CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Midday Muse: Ocean Views

casasugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:00:39 -0700

Clingstone, a 103-year-old mansion in Narragansett Bay, which was recently featured in the New York Times, sits on a rocky island that's barely bigger than the house. While this situation leaves very little room for a yard or garden, the ocean views make up for it, don't you think?

Eric Jacobs for The New York Times

Midday Muse: Oh '70s, How I Don't Miss Thee!

casasugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:00:31 -0700

I'm sure there's some modern-day equivalent of the Love Rug, which GiggleSugar recently uncovered. There must be some piece of furniture that substitutes as a furry lover, which, as the copy for this ad so eloquently states, "As you stroke, it strokes. . . . It's almost like having another lover there with the two of you." I'm sure there's probably something similar, but I'm not going out of my way to find it. Source

Midday Muse: Patterned Marble

casasugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:00:42 -0700

Two of my good friends just returned from a European adventure, and since one of them is an architect, they snapped a ton of photos of architectural elements. I was particularly taken by this patterned floor, found in a building in Slovakia, which I initially thought was wood. It's marble though, and absolutely gorgeous at that.

Have you been inspired by architectural elements on any trips you've taken?

Midday Muse: Bathroom Rugs

casasugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:30:17 -0700

We've seen an influx of striking outdoor rugs this year, made from polypropylene that can be hand washed or hose cleaned in second but with the good looks of an indoor rug. That's great and everything, but I want to know when a bath mat is going to come along that's not simply white and furry. Who decided that bath mats had to be plain and oh-so-boring? I'm eager to see a rug that's not only as good looking as those we'd put in our living or dining rooms but can also dry our drippy feet after a shower. Are you out there, designers? Please answer my call. Or, am I missing something? Does what I'm looking for already exist?
Source

Midday Muse: Storage That Shines

casasugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:00:37 -0700

Recently, I showed you lights made from Tupperware, and apparently great minds think alike, because AT:SF also posted photos of these kitchen lights, made from vintage canisters. I love the diffused light from the punched holes, and the silvery sheen of these storage containers. What other kitchen objects would make great lampshades or pendants? Source

Midday Muse: Twinkle Twinkle Baby

casasugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:00:38 -0700

I can't claim to know the meaning of these cupcake deer, from artist Andrea Canalito's MFA thesis show. Deer inside cupcakes? An overload of cute? I love it when art takes you by surprise, and Ms. Canalito's exhibit, "Twinkle Twinkle Baby," does just that. There's art that provokes, and art that is appropriate for any home, and then there's art that delights. These deer definitely fall into that last category.
Source

Midday Muse: Everybody in the Pool

casasugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:00:30 -0700

Wondering where this cool, patterned pool is located? I can tell you that you'll be surprised by the answer.

To find out,

Midday Muse: Best in Show

casasugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:00:29 -0700

Today marks the start of the Southport Flower Show in Southport, England. The UK's oldest independent flower show, it's a must-attend event for anyone interested in home and garden trends. If you're in or around Southport this weekend, I'd advise heading out to Victoria Park to gawk at some of the beautiful blooms.

Source

Midday Muse: Saturated Hues

casasugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:00:35 -0700

I have to say, Anthropologie has a great talent for catching my eye, and this new photo from its catalog has given me serious room-decorating envy. I love the saturated wall colors and the interplay of blue and green patterns, including that stunning peacock sofa. Sometimes an overabundance of color is simply too much for the eye to take in, but this room is, in my opinion, positively splendid.
Source

Midday Muse: Cue Your Color

casasugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:00:02 -0700

On beautiful Summer days, it's always convenient to have a furnished outdoor lounge area for entertaining, or just taking an escape of your own. If you have such a space, and you're anything like yours truly, you feel the urge to decorate the space just as you would the interior of your home. But, a part of me feels like the last thing I should be doing during my carefree endless Summer is worrying about coordinating colors and themes, etc. So, my suggestion to y'all is to take a cue from what's already there. I love how the owners of this home decided to coordinate their lounge space with the light-blue color of their home's exterior walls. With a simple blue, purple, and white striped rug, a set of white furniture, and some cool blue napkins, the space looks composed yet effortless.
Source

Midday Muse: A Foolproof Summer Decorating Ritual

casasugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I recently came across a quote from designer Jeffrey Bilhuber in House Beautiful that made me want to throw all of my Summer style and endless Summer tips to the wind. When asked if he lived by any Summer decorating rituals, he said:

No. I've rented a cottage on Nantucket and can't wait to get there. 'Have peppermill, will travel,' that's my Summer motto. Really, that's all I need. So here's my advice: Rent someone else's house. Just get away from it all.

