apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Okay, okay, confession. I blog in bed. Yeah, yeah, I know. Bad idea. Ergonomically unsound, as my doctor pointed out. But at 5 am, my usual blogging time, my house is cold...and my bed is toasty. Trackpad + blogging in bed = numb thumb. I tried mousing with our left hand but even though I'm left handed, it's a little awkward. I'm used to doing it with my right hand. So, on to the search for an ergonomic mouse...

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The inquisitive folks over at Crave badgered THX about the possibility of a consumer calibration disc specifically for THX-certified HD displays and were pleased to discover that the LucasFilm team will be releasing "an expanded version of the THX Optimizer found on select DVDs" featuring "test material aimed at a less-technical audience". All the details here...

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Ringtones are so overrated. Door chimes are where it's at. The iChime allows you to play any of the included 50+ songs/sound effects (there is also an option to record 6 custom recordings that can be interchanged at any time) and a breeze to install with its simple two-wire replacement. Check out a demo of their built-in chimes here.

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Dave Drager of makeuseof.com has an easy to follow set of step-by-step directions for creating your own emergency USB first aid kit to troubleshoot an ailing PC system using a USB flash drive and a battery of diagnostic software...

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I have been using an old black sock to hold my electronics. Sure, it does the job, but it looks terrible. Designers laugh at me at cafes. I figured it's about time for a stylish upgrade, and luckily the MoMA store offered this hip neoprene compact case available for only $22. Saved, yes? I'll let you all know how the cafe trip goes next time.

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Because our own little furry one is at the ER with a head trauma, we're dedicating this post to kittehs in the hopes that the feline gods and goddesses will do us a favor and make our Kitty Genius all better.

So for all you cat owners, if you own a laptop you've probably already noticed that cats love laptops -- sitting on them that is. And while it's awesome to have your bud near you as you type away, it can be worrisome when your computer's fan seems to be working overtime to cool down your pet's warming ways.

To keep a meltdown at bay may we suggest the Kitt-In Box?

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Oh hellz yes! We've been obsessing over NASA's rad design asesthetic ever since they came out with their worm logo in 1975. Now you can bring the space agency's eye for décor with this little bedroom number...

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We 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!

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What 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

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We 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...

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We 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...

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Sure, 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.

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You 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.

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It 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.

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Picture 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.

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Looking 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.

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Hmm, 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...

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We'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...

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Here 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.

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Cleverly 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!

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Projectors 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...

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We 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...

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Why 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.

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If 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

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