Home & Garden
Here's another great example of how old furniture can have a lifespan beyond its original purpose; in this case with commendably green results.
An old bathtub makes an excellent DIY wormery, as the owners of Lifeboat Farm found out. Much more attractive than an old plastic vat, and by attaching a tap to the bath's existing plumbing, they get liquid feed in industrial quantities [Via Craftzine]
Related: Wiggly worms work | Compst crock for your fruit and veggie scraps
Do It Yourself
Continuing in our quest to find great new uses for old stuff around the house, I wanted to share this great idea from Crafty Nest, who've posted a tutorial on turning an old cupboard door into a stylish and useful serving tray - one that would be a godsend for anyone with hordes of relatives coming round at Christmas. What I like best about this project is that every element of the original item is used in the new one, with the drawer pulls becoming functional handles on the tray - a sure sign of good repurposing.
Full instructions on how to turn a cupboard door into a tray can be found here [Via Crafty Crafty]
Related: Repurposed home #3: Kitchen | Repurposed home #2: funky and functional furniture | Repurposed home #1: lighting
Green Tips
There's a big buzz around repurposing and upcycling at the moment, and it's easy to see why: preventing waste is one area where frugal and green living come together, and if you're not already worrying about the state of the planet, the odds are you'll have given some thought to your financial predicament.
Over the next few weeks we'll be looking into all sorts of creative ways you can re-use objects around the home and turn them into unique objects that are even better than new. This week, the theme is lighting: follow the jump for some great ideas for lighting up your home in style using free or inexpensive materials that would otherwise go to waste.
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Green News
London mayor Boris Johnson has given his backing to a new scheme which seeks to transform unused land in the capital into gardens and plots for locally produced food.
Capital Growth is encouraging enterprising Londoners to convert as many areas as they can to green spaces capable of growing food - that means gardens of schools and nursing homes, as well as the flat roofs of commercial and residential buildings.
The hope is to achieve 2,012 new gardens by the time the Olympics come around. It sounds like a lot, but with four years to go and a large amount of unused space available, it's not unrealistic to imagine that green-at-heart city-dwellers will rise to the challenge.
Find out how you can get involved - whether by growing your own, or by offering space to others - at Capital Growth.
[via Treehugger]
Home & Garden
As our resident energy saving 'expert' Gary Cutlack recently pointed out, the washing machine is in many ways the scourge of the modern home. Most machines are fairly inefficient, and my own investigations into electricity usage made it quite clear to me that washing is one of the most energy guzzling activities we get up to on a daily basis. So it's well worth investing in a 'greener' washer now to save on C02 and cash.
That's what LG are hoping we'll think as they launch their state of the art 'green steam' washing machines; limited edition works of wonder that guarantee a greener wash.
Related: A waterless washing machine | Eco-friendly washing machine is 'fastest in world' with 14 minute cycle
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Home & Garden
I love draught excluders! No other domestic item is quite so good at being simultaneously cute, retro and functional in quite the same way. Of course, you could always get a plain strip of plastic or brush to stop air escaping from under your doors, but what would be the fun in that?
Follow the jump to find out where I found these guys
Related: Hippyshopper guide to surviving the credit crunch | Top five ways to keep warm this winter
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