CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Casa Quickie: Add a Dash of Color

casasugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:15:42 -0800

One of the simplest ways to renew the look of any room in your maison is to add a dash of color. LivingEtc has a handful of quick tips that they say will "bring a room bang up to date," and give "an all white scheme" attitude:

Line curtain panels with "a hint of luxurious colored silk."
"Wrap chair legs in colored paper."
Offset "a group of monochrome ornaments with a colored one."
"Paint just part of a piece of furniture, leaving the rest white," and carry the color throughout the room by using it for lampshade trim or a cushion.
Paint a simple stripe in one corner to add depth to the room.
Line a cabinet with "brightly patterned fabric or wallpaper," and "use complementary accessories to pull the whole look together."

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Casa Quickie: Backsplash Alternatives

casasugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:45:00 -0800

If you're thinking about redecorating your kitchen, take a tip from designer Miles Redd, whose home was recently featured on Domino. Here, he extended the wallpaper to fit across the backsplash, which unifies the space while providing an unexpected visual quirkiness. You can find similar wallpaper to this from the wide-striped paper from the walls to the backsplash to unify the room. If you love this wallpaper, check out Sandberg, a Swedish textiles company, for similar designs.

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Casa Quickie: Abracadabra, Fully Furnished!

casasugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:00:23 -0800

Long before I started registering for gravy boats and Tiffany silverware, I lived in a studio that, let's just say, was a little light in the furnishings department: a couch, a table, one cloth napkin, one wine glass (highest return on investment!), and a Pyrex pan that doubled as mixing bowl. So, if you're looking in your cabinets thinking "How the heck can I feed 15 people with only six plates and six chairs?" then I empathize. But, when we get down to brass tacks, we all know that empathy won't save you from a paper-plate holiday dinner, and shopping isn't the answer in today's economy. So, my solution? Call on your friends and family who are leaving town for the weekend and hit them up for dinnerware, vases, table linens, spare chairs, etc. Then, come pick it up yourself and send a gift in return with a thoughtful thank-you note. You can bet your bottom dollar they won't be checking their serving dishes on the airplane, and they know you're good for it — I mean, really, who uses a gravy boat post Nov. 27?
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Casa Quickie: Use Water Glasses For Flower Arrangements

casasugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:15:00 -0800

Small arrangements such as this one look lovely in a pretty water glass. Just cut your flowers on a short stem to prevent toppling. This is especially pretty on a bedside table in a guest room, especially when, as in this picture, blooms are placed in Fleur-De-Lis Glassware ($44.90-59.90). It's the perfect way to welcome a Thanksgiving visitor. Source

Casa Quickie: Ditch the Book Jackets

casasugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:00:48 -0800

Do you spend too much time ensuring that all of your coffee-table books maintain perfect jackets? In a recent LA Times article, Trey Russell, owner of Laguna Beach gift boutique Aris tells you to ditch that thinking — and those jackets. Russell maintains that "Book jackets just get torn, anyway, you might as well get rid of them . . . It creates a more monochromatic, less chaotic look." Try it in your own casa, perhaps in a display similar to this one, from Russell's home.

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Casa Quickie: Scrub For Your Health

casasugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:00:17 -0700

Good news! For those of us who do all of the house cleaning without help from maids or cleaning services, we're saving more than money. We might also be extending our lifespans! According to an article in Prevention, by simply "vacuuming, mopping floors, or washing windows for a little more than an hour, the average person can burn about 285 calories, lowering risk of death by 30 percent, according to a study of 302 adults in their 70s and 80s." I like the sound of that. And now, I'm going to go get out the Dyson and do some vacuuming.

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Casa Quickie: Sayonara Stickies

casasugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:00:28 -0700

If you've got stubborn adhesive labels on any of your home purchases (bottles, plates, books, etc.) or gifts, there's a simple way to remove them that doesn't involve picking at them with sticky fingers. Just blast your hair dryer onto the label for a few seconds, and then use a basic craft blade to scrape it off. The heat from the dryer will loosen up the adhesive, making it a cinch to peel off the label. Ahh, if you'd only known . . .
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Casa Quickie: Nonslip Stairs

casasugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:00:50 -0700

Thinking back on all the scrapes and bruises I acquired simply from falling down my stairs as an overly energetic kid, I cringe a little. But there was no stopping me, especially on the days (most) when I was late to school. If only my parents had thought to install some sort of no-slip system, I mightn't have been so black and blue. Luckily, I've found the answer to these painful falls, thanks to Martha Stewart.

