CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Room Therapy: I Need Help With This Stair Railing!

casasugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:30:35 -0700

Hi CasaSugar,

I moved into a new apartment seven months ago, and for the life of me I can't figure out what to do with this entry railing. When you enter our front door, you are greeted by a staircase that goes downstairs to our roommate's room. The staircase has this trough-like railing . . . and I have no idea what to fill it with. I don't care for fake plants, which is what I believe was its original purpose when it was built in the '60s.
For reference: the trough is barely too small to hold the width of a CD, but it wouldn't make sense to have a small collection of CDs and DVDs right by the front door. What on earth would fit in there?? Or should I cover it somehow? Any ideas from you or anyone else would be much appreciated . . .

Thanks,
Details

To see my ideas, and to add some of your own,

Room Therapy: Mixing Styles With Success

casasugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:45:35 -0700

Hi, Casa!

A friend and I are moving into an apartment together, and we're facing the challenge of decorating and furnishing it. We'd both like to figure out how we can mix vintage, Ikea, and new decorations and furnishings and still make things look good. We have a color palette picked (light green, white, light gray, hints of yellow, and light wood). Any ideas or tips you could give would be great! Thanks!

Tee0206

To see my suggestion, and to leave a suggestion of your own,

Room Therapy: Help Me Make My Bedroom More Livable!

casasugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:15:01 -0700

Hi Casa,

I'm a student who recently moved into a huge four-bedroom apartment with four other girls. We converted a den into a bedroom, which also means that my room opens into the sunroom. While there is a lot of space, there isn't closet space anywhere. I have questions about making this space more liveable.

How do I get hanging space on the cheap? I only have one more year of school to go! And don't want to spend too much money.
I inherited a really old bed (no headboard) and was wondering what's an easy/cheap way to make it look nicer?
The sunroom has huge windows that overlook the street. I love the sunlight but the lack of privacy makes me nervous especially since it's on the first floor. Any way can I create some privacy while still maintaining sunlight?
Thanks!
Princessjaslew

To see my suggestions, and to leave suggestions of your own,

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Room Therapy: How Can I Revamp This Headboard?

casasugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:00:34 -0700

Hi Casa!

So, I've just been given this Ikea bed, and it completely doesn't work with my style or my apartment. It was free though, so i couldn't turn it down. I'd love to do something creative to cover up the metal headboard, as my style is more bohemian florals than industrial minimalism! I'm looking for some inspirations...any suggestions?

Thanks!
Northbeachalex

To see my suggestion, and to leave a suggestion of your own,

Ask a Professional: I Need a New Ceiling Lamp!

casasugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:30:24 -0700

Hi Casa,

I'm in desperate need of help. I'm redecorating my living room and need to find a cool ceiling lamp fixture. There is one annoying condition: the lamp has to have a pull cord because the fixture is not attached to a light switch. I'm really loving the French/modern look right now. Any recommendations you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Chi

For this question, I consulted Jeff Smith, who owns and operates EarthFirst Electric, an environmentally conscious electrical company in San Francisco. To see his answer,

Room Therapy: Metal Accordion File Holder

casasugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:15:18 -0700

Dear Casa,
Can you ask your readers for help? I saw a metal accordion-style file holder in a magazine in the last few weeks. I can't find the magazine and I am trying to buy something similar for my office. It was something from the May issue of a design mag. Thanks for any help you can offer!
Cheers,
Jennemmy

To see my suggestions, and offer your own,

Room Therapy: A Full-Length Mirror That Won't Break the Bank?

casasugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 07:00:20 -0700

Dear Casa,

Hi! I'm in the market for a full-length mirror for the master bedroom in our new house and figured that you and your readers might have some ideas. (I want something that won't break the bank but also something that doesn't look like it's for a college dorm.)

Thanks!
Zulkey

Hi Zulkey,

I wasn't sure what you had in mind, in terms of color or style, so I decided to round up a bunch of mirrors to play it safe.

To see the mirrors, and to leave a suggestion of your own,

Garden Therapy: Growing a String of Pearls

casasugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 05:30:52 -0700

Hi CasaSugar,

I am in need of some advice. I have always wanted to grow my own string of pearls, and I finally went out and bought two plants. I don't know what I am doing wrong but I think I am slowly killing them both. Any tips?

