Looking for the ultimate Father’s Day gift? Once your dad sees this baby, he will rewrite his will naming you as the sole beneficiary of his entire estate. It might be the perfect gift–not just for dads, but for any man. Well. Any man that likes beer.

Check out the Asko HomePub Refrigerator.

It’s got an electric thermostat, antibacterial treatment system, and is in the A+ energy class. There’s space for extra kegs, plus fresh and frozen foods–although it is a small unit (301 liters) compared to most other home refrigerator models. It’s also got a fairly expensive price tag of around $1000–which isn’t really outrageous, but it is definitely not a cheap fridge.

Nevertheless, do I need to point out how much the benefits outweigh the drawbacks of this appliance? Consider in an investment in your father’s lifelong happiness.

Wow. I mean…WOW. This takes some talent.

Check out their entire photo gallery. They did some extensive work in there. I don’t know if you are familiar enough with Mario Bros. games, but they have really managed to recreate that world. They even have those little tubes coming out of the ceiling!

Freshome.com is reporting on a fabulous set of seats created by designer Stephen Reed for the London offices of Bloomberg Financial Services.

I absolutely LOVE this concept. I mean, the possibilities are endless. You could get pillows to spell out your name, or any word with special meaning to you. Even your favorite sports team or the city you live in!

I especially love the little tables that are there representing the extra point squares on the scrabble board.

This is really such a simple idea, I’m amazed I’ve never seen it before!

Don’t get me wrong.  I like the earth and I work really hard to minimize my impact on it.  I appreciate the efforts of people who reduce, reuse and recycle.  I’m just not quite sure how I feel about this shredded paper furniture by Jens Praet:

On one hand, it’s great that he’s able to find a use for all this excess paper.  On the other hand–isn’t it a little disconcerting that someone might be using your old bank statements store their stuff in?

More and more families are re-evaluating their homes and finding new ways to reduce their environmental impact. There are many ways–some of which are surprisingly inexpensive–to improve your home.

Whether you replace your bulbs or install new energy saving light fixtures, you can save electricity in every room in your house. Energy Star appliances are designed to use minimal energy are available in almost every possible model you can think of: dishwashers, refrigerators, washers and dryers and much more.

Conserving water is another important way for families to be conscious. Consider buying a rain water collection barrel.

Try to use organic and chemical free products for painting, staining, gardening and cleaning.

For more examples of ways you can Green Up your home, visit this excellent “How To” article, “How to Go Green in No Time at All.“

The benefits of cast iron cookware are well known in kitchens throughout the world. For one thing, it is a non-toxic cooking surface. In fact, there is an added benefit of the iron leaching into the food cooked in it, providing you with an additional source for this mineral which is necessary for healthy building healthy blood.

Bare cast iron has been in use for hundreds of years, and now there are additional enamel coated cast iron options. Both types are known for their ability to hold and diffuse heat, making them an excellent choice for extended periods of cooking.

A set of cast iron cookware will literally last you for your entire life. They are one of the single best investments you can make in your home.

You may not have a huge gourmet kitchen, but you still needs to use this room every day.  How can you make the most out of the kitchen you have?

Organization is the key to surviving in tight spaces.  There are thousands of modular pieces for cabinets and pantries such as the elfa line available at The Container Store. You can also use stackable plastic containers for storing loose and bulk foodstuffs such as sugar, flour, cereals, and other items that are difficult to keep tidy.

Try to keep your counter tops clean and free of clutter so you have work space.  Additional workspace can be created when you buy a pot rack to hang pots and pans within reach.  You can also buy portable worktables which can be moved around and stored away when they are not in use.

The smaller your kitchen, the more important organization is.  Investing a little time and money in to your kitchen space will give you the freedom you need to create great food, and enjoy the time you spend there.

Are you ready to hire someone to help you realize your dream decor? There are thousands of interior decorators, some of whom specialize in either residential or commercial decor, or a particular style–modern, classic, rustic, etc.

