NOTICE: Large moosehead wall lights have finally been invented.
360 Modern is a real estate firm in the Pacific Northwest U.S. that specializes in modern homes. Beautiful stuff.
Handy way to skip all the intro crap on DVDs that is usually forced on you when you throw a disc in your player. Apparently the chapters on DVDs that you can't skip (FBI warnings, copyright stuff, etc.) are flagged, on the disc, as UOP, or User Operation Prohibited. This site lists some of the techniques you can try to skip the ennui.
This colour coordinated bookshelf looks cool, but you might have a hard time finding a particular title.
For chewie edge lovers or corner brownie fans - it's the Edge Brownie Pan. All edges, all the time. Via BoingBoing
Puzzle carpet.
This to That is a handy site that will tell you what adhesive to use when attempting to glue various objects together.
Super creative bathroom tiles.
Skinny house in Brazil.
Apparently there are many LED lightbulbs available already. Via TreeHugger
WiiRoomba. YouTube of a guy controlling his Roomba with a Wii remote.
Hardcore Lost fans have a party and repackage the snacks and beer as Dharma Initiative rations. Make your own with the PDFs that they've so generously shared.
Here's a nice set of home improvement videos with the energetic and snappy Eric Stromer.
Faucet Fountain turns your regular faucet into a drinking fountain.
Kids and the Home Office. Here's a list of tips for the parent that works from home.
Save the Internet.
Great Pac-Man bathroom tile work.
Crazy toaster from the future TODAY!
Here is a nice napkin folding howto site with clean pictures and straightforward instructions. I think the shirt's my favourite.
DIY T-Shirt Rack via Instructables.
360 Modern is a real estate firm in the Pacific Northwest U.S. that specializes in modern homes. Beautiful stuff.
Handy way to skip all the intro crap on DVDs that is usually forced on you when you throw a disc in your player. Apparently the chapters on DVDs that you can't skip (FBI warnings, copyright stuff, etc.) are flagged, on the disc, as UOP, or User Operation Prohibited. This site lists some of the techniques you can try to skip the ennui.
This colour coordinated bookshelf looks cool, but you might have a hard time finding a particular title.
For chewie edge lovers or corner brownie fans - it's the Edge Brownie Pan. All edges, all the time. Via BoingBoing
Puzzle carpet.
This to That is a handy site that will tell you what adhesive to use when attempting to glue various objects together.
Super creative bathroom tiles.
Skinny house in Brazil.
Apparently there are many LED lightbulbs available already. Via TreeHugger
WiiRoomba. YouTube of a guy controlling his Roomba with a Wii remote.
Hardcore Lost fans have a party and repackage the snacks and beer as Dharma Initiative rations. Make your own with the PDFs that they've so generously shared.
Here's a nice set of home improvement videos with the energetic and snappy Eric Stromer.
Faucet Fountain turns your regular faucet into a drinking fountain.
Kids and the Home Office. Here's a list of tips for the parent that works from home.
Save the Internet.
Great Pac-Man bathroom tile work.
Crazy toaster from the future TODAY!
Here is a nice napkin folding howto site with clean pictures and straightforward instructions. I think the shirt's my favourite.
DIY T-Shirt Rack via Instructables.
Super Creative Skateboard Furniture
Here's what clever people can do with old skateboards. Apparently, given enough skill and creativity, clocks, tables, lamps and sofas can all be fashioned from old boards and wheels.
About the pic above, from the site:
Wrapped by neoprene which is the wetsuit material for surfers, this piece is created to the indoor/outdoor lifestyle and fits perfectly on a patio or waterfront deck. The Jet Set Lounge Chair is made of 8 decks with neoprene cushions on a metal frame. Dimensions: 32"x32"x65"
Nice stuff...
Pop Up Kitchen Spice Rack
Someone over at Instructables has posted a nice little automated elevating kitchen spice rack project that, depending on your viewpoint, is either spice rack overkill or complete kitchen sweetness.
