A New Way to Recycle

Thought throwing your bottles into the blue bin was the only way to recycle?  Enter Superuse.org, a site for designers with the amazing ability to repurpose junk into functional pieces.  It's like DIY on steroids!  After browsing around Superuse, you'll be rethinking everything you throw out. 

Chair made from old radiators (Designer unknown, via Style North)

Spoon rings (by Miho, via Superuse)

Mr. Wilson tennis ball towel holder (by Dominik Langhammer, via Superuse)

Tennis ball bench (by Tejo Remy and Rene Veenhuizen, via Superuse)

We've blogged about the bicycle chair before but think it's worth sharing again.  (by Andy Gregg, via Superuse)

To see more of my favorite repurposed pieces, follow my "Repurposed Design" style board on Pinterest.com.

The Weekender: Think outside the crate

This week I came across a craigslist post from a guy selling a bunch of milk crates.  It got me thinking...what would I do with 50+ crates?  So I did a search and came across a couple of blog posts dedicated to milk crate DIY.  Talk about genius!

 {images via MISS}

{images via Apartment Therapy}

The chair above has me strongly considering using milk crates as the base for the couch I'm making.  They're super sturdy and it'd be a great eco-friendly project.  Not a fan of the blue vinyl cover though.  I'd face them in wood with a dark walnut stain.

Unfortunately someone else bought the crates before I could snatch them but next time I'm not going to hesitate, I'll just go for it.  You never know what you can make out of random everyday objects.  Shipping pallet platform beds, bathtub couches (a la Breakfast at Tiffany's), shopping cart chairs.  There are endless possibilities if you force yourself to see beyond the ordinary.  What do you think?  Are these designs for you?  What's the most out-of-the-box DIY you've seen or done?

{image via Design Sponge}

{image via Reestore}

{image via Inhabitat}

Now you see it, now you don't

Is this not the coolest thing?  One minute it's a window and at the flip of a switch it's turned into a balcony.  I know it would be easier to just have a standard balcony, but it's the cool factor that makes this contraption so awesome.

Head over to the Bloomframe website to see the video. Via - Freshome

Best Idea Ever!

Looking to strengthen your marriage?  Skip counseling and get the Better Marriage Blanket.  For just $49.95, you can own a queen-size comforter guaranteed to keep your spouse's "silent killers" at bay.  That's right, each blanket is made with the same carbon fabric used by the military to protect against chemical weapons.  The Better Marriage Blanket makes a great anniversary, wedding, or Valentine's Day gift.  After all, nothing says "I love you" better than a gas-trapping comforter.

The Better Marriage Blanket comes in white or beige and is available in twin, queen, or king.  Not sold in stores.

via Apartment Therapy

PS - On the off chance that you actually purchase this blanket, you HAVE to send in pics/spoof videos of it in your house/apartment!

Ode to the Robot Wine Holder

Oh Robot Wine Holder,
How we've loved you so.

Your waving arms,
Your turquoise glow.

Oh how we hate,

To see you go.

As you can see, we're mourning the loss of the Robot Wine Holder. We here at Apartment 528 take it very hard when our favorite items get discontinued. This time, it's especially hard because the Robot Wine Holder is part of our Apartment 528 family. Designed by the amazingly talented folks from Paperdoll Woodshop, the Robot Wine Holder is leaving us on January 16th.

Want a chance to own a piece of greatness before it's gone? Grab a Robot Wine Holder today from the Apartment 528 Store. The wine holders will be available until January 16th. After that, it's time to say goodbye to our dear friend.

Move over Boring Daybeds...

Talk about a space saver!  The DOC sofa bed from BonBon Trading goes from couch to bunk bed in just a few easy steps.  Now you can fit not one, but two guests this thanksgiving.  Not to mention, this is way more stylish than a normal daybed!

Prices aren't listed on the website which usually means it's pricey.  Maybe the Moddi folks (inventors of the DIY Murphy Bed made from Ikea parts) can come up with a bunk bed design!

Thanks to the ShearYadi blog for tipping me off to this awesome find!

Bookin' It

I'm back with a design that brings new meaning to Read and Roll. No, not the toilet paper holder/magazine rack I told you about earlier this year. This time it's a bookcase chair on the go.


Yes, a bookcase chair. The Bookinist, designed by Nils Holger Moormann, had shelves to accommodate your favorite books. No more searching the house to figure out where you left your book...you can easily reach behind the headrest or under the seat to find the book you're looking for. If you get tired of sitting in a certain spot, simply roll the chair wheel barrel style to a new location. Bonus: there's also a secret compartment for storing odds and ends!

I'm pretty sure I couldn't afford the designer version of the Bookinist chair, but looking at the design, I think it's a doable DIY, depending on your skill level and patience. I'd probably leave out the giant wheel in favor of four casters or plain old fixed legs. I'd also add a more comfortable cushion and ditch the tacky lamp. What do you think?

Wall Panel Addiction

I FREAKING LOVE these wall panels from B+N Industries' Reclaimed Wood Iconic Panel line. Words do not even begin to express how much I desperately want to own them. This isn't the first time I've fallen in love with B+N products; last year I wrote about their laminate Iconic wall panel series...as you can see, I have a panel obsession!

