CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Crave Worthy: French Blow-Up Poster

casasugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:30:02 -0700

OK, I may have had an irrational love for the 1966 Michelangelo Antonioni film Blow-Up (starring Vanessa Redgrave, Sarah Miles, and David Hemmings) since I was in the womb, but I am not alone in my love for the mod Brit film's killer poster. It often tops lists of the world's greatest and most iconic posters (see here and here), written by cinephiles and design fiends alike, and for good reason. The original 1966 Italian design is the one most fawned over, but there are actually several variations, almost all featuring a sexy model and her photographer. I for one have a soft spot for the French poster, designed by Georges Kerfyser, which is a variation of the original by its Southeastern neighbor. The design is confrontational, racy, and mod in a kitschy magenta and blue color scheme; what could be better? Those adjectives sound so tawdry, but I'd honestly kill to hang the eye-catcher in my house: if only it didn't sell for 450 smackers. If you haven't seen the film, Netflix it, and maybe then you'll begin to understand where I'm coming from.

Crave Worthy: Peacock Chair

casasugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:00:22 -0700

If you're feeling regal, take a seat in this Peacock Chair ($1,699). Made with an alder frame and available in luscious colors like ruby, chocolate, and sage (shown here), it will dress up any room. To keep it from looking too fussy, pair it with unexpectedly modern accessories, such as sleek white sofas and ottomans or wooden pieces lacquered in bright, poppy colors.

Crave Worthy: BDDW Captain's Mirror

casasugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:00:46 -0700

Starburst mirrors, ornate, Rococo mirrors, mother of pearl inlaid mirrors, Venetian mirrors. I'm kind of over them all. I liked the whole Dorothy Draper/Kelly Wearstler Hollywood Regency thing for a while, but now I thinking if I'm going to drop a small fortune on a mirror, I want it to be timelessly stylish, not trendy. I suppose I could say that about a lot of furnishings, but who am I kidding? Each year I fall hard for plenty of trends. That's not the case with the BDDW Captain's Mirror ($1600, $1199 on sale), though. I ache for its uncomplicated round shape, distressed leather frame, and how it hangs with perfect posture from a cast bronze puck. But, it's not a bit ephemeral, it hasn't a stitch of trend appeal. That's what I'm talking about.

Crave Worthy: Martha Stewart Gate Rug

casasugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:30:53 -0700

I’ve shown you plenty of crave-worthy rugs in the past with bold patterns and colors that really command attention in a room — rugs that really wow you. But there’s something to be said for understated luxury. For example, the simple lattice design of the Martha Stewart Gate Rug ($359-$4,099) is distinguished and subtly beautiful, with a single color (salmon, blue maize, curry, or mist) and an uncomplicated repeating pattern. Its hand-knotted wool and silk material gives it a luxurious, glamorous sheen that’s hard not to love. This is the type of rug that elevates your handsome furniture pieces to heights of sophistication . . . and who can argue with that?

Crave Worthy: Lum A Little Bubbly Anyone? Lamp

casasugar — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:00:36 -0700

OK, OK. My attention to monochrome design may have gotten a little out of hand lately, but I promise you it will eventually fade. And, even if you don't subscribe to monochrome living, you should still appreciate the beauty of a black and white lamp like the Lum A Little Bubbly Anyone? Lamp ($1,700). The vintage ceramic lamps have little bubbles with matching finials that remind me of candy buttons; who can argue with that? They also seem really adaptable. You can use them in a stiff, sophisticated interior, perhaps set on matching nightstands. Or, you can play them up a bit in a room full of circles. What do you think?

Crave Worthy: Cherner Armchair

casasugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:00:31 -0700

Designed in 1958 by Norman Cherner, the Cherner Armchair ($949) has a dramatic and elegant sloping shape, achieved by molding plywood, that sweeps me off my feet, literally and figuratively. Made of solid beech, it's built to last. This particular chair is a reproduction of the 1958 design, manufactured to the exact original specs by Cherner Chair, a company run by Norman Cherner's sons. Some of you purists might demand the 1958 original, if you're to shell out nearly a grand on a chair, but to me it's of no consequence . . . so long as I can share a lifetime with one of my many true loves. Everlasting love. Sigh.