For the project, a Firgelli Automation FA-400-12-18" stroke linear actuator was used. Now if that doesn't sound like something that belongs in a kitchen, what does?
From the site:
Of course the top would typically be the granite square that was cut out originally, and the spice rack could be a coffee machine, microwave, TV, wine rack or anything else you wish to hide in your kitchen.
Link: Automated Pop-Up Spice Rack
Powercast Wireless Power Transmission
Powercast is a Start-up out of Pennsylvania that has come up with a way to wirelessly transmit power to electronic devices. According to this article on CNN, the technology uses radio frequency and has a range of about 3 feet, making it suitable for charging mobile phones on desks or keeping wireless mice and keyboards charged. Thanks to the tiny receiver chip, electronics manufacturers can implement the technology into almost any device.
Powercast won CNET's Best in Show for Emerging Tech at the 2007 Consumer Electronic Show, and they describe the technology thusly:
While it's presented as wireless power, Powercast isn't just a replacement for a universal charger. Instead, it's meant to either continuously charge a battery or replace the need for them altogether.
It works like this: a transmitter can be placed anywhere--in a lamp, for example, that is plugged into the wall and sits on a table. The transmitter in the lamp sends out a continuous, low RF signal. Anything with either AA or AAA batteries set within its range--and equipped with a Powercast receiver, which is the size of your fingernail--will be continuously charged.
The first Powercast devices will be hitting the market in 2007, according to the Powercast website.
Clever Tree Bookshelf
This creative 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
Doormat with Direction Dependent Message
Here's a nice doormat that both welcomes guests and, later, bids them a coarse adieu. The designers of this clever mat have been able to massage and manipulate a font in such a way so as to create a readable message from both right-side-up and upside-down orientations. Upon arrival, the mat offers a welcoming "Come in", while departing guests are left to deal with the blunt "Go away" parting shot.
Sort of related: Love-Hate shirt.
Via haha.nu
Widget Friendly Desk Clock
SmartPhone software developers Emtrace technologies are developing WidgetStation, a desk clock that, like it's software based cousins, can run widgets. Widgets are displayed on the unit's dual 2.5 inch LCD displays (one colour, one mono). From the site:
WidgetStation is a desk clock which can run various "widgets". Widgets are small, user-friendly applications that can perform a variety of tasks. Users can even create their own widgets and share them with other WidgetStation users!
And also:
WidgetStation is a standalone device, with services available via Wi-Fi or Ethernet Internet access, without being connected to a computer. Alternatively, users may choose to interface their WidgetStation with a computer via USB connection.
According to the hardware specs, the device will run Linux and will be available in either black or white. The price has not yet been set. See the FAQ for a little more information.
Alarm Clock that Runs Away and Hides Unless You Wake up
Clocky is a funny/ingenious/annoying alarm clock that will roll off your nightstand and find a place to hide if you don't wake up to kill its alarm. From the site:
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
Flickering LED Candles that Can be Blown Out
We've seen some nice flickering LED candles before, but none were quite as clever as this set that can actually be blown out (and back on).From ThinkGeek.com:
The LED Blow On-Off Candles still have a waxy coating and a natural-looking, flickering light just like normal candles, but they have one magic feature. Regular candles will blow out if you blow on the flame, but these LED candles will also blow on. All you have to do is press the master on/off switch on the bottom, and these candles will turn on and off with just a puff at the "flame." From the proper distance and height, these candles will fool everyone into thinking they are the real thing; they are a fantastic way to put candles where it is too dangerous to have open flames. And, they won't drip wax all over your mithril armor either.
Unfortunately the candles are not rechargeable, but they do, however, light for 300 hours off of two AA batteries.
