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Open House: Your Thanksgiving Décor

casasugar — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 05:30:54 -0800

Now that the turkey has been stuffed, slow-cooked, and sliced into nice, juicy pieces, and the pumpkin pies are long gone, perhaps along with your guests, I thought I'd get the intel on your Thanksgiving décor. If you were a host this holiday, how did you decorate? Did you simply dress the dinner tables, or did other areas of your home undergo a festive facelift as well? Were you inspired by anything you read on Casa when decorating? What was your style: traditional, modern, eclectic, Pilgrim-esque? If you were a Thanksgiving day guest at the home of a friend or family member, did you pick up any décor inspiration at the feast? Or, have you been inspired by any window displays? Tell me by commenting below!
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Open House: What Are Your Go-To Ikea Items?

casasugar — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:30:03 -0800

Like a lot of you, I love Ikea. I would never want to outfit my apartment solely with Ikea products, but there are a lot of items in the store that are so versatile that I can easily integrate them into my house. The issue with Ikea products, for me, is that there's often a huge range in quality among items. So, what are your go-to Ikea items that you know won't fail you? Do you love their wool rugs? Do you always head to the frames section? Do you swear by a certain model of sofa? Tell me by commenting below!

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Open House: Overwintering Plants

casasugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:30:18 -0800

In the San Francisco Bay Area, I rarely have to worry about a frost, which means that I can leave plants out all year round without incident. I know that's hardly the case with readers living in the Midwest and on the East Coast, though.

Steve, over at Gardening Gone Wild, recently wrote, "I overwinter a host of plants in my cold dark basement. Every year I try new ones and am perennially amazed at what succeeds. Basically the idea is to trick a plant into dormancy, then keep it there. Cold — or at least coolness — helps. So does darkness. To survive, many plants need light, others need warmth, and some need both; those are NOT the ones I’m talking about here. For the basement, we need plants that can go into deep dormancy, a state of almost suspended animation."

I also know that Amy Butler does the same thing with her tropical foliage, which comes outside in the Summer, and then is tucked away in her basement in the Ohio Winter months. So, do you bring in semi-tropical plants or outdoor perennials when the temperature dips? Do you let them go into a state of dormancy, like Steve does, or do you keep them out and about?

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Open House: Gearing Up For Fall

casasugar — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 08:30:04 -0800

Now that Halloween has passed, and your face paint and witch hats are inevitably bound for the costume closet, it's sweater time! Fall is finally upon us, and I'm sure you all have your own methods for preparing for it. Last month, of course, was House Warming month, and I showed you a plethora of ways to keep your toes warm at home this month. But how else do you face the season? Are you making festive napkins for your upcoming Thanksgiving party? Do you hang a Fall wreath? Do you give your kids the chore of raking leaves? Do you get back in the habit of parking your cars in the garage? Tell me how you're making your home Fall-friendly by commenting below!
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Open House: Your Thoughts on Home Theaters

casasugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 03:30:00 -0800

Home theaters have almost become a requisite for Americans building mega-McMansions, and they're quite common in the homes of the Hollywood elite. Personally, I just find them excessive. And since going to the theater is one of my favorite pastimes, I'd never give up popcorn and Slurpees in favor of a leather La-Z-Boy, even if ticket prices are well above $10 these days. Woody Allen, on the other hand, favors the home theater. When recently asked by New York magazine if he still goes to the movies, he said, "I don’t, because I have this [gesturing to the screening room], and so it’s much easier for me to call up and say, 'Can I get a print of The Women sent over here?' and I can just come in here with a couple of friends on a Saturday night and see it." What are your thoughts? Would you have a home theater built if you could afford to?
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Open House: What Projects Are You Working On?

casasugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:45:58 -0700

Last weekend, I found this very cool Danish dining chair at a flea market for the low, low price of $2.50 (yes, it was that cheap!). Right now, I'm in the middle of taking all of the staples out of the chair's ugly, tweedy beige upholstery and reupholstering it in something more updated.

What projects are you working on? Have you started any holiday crafting yet? Tell me about your latest projects in the comments!

Open House: What's Your Bed Style?

casasugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:30:32 -0700

In the New York Times article "The Bed, Remade," the lengths, depths, and heights of bed fashion are definitely overwhelming. Celebrity caterer Serena Bass, who was interviewed for the article, describes her bed's accessories thusly:

She quickly ticked off the other items: four sleeping pillows, two European squares, a "mysteriously cheap" duvet from Costco, an Indian textile stitched with mirrors as well as a mustard-colored one for the foot of the bed, a mohair throw, a raft of embroidered and crushed velvet decorative pillows made by her sister, Gaynor (that's Minnie Driver's mother, as Ms. Bass pointed out), and finally, laid out somewhere in the middle, a white silk bed scarf embroidered with a coral motif.