When you set out to find a decorator, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Ask for a portfolio and references.

If they’ve done great work, they will have people who are willing to rave about them, and you need to confirm that they can do what they say they can. Many decorators will have their portfolios available on their websites, but you should still ask if you can contact any of their former clients. When you call, treat it like a job interview and be professional.

2. Be clear about what you want.

Before sitting down with your decorator, collect pictures, fabric swatches, paint samples, and anything else–from jewelry to fruit–that inspires you. The more information and direction your can give a designer, the easier it will be for them to give you what you want.

3.  Shop around.

Choose your decorator after you’ve had a chance to compare two or three.  Look at their qualifications as well as their fees and decide on the best value for your money.  Don’t skimp just to save money–but don’t assume you have the pay a lot just to get a good job.

Use What You Have Decorating

Laurie Ward

A great book about using what you already have in your home and making the most of it. It also offers tips for buying new furniture and home accessories, and lists common decorating mistakes to be avoided.

House Beautiful - 500 Sensational Ways to Create Your Ideal Home

Kate Sloan

A comprehensive book with tons of gorgeous photos on all kinds of decorating styles. It offers examples and practical tips for creating the home of your dreams.

Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living

Annie Berthold-Bond

A must-read for anyone concerned about the health of their family and the impact that their home makes on the environment both inside and out.

Rooms to Inspire: Decorating With America’s Best Designers

Annie Kelly

Twelve cutting edge designers including Marian McEvoy, Kelly Wearstler, Muriel Brandolini, Jonathan Adler, and Simon Doonan share their vision through fabulous photographs.

Decorating Details: Projects and Ideas for a More Comfortable, More Beautiful Home

Martha Stewart

Decorating ideas and projects you can do yourself to create finishing touches on any room in your house.

The Home Decorator’s Color and Texture Bible: 180 Complete Schemes for a Harmonious Home

Adrienne Chinn

Color is perhaps the most challenging aspect of home decorating and this book will help you grasp the use of colors, textures, and textiles.

Decorating is Fun!: How to be your own Decorator

Dorothy Draper

This book has been in print for over sixty years and it is still fresh and pertinent for today’s home decorator. It encourages everyone to enjoy the process of designing their own homes.

The Declutter Workbook: 101Feng Shui Steps to Transform Your Life

Mary Lambert

A practical workbook for streamlining your home, removing clutter, and creating an environment that invites positive energy.

The Poetry of Home

Charlotte Moss

An anthology of literary works that capture the grace and beauty of home. A great source of inspiration as you contemplate your decorating choices.

Room & Furniture Layout Kit

Muncie Hendler

Includes hundreds of pieces that can be repositioned as your plan your rooms.

Your home is more than just a place to store you clothing and eat dinner at the end of a long day.  We spend time at home relaxing, entertaining, watching television–and reading!

Books are beautiful.  They represent the combined knowledge of the human race, and offer us the opportunity to learn new things while stimulating our imaginations.  They can go anywhere, require no electricity, and have endless topics for us to choose from.

So why not use them as part of our decorating?

I don’t necessarily mean the stack of paperback Harlequin romances that you have in a box in the garage.  But books of poetry, or spiritual texts can be particularly beautiful–inside and out.  You an also find classic works at used bookstores in unique, eye-catching bindings.  Large, gorgeous picture books can be displayed on the shelf or on a coffee table and enjoyed by guests as they relax in your sitting areas, and used to spark conversation on any number of topics.

Consider investing in a fantastic bookshelf to house your collection.  You’ll find your friends and family drawn to it as they browse your selection and ask to borrow things that catch your eye.

If your collection of books leaves much to be desired, try hitting up used book stores, second-hand stores, and garage sales, where you can find multitudes of books for a song.

You’ll love the comforting feeling of being surrounded by these great works of literature as you relax with your morning coffee or tea.