Robin Wilson

Robin's Favorites: Holiday Kitchens custom cabinetry

If it is time for a new kitchen or bath look, you need to visit a local Holiday Kitchen dealer to find out about the eco-friendly options for CUSTOM cabinetry! (make sure to ask about the RWH frameless line) Imagine having the comfort knowing that no formaldehyde based adhesives are used, low-to-no VOC paints and stains are used, a new tree is planted for every tree used in the manufacturing process, and there are over 96 door styles that you can select from...and since it is Made in the USA, you are saving jobs! And most importantly, there is a lifetime warranty because they believe in their product...and silent-close drawers are standard. Start with the Holiday Kitchen dealer locator 

Simple Tips before you start a Kitchen Remodeling project !

There are so many people who recognize that the kitchen of their dreams is just around the corner -and they also consider a local independent kitchen dealer - they have the budget, they have the design, or they want to remodel before putting the house on the market. But, are these good ideas? Here is a bit of advice to get the best value from your kitchen remodel.

• Don't remodel your kitchen for a prospective buyer because you may not get back 100% of what you spend. Typical payback is 50%-80% with the less personal renovations (i.e. neutral tones) receiving the most payback.
• Don't walk into a kitchen design meeting without a list of 'absolutes' or you will get seduced into buying everything...do you really need a knife or baking drawer with custom cuts for your utensils?
• Don't walk in to a kitchen supplier without knowing your preferences for cabinet colors such as white, maple, ebony. Read magazines and tear out photos in advance or the sales rep may convince you that there is a certain "best seller" that is really just a higher priced model.
• Don't ignore how you use your kitchen - if you have a busy kitchen (preparing more than 3 meals a day), then you might want to avoid certain countertop products such as concrete, paper or bamboo and consider other eco-friendly options such as Silestone or Caesarstone.
• Don't buy a range that has an extreme BTU number as it does not guarantee better performance. It is better to find a range that has at lease one burner with a high BTU number and then use that if you need to cook an item quickly.
• Don't buy a "faux-pro" model or Professional Series unles you "want it". Most mainstream appliances (ranges/refrigerators) perform just as well.
• Don't ignore common sense and hire a contractor simply on price. Ask to see a recently installed kitchen, and ask to see a kitchen that was installed 3 years ago. If it is an older installation, you will be able to see if it was able to stand the test of time. And make sure you have a copy of the contractor license and insurance in file should an issue arise.
• Don't opt for extended appliance warranties.
• Don't expect completion time to be on the day you request - ask for a completion date, but expeect at least two extra weeks to ensure final details such as installation of knobs, pulls, late tile deliveries requiring another trip for backsplash installation.
• Don't buy a built in fridge ($3,000+) when you can buy a cabinet-depth refrigerator.
• Don't buy fluorescent undermount bulbs when you can do low-voltage alternatives such as halogen, LED or xenon.

Product of Day: FLOR Modular Carpet Tiles

We recommend FLOR inspired modular floorcovering for our clients, which is a 'green' product. FLOR is a modular carpet tile that comes in a variety of colors and patterns, allowing you to design your own easy area rug for the kitchen, nursery or living room. No glue is needed for installation, so your existing floors won't be ruined. Instead, dots with the sticky side up connect each 19.7" x 19.7" carpet tile together.

FLOR is a quick do-it-yourself project that can be installed over any level, dry surface — even vinyl. This is a great product for heavy-traffic rooms and spaces for family rooms. These carpet tiles can be laid parquet style with ribbing in different directions and can enhance the upscale feel of any space. Pricing is from $6.99 to $59.00 per tile.

Explore the options the FLOR website.

Eco Tip of Day: Earn Cash from renting your Tools & other Stuff

Do you need extra cash while your power tools are gathering dust?

Or is a musical instrument sitting in the corner unused? What about your tennis racket while you are on crutches? Or is your wheelbarrow just hogging a corner of your garage? Think about the car sharing systems, but plug in the word "stuff" sharing...and its eco-friendly because you aren't buying anything new...

RENT your stuff and earn extra cash by registering on SnapGoods.com

Giveaway Tip of Day: Maytag washer & dryer

Love that PARENTING magazine is doing 101 days of Giveaways - and the giveaway prizes are nothing to sneeze at...for example, the prize for today is a Maytag Maxima Washer & Dryer set (valued at over $3000) - and it is energy efficient too!