These are, mind you, just the bed accessories. My bedroom style is definitely on the minimalist style. Unlike some of the people interviewed for the article, I use my bed primarily for sleeping and reading, not for entertaining, watching movies, or eating dinner.

What's your bed style?

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Open House: How Are You Handling the Cold?

casasugar — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:30:49 -0700

As temperatures drop, our homes' thermostats creep up, and with those rising thermostats come rising bills. This week, I offered you some advice on keeping your house warm while keeping your costs down. From wearing layers to household fixes, there are actually some easy ways to make your house more efficient and cozy, that will also help you lower those heating bills.

Every household seems to have a few tricks up their sleeve about how to winterize their home. What do you do? Do you use draft stoppers on doors? Storm windows? Do you have any ingenious tricks that you haven't heard mentioned here before? Tell me all about it in the comments.
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Open House: Home Ownership Blues?

casasugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:30:00 -0700

I'm sure that, like me, you've been following the news of the mortgage crisis in the United States, and the drop in home prices due to it. Even if you don't want to follow it, you can't help but hear the coverage! While lower home prices are potentially good news for home buyers with stellar credit and a down payment, it's not so great for folks who bought their houses during the housing boom. We bought our home four years ago, and while our home has appreciated in value, thanks in part to work we've put into it and its great location, it certainly has been affected by the market downturn. Unfortunately, I also know some people who bought their house at a higher price than it's now worth, thanks to the market downturn.

What about you? Do you own your home? Does the downturn in the real estate market have you singing the home ownership blues? If you don't own, are you happy about it? Will you take advantage of the lower home prices now? Has the housing downturn affected your ability to sell your current home, or make a cross-country move? Tell me by commenting below.

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Open House: Magazine Hoarding

casasugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:58 -0700

I heart magazines. I heart and star and rainbow and unicorn them. Especially shelter magazines. It's kind of a problem, a real dilemma. At this very moment, there are six mags sitting beside me untouched because I simply don't have enough time to read all that I'd like to. So, they pile up. And, the magazines in my home are another story. Even those that I have read, marked with dog-ears, etc., I can't seem to part with. I know there are over a dozen ways to repurpose your magazines, but they're too precious to me to do so. It pains me to cut them up. How about you? Do you have a problem with hoarding magazines? Do you recycle them? Repurpose them? Do you save them? Do you even read magazines at all or are you a blog fiend? Tell me by commenting below!
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Open House: Seasonal Storage

casasugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:00:35 -0700

It may be officially Fall, but depending on where you live in the country, you may still be spending your time outdoors enjoying the warmth of Summer weather. The temperature is about to drop though, and you'll soon be sporting all of your 2008 Fall apparel and heading indoors for your extracurricular activities. I'm curious though: What you do with your Summer gear when things get chilly? Do you pack up your short shorts and send them to the attic? Do you put your surf board and your tennis racket in storage? Do you pull your heavy sweaters out of a cedar closet? Or, do all of your seasonal possessions have a place in your home year-round? Tell me by commenting below!
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Open House: House Play

casasugar — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:15:38 -0700

Yesterday, I talked about one designer who advocates play in public, but today I'd like to focus on play at home. At my house, there's always a deck of cards and a Scrabble board on hand, if not littering my coffee table, and one shouldn't be surprised to find trails of paper penciled with hangman games throughout my home. And there's always play going on when my dog, Ozzie, is in the room (or the backyard). What about you? Do you still play? Is there a designated area in your home for games? Do you have a card table? Do you have a swing set? An indoor swing? Where do your kids play? Do you play sports in the yard? At the park? Tell me by commenting below!
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Open House: Cluttered or Spare Mantel?

casasugar — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:30:29 -0700

In some homes (um, including my own), the fireplace mantel, which is often the main focal point in the living room, is piled with photos, candles, coasters — you name it. While it's a logical place to display knickknacks and mementos, often this excess can look cluttered. On the other hand, a spare mantel often looks naked. How do you decorate a fireplace mantel?

