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Love It or Hate It? Danny Seo's Beaded Hanger

casasugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:00:12 -0700

Danny Seo recently wrote that he's been getting his creative juices flowing in preparation for a new book. A recent crafty project was stringing vintage wooden beads onto a wire dry cleaner hanger. I think it's adorable, and seems like it might cause less wear on your clothes from the poking wire hanger. Do you love it, or do you pass? Source

Love It or Hate It? Danny Seo's Beaded Hanger

Love it

Hate it

Undecided

Guess What These Chairs Are Upholstered In?

casasugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:00:34 -0700

I love this relaxed, cozy dining room in Danny Seo's Delaware River cottage. Danny upholstered the chairs himself using an unexpected, upcycled item. Can you guess what it was?

On the Market: Danny Seo's Delaware River Cottage

casasugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:15:39 -0700

I've been tracking some of the cool changes that Danny Seo has been making in his new home, but I'd forgotten about his cute Delaware River cottage. Danny had been holding on to it for a while, but now he's ready to sell, which means that some lucky person can snap up this two-bedroom, one-bath, 1,076-square-foot bungalow cottage in Erwinna, PA.

To find out more about this property, and for additional photos,

Cool Idea: Using Flags as Drapes

casasugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:00:04 -0700

Sometimes I wonder if there's anything Danny Seo does that doesn't involve a stroke of genius. He's so unbelievably creative; he never ceases to impress me. Here, in his guest bedroom, he's used durable, machine-washable nylon flags as drapes, which he hung with café curtain rings, which have clips. I love how the light pours in through the patterns and letters on the flags. Some of you might think it's a bit unpatriotic to hang national flags in this manner, but I think nautical flags are perfectly acceptable. I think it infuses a little personality or eccentricity into a traditional, masculine style.
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Top Design, Episode Six: "Eco-Offices"

casasugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:15:08 -0700

In the latest episode of Top Design, the remaining designers tackled a project near and dear to my heart: renovating a space in a green fashion. Guest judge Danny Seo, whose green designs and ideas I love, offered the contestants advice on remembering the R words (reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose, and be resourceful, among others) in their spaces.

The designers were challenged to use all materials in the office (including ugly desks and bad carpet). They were also given fabric remnants to work with instead of new fabric as well as low VOC paint. Contestants were paired with clients and challenged to renovate their office spaces in an environmental manner.

Some designers were gung-ho about this challenge, while others were immediately put off by the idea. In particular, Eddie came off as a snob, calling his client a dork, berating him for his use of the word "funky," and then repeatedly uttering "Ew" as he had to do the demeaning work of going through boxes of fabric remnants. Oh, the horror!

To see who won and who had to leave the show,

Cool Idea: an Art Easel as a TV Stand

casasugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:00:11 -0700

When Danny Seo couldn't come up with a use for the paint-splattered easel left behind in his new home, formerly owned and built by an artist, he decided to mount his Energy Star-rated flat screen TV on it. Mounting televisions above the fireplace is considered sacrilegious to him, and he had no oil painting that would work on the easel, so it was really the perfect solution. And, I think it adds personality — not that Danny Seo needs any. Easels come in all shapes and forms, from traditional wooden ones used by artists to decorative metal ones. You'll likely need to reinforce the television and the stand with some screws, so you should consider that when purchasing one for yourself (i.e. make sure you have something to screw into). But, of course, if you have a spare easel lying around, upcycling really is the best option.
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What You're Wanting Revealed: Start With Elephant Art

casasugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:00:40 -0700

When Danny Seo gave us a peek into his new home, I was taken with this flea-market art find. So, for this latest What You're Wanting, I asked you to decorate a room to complement this elephant art.

This week, you provided me with lots of inspiration for how to use art in unexpected places — including in the bathroom. Check out my favorite looks below.

I was really impressed by the look that Grits put together. She writes, "I decided to do an office/guest room. I didn't go overboard on the elephant theme, but tied it in a couple of ways. I couldn't pass up the side table for the sofa (which would serve as a nightstand when it's pulled out) — the legs look too much like tusks! "

Grits wins the CasaSugar schwag of her choice for the look she put together. Congratulations!

