Blog
Color Me Happy
Though probably not intended for residential use, I suspect those of you with teenagers in the house may be interested in NaturalNano’s latest creation—cell phone blocking paint! That’s right, once again nanotechnology has your back. This time they’re using copper...
Going Green
Cordless tools rock—be they drills, hand-held vacuums, or my kid's electric toothbrush. Unfortunately, they aren’t so nice to the planet. In fact, charging one of these gadgets can require up to 20x more energy than is actually stored in the battery. Now, take that...
Smokin’ Skylights
Skylights have become pretty popular lately, especially in the new builds. I even considered installing a few in my house, until I remembered how much I hate the sun before 8 a.m. That's the downside to skylights—the lack of control over what comes in and when. VELUX...
Hail Hardy Roofs
Ah, spring is drawing near – that means hail, and hail means roof damage. In fact, in an average year, hail causes more than $1.6 billion worth of damage to residential roofs in the U.S., making it, year in and year out, one of the most costly natural disasters. “Hail...
Rock Out
Depending on your musical taste (that means you, Yanni-heads), Paradigm’s new Rock Monitor speakers may or may not be considered a home “improvement". I know, it’s not the first speaker to look like a rock, nor is it the prettiest, but Paradigm is a big name in...
Spectacle Receptacle
Show me the light! And my freaking glasses! In a world where 60% the population wears corrective lenses, and something like 850 million corrective lenses are sold each year, a lot of spectacles get knocked to the floor in the middle of the night by myopic owners...
One Remote To Rule Them All
I’ve been burned before—those sleek remote controls that promise to “do it all” and, of course, fail miserably—so I’m trying to stay grounded this time. But it’s hard ‘cause I think this could be it, yesssss, the one, my Precioussss. First, as the name suggests, the...
Cool Spool
Speaker wire is the bane of the audiophile’s existence. And until wireless home audio systems can boast comparable sound and price points, we’re left with an ugly tangle of wire that can mar the best of rooms. Sure, you can cut into the drywall to hide the mess, but...
Fake Shake
Cedar shingles have enjoyed a long run as top dog of the roofing world. They’re attractive, durable, and have a charm that suburbanites just can’t resist. Unfortunately, fireproof they ain’t, and that’s a big concern when you live in dry territory. Past attempts at...
Turn on the Towel
I had a girlfriend once who was always complaining about being cold. I usually gave her the benefit of the doubt—after all, this IS Vermont. For my ex, the hot shower provided much-needed respite but, like all good things, the hot shower came to an end. Now if only I...
Electric Sushi
Say goodbye to boring, boxy power strips. The Power Squid is here, and looking to dominate the ocean of surge protection. With its “cephalopod” design (I’ll let you look that word up…it’s worth it) and flexible, power-delivering arms, the Power Squid is the power...
Plasma Protection—Philips Flat Panel Recall
If you’ve got the Ambilight feature on your Philips plasma flat screen TV, please check out the US Consumer Products Safety Council recall. Not all TVs are affected, but you need to make sure you’re in the clear. Arcing capacitators inside the sets are causing...
Get Your Wave On
Motion detection technology is like the perfect sidekick—sophisticated, entertaining, full of tricks, a hit at house parties—and existing only to make YOU look cool. Of course motion-activated exterior lighting has been around for some time, and how dare we forget the...
Lighten Your Load
Got a small house? No laundry room? No problem. The Eurotech Combo is an all-in-one washer and dryer that handles all your laundering needs. Measuring in at a space-saving 33-1/4” x 23-3/8”, this innovative stand-alone appliance can be placed anywhere in the...
The Door to My Heart
There are moments when I am downright envious of those living in warmer climes (which is pretty much everywhere but here in Vermont). Discovering JELD-WEN’s Folding Doors brought on one of those moments. Designed to push the trend of bringing the outside in, this...
