The Blog

Andy Plesser: (Video) Web Studio DBG Launches "Hipper HGTV" on YouTube

2012-05-25T14:28:50Z

DBG, the New York/LA-based Web video production and syndication company, has launched a highly produced home design show called "Spaces" on YouTube.

The series is one of the new YouTube-supported partner channels.

Yesterday, we spoke with DBG's Bradley Werner, VP for Production and Series Development, about the new series and the opportunities around the new YouTube initiative. He calls Spaces a "hipper HGTV."

Here's a story on the launch in yesterday's New York Times.

Earlier this year, we spoke with DBG founder Chris Young about this company and its mix of production and syndication on it's "own" network. We have republished that interview below.

Andy Plesser

You can find this post on Beet.TV

Kirsten Dirksen: Deep Craft: Go Beyond Etsy and Make Toward Slow Design and the Good Life (VIDEO)

2012-05-24T20:38:14Z

Scott Constable is a craftsman who designs utilitarian objects like furniture skateboards and handcrafted homes to the more esoteric, such as a mobile micro radio station or a mobile biodiesel processor (see Wowhaus: craft, tiny architecture & back-to-land home/studio). Discuss "craft" with Constable, whose training includes apprenticeships under master woodworkers and specialization in traditional joinery, and you're likely to hear about such things as Windsor chairs, traditional bodgery and English guilds.

At a time when the idea of craft has become closely linked to Etsy or Make or any number of DIY blogs and zines, Constable wants to take back the word: "The whole Deep Craft concept was a way for me to rebrand the word 'craft.' I was starting to see things like Etsy come out and craft was becoming ubiquitous and the same time it was becoming devalued."

Borrowing from the idea of Deep Ecology, Constable created the term "Deep Craft" and began to create a manifesto as a set of working principles. It's not an academic treatise; instead it's filled with ideas such as, "trust in an ethos of 'exuberant frugality'" and "What makes a good day?"

Watch Kirsten's feature-length documentary on tiny homes, "We the Tiny House People: Small Homes, Tiny Flats & Wee Shelters in the Old and New World."

Tara Heibel: Meet The 'Perfect House Plant'

2012-05-23T18:41:14Z

Ok, so the name of the Nong Nooch vine is a little bit of a tongue twister. This tropical vine is a rare one to find at your local nursery but if you are lucky enough to come across it please do me a favor and grab it quickly before its golden chain of flowers entice someone else to take it home. The Nong Nooch vine, or Petraeovitex bambusitrum, gets its name from the Nong Nooch Botanical Garden in Thailand where it can be readily admired, but is quite uncommon for most of us to see in cultivation.

Photo by Tara Heibel

The slightly glossy leaves along this vine are abundant, but they have a graceful presence. The Nong Nooch vine can bloom for several months at a time from spring to fall with soft dangling yellow bracts opening to cream flowers. It is as if the leaves magically make a transition in front of you. They enjoy moist well-drained soil and benefit from some direct sun. Don't let this rare find scare you, it is actually hardier than it looks and can be quite drought tolerant. In fact, you have to watch out to not over water it. Pinching the plant back from time to time can keep it bushy and in bounds.

They can be quite rigorous, making for a great houseplant or deck plant if given the space. For the very few of us who live in zone 10 or higher, you are lucky enough to be able to grow them outside on your fence if you prefer that jungle look. But, they do best when allowed to grow freely in a hanging container or climbing on a trellis where the flowers can hang down freely. When you are deciding how to display your Nong Nooch, make sure you do give the flowers ample freedom as they can hang a couple of feet long. Go ahead, take a chance on this rare beauty. I promise it will give back.

Chris Barnes: Three Easy Ways To Clean Your Grill

2012-05-23T17:55:03Z

With Memorial Day this weekend, many of us will be firing up their grills for the first time this summer. Although grilling in some ways can be easier to clean up afterwards than kitchen cooking, a grill involves special care. Regardless if you have a gas or charcoal grill, here are three tips that will keep your grill looking clean throughout the summer. (Plus a bonus tip!)

