend enough money to heat and power an average house for six weeks.”

But that doesn’t mean anyone should skip Christmas lights altogether and just become the neighborhood Scrooge. Instead,  cost savvy and environmentally aware Christmas enthusiasts alike are starting to switch to LED Christmas lights, and the benefits are numerous.

LED Christmas lights can last up to 20 years, use 10 percent of the energy and produce significantly less carbon dioxide compared to incandescent Christmas lights. They also put off considerably less heat, reducing the risk of a fire. This year, many retailers are offering rebates when consumers exchange incandescent lights to go LED.

What’s more: LED lights really pop. We’re talking high-definition compared to analog.

So, for those keeping score at home, LED Christmas lights are brighter, cheaper, safer and more energy efficient.

It turns out some Christmas shopping can be simple.