I love it. I mean . . . Summer should be carefree and full of ease. Maybe we shouldn't be worrying about introducing bright colors and lightweight textiles into our homes, and just escape it all instead. That's easier said than done though, right?
Source

Midday Muse: Olympic Wreaths

casasugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Come November, many people worldwide will hang wreaths on their front doors, celebrating the holiday season. But, who says wreaths should be reserved Christmas? One San Francisco city dweller decided to celebrate this year's Olympic games by making and hanging their very own set of Olympic rings . . . in wreath form! The symbolic five intertwined rings were reimagined with plastic fruits in the iconic colors white, red, blue, green, yellow, and black. Does your home have Olympic spirit? What other ideas for decorating like a champion do you have? At the very least, one of you must own an Olympic poster . . .
Source

Midday Muse: Monochrome Living

casasugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I'm not one to steer away from color or pattern, but I think there is something to be said for monochrome interiors. In a vibrant, busy space, shapes can become lost and ignored, but a more pared down design can accentuate your furnishings, reminding you each day of why you fell for them in the first place. Take the chandeliers in the photograph, for example. They're remarkable and the white walls make note of that, whereas a wallpaper might be a distraction from their unique, drippy form. I myself love white furniture but black has never been for me. In most cases I find black and white interiors a bit too modern for my taste. But here, the vintage trunk, traditional sofa, and painted hardwood floors prevent that. No, it's not the most conservative space, but it doesn't scream bachelor pad, either. What do you say? Yea or nay for monochrome living?
Source

Midday Muse: Heed to Your Hallway

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

I often feel that hallways are the most ignored spaces in our homes. If anything, we paint the walls, hang a photograph or piece of artwork, and set a console table there with a lamp. And "landing strips" are neither inventive nor novel; they're just something that evolves when we ditch our stuff at the front door. So, it's nice to see a little creativity in the hallway every now and then. I'm quite impressed by these two hallway images from Living Etc. In one, a quirky tree-shaped coat rack personifies the space, a vintage boot stand is interesting yet functional, and a glass display table makes odds and ends look decorative rather than messy. In the other, using a garden trellis to hang keys, coats, postcards, and pictures, and dragging the fur rug out of the living room, is thinking outside of the box. I know there are some of you who prefer to have traditional, formal homes . . . but even then, why not infuse them with a personality? Your hallways and foyers are the first impression your guests have when they come to your home, and the last when they leave; make them memorable.
Source

Midday Muse: I'm an Island (Fan)

casasugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:00:37 -0700

Growing up, I would always sit on our high stools at the kitchen island and watch my mother cook dinner as I did my homework. It was basically the only way for me to spend time with her alone at night, and it was also how I learned to cook. Sometimes, my sister would practice piano in the room, or spread her books out on the dining table to study. In the mornings, we'd all hop on the stools and eat cereal together as my mom made sandwiches on the other side. We had an open-plan living space (a kitchen and casual dining room combined), and it worked for us; I can't imagine growing up any other way. But, some chefs prefer the kitchen to themselves, far from where their family actually dines, and others simply prefer the privacy of a separate kitchen. Where do you fall?
Source

Midday Muse: A Patterned Floor

casasugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:00:33 -0700

This gorgeous floor, which was hand painted by Catherine, won the Design*Sponge prize for best use of pattern in a home. I can definitely see why. I know a lot of friends who have concrete floors in their homes, but I've never seen any of them painted with patterns. Now, I'm going to have to bend their ears about this cool idea.