Flickr photo by KidMoxie

Regularly empty the drip pan. At the bottom of your grill, there is a pan which collects the grease and drippings from meat cooked on the grate. Too much grease accumulation can cause a fire (or at the very least, flame flare-ups), which is never fun to deal with. The best time to clean the pan out is about a half hour after cooking, as the grease is still warm enough to easily dispose of. If it solidifies, you can just scrape it out with a knife.

To prevent food from sticking to the grill surface, try wiping it down with olive oil from time to time. (Common sense precaution: Do this when the grill has cooled down.) The olive oil coats the metal on the grill, making it harder for food to stick to. You'll notice that this makes scraping your grill much easier.

Also, make sure you clean the ceramic briquettes in your grill from time to time. Let them soak in warm soapy water, allowing the burnt grease to dislodge. After giving them a good scrubbing and rinsing, you can set them out on top of the grill to dry in the sun.

Bonus tip: Got a dirty grill grate? Simply use a wadded-up piece of aluminum foil to scrub it down. The foil will easily remove rust, debris and even traces of grease.

Lisa Holt: A Festive Summer Pizza Party

2012-05-22T21:18:56Z

For those who know me best, it's common knowledge that I am a big fan of outdoor entertaining. I love get-togethers with close friends and family, sharing a meal and enjoying one another's company. Often our lives are too busy, and these festivities offer us the opportunity to slow down and celebrate the summer season with loved ones. It isn't always easy to please everyone's palate (and possible dietary requirements) when creating a menu for a party, but I recently found the perfect solution: Make your own pizza!

Let me explain. For me, pizza isn't worth eating unless you have a professional wood-fired oven like the Italians use to bake their breads. Recently however, this type of oven has become available for residential use, and it's just fantastic! It allows my guests to create their own custom creation, tailored to their particular tastes. It's also a great way to keep the kids entertained, and they have a blast making their own personalized pizza. This Pizza Palazzo from Napastyle is great. Compact enough to work easily into a patio setting, it's very attractive, and uses natural wood, which imparts the authentic flavor to the foods.

http://www.napastyle.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=4443

At any outdoor party, a variety of seating is paramount. If you're keeping it casual, table linens work great on the lawn for more of a picnic-style feel. Since not all your guests will sit on the ground, it's also wise to have some alternative seating around. I would suggest stocking up on the Barrel Stave Adriondack Folding chairs. They are extremely comfortable and easily fold up for storage when not in use. My absolute favorite part about them is that they are made from recycled wine barrels that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Picnic/John Carey/Photolibrary/Getty Images

http://www.napastyle.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=4416

To ensure the comfort of your guests, I suggest keeping a stock of pillows around to use for extra seating. It's also a wonderful way to add a pop of color to your space. I absolutely love these Eastern inspired pillows. They work well outdoors and the colors blend beautifully with natures' natural color palate.

Colorful cushions and carpets in street market/Rosemary Calvert/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images

When the sun begins to set, make sure you have lighting on hand. As you know, I love the globe lights, but if you're in an area with no trees or trellis, lighting candles will be a fabulous way to create ambiance in an outdoor space. To me there is nothing better than whiling away a summer night around a candle lit table with company, over a glass of wine. Use multiple candle heights & holders, mixing and matching to create a magical glow.

Woman standing behind picnic with candles/Justin Lewis/UpperCut Images/ Getty Images

Mangia Bene!

Please visit my website: www.lisaholtdesign.com

Please visit my blog: www.lisaholtinspired.com

Chris Barnes: Wasp Traps, Stain Remover And 3 Other Uses For Sugar

2012-05-22T15:53:18Z

Sugar is one of those kitchen staples you will always have on hand. (While I've admittedly forgotten to buy things like paper towels at the grocery store, I've never forgotten sugar for some reason.) Whether you prefer the standard white granules or the fancier raw version, sugar can do much more than make that morning cup of coffee a little sweeter. From pest control to beauty treatments, here are our favorite uses for sugar.

Flickr photo by Mykl Roventine

- Wasp Trap. It's almost that time of year for these stinging pests to make their appearance. If you've spotted a few, try this DIY wasp trap: Simply make a simple syrup solution by boiling equal parts water or sugar together. Then, pour into an empty soda bottle. Place outdoors, near the nest and watch the wasps fall into the trap.