Crave Worthy: Modern Cellar Skylight Wine Credenza

casasugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:45:00 -0700

I'm a big fan of any piece of furniture that serves my drinking habit . . . and I don't mean a Tower of Power. I'm speaking more along the lines of a bar cart, but something about them sort of screams bachelor pad to me. So, when I came across a handsome credenza that doubled discreetly as a wine rack, I really had a reason to pop the cork. The Modern Cellar Skylight Wine Credenza (inquire for price) stores wine, stemware, plateware, and serving accessories: nearly all the necessities for a sophisticated dinner party (add friends and food, and blend). Hand rubbed with a walnut oil finish, made of one-pieced sides and top, it's truly beautiful, and will take on a wonderful patina as it ages. And, its sliver of glass on the top reveals your beloved wine collection. Just make sure to store your two buck Chuck on its lower level . . .

Crave Worthy: Fendi Crocodile Linens Set

casasugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:15:00 -0700

You know you're in the money when you can drop some serious cash on Fendi Crocodile Linens ($275-3,450). This linens set features 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton in a chocolate crocodile-pattern, two shams with flange, and a flat sheet. It's definitely a status symbol for the boudoir. Would you want this in your bedroom?

Crave Worthy: Ingo Maurer Birds Birds Birds Chandelier

casasugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Ever since I spotted the Ingo Maurer Birds Birds Birds Chandelier ($5,928) in Christiana Coop of Ferm Living's dining room (shown here), I've been preying for one of my own. Made of aluminum wires that can be turned, bent, or stretched, and are attached to goose-feather wings, the chandelier resembles a flock of birds fleeing the coop, taking on a life of its own and allowing for a bit of personalization. I'm a huge fan of the German artist and lighting designer; I love the eccentricity that he brings to his pieces. Of course, there are countless crave worthy chandeliers out there, but Birds Birds Birds is a statement piece that speaks wonders in an uncomplicated interior, such as Coop's.
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Crave Worthy: Philippe Starck Royalton Sofa

casasugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:45:00 -0700

Though I'm not a mathematician by trade, I still believe that the Royalton Sofa ($9,335) — designed by Philippe Starck in 1991 — can be expressed by the following formula: Settee + Headboard = Royalton. The ever-resourceful and always surprising Starck is responsible for many unique designs, including my fave, the Louis Ghost Chair.

Of course, I'm more likely to spend 10G on my garden than on this piece of furniture — let's face it, if your dog secretly jumps on your sofa, it's never a good idea to drop a lot of money on such a royal piece. However, a girl can still dream, right? The Royalton, a few Louis Ghost Chairs, a luxurious rug . . . my dream living room's out there somewhere, even if it's only in my imagination.

Crave Worthy: Casablanca Six Drawer Chest

casasugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:00:54 -0700

If I had the dough, I'd buy the Cottage & Bungalow Casablanca Six Drawer Chest ($3,440) based on its name alone; you know I'm a fan of anything with Moroccan roots, and 1940s romances get me every time. But thanks to this chest's good looks, that wouldn't be necessary. Despite its hardware-less minimalism, it's stunning and truly eye-catching. I love its clean lines, plaque-like imprints, and unfussy, cerused oak. If the pennies added up in my bank account, I'd buy this beauty in heartbeat . . . and then write my own romance about it.

Crave Worthy: Sergio Silva Oyule Lamp Set

casasugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:00:37 -0700

Using reclaimed light bulbs to build the Oyule Lamp Set ($650), Sergio Silva transformed "a modern object into the very thing it was meant to replace." Beyond its symbolic shrewdness, it's just plain beautiful. Thanks to the strong spherical magnet Silva put inside the bulb, which attracts to a steel component in Oyule's acrylic base, the bulbs balance uncannily at an angle. The limited-edition (only 66 sets) design is available exclusively through 66degrees, and is made handmade by Silva in his Brooklyn studio. Can't pony up for your own? Consider making recycled light-bulb vases.

