Go on...release your breath (thanks for holding it for that long too), we are here with the collective answers from our all three Cool Geeks : Apartment Therapy Editor’s. So, here we go:

1). Vikas: How would you define a perfect environment friendly home? Have you ever dreamt or come across any house that you can really call green? How do you think that our efforts - of course, we need more green houses now, packed with more and more green tech - will define and affect the leaving experience?

AT Team: Perfection is hard to reach, and I think the best we can aim for is to be concious of the environment and strive to do as little as we can to harm it. The best example of a green home that I’ve seen is Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. Not many of us could live in less than 100 square feet, but Jay’s homes are the best example of living small with the least environmental impact. The real issue now is that companies are trying to sell us “green” items in order to keep us buying. The best green solution is standard adage “reduce, reuse, recycle.” Green isn’t a style, it’s a lifestyle.

2). ManishK: Hello Kate, Kelly, Ryan, nice to see all three of you here. I just want to ask, how successfully you’ve been able to polish your own apartments with the therapies you share with your readers? We’d love to see it real on your blog someday.

AT Team: Apartment Therapy has really changed how I think about the “stuff” I own. I downsized my life dramatically last year, including electronics, as I went through the Cure of my own apartment. This helped tremendously when I moved cross-country six months ago, and I apply the Apartment Therapy credo to everything in my new home. If it isn’t useful, beautiful or make me happy, then it’s not coming (or staying for long) in my home.

3). Ellie: What home gizmos would you suggest to give a treehouse that geeky guise?

AT Team: Solar powered gadgets would be our ideal setup in a backyard treehouse. A solar powered radio or mp3 player and some solar powered lights that we could string up both insude and out would provide the perfect spot for lounging and reading a book.

4). Ryan: What special attributes you’ve in your mind when you say home tech is far more than the technology itself?

AT Team: This is a tough question, and one that is constantly running in the back of my mind when choosing things for Home Tech. Technology instantly conjures up thought of computers, gadgets, and electronics. I try to get to the heart of what makes those things “technology.” To me, home tech is anything that is not ony new, but well-designed to make our homes more functional, comfortable, and beautiful, regardless of the medium.

5). Susanne: We all know that our homes are not at all free from air pollution. How can technology help us keep it clean?

AT Team: Air purifiers have come a long way in terms of style and performance. No longer just ugly boxes we seem to be seeing more and more that can function both as sculpture while practically filtering the air in our spaces. A quick search of AT: Home Tech should show you what we are talking about.

6). Karl: How would you define a perfect multi-room video system? Please suggest a few latest available setups too?

AT Team: A perfect multi-room video system for me would be one where the components play a supporting role to the experience. In essence you only see what you need to, which in this case would be the screen, and everything else such as the speakers, DVD player, and receiver would be hidden away and allow you to focus on the story being told in what you are watching. Although the small space living credo that exists at AT doesn’t really allow for multi-room video setups we have some great examples and tours of some of our readers audio and video spaces and how they have achieved this very thing.

7). Pooja: What are some of the decorating mistakes made by homeowners? What’s your advice on how to avoid or correct those mistakes?

AT Team: Not enough people think about their home’s function, and focus on stylized, perfect images seen in media, magazines, etc. While aesthetics are important, they aren’t the sole source of happiness. Your home not only reflects of style, but also needs to reflect your life. A happy home needs an equal balance between beauty and function.

8). Gagan: Do you think there’s something you’re most proud of so far. One particular project that came off really well?

AT Team: In continuation of my downsizing theme, one item I eliminated from my home is a television. I have moved too many times in the past 10 years, and this is one of those bulky objects I no longer wanted to see in my home. I wasn’t willing to give up television either. Our solution was to turn our Mac mini into a part-time television, with the addition of a TV tuner (we chose the Miglia TVMax). We are still saving up for a better display, but for now our computer functions as a workspace, and television as well. I love that we thought outside of the box when it came to our equipment and focused on our needs rather than what was standard. My only gripe, I just wish there was the perfect piece of furniture to function as both a desk and an entertainment center. We have yet to find the perfect solution.

9). Gagan: How do you see the architectures of houses evolving in general? And more specifically, what will be the technological breakthroughs that will shape how our homes look in future?