- Stain Remover. Got grass stains? You won't for long, thanks to sugar. Make a thick mixture of sugar and a few drops of water, then work into the stain. Let sit for up to 30 minutes, then wash as usual.

- Face Scrub. Girlfriend tested, girlfriend approved. Mix in up to a tablespoon of granulated sugar into your usual cream or liquid face wash to make your own exfoliating scrub. Use on a weekly basis for brighter, smoother skin.

- Coffee Grinder Cleaner. After awhile, coffee grinds can build up into the grinding blades. To eliminate the mess, simply grind about a 1/3 to a 1/2 cup of sugar, then empty. This can also deodorize, making sugar an excellent "cleaner" for spice grinders, too.

- Flower food. A classic tip for keeping a bouquer lasting as long as possible, but for a good reason: It works. Add three tablespoons of sugar along with two tablespoons of vinegar to the water in your flower vase. The sugar provides nutrients to keep the clippings alive, while the vinegar fights off bacterial infections.

What are your favorite other uses for sugar? Let us know in the slideshow! And for more new ways to use ordinary items, check out previous installments of "5 New Uses For..." in the slideshow below.

Marcia Prentice: Selecting the Right Outdoor Ceiling Fan

2012-05-21T19:19:33Z

(Image: Lamps Plus)

Summer is almost here! Now that the days and nights are much warmer, having an outdoor ceiling fan can help keep you cool. There are many different factors to consider when selecting the right outdoor ceiling fan for your home.

Size: Ceiling fans come in a variety of sizes. Don't worry if you have a small space, hugger and low profile ceiling fans are available for smaller homes. Pay close attention to the scale of both the ceiling fan and the dimensions of your room.

(Image: Lamps Plus)

Energy Efficient: Turn off the air conditioning inside and turn on the ceiling fan outside. There are many energy efficient ceiling fan options. Look for the Energy Star rating when choosing the right ceiling fan.

Motor Size: A quality motor makes all the difference with a ceiling fan. A die-cast aluminum motor is very quiet, has a long lifespan, and has great air movement.

(Lamps Plus)

Fan Controls: You may overlook the different types of fan controls when purchasing your ceiling fan. The different controls include a pull chain, remote control, or wall control. I prefer the wall control.

Outdoor ceiling fans are not just for traditional homes anymore; take another look at the wide selection of styles for your own home.

Mary Kincaid: Save Hundreds On Designer Furnishings

2012-05-21T13:56:58Z

Want to add some fab eco-friendly style to your home but have no time to page through thousands of eBay listings? Then just sneak a peek at my Weekly eBay Roundup of Vintage Home Finds.

This eclectic mix of designer and non-designer vintage home finds caught my discerning eye because of their uniqueness, contemporary feel or highly collectible nature.

As always, buyer beware! Be sure to read the listings closely and contact the sellers with any questions.

Today's selections include a gorgeous antique 1900s cherub chandelier, a fab vintage Dutch book rack wall unit, a vintage 1960s Mulhauser for Plycraft bent plywood chair and fun (and decorative) vintage molecular science model

Which item is your favorite? Leave me a comment below to let me know and please take a minute to rate your favorite slides.

To receive the eBay Roundup of Vintage Home Finds via email, sign up for Zuburbia's mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.

DISCLOSURE: Editorial selections are made by Zuburbia with no direct promotional consideration from eBay sellers. Zuburbia is an affiliate member of the eBay Partner Network.

PLEASE NOTE that Zuburbia does not endorse the use of fur, feathers, leather or animal skins in home decor. Any of these selections are offered only as more thoughtful and eco-friendly alternatives for contemporary decorators who have not yet eliminated animal products from their homes.

GET READY, GET SET, BID!!!

Stacey Platt and Sarah Hayon: The Easiest Way To Store Bed Linens

2012-05-18T12:25:08Z

Keep a maximum of three sets of sheets per bed. This way, you can have one on the bed, one in the laundry and one in the linen closet. If space is really tight, reduce the number to two sets -- one to use and one to wash. To store sheet sets, take the flat sheet, fitted sheet and one or more pillowcases, and then put them inside the other pillowcase. The result: Stackable bundles that sit neatly on a shelf and are easy to grab and use when needed.