Thanks for your time,
Karebear25

To see my advice, and to leave some advice for Karebear25, just

Room Therapy: A Bed For Our Guests

casasugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:00:31 -0700

Hi, Casa!

I am at a loss, and I'm hoping you or other Sugar readers can help me out. I recently moved from a spacious apartment to a tiny townhouse. My husband and I decided to make the larger of the two bedrooms into a joint guest bedroom/office. The only problem is our guest bed is a queen! We are definitely tight for space in this room, and a pull-out sofa or futon seems like the ideal solution. We've started our search, but everything seems so expensive (after moving expenses, we really can't afford to go over $200 or so on an "optional" piece of furniture). What can we do? We crave our office space and I definitely cannot give up my bookshelves, but we still want friends and family to be able to visit and stay with us. Please advise!

Thanks,
Bethany21

To see my suggestion, and to leave a suggestion of your own, just

Room Therapy: Low-Maintenance House Plants?

casasugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:00:25 -0700

Dear CasaSugar,

I want to get a house plant for my not-so-green apartment, but I need something low maintenance since I'm barely home on my days off. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Lioness5

Hi Lioness5,

I was just at a friend's house this weekend and she had stunning houseplants. This is remarkable only because she used to have a black thumb — she killed every plant she touched. So what changed? She found easy, low-maintenance plants that could deal with her occasional indifference to their existence.

To see the rest of my answer, and to leave your suggestions, just

Room Therapy: I Need to Find a Birdcage!

casasugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:30:01 -0700

CocoAngel recently posted in the CasaSugar group with a decorating quandary, and I thought that you might be able to help her out. She writes, "I'm just finishing up redecorating my daughter's room and having trouble finding accessories, specifically a bird cage. She changed her bed spread to this birds and bird cages design (see left), so a black-wire bird cage would be a fantastic item to add to the room. Anyone seen bird cages in the major chains or online somewhere?"

To see my ideas, as well as to leave your own, just

Room Therapy: Neutral Placemats

casasugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:00:17 -0800

Kinezz is in the process of redecorating her condo, and has run with a "neutral, gold, turquoise, and all things mahogany" color scheme that's modern, elegant, and pulled together. The next thing to check off her shopping list is a set of placemats for her dining table.
She says, "I'm looking for something neutral, beautiful, simple, and preferably cloth cotton or linen." She likes Dwell Studio's Flora ($48 for 4) and Sketch ($96 for 4) but admits that they're simply out of her price range. Her next thought was Dwell's collection for Target but regrets, "While it's pretty, it just feels disposable."

To hear my suggestion and to leave your own ideas for Kinezz, just

Room Therapy: A Successful Cohabitation?

casasugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:00:45 -0800

Dear Casa (and Casa Readers),

My boyfriend of two years and I have been talking about moving in with each other. However, I'm the homeowner, and he would be moving into my space. We've talked about how this would work, treating it as "our" space. But he is still worried about feeling like it would be more my space. I've suggested moving my items out of one room, so he can have a space completely his own, and that we can incorporate his other items into the rest of the house.

Any suggestions on how to make this transition more welcoming to someone moving into a space?

Thanks much,
HelloKittyMini

To see my suggestion for HelloKittyMini, and to leave a suggestion for her, just

Room Therapy: How Should I Use These Lampshades?

casasugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:15:09 -0800

Judyh0311 recently wrote to me with her questions about some cute lampshades that she hasn't been able to integrate into her home.

She writes, "I need some help. I have these lampshades that are so adorable and very small. They are clip on for a 25-watt Size B Chandelier lamp. I have purchased several lamps and just can't get it to look like I want. I am looking for any suggestions that maybe one could do with a lampshade besides actually use it on a lamp, though if someone has a lamp idea I would be open for that, too."

To hear my suggestion and to leave your own idea forJudyh0311, just

Room Therapy: Renovating a Bookcase

casasugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:00:37 -0800

Bluesuze recently posted a picture of an old bookcase in need of a new look in the group Vintage/Antique Furniture Wabi Sabi.

She writes

I picked this old bookcase/china cabinet up a few years ago. It has since moved around my house but has found a place in my living room. The colors don't go at all, it's a forest green and my walls are a light tan, and my furniture colors are dark cranberries and browns. I guess I'm just sick of looking at it but don't know where to start.