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Open House: Your Parents' Style

casasugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:30:36 -0700

This is a snapshot of my mother's living room, filled with antiques and plenty of outdated '80s/'90s textiles. Were she to redecorate today, I can guarantee she'd opt for a loose, more livable space. But, her taste remains colorful, traditional, and sophisticated. While I wouldn't mind winding up with a few of the pieces in this room (Louis XV chairs, secretary desk, mirror, maybe the coffee table), my style is certainly a departure from hers, and I might even consider painting some of the furniture. I prefer cleaner lines and fewer colors — more modern in general.How about you? How does your style compare to that of your parents? Has their décor style changed through the years? Do they adapt to trends? Would you like to inherit any of their furniture? Tell me by commenting below!

Open House: How Do You Define Masculine Style?

casasugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:15:41 -0700

Not all dudes decorate with high school sports trophies and rock posters. In fact, there are some absolutely design-savvy guys in my circle of friends.

How do you define masculine interior design? Does it involve darker colors? Earth tones? Leather? Are antlers involved? Furthermore, have you been influenced or impressed by any of your male friends' design savvy? Tell me by commenting below!
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Open House: Where Do You Need to Organize?

casasugar — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:30:00 -0700

I'm currently in the process of organizing my closet, but because entropy is inevitable, there's been a lot of deliberation about what system works best for me. I've figured out how to best organize my hangers, and am trying to be diligent about hanging my clothes back up after I try them. And, I've organized my tops and sweaters by color. But I'm still working on the shoes; I think I have a gene that prevents me from keeping them in order, or at least looking neat. There are a few other war zones in my house that need to be handled with a peace treaty of some sort as well, particularly the garage. How about you? What area of your home needs to be organized, or reorganized? Where do you need to implement an actual organization system (inbox, outbox, labels, etc.)? Do you have any spots that are truly out of control? Are you disorderly to a point where it affects your efficiency? Tell me by commenting below!
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Open House: Where Do You Cut Back?

casasugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:15:29 -0700

Unless you're a celebrity with money to burn, or just one very successful lay-dee, most of us have to cut back somewhere when it comes to furnishing and renovating our homes. I myself have been known to drop big bucks at high-end design shops and haggle over flea market finds in the same day. And although I'll concede that spending money on my house itself is in most cases a better investment than purchasing furnishings to fill it with, sometimes I just can't restrain myself from bringing home a beautiful lamp or having a chair reupholstered. Some of you may be renters, and it wouldn't make sense to spend on renovations. Or maybe you'll splurge on an antique dining table, but pair it with Ikea chairs. Maybe you spend on your interiors, but haven't given a thought to buying even a plant for your front stoop, let alone hiring a landscaper. Maybe you don't spend any money on your home at all. Tell me where you fit in by commenting below!
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Open House: Sale Shopping

casasugar — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:30:00 -0700

I don't know about you, but I'm a staunch believer in sale shopping. For the most part, I rarely buy things that are not on sale, partly because I know that great deals and steals abound (and where to find them), and partly because I'm aware of the high mark-ups retailers put on their products. But sometimes, I come down with a fever of spontaneous splurges . . . and then I encounter a bit of buyer's remorse. I've always been someone who puts a lot of consideration into her purchases, be it a ballpoint pen or a new sofa. How about you? When it comes to shopping for your home, do you make rash purchases, or do you deliberate on them? Are smaller purchases, say an accent pillow or a candle holder, more chewed over than larger ones, like furniture? Tell me by commenting below!

Open House: Jumbled Patterns

casasugar — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 05:30:00 -0700

I'm a fan of this photo in theory — it reminds me of the mix of patterns employed in the interior design of my favorite San Francisco tea house, Lovejoy's. Like this photo, Lovejoy's blends jumbled textile patterns and mismatched china to create an eccentric, fun interior. This funky mix of patterns is perfect for an hour of cucumber sandwiches and Earl Gray. However, I have a hard time imagining this many patterns in my own home. I think the mix would drive me batty after awhile. What about you? Do you like to mix patterns in your home, or do you prefer to keep it simple? Let me know by commenting below. Source

Open House: Who Is Your Handyman?

casasugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:45:04 -0700

You know I love to DIY. But, contrary to popular opinion, I am not actually good at everything. I can paint, sew, garden, hang wallpaper, and even do some plumbing, among other things. But, electrical projects are not my forté; and it's probably a fire hazard for me to attempt them. Some of you may be quite adept at installing a new light fixture and rewiring your outlets, though. Or maybe you can fix a squeaky door with the touch of your pinky finger. Maybe your man does all the work for you — or none at all. Or, perhaps you hire someone to fix things around the house or know a great celebrity handyman. Tell me where your skill set lies, and where it's lacking by commenting below!
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Open House: What's Your Take on TVs in the Bedroom?

casasugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:45:00 -0700

When I first moved in with my fiancé, he had a TV in the bedroom. Believe me, it was the first thing to move out when I moved in! I think that televisions have a time and place, and neither of those can be fulfilled in a bedroom. Bedrooms, especially for newlyweds, should be a place for rest, renewal, bonding, and getting romantic. DearSugar's poll a few months ago found that most of you had televisions in your bedroom. I can see the practicality of having one in my bedroom if I still lived alone, and in fact, I often watched movies on my laptop in bed before I moved in with my fiancé. Now, though, I'm convinced that it's a definite no-no. What's your take?

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Open House: Your Partner's Most Challenging Home Decorating Ideas?

casasugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:00:36 -0700

Moving in with someone is always challenging, whether it's a new roomie, a romantic partner, or a new husband.

The home decorating ideas and habits of two different people are often sources of friction between newlyweds. I know that when I moved in with my fiancé, we had countless arguments over furniture arrangements, new linens for the bed, where to store the toilet paper . . . the list is seemingly endless.

So, for this Open House, I want to know what type of decorating issues you've had with your roommate or your better half. Has he refused to give up his polyblend duvet cover (you know, the one with the fugly maroon-and-brown stripes)? Has he insisted that those crystal candlesticks his Aunt Mabel picked for you (which weren't on your registry) take center stage on your dining room table? Does his CD collection live in college-era unfinished wood crates? Tell me all about it when you leave a comment below.
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Open House: Your Inspiration

casasugar — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 08:30:37 -0700

Interior design inspiration abounds lately; I've found it everywhere from a runway dress to a young celeb's scarf to a designer window display. Traditionally, though, I've found a lot of inspiration in shelter magazines, design books, museums, and architecture. How about you? Where do you find inspiration for designing your own interiors? Tell me by commenting below!
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Open House: Do You Decorate With Family Photos?

casasugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:30:10 -0700

TeamSugar member Lexichloe recently wrote to me with an interesting question, which I had to share with you. She said, "I have an aunt who has a very modern, contemporary styled house. The first time I visited, I was in awe of the simplicity of it all. I then realized that the reason it was so simplistic was due to the lack of knickknacks and, more specifically, pictures. She comes from a close-knit, beautiful family. I was surprised at the absence of family pictures. Maybe you could ask the Casa community if they've ever been to a house that had no pictures in view."

So, readers, have you visited a home that didn't display family photos? I know that family photos are a must at my house, but what about yours? Do you have friends or relatives that banish photos to albums? Tell me by commenting below!
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Open House: Your Outdoor Furnishings

casasugar — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:30:59 -0700

Unless you live in the South, or don't mind bundling up in the Winter to sit outside, your outdoor spaces (decks, balconies, patios, rooftops, etc.) probably aren't the most high-traffic areas of your home. But, since Summer is in full effect, and many of you may be entertaining outdoors this weekend to celebrate the Fourth of July, I thought I'd ask you about your outdoor furnishings.Do you feel that your outdoor spaces are fully furnished? Do you still need a few things for it to feel complete? What's missing? Is it furnished at all? What furnishings do you have on your decks, patios, balconies, and pool areas? How do you accessorize those areas? Do you have potted plants? Patio umbrellas? Indian-inspired Pergola tents? Hammocks? Outdoor rugs? Firepits? Is there a theme or look that runs through your outdoor spaces, such as colorful and portable rooftop décor? Tell me by commenting below!
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Open House: Your Dream House

casasugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:30:00 -0700

In college I would take driving detours just to catch a glimpse of a big, old white Victorian with crisp white curtains swinging on its wide front porch. It was my dream house, and by a sheer twist of fate, I was lucky enough to live in it for two years. Today, my ideal house continues be a Victorian, somewhere quiet with a yard and easy access to a city. I'd love to decorate it à la Mark Homewood, and liven it with lush landscaping. That may change, and sometimes I think of quitting life and moving to a cabin in the woods. What about you? How do you envision your dream house? Do you live in it? How would you decorate it ideally? Where would it be? What style of home is it? Federalist? Georgian? Or Victorian like me? Tell me by commenting below!