Want to know the secret? Then

Casa Quickie: Plant Carrots With Radishes

casasugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:30:46 -0700

One smart move I made when planting my Winter garden was to mix my radish seeds and my carrot seeds together. I used Easter egg radishes and Chanterey carrots for the garden, which are both known for their mild flavor. I also favored the Chanterey carrots because they are short, and thus suited for raised beds that might not have as much soil depth as some gardens.

But why did I mix the seeds together in the same row? What's the advantage, you ask? Well, radishes mature in only a month, which means that once you pull them, your carrots, which take at least twice as long to mature, will have more room to spread out and grow. Also, since the soil has been loosened, the carrots will have an easier time growing. Just make sure to pull out your radishes gently; you don't want to pull out your baby carrots before their time!

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Casa Quickie: Don't Throw Out Those Flowers!

casasugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:30:08 -0700

Last weekend, I received a beautiful mixed bouquet of flowers from a dinner party guest. The flowers lasted for almost a week, and as I was getting ready to compost them last night, I realized that not all of the flowers were drooping or dead. In fact, there were enough left in the bouquet to make a second, smaller arrangement.

Before I pulled the flower bouquet out of its large vase, I carefully clipped the few still-fresh flowers at an angle on the stem, and then deposited them in a smaller vase. I mixed the water in the new vase with a bit of sugar and citric acid (you can use lemon juice), which will help to keep them looking fresh even longer. This way, you can stretch any flower arrangement, even a grocery bouquet, to greater lengths of time inside your house.

How-To: Make Quick and Easy Apple Votives

casasugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:00:49 -0700

One of my favorite Fall traditions growing up was picking apples on Columbus Day weekend. After piling into the car, my cousins and I would head up to an orchard nearby and pick more bushels of the fruit than we knew what to do with. Of course, apple pies were the obvious choice, but sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. So, we had to get creative with our bushels.

One simple way we'd use up our inventory was by transforming the apples into votive holders. Just trace the circumference of a votive onto an apple, and cut out the shape with a utility knife to the votive's height. You can actually buy a little gadget called a Candle Carver ($11.99) to simplify the process, if you want. I love the way these votives bring a seasonal warmth to the house. If you like, you can even float them in a galvanized bucket of water as shown here. Pretty cute, huh?
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Casa Quickie: A Housewarming Bucket

casasugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:00:12 -0700

Moving into a new house is stressful. You're finally cured of the headache of packing, and then it occurs to you that you still have to unpack! Then, something inevitably goes wrong. The faucet only gives off hot water, the movers break something, etc. Then, you think you're all set and ready to settle in and you realize you're out of t.p. Ugh! So, as much as a warm apple pie or a batch of your specialty cookies will taste delightful to your new neighbors or a friend who's just moved, a more useful (and migraine-relieving) housewarming gift is a bucket of the essentials she'll need to get settled. Think about the things that were most helpful to you when you moved. Then, pick up a handsome galvanized bucket, or even a colorful scrub bucket, and then comb the aisles of at the hardware store for those items, as well as any tools and practical items they might need. If you happen to throw a cold Corona or a black-and-white cookie in there while you're at it, I don't think you'll face any opposition.
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Casa Quickie: Sock It to 'Em

casasugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:30:34 -0700

Want a quick, free tip for staying warm in your home? Put on socks. I know, it sounds ridiculously simple, but by keeping your feet warm, you'll help to warm up your entire body. Layering clothing, such as by wearing a wool sweater over your t-shirt, will also help you to keep your body temperature up, and your thermostat down — a great way to save money on home heating oil this Fall and Winter.