The countdown begins...register here

Savings Tip of Day: Design Your Home Office on a Dime!

So many people work from home today, and the exciting thing for most is the day that they "hang their shingle". However, a few weeks/months later the paperwork begins to overwhelm and then they realize that it is time to do an effficient setup that will allow papers and storage to be organized. Here is a re-design by Robin Wilson on a dime using products from The Container Store - and done in less than 2 hours. Watch CBS before & after video

Shopping Tip of Day: Recycled Luxury with Pre-Owned Accessories

Ever thought you could not afford that Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Gucci or high-end watch...well, you can!!! The luxury auction site of pre-owned products is called Portero. And if you register, you can shop for the holiday/summer season and be eco-friendly with "recycled" luxury items. These products are guaranteed authentic, so don't worry about a faux-product...this is a great alternative in a tough economy and is like Christie's meets eBay...visit Portero.com

Savings Tip of Day: Pull the Plug on Phantom Power

Did you know that even if your cellphone charger does not have the phone attached, it is still drawing phantom power? And that televisions, computers, video recorders and electronic games still draw power even if they are turned off...just look for that little red "ready" button. Scientists have determined that 45% of the energy consumed in your home comes from phantom power - so make today the "Pull the Plug Day" or buy a Smart Strip power strip

Eco-Tip of Day: Shoe & Watch repair

  Americans are rediscovering the fusty fix-it shops and unassuming secondhand stores on their local Main Streets. These businesses, once the left-behind nooks of gentrifying downtowns, are busier than ever amid an economic slump that's emptied out neighboring bistros, boutiques, and day spas.

On a Saturday afternoon in downtown Alameda, Calif., Gabe Morgan waits in a line of customers at The Watch Hospital to get a timepiece fixed. The economic downturn has made him think more about repairing than buying new.

"For the first time in I don't remember how long, I got some shoes repaired," says Mr. Morgan. He dug out three pairs from his closet for resoling. "I wanted to save some money."

For decades, repair and reuse have been fading ethics, upheld mainly by environmentalists and people on the economic margins. As hard times drive these values back into the mainstream, champions of reuse caution that some government policies and business practices threaten to set back the movement.

"We were a mend-and-make-do society, and we have completely changed. We don't fix anything anymore. We use, throw away, and buy more," says Bruce Buckelew, a former IBM engineer who has repaired more than 30,000 computers and put them into public schools, nonprofits, and low-income households in Oakland, Calif. "The worse the stock market gets and the bleaker the job market, the better for reuse, actually."

Some early signs:

•Sales increased year-over-year this fall at 74 percent of secondhand stores surveyed by the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops (NARTS). Ninety percent of the stores saw an increase in new customers.

•Business is "booming" at the estimated 7,000 shoe repair shops in the US, according to John McLoughlin, president of the Shoe Service Institute of America. "At some shops, you have to wait three or four weeks, which ordinarily is just unheard-of," he says.

Before the economic downturn started mainstreaming the reuse trend, the reuse market tended to attract people who saw it as conserving both their money and the planet's resources, says John Lastovicka, a frugality expert at Arizona State University in Tempe. People who voluntarily try to reuse items often view the effort as an enjoyable challenge, his research has found.

"Unfortunately, part of this is probably a lost art. The 'greatest generation' that lived through the Depression, this was part of their day-to-day behavior," says Professor Lastovicha. Far fewer people have carried on that tradition because it's time-consuming and can be something that people laugh at. "It can be a tough sell, unless you have to do it – which is what's happened."

Source: Christian Science Monitor, 1/12/2009

Cleaning Tip of Day: Garbage Disposal

Yes, it is simply a small appliance that is at the base of your sink, and you never think about it until it smells like "garbage", so here is a simple tip that might prevent your nose from ever experiencing a strong stench.

Every month (or more frequently), take a stack of citrus fruit peels - lemon, orange, grapefruit - and a tray of ice. Turn on the disposal with running water. After 15 seconds, stuff the fruit peels and ice chunks down the chute. It will make a lot of noise, so don't do it at night. After the noise ceases, turn off the disposal and run the water for 30 seconds. Voila...clean, citrus scent from your sink!