AT Team: With the need for more environmentally building practices we are hoping to see a wider acceptance and expectation from consumers of efficient and less wasteful construction. Alternative energy sources such as geothermal heating and more use of prefab could definitely help in this area. Because of this we see a more streamlined, modern type of architecture evolving which is more in tune with the environment around it and is designed to utilize the natural light and heat cycles that occur daily either with strategicaly placed expanses of glass or windows to allow for passive cooling which decreases the reliance on energy consuming air conditioning.

10). Naveen: Do you think green homes are the wave of future in home building, considering the fact that a green home usually has much higher material and construction costs than a standard home? Don’t you think green home will be out of reach for many of us? Even if the manufacturers use less exotic materials, I don’t think the prices will plummet anytime soon?

AT Team: I think the conciousness of the general population will eventually accept green as the standard, when this done more and more contractors, builders, technicians will be familiar with the materials and I assume that will help the price come down. The idea of questioning the materials and whether they are good for our health, as well as the earth’s will lead us all to make more informed and better choices. Green doesn’t have to be bamboo floors and recycled steel. It’s about coming up with sustainable materials appropriate to our local needs. And with a culture accepting of green issues, we’ll inspire architects, designers and other forward-thinking individuals to come up with even more economical solutions.

11). Nandini: Your views on Bornrich & Instablogs Network?

AT Team: We all like to daydream, and Bornrich provides us with the craziest, luxurious things to covet. Blogging creates community, and I applaud the Instablogs Network’s initiative to allow people to read and write about what they love, and find other like-minded individuals to share their passions with.

RapidFire Round:-

1. What would you do for an iPhone?
a.) Switch to...ugh...AT&T as my carrier b.) Spend a night in jail with Paris Hilton c.) Chain myself to Apple’s 5th Ave. Store until I get one d.) Pay the insane price on eBay e.) All of the above or something else

AT Team: a.) Switch to...ugh...AT&T as my carrier

2. Choice for President in 2008
1. Hillary Clinton 2. Obama 3. John Edwards 4. John McCain 5. Other

AT Team: I’m undecided, in fact don’t get me started on politicians. I lived in Washington, DC for the past ten years, I’m completely jaded when it comes to our government.

3. Chocolate you love
a. Godiva b. White Chocolate c. Ghirardelli d. Extra Dark Chocolate e. Other

AT Team: e. Other: Ritter Sport with hazelnuts

4. Your choice of front projector for home theaters
a. Infocus 7210 b. Epson Powerlite Cinema c. Sony VPL-models d. Panasonic e. Or some other model of Sanyo, Sharp, Optoma, Benq, Hitachi etc.

AT Team:d. Panasonic, specifically the AE-1000U

5. The most important thing you need to get done for your own home
a. Redo Kitchen b. Add a Swimming Pool c. Jacuzzi Bath d. New Carpeting
e. Finish Basement f. Something else

AT Team: f. Something else: Buy furniture, we just upgraded from a small studio to an expansive historic apartment. Its the first time I’ve lived in a space I truly love, so I want it done right.

6. The TV Show with the Best Looking Home
a. The OC b. Laguna Beach c. Beverly Hills 90210 d. Desperate Housewives e. Other

AT Team: Tough one, you know Carrie’s apartment on Sex and the City was really well done.

7. Magazines about Home Improvement you will recommend
a. Better Homes and Gardens b. This Old House c. Good Housekeeping d. Martha Stewart e. Other

AT Team: Dwell for modern, pie in the sky dreaming. Apartment Therapy, of course, for everything else!

8. Your Fantasy House would be incomplete without
a. Home Theater System b. Three Car Garage c. Ocean View d. Automated Rooms, Bathrooms, everything e. Tennis Court f. Something else

AT Team: c. Ocean View

9. Greatest Homer Simpson Quotes
a. Doh b. Kids, You Tried Your Best and You Failed Miserably. the Lesson Is, Never Try. c.”Internet! Is That Thing Still around?” d. I Don’t Even Believe in Jeebus e. Does Whiskey Count as Beer

AT Team: a. Doh!

10. Best Announcement at the 2007 Apple WWDC except iPhone
a. New GUI for OS X b. Safari for Windows c. Apple TV 160gb d. Blu-Ray Support
e. New improved iChat f. Other

AT Team: a. New GUI for OS X

11. Best Mac OS X Software
a. iTunes b. Textmate c. Final Cut Pro d. Garageband e. iPhoto f. Other

AT Team: a. iTunes

We finally thank Kate, Kelly, and Ryan for taking-out time for this interview with us and giving us this wonderful opportunity to interview three of the most popular names in the home design world. We wish all of them “Best of Luck” for their future endeavors!82993