Click on the image above to check out this video from MSNBC.com featuring Design on a Dime host Frank Fontana.  He shows us how to turn pre-fabricated furniture into pretty and creative looking furniture using cute decals and items you might have thrown away otherwise.

This week on Smarter Home & Garden:

•  Spring on Sale:  Perennial Flowers and More
•  How to Choose the Best Roman Shades
•  Coolest Energy Saving Lamps
• Furniture Deal:  Vancouver Convertible Sofa

(Source Image: YankoDesign.com)

If carpets, hardwood, and concrete floors are too passe for you, how about one that generates floral patterns underneath every squishy step? The Blooming Step flooring system is a vinyl carpet containing nontransparent gel that appears clear when undisturbed. When you step on it flowers seemingly bloom from the surface tension and just as quickly disappear - creating a visual conversation as people walk across the room and interact with furniture.

Designer: Tae-Jin Sim

(Source: YankoDesign.com)

While in Smarter Home & Garden Blogging:

Childrens Furniture - Monte Carlo Balloon Ceiling Fans
My Neck Hurts - Shop for Neck Pillow Support
Discount Salt and Pepper Shakers - Unique and Nifty
Unique Furniture - Coffee Drum Table

I love hearing awesome news about people who are thinking outside of the box while going green!  Here is more news from MSNBC.com.  A Salt Lake City company called Gorilla Designs is designing homes made out of idle shipping containers.  They are said to be affordable and will last a lifetime.

Check out more details and the full story here.

This week Smarter Home & Garden covered:

•  Spring Cleaning Ideas:  Another Use for Shoe Boxes
•  Cool Deal:  Denver Adjustable Microfiber Sofa Sleeper
•  Kimberly-Clark Goes Green with Scott Naturals

MSNBC.com wants you to “go green” and drink wine from old windshields.  Sounds weird, but you can purchase Recycled Windshield Wine Glasses from UncommonGoods.com for $22.  They show us a ton of options for other kitchen goods that were made from recycled wine bottles, recycled rubber, recycled milk cartons, recycled juice cartons and more.

Check out the full article here.  

• Spring Decorating Ideas
• Affordable Easter Decor: Bunnies, Eggs, You Know
• Junk Drawer Drama:  How Do You Deal?

The Obamas are making a vegetable garden out of part of the South Lawn of the White House.  I think it sets an excellent example for us all!

Check out the news article from SeattleTimes.com here.

On Smarter Home & Garden this week:

• Home & Garden Coupon Codes Expiring Soon
• Low Priced Scented Candles - Jungle Stripe Scented Candles
• Discount Furniture - XXL Fuf Bean Bag Chair

Source:  The Seattle Times, Getty Images

Read - Easy French Furniture Design written by Smarter Guest Blogger Maureen

Find Beautiful Discount Kitchenware & Shop for a Copper Pot Rack Kitchen Grid

Shop for Discount Home Decor & Magical Mirrors

Spring is Here! Time for a Lovely Picnic in the Great Outdoors - Shop for this Manhatten Picnic Case 

Wow, super cool! Check out the design work from Juan Pablo Maza. Plot #35 from the Ordos Project is not your typical villa. You won’t find it in Spain, France or Italy. This one is inner Mongolia. The flat landscape is known for some of the most amazing blue skies on Earth but living there is harsh with high winds and extreme temperature grades.

Architect Juan Pablom Maza created a large underground home to take advantage of the ground’s natural insulation but the most striking feature is the suspended living area abouve ground surrounded by a forest of beams! Beautiful!!

(Source: Yanko Design Blog)

While at Smarter Home & Garden Blogs: 

• Boxed Martini Candles - Great Gifts or Wedding Favors
• Discount Mulitmedia Storage Cabinet - Antique White Finish
• Discount Bedding - Low Priced Throw Pillows
• Mazal Tov - Discount Bar Mitzvah Picture Frame
• Hello Gorgeous! - Check Out This Edwardian Home Bar
• Discount Floor Furnace - All the Heat at a Fraction of the Cost
• Easy Deal - Check Out this Red Easy Rider Couch
• Plum Crazy Tiffany Table Lamp - Discount Home Decor
• Discount Dinnerware - Gibson Royal Quilt 30 Piece Set

This Week in Smarter Home & Garden Blogs 

Short on Space? Check out this Great Deal on a Queen Sized Storage Bed - has 12 Drawers!

Shaggy Rugs - Check out this Low Priced Leather Shag Area Rug

Kitchy Home Decor - Cute Carton Vase - Got Flowers?

The Perfect Cocktail Container - Discount Barware 

Okay I just thought this was cool, it’s coral made entirely out of crocheted work!

Smarter Home & Garden Blogs:

Dress Up Your House - Valentine’s Day Home Decor 

How to Decorate a Small Room

 Discount Tableware - Blue Wedge Placemat

Save Money & Space Saving - Wash Dryer Combo - Discount Appliances

Mardi Gras Colors Inspired Decor 

“Sometimes a piece of furniture serves more than its function. Sometimes, a piece of furniture is truly a work of art. Such is the case with this Edwardian Tub Chair in Bloom ($Varies) by young British designer Helen Amy Murray. In this piece, rich, creamy leather is manipulated to form a textile portrait of blossoms. A gorgeous statement—and a comfy one, too.”

Finish reading at: Helen Amy Murray Edwardian Tub Chair in Bloom

(Source: Outblush Blog)

Smarter Home & Garden Blog

• Warm Up in a Pure Comfort Blanket - Deep Discounts at LinenSource Bedding
• My Topiary Fetish - Garden Decor
• Funny Photo of the Week - Huge Tableware
• Pottery Barn Teen Bedding
• Breakfast Bar Deal - Stainless Steel Top Kitchen Cart