Crave Worthy: Acrylic Lounge Chair

casasugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:00:55 -0700

Much like the Philippe Starck Louis Ghost Chair, the Aaron R. Thomas Acrylic Lounge Chair ($1,480) takes a modern twist on a design classic by re-envisioning it in acrylic. In this case, the classic is the Molded Plywood Lounge Chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1946. Maybe classic-gone-acrylic's been done before by Starck, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't go to great lengths to seat this Acrylic Lounge Chair in my living room. And it doesn't mean Thomas doesn't have original designs: he does. A browse through his shop and you'll be tapping into your savings account and hitting up your rich relatives for spending money. Get it quick before it makes its way to the window display of every Design Within Reach store in the country.

Crave Worthy: Jayson Vintage Chair and Ottoman

casasugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I've never met a French furnishing I didn't like. The French are relentless purveyors of style, and they win me over again and again, be it with a Chanel frock or a Philippe Starck chair. The Jayson Home & Garden Vintage Chair and Ottoman ($2,995), seating from mid-20th century France reupholstered in dark gray linen, is no exception either. I love how this glamorous gilded Louis XV is juxtaposed with the masculine tone of the fabric. No, it's probably not the most comfortable chair and ottoman
on the block, but it would look darn good in my living room.

Crave Worthy: Nicola Cerini Rugs

casasugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:00:24 -0700

It's not often that I come across a rug that's really the focal point of a room. Rugs tend to be used to bring the colors and furnishings in a space together, simply making things look more composed, and also to soften up a room with hardwood floors. So, it's refreshing (and rare) to see a design that goes above and beyond that, serving itself up as a focal point that owns the space like a bold piece of artwork would. Nicola Cerini Rugs ($899, $1499) do just that with their visually arresting designs and expertly chosen color combinations. Seed Pod (left) is inspired by assorted small seed pod shapes, but gives off a nautical look with its smart red and bluish-gray tones and star-like motifs. The Alhambra rug (right) takes its geometric patterns from the Moorish fortress of the same name. And the others, botanical or oceanic, prove that with attention to composition and color, even the smallest things can be celebrated in large format.

Crave Worthy: Kokoon Free Standing Hammock

casasugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:30:44 -0700

If you're too lazy to DIY a hammock and have got money to burn, the Kokoon Free Standing Hammock ($10,620) might be right up your alley. The luxe outdoor furnishing will bring Summer Style to your terrace or lawn, and serve as a private escape from whatever ails you this month, especially if you add its optional set of curtains. You might want to have someone check in on you every once in a while: I don't know that I'd ever want to leave it. And, when it's not in use it'll just look good in your yard; I love its x-shaped base . . . as much, if not more than those x-base tables and stools I've written about.

Crave Worthy: Vitra Kast Tall Storage

casasugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:07:02 -0700

When you've got storage like the Vitra Kast Tall Storage ($10,695), even your Encyclopedia Brittanica collection can look sexy — all the way from aardvark to zygote. The modular unit has a shelf and wall cupboard combination with colorful sliding doors. Although there's a lot going on with the color palette (pink, dark green, bronze grey, dark blue, sulphur yellow, and bright white), the clean lines and perfect proportions of the unit give it a restrained look that's elegant and distinguished. This is the type of piece that you could build a room around . . . starting with an accent rug with a small pattern, a sofa in a complementary color, bold-printed accent pillows with a happy dose of yellow, a Danish-modern armchair with similar lines, a glass-top coffee table that doesn't compete, and perhaps some silk window panels to add sheen. What do you think?

Crave Worthy: Gold-Leafed Hand-Carved Mirror With Birds

casasugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:00:33 -0700

I thought I was over faux bois mirrors, but then some sweet little birdies chirped when I came upon this beautiful Gold-Leafed Hand-Carved Mirror (inquire for price), making me fall for them all over again. This gilt wood mirror from the late 20th century was carved by the Carvers Guild of Massachusetts, a company run by a couple recognized for their old-world craftsmanship and exceptional design. The Carver's Guild began in 1970 but they could have fooled me: this hand-carved mirror looks like it dates back to Colonial Williamsburg. It's nice to see that some designs transcend time.

