Design

One of the most popular elements Americans are demanding for their homes today harken back to our agricultural roots – barn doors on tracks. THE BARN DOOR LOOK: photo via Tineke Triggs These doors add architectural interest to minimalist rooms, rustic style to cabins and can stand up to the scale of large rooms. They are also a great way to add character to a pantry or hidden office niche in a kitchen or hallway: via kitchenlab.com One tip savvy Do-It-Yourselfers and builders have let me in on is to buy the track hardware from a local farming supply company rather than the ones marketed to homeowners online – you’ll save hundreds of dollars. The track is another design element to consider – options include finishes from metallic to blackened and design details. TWEAKING THE ELEMENT OF BARN DOORS picture by Kelly Motschanbacher of The Polished Pebble You can also use the track hardware to hang other kinds of doors. Interior designer and blogger Kelley Motschenbacher used vintage doors from old changing rooms on tracks as unique doors in this home full of reclaimed items. via Reclaimed Lumber Products You can also scour architectural salvage spots for reclaimed original barn doors, or have the doors crafted from reclaimed wood. If you do a quick search of “reclaimed wood carpenter” and your city it’s pretty easy to find someone to make them for you. image via Clark and Zook Architects Of course on the flip side, simpler lines and a bold color can give the rustic element of a barn door a more modern look, like this bright laundry room door. photo via Elle Decor New traditionalist Darryl Carter has taken the track door to a whole now level with this antique patinaed piece covering a closet niche. One thing to note: While much like a pocket door these doors eliminate the need for swing clearance, you will need to keep the adjacent wall space empty to allow the door to slide over. Have you added a barn door to your home? Please share any tips or a link to a picture of it in the Comments below!

Work on the world’s largest hydropower plant is expected to start in October, 2015 following commitments from the World Bank and other development agencies to finance its construction. South Africa has also agreed to buy more than half of the energy that would be generated at the 4800 MW Inga 3 plant at Inga Falls on the Congo River. Preliminary reports show that a series of dams on this section of the river would have a relatively small environmental and social impact, but International Rivers and other non governmental organizations warn that virtually none of this power would improve the lot of local residents in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Read the rest of DR Congo: World’s Largest Hydropower Plant On Track for 2015 Groundbreaking Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Africa, African Development Bank, Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, Environment, hydropower, International Rivers, News, off grid solutions, renewable energy, South Africa to buy DRC energy, world bank, world's largest hydropower plant

Inspired by the Alcapulco chair (named after the Mexican beach town of the same name), Mexican designers Léon Léon update this classic chair from the 1950s. Spotted first on Poppytalk: By mixing handcraft with artistic techniques, Léon Léon founders Oscar Mora and Pauline Dornic have come up with three new designs based on the original. With thirteen different colors, the combinations are endless; not to mention delectable (just like the drinks after which they are named). Above: The Blue Lagoon features the same shape as the original Acapulco chair from the 1950s; $419. Above: All the chairs are made by hand and are available in three different weaving materials; plastic, vegetal fiber, or leather. Above: The Daiquiri is the circular version of the original Alcapulco chair; $419. Above: The Mojito is a new Léon Léon design and can used as a dining or desk chair; $579. Above: The multi-purpose Margarita is lightweight and functional; $289. Above: The Paloma is woven with Henequén, a vegetal fiber extracted from the Yucatán state of Mexico; natural, simple, and ecological; $419. Looking forward to sitting outside this summer with a drink in one hand and a book in another? See 453 images of Outdoor Furniture in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

May is National Bike Month, which is a month long holiday that I can totally get behind.  So for this week’s My Life Scoop, I picked some of my favorite stylish gadgets. I ride my bike to work nearly everyday, and even though it’s just a short ride from in Brooklyn, there are few gadgets that can certainly make your life easier. My favorite gadget is my bike computer – when I’m heading to work, it keeps me on time. And when I’m on longer rides or trying to get a little exercise, I can keep track of my speed. But honestly, one of my favorite gadgets, is a simple bell. When you’re a New York commuter and competing for street space with both pedestrians and cars, there’s almost no gadget that is more helpful. It’s a simple and effective way to let people know you’re coming! Whether you ride to commute to work, for pleasure or for exercise, a few choice gadgets can make your ride much smoother! Do you have a favorite bike gadget? Click here for all the links and the full post!  -Amy Azzarito

Five wooden cabins fan out around a site on Tokyo Bay to form this capsule accommodation by Japanese office Yasutaka Yoshimura Architects. (more...)