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Casa Quickie: Easy Autumn Display

casasugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

To get the look of Fall on your coffee table, dining room table, or fireplace mantel, try this tip from Real Simple. Simply clip some pretty turning leaves from trees in your yard. The leaves should have a bit of stiffness to them, so they can stand up on their own. Next find a pretty container, such as a galvanized-steel ice bucket (as shown here), or a ceramic bowl or urn, and arrange the leaves as you would a floral bouquet. Easy peasy! Source

Casa Quickie: Neatly Nailed

casasugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:00:59 -0700

Hammering a nail isn't exactly the most difficult home upkeep task, and I'm sure you can do so in your sleep. But can you hammer neatly? If you adhere a couple of pieces of tape to your wall, before you begin banging away, you will prevent any marks or cracks in the drywall or paint when you're hammering. Once the nail is set in place, you can just peel the adhesive, and it will tear off around the nail, leaving your wall as clean as whistle. How about that for home schooling?
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Casa Quickie: Coffee Grinder Two-in-One Tip

casasugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:00:32 -0700

If your coffee grinder is coated with coffee bean residue, or if it's suffering from dull blades, there's an easy solution. Grind up a cup of uncooked white rice in your coffee grinder. Not only will it clean the grinder, it will also sharpen its blades.

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Casa Quickie: A Rust-Free Toolbox

casasugar — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:30:35 -0700

During Home Schooling month, I've introduced you to plenty of useful tools for fixing and installing things around the house. If you stepped to it and filled up your toolbox, now you should be responsible for keeping it in good shape. According to Martha Stewart, keeping charcoal briquettes, which you can find right in your Weber, in your toolbox will prevent your tools from rusting, as the briquettes absorb dampness. You should keep a few in a small fabric bag though, since they tend to leave dust in their footprints. Clever, huh?
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Casa Quickie: Keep a Straightedge Handy

casasugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:00:51 -0700

One of the tools that I recommend stocking your toolbox with is a utility blade. You can also get a safety knife for it, but I think most adults with reasonably decent fine-motor skills can handle a blade by itself. It has so many uses, including quickly and accurately cutting down cardboard boxes, like this one. You can also keep one close to your recycling box to help you flatten boxes each week.

Casa Quickie: Taper Treatment

casasugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:00:41 -0700

I think most would agree that Martha Stewart seems a little OCD about organization . . . if there's anyone who can make a home a picture of perfection, it's her. Personally, I like to have a little mess in my digs: it calms me. But, where guests are concerned, I look to Martha as a guide. My mother has always had an elegant dining room with a sideboard that neatly stores her fine silverware, table linens, tapers, and matches — the perfect arrangement for entertaining. But, it has always vexed me that her candles get scratched up as they roll around in her drawers. I know, it's irrational to be irritated by such a trivial matter.
Again, Martha saves the day. To keep your tapers in tip-top form, she suggests wrapping them in tissue paper and slipping them into a recycled paper towel roll. Genius!

Casa Quickie: Easier Egg Cleanup

casasugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:00:16 -0700

I like eggs. I like scrambled eggs and fried eggs and poached eggs and hard-boiled eggs and deviled eggs. Omelettes and French toast are friends of mine. I'll eat eggs in any style. I like them, Sam-I-am! But, I do not like dried eggs on dishes! Peeling dried eggs off of my spatula is an unpleasant Saturday morning routine. Fortunately, I learned to save myself a little headache by washing my dishes used for cooking and eating eggs (whatever style egg it may be!) with cold water. Hot water, I now realize, just cooks dried egg (and milk) further onto dishes and cooking utensils. Cold water still requires a little elbow grease, but that's nothing my guns can't handle.

Casa Quickie: Speed Ironing

casasugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:00:02 -0700

Of all the household chores on my plate, I've always had a strange affection for ironing. I could iron for hours on end with the nightly news going in front of me, kicking every crease and fold to the curb, with no complaints. But, I don't like to iron when I'm in a rush, because I'll undoubtedly burn something (myself included), and I don't get a chance to fully execute my ironing perfection. I was recently delighted by a trick for cutting my ironing time in half, though, allowing me a few extra minutes at obsessive-compulsive wrinkle elimination. By wrapping your ironing board in aluminum foil, the heat of the iron will be reflected onto the underside of your garment, so as you iron the fibers on both sides of your garment will be warmed. It's kind of an obvious one, but I'd never thought of it before. Good, huh?
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Casa Quickie: Shine Like the Top of the Chrysler Building

casasugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:00:07 -0700

In the classic musical Annie there's a great line imitating Miss Hannigan during the "Hard-Knock Life" number that I always think of when I'm mopping the house:"You'll stay up until this floor shines like the top of the Chrysler Building." The image of how that landmark sparkles in the skyline is actually a great motivator for me. But, sadly, the plot, which involves the hard labor of orphans, isn't the nicest thing. But, it turns out that there is a trick to making your floors sparkle just so, and it has nothing to do with child labor or actually mopping.