Open House: Eco Upgrades

casasugar — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 05:19:12 -0700

According to CitizenSugar, Al Gore has spent $16,533 on eco-upgrades including solar panels, a geothermal system, new light bulbs, and better windows — and his "house uses enough energy in a year to power 232 regular houses for a month." Yikes! Not to brag or anything but, if you remember correctly, my utility company named me one of 1.5 million residential and 80,000 business customers who had conserved natural gas this past Winter. I may not have solar panels but there's a chance I may still have out-eco-chic'd Al Gore in terms of energy use! What eco upgrades have you made to your home? Solar panels? CFLs? Sustainable materials? Reclaimed wood furniture? Wind power? Planted a tree? Tell me by commenting below!
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Open House: Wedding Décor DIYs

casasugar — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:04:35 -0700

As we skirt through wedding season, I've given you some DIY suggestions like wine glass candle lampshades and a DIY wedding book, but of course, I know there's plenty more to offer in that department. So for this Open House, I'd love to hear about any types of wedding décor you've seen DIY'd or that you've handmade for your own weddings.

Have you been to an entirely DIY wedding? Received any homemade goodie baskets? Did your friends arrange their own flowers at their weddings? Sew the tablecloths or napkins? Make their own candles? How about the invites? Were they handmade? I bet you've encountered some DIY wedding décor somewhere along the line. Tell me by commenting below! As always, check out IDoSugar for all of our wedding coverage.
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Open House: What Are You Avoiding?

casasugar — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 05:31:00 -0700

We all have unfinished projects. Sometimes, if I make a list I can get most of those projects tackled, but inevitably, there's always some annoying task that eludes me. The latest bane of my household existence is the storage room off of our garage — we cleaned the garage, but piled anything we didn't want to deal with onto a shelf in the storage room. I know I need to clean it out, but it's really, really, really on the bottom of my priority list.
What about you? Do you have any projects or tasks that you're putting off? I bet you do . . . tell me all about it by leaving a comment!
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Open House: The Low-Down on Your Garden

casasugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:00:46 -0700

Since it's Good to Grow month, for this week's Open House, I figured I'd start off the month by getting the details on your garden — if you have one. What's in your garden: flowers, vegetables, herbs? Is your garden an Edible Estate? Is it an anti-garden? A formal, Versailles-style garden? Is it full of native plants or foreign flora? What plants specifically grow there? Do you garden for purely aesthetic purposes, for environmental reasons, or just to feed your hungry belly? If you don't have one, are you hoping to start one? Are you having any "issues" with your garden? Successes?
Let me know by leaving a comment a below, and we'll get this green thumb rally started!
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Open House: Proud of Your Projects

casasugar — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 08:11:27 -0700

Not to brag, but I must admit that I'm pretty pleased with some of the DIYs I've completed, and the before and afters I see here and there never cease to impress me. Sometimes it takes a lot of willpower to keep my house so fresh and so clean too, so I can't help but pat myself on the back when I stay on top of things. I'm sure you feel the same, and I'm sure you've completed plenty of projects that entitle you to blow your own horn.

Since last week I asked about what projects are on your To Do list, for this Open House, I want to hear about the projects that you're most proud of having completed. Did you work with an architect to design your house? Is the interior design of your living room coming along nicely? Have you come up with some inventive craft projects lately? Even completed a DIY you've read about here? Did you build a deck on your home? Have you been keeping your house so fresh and so clean lately? Let me know by leaving a comment below! And, be sure to add photos of these great achievements to our Su Casa group.
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Open House: Spring Projects

casasugar — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:21:17 -0700

Spring has officially sprung! That means several things. A) I need to start shopping for some fab sandals. B) I need to befriend someone with a sailboat. And C) I've got to get my house into shipshape for warm weather fun. One of my friends recently built herself a deck and is digging a ditch and ordering concrete in an effort to build herself a pool. Impressive, right?

Wherever you are, the heat is just around the corner, and I'm sure there's something you'd like to get done so you can enjoy it when it comes. So, for this Open House, I want to hear what's on your To Do list for Spring. Does your garden need a reno? Should your pool be filled? Need to hire a landscaper? Build a balcony or give your patio a makeover? Does your AC need to be fixed? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
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Open House: A Spa-Like Bathroom

casasugar — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:26:21 -0800

I've been posting a ton of ideas for bringing romance to your Love Shack this month, including plenty of products and a handful of crafty DIYs. One place still to be conquered, though, is the bathroom.

So for this Open House, I want to hear your tips and thoughts on transforming your bathroom into a calm and tranquil spa-like chamber, where romance is bound to follow. Aside from the Bath-O-Matic Bathtub Filler, what products do you use or suggest to get the look and feel of a spa? What color schemes work best? What DIY projects have you completed to make this transformation? What layout and methods of organization and storage do you recommend?