To hear my suggestion and to leave your own idea for Bluesuze, just

Room Therapy: Pendants in Canada

casasugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:30:23 -0800

Tdamji recently wrote in saying:

Hi Casa,
Just a quick question: do you happen to know of any online or otherwise stores in Canada (or that delivers to Canada) for pendant lights under $100? Sorry, I know this is a pretty specific question, but I can't seem to come up with anything. - Tdamji

To see my response, just

Room Therapy: Architectural Models

casasugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:45:32 -0800

Dutchshoes recently wrote in, saying

Hey Casa! So, you seem to know all things decorating and art, so maybe you can help me with this question: I love the models of buildings that architects make to showcase a design. Not the huge ones attached to a table with landscaping around it, but the simple (preferably all-white) standalone ones. You know the one that Robert Redford's driver gives to Woody Harrelson in Indecent Proposal? I really want to know if and where I can get those kinds of models, for use as an art piece in my home — can you help? Thanks!

To see my response, just

Room Therapy: Help Me Redecorate!

casasugar — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 05:33:15 -0800

WhiplashGirlchild writes that "If I have to live much longer in this cluttered, soulless apartment, I'm going to scream. I think the place has got a lot of potential, but the problems are: 1. I hardly have any money to spend; 2. Since it's a rental, we're not allowed to paint; 3. The apartment is very large but there is hardly any storage space; 4. My boyfriend has a lot of items that have sentimental value to him but which I consider super-fugly." Take a look at the slideshow of WhiplashGirlchild's apartment and then give her your advice on how to whip this brimming-with-possibilities apartment into shape!

Room Therapy: Couple Decorating Conundrum

casasugar — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:15:56 -0800

Dear CasaSugar,

I love the Casa Craving Challenges and enjoy throwing together looks for other people's rooms, but now I have a dilemma of my own! My fiancé and I are in the process of furnishing our future apartment, and he's turning out to be much pickier than I am! I think every style/color has potential, but I'm not really sure how to reconcile his tastes into something that looks good. Basically, here's the problem: He bought a gray sofa but wants all dark wood furniture. There are cream walls and parquet flooring. There are strict rules against painting and nails. The dining, living, and study spaces all sort of flow into each other, so we've even got different shades of wood going on with all the furniture there. The only thing I could think to do right now is get dark-blue curtains and very dark-blue carpet tiles. What are some color schemes that would work and could incorporate both the grays and browns to make a cohesive apartment? We're on a super-tight budget, too, but I'd love to see some through-the-roof priced looks for inspiration as well as some practical pieces for purchase. (I'm trying to avoid glass tabletops, also.)
Thanks!
Nikkeeb

To help Nikkeeb find the right color scheme and accessories, you can leave a comment below with your design advice and a link to appropriate items and color schemes. You can also create Casa Cravings and tag your Cravings with the phrase new apartment therapy. Let's help a Casa reader out!

Source

Room Therapy: Make My Day Bed!

casasugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:00:59 -0800

Gossipslut wrote in saying, "We need help! We are trying to get our house ready for the influx of holiday guests and just finished repainting our guest bedroom a beautiful shade of gray/blue. We have cherry stained furniture and are desperately looking for a crisp white bedding set for our day bed but are having a hard time. I guess we could go with a twin set if we can't find "day bedding" but are having a hard time with that as well. Our day bed is a 3 sided, with a tall back, and definitely requires a skirt—so the form fitted options are out. Can you or anyone out there suggest anything?"

To help Gossipslut find the perfect crisp white linens for her day bed, either leave a comment below with a link to appropriate linens or create Casa Cravings and tag your Cravings with the phrase Daybed Therapy. Let's help a Casa reader out!

Source

Room Therapy: Have You Seen This Chair?

casasugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 04:15:27 -0800

Okay Casa readers, this question comes from yours truly. I found this chair in my grandmother's attic when I visited this fall, and she said that it was all mine. I've loved this funky little three-legged chair ever since I was a little kid. While I originally thought it was some weird Scandinavian primitive design, given our heritage and my grandmother's collection of Scandinavian items, it is in fact from Spain.

If anyone has any clues as to the design origins of this chair, please let me know by commenting below! Alternately, I welcome any ideas you might have for integrating this funky little find into a home.

