Designer repurposes items for Smart Home's newest look

Flea market lovers should appreciate the newest incarnation of Smart Home at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Reused furniture blends with new technologies to redecorate the house that opened in 2008 with an array of energy-saving features.

Vintage, armless Knoll chairs reign in the living room, recovered with fabric made from old tires, no less. But this space has nothing on the dining room, where the “chandelier” is crafted from old fluorescent tubes, and the steel stools once knocked around a Minneapolis factory.

The most fabulous industrial finds are probably the cabinets throughout the house, starting with 1940s refinished steel ones scrounged from a science lab at the University of Chicago.

Adding to the industrial chic, the museum selected photos from its own collection to create prominent wall art.

Larry Vodak, owner of a Chicago store called Scout, which specializes in making simple vintage items special, put together this newest redecoration of the Smart Home.

Of course, Smart Home fans also want the latest in technology, and Gizmodo, an online source for news about consumer electronics, delivers. Stars include a mirror in the master bath that lets you connect to the Internet while shaving or putting on makeup.

Let's take a quick tour to see highlights of the home.

Living room

We know you'll check out the rubbRe fabric that Vulcana makes from old tires before ordering yards for your family room. While the look is perfect for these midcentury Knoll chairs, we're not sure how comfortable it would be on a hot day.

The walnut console rescued from an industrial firm in Chicago manages to be rich and sleek at the same time. Accessories include an antique chest that holds survey instruments.

Just as you might enlarge favorite photos to create personalized art, museum staff searched its 35,000-piece collection of art and came up with industrial photos like the building of the Hoover Dam. An incredible shot shows the Palace of Fine Arts from the 1893 Columbian Exposition being renovated in 1930 with funding from Julius Rosenfeld of Sears fame.

Dining room

That chandelier with the shade of long fluorescent tubes hangs above a table of salvaged planks. Old bicycle inner tubes serve as artwork here.

Lounge

Scout is really good at finding cabinets like the old one from a post office in Springfield, IL., that looks like it is silvered but is in its original state, according to Jeff Buonomo, coordinator of temporary exhibits for the museum.

And it holds a 55-inch LED television.

Kitchen

Besides those steel cabinets, a noteworthy feature is the kitchen countertop made from office paper and recycled glass and cement.

An Elo Touch Panel takes the place of Post-it notes and a chalkboard. Families can send messages back and forth between it and phones.

Master suite

Cybertexture Mirror works for the usual morning chores, but you can also get the morning news and traffic report because it connects to the Internet. Here's a bonus: It keeps track of your weight.

Tile in the shower is recycled glass, and the brick flooring was reclaimed from old demolished factories.

The large photos on the bedroom walls — copies from the museum's collection — depict the Century of Progress, Chicago's second World's Fair from 1933-34.

Family lab

Did we mention how we covet the old steel cabinets throughout this home?

Technology

Many of the important green features like insulation and the roof garden have been around since the Smart Home first opened in 2008. And Master Gardeners continue to care for new displays on the grounds.

Visitors have also seen automation like the window shades and lights.

But a few of the cool new gadgets caught our eye.

A power strip smart enough to reduce wasted standby energy for your computer and other electronic devices is from iGo.

OK, this is a bit hokey, but a Ping Lamp can sit by your bed, and if you're in a long distance relationship or have a youngster away at school, when he or she turns on the faraway lamp, yours will glow. Thank wireless Internet technology.

ShowerTime reminds people who really want to take shorter showers that it's time to turn off the water.

Smart Home facts

<b>What: </b>Smart Home: Green + Wired

<b>Where:</b>Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago

<b>When:</b> Through Jan 8, 2012

<b>Tickets: </b>Timed tickets are required. The cost is $23 for adults; $22 for seniors; $12 for children 3-11. Tickets include general admission to the museum.

<b>Information: msichicago.org; (773) 684-1414