apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Look! Desk Bed With A 30-Inch Apple Cinema Display

bed_desk.jpgWe have always liked the idea of being able to work from home on our laptops. However, it didn't occur to us that using a desktop on your bed was even feasible. Luckily, creative people like Travis Weerts have overcome this hurdle, boasting wireless everything except for a huge 30" Apple Cinema Display. Call the ergonomics doctor, she's going to be in for a real treat!

News: Swarms of Ants Destroying Electronic Equipment

2008_05_15 ants.jpgWhat a horrible situation this is. Imagine going over to turn on your computer to find that it doesn't work....and there is a colony of ants running around underneath it or even coming out of it. It looks like Houston is smack dab in the middle of this horror movie turned reality.

First spotted in 2002, these "raspberry ants" are attracted to electronic equipment for some unknown reason. Couple this with the fact that they are immune to over the counter ant spray and you are looking at a bad situation for your LCD, PS3 and DVD player.

Read the full story here

-via Engadget

Stardust: LED Lightup Furniture

UNPLGGD051508stardust_00.jpgWe haven't decided if these furniture pieces from Italian furniture company Meritalia are weird or cool...or both. We do know they kind of remind us of our little sister's childhood toy, Glo Worm...

Mimique Cell Phone: iPhone Challenger?

unplggdmimiquephone.jpgWe don't even have an iPhone (just the Touch), but we can see how much the current and future Apple offering has redefined the landscape of consumer portable technology. If there is one company that could give Apple a run for the money in innovation, it might very well be the 800lbs gorilla known as Google. And this Mimique design hints the battle for portable computing and communications has just begun...

Averatec's All-In-One PC Is Shiny, Looks Familiar

averatec_aio_pc.jpgSure, companies worldwide have always looked for clever ways to push their products to the masses, but there's is no simpler solution than to copy something considered already perfected. In comes Averatec's glossy black PC rehash of Apple's iMac, with a few adjustments such as a 22" LCD screen as their base model and a gaming video card. Great for Applephobes, sheer disgust for Apple fanboys.

Tempo Chair: A Grown Up Version of a Child Desk Chair

2008_05_15-tempo-chair.jpgYou know the ones I am talking about? The little plastic chairs with the chrome frame and a writing surface built into it? The Tempo chair designed by Andrea Ruggiero reminds us of that but with flexibility in seating positions and more style of course.

Digital Canvas: Slim Micro-PC Integrated HDTV LCDs

digital_canvas.jpgIt seems like we have a new trend in digital artwork coming; Digital Canvas features a built-in PC into their LCD screens, sizes ranging from 34", 43", to 52" models. Each of the PCs feature Full 1080p output, a 160GB hard drive, and integrated WiFi, complemented by a picture frame border that allows it to be hung on a (we hope) very sturdy wall stud.

Plug Pin

2008_05_14-plugpin.jpgPicture a bunch of these all over a cork board above your desk. While the design really just makes the common push pin more effective (dual prong so that papers don't spin around), we like the idea of getting strange glances from people wondering why there are outlets haphazardly scattered around the wall.

How To Upgrade Your 17-Inch MacBook Pro To 1TB

macbookpro_1tb_kit.jpgLooking to take your MacBook Pro to the magical 1TB mark? MCE has introduced a kit that allows replacement of the laptop's optical drive for a 500GB 2.5" hard drive, along with a matching replacement model for the standard hard drive for that combined 1TB. Available for a hefty price tag of $800.

SOLo Lounge Table: Solar Power Desktop

051408unplggdsolo1.jpgHmm, using electronic displays in bright sunlight is usually something we avoid, but maybe if we could afford a SOLo Lounge Table from Intelligent Forms we'd think differently. The whole tabletop is covered in solar panels placed inbetween tempered glass panels, providing over 17 kilowatts of solar energy every year (calculated under ideal Southern California conditions) via USB, lighter, and standard 3 prong outlets...

USB Mini Ball Speaker

051408unplggdusbball01.jpgWe're not sure how good these mini ball speakers sound, but they're sure cute and not a bad option for travel. They could improve the design if the unit could operate plugged into a neck strap/audio cable adaptor, but from the looks of the photo, the neck strap is solely for fashion/portability. More info under the jump...

Vika Inge Leg Speaker Stands

2008_05_14-ikea-speakers.jpgHere is another use for the Ikea Vika Inge legs...if you are in need of speaker stands. A few days ago, Peter showed us how to use these legs to build a desk and now David Kan changes the scale for some pretty nice looking speakers stands over at Ikea Hacker.


