We’ve seen several innovations in the design of the humble electric kettle recently that save time and energy – here’s another one. The “Eco Switch” kettle has two settings – one for normal boiling water and a second which heats water to 85-degrees Celsius (185F) for things like soup. This means you get your warm water quicker, save energy, and you don’t have to wait for it to cool down before you can drink it.
SEVERIN’s Eco Switch kettle also features a double-walled stainless steel housing which keeps the water hot for longer and an LED flip switch lets you see which of the two settings you have chosen.
The Eco switch kettle will hit shelves in March 2011 at a cost of 50 Euros.
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Efficient, Green Carry-On Luggage: Patagonia Wheelie
Whether your next trip takes you to another continent or just the town next door, you’ll want the right carry-on bag for the job. We’ve picked four of the best choices that combine functionality with eco-friendly construction. And remember, materials and manufacturing are only half of what makes a travel bag environmentally friendly. A durable and versatile design is “green”, since it means luggage will last and won’t need to be replaced anytime soon.
Patagonia MLC Wheelie Carry-On Bag
Patagonia MLC Wheelie Carry-On Bag
Patagonia’s MLC (Maximum Legal Carry-On) wheeled bag combines a whole host of nifty features into a sleek package. The 1,200-d
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Who doesn’t love a good before and after photo story? You can see the down and dirty beginnings, the possibilities for transformation, and then the satisfying end result. Because we love them as well, we highlighted two major makeovers in our Sept. issue.
See that little cooking area through the doorway in this photo? Th
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Theo Kamecke has taken the common circuit board to great new heights with this stunning collection of furniture pieces. He’s made a series of incredible boxes and chests made from reclaimed circuit boards, and they have already sold to people like Aliens-creator HR Giger and Avatar director James Cameron.
“Either you get it or you don’t, either you like it or you don’t,” Kamecke explains. “I like to think that I am trying to make something comfortable and beautiful,” explains Kamecke, who uses vintage boards from the 60s. “You don’t need to understand much about computers to appreciate this.”
The jury has wielded the axe on the 25 semi-finalists in the Electrolux Design Lab competition, leaving just eight finalists from the original 1,300 entries to battle it out for the prize of a six-month paid internship at an Electrolux global design center and 5,000 Euros (approx. US$6,350). The 2010 brief asked industrial design students to consider how people will prepare and store food, wash clothes, and do dishes in the homes of 2050, when 74 percent of the global population are predicted to live in an urban environment. Let’s take a look at the lucky eight entries vying for the title.
External Refrigerator
Nicholas Hubert is a French industrial designer, based in Shanghai, China. He used his daily experiences there to come up with a creative solution for a space-saving food-cooling design – the External Refrigerator. Fix
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Many people choose to make the fireplace gas logs at their home for a warmer house and look luxurious. Every body needs to enjoy stay at home with their family. The comfortable room will make the relationship among family member closer. You can beautify your room through fireplace and choose the best design that suit to your room.
Hansen Wholesale Gas Logs offers a comfortable and safe for your home and available in various designs according to your lifestyle and design of your home. The examples of products Hansen are vented and ventless gas logs, you can choose according to your lifestyle. Of course of the two types of this fireplace have the advantages of each.
You can install ventless gas logs but do not forget to check local building codes for any restrictions or conditions on ventless. Ventless will feel more heat, and you should be careful with this gas.
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Mushroom wood is growing in popularity among people looking for unique wood solutions for their home. Mushroom wood is generally cut from Cypress or Hemlock trees, and then salvaged from commercial growing mushroom farms. Most of these farms are in western New York and Pennsylvania. Mushroom wood is quite simply put, the wood used as the shelving for mushroom beds.
After every mushroom batch is fully harvested, the rooms and shelving are sterilized with steam. The preparation, growing and harvesting cycle takes about 16 weeks and is then repeated. During the growing process, the mushrooms produce an enzyme that fuses with the soft portion of the wood, leaving the material as if it had naturally weathered. The result of this is a richly textured wood with a lovely honey-brown color.
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