Designer Creates Fake Rocks That Help Save Water 'Water displacement objects.' Images: Rochus Jacob via designboom. Putting a brick or a bottle filled with pebbles in your toilet tank is well known as an easy way to save water -- about a half a gallon with each flush. But sometimes a little style is needed to entice people to take such basic measures -- something designer Rochus Jacob provides with his latest elegantly simple creation.A shortlisted entry in the Incheon International Design Award (IIDA) 2010 competition, Jacob's "water displacement objects" are as straightforward as they sound: white, rounded stone-like pieces of recycled plastic that allow people to take a full bath with 50 percent less water. Drastic Reductions Without Big Behavior ChangesAs the designer, who won the grand prize in last year's IIDA awards with his thermodynamic cooler that relies on evaporating water rather than electricity and his Murakami chair, a rocking chair that powers its own reading lamp, explains:
How to make pretty lights... | kootoyoo Ambient light in 5 minutes flat! The jar lights I made created quite a bit of interest. The benefit of using LED lights over tealights is safety & if you’re having an outdoor party you don’t need to worry about weather as the light would of course be protected by the lid of the jar. Edit: I used large jars which were purchased very cheaply from a homewares store but used kitchen jars would work too. The LED battery operated lights that I used were purchased from Bunnings. I’m seriously considering setting up something in the garden similar to this brilliant piece of garden art… freshly installed& 3 months later which was inspired by Margie’s project here. Of course, you don’t really need a how to…it’s a speed demon type project. & because I wanted to try out the embed feature through Google Docs… you just need to click the little icon in the top right (open in new window) if you want to print the pdf. If you liked this idea you might also like the wrapped tealights.
DIY Concrete Letter May 9th, 2013 I’ve been wanting to play with concrete, and I thought a two-tone concrete letter would look awesome sitting on my shelf. My concrete letter didn’t turn out quite right, because I was impatient. I picked up the mold before the allotted drying time was up, because I wanted to see if the concrete was still wet. Supplies: hollow cardboard letter (available at your local craft store) box cutter breathing mask (or something to cover your nose so you don’t breath concrete dust) disposable gloves two plastic spoons two disposable plastic bowls a disposable cup concrete mix cement color water Lay the letter face down and cut out the top side to make the mold. Next, mix the concrete wearing gloves and a breathing mask (do it outside so you don’t get concrete dust in your home). Once the concrete is mixed, work quickly to spoon one of the colors into the mold. Now, don’t pull on the cardboard to peek, don’t move it, and don’t even touch it!
Amazing Paper Made Muscians Amazing Paper Made Muscians posted under Photography on May 8th, 2010 with 29 Comments 8 May 0 Share Related You will love this Loading... 29 CommentsThoughts from the Community Ferg said Mar 1st, 2011Really great...Love the Elvis! sperlingk1 said Nov 20th, 2010"Musicians" .... not "Muscians" clipping images said Aug 31st, 2010really cool... like a dreamy world of lily puts.. tony said Jul 19th, 2010hey man, it seems to me you've got alotta time to spend !! Anum said Jul 9th, 2010KISS! Maggie said Jul 5th, 2010Yes, I agree, do Bowie! MagnetsMan said Jul 4th, 2010Its perfect style! leesh said Jun 28th, 2010@kthxbye I totally agree! Jude LaFontaine said Jun 22nd, 2010yeah The Beatles rule. Add your Comment Please Be Constructive & Insightful Advertisers Their support keeps us going Random Creatives From the Couch On the Couch Past Interviews Interview: Zootool on Design and Development & Business 21,374 Designs7,789 Creatives179 Articles4,806 Critiques340 Collections Thanks to our Sponsors
10 Home Improvements Worthy of Tax Credits | BuildDirect Blog 1. Upgraded Windows and Doors One of the most problematic sources of energy inefficiency in homes is outdated windows and doors that allow heat to escape. By upgrading to energy smart windows, skylights and doors you can increase your overall efficiency and watch your bills decline.TAX CREDIT: 30% of cost up to $1,500.DISCLAIMER: Credit does not include installation costs. 2. Upgraded Water Heaters Accounting for nearly a quarter of your home’s energy consumption, inefficient water heaters can and will inflate your bills. Upgrading to a gas, oil or propane unit will benefit you in the long-run and at tax time.TAX CREDIT: 30% of cost up to $1,500.DISCLAIMER: Credit includes installation costs. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10 . BuildDirect has launched our new Learning Center!
Lacy Luminarias Give the decorations at your wedding reception the romantic look of lace. The intricate patterns shining through these luminarias (paper-bag lanterns illuminated by votive candles) are courtesy of doilies glued inside. Place a grouping of the lanterns in different sizes on the guest-book table or dinner tables for a beautiful, glowing display. We chose ivory paper bags for an understated look, but you can use thin paper bags in any light color. Set the candles in heavy-glass votive holders to help anchor the bags. Tools and MaterialsLight-colored paper lunch bags in various sizesRulerScalloped rotary cutter12-inch gold-colored doilies (white ones won't show through as well)Utility knifeScissorsGlue stick or Xyron sticker-making machineVotive candles in glass holdersUtility lighter Luminarias How-To1. 2. 3. 4.
Put a cork in it! Sewn paper garland I made this rainbow paper garland on a grey summers day and now the days are drawing in it’s really coming into it’s own and doing a wonderful job of brightening our home up. It’s really easy to make and costs next to nothing but you’ll definitely need a sewing machine and a couple of hours worth of patience. I took hundreds of photo’s of this and none of them do it justice – please believe me when I say it’s stunning! Click the “read more” link below for a really quick how-to. All you need to do is cut lots of strips of paper and sew along the centre point. Mine measured 8 x 1cm. How to You will need: ♥ Paper ♥ Thread ♥ Sewing machine ♥ Craft knife and cutting boards (or scissors) ♥ Ruler ♥ Pencil 1. The paper I used was from a paperchase notebook. 2.
Wall Mounted Sliding Door Hardware Can Change Your Roomscape! Roomscape? Anyone ever heard of that word? I’m sure it’s widely used somewhere, but for the time being I’m under the delusion that I made it up! I made it up because I was looking for an interesting word to describe the way a room feels; the way it looks; and the way it flows ! I’m going to show you a super cool way to make it better! Wish You Had A Pocket Door? I can’t tell you how man ytimes I’ve been in people’s homes and had them say to me, “I just wish they would have put a pocket door here when they built this place. These owners are often unwilling to part with the money it takes to tear out the drywall, remove and alter framing, install a pocket door frame, maybe re-route electrical and/or plumbing, and fix it all just to get that pocket door. Pocket doors are great space savers because they eliminate the space needed for the door to swing, and they open up wall space where the door would normally “park” when open. Wall-Mounted Sliding Door Hardware How cool is that? It’s Johnson