To find out the trick,

Casa Quickie: Lawnmower Cleanup

casasugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:00:36 -0700

Depending on where you live, if you haven't been excessively watering your yard like Lance Armstrong, you may not need to mow your lawn come Fall. But if you've gone though a muggy, rainy Summer in the Midwest, I'm sure your lawn is in need of a trim. After your last mowing of the season, you should clean out your lawnmower of its flammable fuel, and send it into hibernation for the Winter. To do so, find a block or brick. Prop your mower over on its side against the block, but don't turn it completely over. Drain any gas that remains into an approved portable fuel tank, and bring it to an oil-change location to be properly disposed. Then, rinse off the underside of the mower with a hose, and let it dry. Then, store it for the season and get your rake handy!
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Casa Quickie: Prolong the Life of Your Broom

casasugar — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:30:43 -0700

It's not only your beauty regimen that should incorporate an antiaging system. You should also keep your household supplies looking good until they're on their very last legs. Brooms, especially natural fiber brooms, are really built to last, unless you're careless with them. For one, you should avoid getting your broom wet at all costs, which will damage the broom and shorten its life span. So make sure you do all your sweeping before you bring out your mop, and store your broom in a dry place, away from your kitchen or bathroom. When it does come time to wash your broom, dry it thoroughly upside down or hanging above ground on a hook to prevent the bristles from bending or being damaged otherwise. And no, sweeping only once a month is not an acceptable way to prolong the life of your broom!
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Casa Quickie: White Picket Fence Planter

casasugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:30:18 -0700

Yet again, Martha Stewart wins me over with an ingenious and simple craft project! By gluing wooden plant markers to a wooden planter box, and painting it white, you can create your very own indoor white picket fenced garden. Here, herbs are grown, but you can certainly choose any plant you like. I like the idea of growing grass, such as wheat grass, to replicate the look of a suburban front yard. Throw down a miniature newspaper and a kid's bicycle to create a Truman Show-esque diorama.
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Casa Quickie: Organic Bug Repellent

casasugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:00:51 -0700

As much as a I hate to have bugs in my personal space, I'm also repelled by having chemicals on my skin. I prefer to be free of those artificial substances whenever possible. When it comes to keeping bugs away, I live by the same rules. One simple way to make chemical-free bug repellent is to mix witch hazel with a few drops of tea tree, lavender, or peppermint oil in a spray bottle. Just shake the bottle before each use and lightly mist your skin, and you'll be free and clear of that bothersome buzzing. Voilà!

Casa Quickie: Keeping Bees Away From Your Pool

casasugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:00:02 -0700

It's hard to enjoy your endless Summer if bee stings come hand in hand with taking a dip in your pool. But bees have many uses for water, including drinking and using as material to build hives. So, unless there's another source of water nearby, you can bet your bottom dollar that they'll be making a poolside visit. According to the USDA, bees will forage any open water source, so the only way to detract them is by making the water unpalatable. You can do so by filling a spray bottle with a mix of 1/4 cup of dish soap or vinegar and a quart of water, and spraying bees that are at your pool. This will eliminate bees as they forage on water, and prevent others in the colony from learning about your pool's location.
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Casa Quickie: A Softening Rain Chain

casasugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:00:35 -0700

Danny Seo recently shared a wonderful tip on his blog to keep water from rushing out of your gutters too quickly, and I had to share. "Just connect a chain to the downspout of your gutters and let the rain slowly and gently trickle all the way down the chain," he says. The softening rain chain creates a beautiful sound when the rain dances down the chain, adding a sweet musical element to your home. Much nicer than the harsh pounding of gutter water hitting the ground. If you've got plants to water though, you may want to just set a barrel beneath the downspout of your gutter to collect rain for watering.
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Casa Quickie: Citrus Scent For Summer

casasugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:00:26 -0700

If your home is smelling a little pungent thanks to good old-fashioned Summer sweat or maybe the fish and chips you fried up for dinner, you can make a natural air freshener to kick those odors to the curb. During your endless Summer, citrus is the key to keeping things smelling sweet. Peel off the rinds of lemons, oranges, grapefruits, or what have you and simmer them in a large pot. Toss in some cloves and star anise and let it be. Soon, the interior of your home will smell as fresh as your backyard lemon tree!
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Casa Quickie: Decorate With Apples

casasugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Having a vibrant home is crucial to an endless Summer. For some, that may translate to kids running through the house wet from a sprinkler, and others, a fresh coat of paint and some perky new throw pillows. But, I try not to always advocate consumerism because it really shouldn't be necessary to buy, buy, buy with each new season. One simple way to introduce color into your home is with apples! The pomaceous fruit stays fresh looking for about four weeks. So, arranging a few in a bowl, on a plate, or even on your fireplace mantel, will instantly but not transiently add an accent color to your home. A bag of Granny Smith apples, or Red Delicious, goes for about $1.99, so it's not a huge investment. In addition to color, there's also an organic factor to them that is a nice way to combat the spareness of industrial-looking, modern homes. Of course, you can decorate with other colorful fruits, too, like lemons, but they don't tend to stay in shape for as long.
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Casa Quickie: Bring Summer to Your Fireplace

casasugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0700

You can't have an endless Summer if your house looks like it's ready for a blizzard; you and your home should live and breathe the warm season until the leaves turn. So, if you've got a fireplace in your home, get to work and clean it! Store your fireplace tools and logs out of sight until next season. While it's still bikini weather outside, keep the chimney, flue, and logs off your mind, and opt for vibrant color and greenery instead. Create a summery arrangement of vases, plants, or candles (or all three) in your fireplace and on your mantel. Think of your fireplace like a shelving unit; stack your beach reads there, display your favorite knick-knacks, or lean artwork against the mantel.
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Casa Quickie: Big Frames For Diminutive Art

casasugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0700

If you're still saving your pennies for some large art pieces, but you want to make a dramatic splash in your home right now, consider placing a smaller photo or painting (or, as in this case, a silhouette) in a larger frame. You can find wooden frames at flea markets or yard sales, and a coat of paint will transform a dated frame into a piece that pops on your wall. And given the intentional use of small art/big frame, you don't have to worry about matting or glass. Nice, huh?
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Casa Quickie: Cool Summer Sleeping

casasugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:00:37 -0700

Finding it hard to sleep on these hot August nights? To keep cool in a house without air conditioning, try this trick. Pop your pillow in a plastic bag, then stick it in your freezer. (A chest freezer offers the most room, and keeps your pillow from getting squished.) Then right before you go to bed, pull it out. You'll have a cool night of Summer sleep. Source

Casa Quickie: Quick Cool Down

casasugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:00:49 -0700

Hot and bothered in this seemingly endless summer? One way to minimize your cooling bill is to cool yourself down instead of your entire home. For a quick and easy cool down, try this trick. Apply cold washcloths filled with ice to your pressure points — ankles, wrists, and temples. By applying cold temps to these areas, it will help to cool your whole body down quickly. It's also absolutely refreshing! Source

Casa Quickie: Removing Wheat Paste

casasugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:00:03 -0700

Once you've hung wallpaper like a pro, there may come a time when you think it's time to say sayonara to the paper you'd chosen. If your wallpaper pulls off in full sheets, like Graham & Brown Paste the Wall, it'll make the removal process a lot easier. But, either way, you'll still have to deal with washing off the wheat paste you used to hang it. It's fairly simple though, so there's no need for intimidation! All you have to do is give your wall a good soaking of water with a spray bottle, and let it soak in for a few minutes. Then, scrap off the paste with a tool with about a 4-inch blade, like a trowel or a putty knife. Sponge off what's left with soapy water.
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Casa Quickie: Cleaning Votive Holders

casasugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:00:27 -0700

One of the most effortless ways to bring Summer style to your home is to set basic votives at your outdoor dining table or around any outdoor space. But melted wax gets messy, and trying to scrape your candle from your votive holder is never a fun task. So I was delighted to learn a helpful trick from Martha Stewart for cleaning votive holders. Just put your votive holder into the freezer for a couple hours, and then the votive will shrink and pop right out. No mess. No fuss.

