Matt Hickman Blog

2013 summer reading list: 7 green home and garden tomes
From authoritative volumes on the passive house movement to do-it-yourself shed building guides, there's no shortage of green home-centric books to spend a little QT with this summer.
Fluoride, prefab and Sudden Valley's finest [Weekend link clump]
This Memorial Day weekend: Model homes have a moment (thanks, Netflix!), Portland maintains its status as the nation's largest fluoride-free city and the future of multifamily prefab looks promising.
MIO at ICFF: Same great green design philosophy, intriguing new products
Celebrating 10 years in business, MIO breaks out a fresh slew of 'green desire'-sparking products including customizable stools and lampshades that can be arranged in over 36 configurations.
Water heaters 101: How to choose the most efficient model [Infographic]
To gas or not to gas? The Home Depot tackles everything you always wanted to know about the different types of energy-saving water heaters (but were afraid to ask).
Gimme shelter: Why storm cellars and basements are a rarity in Oklahoma
Why the dearth of private homes with storm shelters and basements in and around tornado-prone Oklahoma City? Blame cruddy soil conditions, high costs and prevailing attitudes about mandated building codes.
XTOOL: A milk crate-based storage stool from the Garden State
Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, Newark-based Combo Colab returns to the Designboom Mart at ICFF with a clever, milk crate-based stackable storage stool dubbed XTOOL.
Architecture for Humanity announces Rebuild Moore campaign
With particulars of a long-term reconstruction plan to soon be released, Architecture for Humanity launches a campaign to aid post-tornado rebuilding efforts in the devastated city of Moore, Okla.
Portable wood-fired hot tub from Holland perfect for off the grid soak sessions
Because you haven't truly experienced life until you've hauled a four-person hot tub behind you while riding a bike, Weltevree returns to ICFF with a mobile, wood-fired human soup bowl dubbed the Dutchtub.
From Portland, a DIY coffee maker for your Mason jar collection
Because it wouldn't make any sense otherwise, the world's first Mason jar-based French press coffee maker is proudly designed and assembled in Portland, Ore.
The Daddy Dozen: Father's Day Gift Guide 2013
On the prowl for the perfect paternal prezzie? Check out these 12 Father's Day gift picks that pops will surely find useful in the bar, the workshop and at the grill. (Plus, the requisite pair of socks.)

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NEWSLETTER

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