CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Best of 2007: Your Favorite Posts

casasugar — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:24:30 -0800

You fell in love with the schoolhouse that Luci and Lydia call home.
As far as trends go, you were crazy for cupcakes.
You were a fan of the better-than-average beanbag.
Stuart Haygarth's found chandelier sparked your imagination.
You responded enthusiastically to my post on the greenest building in the world.
You love, love, loved the kitty washroom.
You had a lot to say about whether you rented or owned.
You told me what was on your nightstand.
You emailed my story on Gwyneth's feminine Hampton digs to all of your friends.
You loved the Su Casa feature on this classy kitchen.

Your Favorite Recent Home Trend of 2007

casasugar — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:23:40 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, you chose stacked ball lamps as your favorite recent home trend this year. I certainly see where you're coming from on this one. Stacked ball lamps are elegant, sophisticated, and versatile. But this time, I have to part ways with you and name ikat as my favorite trend. If you've been following Casa, you know my love for ikat runs deep.
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Best of 2007: Su Casa

casasugar — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:32:40 -0800

This year, we started a group called Su Casa, where we asked all of you to share photos of your homes and stories of your decorating labors with the rest of us. We've had so many great, inspiring submissions that kicked us into decorating mode. It was hard to choose, but ever so often we would pick one home from Su Casa and share it on CasaSugar.

Here are my favorite Su Casa posts from this year:

Kayamate created a soft loft living space despite bold color choices.
Tmenotte made her bedroom blissful with a curtain headboard.
Lydia Daum turned a historical schoolhouse into a treasure-filled home.
Leah Hennen created a fabulous seventies living room vignette.
Telescopeeyes put together a playful modern guest room.

Your Most Coveted Indoor Home Upgrade

casasugar — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 10:20:51 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, by a landslide you chose a professional kitchen as your most coveted indoor home upgrade. I completely agree with you on this one. Although it's certainly not a necessity, and I feel a bit bratty for hoping to have one, a professional kitchen would certainly be nice to have. And, since I love to cook, I'd definitely use it. Plus, think of all the home entertaining you could do . . .

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Best of 2007: Cool Ideas

casasugar — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 05:19:10 -0800

This year I had some cool ideas, but designers all over the world had a ton more. My Cool Idea posts highlight the inspiring and stimulating ideas of others that I've come across around the web.

Here are my favorite Cool Idea posts from this year:

Wary Meyers flaming gradient radiator was a hot idea.
Edible Estates are giving the word "lawn" a whole new meaning.
The Ceramic Radiator Food Warmer warms your muffins and your morning caffeine fix.
Apartment Therapy's Vintage French Soap Hook leaves soap dishes in the dust.
Ünal & Böler Salkim's Book Hanger gives the bookshelf an air of lightness.

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Your Most Coveted Outdoor Home Upgrade

casasugar — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 10:14:24 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, you chose a swimming pool as your most coveted outdoor home upgrade. Garden, patio, and porch were all close behind swimming pool, and I'd have to choose garden as my most coveted outdoor home upgrade. This Spring I'll be putting in a bunch of raised garden boxes in the backyard, and I can't wait to show you how to do it yourself! Unfortunately, though, I don't think I'm quite as adept at planning or implementing a backyard swimming pool. My skill set is only so large!

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Best of 2007: Designer Spotlights

casasugar — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:12:31 -0800

This year, we introduced you to oodles of designers, including interior designers, furniture designers, ceramics designers, and industrial designers. Some were new to you, some not, and others you'd heard of but didn't know much about. In all cases, I was happy to learn more about their lives and experiences by researching them.

Here are my favorite Designer Spotlights from this year:

Karim Rashid has tried his hand and succeeded at designing products, interiors, fashion, furniture, lighting, and art.
Terence Conran is a one-man bastion of British design.
Angela Adams personifies retro-cool from hand-tufted rugs to geometric tableware.
Allegra Hicks' textiles, homewares, and interior design ooze Boho sophistication.
Eva Zeisel is 101 and still kickin' butt with her homeware and furniture designs.

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Best of 2007: Male Interior Designer

casasugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 13:00:51 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, you named Todd Oldham as your favorite male interior designer. I couldn't agree more. I love Todd's playful sense of interior design as well as his great book Handmade Modern. I'd let him redesign my digs any day of the week!