Unusual Wall Treatment
Wallter is the name of this unique wall decoration that adds depth, shadow and interesting light play to what may be an otherwise empty wall. The applications come in circles, rectangles (which can serve as photo frames), teardrop, starburst and 60s retro slats.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
Huge Gallery of Home Decorating Ideas
Sunset magazine has a lot of cool stuff on their site, not the least of which being this huge home decorating idea gallery, viewable by room type (within kitchens, for example, there are small kitchens, eat in kitchens, etc) or style (contemporary, retro, exotic, etc). There must be thousands of beautiful room images online to serve as inspiration for those of us that tend to know what we like when we see it, but can't come up with much from scratch - or perhaps the gallery is most useful for those just suffering from some sort of temporary design block.
The site also has this 25 item smart home piece, as well as an interesting before and after gallery.
Definitely lots to explore.
Link: Sunset Design Assistant
The site also has this 25 item smart home piece, as well as an interesting before and after gallery.
Definitely lots to explore.
Link: Sunset Design Assistant
eXtreme Gardening via Weed Burners
Are you ever out gardening and realise that, as relaxing as it may be, the whole experience could benefit from a flamethrower? If so, one of these weed torches might fit the bill. From the site:
Use this lightweight burner to clear weeds and their roots in driveways or walkways in summer, or to melt dangerous ice patches in winter. Adjustable regulator valve lets you control flame intensity. Durable, nickel-plated steel and brass burner uses widely available standard 14 oz. propane tank (not included).
These aren't new though: here's a heavier duty unit and a video demonstration of another one in action (although not on weeds, but whatever - you get the idea).
Would it safe to say that people that use these probably aren't the same people that sit on these?
Weed Burner at Amazon.com
Via Toolspotting
Slick Glass Mailbox by Chiasso
Sick to death of opening your mailbox to check for mail? With all the flipping, the looking and the closing - who wouldn't be? Well, you'll never again have to wonder if your bills have arrived with this unique frosted glass mailbox from Chiasso. A simple glance is all it takes (now if that still sounds a little too labour intensive, there's always the RF 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
Waterfall Fireplaces by Hearthfalls
You got your fireplace in my waterfall! You got your waterfall in my fireplace!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.
Cool Liquid Crystal Privacy Glass
Privacy glass is essentially a regular, transparent glass window system that can be made opaque at the touch of a button.
Switchlite.com explains how the glass works: The secret of the transformation between clear glass and translucent glass is found in the Liquid Crystal sheet. In their non-energized state, the Liquid Crystal molecules disperse light. When voltage is applied, however, these same molecules arrange themselves in a specific direction in a way that permits parallel light to pass through the glass.
How Stuff Works offers some more detail on the technology involved.
The "Smart Glass", as it's also called, promises to be a huge energy saver for homeowners over the coming years, as it won't be long before smart glass is coupled with home automation systems that turn the transparency on and off at optimal times throughout the year.
There are a few companies on the web that offer liquid crystal privacy glass, but finding a price on any of their sites seems to be impossible, which means that this flick-of-a-switch privacy glass, although very cool, is also likely to be ultra expensive.
Here's another privacy glass gallery from a company that understands the subtle power of lightning bolt bullet points.
Categories: privacy glass cool invention fun electricity lighting green efficiency
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Blind Mark Drywall Cutout Tool
Here's a very cool tool that promises to eliminate the need for accurate measurements when making cutouts in drywall or panelling for electrical outlets and wall switches. The device comes in two pieces. The first piece is called the target, and is placed into the outlet or switch box. The second piece, called the target locator is attracted to the first piece thanks to two strong magnets that ensure perfect alignment and accuracy. Once the locator affixes itself to the target, the installer simply outlines the box and makes the cut with a dremel or whatnot. Very clever. Ah, why try to visualize it - view the demo videos here.Amazon.com page - unfortunately they are currently unavailable.
Manufacturer's order page.
