ABC’s of Fine Design

I was looking at the new post on one of my social blogging sites when I came across a post about wind lights on design spotter. This interested me so I checked out the post then I checked out the product website.

Firewinder is a light that works by using wind power. You can hang it in a tree or on your porch and every time the wind blows you get light. I live in the country and we get a lot of wind, so much that my mother has considered putting in windmills for energy use. In fact the state has some up about 20 miles from my home for energy use.

I think this is a wonderful addition to any yard as you don’t have to worry about wiring and it’s a great talking point for parties. Firewinder is a UK based company so it’s a little more expensive for US citizens but it could be worth it.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

I wanted to let all of you who read this blog know that I have another blog I write that has a feature called Going Green Monday. If  you are interested in checking it out click that link and it will take you to the going green archives.

 Yes I do green posting on this blog, I know but those going green post have more information on consumer goods that don’t deal directly with design. So if your interested in some of that information then my going green series is something you may be looking for.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

This is the best time to get all that home improvement done. If your looking for green design items you want to get all of that bought before the new year. Why? Well the tax credit for buying these items will be non existent after this year. Yes you heard me. It’s gone forever! So now is the time to buy and you better make it quick.

After the new year look toward other types of home improvement and decorating. Buy new furniture to help start out the new year right. Look for fung shui tips on this blog and other websites. The big thing is to make your home work for you.

January 1st I will have a nice post about tips to make your home work for you in the new year. So check back and take a look.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

I am always on the lookout for new green design products. I found this wonderful roofing product while looking for alternative building materials for my class today. I had to share it with you as it’s really a cool product.

The product is called EcoStar and it’s a US based company that supplies sustainable tiles for your roof. The best part is that they also have a 50 year warranty. Check out there products page and take a look at what there different products look like. I have decided that I really want the house on the main product page, but thats not for this blog.  I love the look of wood shingles, they just stand out and complete the look of the home.

 Excerpt from website:

This site also has other types of tile, not just the wood looking kind. I loved there selection, I just wish they had one’s that looked like clay tiles. Those are my favorite and I want to use them on my own home if I can ever build it.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

I live very close to Frankenmuth Michigan, home of Bronner’s Christmas wonderland. I love this store as it’s 364 days of Christmas, of course they do a few other holidays when they come around, but there specialty is Christmas.

They have many different kinds of Christmas decorations. I still have my personalized name ornament that we bought when I was 4. All it has on it is my first name, but I still love it. This store is the place to go for all of your Christmas decorating. They do have a website and you can go there by clicking there name. The ornament above is one that I got my grandparents last year. Since my name is Holly. I thought it was great. I also found a fortune cookie one for my little sister. She loves that stuff.

They also sell advent calenders and of course other holiday decorations. If your looking to have a green Christmas, as in energy saving they also have a great selection of LED Christmas lights. I love these as they use so little power and look amazing. For those of you who go crazy outside you may like this mailbox cover.

I really do hope you take a look at this store, it is a favorite of mine and right now the Michigan economy really stinks, so if you order from them you would not only be getting great merchandise but helping the people in this area as well.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

No I’m not cheering for a sports team even though my high school colors were green and white. I am talking about green design. What is green design, you ask? Well it is when you use all natural products and products that reduce energy use in your home.

It is very easy to go green as we in the design industry like to say. One of the easiest ways to start is by replacing your appliances with energy star ones. Yes this can be expensive, but for most people it will not change there habits too much, but it will save you money in the long run and help the environment at the same time.

What else can you do to go green? Well if your thinking about putting in hardwood floors opt for bamboo flooring as bamboo is a strong wood that is great for flooring, but it’s also considered a weed, and grows very quickly, bamboo can be harvested after only 2 years, so it is considered a renewable resource.

Another way to go green and save you money is to replace all of your light bulbs with the new florescent ones. This can save you so much per year that you can get your money back in less then 2 years, and they last up to 7 years, much better then those other light bulbs.

The last thing I am going to talk about is windows, are your windows drafty and let out that warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer? Well if your thinking about replacing them go for the energy star windows, they insulate and keep all the air you want to stay in your home in, and the air you don’t want out. They also will cut down on your heating bill and help the environment at the same time.

There are many other ways to go green, so start with these and find some more, good luck!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!