Scion, the branch of Toyota Motor Company that makes love 'em or hate 'em cars, has its own art show.

Are you on ThisNext yet? ThisNext allows you to recommend and get recommendations for just about everything. Like most other sites, when you sign up, you can opt to get emails from them or not. I decided to let them spam me, and boy am I glad I did.

Another question! This time, from Guillermo in the South End:

Hi Gradon,
I've stumbled upon your blog, which I think is a great idea.
I was wondering if you could point me to an architect or architectural
firm who specializes in deck building in Boston's South End, and who
could handle the landmarks commission approval process, etc. I'm about
to buy a place with potential for a rear deck but would like to
consult someone first.
Thanks a lot,
Guillermo

Wow, enough space in the back for a deck? Lucky guy in such a tight neighborhood. I would recommend someone like Daniel Sugarman, a local architect that recently finished his own South End loft.

Daniel Sugarman Design
617-267-2588
danielsugarman@aol.com

Do you have anyone that you would recommend?

A new question came in, this time from Kristine Leavitt:

Hi there,

Great blog! Who would you say are the top 10 interior designers (*traditional to transitional style ) are in Boston?

Since it seems like you have a pulse on what happening there...thought you may have some input?

Are you going to architecture school?

Would love to get your opinion.

Thank you,

Kristine Leavitt

First, let me thank Kristine for the compliment. And second, no, I'm not yet in architecture school, but I am in school to be an interior designer. In a few years, I'll add myself to the "best in Boston" list (hopefully!).

As far as the best interior designers in the city, I'm not sure. I did a quick search, and got this "Best of Citysearch" page. And we can't forget about Boston Magazine, who does their annual Best of Boston showcase, in such categories as Interior Design and Interior Design - Kitchen.

Who would you say is worthy of the title "Best Interior Designer in Boston"?

A few weeks ago, I attended a friend's company's summer barbecue. Not quite as "cool" as a wedding crasher, but hey, free lobster on Crane's Beach in Ipswich isn't a bad day.

Another BBQ-crasher I met there was Andrew Levine. Andrew is a local painter, sculptor and freelance graphic/web designer. His website features a portfolio with work from a variety of local, national and international clientele.

Speaking of easing your way into a greener lifestyle, check out Ideal Bite.


Ideal Bite is like Daily Candy for the eco-set. "Bite-sized ideas for the light green living" is the way they put it. Sign up for their Daily Tip, and get a new, easy to implement idea in your inbox every weekday. Or check out the Tip Library, a compendium of previous tips.

You can also sign up for their SF- or NY-specific emails. One question, though: Why not a Boston-specific one?

(This and the next post come courtesy of my friend Joyce, who is a great lookout for goodies that I can blog about. She also deserves her own post for her amazing photography.)

The Voltaic Backpack is, you guessed it, a backpack. I'm sure you know how to use one. This one is special, though, because the back of the pack is lined with solar (photovoltaic, hence the name) panels. You can use the panels to charge your iPod, cell phone (or combine the two: iPhone), laptop, or anything else that you can carry and needs power. You can even get a battery pack to store that solar energy for times when you're not in the sun.

Voltaic Systems makes a variety of solar bags, from backpacks to messenger bags. Solar bags are a great way to ease your way into carbon-neutral living.

What a difference an hour makes. University Park Lofts are a new development in Worcester, an hour or so west of Boston. A converted 5-story manufacturing building from the 30's, University Park Lofts offers lofts from 710 sq. ft. up to 1256 sq. ft., with 12' ceilings and new 17'x8' low e (energy efficient) windows. And the price - from $134,900 to $234,9000 - is easily half of what you'd pay here in Boston.

I'm not too familiar with Worcester, so I can't tell you about the social scene out there. Do you know what's in Worcester in terms of shopping, dining, and entertainment?