With Old Man Winter within striking distance in many parts of the country, a few area rugs scattered around the house can certainly help to warm up cold floors.  I particularly like wool area rugs for two reasons:  they will last for years, and they’re made from a renewable resource. My husband’s grandmother has had the same wool are rugs for 40 years, and they still look great! Wool rugs are more expensive than some other materials, but since you should only have to buy them once, maybe that’s a savings in the long run.

The area rug above is a Fair Isle hooked wool rug from Garnet Hill.  It is available in 3 sizes:  3 feet, 5 feet, and 7 feet. They range in price from $98-$258.

If you’re worried about area rugs sliding around on hardwood or ceramic tile floors, you should check into purchasing organic rug pads. Rug pads will also protect your area rugs from signs of heavy wear, and help them last longer. The rug pad above is made from plant-based materials rather than petroleum-based plastics.

Can you imagine powering everyday items like your water heater, furnace, and kitchen stove with the power of the wind? In light of the current fuel crisis, and growing environmental problems, Americans are increasingly catching the drift when it comes to green energy sources, and wind power is high on the list.

According to Wikipedia, wind power is responsible for just 1% of the world’s total energy, but it is readily utilized in some countries. For example, wind turbines are responsible for 19% of energy production in Denmark, where wind farms are used to generate green energy for power grids.

Although they are certainly a green living idea worth checking into, you should be aware that wind turbines require a significant investment on the part of the homeowner. The Southwest Windpower Skystream 3 grid-tie wind turbine system, pictured above, lists at $5,387 at Real Goods.