Flickr photo by femme run

For more cleaning tips, check out What's A Disorganized Person To Do?

Bonnie McCarthy: Cool Addition: Middle Eastern Wind Tower

2012-05-17T19:41:06Z

Globe trekkers Heather Morrison and Neil Navin brought back more than trinkets and souvenirs from time spent living, working and traveling in the Middle East. Although they may not have realized it at the time, they also returned with seeds of architectural inspiration.

Several years and a couple of relocations later, when the family decided to build a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-qualified addition onto their Southern California home, the inclusion of a Middle Eastern-inspired wind tower seemed obvious.

Originating from Southern and Central Iran and reported as early as the 13th century, wind towers were built as natural cooling systems for desert homes and buildings. As described by F. Fardehab in the IB Scientific Journal of Science, although they can differ in design:

Wind towers resemble a chimney, rising well above the houses to catch the prevailing breeze and channel it down to the rooms and the courtyard... [they] are always subject to air circulation, with or without wind, because of the draft effect created by the change in air density. [There] can be an increase in the cooling process if pools of water are added directly under the tower for evaporative cooling.

Although Morrison and Navin's tower does not look Middle Eastern, the premise is the same.

To achieve their vision, the couple enlisted the help of family friend and architect, John Trautmann. "He was very excited about the project from the beginning," said Morrison. "Since we were interested in something that bridged Spanish Revival and Moorish/Middle Eastern, he researched an Egyptian architect by the name of Hassan Fathy and tried to sort of channel him. He also had a lot of experience with LEED projects."

The Long Beach city planning offices were not as excited, and they initially balked at the idea of a tower in a residential zone."It was a very long, drawn out process," says Morrison, "and involved some reworking of the dimensions... What we ended up with was a compromise, but we are very pleased with how it turned out! It took a fair amount of bugging people -- and not being afraid of going down to city hall and knocking on doors to get it done -- but maybe now that we have done it, it will be easier for the next person."

In order to green light the additional height for the wind tower, City Planners required the entire addition to be built to the more stringent Gold LEED standards.

As a result, the couple decided to make the addition smaller and put the savings into the kind of green building practices and materials that would earn the Gold rating.

They were not required, however, to pay the additional $25,000 to acquire actual certification. "In my opinion," says Morrison, "the whole certification process makes it so much more unlikely that people will build green because of the costs on top of the cost issues... It took a lot of work on my part to figure out the whole LEED thing."

This is coming from someone who is a passionate advocate for green living. Last month, Morrison helped lead her local elementary school to winning one of the country's first ever National Green Ribbons for best environmental and recycling practices. She walks the walk.

Morrison says many elements contributed to meeting the Gold LEED standard equivalency including: FSC certified, or locally sourced, lumber; insulated windows; recycled denim used as insulation; porous concrete on the driveway surface; rain barrels and drought tolerant landscaping; low or no VOC paint and flooring; a tankless water heater and insulated pipes; undersized heating and air-conditioning units with separate zones; the composition of the concrete; hiring a contractor who has LEED experience (of Zieba Builders Morrison says, "They were assets in a sometimes complicated process."); and of course, the wind tower.

Although Morrison says she is a "big advocate" for green building practices, she advises against paying for certification. "I would definitely do everything to a LEED equivalency and skip the certification process as it is so expensive. Using environmentally responsible building practices benefits everyone, not least of all, us -- the residents -- since the materials were all chosen with things like internal air quality issues in mind."

In addition to architectural cues, Morrison and Navin were able to bring back many Persian and Pakistani rugs from Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates and several have pride of place in the new tower room. "The little tribal carpets are from the Persian nomadic tribes along the Iraqi/Iranian Gulf region," says Navin, while the large red and white one is Afghani.

The small wooden stool with the striped cushion is actually a camel saddle (!). Morrison found the small, engraved silver seal in Saudi Arabia as well as the handmade date basket which is a craft traditionally made by women.

The outdoor wrought iron lanterns are Energy Star from the Grenada Collection at Lamps Plus.

Morrison says of her home's new addition, "I think the room with the stairs and wind tower is my favorite thing. It has been wonderful in the summer, when we open it all up, and it is also really cool during winter storms because of the big windows."