Crave Worthy: Beach House by Mary Bloch

casasugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:30:08 -0700

You may not be the owner of an actual beach house, but you can still getaway from it all with the Beach House by Mary Bloch ($2,097- $4,474), designed in 1962. That is, if you've got nearly seven grand to drop on this little, woven cabin and its stool. The petite lounge-chair-like hut will give you a bit of privacy from the neighbors, and its waterproof canvas roof will keep you dry. I love its gingerbread house-like cutout, roll-up windows and its guillemet-esque shape. But, we all know I'm a dreamer (and a sucker for Summer style) . . . what do you think?

Crave Worthy: Wilhelm Coffee and Alexander Dining Tables

casasugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:00:14 -0700

I'm in love all over again. The Justin Couch Wilhelm Coffee and Alexander Dining Tables (inquire for price) have the clean lines of classical furniture, like the Brocade Home Silhouette Table, but their Rorschach-esque walnut veneer gives them a contemporary aesthetic that's sophisticated and overwhelmingly captivating. The table involved an exhausting process of cutting and clamping baltic birch, and since its walnut veneer was so fragile, it had to be cut with an X-acto knife. If that's not fine art, I don't know what is. I'd give anything to have one in my home; I think they've topped my list of favorites this year.

Crave Worthy: Lily.mgx Lamp

casasugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:00:17 -0700

Obviously embodying a form that's been inspired by nature, the Lily.mgx lamp ($502 for small table lamp shown here), is the type of small, precious object that could make an otherwise sparsely decorated room glow. Designed by Janne Kyttanen for Materialise, the lamps are said to resemble a lily-pad flower, though I think they look a lot more like an artichoke myself. While the lamps may look simple, apparently they were designed using a 3-D material printing process that sounds rather geeky and complicated. But hey, if you're going to geek out, you might as well make it as impossibly chic as this lamp.

Crave Worthy: Eco Chic Brasilla Table

casasugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:00:49 -0700

This sleek, modern table isn't just pretty to look at it, it's also also eco chic, since it's made from sustainably harvested woods. The Brasilla Table ($3,450.00 – $5,295) is available in walnut or birch, and was designed by Eero Koivisto and Ola Rune. Crafted in Sweden, it reminds me a little of something that might be found in a Scandinavian spaceship, given its V-shaped corners and design-forward angles. Are you a fan?

Crave Worthy: Hudson English Reading Chair

casasugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:00:38 -0700

For those of you hoping to get the look of a modern rustic kitchen, the Hudson English Reading Chair ($2,850) couldn't be more appropriate. The vintage leather chair from England with a blue and brown plaid wool cushion and nailhead trim is a perfect stand-in for the handsomely worn leather chair tossed with a velvet pillow in that kitchen. But the Hudson chair is also a Pandora's box of sorts: its arms open to expose a pen tray on one side and a writing table on the other! I'd argue that this is absolutely the best chair for reading the morning paper while your eggs are cooking — after all, you can grab a pen from the arm if you need to fill in the New York Times crossword. What's not to love?

Crave Worthy: Camel Back Zebra Print Chair

casasugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:30:08 -0700

While I've shown you plenty of zebra print home items, I've never shown you one as crave worthy as this Palacek Camel Back Zebra Print Chair ($1,250). Made of high-quality zebra faux fur upholstery, the chair is built upon a black-wood, camel-shape frame. I love the refined lines of this chair, and the upholstery, while commonly seen on floors all over chic homes in the past year, is less commonly found on a formal sitting-room chair. There's something both spontaneous and classically timeless about this piece. It'll be a hit anywhere you choose to showcase it.

Crave Worthy: Cotswold Chair

casasugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:30:48 -0700

You were understandably enthusiastic about the aptly named Lady Chair. However, I have a hard time imagining those of you who cohabitate with a manly man getting even the smallest, riveted corner of the Lady Chair in your door. If that's the case, then I present you with a testosterone-friendly option: the Cotswald Chair ($1,998) from Anthropologie. With a wide seat, leather whose coloring is described as "bourbon," (it doesn't get much more manly than bourbon), and a mahogany finish, this is a chair that even the most furniture-apathetic man can get enthusiastic about.