Ask Casa: A Home Security System for My Rental? (Part 2)

casasugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:00:22 -0800

Recently Arielb38 wrote to me asking about whether or not a home security system was necessary for her new rental home. You can read the first half of my response here.

To see the rest of my tips, just

Ask Casa: A Home Security System for My Rental? (Part 1)

casasugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:30:02 -0800

Arielb38 wrote to me asking,

I am about to move into a new rental in a new neighborhood, very different from where I have been living for the last 15 months. I was wondering if you are aware of any places that do a comprehensive review of home security systems. My roommate wants one, and I've never had one and don't really think that it's necessary. Looking at some of the consumer complaints about both ADT and Brinks makes me cringe, and I would rather not be stuck in an expensive, manipulative contract. I know it's not really your thing, but if you have any tips, or feel inclined to pose the question to your readers, I would be grateful.

To offer some advice for Arielb38, and to hear my response, just

Room Therapy: Curtains, Please!

casasugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:15:47 -0800

Sugar staffer and design enthusiast Nancita wrote in saying,

I could use some advice/bookmarks of ideas. I am looking for some curtain panels in my kitchen. I just need to cover one really big window above the sink; it is at least six feet tall, if not taller. I just want two very simple panels (like the ones they sell at Urban Outfitters) with a pattern that will pick up the colors in the room: a butter yellow vintage table, and a rug with sage green trim. The kitchen has a definite retro vibe, so the curtains should go with that even if they aren't explicitly retro.

To see another picture of Nancita's apartment and to find out how to give her your advice, just

Room Therapy: Red Lacquer Walls

casasugar — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 10:34:31 -0700

Welcome to this week's Room Therapy post, where users submit questions and you, the readers, help answer them. The questions can be about anything, from a decorating conundrum in your home to a coveted piece of furniture you can't find anywhere.

Deepasood wrote us saying, "I am dying to paint a large wall in my house a deep red lacquer. I want it to look stripey (for lack of a better word), and maybe even textured. Definitely going for chinoiserie. I was thinking you might have some tips, or that your readers would."

The better word that Deepasood was looking for is strié, which is a type of faux finish that we've covered before. To get a strié finish, you apply a glaze over a base color of paint, then run a dry paintbrush over the glaze. A textural variation is not something normally associated with lacquered walls, though. The idea is to sand until the walls are smooth, roll on the paint, and then finish with multiple coats of high-gloss polycrylic. So, I wouldn't necessarily recommend combining textured walls with a lacquer finish. If you're insistent on having a textured finish, you could skimcoat venetian plaster onto the walls before you paint and lay on the high-gloss polycrylic, which will create a shiny, stone-like appearance.

What do you readers think? Have any tips for getting lacquer, strié, or textured finishes? Please let us know by commenting, or create Casa Cravings for any products or web sites that you think would help. Just be sure to tag your Casa Cravings with the phrase Lacquered Chinoiserie. (Here's a post explaining what a Casa Craving is and how to create one.) Thanks! I can't wait to see what you guys come up with.

Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

casasugar — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 10:32:16 -0700

Su Casa group member Leah Hennen showed us her fabulous seventies living room vignette.
You gave azduring13 some advice on living with concrete floors.
Newlywed Karazzies needs your help in creating a cheap and chic living room in the latest Casa Craving Challenge.
If your walls are blank, The Decoder Ring has some great art online.
There's no need to be tacky on the 31st, get some classy Halloween décor.
Lisa Jones brings sculpture to the interior design world, take a seat!
You too can get the Miranda Hobbes look at home.
The west elm contest winner, kavi484, told us all about her home décor style.
If you're looking for some fruity lighting, check out Pratt student Nick Foley's breathtaking LED pear lamp.
Need to spice up a bland table top? Make your own beautiful pumpkin centerpiece!

Room Therapy: Concrete Countertops

casasugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 09:11:00 -0700

Welcome to the second half of this week's Room Therapy, the CasaSugar feature where users submit questions and you, the readers, along with myself, help answer them. Casa reader Azduring13 wrote to me saying, "My sister told me about using stained concrete for floor finishing and countertops. Do you have any information on this? Thanks."

