How are you decorating for Halloween? Show us your creepy crawly creations in our My Projects area. Our favorite submissions will be featured after Halloween. Good luck!
Lots of people have granite countertops. But how many do you know with countertops made of amethyst?
The Prexury Collection by Cosentino features countertops made of semi-precious stones such as red jasper, quartz and petrified wood. Bound together using epoxy resin and polished, these handcrafted countertops are both beautiful and distinctive.
The price? That's anybody's guess, the website does not list prices. Hand-crafted in Spain using semi-precious stones? I'll say, "Not cheap." I suggest contacting them directly for a price quote if you are interested. What do you think: Pretty or pretty ugly?
Don't know the difference between your mohagany and your ash? No sweat. With the I.D. Wood app for your iPhone, you'll look like a pro every time. Simply enter the name of the wood you are investigating and the I.D. Wood will give you its origins, description, woodworking properties, common uses, durability and sustainability. A great tool for carpenters, woodworkers, cabinet makers, hobbyists and wood fetishists. All this knowledge for only $2.99, not bad.
After failing to find a buyer, the house built entirely out of Legos in Surrey, England, is being dismantled brick by mult-colored brick. Built by James May of the BBC's Top Gear, the home was never intended as a permanent structure and was built on a vineyard without the necessary permits. It did however feature a working toilet, shower and a "very uncomfortable bed." One visitor apparently made off with the Lego constructed cat.
Alas, the vineyard needs to grow its grapes and May had to sell or dismantle. Legoland was interested but could not afford the moving fee. So the 3.3 million Lego bricks are coming down and will be donated to charity.
What do you think: Silly waste of time or Genius tourist attraction?
It's got a lot of higher-ups shaking their heads. Despite being proven energy and money savers and getting a big government push, sales of compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) have plunged.
Sales have declined 25% nationwide from their peak in 2007 with sales in some regions diving 35-50% (here in Massachusetts!). "Based on additional data and analysis...it's apparent that the market is headed in the wrong direction," said Richard Karney of Energy Star.
What's going on? Some speculate buyers are disappointed by CFL performance. Or perhaps American consumers are resistant to change -- 90% of American light fixtures are still using traditional incandescent bulbs.
One certainly could not argue against the cost savings -- CFLs cost around $2 a bulb and last seven times as long as conventional lightbulbs. CFL makers are pushing for more incentive programs to maintain their admittedly tiny, market share. How do you feel about the CFL bulbs?
In today's real estate market, foreclosures abound. Is it time to cash in on the opportunity? As this article in the Wall Street Journal points out, finding a good foreclosure can be difficult.
Banks don't like to advertise a home as "bank owned" but do provide lists of homes for sale on their websites. Search for "REO" (real-estate owned) on lenders' sites. Other sites to check include RealtyTrac.com, BankHomesDirect.com, and Foreclosures.com, all of which are for-pay sites. You can also check the Foreclsoure Google Map (free) for listings in your area. Finding a real estate broker with experience dealing with REOs is also a good move.
If you do go ahead with buying a foreclosure, make sure to get a thorough inspection. The phrase "buyer beware" applies in spades to foreclosed properties. Also, do your homework - good foreclosure properties go quickly and it helps to have all your paperwork in order before making an offer. Tip: Don't try to bargain the price down further. Banks are already pricing the property at a steep discount already.
It's a potentially treacherous road but it can have a big payoff. Anyone out there pursuing this angle?
The proliferation of solar panels has got people thinking about them in novel ways. With that in mind, Treehugger has put together a slideshow of 13 great solar concepts inspired by plants. I'm partial to the ones by Toyota appearing in major U.S. cities to promote the Prius. Which one would you most like to see on your lawn?
