Help me turn a blindingly bright LED tube into a functional and decorative floor lamp! [more inside]
posted by pemberkins on Jul 5, 2009 - 9 answers

How do I grow food and be more sustainable in a shady city apartment? [more inside]
posted by Lord_Pall on Jul 2, 2009 - 16 answers

We're moving into a new place in a few weeks, and we've got a nice glass block "window" in the bedroom. We love it, but the boyfriend needs darky darkness in order to sleep at night and there's a street light right outside the window. Help me figure out a window covering/curtain/shade/other! [more inside]
posted by bienbiensuper on Jun 23, 2009 - 22 answers

I just found this funky diamond shaped lamp and am not sure what it is, or what kind of lampshade would look right on it. [more inside]
posted by arnicae on Jun 3, 2009 - 3 answers

I'm looking for an outdoor shade/blind to use on my balcony. [more inside]
posted by dead_ on Jul 21, 2008 - 5 answers

Car Sun Shade Question: I have a car sun-shade that is blue on one side and silverish on the other side. Which side should I face out to keep my car cooler? [more inside]
posted by boots77 on May 27, 2008 - 12 answers

Energy efficient skylight and window treatments for Manhattan office - what is this film coating? Others experiences? Suggestions? Who and where to procure it? [more inside]
posted by keasby on Feb 7, 2008 - 4 answers

I need a large sheet of thin but durable, mylar-ish translucent material in Toronto. [more inside]
posted by chococat on Jan 14, 2008 - 13 answers

Shade-tolerant plants! I have a small raised bed outside my door which is in deep shade, under a large white pine tree. I'm in coastal New Hampshire, Zone 5, somewhat moderated by the ocean effect. The soil is on the acidic side but is easily augmented. It's quite moist. I don't need veggies because I grow them in a community garden, but herbs would be nice, or just ornamental things. Any ideas as to what might grow?
posted by Miko on Apr 23, 2007 - 23 answers

I need some help constructing a shadecloth/tarp type thing for the backyard. [more inside]
posted by Optimus Chyme on Jun 29, 2006 - 10 answers

The deck / patio on my mother's house is completely exposed to the sun and umbrellas haven't been working as shade providers. The wind breaks them. Or they provide insufficient shading. Besides building a roof over the deck, what else can we try to turn her deck into a nicely shaded space?
posted by Aghast. on May 28, 2006 - 18 answers

What can I plant to cover a well shaded, steep hill? [more inside]
posted by onhazier on Mar 5, 2006 - 15 answers

Is there some way to get rope or cording which won't fall apart after a summer in the hot southern Arizona sun? Last year I installed some roll down window shades made of bamboo to take the brunt of the sun that was otherwise streaming in the windows. These aren't the most well constructed shades ever invented, but they did admirably at providing a cheap solution to shading my windows from the intensely hot summer. [more inside]
posted by mulkey on May 29, 2005 - 14 answers

I have vinyl shades on my windows. One, in particular, has absolutely no tension. [more inside]
posted by sugarfish on May 19, 2005 - 5 answers

I have a spot on the East side of my garage that just won't support grass. It's in deep thick shade and gets little water. The soil is heavy and clay-like. What kind of perennials would work here? Have you done this before? Have you any pictures?
posted by kc0dxh on May 2, 2005 - 10 answers

recommendations, please, for tall houseplants that need little watering (we're sometimes away for a week or two), like the warmth (summer is warm, winter has central heating), and don't mind the shade (in summer there are blinds outside to keep the temperature down)? someone just recommended ficus alli to us, yet they are described on that page as "sun loving" - what's right? also, once bought, do we need to repot them into something larger? if so, what soil do we need? anything else plant-clueless people should know? thanks! [more inside]
posted by andrew cooke on Dec 8, 2004 - 11 answers