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Your Favorite Female Interior Designer

casasugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 07:15:33 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, you named Charlotte Moss as your favorite interior designer. I do love Charlotte's couture living design philosophy and her attention to detail, so I see where you're coming from. But, I have to say I think the whimsical touches and bold color choices of Sheila Bridges' interiors are more my speed.
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Best of 2007: Casa Quickies

casasugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 06:26:38 -0800

This year I gave you some speedy advice on household tips with my Casa Quickie posts. I covered everything from alternate uses for clothespins to obscure ways to clean wood floors. I'll continue to dig up good tips for keeping your home beautiful and organized in 2008, so keep reading. And if you have any good tips, send them my way, too!

Here are some of my favorite Casa Quickie posts this year:

Did you know that you can strain paint with pantyhose?
Has your power shower become a dismal dribble? Then try these tips for troubleshooting the problem.
Did you know you can make your own dryer sheets?
Spilled candle wax on your carpet? I tell you how to get it out.
Easy silver cleaning—with toothpaste!

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Your Favorite Alterna-Homes

casasugar — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 06:30:41 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, I asked you, if you could take a flight of fancy, what type of alterna-house would you like to shack up in for a while.

While treehouses won out, there was a nearly even four-way tie for second place between lighthouse, houseboat, renovated church, and renovated schoolhouse. I've actually lived in a renovated schoolhouse and a renovated church in the past, but I still have to tick those other choices off my list. Here's to fun housing possibilities in the new year!

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Best of 2007: Casa Verde

casasugar — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 05:30:26 -0800

It's no secret that green living and green home issues are near and dear to my heart. It seems as if they're near and dear to you as well, since your comments on green posts were quite passionate. We're all trying to make our worlds a little better however we can, for ourselves, our kids, and those we love, so green living just makes sense in my book. I highlighted green-living issues this year with my Casa Verde posts.

Take a look at some of my favorite posts from this past year.

You loved my brother's cheap and handbuilt green home.
You seemed to really like the idea of deconstructing a house.
My tips on greening your heating will come in handy this Winter.
I also alerted you to tax cuts for going green.
Solara showed that green living can also be affordable.

Best of 2007: Photographers to Watch

casasugar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:46:35 -0800

This year, we began a feature called Photographer to Watch, which introduced you to who we think are some of the best photographers on the block. Some of them you fell hard for, and others you didn't jump on. But in either case, you had a lot to say about their work and their subjects.

Here are some of my favorite Photographers to Watch from this year:

Margaret Mulligan has a way with light.
Tim Melideo remembers the forgotten, and the unswept.
Noah Webb has his finger on the interiors market.
Joe Schmelzer is a Renaissance man of the camera lens.
Aimee Herring knows a thing or two about natural light.

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Your Favorite Cleaning Product

casasugar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 07:02:38 -0800

By an overwhelming majority, you chose Method as your favorite household cleaning product. Mrs. Meyers came in as a distant second, and a surprising number of you also mix up your own cleaning products. At my house, I use a mix of products, including homemade, Method, Mrs. Meyers, and I'm also test driving the new Clorox green products. (I'll have a review of that last one to you soon!)

This Method butterfly was made from recycled Method products by 7-year-old Veronica Judson in North Carolina!
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Best of 2007: Cool Wallpaper

casasugar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 04:29:07 -0800

This year, October was Dress Your Walls month. So, we loaded you up with all sorts of posts on wall décor, great art online, artists to watch, tips on decorating your walls, and lots of cool wallpaper. CasaSugar was chock full of posts on cool wallpaper the rest of the year, too. I never thought choosing wallpaper was such a big decision until I started reading about all the great designs out there, and judging from your comments, I think you agree!

Here are some of my favorite cool wallpaper posts this year:

Jonas Samson's light-emitting wallpaper was a bright idea.
Shi Yuan's heat-sensitive wallpaper was added to my list of favorites from day one.
Things were looking up with wallpapered ceilings.
Paint-by-numbers wallpaper brought out the kid in me.
Ferm is the ultimate in cool wallpapers.