Entry #2443, May 22, 2013 Memorial Day is formerly known as Decoration Day. It’s a day to commemorate the brave soldiers, both Union and Confederate, who died in the Civil War. Remembering these men and women who offered their lives while serving their duty for the country is truly appropriate. What better way to honor these soldiers than throwing an outdoor party. Hosting a Memorial Day outdoor party would be very exciting. You will get to show your tribute to the occasion while adding wonderful memories to your guests. Get your Memorial day celebration started right! Image via: My Baking Addiction Here are some ideas on how to plan a Memorial Day outdoor party: Make your Memorial Day celebration a party to remember. Work it out with the whole family for a better outcome and sharing of ideas. Spread the word Invite your guests as early as possible so that you can reserve their schedule. It’s best to have a personalized invitation to make an impression. Make sure to include important notes in your invitation like the date, time, theme, attire and other necessary details. You may also include extra details or contingencies such as rain plans. Memorial day table setting Image via: Quint Essence Blog Let there be light Proper lighting will set a vibrant ambiance to any party. Whether it’s an indoor or outdoor party, appropriate lighting is vital in making the surrounding lively and animated. Since you are doing an outdoor party, get ready with your extension wires and weatherproof lighting devices. Mix and match lighting colors by adding colored filters for your lights. Memorial day decoration table setting Image via: Bright Bold Beautiful Turn on the beat One of the best ways to maintain the hype is through wonderful party music. But you have to choose the right music genre to play all throughout the party. This may depend on the theme you have chosen. It’s a great way to pump up your guests while moving around for a conversation. You can save them all on your computer and, if you have enough time, arrange them accordingly. For more summer holiday entertaining on Stagetecture, clic

Collection of 'Creative Waffle Makers and Waffle Irons' from all over the world. Mickey Waffle Maker: It bakes a 7" (approximately) waffle in the shape of Mickey. Typewriter Waffle Iron: Chris Dimino replaced an old Smith-Corona Coronamatic typewriter keys with a fully functional waffle iron; this waffle maker is fashioned out of an old typewriter. Animal Waffle Iron: The Circus Waffle Iron creates three animal-shaped waffles featuring an elephant, giraffe, and a monkey. Texas Shaped Waffle Maker: It makes waffles in the shape of the state of Texas. Farmyard Waffle Iron: The Farmyard Waffler prepares waffles in four farmyard shapes, featuring a barn, chicken, cow, and pig. Mickey Mouse Tasty Baker: This 5-in-1 Tasty Baker is a unique all-in-one appliance that bakes pancakes, waffles, muffins, quick-breads and more in the shape of your favorite Disney friends. Pooh and Tigger Waffler: This waffle maker imprints pictures of Pooh and Tigger on each waffle. Rose Bouquet Waffler: It makes a single 6" round waffle featuring an elegant rose bouquet. Woddle Penguin Waffle Maker: It makes cute waffles in penguin shape. Snoopy Waffle Iron: Other Posts: 15 Unusual and Modern Bookends Design - Part 3. 30 Creative and Cool Ways To Reuse Old Sweaters. 20 Creative Vases and Modern Vase Designs - Part 3. 15 Creative Soaps and Unusual Soap Designs - Part 3. 18 Clever and Creative Business Card Designs - Part 5.