{image via B+N Industries}

You have to create an account on the B+N website before they'll even let you look at the prices which means they're way out of my price range so I'm not going to waste my time looking. It would only lead to heart break :(

If you're like me and don't see riches in your future, try a little DIY to create wall panels on your own. All you need are a few slabs of wood, some sanding, wood stain, stencils (optional) and a carving/engraving tool. I highly recommend a Dremel for this type of project. Dremels have many interchangable accessories, including several different engravers.

And while we're talking about DIY, don't forget to check out the Apt528 3rd Ward Contest for your chance to win a 10% discount on classes at 3rd Ward in Brooklyn, NY.

Spice up your office

It's summer which means a lot of work time spent daydreaming about the beach. Get your mind back in the game with funky office accessories from Think Geek.

This puzzle calendar ($9.99) will make you feel like a kid again! Use the included blocks to design your calender. They even have special icon blocks to mark events like vacations, flights, and birthdays.


Throw out your ugly Rolodex and grab this business card filing cabinet ($12.99). This mini file cabinet can store up to 800 business cards and comes complete with lettered tabs to help you stay organized.


Who said crayons can't be professional? These Crayola executive pens ($14.99) have the weight and functionality of a pricey executive pen without the boring executive look. They even come in a wooden display box!


If you hate filing as much as me, you'll probably love Think Geek's file folders with attitude ($7.99). My advice, use them in your home office so your boss doesn't catch on to what you're REALLY thinking!


This is by far my favorite. Thanks to Dornob Design for tipping me off! Get rid of your cat calendar immediately (I suggest burning it!) and start using calendar tape ($9.99). It's great for adding a funky flair to your apartment. Grab a bulletin board, cover it with calendar tape, and use it to keep track of your schedule and tack up reminders. There are so many ways to use this tape: on notebooks, on walls (not if you're a renter!), or on a desk. To make the calendar reusable, frame it behind glass and use a dry erase marker to fill in spots, then erase at the end of the month.

{images via ThinkGeek.com}

Small Kitchen Solution

At "five-figure sums," I definitely can't afford this but I'm sure anyone who's lived with a small kitchen would appreciate the design as much as I do.

This kitchen from Compact Concepts rotates to reveal countertops, a microwave, a dishwasher, and more! No more cramped galley kitchens that can only fit one person! I love the idea of using the kitchen to divide two rooms so that it's accessible on both sides...pretty cool.

For more on this and other wonderous designs, check out Dornob.com.

Apt528 Reminder: The Apt528 lamp giveaway ends Sunday...don't miss your chance to win a free lamp from CSN Lighting!

Bones!

I'm addicted to Ikea Hacker which is why I'm always sending you over to see all the awesome hacks. This time, there's this super cool bone table designed by a guy who collects xrays...whowouldathunk?

(Images via Ikea Hacker)

Pillows, Chairs, Prints and More!

Remember Bonjour Mon Coussin? Their pillows are incredibly inventive...half of them look tasty enough to eat!

Now there's Teo Jasmin, another French company. Not only do they have conversation-starting pillows, but they also use their photographic prints to make custom wall canvases and seating. The furniture's a bit on the pricey side, but if you have the cash and want to add some funk to your apartment, I'd go for it! The French definitely know what they're doing when it comes to style!!!

Wallet a little tight? Check out the Teo Jasmin sale page for great deals.

Clockwise from left to right (all prices rounded): Brigitte Bardot Canvas - $98; Union Jack Classic Sofa - $3602; San Francisco Pillow - $50; Asian Print Classic Chair - $800; Beatles Sgt. Pepper Pillow - $50; Fiat Long Pillow - $55; Big Apple Chair - $1073; Big Apple Print - $98; Doggy Queen Print - $99

In Case You Missed It...

This 344-square-foot apartment is comprised of one room that changes into 24 different configurations. A great idea if you're a city dweller!

I don't know if I'd like my whole house to be this way, but it's definitely a great idea for a home office, a kitchen, or a dream closet full of shoes! I'm still intrigued by the heated toilet he has in the bathroom! Check out the story at the New York Times website.

What do you think...too high tech or genius idea?

Take the Train with Ikea

Of all the advertising campaigns I've seen, this one takes the cake! For their Kobe, Japan store opening, Ikea outfitted a train with Ikea furniture and textiles. What a way to brighten your evening commute after a long day at work!

{Images via Ikea Hacker}

I'm still working on the new place. We're painting tonight and hope to take some pics soon. The internet's being installed Saturday morning so you'll see a flood of pictures coming your way!

Spring Re-Style: Green Wall Tiles

With Jerome's aunt passing away last week and the funeral this past weekend, I wasn't able to do the Spring DIY or Apartment Wanted posts.

To make up for it, here's a Monday edition of the Spring Re-style, featuring an eco-friendly and INEXPENSIVE alternative to the B+N wall tiles I showed last month.