Cool Puzzle Shaped Hardwood Floor
Puzzle Floor is a unique flooring option suitable for game rooms, children's bedrooms, play areas or whereever else you'd like a fun, unique floor. Puzzle Floor is comprised of interlocking 5/8" solid northern hardwood puzzle pieces. The flooring does not, however, install like a traditional jigsaw puzzle but instead makes use of a simple two piece (male/female) design that requires no guesswork or head scratching (well, no more than any hardwood flooring install, likely). The system is similar to laminate flooring in that it's a floating floor (i.e. it's not fastened in any way to the subfloor) and if properly installed and maintained, will not "buckle, crack or squeak", according to the manufacturer.
The flooring goes for $15 a square foot, including North American shipping.
Cool Photographic Ceramic Tiles by Imagine Tile
Imagine Tile utilizes high resolution images to create very interesting ceramic photo tiles. Available tiles include grass, brick, leaves, many different types of stone, pool water, manhole covers, crosswalk and more.
Browse the installation gallery to see some of the tiles in use. Of course, if you can't find the right tile for your space you can always upload a photo you've taken and Imagine will create and deliver your uber unique custom tile for you.
Invisible Bookshelf
Here's a clever bookshelf that gives the illusion of books magically clinging to a wall. Simply stack enough books to hide the bracket to achieve the floating book effect.
Via BoingBoing
Ultra Low Profile Food Processing System by TCC
This is one of the more clever space saving kitchen appliances in recent memory. The 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.
Microwave in a Drawer
Sharp now offers this unique, space saving microwave that installs below countertop and is accessible through a drawer style pull out.
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.
Cool Custom Address Numbers
They're not 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.
Home Automation via Cellphone by Plutohome
Perhaps taking cues from gadgets such as the telephone controlled thermostat and the telephone controlled oven, Plutohome produces a home automation appliance that is, conveniently, controllable via your bluetooth cellphone. The unit is, however, a lot more than simply a home automation PC. In their own words, Pluto is:
the only all-in-one solution for your home that seamlessly combines media & entertainment, home automation, security, telecom and computing. You can control your whole house with a mobile phone, a touch-screen tablet or a web-interface. A Pluto system is like an appliance - not a computer. It is self-configuring, maintaining and updating. No technical skills are required to use or install Pluto.
There are some interesting features on the Pluto, such as television programs following you (or your bluetooth enabled cellphone, more specifically) as you walk from room to room, the ability to instantly turn any television into a videoconferencing unit, using your bluetooth cellphone as a remote control, and the system sending live video to your cellphone upon intrusion detection, as well as turning all the speakers on in the house to give you the chance to scare the potential burglar off, or perhaps make a dangerous new friend.
The software is free and open source and installs on any PC. The company recommends that if you plan a large system with many concurrent processes (streaming video on one TV with a video conference on another, for example), you'll want more in the hardware department, naturally. As far as peripherals go, the company is supposed to list it's recommendations here, but unfortunately, doesn't seem to list anything yet.
LED Faucet Light
In the future, people that don't place 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.
Super Cool Automated Computer Controlled Bar
Combine thirst, geekyness, programming, a monitor, pumps and booze and what do you get? An automated bar, of course. Make your own and impress the friends that are impressed by geeky things with the coolness that is keypad driven drink mixing. The author, a college student, surprisingly enough, claims to have spent about $400 on this summer project before losing track. One screen shot shows that the bar is PIN protected, which is probably a good idea, given that he's moving it into his dorm.
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.
Internet Controllable Thermostat
Proliphix produces an internet connected programmable thermostat that uses your LAN as its power supply with the aid of an (additional) ethernet power adapter. The thermostat's configuration/monitoring webpage is accessible from within your home network as well as from the internet. The company also offers wall mountable and paintable sensors to increase whole-house temperature accuracy. From the site: Proliphix offers indoor temperature sensors, which can be mounted away from the thermostat so that temperature inside a home or small business can be averaged across multiple rooms to avoid hot or cold spots and wasted energy. With an optional Proliphix outdoor temperature sensor connected to a networked thermostat, the heating/cooling system can be controlled more precisely to efficiently and more comfortably overcome the indoor to outdoor temperature difference. The web browser configuration tool is simple to use and allows users to easily configure heating or cooling programs to maximize comfort and minimize energy use.
