Archives for 2012

Spicy Storage Solution Frees Up Stacks of Cupboard Space

spice jarsPeople who do more than a casual amount of cooking are bound to have cupboards full of spice jars. There are plenty of store-bought solutions for organizing and arranging those jars, but it seems that a vertical storage method is the most space-saving of all. This DIY version was created using a sheet of stainless steel, some canning jars with one-piece caps, epoxy glue and super-strong magnets – all for a little over $100.

The wall-mounted spice rack is perfect for holding the seemingly endless collection of spice bottles that build up so easily in the kitchen. The clear jars are stored on their sides so that you can easily see what’s stored inside each one. After you affix a simple label wherever you prefer, you have a reasonably well-organized spice storage system. The particularly fussy cook can even alphabetize the jars.

As with any DIY idea, the key is to make it yours. The jars don’t have to be the ones described in the instructions, and the sheet of steel can be swapped out for the side of your fridge if you like. One helpful tip that may be especially advisable to follow: spices keep longer when stored in a cool, dark environment, so the pantry would be the perfect place to hang this spice rack. Otherwise, nontransparent jars might be a better bet than the clear variety.

Musicians’ Deaths by Age

musicians by death
Click here for an interactive chart.

Hack-Worthy Wooden Furniture Fix Using Just One Walnut

furniture fixFinding, buying or building great designs is one thing, but maintaining them can be quite another. Chips and dings in wood furniture can be especially difficult because any single-color solution (e.g. furniture marker) may be too blunt an instrument.

With that in mind, sometimes the fix for a natural furnishing is found in nature – say, in the form of a simple cracked-open walnut (particularly for those mid-toned, mid-century walnut furniture pieces, perhaps).

The moisture and variegation of the nut helps blend with natural wood tones – no perfect match is promised, but it sure is worth a shot. Tip via ApartmentTherapy.

Facebook 2011 Yearbook

facebook-2011-yearbook

Amazing Tricks To Recycle Old Things

green-recycle-imgWe can use creative and cool ways to reuse old stuff. We aren’t sure what you do with your old newspapers, bulbs, plastic and glass bottles and many other things? Here are some really cool and creative ideas of how to reuse them.

 

Basis of a cardboard roll of toilet paper can make a “box” for cables and ropes.

Turn your old credit card picks.

Create a curtain at the window of the old slides.

From the old light bulbs we can make unusual candles.

Turn your old case for the CD into a container for food.

Fill a box of toothpicks, and it will be a block of knives.

Turn your old frames of the paintings in the trays.

Use a bottle of ketchup for cooking pancakes.

Use paper clips to organize your cables.

Turn your old keys in the hooks.

Take a first aid kit from the old suitcase.

Seal marble stones holes in the fence.

Turn your old door coffee table.

Make a bulletin board from the old “organizer” for jewelry.

A conventional stickers can be used to collect dust and shavings when you drill anything.

Do not rush to throw away the card catalog – in fact it can be used as a bar.

Use the old Lego blocks as a key holder.

From old suitcases can be done bedside.

And from the old cups, bottles and bowls – lighting.

But these candies can be used as holders for the candles on the cake.

A paper clip can be used for holding keys and money.

The pipe with the valves in a hanger.

Old books can be made shelves.

The old CD-muffler can be convenient to store the cables and wires.

The old bike could find a second life as a stand in the bathroom.

Here’s a mini-fridge can be turned into a small TV-bedside table, where you can store all sorts of accessories.

Older flatware may well be the hooks.

Box out of wine can turn into a shoebox.

Hooks for the curtains in the shower can be used as hangers for bags in the cloakroom.

Turn your old suitcases in the folder.

Broken racket for tennis or badminton? It does not matter! From it you can make a mirror.

Use the corners for old frames as tiles.

Take out the old door frame for a mirror.

Take out of the holder for paper towel holder ribbons.

Use a frisbee to strengthen the plastic plates.

drum set instead of a Barrels

.

Papers from the cupcakes, you can use to not ice cream dripped on his hands.

From the container for shoes can be made case for sweets.

In the end, make a chair out of old water-skiing …

The table … from old books.

A box of beer can be converted into the holder for salt, pepper, sauces and napkins.

The original regiment … from the old chair.

Jewelry is always spread? Do not worry, you can arrange them in the old molds for baking.

In banks you can store salads.

Last, but not least…. my favorite!

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

old remodelOld buildings may have a great potential to either carry on their old functions or be transformed into something new. Here are the four amazing buildings that got a second life thanks to architects’ brilliant planning for their transformation.

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

Amazing Remodeled Old Buildings:

Convent de Sant Francesc

Convent de Sant Francesc remodeled by David Closes is a church located in Santpedor, Spain. Built between 1721 and 1729 by Franciscan priests the church was long abandoned and its convent complex was demolished in 2000. The church renovation began in 2003 and the original building that stood in ruins was enhanced with some modern elements yet the traces of time and wear were preserved as part of the building’s history. The church was turned into an auditorium, cultural space while the upper levels of the chapels are to be turned into a historical archive.

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

1930′a Church in Netherlands

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

Another church remodeled and turned into a house is this 1930′s Rotterdam church that stands on the river. Remodeled by Ruud Visser Architects the church wasn’t fully transformed into a regular home. The architects made sure to preserve the parts of the building that recreate the atmosphere of the church as well as added the modern architectural parts to create the rooms and other home features. See more of 1930′a Church in Rotterdam.

La Concha House

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

This 15th century barn was transformed into a modern house by MOOARC. Originally the barn was made of stone but the architects have given it a makeover by adding floor-to-ceiling entrances and windows. It was turned into a kitchen and dining as well as a formal living area on mezzanine level. The sleeping block with the bedroom stands separately and is linked to the barn with a glazed corridor. See more of La Concha House.

Dovecote Studio

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

This prefab music studio stands surrounded by the ruins of the Victorian structure in Suffolk. The old foundation was enhanced by a prefab house-shaped studio for artists conceieved by Haworth Tompkins for Aldeburgh Music campus. The two-story studio has an upright piano and a writing desk which makes for a perfect space with no distractions. The natural lighting is aplenty thanks to a skylight and glass door entrances. There is also track lights under the ceiling.

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

4 Amazing Old Buildings Remodeled

Before transformation

The Beatles Discography

beatles discography

source

Folding dining table fits your needs more than taste

TableIn our search of good furniture, we usually end up buying something uniquely styled but rarely would we find something that fits our needs more than taste. This awesomely disguising piece of furniture from Italian company Porada is a perfect furnishing for a cramped urban apartment in today’s space-crunched society. This piece of furniture can be used as a mirror and ganged on the wall when folded, and it can also be used as a neat folding table especially when your dining space is limited. Don’t know how many of you would have the time to fold and unfold this “mirror table” but I thought that is a really cool idea.

Infographic: How To Hack Your Electric Bill

how-to-hack-your-electric-bill

source & Larger view: click here