Source

Midday Muse: Bright Lights in the Darkness

casasugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:00:44 -0700

This building, which was part of the Archstoyanie Summer festival, had thousands of holes drilled into the planks that compose its walls. The result? In the daytime, anyone standing inside the building has tiny dots of light filtering onto their bodies, and at night, the light pours into the dark, Russian night. Beautiful, isn't it?

Source

Midday Muse: Damask in Blooms

casasugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:00:05 -0700

I love damask patterns, whether they're woven into a beautiful throw or papered onto a wall. They're often feature flowers, fruit, or animal life, but have you ever heard of a damask pattern that's composed of flowers? Well, that's exactly, what Manchester, England, artist Jo Vickers did when she created a flower installation in a damask pattern. Displayed in Manchester's Albert Square as part of the Manchester in Bloom festival, over 60,000 flowers were used to create the pattern. Breathtaking!

Source

Midday Muse: Rogue Knitters Strike Again

casasugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:00:18 -0700

Remember when I told you about the woman who knitted sweaters for trees? Seems like someone in my neighborhood was inspired by her work. I found this well-bundled tree outside of a cafe in Berkeley. I love this type of guerrilla art; it's so much more, well, cozy than tagging, don't you think?

Midday Muse: A Chair Confession

casasugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:00:07 -0700

Don't tell anyone, but I have a secret: I'm kind of over the Herman Miller Eames Molded Rockers. In fact, I was never a rabid fan. And if I tell the absolute, total truth, I should say that I was never really even in love. I think they look fabulous in some of my friends' homes, but they're just not my thing. However, they're so vastly popular, it's hard to make a statement like this without running the risk of sounding like a design fuddy duddy. But there. I've 'fessed up. Now how about you? Do you have any popular designs that you are absolutely opposed to? Tell me in the comments below.

Midday Muse: Parasol and Plums

casasugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:00:57 -0700

Paper parasols aren't just for keeping the sun out of your eyes. They'll also add some instant Summer Style to your garden party. Just stick a few in larger shrubs or low-hanging tree branches, and let the fun begin!

Midday Muse: Luggage Furniture

casasugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:00:46 -0700

We've all heard the expression, "living out of a suitcase." And, until now, it's been associated with temporary, not ideal living situations — "slumming it." But, Marie Claire Maison has envisioned tes valises in a whole new form. Here, inspired by traditional hard-case trunks (think Joe Versus the Volcano), two wooden shelves painted fluorescent yellow were installed in a metal suitcase to store Summer attire, like a mini closet. Need seating, not storage? A wheeled nylon bag makes a pouf when placed around a coffee table, if you fill it with clothes or packaging bubbles to keep it soft. Got a basic military trunk? Drill holes into its base, and add casters: an instant coffee table that you can easily move about on your terrace! A carry-on bag makes a giant vanity box when you add mirrors to its top with velcro, and hang jewelry from a kilt safety pin. Or, canvas sailor duffel bags make back pillows for your a low-lying sofa when stuffed. Think outside of the suitcase!
Source

Midday Muse: Painted Ceilings

casasugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:00:40 -0700

Think outside of the blanc. Put down your Benjamin Moore Decorator's White, and opt for color on your ceiling instead. You may think you're playing it safe by leaving yours white, but you're actually just ignoring the potential there.By painting your ceiling a pale hue of a cool color, such as green or blue, you will visually lift the ceiling, since those colors recede, instantly making a small room feel larger. Conversely, painting a dark hue of a warm color will visually lower the ceiling, since those colors procede, making a large room feel smaller or any room just feel more intimate. The ceiling of this vast room was painted an oceanic blue, extending and brightening it, giving it almost an aquarium quality. Are your ceilings painted? Have you considered painting them? How about wallpapering them?
Source

Midday Muse: Romantic Work Areas

casasugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:00:31 -0700

I recently rearranged and prettified my gardening work area. While it's nowhere near as romantic and lovely as this photo, I can say that just having a clean, organized, and pretty area to repot plants and start seeds makes me even more motivated to get outside and garden. Do you find that "prettying" your work space, whether it's inside or outside, has the same effect on you?

