CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Casa Interview: Vern Yip

casasugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:30:47 -0700

Designer Vern Yip is a household name for many Casa readers, thanks to his judging on Design Star as well as his hosting and creativity on his tear-inducing show Deserving Design. Vern is currently contributing his design expertise to two very worthy community organizations, the Tenderloin Family Apartments, which are home to 4,000 low-income San Francisco families, and the West Oakland Boys and Girls Club, which has been serving youth in this neighborhood for over sixty years. I was thrilled to talk to Vern about his design renovations for these two community spaces.

CasaSugar: I’ve been out to both the Tenderloin Family Apartments and the West Oakland Boys and Girls Club, and they’re very excited about their renovations.

Vern Yip: This is such a wonderful and amazing opportunity for me. The renovations are being funded by Bank of America. This is part of their celebration of renovating their 118 Bay Area banking centers, so as part of the celebration they’re renovating two spaces for two Bay Area non-profits. Having been there, I’m sure you can tell that these are two organizations that are really deserving and could really benefit from a facelift.

To read more of the interview,

Cool Idea: Deserving Designs For Families in Need

casasugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:15:33 -0700

Remember when I told you about the Boys and Girls Club in West Oakland that Vern Yip, host and designer of HGTV's Deserving Design is renovating? I've been so curious as to what Vern might do to improve the space.

In one episode, Vern makes over a garage into a game room for a military family's children. He cleans up the space and stocks it with interactive games, spaces for gathering, and lots of kid-friendly storage space. I think that this design might be a good indication of what the deserving kids in West Oakland might get.

To see the video,

Before: A Community Center in Need of Renovation

casasugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:00:50 -0700

Years ago, I lived in the same neighborhood where this Boys and Girls Club is located. Community resources are few and far between in West Oakland, and the Boys and Girls Club is a welcome refuge for kids who need a place to hang out after school. The center, though, is in need of some renovation. Luckily, a very cool designer is soon going to transform the center. To find out who's going to renovate the center, check out the slideshow!

In the News: HGTV's Angelo Surmelis's Before & After Kitchen

casasugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:45:35 -0700

Design show hosts have gotten used to entering into contestants' homes, but for once the tables are turned. HGTV's Rate My Space host Angelo Surmelis recently played host to the LA Times, who interviewed him about the renovation of his 1920s Los Angeles bungalow. Well aware that "no matter how splendidly you've decorated the rest of your house, guests always end up in the kitchen," Surmelis took three weeks and $20,000 to transform his eyesore of a kitchen ("a jumble of scruffy cupboards, wood paneling, a broken stove and grimy old linoleum," shown here gutted) into a modern-meets-vintage splendor. All it took was a little rearranging, new IKEA cabinets, an antique hutch, Carrara marble counters, and some cork flooring . . . oh yeah, and the fact that he's a design expert might have come in handy. To see the transformation,

This Just In: The Obamas Tune in to HGTV

casasugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:30:40 -0700

Entertainment Weekly recently quizzed the two presidential hopefuls on their pop culture preferences and routines, and found that the Obama household favors HGTV when it comes to what's on the tube. Here's an excerpt from the interview:

EW: So neither [you nor your wife, Michelle] are fascists when it comes to the remote . . .
OBAMA: If I tell her, "Sweetie, we've got game 5 of the NBA finals on," she's willing to give me a little slack. Most of the time, though, the TV is on HGTV, and I suffer that silently.

Whatever your political persuasion, you know I've got to give a thumbs up to Obama for watching one of my favorite networks — even if he "suffers it silently."
Source and Source

Before and After: Matt's Hurricane Katrina Makeover

casasugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:00:25 -0700

Yesterday, I asked who you thought should win Design Star. You can still vote online through Wednesday. To make the most informed decision, I figured I'd show you some photos from each designer's makeover (check out Jen's makeover here). Both designers worked with a New Orleans family whose home had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Matt's family, the Oleagas, wanted a comfortable, minimal, and modern space.

To see what the home looked like after Matt redesigned the space,

Before and After: Jennifer's Hurricane Katrina Makeover

casasugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:00:55 -0700

Yesterday, I asked you who you thought should win Design Star. You can still vote online through Wednesday. To make the most informed decision, I figured I'd show you some photos from each designer's makeover. Both designers worked with a New Orleans family whose home had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Jen's family, the Gowlands, needed a space that accommodated both their love of cooking and their big family.

Before Jen showed up, the family had very limited furniture and a raw, unfinished space, as they concentrated on rebuilding their home.

To see what the home looked like after Jen flexed her design muscles,

Who Should Win Design Star?

casasugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:00:25 -0700

Did you catch last night's episode of Design Star? The final two designers, Matt and Jennifer, headed down to New Orleans to design new kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms for two deserving families that haven't been able to stay in their homes since Hurricane Katrina. Both of the designers did a great job, but only one can win. Who do you think should be the next Design Star? Source

Who Should Win Design Star?

Matt — I thought his minimalist design was great, and that dining room was to die for!

Jennifer — those red cabinets were great, and the striped walls were gorgeous.

Casa Interview: Trish Beaudet From Design Star

casasugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:00:14 -0700

If you've been watching Design Star, you know that we're down to the last two contestants. Last week's episode was a great challenge, with Matt, Trish, and Jen designing rooms for their family members. I thought that Trish's room was a perfect space for her parents, and definitely took their needs into consideration. Even so, she was the latest designer to leave the show.