"I am also very fond of the tile on the stairs, which our contractor's wife, Karen Zieba, found for us. It was very similar to some super expensive tile we had looked at but saved us a bundle while still being beautiful!"

Photography: Bonnie McCarthy

Condiment: Five Faves: Apt2b.com's Mat Herman

2012-05-16T19:23:26Z

The minute you meet Apt2b.com's founder, Mat Herman, you instantly get why the upstart retail site is getting the buzz it has been.

His background in the furniture industry is long and impressive. In just the first fifteen minutes of our conversation, we've already covered the broad range of offline and online stores in the market, and the pain points of furnishing a city-dwelling -- odd angled rooms, tight spaces, and the fact that if you're renting it might mean packing it all up and heading across the city (or the country). As a long time veteran in the industry, Herman knows all about this.

In fact, it was what wasn't available for home shoppers that prompted Apt2b.com's creation. Browse the store online and you'll find unique and interesting items that span a range of styles. That's another thing noted as we chat -- how difficult it is to find furniture and decor pieces in the mid-range price point that aren't modern, or corporate brand, especially online. Apt2b.com carries plenty of things that fit modern tastes, but you'll find cool, eclectic, retro and other pieces throughout the store.

It's all curated by Herman and the team at the company, hand picked from classic and upstart home brands. You'll find everything from furniture to dinnerware, towels, sheets, art and accessories. Everything has workability together, which makes styling your place easier as you'd get by shopping at IKEA or Z Gallerie, though there are plenty of individual items across the board for home shoppers that are out to find unique and one of a kind items nobody else has.

Given that Herman has seen it all and done plenty in the furniture business, I could hardly wait to find out what his Five Faves were for this week's edition of Condiment. Among his favorites? A cool mirror inspired by the old school, classic family crest and a chic coffee table we fell in love with at the company's LA pop up store party this past month.

"The goal was to create a store where style was affordable," said Herman as we wrapped up our chat.

Apt2b.com sells individual furniture and home decor items, as well as packages.To see all of Herman's Five Faves on this week's Condiment, take a look here.

Chris Barnes: How Do You Clean Oven Door Glass?

2012-05-16T18:58:07Z

Oven door glass is one of those things that you never think to clean, but gets oddly dirty. Grease splatters, burnt food bits and who-knows-what-else can build up on the glass surface, obscuring the view into your oven.

Nice, clean glass. Flickr photo by KBBNewsPics

The good news is that cleaning oven door glass doesn't involve a lot of time, effort or scrubbing. Actually, you don't even need any specialized products. I'm a huge fan of baking soda as a household cleaner, because it's cheap, won't damage any surface and has great scouring power without weird chemical scents.

So here's how I use it to clean a glass oven door: Simply add enough water to about 1/4 cup of baking soda, to form a thick paste. Next, open the door and spread the paste across the (dirty) glass with a sponge. Let sit for about 20 minutes. Then, wipe away the baking soda paste with a damp sponge and finish by buffing with a paper towel. The glass will be good as new!

Kirsten Dirksen: WATCH: Space-Invading Apartment Boasts Walk-Through Shower and Fridge-In-Drawer

2012-05-16T16:12:50Z

John MacPeek has fond memories of living out of a suitcase when he first moved to Europe over two decades ago, so when he was looking to buy an apartment in Barcelona, he was ready to live in something compact where everything he owned was accounted for.

Like so many others I've talked to for my documentary We the Tiny House People, when he first saw his new home, its compact size (270-square feet) didn't bother him as much as its uninhabitable condition: it was an old storage room for the building's water tanks.

A wall of windows to the sea

He enlisted the help of architect Lola Domènech, who insisted she'd take on the project if she could open up the apartment to the sea. MacPeek bought the "over-sized closet" and Domènech began plans to take down the main wall and replace it with a 20-foot-long folding glass door that allows in light and air to provide passive solar heating and cooling.

Walk-through shower

Domènech then began to design features to invade every available space. She created a walk-through shower with a curtain on one side to protect the toilet and a see-through glass door to close it off from the rest of the apartment (yet let in nice light and showering views). Indoor/outdoor, slatted wooden floors double as a drain and zinc roofing material lines the walls; the water-proofed materials mean that now, nearly a decade since it was constructed, the shower still looks nearly new.