Source

Midday Muse: Moroccan Lattice Rugs

casasugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Browsing through Kelly Wearstler's portfolio, I came across this image of a living room in a Santa Monica residence that she designed. While the traditional/Hollywood Regency style of the space is certainly elegant that's not the reason the photo caught my eye. The grayish-blue, lattice-patterned rug was glaring back at me; it looked oddly familiar. To hear where I'd seen a similar piece,

Midday Muse: Clothing As Art

casasugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:00:01 -0700

If you have a kimono, party dress, or otherwise underutilized but absolutely lovely piece of clothing in your closet, why not give it a place of honor on your living room wall? Using clothing to fill up empty wall space provides a beautiful and textural element to a room, which can be echoed in other accents, such as pillows, rugs, or furniture pieces. Do you do this in your own home?

Source

Midday Muse: Incongruous Additions

casasugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:00:24 -0700

This 5th Ave. Apple Store-esque extension was added to a humdrum McMansion, giving it not only additional space but loads of light. In this case, I think the addition was a success, and added value, especially because it's in the rear of the house and doesn't appear to be visible from the street. But, often I see modern additions going up on older, period homes that don't take into account the history of the space, and I cringe a little. If you own a historic Victorian or even 20th-century Colonial, why not hire an architect who can build something to coordinate? If a modern home is really what you want, why not sell your country cottage and buy one instead? I know things are never as straightforward as that, and there are a lot of factors involved when you're considering buying, selling, and renovating. But sometimes I worry that we'll look at our landscape in 50 years and realize that Mr. Potato Head or Frankenstein may have actually been city planners. Do you agree, or is my thinking just hopelessly traditional?
Source

Midday Muse: Flooded London

casasugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:00:44 -0700

Some climate change models indicate that many of the planet's coastal regions will be underwater in the next 50 to 100 years. Deciding to put a positive spin on this rather dreary prediction, media production company Squint/Opera used a combination of photography and digital modeling and manipulation to create an altogether surprising vision of the future.

The company's images, which were presented as part of London Festival of Architecture 2008, show Londoners fishing from parking structures, playing near submerged sidewalks, and completing high dives from St. Paul's Cathedral. What's your take on these images?

Source

Midday Muse: Kind of Blue

casasugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:00:27 -0700

Just like the Miles Davis record, there's something both classic and perfectly realized about layering a bedroom in soothing blues.
This bedding, with its crisp-white backgrounds and indigo-dyed patterns, is absolutely inviting. Anyone else ready to take a siesta?
Source

Midday Muse: Wild Colors

casasugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:00:15 -0700

I have to start this post off on a positive note: I love this house, and I love its beautiful garden and variety of flowers and plants. I also really adore bougainvillea. However, I can't really deal with the two clashing shades of pink that flank this home's entry. It's kind of jarring on the eyes. Are you with me on this one, or do you think that the clashing bougainvillea is fine?

Inspiration: a Headboard à la Hermès

casasugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0700

On a recent stroll through San Francisco — okay, I may have been shopping —an Hermès window display caught my eye. Sadly, they were not giving away free Kelly bags, just a little inspiration. What was once a backdrop for designer duds, a series of strips of varying tones of green linen, cut to resemble safari grasses, was the source of a home décor revelation. Paired with a leafy, botanical print quilt or duvet, the backdrop could be used as a headboard to create a bit of a jungle theme in a bedroom. I think the project would a cinch to pull off — starching the fabric and adhering or stapling it to a piece of wood behind, which would then be attached to the base. But then, the grass is always greener in the Hermès window . . . To see a widget of bedding that might work for this project,

Midday Muse: Matchy Matchy

casasugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:00:11 -0700

I hate to be a downer, but I just have to say that there is nothing interesting about this matchy-matchy style of décor to me. I do love toile, florals, and gingham but seeing so much of them all in one space makes me sad. The lithograph prints hanging on the wall look like they could be beautiful, antique treasures, and the armchairs have an elegant, classic shape, but these great qualities are lost in the busyness of the patterns. To me, there's nothing creative or inspiring about using one fabric everywhere. Setting one of the gingham chairs in all-white room would have a significantly more positive visual impact. But, that's just me, and to each his own. If a bedroom such as this makes one woman comfortable in her home then I can't argue with that.
Source