Mio, an online store devoted to environmentally friendly design, has come out with PaperForms Wallpaper Tiles. But these tiles aren't just good for the earth, they're also great for renters. Unlike the B+N tiles, the PaperForms can be hung using double-sided mounting tape which easily comes off walls when it's time to move out. You can do one wall or a whole room, though I'm guessing one wall would be enough - remember, less is often times more! You could even use the tiles as an art piece with a chunky frame around them.

There are four different patters - Ripple, Flow, Acoustic Weave, and V2 - all of which can be painted to a color of your choosing.

Check out the Mio website for other great green design products, including the ingenious floor tiles featured as the Must Have Item.

Don't mean a Thing if it Ain't got that SWING!

My latest unique furniture find, Obsessive Furniture by Johnny Swing. If the name sounds familiar, it's because he's a former team leader on the TV show "Junkyard Wars." Johnny, an artist and sculptor, creates unique furniture and sculptures from everyday items. Everything from baby food jars to coins becomes an artistic medium in his eyes. Make sure to check out his website for some of the amazing pieces he's made, many of which are featured in museums and showrooms.

Perhaps I'll break open the piggy bank tonight and build a quarter table!

Let's Go for a Ride

Once again, I'm here to show you some creative geniouses who've turned transportation into furniture art. This time, it's the guys over at Bike Furniture Design. Founded by Andy Gregg in 1990, all of the furniture is made of bike parts, mostly recycled! He also incorporates train and car windows for the glass of his table tops. Talk about great green design!

If you have a few extra bikes laying around and don't know what to do with them, donate them to Bike Furniture Design. He's always on the lookout for new parts.

Gone Fishin'...

...in the toilet. Looking for a new way to display your fishy friends? Why not put them in the bathroom. Thanks to companies like AquaOne Technologies and Aquariass, your favorite water-based pet can hang out on your toilet or on your bathroom sink.

The toilet aquariums, while not my thing, are pretty neat looking, especially when the toilet is flushed. The clear fish tank attaches to a clear toilet tank. When you flush, you get the illusion of the water leaving the fish tank. But don't worry, the fish are safe in their own seperate space.

Not to miss out on the action, Italbrass has designed the Moody Aquarium Sink. I actually kind of like this piece. There are two openings in the top of the sink that can be covered by the included soap dishes for daily use or opened to allow for easy access to the fish. It might be kind of refreshing to see a nice calm mix of greenery and water as you splash your face in the morning.

Aside from goldfish, the tanks are also perfect for any other kind of decor you'd like to showcase. Perhaps you'd like a serene rock garden displayed or a you could turn it into a terrarium with small lizards. Who knows, the sky's the limit!

AquaOne

Fish 'n Flush Toilet

http://www.fishnflush.com/

Aquariuss

Aquarium Toilet

Available at http://www.elsewareinc.com/

Italbrass

Moody Aquarium Sink

Available at http://www.homeclick.com/

British Inspiration

First I showed you furniture made of airplane parts. Today, it's cars.

The folks over at UK company Mini Statement have created the hot-ticket item on every Mini lover's list - a Mini Desk.

Apparently, fans of the British automobile have decided personalizing the Cooper with stripes and designs isn't enough. I guess the only way to show your TRUE, undevoted love to the Mini is to buy a $4500 desk.

While the concept of a car as a workspace is pretty neat, I'm skeptical as to how practicle it is. Do you really want to pop the hood every time you need to grab a file? And why, out of all the cars, pick the Mini. If you're going to make a desk out of a car, why not go for something more powerful and dominating - not words I'd use to descripe the Cooper? Just think of how much fear you could instill on your coworks if you were looking down on them from the high and mighty seat of a Hummer desk.

On other news, make sure to check out the Addison Gallery of American Art's exhibit "Birth of Cool: California Art, Design and Culture at Midcentury." If you're a Mid-century love like me, this exhibit is sure to please. There will be funiture, art, music, design, and film.

Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy

180 Main Street

Andover, MA 01810-4161

978.749.4015

Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday 10-5

Sunday 1-5

Closed Mondays and national holidays

Now - April 13th

Bombs Away!

What do you get when you combine a WWII bomb, authentic airplane propellers, 2 lbs of ball bearings, and a few pieces of glass?

Furniture!

Or so says Plane Pieces Inc., a CT based furniture company. Since starting in 2004, Plane Pieces product arsenal has grown to include an aray of unique, hand-crafted designs. From cocktail tables made out of crank shafts to red-splashed bulkhead mirrors (cleverly named Enemy Splatter!), there's definitley no lack of creativity coming from the mind of Plane Pieces's head designer, who goes by the name Flying Monkey.

Having grown up with a love for planes, Flying Monkey takes care to ensure all parts are original and all designs are one of a kind. You can even choose the color to help each piece fit perfectly in your home.

But, having an original piece of WWII in your home will definitely cost you. Tables go for around $1500 while the mirrors are $145. Take it from me, after seeing several of the pieces in person, it's well worth the money! Buy a few quality second-hand and Ikea pieces and use the money you save to buy a propeller for the wall or an awesome Wee Bomb table...it will all be worth it once you see the look on your guests faces!

Check out the Plane Pieces website for more info and new product updates.