Let me know by leaving a comment below!
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Open House: NOLA Recommendations

casasugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:15:55 -0800

As you may have noticed, I've been focusing some of this month's content on New Orleans. The celebration of Mardi Gras first inspired me to explore this amazing city with Casa readers, but as that holiday came and went, I realized that there was a lot of Casa-related New Orleans exploring left to do.

So, if you're a resident of New Orleans or just an occasional and dedicated visitor, I'm sure you have some recommendations on great places that Casa readers would like to know about. Is there an antique store that you're dying to tell me about? How about a local artist or photographer? Maybe there's a furniture maker who's set up shop in the warehouse district? Tell me all about it by leaving a comment below, and maybe I'll feature your suggestion in an upcoming Casa post!

Open House Recap: Keeping Critters Out of the House

casasugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 07:15:50 -0800

Last week's Open House dealt with unwelcome critters in your home. You responded with stories about squirrels, raccoons, bats, snakes, ladybugs — and even a deer that walked into a house on its own!
I've rounded up some advice on how to guard your house against future creature infestations. For my list of tips, just

Open House: Critters in Your Crib

casasugar — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 08:14:17 -0800

Happy Groundhog Day! Speaking of rodents, critters, and the like, I've certainly had my fair share of animals playing house in my love shack. Has a groundhog wandered into your living room? A bat flew in your front door? Found a rattle snake under your bed? A scorpion IN your bed? A mouse helping itself to your kitchen cuisine? A cockroach staking claim to your living room? Ladybugs creeping all over your windowsill?

For this week's Open House, I want to hear all about your history with unexpected creatures in your house. Tell me by leaving a comment below, and next week I'll compile your responses so we can hear all about everyone's animal houses.
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Open House Recap: Winter Worries

casasugar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:00:25 -0800

Last weekend I asked you to tell me about all of your Winter worries. Is the heating repairman your best friend these days? Are your floorboards creaky and contracting with the cold weather? Is there a squirrel storing nuts in your pipes? Are your neighbors less than diligent about keeping up with their outdoor maintenance?

A lot of readers responded with their Winter worries.

Aimeeb said, "Ice is a huge issue. Any natural ways to get rid of it would be great."

Neural's concerned about "Icicles! I'm in a 2-story townhouse and there's no covering over my front stoop so when the icicles form on the roof, I'm scared to death they're going to fall on me or my daughter while we're entering/exiting the townhouse. I've seriously considered getting hard hats or something to wear when the icicles are out but I feel ridiculous. And, no, the icicles aren't reachable with a broom or anything that could knock them down."

Raieven said, "My windows leak water and the wall underneath the window in the kitchen "cried" the other night, the paint was bubbling and when we pressed the wall more water came out. We need double glazed windows but the landlord is not going to provide them."

To find out what else has us worrying this Winter, just

Open House: Winter Worries in the House

casasugar — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:37:49 -0800

For some reason, when I was growing up, my house always seemed to fall apart in the Winter, which was the time when I was at home and indoors the most. The pipes burst. The creosote in the chimney caused chimney fires. The heater died after 20 years of working without a hitch. The plowman thought it was funny to plow all of the snow in front of our garage doors, with the cars parked inside. Really, nothing can go right when the temperature drops.

So, for this week's Open House, I want to hear about all of your Winter worries. Is the heating repairman your best friend these days? Are your floorboards creaky and contracting with the cold weather? Is there a squirrel storing nuts in your pipes? (Trust me, it has happened.) Are your neighbors less than diligent about keeping up with their outdoor maintenance? Tell me all about your past or current headaches by leaving a comment below. Next week I'll compile our CasaSugar complications, and we can all whine collectively. Hopefully, we'll be able to pinpoint what ails us the most and find a way to tackle our issues with the force of an army of readers!
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Open House: Renewing Your Home

casasugar — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:07:41 -0800

I have a whole file folder bursting with ideas for what to post about during Renewal month, but I could always use a little guidance, too.
So, for this Open House, I want to hear what you would like to see related to this month's theme. Are there any home projects that you'd like help in tackling? Any how tos you need to know? How about DIY projects? I'd love to hear about what you plan on working on this month. Finally getting around to the organization of that craft cabinet? Are you tackling those basement boxes? Rearranging your bedroom? Maybe cleaning out the kids' toys?

Let me know by leaving a comment below!

