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How-To: Make Pumpkin Candle Holders

casasugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:15:04 -0800

Your jack-o'-lantern may be rotting on your back porch like mine (oops!), but that's no reason to shun pumpkins altogether. You can make seasonal candle holders that would be perfect for a Thanksgiving table from some inexpensive, mini pumpkins from your grocery store or local farmers market. I noticed this little trick within a DIY for making a mini pumpkin centerpiece on Martha Stewart, but I'm not so keen on the entire centerpiece idea. So, to make just the candle holders, you'll need a utility knife, a melon baller, tapered candles, and mini pumpkins. To learn the steps,

DIY: Water Balloon Candle Holders

casasugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:00:21 -0700

I've been totally in love with Glassybaby candle holders for months now, but I can't bring myself to spend $40 on a small votive. So when I came across CandleTech's DIY for making water balloon luminaries with very much the same shape simply out of paraffin wax, I knew I'd found an affordable alternative. All you'll need for this project is high-melt paraffin wax, water balloons, a piece of paper, a double boiler, a cookie sheet, and perhaps a candy thermometer. To learn the steps,

Cool Idea: Light Bulb Candle Holders

casasugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:00:14 -0700

The New York Times article "Thinking Like a Student" takes a look at the thrifty, creative home-design moves college students, particularly architecture students, are making during these difficult economic times to make their homes a better place, aesthetically and functionally.

Along with the article is a wonderful slideshow showcasing many of these "on the cheap" tricks. One of my favorites was a set of candle holders fashioned from recycled light bulbs by Lauren Chapman, a student at Yale School of Architecture. By now we've hopefully all made the switch to CFLs, but that doesn't mean we should just toss those standard old bulbs in the trash.

To find out more about this project,

Steal of the Day: Gump's Iron Candle Chandelier

casasugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:00:37 -0700

I can't think of a more delightful way to spend my endless Summer evenings than under the warm glow of candlelight. There are plenty of trendy ornate chandeliers out there, but I love the sophisticated simplicity of Gump's Iron Candle Chandelier ($99, reduced from $250). Who needs crystals and birds birds birds when you've got timeless, hand-forged iron and classic tapers to light up the night? I certainly don't, and I wouldn't mind lightening my electricity bill, either . . .

Steal of the Day: Perched Bird Candleholders

casasugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:00:51 -0700

I've blogged lots and lots about birds, and even wrote a post entirely full of bird puns. So, it's no secret that I love dem birds! Some of you have expressed that you're not big fans of the bird trend, but I am, so I've decided to cover my ears and show you the Wisteria Perched Bird Candleholders ($16 for two). Not only do they satisfy said love, but they're charming, chic, and chirp! (Bad pun intended, I mean . . . cheap!) What do you think of these cast-iron candleholders?

Steal of the Day: Ballard Designs Rose Votive Holders

casasugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:30:49 -0700

Seeing as it's in the 80s in San Francisco these days, I'm looking forward to unwinding on my deck at night and enjoying the nice temperatures and killer views, perhaps with a bottle of vino, too. I'm thinking the Ballard Designs Rose Votive Holders ($9.99 for 4, reduced from $39.99) would be a perky lighting solution when the sun goes down. Since they're resin, not porcelain, I won't have to be as careful with them, which is a plus for outdoor décor. The light green is the only color available, but clearly, I'm a fan. What do you think? Would you buy these blooms?

Steal of the Day: JCPenney Studio Capiz Shell Candleholder

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

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

DIY: Teacup Candles

casasugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:06:12 -0800

I spotted this project on Craft and thought it would be perfect for Renewal month. Give new purpose to mismatched teacups you have laying around or that you've found at yard sales by turning them into candles. You can use them in your own home or as a thoughtful DIY gift for your friends.

To get the supply list and learn the steps,

Steal of the Day: Silver Porcelain Flower Tea Light Holder

casasugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:45:24 -0800

To find out where to steal these super-sweet tea light holders,

Steal of the Day: Sur La Table Turkey Votive Holder

casasugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:00:27 -0800

This Sur La Table Turkey Votive Holder ($10) is the perfect way to light up your table this Thanksgiving. Its bronze finish will go with any décor, and you can use it throughout the remainder of the fall. It would also make a great hostess gift. I think it has a lot of personality, and I love its little stick-figure legs!
Source

Long Live the Duralex Picardie Tumbler

casasugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:38:15 -0700

Even if you've never owned a Duralex Picardie Tumbler, I'd be willing to bet you've sipped from one. Created in 1927 and long ubiquitous French bistros, the Picardie is easily one of the most popular tumbler designs of all time. The fluted sides fit snugly into hands of all sizes, and the incredibly durable glasses really do tumble, rather than break, when dropped.

The glasses are becoming tougher to find, but you can still buy them online, and they're still a total steal. A set of four 8.5-ounce glasses costs about $12.

All of which brings me to my latest discovery: the Cucina Dolce Votive Candle Holder ($3). Using the Picardie as inspiration, the high-end kitchen brand has created a very cute votive container for anyone nostalgic for the design. You can also get it complete with a candle: I would love to light this Cucina Dolce Espresso Bean Scented Candle in Glass ($12) in my kitchen.

Get the Look: Indoor Camping Kitsch

casasugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 06:00:56 -0700

Camping is one of my favorite Summertime activities, and ever since I came across this adorable Campfire Tealight (below right) the other day, I've been obsessed with creating a decorating theme that brings the spirit of camping indoors.

There are definitely right and wrong ways to incorporate camping gear into your decor: A friend whose college living room consisted only of two fold-up camping chairs and a TV comes to mind. And I'm certainly not suggesting that you curl up every night in a sleeping bag. But done right, this would be a very cute look for a sitting room, office, or sun room. Here's how to get it.

The Palette: You'll want plenty of woodsy hues, including dark brown and forest green, balanced with lighter earth tones like sage green and khaki.

The walls: To recreate the comfy feeling of being surrounded by nature, try a kitschy Morning Forest Wall Mural, or pair an earth-toned paint shade with rustic accents that echo tree branches.

For the rest of your indoor camping essentials,