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Your Favorite Design Style

casasugar — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 10:20:24 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, you chose eclectic as your favorite design style this year, and midcentury modern came in as runner-up, two votes behind. I definitely agree with you on this one. I think an eclectic mix of decorating styles is always the best policy, maybe with some midcentury items thrown in the mix.
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Best of 2007: Artists of the Day

casasugar — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 07:54:41 -0800

This year we introduced our Artist of the Day posts. While these didn't actually run every day, we sure did rack up a lot of them! There's no way that I can include all of them in this best-of post, so please follow the link back to check out all of the posts. You might find a new favorite artist somewhere in the archives — I know I have.

Here are some of my favorite Artist of the Day posts this year:

Whitney Smith makes beautiful pottery evocative of the early twentieth century.
Forget boring, old stretched canvas — painter Yvette Molina prefers aluminum.
Karen Ondracek makes art out of tiny scraps of paper.
Yellena James's art is a beautiful hybrid of Dr. Seuss, Jill Bliss, and Barbarella.
Speaking of Jill Bliss, you loved her delicate, flora sketches and paintings.

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Your Favorite Style of Residential Architecture

casasugar — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:53:13 -0800

In our Best of 2007 polls, you chose Bungalow as your favorite style of residential architecture. I do love the cozy feel of bungalows, the large square columns, and of course, the affordability. But I have to part ways with you on this one and go with Creole style, which ironically was chosen by only 1 percent of you. There's something about the elaborate wrought iron details and requisite porches and balconies of New Orleans Creole houses that really makes my heart sing.
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Your Favorite Bedding Source

casasugar — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:53:55 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, I wanted to know where you went to feather your nest. Who, in your opinion, had the best sheets, quilts, and duvet covers for your comfy bed? Well, it was a close call, and you left a lot of other great sources in the comments section, but Anthropologie and Target were neck and neck for winning first place. I've found some great sheets at Target, too (a gorgeous patterned set by Issac Mizrahi there two years ago that I still adore.) Although Dwell at Home garnered only a few votes, I must admit that I am a huge fan of that brand as well, given their gorgeous prints and high-thread counts.

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Best of 2007: Get the Looks

casasugar — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 05:38:22 -0800

This year, I showed you how to get a laundry list of looks in your homes. Some were inspired by TV shows and films, and others by a destination or a specific style. You seemed to enjoy the Get the Looks, since you commented like crazy!

Here are some of my favorite Get the Look posts this year:

I showed you how to live like a true Sex and the City gal in Carrie's creative crib and Miranda's slick Upper West Side home.
You learned to live like Men in Trees in Marin's rumpled cabin.
I channeled Sofia Coppola with my modern Marie Antoinette maison.
I guided you to Holly Golightly's glam quarters.
I went kitschy camping indoors.
And last but not least, I took you on a voyage to Morocco.

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Your Favorite Online Boutique

casasugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:30:48 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, you chose Elsewares as your favorite online boutique. I have to agree that Elsewares has some lovely homewares, including this lumen, which I've kind of fallen in love with. One of my other fave online boutiques, Rose and Radish, has a physical store here in San Francisco, so if you get the chance to visit our, fair city by the bay, be sure to stop in and check it out!

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Best of 2007: Weird Furniture

casasugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 07:30:08 -0800

This year I often amazed (and more often disgusted) you with my weird-furniture posts. Whether it was a bench made of pencils or a chair made of a sheep's head, you always had something to say about it, and for that I say thanks! Reading your comments was at least as fun as seeking out all of those odd pieces of furniture.

Here are some of my favorite weird-furniture posts this year:

The sheep's head chair was one of those things that made you go ew(e).
Looking like something out of a horror movie, the meat chair gave us both the chills.
Luckily, the pencil bench made everything cute and pleasant again.
Are you friends with any bike messengers? Direct them to this cool bike-seat sofa.
The Shiva vase from Unica Home was, um, shall we say, a bit phallocentric?

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Your Alternative Home-Shopping Destination

casasugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:30:20 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, you chose a combination of Craigslist, flea markets, garage sales, open-air markets, import shops, travel locations, and eBay as your alternative home-shopping destination. While I do enjoy shopping at each of these places, I'm going to have to part ways with you on this one and choose Craigslist as my favorite place to shop. The reason for this is because an overwhelming amount (71 percent) of my furniture has been purchased from Craigslist. And, as my recent Adventures in Craiglisting posts prove, you're always guaranteed some thrills with your purchase!