Cleaning Tip of Day: Mold & Mildew

What is that black spot in the corner of your shower or bath - or at the base of your shower curtain? Typically mildew, but sometimes mold...and the allergic reactions many of us have to mold spores means you have to act now!

Simple solution involves a trip to the health food store for tea tree oil and to the dollar store for a spray bottle. Mix one drop of tea tree oil (do not let the concentrated oil touch your eyes or bare skin) to one cup of water in the spray bottle. Shake. Spray directly onto the mold or mildew area. Let sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse. Repeat if needed.

Design Tip of Day: Arhaus

OK...rarely do we get catalogs in the mail, and we stop and say, wow! That is what happened when the Arhaus design catalog arrived in my mailbox. Furniture and accessories that belong in an eco-friendly home...aesthetic beauty matched by only a few competitors...yet, it is affordable. Check out Arhaus catalog

Product Tip of Day: Skin Products made of plants & fruits!

Looking for affordable skincare products for your family that is gentle enough for babies and children? Check out the new Johnson's Natural Line that takes the focus to 98% naturally derived ingredients from plants and fruits. A full line of products including lotions, shampoos, conditioners and washes are widely available at less than $5 per product - another way to save your skin and your wallet.  Learn more

Product Tip of Day: MOEN Bath faucet shows no fingerprints!

How many times do you have to clean your faucet due to water spots and fingerprints? You need to consider the new Caldwell faucet from MOEN that has a new Brushed Nickel "spot resist" finish that makes it easier to clean  your bathroom. Plus, it is also certified by the EPA WaterSense program which means that this faucet has a flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute (less than the industry average of 2.2 gallons) so you save money on your water bill...and most importantly, less time cleaning! Learn more

Product Tip of Day: LG 4-door French Door is a Really Efficient Refrigerator!

LG has a refrigerator that is 20% more efficient than Energy Star standards? The next question is always, but is it pretty?...and the answer is "wow" (see photo, left). The new LG Four Door-French Door refrigerator has a new linear compressor technology ensuring that it works at maximum level when the door opens a lot, and at minimal level when the door is kept closed. Smart technology helps you save energy and it uses LED lights - all features to help you save money on your utility bills.  Learn more

Product Tip of Day: Warby Parker Eyewear

Stylish, prescription eyeglasses for only $95? You read that right! An online eyewear boutique, Warby Parker, provides an innovative experience when you want to order new eyeglasses. On their website you pick up to five frames, which are shipped to your home or office. Take a few days...wear one each day and see which ones get you the most compliments...then, return the samples and place the order! Try them on virtually too! And they do a good deed when you order by donating a pair of eyeglasses to someone in need...  Learn more

Product of the Day - Faux Headboard Decals

How many of us haven't figured out what type of headboard to buy - or maybe you don't have the budget yet to get the one that you really want? Or maybe you have a rental building that is hard to move into with a full bed, so you want your space to look great overnight!

Try this option - a faux headboard decal - that is removable when you get tired of the style - and it is easy to apply and remove...  Get your headboard decal

Quick Fix for Lowering the Electric Bill in Your Home

Imagine a simple installation that will save 15% or more on your annual electric bill - with a retrofit product that is a plug-in device. For those who think that they cannot do a quick-fix around the house, this is a easy-to-do fix with a LUTRON plug-in device called a Maestro. The plug-in module receives commands from Radio Powr Savr sensors or Pico wireless keypads to conveniently save energy by turning off phantom loads (devices that draw power even when turned off or idling) such as printers, monitors, and televisions. (...learn more >>)

Womens Day magazine: the Eco-Friendly Bathroom

Robin Wilson discusses a few suggestions and product options for an eco-friendly bathroom. Article includes water-efficient options that will save you money when you select options for your space (...read Womens Day article>>)

Lamp needs no Electricity and priced at $20

You might not believe it until you see it, but the Sunnan Lamp needs no electricity due to a built in solar panel. And at a price under $20, it cannot be beat! The coolest thing are the colors, its availabble at IKEA and the UNICEF charity donates one to a child for every one you purchase! Get your SUNNAN Lamp by visiting your local IKEA, or order from website