The Wheel Deal
The Wovel was probably not what our Mesopotamian forefathers had in mind when they invented the wheel, but I’m sure they would appreciate this latest twist on a timeless design. A clever fusion of the wheel and the shovel, the Wovel was created to ease back strain for...
Cooking Smart
I like my morning routine, which includes a breakfast of oatmeal and tea. Five days a week you can count on me sitting down to this meal before heading out on the office commute. And on at least one of those days you can count on me turning around halfway, convinced...
Lights Are On But Nobody’s Home
Okay let's face it, most of us are conscientious enough to flip the switch when we're done using our electrical appliances. But, there's more to saving energy than turning off the lights when you leave the room. Experts say we're wasting up to 10 percent of household...
This Scarecrow Has Brains
We call my mom Annie Oakley, because she's always the first to reach for the family pellet gun to drive away squirrels from the bird feeder, deer from the flowers, and once a black bear that had clearly lost its way. Mom—there’s a better way. In yet another triumph of...
Cable: It’s What’s For Dinner
On display at the 2006 Builder’s Show, Whirlpool’s concept TV Microwave (yes, you read that right) finds a place high on the “Why Didn’t They Think Of This Sooner?” list. Combining a fully functioning microwave with a flat-screen television, the TV Microwave is really...
Low Wire Act
Can you really take out the garbage 500% faster? Well if your bottleneck is twisting the tie, the Max Re-bar-tier can triple twist and cut 21-gauge wire in less than a second. Since it was designed to tie rebar in concrete applications, your hefty bag should be a...
I Sink, Therefore I Am
Kitchen? Entertainment center? Kitchen? A prep sink at the kitchen island may seem a waste of serving/entertaining space, but some see it differently. Take this trough sink by Kohler—dueling faucets on either end of the sink double the opportunity for guests to prep...
Silver Washer Takes the Gold
Silver just got a little more precious. Teaming nano technology with the inherent cleanliness of silver nano particles, Samsung’s Silver Nano Washing Machine releases electrolytic silver nano particles into a cold water wash, killing 99.99% of bacteria in the washed...
Tornado Safe Rooms Save Lives
Although 11 people died this year in March tornadoes, April is typically the deadliest month for killer tornadoes in the U.S. On average 27 people are killed by April tornadoes each year, with most dying in their destroyed homes. This number would likely drop if more...
A Brighter Bathroom
Couples of the world rejoice—a truce can be made in the War of the Toilet Seat! The question “Should the lid be left up or down?” is no longer relevant, thanks to the wonders of technology. The Neorest by Toto is essentially a smart toilet. The lid automatically opens...
Follow the Solar Lit Road
Walkway lighting can be more trouble than it’s worth. A hassle to landscape around, these exterior features can also become targets for rambunctious neighborhood kids, including your own. The solution? Try these solar-powered bricks. Made from a durable ABS plastic...
Hey, Where’s the Door?
I’m a big fan of the Hollywood secret passageway. You know what I’m talking about—the bookshelf that opens with the tug of a book to reveal a dark hallway, or the revolving fireplace operated by a candlestick lever. Batman, Indiana Jones, Me… I used to think only old...
Dustless Drilling
Drill dust got you down? Cheer up—there’s a solution. Kärcher, makers of cleaning products and accessories, has your power drill’s new best friend. The Kärcher DDC 50 Drill-Dust-Catcher attaches to the drill site using a battery-powered vacuum for hands-free operation...
There Can Be Only One
In an era where car key chain remotes can open your windows or trunk, coffee makers can talk to the alarm clock, and home lights can be turned on from the work computer, isn’t it time for the garage door opener to move beyond the prehistoric “Up” and “Down” buttons?...
My Kingdom for a Counter
I'm a huge fan of witty inventions—especially when they save me time or make my house neater! The Drain Mate is a really cool improvement over the typical dish drainer that clutters the counters and has no real home below deck. This nifty built-in sits in your counter...