Smarthome sells the Proliphix NT20e, which is the same unit but with 2 additional remote temperature sensors, for use in monitoring different zones within your home or even the outdoor temperature.
Categories: heating thermostat internet energy efficiency hvac automation cool
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Anima Causa Flexible Seating System
Anima Causa makes this pliable, molecule-like, configurable seating system (calling it a chair would seem drastically insufficient) that is made of 120 soft balls covered with elastic fabric. The designer claims it can "change its form according to the emotional state of the body". Yeah. The system comes in two sizes; the large measures 220cm x 180cm (7.2ft x 5.9ft), and the medium 160cm x 130cm (5.2ft x 4.2ft).Pricetag: $2950 + shipping. Ouch. The beanbag stays for now.
Via Gizmodo.
Grohe Grohtherm Wireless Programmable Remote Controlled Shower
Some shower faucets seem so sensitive that even the slightest adjustment will put you at risk for a scalding, or a hypothermic coma, like the major motion picture starring Hollywood's Michael Douglas. Eliminate the risk with this sweet wireless, remote controlled, programmable, digital shower from Grohe.
The Grohtherm allows to you wake up in the morning, push a button on the remote and have the shower ready and waiting - at your predetermined temperature and flow rates, no less.
Via Gizmodo.
Reservoir Dogs Poster Made from Entire Handwritten Script
Like the 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...
Cool Geeky TIX LED Clock
Geek out your office or basement with the TIX space clock of the future. Once you learn how to read it, telling time is a breeze. Whether or not you choose to tell your friends how to decipher the seemingly random flashing LEDs is up to you. From the site:Video clip of the TIX in action here (wmv video file).
Doormate Automatic Patio Door with Pet Proximity Sensor
Doormate.com makes an automatic patio door opener aimed at the elderly and people with special needs. The unit is pushbutton controlled (keychain) or activated through the optional, mountable numeric keypad for secure entrance. Once open, the Doormate slides the door closed after a short delay. Aside from the obvious practical benefit for people with special physical needs, the most interesting accessory is the 'Pet Prox' proximity device that clips on to your dog's collar. The device is triggered as the dog comes within a few feet of the Doormate- from either inside or out. This should be a welcome addition to the home for anyone that has a dog with a small bladder or frequent, obsessive hankerings for grass.Doormate system and Pet Prox add-on available from Smarthome.com.
Your DNA as Art
DNA 11 creates unique pieces of wall art using a sample of your DNA. The company sends you a saliva collection kit and you, in turn, send the company your saliva. DNA 11 extracts the DNA from your saliva and takes an electronic DNA 'snapshot'. All that remains in creating your spittle craft is the photo massaging and tweaking, done by 'digitally enhancing your DNA fingerprint.'. They currently offer an intro special of $390 to the first 1000 customers.
via Design Sponge
Hidden Doors and Secret Passageways
We've seen cool secret doors from the 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.
Make Your Own Hot Tub
J. Kelly McCoy wanted a hot tub. J. Kelly McCoy didn't want to spend $5,000 on a new one. J. Kelly McCoy did what anyone would do: he built his own - for a mere $1,200.
More Gorgeous In Wall Fireplaces by ThermArt
More and more, we're seeing modern, beautiful and sleek 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.
Sweet Pinball Coffee Table Howto
If the 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.
GE Monogram Collection Mean Looking Walk in Wine Vault
GE, through their 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:
via Kitchen Contraptions
Large Retro Digital Wooden Box Clocks
Anyone looking for appropriate nick nacks, bric-a-bracs, chachkas or whatnot to compliment their throwback Atari or Colecovision ought to check out this chunky wooden clock from furnicreations.com. The clock captures quite the retro look, and would fit right in with basement wood panelling and A-Team lunch boxes. Of course, if your house isn't going for that old school look but rather has never quite left old school, then it would work just as well. The site is in flash so there's no direct link, but just click on 'store' to browse their unique, if small, product line.