Mirage Lamp From Divided Glass

miracle_lamp1.jpgCleverly designed to look like a simple table lamp via an array of frosted sheets of glass, the Mirage Lamp is sure to catch more than a few looks sitting in anyone's living room. We especially enjoy how the glass reflections illuminate patterns on the backdrop. An interesting design to say the least!

Look! Best Tech in Small Cool 2008 -- Part 6

051408_sz_jordanprojector.jpgProjectors can give you big screen options, but where to install the awkward gizmo can be a challenge. If you want a great picture you tend to have to install your new device in the middle of the room, but that can be a bit jarring. Los Angeles Small Cool 2008 finalist, Jordan, installed his on a bookshelf that also acts as a room divider...

Look! Ikea Bedtable Turned TV stand

051408_sz_malmhack.jpgWe love Ikea hacks and a hack that helps hold your gizmos is a mega plus. Looking for a small entertainment center, and Ikea Hacker reader discovered that if she put two Malm bedside tables together she could perfectly fit her flatscreen on it and her A/V components below it's floating drawer...

BakVac: Ergonomic Vacuuming Powered Via Fuel Cell

cell_vac.jpgWhy drag around that 30 pound vacuum cleaner around the house when you could easily wear it as a backpack? Throw in a eco-friendly fuel battery to make it completely wireless? Sounds to us like a practical idea. It would probably be a few years until we see a working model, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.

Flat Screens as Decor

2008_05_13 wall screen decot.jpgIf you can't beat 'em, join em. Or maybe 'if you've got it flaunt it' is a more appropriate phrase. While we tend to spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to hide our TV's, an easier, and probably cheaper option is to try and blend it into the room.

If you haven't given up on the wall decal thing, over at Geeksugar, they have a nice example of blending a wall mount TV with surrounding and matching black wall decals.

What do you think? Anyone else out there doing something similar and want to share? In the mean time, here are some other examples of decorating with your TV.

-via Geeksugar

Look: Dishwasher and Fridge Under the Stairs

051308underthestairsatla.jpgThis under-the-stairs solution would be a perfect addition to our recent Best Staircase Storage Solutions list or a companion piece to the secret kitchen laundry room. It's definitely an efficient use of space, but we're not sure about the decor effect.

[via remodelista]

DISH Network drops 10 of 15 VOOM HD channels

VOOMIMG_7436.jpgWhat a bummer to wake up to. Dish Network made a big hoopla about adding 22 new mostly quasi-HD channels (anyone who has HD knows all too well about stretched and upconverted content) but then all of us Dish Network subscribers discovered it came at a price: the removal of 10 of the 15 VOOM HD channels...

Customizer: Tribute to the IBM Model M

2008_05_13-unicomp.jpgWhen Apple recently announced their super slim aluminum keyboard there was a lot of love for the new design. On the flip side, there were also some who thought the low profile keys would be difficult to use and yearned for a more retro style keyboard with 'you are damn sure you hit the key because you can hear it across the room' type feedback.

Flickr Finds: Studio, Work, and a Pachinko Machine

dmstudio1.jpgBy combining an array of eclectic art, gizmos, and decor, including a Conrad press and a set of Panchinko machines, a creative and inspiring space has been created by DM Studios over at our increasingly popular Flickr group. More shots of the machines and his workspace after the jump.

ASUS Eee PC 900: Updates Galore, Available Now

asus-eee-pc-900.jpgWith a wider 8.9" screen, an integrated webcam, more RAM, and a much larger hard drive than its previous releases, the recent release of the ASUS Eee PC adds more usability and appeals to the ultra-ultra portable market more than ever. We've seen these models at our local electronics store and they are super small. Perfect for anyone on the go who doesn't need anything more than the internet to check mail or chat online.

Samsung Touch of Color LCD's

2008_05_13 samsung-touch-of-color.jpgAre manufacturers finally tiring of black TV frames? Sony has the colorful, albeit small Bravia KLV-20s400 and now Samsung has their 'touch of color' LCD's.

Donya USB Hub For Those On The Go

exit_usb_hub.jpgThe beloved green runner exit icon can be found just about anywhere you look in Japan. So, for those who want to show how serious they are about being in a rush throughout the day, pick one of these little guys up. He's running somewhere, briefcase trailing behind him, with his mind in a world of worry that we just can't help but sympathize.

Flickr Finds: Multitasking Wallunit

051208_sz_catskillstv.jpgWhile perusing Flickr for décor ideas we came upon a New Yorker's solution for packing a media center, library, and home office in one wall within her small bedroom.

Using Ikea's Ivar shelving unit as her base, Gail built out folding doors, a turntable tray, a keyboard tray, and a desk...

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