Construction Maison

COOL TOOLS So you love fresh veggies and herbs, but lack the space for an outdoor garden or a suitable light source for successful indoor plants ? The Click & Grow Indoor Smart Garden allows you to grow fresh herbs , fruits, veggies and flowers with zero effort. The planter utilizes an energy- efficient LED lamp arm , along with a specially developed Smart Soil to ensure that plants get the optimal configuration of water, oxygen and nutrients. This innovative growing medium , inspired by NASA technology, helps plants grow faster and more nutritious, without pesticides, hormones or other harmful substances. Plus, the 40- ounce tank holds enough water for a month. The basic herb garden kit is $59.99, which includes three basil plant capsules , or you can choose from among 40 preseeded capsules, with everything from chili peppers and wild strawberries to petunias and moss roses. The company also offers a Wall Farm — an indoor vertical garden unit that comes in two sizes and a...

When you learn that a piece of furniture has a veneer, does it make you cringe a little? Admittedly us, too. But wood veneers, in fact, are a traditional and structurally significant aspect of furniture-making that still come into play in contemporary design. "Wood veneers have been used in furniture-making and millwork techniques for over 200 years," says interior designer Cate Caruso , of Studio C, who uses them for all kinds of high- quality custom furnishings . In woodworking, a veneer is actually a "paper thin" cut of wood that's applied to both sides of a strong core surface , like furniture-grade MDF or substrate material, to seal and stabilize it—which is critically important when you're fashioning built-in furniture or anything with a mechanism. The reason is simple: Solid wood expands and contracts as the temperature changes, and your apartment isn't temperature controlled no matter how powerful your A.C. unit is. A dining table, for instance...