Beautiful Environmentally Friendly Flueless Fireplaces by EcoSmart
EcoSmart produces these unique, flueless fireplaces that can be installed essentially anywhere, as they do not require any sort of permanent fixture or fitting. The company makes many different 'shells' that house the actual burner unit which operates using a green fuel. From the site:
The EcoSmart Fire is fuelled by a renewable energy source called Denatured Ethanol. Ethanol is an absolute alcohol, produced by the fermentation of sugars originating from agricultural and forestry products; mainly sugarcane, potatoes, bananas, beetroot and recently from cereals such as wheat.
What are EcoSmart Fires? The EcoSmart Fire is a new, innovative style of open fireplace. It is environmentally friendly, aesthetically appealing, efficient and cost effective. The modular design means it is versatile enough to fit into a wide range of architectural environments. Whether installed in a loft, studio, apartment, terrace house or freestanding home, the EcoSmart Fire provides the 'primal' warmth and comfort of fire while enhancing the contemporary aesthetics of today's living environments. In essence, it is designed to be an inspiring, mobile 'piece of furniture'.
And yes, according to the FAQ, the fireplaces do indeed produce heat (about 13000BTU's worth).
Bring PCs up to Speed with Google Pack PC Essentials Kit
Many of you will already have most of this software installed on your own PCs, but if you do the tech support for family and friends then this could be of some use to you. Pointing people to this package of fun and useful (and protective, in the case of Firefox, Adaware, Google Toolbar's popup blocker, and Norton Antivirus) software from Google will probably come in handy anytime someone under your unofficial umbrella of technical support buys a new PC. By the way, if you're looking for an alternative to Acrobat Reader, try the ultra quick Foxit Reader, which makes loading and reading PDFs a dream by comparison.
Receive Filters in the Mail and Forget about Forgetting with Clever Service
FiltersOnTime.com offers a service that promises to send you furnace filters in the mail throughout the year. The beauty of the system is that the filter's arrival is also a reminder to change the old filter currently in your furnace! Very clever. It looks as though the service is available to US destinations only, unfortunately. Send a note or leave a comment if you know of any similar services for people outside the US.
Wired Article on the Coolest Rooms on Earth
Wired has a nice article up on the coolest, most gadget-filled, automated rooms on the planet, including a home that 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. Lamps Made from Recycled Traffic Lights
Want a 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.
Protect Yourself with this Bedside Table
Designer James McAdam went to work to unclutter bedrooms, and this combination night table / stick + shield kit is the fruit of his labour. If you're ever being robbed, you would not have to scramble in a panic to find your shield as you would know exactly where it was - right beside you, doubling as a night stand! Simply disassemble and prepare for battle! The shield is very nice touch, as you really don't see a lot of shields in the area of personal self defence anymore - good work James McAdam!
Cool Fibre Optic Rug
If you're looking for a unique, totally over the top recroom or bar decor idea, then this fibre optic rug from designer Jody Harrow should do the trick.
via blog.hazaad.com - Thanks John!
Ingenious Candles with Built In Matchbook
Now this is clever! Never have to search for a lighter or misplaced matchbook again with these matches-included candles. From the site:Hygge-lys Paraffin candle with a built-in matchbox. Walton was inspired to create these candles shortly after coming to Denmark. In Scandinavia, cosiness - locally known as hygge - is often associated with the use of candles. Walton quickly perceived the need for a special candle that kept the matches within easy reach. So he cast a little matchbox in the bottom of each candle, and produced a little booklet to explain the genesis of the product.
via smartstuff.se
Citizen Shows Off 3mm Thin Flexible Clock
Citizen has given a sneak peek of their new flexible clock, powered by technology from a company called E-ink. The clock is only 3mm thick and can bend around pillars, making it visible from many angles. This would be a fine addition to any recroom, fitting in nicely with your 360 degree LED television.
