| How to Live a Green Apartment Lifestyle Posted: 29 Oct 2010 06:51 AM PDT Living a green lifestyle doesn't mean you have to own a house, apartment owners can do their share in being 'green' and eco-friendly. When living in an apartment, appliances, and utilities are most likely handled by your landlord or leasing company. This doesn't mean there aren't tips to help save you money and be environmentally conscious at the same time. Follow these tips for living a green apartment lifestyle. 
- Observe your waste: Apartments and their residents generate tons of trash, and refuse on a regular basis. Ask your landlord if they have a recycling system in place for separated recycled content. Recyclable containers for paper, glass, and aluminum are a good start. In your own apartment be mindful of personal waste. Switch from Styrofoam cups to biodegradable or glass ones. Reduce junk mail waste by changing to online billing and paperless statements. Ask for your food take-out to be placed in cardboard or recyclable material containers. Under your kitchen cabinets keep small recyclable containers to sort immediately when you’re finished using a container. This will save you time and energy to not have to sort through a dirty kitchen trashcan.
- Minimize your energy consumption: Regardless if your utilities are included in your monthly rent or if you pay them separately, minimizing your energy consumption can help everyone. Consider turning your thermostat down or up depending on the season. Consider dressing warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer to avoid changing the thermostat constantly.
- Change out your light bulbs: Consider switching out your traditional incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. They use less energy and last almost 10 times longer than the traditional bulb. Switch out bulbs in lamps, overhead lighting, wall sconces, and
- Utilize public transportation or carpool: If you live in an urban environment where public transit is an option, considering using instead of driving. This will save money for you and help minimize carbon emissions put into the Earth's atmosphere. If you need to drive, try to organize a carpool with an apartment neighbor or a coworker.
- Washer and Dryer usage: If you have your own units in your apartment, try to plan a schedule with your roommate so the machines aren't being used every day to conserve energy. When washing clothes use cold water as much as possible and ask your apartment landlord to install high efficiency washer machines. Use cooler dry settings in dryers, and don't dry clothes on the longest setting.
- Conserve water in the bathroom and kitchen: Plan with your roommate(s) when you will use the dishwasher, and take showers. Be mindful of each other's schedule and try to shorten the length of your showers and baths. Water consumption in apartments can be kept to a minimal with low flow faucets installed in the showers as well. Ask your landlord if they plan on installing water saving fixtures in your home.
Apartment green living can be made easier with the help of these useful tips. Before renting an apartment, ask what green practices the complex has in place. This should weigh into your impression of the complex. If they care enough about saving money and the Earth's resources, they will probably be more attentive to their tenants. If your apartment does not have green practices in place, give them a few suggestions to see if they will consider and stress the long term advantages for everyone involved. Freshome reader's do you live in an apartment building that practices green initiatives? What specifically do they do that made you want to live there? We'd love to hear your feedback.
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| Small and Cozy Reader’s Apartment in Cluj-Napoca, Romania Posted: 28 Oct 2010 11:35 PM PDT We received some photos of this tasteful one room apartment from Gina Malin, one of our Freshome readers. Located in Cluj Napoca, Romania, this cozy crib has a few American influences, due to the fact that its owner spends nine months a year working in Arizona. The apartment has 35 square meters and features a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. Initially there was a wall between the living room and kitchen, but it was demounted so more living space could be gained. The owner wanted an airy home, without useless furniture items and other forms of clutter. The furniture was custom made by a friend. We really like the wall shelves and think they manage to add style, functionality and an overall warm feel. The color palette (black, white, red, silver) is engaging and not at all tiring. The apartment is located on the forth floor of a building and overlooks a beautiful forest. We really want to know how you see this place and if you consider the owner did a good job in designing this small home. We certainly do. 
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| Interview: Mixing Creativity, Crazyness and Design with Valentina Glez Wohlers Posted: 28 Oct 2010 12:16 PM PDT Valentina Glez Wohlers or simply Val, is a young creative born in Mexico City, currently professing in London. Aside from being a designer, she is currently teaching creativity and design in several colleges. We find her dynamic spirit and so called “proactive craziness” charming and we think they mirror well in the creations below. Today’s interview is about emotions, boldness and an innate feel for art. Enjoy! - Freshome: What determined your passion for design? Tell us about the moment when you decided this is the way to go.
