http://www.househacker.com/ househacker/tags/unique tree of knowledge bookshelf by Italian designer Matteo Casarosa would fit right in to a children's bed or playroom. It's not clear as to whether the bookshelf is weighted down or supported in some manner, because if not, it looks like one would have to be careful not to place too many books on one side or the other, causing the shelf to tip. It's probably not an issue - just something to think about, as no one wants a branch across the noggin.

Via Design Milk]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Clever-Tree-Bookshelf previously). Essentially, Paul deems this device everything but a dream:

Ok, let's take another approach. Mag-Wind says its wind turbine will produce 5 kW at a rated speed of 28 mph (12.5 m/s). To produce that much power at that wind speed it would need to be 281% efficient! Yee ha. That's some windmill. Modern wind turbines, at best, can deliver 40% of the energy in the wind at any specific wind speed. This turbine has a specific rotor loading of 3,360 W/m² of rotor area. Let's compare that to the over rated AirX. The AirX is somewhat smaller so we won't compare actual production, just rotor loading. Remember, the AirX doesn't even deliver what is promised. The specific rotor load for the AirX is about 400 W/m². The Mag-Wind claims to produce from its rotor almost ten times more power than the AirX which can't even meet its performance claims. Ouch. I've never seen such outlandish claims before-and I've seen a lot of them.

Link: Wind-Works.org

Via TreeHugger]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Update-on-the-MagWind-Levitated-Vertical-Wind-Turbine
Clocky gives you one chance to get up. But if you snooze, Clocky will jump off of your nightstand and wheel around your room looking for a place to hide. Clocky is kind of like a misbehaving pet, only he will get up at the right time.

The unit is also available in a few colours as well as in a brown shag and can jump (fall?) from a 2 foot height.

Via Reddit ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Alarm-Clock-that-Runs-Away-and-Hides-Unless-You-Wake-up
From the site:

This design can be applied to just one wall and can completely alter the focus of the room. In just a few hours Wallter adds life to walls. The effect can either be stunning or subtle, you decide. For easy, no fuss installation these lightweight pieces have a peel-away 3M adhesive backing. The applications can be applied to almost any interior wall or door.

Via Constructiondeal.com]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Unusual-Wall-Treatment some nice examples. From the site:

Fixtures may be cut and shaped to exact size right on the job, and all lamps are easily replaced to keep things in perfect working order.

One could probably make great use of this sort of lighting in a home theatre or in a modern basement bar setting.

See also: Flexible LED Lights by Mule Lighting
]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Tokistar-Flexible-Lighting-System
Skills and materials honed and tested in the demanding boatbuilding industry mean you don't have to worry about your bath ever springing a leak. Indeed, keep the stopper firmly in and you could probably paddle your bath quite safely. And because our baths rely on marine technology they are designed for a far more ravaging environment then your bathroom.

Furthermore:

Each wall is built using a strip building technique where narrow wooden strips are locked one to the next using a boat building technique called cove and beading. This technique means the walls behave as single sheets of wood. Each strip is individually cut, placed and bent to perfectly shape and seal your bath. The floors of each bath are built from over 25mm (1 inch) of wood. This might sound excessive but it prevents any possibility of creep and sagging with age, ensuring your bath floor will always remain sound and true.

The baths must be quite a hit with people as the site is closed to new orders, according to a notice on the homepage. That or it just takes them years to build one.

Via Trendir]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Nice-Handmade-Wooden-Baths-by-Driftwood this one) it's easy to see why. Concrete combines solid, chunky beauty with a lot of flexibility-through-moldability, enabling designers to create some stunning countertops in both kitchen and bathrooms.

The site does a nice job of describing a concrete countertop's personal value to its owner:

But remember, don't fall too deeply in love with anyone else's piece. You can have the exact same design and color as they have, but yours will be yours alone. Because as the mixture of sand, stone, water and cement cures, it captures a moment in time that's unique. The pattern of stone will always be different. The color will always vary slightly. And that's what makes it uniquely yours.

See also: Concrete Countertop HowTos]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Gorgeous-Concrete-Countertops snail mail notifier). The stainless steel unit locks and comes with a tube newspaper receptacle.

The mailbox measures 15.5 by 15 inches and is 4.5 inches deep. $68.

Via RobotDeathSquad]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Slick-Glass-Mailbox-by-Chiasso
Sorry.

Hearthfalls manufactures interesting "fireplace waterfalls" that are unlike anything you may have seen before (less, of course, fireplaces and waterfalls). The concept is simple - a waterfall runs within a fireplace immediately in front of the flames to produce a visually interesting piece of art that also offers the soothing sounds of flowing water. Whether or not this will work for people is still to be determined, as the unique design is sure to dichotomize opinion, as any such departure from the traditional would.