From Yahoo:Citizen will start production of the clock early next year upon receiving orders with a price tag at 500,000-600,000 yen (4,200-5,000 dollars) each.
via engadget
Cute and Depressing Melting Snowman Canisters by Marcel Dzama
Gas Pump Beverage Dispenser
Dead Horse Warning:Adding an old style gas pump booze dispenser to your bar will prompt your guests to say "fill 'er up!" well over a thousand times.
The dispenser is 2 feet high and 5 inches in diameter.
Sweep Debris into the SweepEZE Automatic Dustpan
Smarthome has a product that looks as though it would help anyone with ceramic tile or hardwood floors which require constant sweeping action. The SweepEZE vacuuming dustpan powers its 600w motor on when the activity sensing infrared beam is broken by debris, which is then vacuumed up into the unit.Kung Fu Bookends
If you have a lot of books and don't want to, um, bookend them with your standard, run-of-the-mill, boring bookends, then check out these stylish and funky kung fu items from Wrapables.com.
Unique Tube Chairs for the Bar
If you're looking for a different way to furnish your bar, take a look at some of the interesting items over at DrinkStuff.com. It's hard to tell if these tube chairs would be really comfortable or not, but they sure look cool. The site is British, but they do claim to ship to many countries around the world. For those of you looking to class things up a bit, remember, you can't go wrong with a giant stiletto chair, which is some sort of cardinal rule of interior decorating, it turns out.
Whole House Cooling Fan
Mounted between your house and your attic, this 'Whole House Cooler' by Tamarack Technologies claims to be able to reduce the cost of home air conditioning by as much as 30%, all on the energy it takes to run two 60W light bulbs. From the site: Engineered to reduce indoor air temperature, the HV pushes the hot air out of the house through the attic and replaces it with cooler outside air. The HV utilizes twin, high-tech, super efficient fan motors to minimize noise and power consumption. Our systems have the industry's only automatic door assembly, providing an air-tight seal with an insulating value of R-22.
The unit operates by remote control to boot.
James the Unique Doorstop
James the Doorstop combines rubber with funny to make a great doorstop. The site says that he would make a great gift, but you would have to be pretty sure someone would dig this sort of thing before giving a doorstop as a gift. "Merry Christmas! Uh, yeah, it's a doorstop ya see..."
Uber Sleek Italian Faucets
Newform-Italy makes some truly impressive, streamlined bathroom faucets. Most of their minimalist faucets are very thin and simple, which seems to lend them incredible beauty. Although the website is in link-unfriendly Flash, the faucet eye-candy they've chosen compensates nicely.
Convenient 360 Degree Rotating Electrical Outlets
Don't you just hate it when you have a 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.
Telephone Controlled Thermostat
It sucks coming home to a cold house. Unfortunately, if you've programmed a timed temperature drop in your home in order to save energy, you may have experienced this upon coming home early or off schedule. Avoid such a predicament with a telephone controllable thermostat that allows you to call home and chat with your heating system, giving you time to work things out.
Talkingthermostats.com offers this device, of which you can hear a sample of here.
Categories: telephone thermostat energy efficiency gadgets hvac toys automation cool michaeldouglas
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Cordless Cube MP3 Player Speakerphone Combo
If you're looking to consolidate the mess of wires and electronics in your home office, this might be the place to start. At a paltry 11 ounces, the cube impressively crams a 2.4GHz cordless speakerphone, an MP3 player and an FM radio (that pause automatically during calls) into a 3 1/4 inch cubed space. The unit comes complete with LCD screen, usb jack (w/cable) and SD card slot.
Beautiful Oil Lamp Shadow Projector
There's just something appealing in the warmth of a 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.
Scarface Poster Created Using Entire 300 Page Script
Any Scarface fan on your list would be a happy camper after receiving this incredibly creative piece on Christmas morning. Decorate your basement or home theatre with a poster made using the entire 300 page hand-written script from the 1983 Pacino classic.