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Open House: What's On Your List

casasugar — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 05:05:39 -0800

I don't know about you, but I have a crazy list of home-related errands to run and projects to accomplish this weekend. I'm hosting both friends and future in-laws this next holiday weekend (which starts on Wednesday night, eek!), and I don't have a lot of time left to get everything done.

So, for this weekend's Open House, I want to hear your lists. What are you prioritizing? What can be left until later? Just leave your ideas in the comments section below. Next Monday I'll compile our CasaSugar lists and we can all let out a collective groan—or sigh of relief, depending on how much we actually accomplished—when we swap lists.

To see my list, as well as to leave a comment, just

Secrets for Moving In: The List

casasugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:30:00 -0700

You all gave me loads of great advice for the latest Open House, Secrets for Moving In, to pass along to my closest confidant. There was a lot to work with here, so I took the liberty of paraphrasing a bit, and adding some tips of my own. I've divided your thoughts into several different categories: pre-moving, cleaning, moving, painting, decorating, befriending neighbors, and studio-related tips.

Pre-move:

Stay organized during your packing phase. Mark your boxes well, and label them with what room they're going in ahead of time. - Queen Lizzy
Check out your new place thoroughly. Look for bad paint jobs, missing items, scuffs and other marks. Take an extra look at the kitchen and bathroom, and other high traffic places. Make sure all your light fixtures and appliances work properly.- sweetpeabrina

For more tips,

Open House: Secrets for Moving In

casasugar — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 08:45:26 -0700

One of CasaSugar's closest confidants is moving into a new studio this weekend that is a completely blank canvas. She's got only a bag of clothes and an even bigger suitcase full of shoes to move in, and aside from ordering a green mattress, she has no idea where to start. So, for this weekend's Open House, I want to hear your best ideas on getting settled in an empty pad.

What furniture do you find essential? What types of storage containers, hangers, etc. do you keep in your closet? When choosing your wall colors, where do you start? What appliances and electronics (iron, coffee pot, etc.) can you not live without? How do you get acquainted with your neighbors? What cleaning supplies are must-haves for moving into a rental, and what cleaning tips can you offer? What items make you feel at home? You get the idea. The more creative and obscure the tips, methods or products, the better; just leave your ideas in the comments section below. Then next week, I'll compile our CasaSugar list of secrets for moving in. Let the open house begin!

Source

Open House Recap: Pets and Your Home

casasugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 04:14:57 -0700

Those of us who live with pets struggle to varying degrees with how to keep our homes clean, organized, and pretty, even with a 60-pound dog underfoot or a kitty who likes to use your favorite chaise lounge as a scratching post. So for last weekend's Open House, I asked readers to share your secrets for living happily, healthfully, and beautifully with pets in your home.

Not only did you guys give me some great ideas, but you're also inspiring me to rethink my current practice of not crating my dog. Check out some of my favorite words of advice below.

Pez4Pres: I used to use flushable litter until I found out that cat litter has a parasite that survives sewage treatment and ends up in the ocean where it can kill sea otters I like otters more than flushable litter so now I clean it out every night and use the littermate. It's basically a diaper genie for cats. It works pretty well, and helps keep odors down.
SDJackson: If you buy a kennel, make sure it's big enough for them to turn around in it, stand in it, and lay down in it. And I refused to put it outside...that seemed a little extreme for our tiny dog. Of course, that meant I had an ugly black cage in the corner of my living room, but I whipped up a couple of rectangles using a really nice upholstery fabric and attached them to each side of the kennel with ribbon. Then I added some pockets for dog toys. It was a super easy way to fuse my love for my dog with my love for clean carpet.
MellyBChappyChap: To keep my cat Napoleon content and entertained I put his scratching tower post by the big picture window. He sits on the top perch and watches the people in my apartment go by. Now, I hear people call up and say, "Hi Napoleon!" and most times he'll meow back. Because of his supreme cuteness, I've already had someone in the complex say anytime my boyfriend and I go out of town, he'd love to cat-sit. I almost didn't put his post there because it's not the best living room design, but seeing how happy it makes Napoleon and my neighbors, I wouldn't put it anywhere else.
Daisie: Kitty isn't allowed on the kitchen counters. It helps that they are too high for her to jump on, but if she ever jumps where she shouldn't, it's best to catch her in the act and say "NO" a few times while removing her. Clapping your hands and saying "no" loudly works now—she knows if that happens it is a no-no and to stop.

For lots of other ideas,

Open House: Pets and Your Home

casasugar — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 08:30:10 -0700

Although I've only posted a few pet-related posts, your responses to these posts show that you're a pretty pet-oriented group! Who knew that the kitty washroom would inspire so much love?