Hearthfalls also offers some less expensive "Lightweight " units. The Lightweights are waterfalls made for retrofitting existing fireplaces.

Try to visualize one in your home with the company's interactive fireplace and room designer or just view the existing installations in the gallery here.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Waterfall-Fireplaces-by-Hearthfalls Update: please see this post for an update on the claims of this product. -Sean
If you can't tell by the picture, this is, of course, a "Magnetically-Levitated Axial Flux Alternator with Programmable Variable Coil Resistance, Vertical Axis Wind Turbine". It's called the Mag-Wind MW1100 and, thanks to some interesting technical maneuvering, promises 1100 kWh/month in a 13 mph average wind. The unit will cost around 3.5 cents/kW or, put another way, ROI will be reached in 3 years for someone with an average monthly electric bill of $300 - which sounds very high; a 6+ year ROI might be more realistic for home use. Nevertheless, the inventors claim the unit is cheaper than solar or horizontal wind turbines while requiring much less space to operate. The site's page on roof effect describes how the device can produce as much electricity as it does with such a small footprint:

So, how is it possible to make as much electricity as we do with only a 4-foot sweep? We use the roof of a house or other building to extend our reach and increase the volume of air reaching the sails of our VAWT. This gives us the effect of a larger surface area without actually having a larger vane. The great thing is that every house or other building also has a roof. The roof moves the wind, and that wind has a lot of energy.
The two major factors that determine how much energy is available are the vertical rise of the roof and the pitch, or angle, of the roof. The more rise there is, the more wind will hit it and be moved upward towards the VAWT. This is good. However, the steeper the roof is, the more wind energy will be lost in pressure against the roof and wind moving around the roof and the building as a whole. This is not so good.
A roof with a 10-foot vertical rise and a 30% angle will provide nearly a 200% increase in the amount of wind energy that is available to be turned into electricity. Compared to the same turbine just sitting on a pole, the roof effect increases the power yielded by operation of the wind turbine dramatically.

So, although it might be cost prohibitive for some (most), it might be worth looking into if you live in a fairly windy area, as the faster the average windspeed, the quicker it will be to see significant returns on your investment.

Via Greengeek.ca]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/MagWind-Magnetically-Levitated-Vertical-Wind-Turbine we've seen, but they are the largest. The previously linked sets were smaller and perhaps easier to integrate into some tile work, but this version of the same idea comes in more of a standard brick size - and in the end, the more options the better, really. From the site:

Flush-to-the-ground, integral solar panels generate up to 8 hours of light each night. So guests can follow a cheerfully illuminated path to your door...Sun Bricks come on automatically when darkness falls, and incur no operating costs. Just recess them in your walkway, and forget them!

Via PopGadget]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Solar-Powered-Sun-Bricks gallery of soapstone countertop installations. It's a little surprising that soapstone can be used as a countertop, as one might have assumed that because of its use by the Inuit and others as sculpting material, it would be too soft to stand up to the wear and tear of a kitchen countertop. Perhaps it's the fact that, according to the Soapstone West FAQ, countertop scratches can be repaired easily by sanding it with

...120 grit sandpaper to remove the blemish then mineral oil can be reapplied to achieve a good as new look.

The company clarifies the material's properties here:

What is Soapstone?
Soapstone or Steatite is a metamorphic rock that comes in degrees of hardness. It is composed of talc, magnesium silicate and chlorite. The softer is known as "talc" and is used to carve or crush to a powder for a variety of purposes. Soapstone West uses the harder version of steatite, which makes it appropriate for countertops and other similar uses that require durability and other unique properties. It is a quarried stone that comes in shades such as green/gray, blue/gray and charcoal gray in its natural state but turns quite dark to almost black with the application of mineral oil.

The material seems to have real drama and weight, even if it doesn't appear to be the most flexible or versatile stuff available for countertop installations.

Here's their soapstone sink gallery.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Beautiful-Soapstone-Countertops foot in the door' high-heeled doorstop will more elegantly welcome your guests. Hell, do both. These products are from WorldWideFred, which produce clever, lighthearted goods for the home and office, like those pictured here.

Clockwise from top left: Manhole cover welcome mats, Rubberized cast-metal Lift and Shake salt and pepper guy, Silicone Hotheads animal oven mitts and a remote controlled Retro Mood Light Alarm Clock that displays a test patterns while playing cheesy game show theme music.