Trish was kind enough to chat with me about her experience on the show, and to fill me in on her future plans.

CasaSugar: What was your favorite challenge?

Trish: My favorite challenge was the Sara Evans Suite Challenge.

CasaSugar: Who was one of your favorite designers to work with?

Trish: Hands down Mikey V. Mikey is a great designer. I love his work ethic and his ability to get the job done. Mikey and I approach projects in the same manner. We instantly know what we want to do, make a plan, and quickly get it done.

To see what else Trish has to say, including her future design plans,

Before and After: Garage Makeover

casasugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:30:24 -0700

What do you do with an old garage that you never use except to store your bike and some tools? Well, if you've got a tiny backyard and are low on "outdoor" space, and you're Suzanne Dimma, host of HGTV's The Style Dept. and home design director of wish, you transform it into a chic indoor/outdoor room. With a little green paint, a pair of natural fiber rugs, a trio of butterfly chairs, a vintage dolly, some plants, and a fan, she transformed the unused garage, making the house's outdoor space feel three times as big. To see the results,

This Just In: Maggie Gyllenhaal Makes Time For Housing Charity

casasugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:00:46 -0700

Between shooting films, spending time with her beautiful daughter Ramona, and looking lovely at the The Met's Costume Institute Gala, you'd think that Maggie Gyllenhaal would have her hands full. However, she still has time to give back to the city of New York: Maggie's teamed up with Real Simple and Design on a Dime for the fourth-annual Design on a Dime charity event, which will benefit Housing Works in New York.

Taking place from Thursday, May 8, through Saturday, May 10, at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City, the Design on a Dime Benefit will feature designers such as Casa favorites Charlotte Moss and Jamie Drake

To see images from past benefits, and to find out how to go,

Did You Watch Myles of Style?

casasugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:00:32 -0700

Last week I told you that super-cutie Design Star winner Kim Myles was launching her new show Myles of Style. Did you tune in Sunday to see it? Source

Did You Watch Myles of Style?

Yes — I loved it!

Oops, I forgot, but I'll tune in next week.

I don't have cable, but I'd love to watch this show.

Nope!

This Just In: Myles of Style Starts Sunday

casasugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:00:38 -0700

For all of you Kim Myles fans I have some good news: the Design Star winner's new HGTV show, Myles of Style, premieres this Sunday at 10 p.m.

The new show will provide beautiful design on a budget, which is something we all can use. I love Kim's classy, vibrant bohemian style, and can't wait to see the changes she'll make to the home of the first featured couple, Hector and Marina. Are you going to tune in?

To see a sneak peek of the series, just

HGTV's Green Home Giveaway: Enter Now!

casasugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:00:49 -0800

We reported this Fall about the HGTV Dream Home, a green home that HGTV is giving away. This beauty is located in the Florida Keys, and the prize package includes the 2008 HGTV Dream Home, designer home furnishings, and a GMC Yukon Hybrid. The prize package is worth more that $2.2 million. You can enter the giveaway contest every day up until Feb. 19.

To find out how to enter the contest, and to see a gallery of the home, just

HGTV's Green Home Giveaway

casasugar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:09:03 -0700

We've already done a a lot of giveaways here at CasaSugar, and there are plenty more to come. But I'm also inspired to write about HGTV's 2008 Green Home Giveaway. That's right: HGTV is giving away a green home. I'd be so stoked if a CasaSugar reader was the winner of this giveaway!

The home is currently being built in Islamorado, Florida, in the Florida Keys. Starting January 1, 2008, you'll be able to enter the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway. Don't worry—we'll remind you! Check back often at the HGTV Dream Home Blog for more updates.

In the meanwhile, take a look at these simple tips for building green.

"Design Star": And the Winner Is...

casasugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:37:45 -0700

Who caught the finale of "Design Star" last night? All 11 designers were brought back for the final episode of the show for a look back at memorable scenes from the season (somewhat like the Reunion episode from "Project Runway.") Still, it was sweet to see all of the designers again and to hear how hard it had been for judges Martha McCully, Cynthia Rowley, and Vern Yip to eliminate one designer every episode.

So who won? To find out, just

"Design Star" Finale: This Sunday!

casasugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 08:30:13 -0700

Have any of you Casa readers been keeping up with the HGTV series "Design Star"? I've been pretty riveted, even though the designers' drama has sometimes overpowered their designs. You just never know how a project is going to turn out and how judges Martha McCully, Cynthia Rowley, and Vern Yip are going to weigh in on the challenges.

In the season finale (airing at 9 p.m. EDT/PDT this Sunday) the contestants have been whittled down to Kim Myles and Todd Davis, who've really had to shine to beat out the other nine designers for the coveted final spots. I was really sad to see the classy, talented, and humble Will leave after Challenge 6—he has such a big heart and it really shows in the thoughtfulness of his designs.

I'm rooting for Kim, a hair stylist who describes her style as "global-urban elegance." She's just had such spirit and drive throughout the show, and I love that she doesn't have any formal design training. I'm also impressed by her understanding of color, and I think she usually marries function and style pretty successfully.

Todd has had some good designs this season, though the fact that his dream project is designing lad-mag Maxim's headquarters isn't really my idea of dreamy. And I just can't trust that my house will be properly designed by someone who dresses himself in white socks, Keen shoes, and leather pants.

To see some of these designers' work, just