Crave Worthy: Time Occasional Table

casasugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:00:07 -0700

Designed by Prospero Rasulo in 2006, the Time Occasional Table ($1459) comes in a variety of glossy lacquer finishes, but I'm partial to this candy apple red shade. I'd love to see these flanked by black chairs in front of some gorgeously designed Parisian cafe. There's just something so compellingly cinematic about this table's eye-catching ruby shade and elegant, willowy stem. Wouldn't it be très magnifique as a set piece in a movie — perhaps a remake of An American In Paris?

Crave Worthy: The Rug Company Durbar Hall Rug

casasugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:00:19 -0700

It's no wonder I felt an instant attraction to The Rug Company Durbar Hall Rug ($1,795- $25,920); the chartreuse and charcoal flocked rug is designed by Designers Guild — a favorite luxury home furnishing brand of mine. Made of 100 knot, Tibetan wool and silk, it's a high-quality rug that would probably outlive me, if I could ever afford to make the splurge. Its flowing branches and botanicals are certainly feminine enough for a bedroom, but I'd love to see it in a formal dining room with a glossy credenza and a noir chandelier, tempered by a slightly rustic wood dining table. What do you think? Do you love it, or am I all alone on this one?

Crave Worthy: Bodo Sperlein Niagra Chandelier

casasugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:00:24 -0700

From a young age, like many little girls, I fawned over butterflies, scribbling them everywhere in crayon. In fact, I even wrote this poem in kindergarten:

Butterflies are pretty things
Floating lightly with their wings
Higher, higher in the sky
Oh how I love the butterflies.

Nowadays my adoration of the insect is fleeting, and I actually find them rather lame when reproduced (thanks Mariah Carey). But, when a product like the Bodo Sperlein Niagra Chandelier for Lladró ($45,000) sails my way, I resort to that childhood fascination. The design pays tribute to Lladró's love for nature, taking the magic of the forest and its ethereal creatures and turning them into contemporary fixtures for the home. If this chandelier doesn't have you penning poems, what really does?
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Crave Worthy: Vermicondo

casasugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 05:30:47 -0700

Levitt Goodman Architects, known for their fab prefabs, decided that worm composters posed an ugly problem for modern apartment dwellers, who lack access to backyard gardens. So, they designed the Vermicondo ($1,500), a multilevel condo for worms. Vermicondo consists of a series of shelves, an element that eliminates the need to muck through worm leftovers. When the upwardly mobile worms have finished eating everything they can find, they move up a layer, leaving behind a tray of beautiful organic soil. The top layer of wheatgrass just looks pretty, and serves as a "garden" of sorts for city dwellers who don't have one, mimicking the growing trend in real-life architecture of rooftop gardens. The structure's modern design, slick back-painted acrylic sitting upon a stainless-steel colonnade, doesn't just look pretty either — it protects the little wigglers from light and arid conditions. This is most definitely the only time you'll find the words "worms" and "crave worthy" within a mile of each other; the Vermicondo proves that "good design will save the worms." If only Levitt Goodman could design a price tag that's more palatable for moi . . .
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Crave Worthy: Sans Parapluie Cabinets

casasugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:00:30 -0700

Lucas Risé, an Argentinean artist who spent most of his childhood painting street signs in Buenos Aires, now makes a living by creating wonderfully colored cabinets inspired by carnival, circus, and park imagery. His experiences on trips to Europe, the U.S., South Africa, and Brazil have influenced the style of these cabinets, known as Sans Parapluie ("without an umbrella"), the edges and borders of which he says, "disappear to become an open space where different cultures come together and which reflection is life itself." The names of the cabinets (painted with enamel on wood) are as whimsical as the bright and busy designs themselves, such as "Carousel," "Circus," "African Breeze," "Violin," and "Flower Park." Inquire for price.