That's all very well and good for the home, but what if you're looking to enlarge your cellphone (and really, who isn't)? This old time phone receiver that plugs into your cell phone will help you get there. Of course if you really want an old time cell phone, you can go here.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Manhole-Cover-Welcome-Mats-and-Other-Silly-Household-Goods Bullfrog Power is an environmentally friendly electricity supplier that offsets a home's consumed electricity by generating an equal amount of green power from sources such as "EcoLogo-certified low-impact water and wind power" and pumping it back into the public electricity grid.

Customers will be required to pay a premium for this greening, of course; the company says that a typical household can expect to add about a dollar a day to their electricity bill.

A couple of questions and answers from their FAQ:

How is Bullfrog Power generated?
Bullfrog Power sources all of its electricity from power generation facilities that meet the federal government's Environmental Choice Program EcoLogoM standard for renewable, low-impact electricity. Our energy mix is a blend of clean wind and low-impact hydro power that is 100% renewable, emission-free, and has minimal impact on local habitats.

Will my power source be reliable? What if the wind isn't blowing?
All Bullfrog Power's electricity is sourced from EcoLogoM-certified water and wind generation facilities. The electricity produced by these sources is injected onto the Ontario grid, the common power pool that delivers power to homes and businesses throughout the province. When you sign up for Bullfrog Power, you continue to draw your electricity from the grid, meaning that your power supply is just as reliable as it always was. The difference is that you are now supporting renewable power with your electricity dollars, rather than coal, nuclear, oil and gas.

This sort of green energy offsetting is an interesting concept and it will be interesting to see what kind of public interest it generates over the coming years.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Environmentally-Friendly-Bullfrog-Power videos here.

Amazon.com page - unfortunately they are currently unavailable.

Manufacturer's order page.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Blind-Mark-Drywall-Cutout-Tool
The flooring goes for $15 a square foot, including North American shipping.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cool-Puzzle-Shaped-Hardwood-Floor
Via BoingBoing]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Invisible-Bookshelf TCC Kitchen Center food processing unit lays innocuously flat on the countertop, unlike the clunky food processing space-hogs most of us are familiar with. The genius of the TCC system lies in the fact that the unit is nothing but a control panel and motor - at least until the processor is activated when different attachments (mixer, chopper, blender, etc...) are coupled with the base.

Not only is the unit slim to begin with, but is also installable in a pull out drawer (like the Sharp Microwave) which would obviously save even more space.

Via Mocoloco.com.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Ultra-Low-Profile-Food-Processing-System-by-TCC
This idea is based on the transparent heating glass featured in this issue. Although the glass does not currently get hot enough to toast bread, some day this application may be possible.

Ok, so this toaster doesn't actually toast bread. It's more of a luke-warmer than a toaster. Still, it's a cool idea and interesting technology nonetheless.

Via Digg.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cool-Glass-Toaster
From the site:

Ideal for open-plan kitchens, islands and tight spaces, the Microwave Drawer elegantly addresses the question of microwave placement by offering a wealth of installation options, such as beneath a countertop. It features the neat look of traditional under-the-counter installations with the added ease and accessibility that these designs lack, and it frees space above the range for a powerful and stylish ventilation hood.

Via House in Progress.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Microwave-in-a-Drawer solar or lighted, but they are cool address numbers, customizable right down to the font and available in nearly any size you want. You can preview your numbers in different fonts by going to the "Mixed Eras" font page (under "Fonts" on the top menu). Enter your house numbers and the page displays the number in a list of fonts, as you type. You're not limited to this small set of fonts, however, as the company will use nearly any font you ask for, provided it can be manufactured. So, fire up your favourite text editor and experiment, then head over to the site's price calculator to get an estimate.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cool-Custom-Address-Numbers solar powered address lights before, but it's always good to have more options on the market - and it doesn't hurt to have sleeker looking options such as these, either. The address numbers are available in two colours; natural aluminium and soon, black.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/More-Solar-Powered-Home-Address-Lights LEDs everywhere will be shunned by civilized society. Children will ask their parents to tell them what it was like having to live before LED toilet seats and blue LED faucet lights, like this one.

This particular life-improving gadget attaches to your bathroom faucet with its included universal adapter and is activated as the water flows through. Once the LEDs are on, the water glows space-age blue. The unit happens to be watch-battery powered, but wouldn't it be cool if it were powered by generating electricity from the water passing through it - would that be even possible or is the gadget simply too small to contain something like that? Anyone know?

Dave, thanks for the tip. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/LED-Faucet-Light
Also see Bar Monkey for pictures of other setups as well as a forum with instructions and help on building your own. If you only need drink ideas, check out the drink search engine, YourNextDrink.com.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Super-Cool-Automated-Computer-Controlled-Bar
Pricetag: $2950 + shipping. Ouch. The beanbag stays for now.