Refrigerator in a drawer

To make the most of the tiny kitchen, MacPeek uses a table that folds closed against the wall as an ideal breakfast nook (complete with folding chairs for up to three people). He has conventionally-sized appliances and even a small dishwasher, but he realized there was no way he would fit a full-sized "American-style" refrigerator in the space. So he installed a half-size "European-style" refrigerator/freezer and next to it, a refrigerator in a drawer.

Watch Kirsten's feature-length documentary on tiny homes, "We the Tiny House People: Small Homes, Tiny Flats & Wee Shelters in the Old and New World."

Chris Barnes: A Clever Way To Get Rid Of Tomato Stains

2012-05-16T15:31:35Z

Growing up with an Italian grandmother, a tomato-sauced based meal was pretty much the norm in my family. And although it's delicious, tomato sauce can present a very specific problem when it comes to leftovers. (Not that Grandma would allow us to leave leftovers, but that's another story.) Namely, that the acids in tomatoes can stain plastic storage containers. This is one of the reasons tomato sauce is sold in glass jars. So how do you un-stain your containers?

Photo from Flickr user Joost J. Bakker IJmuiden

One way -- probably the most obvious -- is to let the container soak over night in soapy dish detergent. But if this really worked, then you wouldn't be reading this piece. That's where baking soda comes in. Just making a thick paste of baking soda and water, and use it to scrub the container. The mildly abrasive mixture, plus the almost bleach-like power of the baking soda can remove the stain. Really, what can't baking soda do?

If that doesn't work, there is one last result -- letting the container soak in water overnight, except this time substitute the dish detergent with a few drops of bleach (or bleach-based kitchen cleaner). This will completely obliterate the stainage, but is best reserved for really extreme cases on high-quality containers and using the most minimal amount of bleach possible.

Tara Heibel: How Much Water Do Plants Need?

2012-05-16T13:03:21Z

Q: I know my plants need water, but how do I know how much they need?

A: Each plant has different needs but, most importantly everything wants to have moist roots when all is said and done in order to really take a drink. For larger trees, that might mean root feeding. For balcony planters, soaking the entire container thoroughly until it drains out the bottom is needed. Knowing what plants you have is the first step to know how they grow. Find out what type of plant you have, research on whether they like to be kept evenly moist or if they like to have a break in between watering and let their soil go 'dry to the touch' -- or further. Once you have a watering relationship with your plant, stick to a schedule so that you do not stress your plant out. Also pay attention to seasonal watering needs. You will find that your plants will require more frequent watering with the warmer weather.

Flickr photo by Christopher Craig

Q: Should I be watering my lawn? I know it's probably not eco-friendly, but if I have one it might as well be green. How do I know how much water to give it?

A: Most lawns will want roughly an inch of water per week. How do you know how much is an inch? It can be as simple as placing coffee cans across your lawn before watering it. After about 15 minutes, take a ruler to measure the depth of the water inside the containers. You want your lawn to actually absorb that inch that you're giving it. So, if you have run off or puddling before you reach that mark, watering for shorter times several times a week might be the key.

Q: Does it matter what time of day I water my plants?

A: Most plants will appreciate an early morning or early evening watering. It's a great rule of thumb when you don't know every detail about every single item in your yard. Plants can burn their leaves in the heat of the afternoon sun with water droplets on them, so sticking to early or late watering times can help eliminate any worry or concern. If you have an irrigation system or soaker hoses, they can usually be used during the day without fear, but can come at larger overhead costs for your outdoor space.

Q: I am always confused about fertilization schedules. Should I be fertilizing my plants as I plant them? If I have to go back and do it later it's just extra work right?

A: Wrong! If you're planting things up for the first time or are using a potting soil, most bagged varieties will have some nutrients in them. You will actually be set for the first month (depending on the mix) without any extra add-ins. Some mixes high in organic content, such as bat guano and fish emulsion, can be stretched even further. The only exception to this is vegetables, where you can add in a nitrogen-rich fertilizer in the early stages of the plant. It can encourage stronger plants and lots of leafing. Once they take hold, switch to something with less nitrogen to encourage blooming and hearty fruits and vegetables on your plants.