To see two other lovely looks,

Before and After: Peruvian Pet Stairs

casasugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:00:20 -0700

A celeb client of Danny Seo's had these cringe-worthy dog stairs by her bed, but her pooch couldn't part with them. So, it was unanimously decided that they needed a chic facelift. Seo hopped over to a flea market in Los Angeles, where he picked up a vintage Peruvian rug for around $30. A lot of trimming and stapling later, Seo had reupholsterd the stairs, giving them a bit of cheer and an ethnic vibe. To see the transformation,

Before and After: Danny Seo's Safety Pin Pillow

casasugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:00:42 -0700

I consider myself "a creative," but it simply baffles me how inventive Danny Seo is. He seems to just ooze creativity, always devising original ways to decorate his digs in style without paying a price tag for it. His latest is achievement is a pillow he decorated with safety pins, of all things. He writes:

I stopped by the store to pick up the basic essentials and was looking at a package of 275 mixed gold and silver safety pins. They were on sale for $3 and I thought, could you do something creative with them?

To see what Danny Seo did to transform this plain mossy green throw pillow into something out of the ordinary,

What You're Wanting: The Pachyderm in the Room

casasugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:30:09 -0700

When Danny Seo gave us a peek into his new home, I was taken with this flea market art find. Who doesn't love elephants? As you can see, Danny hadn't gotten around to hanging this print. So, for this week's What You're Wanting, I want to know how you'd decorate a room to complement this elephant art. First, what room would you put it in? A child's nursery? A retro kitchen? Maybe a lighthearted library? Next, pick furniture and other art and accessories that will complement this art piece. Will you add other elephant art? Maybe a circus theme? Add all the finds to your ShopStyle Living stylebook, and create a look tagged with the phrase elephant art room. Private message me if you have any questions. Oh, and as extra incentive, I'll give some Sugar schwag away to my favorite look!
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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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Summer Style: Decorating For Kerry Washington's Crib

casasugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:15:28 -0700

One of my favorite eco designers, Danny Seo, is redesigning actress Kerry Washington's LA apartment. Recently, he shared some of his inspirations for the planned redesign of the narrow outdoor spaces at her home. Where did he find these inspirations? On the 15th floor terrace of the Hudson Hotel in New York, where the high-rise outdoor space seems surprisingly private. Source

Steal of the Day: JCPenney Studio Capiz Shell Candleholder

casasugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:00:26 -0700

In my recent Casa Verde, I told you about Danny Seo's eco makeover of Maria Menounos' backyard, and showed you a few products to help you get the look in your outdoor space. Well, lucky you, the JCPenney Capiz Shell Candleholder ($19-$24) that Seo used, which is made of natural capiz shells harvested from the waters of the Philippines, is on sale! It does look fab outdoors on Menounos' farmhouse table, but there's no reason why you can't enjoy one inside as well. I'm thinking one large and one medium candleholder next to your favorite reading chair might make for some cozy lighting, or a few lined up on a fireplace mantle would achieve a more formal look. What do you think? Like 'em?

Casa Verde: Maria Menounos' Eco Outdoor Makeover

casasugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:30:49 -0700

In collaboration with JCPenney, Danny Seo recently gave Maria Menounos' backyard an eco makeover for "Access Green" on Access Hollywood and Life & Style. This beautiful image is a peek at the made-over farmhouse table, which was updated with some wildflowers in a galvanized bucket, vintage silverware, some simple white dishes and glass water bottles, colorful tumblers filled with organic lemonade, a bowl of gorgeous green limes, and an understated yet chic capiz lantern. There's nothing fancy or unattainable about this table setting, but it's still completely and utterly glamorous.
I thought I'd round up a few similar eco outdoor accessories to help you achieve the look of this eco table setting without being a drain on the environment. Of course, you may already own many of these items, so by all means, use them instead! Or, hunt down similar accessories in thrift and antique stores.Source

Before and After: Danny Seo's Veneer Strip Table

casasugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:15:03 -0800

Eco stylist Danny Seo recently sent a scratched up ol' table of his to rehab by topping it with strips of iron-on wood veneer edging ($5.79). Seo says it was really easy to do, and only requires "the veneer tape, a hot iron, a trimmer, and an old table that needs just a bit of TLC."

To see the table after Seo worked his magic,

Casa Link: Vintage Hazardous Waste

casasugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:15:08 -0800

Danny Seo uncovered some vintage hazardous waste in the basement and crawlspace of his new home. While the packages are pretty cool looking, Danny reminds readers that hazardous waste can't be tossed with regular garbage. Read the whole post to find out what else he has to say about getting rid of paints, paint thinners, and other toxic substances.