Via Gizmodo.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Anima-Causa-Flexible-Seating-System Scarface poster before it, this Reservoir Dogs poster from L.A. Pop Art is created using the entire, handwritten (and legible) script. Add it to your movie poster collection in your home theatre, or give it as a gift to the Reservoir Dogs fan in your life. We purchased the Scarface poster and had it plaque-mounted as a gift for a serious Scarface fan in our family and it proved to be quite the hit. Sometimes it's fun just searching for the numerous obscenities scattered throughout the thousands of words...]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Reservoir-Dogs-Poster-Made-from-Entire-Handwritten-Script bathroom gallery available for your viewing pleasure, and it's filled with some seriously nice bathrooms. The gallery is divided into three categories: contemporary, traditional and eclectic.

Of course if you were looking for something classy, like LED toilet seats, you'd want to go here.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Kohler-Bathroom-Design-Gallery

Incorporates 100 LED's

LED's change colour.

Suitable for internal or external use.

The lights measure 320mm (12.6") in diameter. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Recessed-Large-Circular-Wall-LED-Light digitally enhancing your DNA fingerprint.'. They currently offer an intro special of $390 to the first 1000 customers.

via Design Sponge]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Your-DNA-as-Art Hidden Door Company, but we hadn't realised that HiddenPassageway.com was out there competing for your secret room renovation dollars as well. The company seems to offer doors with more integrated technology and electronics, with specialty switches, biometrics, custom setups and whatnot. Their site has a few videos of their products in action as well.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Hidden-Doors-and-Secret-Passageways hardwood maple veneer with solid maple table edging doesn't look too shabby - and who cares if it doesn't cook your meal for you as well. From the site:

Available in King, Queen, Full, Twin and Long Twin

Completely FREESTANDING - no attachment to floor or wall needed.

The Inova TableBed, as opposed to the basic murphy bed, allows for two different functions in the same space without having to move furniture.

]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Sleep-in-your-Dining-Room-with-Inova-TableBed
This uniquely designed Pet Bed allows you to have a beautifully decorated home and provide a comfortable place for your favorite pet to sleep. They feature real wood construction. We use no plastic, particle board or vinyl wrap, just solid wood or furniture grade plywood. There are several rich furniture stains to choose from. This Pet Murphy Wall Bed comes with premium slow-down hardware which allows you to adjust the speed that the bed descends to the floor.

]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Awesome-Murphy-Wall-Bed-for-Pets
via boing boing]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Strange-Under-Bed-Nightlight in-wall fireplaces that look less like fireplaces than art, and Canada's ThermArt is no exception - in fact they make some of the nicest specimens, if you ask us. The company lists five models on their website: the Teardrop (pictured), Quote, Flow, Bouquet and Clarity. Be sure to check out their installation gallery, available for your surfing pleasure.

If you reside in Europe, Safretti produces similarly stunning units.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/More-Gorgeous-In-Wall-Fireplaces-by-ThermArt http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Solar-Powered-Home-Address-Lights wishing well illusion coffee table isn't your speed, maybe you'd be happier with this pinball machine coffee table (with working lights, of course) that you can build yourself with instructables.com's thorough step-by-step pictorial. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Sweet-Pinball-Coffee-Table-Howto Monogram Collection, offer this monster of a wine cooler that comes complete with a wine inventory system familiar with 20,000 wines (which will come in handy as the vault stores over a thousand bottles), optional internet action that allows you to browse your wines from work (maybe while you preheat your oven over the net as well), as well as a handy touchscreen and bar code scanner.

Price tag: $35,000.

A few features, from the site:

Provides storage for more than one thousand bottles on premium-quality, moisture-resistant redwood racks.

Racks are arranged for single-, double- and triple-bottle storage, while also accommodating magnum bottles and crates.

Liquid-based, digital thermostat system offers precise control over temperature, allowing adjustment between 50°F and 70°F, while maintaining ideal humidity conditions.

Stainless steel walls and door have a high-density foam (R-33 value) that helps ensure precise temperature and energy-efficient performance.


via Kitchen Contraptions]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/GE-Monogram-Collection-Mean-Looking-Walk-in-Wine-Vault Michael Douglas had a hand in designing in the 1980s. Apparently people with money dig LCDs rising from bed foot boards quite a bit - and it's hard to blame them, really.

