Buying gifts with a conscious is all the rage this year. Going green in your gift giving can be a great way to waste less, and truly give more, this Christmas.
Check out these eco-friendly gifts for the home:
1. BoGo Solar Flashlight: When you buy this cool solar powered flashlight, an identical flashlight will be donated to a person in need or to a charity of your choice. Powering your light with the sun saves energy and waste from batteries. And, you’re helping someone else have a sustainable (and free!) source of light too. Many people, especially in third world countries can’t afford electricity, and the light sources they have can be dangerous to them and the environment. Read this interesting article on the BoGo Flashlight website for more information: Importance of Light.
2. Home Bike Storage Units: Over the last year bike usage has soared. With more people buying and using bikes, most people will now need to know where to store them. My last house didn’t have a garage, so my bikes occupied the living room. Propped up against the wall, they doubled as a coat rack and minor obstacle though the main walkway to the bedrooms. Now that I have a garage they are easier to store, but I live in a four bike household, so a small garage cluttered with bikes still isn’t my favorite. Now enter my next cool gift idea: home bike storage. If you have bike loving friends they will love these easy ways to get your bikes out of the way, and stored in a way that is both visually appealing, and practical!
2. Carbon Offsets: Want to minimize the impact of flying, driving, or even just turning on the heat in your house? You can buy carbon offsets from companies like CarbonFund.org or Terrapass. Buy gift cards for your eco-conscious friends to off set the impacts of their flight to visit you, or the carbon emissions of their house for the whole year. The money you pay for your offsets are used to plant trees, and fund earth-protecting projects. You can even buy an offset for all the carbon emissions for your home for the entire year.
4. Smart Strip power strip: I love this gadget! It’s an easy way to conserve energy without having to even really think about it. The power strip automatically turns off and stops sending electricity to your appliances when they are not in use. Example: if you plug your TV, Tivo and DVD player all into the power strip, it will automatically turn off all three when you turn off your TV. It really is a Smart Strip! The website says that their power strip pays for itself in energy cost savings in less than three weeks. Cool!
3. Flor Carpet Tiles: I’m obessed with carpet tiles, and I would get pretty excited if someone bought me enough to create a cool design. Flor creates innovative designs and patterns of carpet tiles made from post-conusmer waste. They are also dedicated to clean industry with some of the lowest Volatile Organic Compound emissions (VOCs) in their industry. I love the pattern above, but they have many others to choose from. (Photo Courtesy: Apartment Therapy)
I love to cook and bake, so logically, I end up spending a lot of time in the kitchen. I’ve had houses with small kitchens, houses with big kitchens, houses with gas stoves, houses with electric. From all these kitchen experiences, I kind of know what I like from kitchen spaces now. So, when I see a well designed kitchen, I really do appreciate it.
In this Chrysalis Award winning kitchen remodel, KitchenMagic, a custom refacing and cabinetry company, designed a room that made a smart use of space that is not only functional, but livable.
All the custom cabinetry allows for perfect storage solutions, which is essential to the functionality of a kitchen.
Also in this picture, you’ll notice the cool round windows. The window placement was chosen to maximize the natural light. When designing a room remodel, or looking at new houses, natural light should always be a major consideration. Just look how light and airy this kitchen seems…the amount of natural light is a major factor in that.
But perhaps my favorite part of this kitchen is the island. The Zodiac quartz countertops are great, but I like the design mostly because it’s the perfect blend of function and design. The island is foremost a work area, but it is one that also allows for socializing. Having a kitchen island that doubles as a bar is perfect for company while prepping dinner, or for a laid back family breakfast. The kitchen is a place where the family gathers, so making an appealing space that draws people in is a major bonus.
While I have more of a quirky personal sense of home design, this kitchen offers a sleek, traditional look that most homeowners would likely love. It’s a great starting point for considering your own new kitchen remodel.
Want to see more of KitchenMagic’s custom work? Check out this photo gallery.
Great lighting can really make or break a home. So, choosing light fixtures that make a statement, or updating boring and dated fixtures can be a fun project to undertake, and one that is pretty affordable.
Here in Portland we have some cool lighting stores to choose from, including Schoolhouse Electric.
Specializing in handmade period lighting peices, Schoolhouse Electric adds the artist’s touch to vintage inspired fixtures, shades and hardware.
If you want to update your older home with traditional lighting from the era, or you’re a vintage decor junkie, their products will definetly inspire you.
Don’t live in Portland? Don’t worry, you can order from their shop online.
For the next three Mondays in December, I will be putting together my picks for Holiday Gift Giving.
Wondering what to buy your friends who are new homeowners? Your DIY obsessed spouse? Or maybe the design lovers in your life? No need to look any further, I’ll be putting together some of my favorite picks.
Today’s installment: Gifts For DIY-ers
Stud Finder: I don’t know how I lived without a stud finder, it makes hanging everything in your home from shelving, pictures, and floating storage units all the more easy. It’s also small enough to make a perfect stocking stuffer.
Dremel Tool: Every guy I’ve talked to about this gift guide has had two words for me: Dremel Tool. I had never heard of one, but all the guys say it’s the ultimate tool that everyone should have. It’s an all in one tool with lots of function…a.k.a perfect for anyone who likes DIY projects.
Black & Decker SmartDriver Compact Screwdriver: This tool is a great alternative to the more cliché gift of a cordless drill (although that’s a great option too). This battery powered screwdriver makes DIY-ing just a little bit easier, and a little bit faster.
The Home Book: Ok, there has to be some balance with all the manly power tools: enter design books! So many to choose from, but I love this new release. The Home Book is full of hints on color schemes, and room by room tips on how to make the most of the space you have. Your best guide to re-vamping your home without having to hire an interior designer. What’s more DIY than that?
Subscription to ReadyMade Magazine: A subscription to ReadyMade Magazine will really get your favorite DIY-er’s imagination starting to spin. With projects in each issue of varying difficulty and time commitment, there will be something that everyone can make…and then brag about to house guests. Right now they are even having a 2 for 1 deal, buy one subscription at $19.95, and get the magazine for two years!
Just one of many awesome project courtesy of ReadyMade
We love being a business based in Portland, and we love it even more when one of our own gets recognized for greatness.
The Neil Kelly Company, a home remodeling and construction company based in Portland, OR, has been named the 2008 Remodeler of the Year by Professional Remodeler magazine.
It’s easy to see why Professional Remodeler would choose Neil Kelly Co., and President Tom Kelly, as the Remodeler of the Year. In a time of economic downturn, Neil Kelly Co. is showing its biggest year of profits yet. Profits aside, the Neil Kelly Co. has consistently been an aggressive player in the industry since it’s was created in 1947. Neil Kelly Co. is committed to setting high industry standards and driving new and innovative ideas.
As a company in the Pacific Northwest, Neil Kelly Co. has focused much of its attention and marketing efforts on the strong environmental values of Oregon. Understanding that being a leader in the green industry is not only appealing to potential customers, but is destined to be the building preference of all homeowners.
Smart marketing, a green focus and emphasis on the market share that becomes available with the economy hitting other companies, Neil Kelly will likely continue to grow and be an even bigger part of the industry.
We’re a fan of builders providing quality, eco-friendly options and practices for homeowners. So, congratulations to the Neil Kelly Company and their continued success!
(Photo Courtesy: Apartment Therapy)
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