Those of us who live with pets struggle to varying degrees with how to keep our homes clean, organized, and pretty, even with a sixty-pound dog underfoot or a kitty who likes to use your favorite chaise lounge as a scratching post.

So for this weekend's Open House, I want to hear your best ideas for living happily, healthfully, and beautifully with pets in your home. How do you keep them off the furniture? How do you keep your furniture clean and fur-free if they're allowed on the couch? How do you ensure that your cat's litterbox is smelling fresh? If you're a renter, how have you helped keep the peace between pet-wary landlords and pet-loving you? Just leave your ideas in the comments section below. Then next week, I'll compile our CasaSugar list of smart ideas for living with pets. Let the open house begin!

Source and Source

Open House Recap: Shedding Unwanted Stuff

casasugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:30:51 -0700

The list of 100 reasons to get rid of stuff that I discovered last week was pretty comprehensive, but somehow, I suspected that you all would have some more great ideas for getting rid of junk. So for last weekend's Open House, I asked readers to share your secrets for shedding unwanted books, clothes, home wares, electronics, and anything else cluttering up your house.

Not only did you guys give me some great ideas, but you're also inspiring me to do another major clean-out! Check out some of my favorites below.

Kendallina: I give old magazines to local women's shelters, and I save all of my books and give them to friends and family and encourage them to pass the books on after they've read them.
Omeletqueen: I take everything to the Swap Shop at our dump — that, or sign up for Freecycle!
SweetPeasMom: There are a group of girls here who want to have a clothing swap, which basically is where you take anything you don't wear anymore, and you and all your friends get to take whatever you want of each other's unwanted clothes. One girl's "this makes me look fat" is another's favorite item.

For lots of other ideas,

Open House: Secrets for Shedding Unwanted Stuff?

casasugar — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 05:52:35 -0700

On Friday I found a very extensive list of 100 reasons to get rid of stuff, including all sorts of creative charities that I had never heard of before. We're all waging a constant battle against excess stuff, and everyone has different ways to get rid of it. In San Francisco, for instance, you can put a couch out on the sidewalk, and chances are, it will be gone in an hour.

So for this weekend's Open House, I want to hear your best secrets for shedding unwanted books, clothes, home wares, electronics, and anything else cluttering up your house. The more creative and obscure the method, the better; just leave your ideas in the comments section below. Then next week, I'll compile our CasaSugar list of secrets for shedding stuff. Let the open house begin!

Open House Recap: Top 10 House-Cleaning Shortcuts

casasugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:29:23 -0700

Ever since I saw this list of 10 things you can stop cleaning right now — much of which involves disposing of things rather than washing them — I've been wondering how we can make housework easier without making landfills fuller. So in the Open House this weekend, I asked you guys to share your house-cleaning shortcuts.

Several users mentioned the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, which is also one of my must-have cleaning tools. The mysterious sponge manages to remove weird stains that nothing else seems to get off. But that's only the beginning! To see 10 more invaluable household hints,

Open House: Your House-Cleaning Shortcuts

casasugar — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 08:08:29 -0700

I have mixed feelings about this list of 10 things you can stop cleaning right now. Some of the solutions are smart, but others focus on disposing of things rather than washing them, creating waste. But since I can always use more easy homemaking ideas, I decided to devote an Open House to your house-cleaning shortcuts.

What tips do you have for quicker house-cleaning with little waste? Share yours in the comments section below, and next week, I'll compile our own CasaSugar list of house-cleaning hints. Let the open house begin!

Open House Recap: Your Decorating Don'ts, Part II

casasugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 06:00:51 -0700

For a new CasaSugar feature called Open House, I took some inspiration from Domino's Top 10 Decorating Don'ts and asked you guys to share your biggest no-nos. Thanks to all of you who added your two cents!

There are some great bits of wisdom here — so many that I had to split the recap into two parts. I particularly love this tip from Sweet Adeline: "Do not purchase art for your walls because it matches your present decor. Buy what you like and you will enjoy it forever!" You can read Part I here, and to see the next 10 decorating don'ts,

Open House Recap: Your Decorating Don'ts, Part I

casasugar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:41:38 -0700

There are some great bits of wisdom here — so many that I had to split the recap into two parts. I particularly love this tip from Sweet Adeline: "Do not purchase art for your walls because it matches your present decor. Buy what you like and you will enjoy it forever!" Tune in tomorrow for Part II, and to see the first 10 decorating don'ts,