- Val: Since I remember I always had a colour pencil and a piece of paper at hand. My mother nurtured me -from a very early age- with the greatest classical music composers, fine arts and literature. She will literally drag me into museums and made my attention focus in the art works, asking me what I like about the piece: colour, volume, shapes, materials, textures, and so on. On the other hand, my father was always building something from the scratch, sourcing and transforming materials by hand. I guess the combination of the appreciation of the Arts and design, together with the hands-on experience of actually making functional objects, triggered my passion for designing and making things.
 Ghost of a Chair
- Freshome: Can you remember your first design project? Describe it a bit, whether it is a gizmo you worked at as a little kid or something that was sold at a large scale.
- Val: I think it came out of not finding a particular piece of furniture that we liked in the marked (this is like 20 years ago, when the furniture market back in Mexico was quite limited) So, instead of getting something we didn't like that much and met our needs half-way, we decided to do it ourselves. I did some sketches, based in things we liked and according to what we were needing –function, dimensions, materials, finishes- and we passed it to a local carpenter. Three weeks later we got our amazing free-standing bookshelf/storage-unit/entertainment-centre! I was really proud, excited with the outcomes and looking forward to our next project: a bed side-table! Years later I decided to study Industrial Design with a major indoors architecture.
- Freshome: What field of design are you most interested in? Do your works have anything to do with it ? (We are asking this because not many designers do what they actually want)
- Val: I have a passion for spatial design and volumes. I guess is the relation between the human body and space that surrounds it. How people respond to the objects, environment and context around them. Based on this, the closest to the human body (garments aside) are the objects created to fulfil functions related with work, rest, leisure, etc. Furniture objects establish a dialogue, a link, between the human body and the spaces that accommodate them both. Hence, furniture and narrative environments are what interest me the most.
 Abstract Low table
- Freshome: Chronologically describe what you are going through (feeling and thoughts) on your way to work.
- Val: I’m a 'list' person, I’m constantly writing down to-do lists in a mind-mapping kind of way. At work I think strategically, what to do next. When it comes to get things done and results, for me it’s about planning and efficiency. Every morning, at the time I’m sitting on my studio, I already know what I have to do and I just get on with it. 7am. I wake up and turn on my ipod in shuffle mode. It always get it right: good tunes to start the day! 7.30am. I do the bed and go to the kitchen: freshly squeeze grapefruit juice is the first thing I have in the morning. 8am. I get comfortably dressed (jeans & t-shirt) and head to my studio, 5 min walking from home, where I have a strong and large coffee with toast, while catching up with emails. 9am. My day starts with a clear head, positive attitude and hands-on spirit!
- Freshome: What is your favourite book/magazine on design? How about your favourite site?
- Val: I think I will go for Art World, Monocle, Creative Review, Art Review, and -as a guilty pleasure- the World of Interiors. However, I’m a huge fan of The Economist, Time Out and the cultural section of The Guardian online. For websites, I like Dezeen, Design Matters, "Would be nice if" blog, etc
 Abstract Low table red
- Freshome: What inspires you?
- Val: Nature, architecture, sculpture. Fine Arts.
- Freshome: What is the most frustrating aspect of your job as a designer?
- Val: When one has to relay on third parties that are not as committed as one is. (pushing people around!) Is not always easy to find the right manufacturers/suppliers who share the same vision and are willing to experiment.
- Freshome: And the most rewarding one?
- Val: Turning thoughts into something tangible that actually works and is viable! When work brings joy and wonder to its user.
 Erotica Cutouts (Tables)
- Freshome: From your point of view, is design an art or a science?
- Val: Design can be categorized as both, depending on what's the subject to design upon. Design and science has an inherent function, Art's aspiration is to fulfill the soul. I believe in emotional design, the one that meets needs through functions at the time it triggers higher feelings in its users.
- Freshome: Tell us something unusual that happened in your career.
- Val: I guess I've been blessed with a constant of random encounters with all sort of amazing people and situations that, in one way or another, contribute to my inner growth, which is directly related with the professional one.
- Freshome: Let’s say you entered a contest. You have to come up with a design for the first house on the Moon built for extra-terrestrial living. How would your project look like?
- Val: I’m a romantic, in love with the moon. I could not spoil the moon by building something on its surface! (…enough damage we have done to Mother Earth already, let’s focus in trying to revert this damage instead?)
- Freshome: If design were a product, what would it be and how would you design it?