Tough Guy Fridge
Ten50 Design has a line of chromed-out biker fridges with features that include handlebar grip styled door pulls and, as you can see, flames. Prices range from $5935 for the 30" model to $6480 for the 36".
Voice Recognition Safe
The Science Museum Store (of Science Museum) sells a voice recognition safe for £ 19.99 (US $34.67). The safe allows you to set your own password which, when spoken, opens the lock. The safe also allows a four digit code to be entered on the keypad, which is plenty, really, as any security expert will tell you that anything over four digits is just security overkill.
Scooba the Floor Mopping Robot
As the singularity approaches, one would expect that the amount of mopping being performed by humans would decrease as cute, dirt loving robots near ubiquity. The transition seems to have begun with the Scooba, from iRobot (of Roomba fame). iRobot is accepting pre-orders for the Scooba, which they say will ship in 8-10 weeks. From the site:
Scooba is an intelligent and effective Floor Washing Robot. Scooba uses a four stage cleaning system to prep, wash, scrub, and dry floors all by itself. Scooba features iRobot's AWARE Robot Intelligence Systems. AWARE uses dozens of sensors to monitor the robot?s environment, and adjusts its behavior up to 67 times per second, ensuring that Scooba cleans effectively, intelligently and safely. Scooba will clean a standard size kitchen on a single tank full of cleaning solution.
Anything that does anything 67 times per second must be good.
Deep Wishing Well Illusion Coffee Table
"The Wishing Well" is a very cool coffee table that, in its center, contains a light illusion that gives the impression of 30 feet of depth. At $2500, that's $83.33 per fake foot.
via cribcandy
Amazing Dinosaur Plant Laughs at Death
This plant has been around for 290 million years, has seen dinosaurs come and go, and interestingly, has the skill of apparent resurrection! Like it says: Amazing! The plant ships looking like a dead, dried up plant. Placing the plant in water will bring it back to life. The plant can hibernate in it's 'dead' state for up to fifty years, giving you plenty of time to water it. If you still find yourself forgetting, you may want to consider an automated solution.
via The Green Head
Beautiful Wall Mountable Flueless Fireplace
At only 4" thick, this gorgeous and unique in-wall gas fireplace is the perfect solution for those looking to add the warmth of a fireplace without losing valuable living space. The units are flueless and, according to the manufacturer, 100% efficient. This is due to the Firewall Flueless' lack of a heat-liberating chimney like those found in conventional gas fireplaces. There is also an added environmental benefit in that the warm air the unit exhausts is cleaner than the air it takes in!
DIY LCD Projector
So this guy combines an overhead projector and LCD projector panel, throws in a screen and for under $175, he's watching sweet, sweet big screen projected video. See also: Tom's Hardware version.
Affordable Film Thin Solar Strips
Popular Mechanics has published their 2005 Breakthrough Awards, in which they showcase some of today's most promising and interesting scientific innovations (yeah, they shill, but still interesting). One of the more interesting entries is flexible photovoltaic plastic. The ultra-thin energy producers are being developed by the 2000 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, Alan Heeger. The more interesting part: the actual energy harnessing chemistry occurs within the solution of semiconducting polymers that can be painted onto surfaces such as roofs, tents, clothing and I hope he's right.
Categories: green energy alternative solar photovoltaic cool innovation electricity
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Instant Boiling Tap Water
Quooker sells a nice looking product that produces instant boiling water, straight from the tap. The faucet draws the boiling water from an insulated tank mounted underneath the counter, where water is heated to 110°C. As the water flows from the faucet, it cools to 100°C. Quooker says that the unit's energy consumption is "next to nothing" in standby mode. I wonder if it would melt one of these. Caution! The boiling water you are about to enjoy is hot...
DIY Houseplant Irrigation System for 45 Bucks
Here's a nice step-by-step of an office irrigation system. If you've got a lot of houseplants and a bad memory then this project could save lives. They've also posted a movie of the system in action. Ok 'action' may be a bit strong of a word in this case...
Recent stuff from HouseHacker:
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