Close your eyes and picture your dream home. What do you see? An airy beach house? A two-story condo with the perfect city view? A big farm-style house with a wrap-around porch? Whatever you’re imagining, it probably isn’t a dilapidated World War One Era cement factory. When Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill stumbled across this old,...
In 1970, architect Michael Reynolds came up with a concept for how to build houses that were completely self-sustaining, allowing residents to live off-the-grid. This idea led to the creation of “Earthships”. Today, there are 79 of these peculiar-looking houses sitting just outside of Taos, New Mexico, in a community known as the “Greater World...
It might sound a bit crazy and trigger feelings of pity at first, but trust me, this family of five living in shipping containers are far from those lines of thought. Matt and Ilse live with their three children in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, in a fantastic sustainable home built out of two offset 40...
Farming is back-breaking, labor-intensive work that requires high input in order to reap any kind of reward. What’s more, it has become increasingly clear that modern agriculture, in particular the large-scale ‘factory’ and ‘monocropping‘ farms that make up the majority of the agriculture in our country, are damaging our environment and our health. While it...
Surviving the frigid Norwegian winters presents unique challenges, especially when trying to reduce reliance on external heating sources. Seeking a solution, one Norwegian woman embraced an unconventional idea: enclosing her entire home in a massive greenhouse. This design not only addresses the cold climate but also provides a way to grow food throughout the year....
A woman shared an unusual discovery that appeared above her friend’s wardrobe, drawing a host of warnings from her Facebook friends not to mess with it. The post, shared in the Family Lowdown Tips & Ideas Facebook group, included the caption, “This is inside my friend’s son’s wardrobe—they don’t know if it’s always been there...
Freezers are an essential part of our kitchens, but sometimes they become a storage space for forgotten or expired items. It’s easy to lose track of time, and before you know it, your freezer could be filled with things that are well past their prime. Here are nine items you should consider tossing from your...
In an awkward twist of unfortunate housing reality, 24-year-old Oliver Russell and his girlfriend Helena Tomaszewska made a bold move that many only dream of—they bought their own private island in Finland. What makes this story even more surprising? Their purchase was cheaper than a typical house down payment.1 How It All Began Oliver, who...
WD-40 is a household staple known for its ability to silence squeaky hinges, but it’s much more than just a lubricant. From household hacks to unexpected uses, this multi-purpose product can be a lifesaver in various situations. Let’s dive into some surprising ways you can use WD-40. 1. Remove Crayon Marks from Walls Crayon marks...
The Fen Raft Spider, once teetering on the edge of extinction, has made a triumphant return to the UK’s wetlands, thanks to a 15-year-long conservation project. Once scarce, these rare spiders—often the size of a human hand—are now thriving in restored habitats. The efforts of dedicated conservationists have revived their population from the brink, marking...
LL Flooring, formerly Lumber Liquidators, was founded by Tom Sullivan in 1993 and by 2020 had more than 400 retail locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, headed in Richmond, Virginia. Sadly, the company has announced its plans to close all retail locations. LL Flooring is “Liquidating” Purportedly, LL Flooring filed for bankruptcy in recent weeks and...
As most of the northern hemisphere moves into its coldest months of the year, heating systems are being turned on and in many cases, space heaters are being pulled out of storage. According to firefighters, these are some items that you should never plug into a power strip. Space Heaters: The Item You Should Never...