]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Wired-Article-on-the-Coolest-Rooms-on-Earth unique, environmentally friendly lighting product for your home? These cool lamps made from old traffic lights are just what the doctor ordered, if the doctor was into recycling automobile infrastructure components and whatnot, that is. The site currently offers two models, priced at $240 and $275 for the 8 and 12 inch models, respectively.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Lamps-Made-from-Recycled-Traffic-Lights kitchen is great, but shoving them deep into a cabinet usually means only the most common, frequently used spices remain accessible - much to the detriment of your culinary creations. So, most people have a spice rack to keep things in order and available. What most people don't have, is a sweet, space saving "Zero Gravity, Magnetic Spice Rack" like this one. From the site:

Only design available where you can store spices on both top and bottom of spice rack, which maximizes space and reduces clutter

Windows on spice canisters indicate when spices are getting low]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Zero-Gravity-Magnetic-Spice-Rack http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Protect-Yourself-with-this-Bedside-Table recroom or bar decor idea, then this fibre optic rug from designer Jody Harrow should do the trick.

via blog.hazaad.com - Thanks John!
]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cool-Fibre-Optic-Rug
The paper softwall is a beautiful, lightweight, freestanding wall that can be arranged into almost any shape, or easily compressed into a compact sheaf and stored away. softwall dampens sound and can both absorb and transmit light. The paper softwall is made from 400 layers of honeycombed translucent white, fire-retardant paper, bounded by natural wool felt ends. The thick felt ends fold to create handles when the wall is open, and form a casing when the wall is compressed. paper softwall is modular, as the felt ends have velcro fasteners which can link walls together. The paper softwall is delicate, yet its honeycomb design makes it surprisingly resilient to normal handling.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Softwall-Flexible-Room-Partition unique "three dimensional, form pressed plywood element for modern interior decoration with wood."
The unique 3D style of the panels would look super cool in a recroom or bar. The brochure (PDF) indicates that the panels definitely aren't the most inexpensive ceiling option in the world, however...

Ceiling Scenes "utilizes state-of-the art technology to print images or patterns directly onto acoustic ceiling tiles, creating truly custom ceilings. Whether you desire bright, colourful scenery or a subtle and serene visual treatment, our capabilities offer limitless potential to create genuinely unique environments." These images seem suitable mostly for a child's bedroom or play area, but an adventurous decorator might be able to work them into other spaces as well.

These tin ceiling tiles offer a very elegant, sophisticated look that can also be mounted as a backsplash.

via metafilter]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/A-Few-Unique-Ceiling-Tile-Options
Electric Bucket
Also in today, a bucket still exists in a home and it is used for various uses, such as bleaching of a shirt, pasting, and every clothing beginning. It has been said that it being dirty and putting into a washing machine suddenly washes by hand division washing of the thing, for example, a dustcloth etc., and important lingeries in a bath just for a moment.

It sure does.

Some interesting items:

A refrigerator that opens from either side

Variable height bathroom vanity

Electric carpet
]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Bizarre-and-Interesting-List-of-Japanese-Home-Appliances Now you can make sandwiches with your toaster, like you always have, but differently! The Toastabag is a fire retarding black plastic bag that enables you to place whole sandwiches in your toaster, relegating the cumbersome sandwich maker to it's lonely under-counter home. If you're feeling melancholy, you might want to check out the Toastabag video, which wins the award for strangest choice of music for a kitchen gadget commercial. It's like it was made by a kid out of film school treating the commercial as his Godfather, the Toastabag his Brando.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Toastabags-Turn-your-Toaster-into-a-Sandwich-Maker
"Merry Christmas! Uh, yeah, it's a doorstop ya see..."]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/James-the-Unique-Doorstop gadget with a wallwart so big that it blocks the entire electrical outlet? This product from 360 Electrical aims to eliminate that modern annoyance with the introduction of fully rotating outlets. The device has 18 'click and hold' positions in the rotation and, importantly, does not interrupt power during positioning, allowing devices to be moved as needed.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Convenient-360-Degree-Rotating-Electrical-Outlets diynetwork that covers template construction, mold making, pouring, and finishing up.

Here's another very detailed tutorial from NaturalHandyman.com. Both are good, but the diynetwork breaks down the materials needed in a nicer format.

For some inspiration, take a look at Cheng Design to see some amazing examples of what's possible to accomplish with concrete.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Concrete-Countertop-HowTos candle's flicker, perhaps more so for those of us unfortunate enough to be experiencing the first hit of old man winter. People of all climates, however, can appreciate the beauty of these stainless steel oil lamp shadow projectors, by Adam Frank. The projected shadow size is "adjustable", obviously dependent on the base's distance from the wall. The site claims this to be the first in a series. The fuel cells lasts 17 hours.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Beautiful-Oil-Lamp-Shadow-Projector