Casa Link: Reupholstering Chairs

casasugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:15:44 -0800

The ever-resourceful Danny Seo gives the breakdown for pricing on reupholstering these three chairs. And you know what? It's a lot more reasonable than you might think.

Go to the post to get the whole story. Meanwhile, I'm going to go price some reupholsterers in my neighborhood . . .

Casa Link: The Scoop on Silk Screening

casasugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:03:39 -0800

If you've ever been curious about the process and cost of silk screening, head over to Danny Seo's post explaining the ins and outs of commissioning a design. I was certainly impressed by the results!

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Casa Link: Repurposed Lanterns

casasugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:30:13 -0800

Danny Seo shares a new use for these lanterns that were left over from a Country Home shoot. He said he got tired of using them for candles, so he came up with another unique use instead.

To see how he used them, just

Casa Craving Challenge: Cozy Autumn Porch

casasugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:30:55 -0700

Every Thursday on CasaSugar, I'll give you a decorating challenge and ask you to go Casa Craving for items that fit the look. (Here's a post explaining what a Casa Craving is and how to create one.)

The latest Casa Craving Challenge is inspired by the changing seasons and the new chill in the air. I love autumn, and I also like spending time in living spaces that bridge the divide between indoors and outdoors.

So in this Casa Craving Challenge, I’d like you to design a cozy autumn porch that carefully considers its use during this season. You can create a cooly casual country look, like Danny Seo's porch from above, or modernize it a bit with some more techy materials and accessories. To give you some inspiration I've chosen green design guru Danny Seo's River Road House, which is currently for sale in Pennsylvania. I think that Danny does a stellar job of combining utility with style, making his porch a place that inspires visitor with its design while also making them want to hang out in the space. So study carefully, Casa readers, and then decide how you'd create your own cozy autumn porch. What furniture, artwork, games, outdoor equipment, pet accessories, throw pillows, blankets, and other accents would you use to get the look?

Tell me by creating Casa Cravings and tagging your Cravings with the phrase autumn porch, and I'll feature the results next Wednesday, Oct. 10th. Even better, you can create a list of your bookmarks; TeamSugar has a great tutorial on listmaking if you're not sure how. Please let me know if you have any questions. For a list of online home stores to try,

Wicker Goes Modern

casasugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 12:53:57 -0700

I first saw these great wicker shades on eco-designer Danny Seo's blog. Since then I've checked them out at Ikea, both in-store and in the catalog. While I'm not a huge wicker fan, these lamp shades have a cool shape, and the extra-gigantic size for the larger shades—you could fit yourself and a friend's heads and shoulders under one of them—definitely makes an unexpected statement.

While most wicker is bent by being soaked in diesel fuel, IKEA asked that these shades, which are sourced from Vietnam, instead be soaked in palm oil—better for the workers, and for the planet. The shades are currently available in-store and through the catalog, but not yet online.

What do you think about these lamp shades?

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DIY: Reglazed Silhouette Plates

casasugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:47:48 -0700

I'm always tempted by the quirky china I find at thrift stores and flea markets, but I really don't have an excuse to buy a bunch of unmatched dinnerware. That is, until I discovered this cool project from green guru Danny Seo on creating Reglazed Silhouette Plates. (Thanks, Modern Roost.)

Though this project requires pottery glaze, you won't need a kiln or any other obscure tools. In fact, you probably have all of the materials lying around the house already, with the exception of the glaze. For a step-by-step guide to turning tacky old china into kitschy, crafty pieces of art,

Coming Soon: Danny Seo Do Just One Thing Calendar

casasugar — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 08:30:15 -0700

It's not even September yet, but I've already found my desk calendar for next year. I just adore the idea of this Danny Seo Do Just One Thing Calendar ($9.59). The tear-off calendar, coming out Sept. 1, will offer one eco-tip per day to help you live a greener life, and many of the pointers will be so quick and easy, you can implement them immediately.

For those of you who don't know, Danny Seo is sort of like the (male) green lifestyle equivalent of Martha Stewart. He's got a ton of books, a column in Country Home magazine, and a blog, so there will be no shortage of fodder for the calendar. Just be sure to recycle the pages when you're done.

via Apartment Therapy SF