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Casa Quickie: Flower Votive Display

casasugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:00:39 -0700

I love this idea from Martha Stewart for making a floral display out of your votives. Rather than simply using your votives as lighting, you can use them as tabletop decorations by tying the stem of your favorite flower to each votive with a bit of raffia, some ribbon, or even a rubber band.
By placing the votive holder on top of a small, water-filled saucer, you'll keep the flowers fresh as long your party lasts. If you're having a dinner party, you can take this tabletop décor idea a step further by using a fabric marker to write the name of each guest onto the ribbon you use to tie each flower, using each votive holder as a place card as well. Or, if you use a thick rubber band, you can simply write each name with ballpoint pen. Talk about Summer style.

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Casa Quickie: Dress For the Drive-By

casasugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:30:18 -0700

Selling your house? I'm sure you know all about staging your interiors, or decorating them to sell. But had you considered what impression you're making on the exterior? Many people on the house hunt do drive-bys of houses on the market before they set up an appointment to view them, because online real estate listings can be misleading. Plenty of house-hunters cruise through prospective neighborhoods to scout out "for-sale" signs, too. So, you should do whatever you can to make your house stand out. Paint your front door a bright (but beautiful) color. Plant window boxes filled with colorful flowers. Keep your grass freshly cut. Get new house numbers and make sure they're legible from the road. Give your shutters a power-wash, or a fresh coat of paint. Make sure your interior curtains are hung symmetrically. Don't let your newspapers pile up in the driveway. Consider the small details: they can make an expensive difference.
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Casa Quickie: Slim Down

casasugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:00:09 -0700

If you live in a studio or are just low on space, after you toss any junk you don't need, you should consider slimming down on everything from furnishings to accessories to storage units. With so many great movies to see, for many of us, collecting DVDs is a hobby that leaves a growing footprint our homes. But that doesn't mean you should say goodbye to your favorite stars. Instead, just opt for slimmer DVD cases.DiscSox ($26.95 for 25) will do the trick, easily storing over 65 DVDs in 12 inches. Each sleeve holds all of the original DVD contents (2 DVDs, DVD graphics, and wrap), and its three layers of integrated fabric will protect your DVDs. Do you collect music instead? DiscSox can store movies, music, games, data, and photos. What other items in your home might require some slimming down? Bonus points for anyone who comes up with a unique way to repurpose those old DVD cases!

Casa Quickie: One, Two, Buckle My . . . .

casasugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:45:50 -0700

I love this idea for repurposing old belt buckles that I found over at Martha Stewart. Take thrifted belt buckles and use them as miniature photo frames, or even better, stick a magnet on the back and display them on a refrigerator or other magnetic surface. Antique stores, flea markets, or thrifting adventures should yield plenty of great possibilities for frames. Try to stick to similar shapes and color palettes to really make the collection gel. Need step-by-step directions? You can learn how to make this craft yourself here.

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Casa Quickie: Freeze 'Em

casasugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:00:23 -0700

When you're painting your interiors, and the task takes more than one day, it's a pain in the butt to have to wash all of your brushes and supplies whenever you take a break. So instead of washing all of the paint off my brushes, I just pop them in the freezer in a plastic bag and defrost them when I need to get back to my paintstaking project. If you've got room to spare in your freezer, you might as well keep your brushes frozen even after your project is done. That way, if you ever need to do touchups, your brush will be ice cold and ready to go!

Casa Quickie: Less Is More

casasugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:00:03 -0700

If you're trying to create some easy, Summer style forgo the fussy arrangements and try slipping a single bloom into a small vase. I love the dramatic effect of this less-is-more strategy. It's especially lovely in this picture, achieved with the simple use of a small jar and a feather-like fern frond.

