One thing that's awesome about Ikea sofas is that nearly all of them have covers that are removable and washable. This makes them great for living with kids or very messy people. Even if you're neat as a pin and child-free, though, the novelty of switching out the look of your living room for less than $250 is certainly a treat. If you have an Ektorp sofa or are considering acquiring one, then take a look at the cool new Ikea Klintbo Blue Cover ($249). Too busy you say? I disagree; this could look amazing in a funky living room like Rachel Comey's, which was recently featured in Domino.
To see a closeup of this fabric swatch and to hear about this textile pattern's history, read more
Su Casa member Katiepwise recently moved to Washington DC, where she's done a fabulous job of making her apartment simultaneously vibrant and cozy. Describing her style, she says, "I love bright colors and am not afraid to use them. I mix Ikea furniture with hand-me-down pieces from family. I attempted a 'salon-style' art wall over my couch and I live to color out just about anything! If I could paint my walls, I would, but since it's a rental, all the walls are beige. My dream is to have an eggplant-colored library and hot pink Moroccan themed sun deck." Check out her cool apartment in the slideshow!
While this project was identified by Martha: The Martha Stewart Show as a DIY for baby blocks, I think they'd make a cool addition to a very grown up bookshelf or fireplace mantel. You can coordinate the images and paper you select for the greatest decorative impact.
One of the main reasons that green power hasn't taken off is its high price tag, but Australian PhD candidate Nicole Kuepper may be changing that. This green-thinking student has discovered a way to produce solar cells using a pizza oven, nail polish, and ink jet printers.
According to the The Sydney Morning Herald:
Ms Kuepper realised a new approach would be needed if affordable cells were to be made on site in poorer countries: "What started off as a brainstorming session has resulted in the iJET cell concept that uses low-cost and low-temperature processes, such as ink-jet printing and pizza ovens, to manufacture solar cells."
While it could take five years to commercialise the patented technology, providing renewable energy to homes in some of the least developed countries would enable people to "read at night, keep informed about the world through radio and television and refrigerate life-saving vaccines". And it would also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The inspiring Kuepper was awarded the British Council Eureka Prize for Young Leaders in Environmental Issues and Climate Change for her solar power development, as well as a $10,000 study tour to Britain. I'm always proud of girl geeks, and since women are underrepresented in the sciences, I am doubly impressed by this young inventor. Congratulations, Nicole! Source
This Travelodge hotel in England is made of a very unusual object. If you look carefully at the photo, you may be able to identify it, but here's a hint: You would usually find this very large and practical object on a train or the deck of a ship.
Growing up in the country, deer and other creatures were daily visitors to my garden, nibbling and trampling upon everything in sight, and they often caused car accidents in the area. Needless to say, they're not my favorite forest creature. But that doesn't necessarily mean you have to wait for deer season to keep them away from your casa; there are plenty of ways to keep them out of your garden without increasing your daily venison intake. Here are a few:
Install an extremely high fence. Deer can jump quite high, so it must be about eight feet tall to keep them out. Consider invisible deer fence, which isn't such an eyesore. And remember to fence off your driveway entrance or install cattle guards, which they can't cross.
Theory
DSquared
Temperley London