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DIY: Shutter Earrings Display

casasugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:15:59 -0700

If you liked my transformation of a shutter, then check out this DIY, where I show you how to make an earrings display out of some low-cost materials. This is a fun and fast DIY that will instantly transform an earring collection.

What You'll Need

One shutter (check out an architectural salvage store or a junkyard for cheap shutters)
Wallpaper samples, or heavy paper
Mod Podge or wallpaper paste
Scissors or a razor blade
Paintbrush
Flat edge tool, such as a credit card
Three screws: two short screws for the back of your shutter, and one longer screw for the wall
Screwdriver or power drill
Picture hanging wire

To hear the steps,

Before and After: A Humble Shutter Gets Its Due

casasugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:15:01 -0700

I found these cool, untreated, wood shutters at Urban Ore, an architectural salvage yard in Berkeley. While I didn't exactly know what I was going to do with them, I knew that I'd think of something, so I dragged a few of them home.

Curious as to what I came up with? Then

DIY: Make Your Own Wall Stickers

casasugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:00:21 -0700

Yesterday, I showed you a before and after of Pinupsweetheart's cool bedroom. If you were as wowed by the results as I was (seen here), then I have good news for you. Pinupsweetheart told us the short version of how to make this project, and now I've got the skinny on showing you the step-by-step process.

Here's What You'll Need

ConTact paper (a brand of low-tack, self-adhesive vinyl, commonly used by grandmas as "shelf liners," has a very matte finish)
Tape (preferably easily visible and low-stick, like painter's tape or masking tape)
Writing utensil (marker or pencil)
Scissors
Large sized scrap paper (like used newspapers or newsprint)
Plastic card, such as a library card
Idea for your design

To find out how to make your own wall stickers,

Cool Idea: Mounting Mismatched China

casasugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0700

Flea markets and thrift stores can be a treasure trove of mismatched china, which could lead to trouble depending on your level of impulse control. One too many "Oh, this little dish is too cute to pass up!" and next thing you know, you've got boxes of quirky plates without coordinating mates.

That's why I was mesmerized by this wall I snapped at a Northern California diner. The quirky patterns look so serene, mounted on the seafoam-green wall. What do you think of this idea? I loved it so much I never wanted to leave. The diner did something similar with mismatched mugs on a shelf. Curious about this curiosity? Then

Cool Idea: Hammock Hang-Up

casasugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:30:42 -0700

A recent New York Times article, "A Spare Stage for the Spectacle of Life," took readers into the Long Island home of artist Karin Waisman and architect Carlos Brillembourg, which is quite narrow yet still full of light and space for the couple and their daughter, Antonia. While I would certainly call the property a Coveted Crib, it's not the house itself that grabbed me.Perusing an interactive photo blueprint for the home, I noticed that the couple had used five hammocks as wall décor in their dining room. The space is notably minimal (white walls and chairs, oak floors and table), so evenly spaced on the wall and picking up the colors of a tray of veggies on the table, the hammocks are quite visually arresting. They're fitting, too; Brillembourg hails from Venezuela and Waisman from Argentina, and hammocks are ubiquitous in South America. I've been attracted to the colorful multi-stripe textiles used in traditional hammocks, so using them purely for decorative purposes was a successful move. Of course, if they'd like to step outdoors and enjoy the Southampton Summer weather, the family of three can each grab one, and still have two for the road . . .

Casa Quickie: Kids' Art on the Wall, Not the Fridge

casasugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:00:10 -0700

In Amsterdam, a Dutch couple based its décor on a range of noncolors, using blacks and whites, asphalt, variations of gray, earth tones, and light — skillfully (and daringly) playing with blends and mismatches. In the playroom, they used the dark colors but made a bold move by wallpapering with their children's drawings. Rather than letting their children run loose with fabric markers on a muslin sofa, they made large-format, black-and-white photocopies of their children's artwork and adhered them to the wall in a repeat, much like traditional wallpaper. This technique gives the children a sense of involvement in their home, without sacrificing taste. You may not have kids of your own, and maybe you find the drawings a bit unpolished. But, you can still use this technique of wallpapering photocopies with illustrations or imagery that's more refined. Just make sure there's a theme that runs through each image uniting them, such as the color scheme here.
Source

Would You Paint Your Walls Black?

casasugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:00:19 -0700

Even though I think the results in the home pictured here are stunning, I'm still hesitant to put something this dark on my walls. What about you? Source

Would You Paint Your Walls Black?

Definitely. Black walls are dramatic and beautiful.

Maybe. I like the look, but I hate to think about having to repaint.

No way. I'm a light-walls-only type of gal.

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

DIY: Botanical Prints

casasugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 05:15:57 -0700

I found this great DIY on Design Happens, and it fit so well into this month's theme and Earth Day that I had to share.

Here's What You Need

Plant cuttings from your yard or a nearby park (remember to only take one from each plant)
Clear acrylic finish
Plexiglas frames to match number of cutting you want to frame
Matting to match number of frames
Watercolor paper
Hot-glue gun

To find out how to put these botanical prints together,

Love It or Hate It? Keep Calm Poster

casasugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:15:05 -0700

The Keep Calm and Carry On Poster ($35), which was originally posted around Britain during World War II, has been making its rounds in the blog world for months now. It is available in nearly every color imaginable, and its message has even made its way to key chains and doll apparel! Although it first yielded a subtle power over me, it now seems as if I've seen this poster on every blogosphere house tour. Do you still love it?

Love It or Hate It? Keep Calm Poster

Love It

Hate It

Undecided

Get the Look: A Cashmere Mafia Bedroom, the Art

casasugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 06:00:47 -0700

The last element of this Get the Look is the wall décor. Production Designer Stephen Hendrickson whose dark brown graphic wall art, which resonates with the lines of modern furniture and brings the earthy tones of the room together. I've rounded up some similar items to help you get the look of Zoe and Eric's bedroom in your own home. Stay tuned for more Get the Looks to help you achieve the interiors of your favorite shows in your own interiors. Enjoy!

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