MODERN LIVING http://austinmodernliving.com/blog design blog Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:53:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 en Resource for green remodels http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/03/resource-for-green-remodels/ http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/03/resource-for-green-remodels/#comments Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:08:18 +0000 TomBates http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/?p=92 Where does the time go?  We mentioned MyGreenCasa.com in our post about the Green Living Expo.  If you haven’t taken a look at the site yet, you gotta give it a look:  www.mygreencasa.com.  Their self-proclaimed mission is ”a community for green remodeling; for the first-timer to the expert.”  Cool enough, but on top of that, it’s well-laid out and appealing, with tons of great content.  The more folks utilize and add to the site, the more valuable it becomes as a resource, so if you’re involved in a green remodel, add your input, questions, feedback, experiences.  We like it!!

]]> http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/03/resource-for-green-remodels/feed/ Shiney Metal Roof & The Big Bad HOA http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/03/shiney-metal-roof-the-big-bad-hoa/ http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/03/shiney-metal-roof-the-big-bad-hoa/#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:56:38 +0000 TomBates http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/?p=90 Shortsighted HOA Sues Homeowner Over Energy Efficient Roof
A home owner in an area of Eanes ISD near Rollingwood is being sued by their HOA, Treemont Homeowners Association, for installing an energy efficient solar-reflective metal roof.  As a homeowner, you should know that your HOA, if any, can file liens against homeowners for breaking HOA rules or for non-payment of HOA dues.  And as a responsible mindful denizen and overall good steward of our earth you probalby know that the typical 30-year shingle roofs are energy hogs compared to metal roofs.  So what to do when your HOA, or anyone for that matter, says no to energy efficiency?  Fight.  Read the full Stateman.com story here

]]> http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/03/shiney-metal-roof-the-big-bad-hoa/feed/ Austin Green Living Expo http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/03/austin-green-living-expo/ http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/03/austin-green-living-expo/#comments Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:01:15 +0000 TomBates http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/?p=84 Wow, too much good stuff to write about all at once, so watch this page for more information about some of the great new products, services and ideas we found at the Austin Green Living Expo this weekend.  Previews:  MyGreenCasa.com, ModGreenPod, UpLift Austin, Resolution Gardens, Austin Car Share, Reclaimed Space, Austin Green Art, Landsa.pe, MTH Greenhomes, Mason Greenstar…

Other than the hot tub vendors (seriously, how did they get in??) it was a great show.  Exciting to see so much positive focus on green design and sustainability, and I’m always inspired by the creativity at approaching this effort.  The new wave of eco-living isn’t anything about “giving up” - it’s about great design that improves your life today while guaranteeing resources remain for tomorrow.  Watch for more!

]]> http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/03/austin-green-living-expo/feed/ Texas Green Network http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/02/texas-green-network/ http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/02/texas-green-network/#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:13:20 +0000 TomBates http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/02/texas-green-network/ Texas Green Network
Austin Modern Living has joined Austin-based Texas Green Network. Check out TGN’s stated goals from their website www.TexasGreenNetwork.org:

“The Texas Green Network (TGN) is an economic vehicle intended to affect positive change for our environment by making it profitable to make the best decisions in how we impact the future of our planet.As a business-to-business chamber of commerce centered around environmental initiatives and responsibility rather than geography, our goal is to accelerate the spread of environmental responsibility in mainstream business practices and thought processes.”

We attended our first meeting a few weeks ago, hosted at the LCRA Redbud Center (if you haven’t heard about the building’s green design innovations - check it out: http://www.lcra.org/library/media/public/slideshows/redbud.htm). We met some great folks - cool businesses trying to do the green thing. Watch for more info on this page.

]]> http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/02/texas-green-network/feed/ Birth of The Cool - MidCentury Expo at The Blanton http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/02/birth-of-the-cool-midcentury-expo-at-the-blanton/ http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/02/birth-of-the-cool-midcentury-expo-at-the-blanton/#comments Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:02:56 +0000 TomBates http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/?p=60 We’re looking forward to The Blanton’s Birth of the Cool: California Art,  Design,  and Culture at Midcentury which opens Feb 22, 2009.

]]> http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/02/birth-of-the-cool-midcentury-expo-at-the-blanton/feed/ It’s Raining - Make the Most of it! http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/02/its-raining-make-the-most-of-it/ http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/02/its-raining-make-the-most-of-it/#comments Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:13:03 +0000 Thoughtcrib http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/?p=45 Rain has never been as satisfying as it was this morning. It has been a long time since a significant precipitation event occurred. Since it is fresh on my mind, I thought I would provide some sources for rainwater collecting and rebate programs from the City of Austin.

The City has a Rainbarrel Sales Program - check out:  http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/rbsales.htm . Another local source is Innovative Water Solutions: http://www.watercache.com - their barrel is a reconstituted food supply barrel. For rainbarrels purchased from sources other than the City there is a Rainbarrel Rebate Program: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/rbrebates.htm

For larger rainwater harvesting systems, there are many local designers and providers - check out this link from the City of Austin’s website: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/downloads/rwsuppliers.pdf . If you decide to do a larger system, you may be eligible for a rebate: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/rwrebates.htm

Happy harvesting!

]]> http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2009/02/its-raining-make-the-most-of-it/feed/ UT SOA Hosting Open House http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2008/11/ut-school-of-architecture-is-hosting-a-free-open-house/ http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2008/11/ut-school-of-architecture-is-hosting-a-free-open-house/#comments Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:57:51 +0000 Thoughtcrib http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/?p=27 The UT School of Architecture is hosting a free open house this coming weekend for the DesignBuildTexas house that UT architecture students and faculty built in the Hill Country.School of Architecture at 512 471-1922 or jparker@mail.utexas.edu for reservations and a map.

The house was designed and built as a demonstration project, showcasing certain sustainable design features, including natural materials, passive cooling, low-impact septic system, and a 100% rainwater collection system.

The landscape design was done in collaboration with scientists at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and local garden designer Jill Nokes.

The DesignBuildTexas project has received a number of awards (US Green Building Council, Texas Society of Architects) and has been widely published (Architectural Record, The 21st Century House, HGTV).

The house is located just east of Johnson City, about 50 minutes from central Austin. Tours are free,  ut reservations are required because each tour can only accommodate a certain number of people.

If you’re interested, please contact Judy Parker at the Saturday, November 15th.

Tours are at 10:00 am and 12:00 noon.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: Judy Parker – 471.1922
FREE

For more information about the project, please see
www.designbuildtexas.com

]]> http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2008/11/ut-school-of-architecture-is-hosting-a-free-open-house/feed/ Roll Out the New Austin Modern Living Blog http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2008/10/roll-out-the-new-austin-modern-living-blog/ http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/2008/10/roll-out-the-new-austin-modern-living-blog/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 03:38:26 +0000 TomBates http://austinmodernliving.com/blog/?p=3 Well, hello. This blog is intended to be a visual resource for people interested in cool, modern design.  If you have products, ideas, cool photos, projects, designs, homes, whatever that you would like us to wax about and post, just send us an email. For this first quick post, mostly to see if I like this blog template theme or not,  I wanted to give credit to the photographer of the image we are using for the blog.  It’s called “Modern Door” by Nuno Boavida in his Details of Leiria gallery.  You can see other great photos of his at http://www.pbase.com/nunoboavida

Modern Door Nuno Boavida

Modern Door Nuno Boavida

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