Crave Worthy: Anthropologie Lady Chair

casasugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:30:40 -0700

Scallops? Rivets? Anthropologie is right on for saying their Lady Chair ($1,498) reminds them of a French Madeleine cookie. All sweets aside, the chair looks très comfortable, and that's what's most important when I sit down to read Victor Hugo or watch Jean-Paul Belmondo on screen. The shell shape of the chair (and Madeleines) would be quite appropriate for the beach, perhaps along with some trendy natural curiosities, but I'd plop this natural linen chair down anywhere in the house. Do you love it?

Crave Worthy: Worlds Away Bennito Side Table

casasugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:00:09 -0700

What could be more glamorous than a combination of hand-applied gold leaf, a mirror top, and feminine curves on an Art Deco side table? Nothing seems to come to mind. The Worlds Away Bennito Side Table ($1180) is an Eva Zeisel-meets-Grace-Kelly furnishing for the modern woman. Use it as console table in your foyer to stash your fab clutch, luxe cell phone and your favorite lip product, or simply set it next to a crave worthy sofa. And, don't be surprised if guests think you're actually the Princess of Monaco . . .

Crave Worthy: Rian Rae Moorish Table

casasugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:15:47 -0700

I think I need to quit my job and move to Morocco, or Spain, because if the gorgeous horseshoe-shaped arches on this Rian Rae Moorish Table ($780) are any indication of the architecture there, I can guarantee I'll be happy. Until then, I'll settle for drooling over this intricately hand-chased aluminum table in the comfort of my own home. Don't blame me if I fib and tell friends I picked it up during "my travels." It's items like this one that prove that handmade is oh so much better. Do you love it? Do you want to move with me?

Crave Worthy: The Folly Chair

casasugar — Mon, 26 May 2008 11:30:47 -0700

I must admit to nursing a little crush on The Folly Chair ($950). I even love how its name represents the silliness of having two chair backs for one chair seat. Made of mahogany (though it resembles bamboo), it's paneled with handwoven caning. Each chair is made by individual artisans, and features dowels and corner braces to guarantee that, if you really wanted to, you could utilize those two chair backs with two people, and this chair would stand up to the weight. Do you love it too, or is this too much folly for you?

Crave Worthy: Liquid Raindrop Pendant Lamp

casasugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 06:15:08 -0700

In love with a German, all over again. German designers Benjamin Hopf & Constantin Wortmann have swept me off my pedicured feet with their Liquid Raindrop Pendants ($199- $568 ). Their luxe lighting gives off a soft, warm glow in a shape that has trendy teardrop appeal but is not so ephemeral as those lava lamps from long ago. Their subtle balance between the feeling of light and water is simply mesmerizing. I love how it can make a simple table and chairs against white walls look so effortlessly chic. If only money fell from the sky like raindrops, I could stake my claim to them . . .

Crave Worthy: Théodore Reinach Moderne Carved Oak Table

casasugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:00:47 -0700

This pair of Moderne Carved Oak Tables by Théodore Reinach ($11,500) were built in 1925 in Nice, France, and were designed by famed French archeologist Théodore Reinach, in a reinterpretation of ancient Greek furniture types. Each table features a leather inset in the top, and is embellished at the corners with black and white squares. I love the use of only three legs, and of course, how can I resist those lion-paw feet? What a beautiful and unusual find!

Crave Worthy: Room and Board Quinn Chair

casasugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 09:15:54 -0700

I may have once written that blue velvet is a fall luxury, but I lied. Sorry, it's May now and I still can't resist the rich and warm color and texture of it. Dressed in the luxurious material, the Room and Board Quinn Chair ($749) is no exception; I can't keep my eyes off of it. I'm also really loving the combination of the chair's mid-century lines with the velvet, which is more commonly used with Louis-style and Baroque furnishings. Then, consider that my beloved Quinn just looks like a comfortable place to sit and enjoy a delicate few, and maybe you'll understand why my heart is aching for him. Yes, Quinn's a him. I hope my fiancé doesn't mind if I elope with this chair instead . . .