- Val: I like design as a concept, as an intention, as a vision, as an approach to man-made creations. Design as a daily experience that's acknowledge and understood individually, according to the personal experiences and backgrounds of its users. We already have enough products that -at the end- become meaningless to their users and turn into waste. Hence, I'll rather keep Design as it is.
 Prickly Pair Chairs
- Freshome: If you had no limits (money, resources), what would you create?
- Val: I would like to create a huge, massive, cabinet of curiosities with random found objects from all over the world, different cultures and periods in time. From a pebble to a rocket engine. An inspiring collection of objects and stories that remind us who we are and where we come from.
- Freshome: Share something you would like the world to know about you or your ideas.
- Val: People think I’m mad. I get that a lot. I believe being crazy is a good thing. There's beautiful, creative, proactive craziness. There's also darkness in craziness. When balanced, craziness can be a great creative driver.
- Freshome: What do you think of our site?
- Val: Fresh, contemporary, inspiring, smart, straight forward. A great source of ideas and boost.
- Freshome: What advice do you have for young designers or architects reading this interview?
- Val: "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. For in boldness is genius, power and magic" Goethe
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| How to Transform your Basement into an Extra Room Posted: 28 Oct 2010 09:41 AM PDT In your home are you still trying to find extra space to put a spare bedroom, home office or play area for the kids? Your basement which is only being used for storage right now could be your answer. Basements are an excellent way to add square footage to your home and utilize area that ordinarily would just sit. Before you set up the space, look at these tips to see how to transform your basement first. It will save you time and energy before you move the thousands of boxes that are down there! 
- Define what you want the space to become: When transforming your basement into an extra room there are decisions to decide on first. What do you want the space to become? An exercise room or home gym may only need adequate lighting, electrical outlets and ample space to place equipment. While a spare bedroom will need drywall put up over the concrete walls, flooring, lighting and aesthetic touches to make it a livable space that one would enjoy. This step is important to save you money. Plan ahead to save money and time on the back end.
- Purge and store: Now that your basement is going to house a living function you will need to go through the current boxes and storage items and purge. Determine if the items are still needed, or if they were just moved to the basement from your previous house. For the items you are keeping, find a home for them immediately. If they are truly storage items, for example holiday decorations and seasonal items, install an organization system. This can be shelving, cabinetry, or creative storage solutions that look aesthetically pleasing.
- Ensure your basement is safe: Since your basement is being converted into a living space, ensure that it is safe to house an extra room in. Many basements have water infiltration through the concrete walls or floor. Cracks in the foundation can be caused from the house settling or a more serious problem like broken plumbing pipes or adjacent tree roots. For your peace of mind consider hiring a general contractor or home inspector to look at your basement before you start any renovations. Any findings should be fixed thoroughly by a reputable contractor before moving on.
- Convert your space: Once your space is safe it is time to transform it into your final space that you envisioned. Get inspiration from interior magazines and online basement remodels to see what the possibilities can be for your space. Ask home improvement store personnel for help if you plan to do it yourself. If you're hiring a contractor, explain in detail what you want with pictures if possible. When converting your space, ensure there is proper air and heating supply. Basements tend to stay cold if they are underground, therefore air conditioning may not be needed in some homes. Ensure electrical and plumbing meets code as well.
You have the ability to add on square footage and add value to your home with a basement remodel. An extra room means more flexibility for your family and a higher return on investment for your pocket. Use the tips here to ensure your space is safe and comfortable and sit back and enjoy your new extra basement space. Just imagine how much more you can do now! Freshome reader's have you remodeled your extra space in your basement? What do you use the space for now, we'd love to know!
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| Remarkable Passive Solar House with Views of Mount Olympus Posted: 28 Oct 2010 07:28 AM PDT This amazing home comes from Christina Zerva Architects and is located in Nikaia, Greece, overlooking the godly Mount Olympus. It is a passive solar house, which means it contains materials and technologies that can collect solar energy during the cold periods and repel solar heat in the summer, keeping the building cool and airy. A contemporary exterior reveals three separate volumes separated by mirrored glass bridges. The unusual facade contributes substantially to the sustainability of this home, due to the fact that it bears an impressive number of solar panels. As one steps inside, the surprises continue. You are looking at a modern home in all its aspects, particularly when it comes to interior design. Spacious and tasteful, this residence houses state of the art furniture and decorative elements which manage to captivate and astonish. 
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