Are you prepared for a Thanksgiving mishap?

November 16, 2009

It may be more than a week away, but I've already got Thanksgiving on the brain. The family arguments talks about who's hosting the big event and what's getting cooked where are in full gear. And now, on top of what kind of mashed potatoes to cook and how many chairs can fit around the second fold-out table, it seems there's another detail I'm supposed to be concerned about: the likelihood of my sink or toilet backing up right in the middle of that big day.

Go green with graywater

November 14, 2009

Next time you pay your water and sewage bill, consider this: Approximately 40 percent of all the water used in your home gets flushed down the toilet.

That's a staggering amount, and water is becoming an increasingly precious and costly commodity in most parts of the country.

To help homeowners reduce water consumption and save money, Sloan Valve--in association with WaterSaver Technologies--recently introduced the Aqus Greywater System, an ingeniously designed device that diverts drain water from the bathroom sink to the toilet. Here's how it works: 

Red, hot kettle from Hamilton Beach

November 13, 2009

It's the kind of day, here in New York, where I'm craving a hot tea to combat the dreary, gray, cold outside (we're expecting our first Nor'easter, according to the local weatherpeople). I kind of wish I had this electric kettle from Hamilton Beach. You don't need to turn on the stove to get a steaming cup of lemony tea or chamomile with this cute-as-a-button appliance. I love that you can just plug it in and heat a little over a quart of water in just a few minutes. Plus, it's my favorite color: red!

Customize your tile for a few dollars with stickers

November 3, 2009

Ok, it sounds strange I admit, for someone over the age of 8 to decorate her room with stickers, but they are great for anyone with design ADD or a small budget. Wall stickers have been popular for a few years now (BLIK, ferm Living, and Wallnutz are just a few places where you can find them), but many people haven't discovered tile stickers. Sticviews lets you choose from one of its patterns or upload a pattern or photo of your own and then customize everything from color to size to rotation. 

Faucet responds to the human touch

October 29, 2009

Our kitchen-sink faucet is relatively new and works great, but I want to replace it immediately. That's because I just discovered the Delta Pilar kitchen faucet, an elegant, beautifully designed faucet that operates almost magically.

The Pilar (pa-'lar) faucet is equipped with something Delta calls, Touch2O technology, which allows you to operate the faucet with a simple touch. That's right, there's no need to grasp the faucet's single lever to turn on the water. Just touch the goose-neck faucet with the back of your hand, wrist, forearm, elbow--or any other part of your body, I presume--to activate the water flow. Touch it again to turn off the water.

This one-touch feature isn't only super convenient and radically cool, it's also very hygienic.

Save water, shower with a timer

October 27, 2009

At a time of eco-awareness, low-flow showerheads seem like a no-brainer: Less hot water means less waste and lower bills. Unless, as I learned while researching showerheads for the October issue of This Old House, you are a teenager. In that case you will make up for lost water with increased time. (How else to take off all that hair product you just put on?) Denver entrepreneur Don Brunkhardt says he has a better way. His patented, American-made invention combines a timer and a flow restrictor, allowing a full flow before a beep signals. That means you're about to hit your preset 5, 8, or 11 minutes, when the flow will drop by two-thirds. Brrrr! Parents hold the key to the timer, and don't even think about trying outsmart it by turning the shower off and on: The thing keeps track. Someone should tell Governor Schwarzenegger, who last heard was yelling at his kids to get the heck outta there. Shower Manager "gives the bather the best of both worlds—a full flow, and a reasonable amount of time," Brunkhardt says. And at $130, it ought to. Order one before Oct. 31, and he'll knock off $30. For buying information and some rosy projections about how much money you'll save over time, go to showermanager.com.

The original "subway" tile

The New York subway system is famous for its functional white tile. In fact it is the inspiration for the "subway tile" that can be found in kitchen designs ranging from ultra-modern to retro. But anyone who's ever taken a ride underground in the Big Apple knows that mixed with those plain Jane tiles are elaborate mosaics and accent pieces that are wonderful pieces of art. The New York Transit Museum's store offers reproductions of some of the most colorful and well known. The reproduction tiles are ceramic and pretty pricey, ranging from $32-$175, but might work as accents or even hung on a wall with the metal hanger provided on the back. Do you Gotham aficionados with keen eyes know in which station the original of this one can be found?  Find out after the jump.

Bathroom humor

October 20, 2009

As if toilets didn’t have enough to do, they are now being pressed into service as colorful objects—and billboards. California entrepreneur Richard Quintana has introduced a $90 replacement tank that can be outfitted with poster art (for the homeowner who is bored by white fixtures) or ads (for the restaurant or hotel owner who wishes to leave no commercial space untapped). No reason, of course, you couldn’t also use the tank to send a message to your captive audience: “Do not squander time for that is the stuff life is made of” (Benjamin Franklin), perhaps. Quintana, who makes the tank in single- and dual-flush versions, clearly thinks it’s a shame to squander real estate, no matter how small or discreet; his previous invention was Fish ‘n Flush, a toilet tank that doubles as an aquarium. 

Bottle openers: Tools for the kitchen

October 1, 2009

I'm not big on beer, but I keep a few bottles stashed in the fridge for when those who enjoy the drink stop by. So, when I had (unexpected) guests over the other night I felt prepared for my last minute hosting duties. That is, until I noticed one of my friends standing in the middle of the kitchen, beer bottle in hand, looking in the utensil drawer with a frown on his face. The problem: There was no bottle opener in sight. Where it went? Who knows.

Serve a shortstack of bats this Halloween

Halloween is one versatile holiday. The whole house is utilized/decorated/doorbell-ed, and it's never too early to start thinking about how to one up the neighbors treat-wise on the 31st. Not that I'm suggesting serving breakfast to the hordes of trick-or-treaters soon to be making an appearance on your doorstep. It's just that I love pancakes, and don't need an excuse as good as Williams-Sonoma's new Halloween Pancake Molds to make them.