Crave Worthy: Philippe Starck Louis Ghost Chair

casasugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:34:26 -0700

I know, I know. I'm a bit behind the clock to be declaring this now. But, Philippe Starck Louis Ghost Chair ($410), have I told you lately that I love you? It just occurred to me that I had yet to introduce Louis Ghost as a Crave Worthy, and since I'm of the persuasion that it's never too late, here it is. Philippe Starck introduced the chair in 2002 modernizing the classic Louis XVI chair (a design that originated during the King's reign) with clear Lucite. This type of daring refashioning of an old design is a token Philippe Starck move. But, six years old, the Louis Ghost has already become a classic and Starck himself has since updated it, offering up new colors and the option of adding a custom decoration (like a decal) to it. Can you think of a modern design that's more alluring than this? I honestly don't think I'll ever be over it; it's my undying flame.

Crave Worthy: Pink Mother of Pearl Inlay Chest

casasugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:45:26 -0700

When I see the Graham and Green Pink Mother of Pearl Inlay Chest ($2,726), I think I revert to the part of me that used to play with Barbies for hours on end, that spontaneously drops $100 on facial scrub and nail polish in Walgreens, that wears stilettos to an occasional Sunday diner breakfast. Regardless of the fact that I might fill this mother of pearl inlaid dresser with gym shorts and ratty T-shirts, there's a romantic, feminine quality about it that simply makes me love being a girl. Unfortunately, there's little place for delicate, estrogen-loaded furnishings in my bedroom, but it pays to dream right? Maybe one day I'll have my very own walk-in closet, and my man will concede to letting me order it from the other side of the pond.

Crave Worthy: Stray Dog Jenny Lynn Lamp

casasugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 04:26:04 -0700

I never thought I'd swoon over the color copper, but that's exactly what I'm doing at the sight of the Stray Dog Jenny Lynn Lamp ($410). The lamp's baby-blue base paired with its copper Dupioni silk shade makes for an unusual combination that is surprisingly warm, cheerful, and, for lack of a better word, pretty! The sculpted tole (enameled tinplate) base overtly recalls Orla Kiely's signature petal pattern, which is one that never ceases to impress me. To top that off, the fixture is handmade and hand-painted, two adjectives I can't help but adore.

Crave Worthy: George Nakashima Coffee Table

casasugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 05:28:10 -0700

I am a huge fan of George Nakashima. His mid-century designs blend elegance with naturalism in a way that works beautifully. So, of course, I'm also loving this Nakashima coffee table and bench (inquire for price). Custom-built for a private commission in 1957, this table features American black walnut slabs on top of slender, Scandinavian-looking legs, which certainly ups the drama in the contrast between surface and supports. I especially love the raw edge on this piece, which lets the wood speak for itself. You'll have to contact the dealer for the price, but if you're lucky enough to live in Philadelphia, stop in at Moderne Gallery to take a closer look.

Crave Worthy: Light Colors Chandelier

casasugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:00:52 -0700

Otherwise known as "pastel," the Heiko Bleuel Light Colors Chandelier ($2,735) has the perfect color scheme for Spring. Of course, I'm not suggesting you switch out your chandelier come Fall. This aluminum, stainless steel, and laminated paper light fixture is just something to get excited over if the increasingly warm weather isn't doing it for you (which would be just plain silly). I'm completely swooning over this product shot; I'd kill to see it in action with the bulb flicked on. I guess I'll have to stop by Moss next time I'm in NYC to take a peek. Hopefully by then I'll have saved up the dollars to pony up for it. It'll go smack dab over my dining room table, or in my foyer, decisions, decisions . . .

Crave Worthy: Delphinium Chandelier

casasugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:00:06 -0700

The Delphinium Chandelier ($6700) was designed ten years ago by En Van Egmond. While I think that it looks like it's been in a hit and run accident, I don't necessarily think that that's a bad thing (at least not in the case of this light). While I find many chandeliers fussy, this one manages to balance elegance with an edgy, rough sensibility. Each lighting piece is handcrafted and available in an either white or nickel finish. If you had the cash, would you drop it on one of these?

