CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Cool Idea: Kitchen Legos

casasugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:30:11 -0800

In these tough economic times, we all have to do a little penny-pinching. For some, that means cooking at home instead of dining out, steering clear of the shopping mall, doing DIY projects on the weekends, or even making your own firestarters. But even DIY projects cost money sometimes. So, how do you make something from nothing? You look in your kid's toy box, of course. Instead of shopping for accents, Evil Mad Scientist made some kitchen accents like bowls, napkin holders, vases, and utensil holders out of Legos! Resourceful, huh? As grown-up kid, who loves Legos, Playmobil, and Barbies as much as she did when she was 6, I can't get enough of this project.

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Nice and New: Brocade Home Brushed Metal Vase

casasugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:00:22 -0700

We discussed last week how Brocade Home is back, but with little fanfare and no new Fall collections to show for all the time it spent on its grand vacance this Summer. But, I did notice something nice, new, and appropriate for Fall in the shop. The oversized Brocade Home Brushed Metal Vases ($129) in high-gloss bronze have a warmth that faces off with the rapidly decreasing temperatures these days. At 22 to 30 inches high, they're also statement pieces that will demand attention whether or not you fill them with fresh flowers. If bronze isn't for you, though, they're also available in silver. What do you think?

What You're Wanting Revealed: A Room For This Vase

casasugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:00:59 -0700

Since I first posted this challenge, my love for the Charles Catteau Deer Vase ($3,900) has only grown. Created in 1925 in Belgium, its brilliant colors and crackled surface are decorated with four deer. Its unusual appearance is just begging for a room to be decorated around it, don't you think? For this last What You're Wanting, I wanted to know how you'd decorate a room to complement this vase.

Cocochic designed a chic, subdued bedroom for the vase. She writes, "The ivory color of the vase is echoed in the linens with blues on the bed and in the art work. A deep purple throw and deep woods add dimension to the room. With glass and metal side tables and metal lamps with black shade, the room has a bit of glamour. I would put the vase on the dresser with some white orchids in it."

Congrats to Cocochic, who wins the CasaSugar schwag of her choice for her cool look!

For another cool look,

What You're Wanting: A Room For This Vase

casasugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:00:49 -0700

I am absolutely in love with this Charles Catteau Deer Vase ($3,900). Created in 1925 in Belgium, its brilliant colors and crackled surface are decorated with four deer. Its unusual appearance is just begging for a room to be decorated around it, don't you think?
For this week's What You're Wanting, I want to know how you'd decorate a room to complement this vase. Would you use blues? What room would you choose? What type of textiles and furniture would work with this unique vase? Add all the finds to your ShopStyle Living stylebook, and create a look tagged with the phrase deer vase. Private message me if you have any questions. Oh, and as extra incentive, I'll give some Sugar schwag away to my favorite look!
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Cool Idea: A Colander As a Vase

casasugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:00:44 -0700

I recently polled you on your love for Todd Oldham's ice cream cone carnation floral arrangement, and you were pretty split on it. I on the other hand was not a fan; although in general, I feel that the world-renowned designer can do no wrong. Today is no exception to that notion, though. Oldham has created another arrangement for FTD, the Todd Oldham Green Salad ($79.99), this time using a colander as a vase. I adore this innovative use of a colander, not only for its good looks but because it is something everyone can achieve. Of course, it helps to have a vibrant, kelly green colander to perk things up, but I love it regardless of color. It's also a great housewarming gift, as the colander can be used in the kitchen once the arrangement falls by the wayside. Love it?

Steal of the Day: Signals Three Rose Vases

casasugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

I would never call Signals a go-to retailer for home décor products, but every once in a while they sweep me off my feet with a great steal. This time, it's Signals Three Rose Vases ($32, reduced from $59), three vases adorned with rose blooms in cream, chartreuse, and mint. Not only is a set of three vases for 30 bucks an incredible deal, but the vases share a remarkable similarity with the Roost Porcelain Flower Vase ($68-$96), a design I've been fawning over for some time. Each leaf and petal on the vases is hand-shaped and applied, making them very delicate and feminine, but their fresh colors keep them contemporary. What do you think?

DIY: Floral Foam Vase

casasugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0700

If you read Casa regularly, you've probably noticed that people are making vases out of almost anything these days (pipes, plastic bottles, honeycomb, light bulbs). Quite frankly, a makeshift vase (coffee can, glass bottle) is not the hardest DIY. But, when I came across a DIY from ReadyMade for a vase made from floral foam that was cheap, easy, and most importantly, water retaining, I was pretty impressed. You'll probably find most of the supplies needed for this project in your house, too; who can argue with that?
Supplies:

Floral foam
Wax pellets or standard white candles
Baking paper
Cookie sheet
Toothpicks
Long, sharp knife
Cookie cutter or jar lid
Double boiler
Coffee can, slightly flattened to form a spout
Aluminum foil

To learn the steps,

How-To: Decorating With an Ornate Vase

casasugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:00:57 -0700

Sometimes an ornate vase is just what an interior is asking for. The beautiful colors and patterns of this Tuscia d'Arte Vase ($165) from Emilia Ceramics are stunning on their own. But what's the best way to accessorize with such a complex ceramic object? Take a look at some of my suggestions.

Choose one accent color from the vase and pick a bouquet made up of a single color that reflects that color palette. For instance, the orange accents on this vase suggest tiger lilies as an appropriate choice.
Forgo the flowers and choose peacock feathers instead.

To see some other suggestions, and to leave one of your own,

Summer Style: Sea Urchins Vase and Votive Holder

casasugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:30:33 -0700

For many of us, what comes to mind when we think of summery décor is beach themes — shells, nautical elements, fish — the kind of Summer style that's been done before a million times, and not well. But your home needn't be a souvenir of your last vacation to Pensacola; there are sea-life accents out there that didn't actually wash up on the shore. I just came across the Global Table Urchin Votives ($12-$22), and was really won over by their life-like shapes and delicate, white, bone china. Then, I remembered the Roost Glass Sea Urchin Vases ($8-$12). I think the two would go particularly well together; I'd love to see a small arrangement of them on a side table. I also don't think they need be reserved solely for your Summer interiors; they're discreet enough to leave around the whole year through.

Cool Idea: Petal-Filled Vase

casasugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:00:20 -0700

I'm not a flower snob. Pick a couple of wildflowers from alongside the Interstate and toss them in a Starbucks Frappuccino cup, and I'll be just as happy as if you'd charged a floral masterpiece to your Black card. But I do appreciate a little innovation when it comes to flower arrangements. And sometimes, it's not thinking outside the box that brings about innovation, but rather, inside the vase. The Kartell Pantagruel Vase by Phillipe Starck ($198) was re-imagined here, filled to the brim with pink hydrangea, highlighting its feminine curves. This new genre of bouquet can be achieved with any flowering plant, dried or fresh, and works best with a clear glass vase with a nice shape. Try it with grasses for a more masculine arrangement.
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