Midday Muse: A World-Class Backyard

casasugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:00:27 -0700

Designer Selina Lake created this world style-influenced backyard vignette using a vintage suzani, feminine-hued throw pillows, and a jaunty crystal-accented parasol. While you might not have all of these elements in your garage or attic, I bet you could round up a few to create a similar cozy outdoor space at your own home. I'm currently contemplating taking our old coffee table out of the garage and setting it on a back deck platform in our yard, adorning it with lanterns and throw pillows, and inviting friends over for a midnight Scrabble marathon. How could you create some Summer style using elements you already own?

Source

Midday Muse: Powerful Portraits

casasugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:00:45 -0700

I've been tempted to put a blown-up portrait on a wall in my home, but I always think better of it. While the oversized portrait can work in some interiors, I definitely think that it would overpower my home. I love the way that the black-and-white portrait in this photo contrasts beautifully with the more traditional objects in this picture. Do you have bigger-than-life portraits in your home? Or do you shy away from them?
Source

Midday Muse: Shag Carpet-Printed Linoleum

casasugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:00:56 -0700

Warning: do not try this at home. Shag carpet-printed linoleum. Four words you never want to hear together. In the case of Adam, who is fixing his 19th-century house, not only are those words familiar, but they are ever present with each glance at the floor of his bedroom and closet. In some slip of sanity, a company actually produced shag carpet-printed linoleum and someone willingly nailed it to their floor above what were likely once-beautiful hardwood floors. To say that I am wowed by this would be a drastic understatement; I think I am in shock. I cannot fathom how this has happened. Did the previous owner hate to vacuum? I'd love to know if any of you out there actually like this linoleum. And, what about you? Are there any decorating sins left from previous residents of your home?
Source

Midday Muse: Seasonal Decorating

casasugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:00:25 -0700

One way to cultivate Summer Style in your home is by decorating with finds from your Summer excursions. It could be a smooth, round stone from a beach day trip, or some dahlias from your garden. However you choose to decorate, keep it simple. After all, it's Summer, and we want to keep the living easy!

Source

Midday Muse: It's All About the Candles

casasugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:00:03 -0700

This classic Swedish Summer house evokes a relaxed pastoralism synonymous with easy, rural Summer living. Yet it's also unmistakably stylish. Out of this entire photograph, though, what really catches my eye is the candelabra above the dining room table. The antlers that hang down seem to be reaching towards the deer candle below it on the table, creating a pleasing pairing. I particularly love the idea of forgoing the use of an electric chandelier for a candle-powered fixture. It's so romantic and Summer appropriate.

Source

Midday Muse: Let Summer Provide Your Color

casasugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:00:10 -0700

More than any other season, Summer begs to be integrated into your home's interior design, with its bright colors and balmy temperatures. Take, for instance, this home, whose honey-colored floors provide the only relief from the stark, nearly hygienic white interiors. That is — except for the eyecatching green foliage outside the picture windows. What could look cold suddenly looks fresh thanks to the deep green of the trees outside. Do you let Summer provide your home with accent colors?
Source

Midday Muse: Robot Love

casasugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:00:44 -0700

I'm loving how the display of these toy robots under bell jars takes them from geek to chic! This is a great idea for bachelors who want to give their homes a more mature look, but aren't ready to part with their toys. Or, you're working on finding a successful cohabitation design balance, you can compromise by letting him keep his Star Wars memorabilia collection under a glass cloche alongside something girlie of yours. You can pretty much turn anything into a work of art if you display it in the right fashion, such as these bread bag tags and nicely packaged New York City trash. Don't you think?
Source

Midday Muse: Bright Hues, Big Plants

casasugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:00:52 -0700

Recently, I spotted this picture of Dwell editor in chief Sam Grawe's apartment on AT:SF. I love the bold, punchy colors and gigantic houseplants in his living room, which are nicely balanced by the white Saarinen-esque tables and bright-white walls. It looks both stylish and easy to live in — my perfect combination for home spaces.
Source

Midday Muse: A Place For Grays

casasugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:00:17 -0700

While not one of the paint colors I immediately gravitate towards, gray can have an immediate and dramatic effect. I love how stunning it looks here, as a background to this romantically red velvet sofa.