Photo Courtesy Abby Powell Thompson

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.
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Casa Quickie: Decorate with Beach Towels

casasugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:45:53 -0700

If your bank account is suffering, your Summer Style needn't suffer too. One cheap way to decorate your home this month is with beach towels. A Domino reader did so in her '70s Venice, CA home, and you'd never guess that it cost her under $20 for the project. She bought two bold striped beach towels from Target for under $10, and wrapped an ugly cushion of an $8 yard sale bamboo chair with one, and staple-gunned the other to a blank 5' x 2' stretched canvas. The towels are not the same, but their orange color schemes and wide stripes tie them together. Using one vertically and the other horizontally brings an interesting visual element to the room, and the retro colors go nicely with her wood-paneled walls.
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Casa Quickie: Let's Take This Outside

casasugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Attractive outdoor furniture is often expensive, and affordable outdoor furniture is tacky more often than not. But, if you're a country dweller with a beautiful backyard, you shouldn't let it sit unused this Summer. Considering bringing your indoor furniture outdoors when you're entertaining. Obviously, you don't want to lug your heavy dining table outdoors whenever you want to eat, so pick up a Folding Melamine Banquet Table ($42) from Staples and a Summery table cloth that you love. Then, have each of your guests bring their dining chair outdoors from your dining room. Instant chic dinner party!
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Casa Quickie: Patchwork Rugs

casasugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:45:33 -0700

I showed you once how to make a low-budget rug from two small accent rugs, if you're penny-pinching. But, you can also mix rugs with the same pattern in different sizes to create a unique visual focal point (which may or may not be inexpensive) with a patchwork look. Try combining a couple of runners with a pair of 3-x-5-foot accent rugs. Stick with rugs that don't have a border all the way around (i.e. not Persian rugs). Make sure to use rug pads, otherwise the arrangement will move around and look messy. If you have an existing carpet that you're not quite a fan of, this is a great way to draw attention away from what lies beneath. Try Ikea for some inexpensive options.
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Casa Quickie: Recycling Paint Cans

casasugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:00:08 -0700

If you've recently painted your house, or have plans to, don't throw those paint cans in the trash. Despite the drips and drabs of paint that may be left on the cans, they can still be recycled. According to Benjamin Moore:

Always check your local recycling regulations, but in general, once they are dried out, they are safe to recycle in your regular recycling.

Eco-stylist extraordinaire Danny Seo recently painted his house and was left with "who-knows how-much paint from Benjamin Moore's Aura Exterior line," so he did some research to find out the regulations. This is great news!
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Casa Quickie: Improve Your Timing

casasugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:15:38 -0700

Is your house too hot? Maybe you need to improve your timing. Adjust the hours you spend in certain rooms according to how much sunlight is streaming through the windows. At our house, it's sometimes unbearably hot in the afternoon and early evening in our living room, so instead of fighting it, we migrate to the office, bedroom, or backyard. By avoiding the worst hours in your hottest rooms, you can keep cool without spending a penny. That's a win-win, don't you think? Source

Casa Quickie: Eco-Color Theory

casasugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:00:09 -0700

Ever remember burning your bare feet on a black top in the Summer as a kid? The black color of the paved surface absorbs the light particles that it hits, exciting the pavement's particles, making the black surface warmer because its particles are moving faster. Contrarily, white surfaces reflect light, so they are cooler. So for those of you living in a warm climate, think about painting your home light colors, which will absorb less light, meaning less need for turning on that a/c. And, those of you living in a cold climate should think about painting your home darker colors, which will absorb the light, meaning less need for turning on your heater! Maybe Orlando Bloom should consider repainting his black house, and I should alter my poll to read "Chicken or the Egg or the Climate"?
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Casa Quickie: Leftovers

casasugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:00:53 -0700

Hand-me-downs. Cold pizza for lunch. Last night's lasagna for breakfast. Defrosted wedding cake on your one-year anniversary. What's not to love about leftovers? And, as much as they can satisfy cravings, they will also satisfy plants! If you have houseplants, whenever possible give them a good pour of water that is left over from drinking and cooking. Obviously, you don't want to over water your plants (black thumb!); so, if it's not yet time to use that leftover water, why not store it in a jar rather than pour it down the drain? Repurposing and conserving water is certainly eco. And even better — the nutrients left over from boiling or steaming veggies will provide an added vitamin boost to your plants. What's not to love?
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