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Best of 2007: DIY Projects

casasugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 07:45:27 -0800

This year I threw a lot of DIY projects at you. Some of these I found from some great outside sources, and others I made up myself. You seemed to dig the DIY, since these posts were some of the most emailed of the year!

Here are some of my favorite DIY posts this year:

I gave you direction on how to stitch up some cloth napkins with a binding edge.
You still have time to DIY a holiday gift of decoupage on glass.
You agreed that this mailing-tube wine rack was a winner.
A great way to take your home's art to a higher level of sophistication is with matting, which I showed you how to do yourself.
Readers directed us to the DIY Blueprint-inspired light projects they completed.
My easy snowflake chandeliers are perfect for the holidays or a wintertime party.

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Your Favorite Home Décor Chain Store

casasugar — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:00:52 -0800

In our Best of 2007 polls, you chose Ikea as your favorite home décor chain store this year. I definitely agree that Ikea's showrooms and design ideas are inspiring, and their prices can't be beat. I have to go with Anthropologie as my favorite home décor chain store, though. Aside from being conveniently located, Anthropologie's window and displays never cease to be breath-taking, their textiles are delightful, and their vast selection of home accents is always unique.

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Best of 2007: Bedding

casasugar — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:02:28 -0800

This year, I could not get out of bed. My own bed. Hotel beds. Department store beds. If I didn't love my very own bedding (phew!), I'd probably be in serious debt due to all the lovely bedding I saw this year. Whether you're a morning person or a night person, you also showed love for bedding by commenting on, voting on, and even buying bedding!

Here are some of my favorite bedding posts this year:

You and I loved the classy color combination of the Milo Duvet Set.
You agreed that this Delia's Early Bird Comforter Cover is super cute but decided to leave it for the teens.
Pretty! Love it! Cute! You were feelin' this Anis Duvet Set in more ways than one.
We ran in stitches to see the quilts at John Robshaw's online store debut.
I'm all for bedding, but I'm glad you hated this Elegant Mayhem Bedding Set as much as I did.
You said you'd totally buy Dwell bedding for your kids.

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Best of 2007: Chandeliers

casasugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:12:13 -0800

This year I was obsessed with all things that were bright and sparkly and hung from the ceiling — that's right, I couldn't get enough of chandeliers. Apparently you were copacetic to this love, since you commented on, asked questions about, and sent me suggestions for chandeliers, too!

Here are some of my favorite chandelier posts this year:

You agreed that Urban Outfitters' Teardrop Chandelier was a Steal of the Day.
You couldn't get enough of the Tide Chandelier by Stuart Haygarth, which is composed of man-made debris that washed up on a beach in England.
No matter how much I protested, you absolutely hated the nest chandelier.
I showed you how to upgrade a flea-market chandelier.
The Neo-Baroque Abigail Ahern chandelier sparked some mixed feelings from you, though most everyone thought it was lovely, even if it wasn't their style.

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What's Your Favorite Recent Home Trend?

casasugar — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 04:55:44 -0800

Every time I turn around there is a new trend in home décor. Some last (zebra rugs), and others fade fast (corals). To see how all these trends, whether long lasting or brief, have stacked up this year, I've put together a poll for You the Consumers. Let me know which of these trends is your fave. Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, and Source

What Is Your Most-Coveted Indoor Home Upgrade?

casasugar — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 08:00:24 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, we asked you what your most-coveted outdoor home upgrade was. Now, it's time to let us know how you'd most like to upgrade the inside of your home, assuming you could afford it. Source

What Is Your Most-Coveted Outdoor Home Upgrade?

casasugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:00:52 -0800

Whether you rent or own, have done a full renovation or none at all, there's got to be one thing you wish you could improve about your home. For the green thumbs, maybe a garden would be a nice upgrade. For the aquatic types, a swimming pool or hot tub. And the crafters, a work shed. As part of our Best of 2007 polls, chime in and tell us what your most-coveted outdoor home upgrade is this year. Source