Crave Worthy: Brocade Home Pattern Dresser

casasugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:30:05 -0700

Your boring white tees will never be as glamorous as when they're stored in this Brocade Home Pattern Dresser ($799). Four simple hardwood drawers are given an elegant update with a Bierdermeier-esque carved opening, giving them a seductive yet restrained façade. This low dresser begs to be topped with a big round captain's mirror, a catchall for your jewelry and spare change, and a collection of your favorite knickknacks. Its height also makes it appropriate to be used as a credenza or sideboard in a dining room, perhaps to store your table linens. While Brocade Home tends to be overly feminine, I think the clean lines of this dresser (in coffee not white) make it a piece, unlike some others, that you and your man can agree on.

Crave Worthy: Marilyn Sofa

casasugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 07:00:47 -0700

If you're feeling the need for some sophisticated lady glamour, consider the Marilyn Sofa ($2,060). Essentially half a sofa (you can choose from either the left or right side), this hardwood framed, cream-colored beauty is an obvious choice if you're looking to glam up a room. With hand tufting, killer curves, and nailhead trim, it's got all you could ask for and more. While this would be an excellent choice for a sitting or living room, I'd like to see it in a luxurious dressing room. You could gossip with a girlfriend who curls up on the Marilyn as you try on dresses for a night on the town.

Crave Worthy: Crate & Barrel Josephine Right Arm Chaise

casasugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:30:21 -0700

If the Crate & Barrel Josephine Right Arm Chaise ($1,299) wound up in my bedroom, I can pretty much guarantee it'd become a breeding ground for my daily wardrobe castoffs. But I certainly wouldn't complain about it being there; it's a picture of pretty. I love how the traditional chaise shape is updated with Marimekko-esque graphic black and white florals, giving it a modern edge that fits seamlessly into a classic home. It's the perfect venue for a midday snooze or a late-afternoon read. I'm envisioning a big stack of books right beside it, topped with a nice, cold lemonade. Do you love it?

Crave Worthy: Nicolette Brunklaus Large Delight Shade

casasugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:00:31 -0700

Rose and Radish put it precisely when they wrote, "Sometimes you need a lamp shade that is both understated and extremely eye-catching." The Nicolette Brunklaus Large Delight Shade ($797) is both of those things, and oh so much more. It's also evidence of the growing flocking trend, as well as playful, modern, and elegant. I'd love to see one hanging over a large, tufted leather restaurant booth or a kitchen island, or even suspended in a stark, white bathroom. It's available in black, red, or blue, but I suggest going for several of them if you can afford it! What do you think? Do you crave it as much as I do?

Crave Worthy: Wellington Day Bed

casasugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:45:08 -0700

I have no need for more living room furniture, but just in case someone steals my sofa and armchair, the Wellington Day Bed ($2,495) from Restoration Hardware is first on my must-have list. The frame is reminiscent of bamboo in shape, and uses a mortise-and-tenon joinery that's handcrafted from solid hardwood with mahogany veneers. I'd want to make this rather stuffy frame pop with some inspired pillows, but other than that, I can't think of anything else I'd change about this charming piece of furniture.

Crave Worthy: Botanist Flora Cocktail Table

casasugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:00:29 -0700

Designed by Dario Antonioni and Brandon Lynne, the Botanist Flora Cocktail Table ($1,899) is a sleek choice for a number of design settings — including a chic poolside party. I'm particularly fond of how the floral designs balance the minimalist, modern lines of the table. Also good to know: the aluminum frame of this table, which is reinforced with a welded structural base means that the piece is both light and durable, so much so that it can be used as a bench, too. If you love this style but can't quite swing the price tag on this piece, check out these acrylic floral side tables.

Crave Worthy: George Sherlock Extended Two-Seater Sofa

casasugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:00:45 -0700

Cranberry may not be my favorite color, but I'm still ga-ga for this George Sherlock Extended Two-Seater Sofa (inquire for price), which can be custom upholstered in a range of fabrics. I first laid eyes on a George Sherlock in the December/January issue of Domino, which showcased one in Amanda Peet's home, and immediately fell hard for its super soft cushions. The duck-feather-filled sofas look simply to die for, and their turned wood legs add a delicate, feminine touch. I don't imagine these sofas are cheap by any means, but I do think such a well-constructed piece would be a good investment, even if it needs to be reupholstered down the line. The English company George Sherlock has been making their traditional furniture for over 30 years, and sells exclusively through Ruby Beets in the US.