No longer does "going green" mean a sacrifice in paint or color quality. The eco-friendly paint market has grown and evolved since we last looked at this topic: the paints we feature here perform like premium conventional paints (offering good coverage, vibrant colors, durability, and longevity) but without harmful odors, chemicals, or added solvents. For a quick primer on the definitions of paint toxicity and the like, see "What is the Greenest Can of Paint?" by one of our favorite paint experts, Philip Reno of G&R Paints in SF. One tip: Look for products that are low- or no-VOC in both the paint and the colorant. Most of the brands featured offer large painted color cards and/or small sample pots, a low-waste way to test the color in your space. Above: One of our favorite paint companies, Farrow & Ball, has moved its paint to a water-based formula, significantly reducing the solvents in its products to low and zero VOC. Colors are derived from natural pigments, as well as other natural ingredients such as china clay, lime putty, and linseed oil. And the company doesn't use harmful ingredients like ammonia and formaldehyde. The price for a standard One Gallon of Farrow & Ball Paint is $85 from Farrow & Ball. Above: Developed by UK-based Marston & Langinger after the company found most paints were too toxic to use for its greenhouses, the Marston & Langinger Paint Range ($75 for 5 liters) offers 72 shades available in matte and eggshell for interiors and in eggshell for exteriors. Marston & Langinger architectural paints are water-based, non-toxic, non-flammable, and virtually odorless—and when dry, are safe for pets and children. Above: C2 LoVo Paint is a premium, non-toxic, low-VOC paint with infinite color options. The only pigment system in the United States to use European colorants, C2 Paint can be customized in any color and is available in the full range of Philip's Perfect Colors (see Paints & Palette: Philip's Perfect Colors). Last year, C2 Paints introduced C2 Studio, a low-VOC, value-priced paint available in all 496 C2 colors. Both paints are available at G&R Paints. Above: Portland, Oregon-based Yolo Colorhouse offers premium no-VOC interior and exterior paints with a user-friendly color palette. One gallon of Semi-Gloss Interior Paint is $35 from Home Depot. Above: Returning to methods used before the advent of petrochemicals, Ecotrend Collagen Paint is a no-VOC, odorless paint that uses collagen (eggshell lining recovered from commercial bakery waste eggshells) as the paint's binder. It is rated very high in coverage. Above: Another historic paint formula with casein (milk protein) as a binder is used in SafePaint from the Old-Fashioned Milk Paint Company. Both organic and biodegradable, SafePaint is a zero-VOC, newly formulated milk paint designed for use on walls. Milk Paint is environmentally safe and non-toxic (there is a slight milky odor when it is applied, but it is completely odorless when dry). One gallon of Safe Paint for Walls is $45.95. Above: Natura Paint is Benjamin Moore's zero-VOC, non-toxic, most environmentally sensitive paint offering. The waterborne paint is available in all Benjamin Moore colors; $56.99 per gallon. Above: Mythic Paint is a non-toxic, ultra low odor paint that provides the durability and coverage you expect from a premium paint, without emitting the VOCs or toxins that continue to be released into the air for years after application. Made by Auro, a German company that now distributes in the United States, Flat Mythic Paint is $43.99 per gallon. Above: Stark Paint, with colors by British designer David Oliver of Paint and Paper Library, is a water-based paint with no VOCs in the paint and colorants. All colors are available in three paint finishes: velvet emulsion, porcelain shell, and lacquer gloss. A S

The Z-Refrigerator is a refrigerator, which has the function of professional cook’s fridge and is the size of a double-door fridge. It is has the Z structure; when door is opened to the left, there is a large space, and to the right is a space where drinks and instant food can be stored. The fridge also saves energy by minimizing the amount of cold air escaping at once. I think I like it more for its funky design more than anything else! Z-Refrigerator is a 2013 iF Design award – concept design entry. Designer: Hee Young Lee - Yanko Design Timeless Designs - Explore wonderful concepts from around the world! Shop CKIE - We are more than just concepts. See what's hot at the CKIE store by Yanko Design! (The Z Cool Fridge was originally posted on Yanko Design) Related posts:Fridge on Top of Fridge on Top of Fridge Fridge That Knows It All The Future Fridge

Designer Jonathan Rowell has created Screw Me, a family of lighting objects with a simple twist. Designer: Jonathan Rowell