Who's Your Favorite Male Interior Designer?

casasugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:14:25 -0800

Although few of us actually hire interior designers, their impact on all of our homes is undeniable. Their design style and choices permeate the shelter magazines we read and the home stores we shop at, so subtly that we don't even realize it. For our Best of 2007 polls, let us know which male interior designer has made a difference in your home.Source

Who Is Your Favorite Female Interior Designer?

casasugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 04:19:09 -0800

Although few of us actually hire interior designers, their impact on all of our homes is undeniable. Their design style and choices permeate the shelter magazines we read and the home stores we shop at, so subtly that we don't even realize it. For our Best of 2007 polls, let us know which female interior designer has made a difference in your home. Source

What Alterna-House Would You Want to Live In?

casasugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:45:39 -0800

We all love our homes. . . but sometimes they seem a little too boring. They're on firm ground, have four solid walls, and most likely are in a fairly normal town or neighborhood. But I'd like to know, as part of our Best of 2007 polls, if you could take a flight of fancy, what type of alterna-house would you like to shack up in for a while? Source

What's Your Favorite Household Cleaning Brand?

casasugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 03:30:38 -0800

I know that many of you are making the switch to green household cleaning products, and many of you are still transitioning and using a variety of products. Even though I know that you may use more than one brand, as part of our Best of 2007 polls, I want to know what brand you consider your favorite for cleaning house.Source

What's Your Favorite Design Style This Year?

casasugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:00:05 -0800

My preferred design style seems to change every few years, and sometimes I think even seasonally. That's clearly evidence that I'm being influenced by current trends and the home stores that I frequent, along with many other factors. As part of our Best of 2007 polls, I want to know what interior design style you fancy this year. Source

What's Your Favorite Style of Residential Architecture?

casasugar — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 05:04:38 -0800

I love the wrought iron balconies of New Orleans' Creole townhouses, the bright colors of Victorian "Painted Ladies," the cozy feel of bungalows, the open floor plans of mid-century modern homes, and the regal columns of Greek revival style. If it were up to me, my home would be a melting pot of many architectural styles. (Although that would probably look pretty kooky.) As part of our Best of 2007 polls, I want to know what type of house would you most like to live in. Source

What's Your Favorite Wall Decor?

casasugar — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 04:59:38 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, I want to know what's your favorite way to dress your walls. There are plenty of trends in wall décor these days, like sunburst mirrors and branches, and there are the old standbys like paintings and mirrors. I love it when people get creative and hang things that aren't traditionally found on a wall, like the old L.L. Bean boots in my grandfather's bar. What about you? Source

What's Your Favorite Place to Find Bedding?

casasugar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:00:50 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, I want to know where you go to feather your nest. Who has the best sheets, quilts, and duvet covers for your comfy bed? Source

What's Your Favorite Online Home Boutique?

casasugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 03:35:34 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, I want to know what online home boutique your credit card can't get enough of. Personally, I think chain stores and Craigslist are great places to get furniture, but boutiques are the best for unique knick knacks. Source

Where Else Do You Like to Shop for Home Items?

casasugar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:31:06 -0800

As part of our Best Of 2007 polls, I want to know what unusual, overlooked places you frequent to find great home furniture and accents. Source

Where Else Do You Like to Shop for Home Items?

Craigslist

Flea markets

Garage sales

Open air markets

Import shops

I like to find home items when I'm traveling

Ebay

A combination of all of these!

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

What's Your Favorite Home Décor Chain Store of 2007?

casasugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:00:44 -0800

I don't want to imply that I don't love boutique shops, but there's something reassuring about knowing that you can always get the basics at home-décor chain stores, wherever you are. It's kind of like eating at fast-food restaurants. Yes, you may always crave the croque monsieur at the French café on your corner, but a Double Whopper is a tried-and-true solution if you're far from home. So, for our Best of 2007 polls let me know which one is your favorite this year. Source

What Was Your Favorite Shelter Magazine in 2007?

casasugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:02:00 -0800

Lucky for me, as an editor I get subscriptions to all my favorite magazines, so I don't have to choose. But I want to know which home magazine this year you couldn't live (or decorate) without. Vote in this poll and we'll see which title comes out on top. Source