You can read this week's first Room Therapy post here, where we learned about concrete floors. For the second half of the question, where we'll find out all about concrete countertops, and view a gorgeous gallery, just

Room Therapy: Concrete Surfaces

casasugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:00:41 -0700

Welcome to this week's Room Therapy, the CasaSugar feature where users submit questions and you, the readers, along with myself, help answer them. Casa reader Azduring13 wrote to me saying, "My sister told me about using stained concrete for floor finishing and countertops. Do you have any information on this? Thanks."

I'm going to answer the second half of that question in a post on Wednesday, but for now let's look at the floor finishings portion of the question. I happen to know that Casa reader and TeamSugar member Mosspink actually has gorgeous concrete floors in her surprisingly bright and sunny basement apartment. Let's see what she has to say.

"I inherited this floor from the previous owners, who'd bought this house as a fixer-upper. When they moved into this place, all the concrete was covered in linoleum and vinyl flooring tile. When they pulled it up and did what they could to remove the old adhesive and gunk, there was a residual grid pattern left from the tile."

To see more photos of Mosspink's pretty concrete-floored abode, and to learn about living with those floors, just

Room Therapy: Round Glass-Topped Particleboard Table

casasugar — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 10:03:52 -0700

Welcome to this week's Room Therapy, the CasaSugar feature where users submit questions and you the readers help answer them. The questions can be about anything, from a decorating conundrum in your home to a coveted piece of furniture you can't find anywhere.

Today's question comes from mrtruman, who is looking for a round particleboard table with a glass top. To help mrtruman, leave a comment below, or create Casa Cravings for any products or web sites that you think would help. Just be sure to tag your Casa Cravings with the phrase "Particleboard Roundtable." (Here's a post explaining what a Casa Craving is and how to create one.) Also, feel free to post round, glass-topped tables that are made of something other than particleboard. To see the table I've come up with, click here. Can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

Source

Room Therapy: More Affordable Bedframe

casasugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 09:30:09 -0700

Kdupps wrote in saying, "I'm incredibly in love with this iron and brass bed from Anthropologie, and I was wondering whether there were similar beds that were more reasonably priced. Either way, the bed is definitely craveworthy!"

The bed, which is classically vintage in design, has a trompe l'oeil painted brass and a white-wash patina—and it sells for$1,360.00-$1,460.00.

What do you readers think? Know of any similar bedframes? Please let us know by commenting or create Casa Cravings for any products or web sites that you think would help. Just be sure to tag your Casa Cravings with the phrase "Affordable Anthropologie." (Here's a post explaining what a Casa Craving is and how to create one.) Thanks! I can't wait to see what you guys come up with.

To see my suggestion for Kdupps, just

Room Therapy: Missoni-style Bedspread

casasugar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 08:30:53 -0700

Welcome to the second posting of our new CasaSugar feature, Room Therapy, where users submit questions and you the readers help answer them. The questions can be about anything, from a decorating conundrum in your home to a coveted piece of furniture you can't find anywhere.

Today's question comes from PartySugar, who just moved into a new apartment. She says that she's feeling overwhelmed by her decorating needs. In particular, she's looking for a bright, Missoni-style bedspread that has a little less sticker shock.
To help PartySugar, leave a comment below, or create Casa Cravings for any products or web sites that you think would help. Just be sure to tag your Casa Cravings with the phrase "Missoni Bedspread." (Here's a post explaining what a Casa Craving is and how to create one.) Thanks! I can't wait to see what you guys come up with.

Room Therapy: I Want This Wall!

casasugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 07:30:03 -0700

Welcome to a new CasaSugar feature called Room Therapy, where users submit questions and you the readers help answer them. The questions can be about anything, from a decorating conundrum in your home to a coveted piece of furniture you can't find anywhere.

Today's question comes from Chancleta, who wants ideas for getting a look she saw in the CB2 catalog. The problem is, this geometric wooden wall design she's craving (at left) isn't for sale in the catalog; it's just part of the styling. She wants to know if anyone 1.) knows where to buy something like this or 2.) has any ideas about how to make a similar wall decoration.

To help Chancleta, leave a comment below, or create Casa Cravings for any products or web sites that you think would help. Just be sure to tag your Casa Cravings with the phrase "CB2 wall." (Here's a post explaining what a Casa Craving is and how to create one.) Thanks! I can't wait to see what you guys come up with.