Do you have grays on your walls?

Source

Midday Muse: An Artful Arrangement . . . of Refigerators

casasugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:00:10 -0700

I never thought minifridges had anything to offer besides $6 water bottles and Toblerone bars, but I'm impressed with how visually appealing their artful arrangement is in this photo from Apartamento. Unfortunately, plugging five refrigerators into the wall is far from eco chic, but you can always use them to store your dishes without using any electricity! To see what's hiding behind those sealed doors,

Midday Muse: The Secret's in the Sculpture

casasugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:00:44 -0700

I spend so much time looking at furniture and accessories that sometimes I forget that what really builds a sophisticated home is having unique, original artwork. In this dining-room photograph by David Giles, I'm loving the free-standing botanical sculptures that resemble children's drawings made to scale, a bit like Yeondoo Jung's photographs. The room is otherwise very minimal, painted entirely bright white, furnished with a simple white table, and accessorized with fruits and flowers. Although the lace-backed chairs are unusual, they really bring nothing to the table; it's the plant-like sculptures that cultivate the room's captivating style.
Source

Midday Muse: An Extension of Home

casasugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:00:11 -0700

Too many times, I'm guilty of thinking of "home" as my house. Every time I visit a community garden, drop by a public park, or take a stroll around my city, I'm reminded that home means much more than my house. Home is your neighborhood, your street, your city, your country — the entire world. The more that we can cultivate this attitude, the safer and more vibrant our homes will be, however broadly we define that term.

Midday Muse: Who's Afraid of Color?

casasugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:00:45 -0700

Apparently, not the Danes. I love the deep, deep purple of the lilac blossoms against that eye-popping citron slatted shelving. The light blue cups add a touch of muted calm, while the green glass picks up the green of the lilac leaves so nicely. While this is more color than most houses could handle, I'd gladly take it. Would you?
Source

Midday Muse: A Hint of Pink

casasugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:00:21 -0700

Sometimes all it takes is the smallest accent of a feminine shade to make a more rough hewn, masculine room really sing. Without the pink of the flowers, the pearly sheen to the wall, or the pink of the blanket I doubt that this room would look as pulled together as it does.
Source

Midday Muse: Fallow Farmhouse

casasugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:00:44 -0700

One of my favorite sights is finding old, weather-beaten buildings in the middle of a field or forest. There's such a mixed sense of history, nostalgia, and slight spookiness to them.
Do you find something lovely about these old buildings as well?

Courtesy of Ariel Meadow Stallings

Midday Muse: Backyard Paradise

casasugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:00:24 -0700

As I was reading through AT:LA, I paused at this gorgeous photo of AT:LA reader Justine's backyard. Everything about it just makes me want to stop, linger, and relax until she kicks me out. From the comfy seating to the tropical foliage to the glass lanterns, it's absolutely spot-on lovely.

Have you turned an outdoor spot into a little piece of paradise? Tell me about it in the comments!
Source

Midday Muse: How Does Your Garden Grow?

casasugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:00:56 -0700

I don't know about your garden, but Grumpalita's garden isn't coming up silver bells and cockleshells, but it's coming up radishes. Isn't this shade of red just luscious? This photo makes me want to whip up some of YumSugar's Summer corn and radish salad.
How is your garden growing?

Midday Muse: Inspired by Libraries

casasugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:00:16 -0700

This past weekend, I finally visited my local library and picked up a few books and DVDs (and paid my late fines). While my little neighborhood library isn't nearly as glamorous as the George Peabody Library in Baltimore, MD, it still is a source of comfort, simply because I'm surrounded by books (plus my library has a great open-beamed ceiling). Take a look at the gallery below and see if any of these library interiors inspire you, and if any of the frescoes, tables, tiled floors, or shelves could be adapted to your home.

Source