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Unless I’m going to nurse my reputation as a sardonic critic of all things decorative, I should praise tasty design touches when I run across them in my hunt for ugly. Don’t despair, regular readers: I assure you this detour into the possible will be short lived. But I’ll need as always to remind you that taste or trash is in the eye of the digital surfer.

For now, I’ve chosen borderline great designs, knowing full well that a few of them are on the edge. Remember to breathe.

Happy When I’m Blue

I have to say, this living room design posted on the Coco Cozy blog won my heart with the oceanic floor. I’m a water baby, and even if the outdoors is rich and green, show me the sky-blue sea.

Sleepy Sneaker

Okay, the owl print has got to go! But the elements of the room—from the quirky chandelier and red lamps, to the yellow tables and a faux pelt on the wood floor—sneak up on you. Montreal’s Lake Jane loves her baubles and bangles.

Kitchen Daydreams

This décor borders on sappy, but I like it for its audacity. Decorology — an interior-design blog run by a professional web designer — has some great ideas (and dazzling photos) for spiffing up a lackluster home.

Bringing Up Baby

Yes, this room is as busy as rush hour in Milan. But there’s something about a yellow upholstered headboard that scratches where I can’t usually reach. Mom can snooze here between wake-up calls, and the baby can move into the bed when it’s grown too big for the crib.

Barn Adorable

Personally, I believe French doors are just a bit too coy. If your home can support the hardware and color, why not put in a swanky barn door to separate the rooms? This room has swagger!

Click Chic

I had to include this, albeit an example of marginal taste in bedding.  At the end of a long day, you can just drag and drop your body into the sack!

There. I was polite, wasn’t I?

Since last fall, more than half of the states in the land have offered rebates to consumers when they trade in their energy-chugging appliances on new, efficient fridges, stoves, washers, and AC units. But despite the Department of Energy’s proffered $300 million in appliance rebates, very little of the cash has been claimed. I want to know, what’s up with you?

Catching the Wave

At least Californian David Spar has recycled old appliances. But California residents have only claimed a fourth of the $31 million in rebate money allotted to the state.

Need a Cold One?

A cold fridge, that is. One that won’t bust your savings account and qualifies you for a $200 rebate? Apparently not. The USA TODAY claims that freezers and fridges are the biggest energy hogs in the kitchen. So why aren’t more people buying efficient models that save upwards of $200 a year in electric bills? Add the $200 rebate and you’ve recovered a large chunk of the price. Hello, people!

Need a Colder One?

There are even rebates for new central air and window AC units. If you’re ready to recycle the old window unit, you’ll get $50 toward the purchase of an energy-efficient model.

One Man’s Trash

Forget about that old saying. One’s man’s trash is not another man’s treasure. You have to dispose of your old clunker properly. Many retailers will pick up and recycle your old model when they deliver your energy-efficient fridge. Some states offer additional cash incentives for proper recycling of appliances. For help in locating your state’s policies, check with the EnergyStar website.