CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Do You Decorate Home Accessories For the Holidays?

casasugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:45:09 -0800

Whether you have a trio of ceramic squirrels or a pre-fab deer head like this one, many of you have told me that you have some sort of fauna object in your house. If you have a wooden deer head above your mantel or a small outdoor statue of a frog or bird in your garden, do you decorate them for the holidays?

Do You Decorate Home Accessories For the Holidays?

I've been known to do this. Sometimes it's just some string lights, but I think it's cute!

I haven't yet, but now I might. That scarf on the deer is too cute.

No way, this is too whimsical and silly for me.

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

Bring Style Into Your Home From Horchow!

Sponsor — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:38:06 -0800

Curl up and decorate at Horchow.com – elegant furniture, luxury linens, chic lighting, and everything else to bring your style home with a click.

Casa Quickie: Ditch the Book Jackets

casasugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:00:48 -0800

Do you spend too much time ensuring that all of your coffee-table books maintain perfect jackets? In a recent LA Times article, Trey Russell, owner of Laguna Beach gift boutique Aris tells you to ditch that thinking — and those jackets. Russell maintains that "Book jackets just get torn, anyway, you might as well get rid of them . . . It creates a more monochromatic, less chaotic look." Try it in your own casa, perhaps in a display similar to this one, from Russell's home.

Source

How-To: Steal Ideas From Anthropologie's Catalog

casasugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:00:19 -0800

While I'm admittedly a fan of Anthropologie's furniture, a good part of the appeal is also in the impressive styling in the print and online catalog. I find myself much more likely to buy a sweater when it's modeled by a woman reclined in a beautiful home, don't you? I'm sure many of us have paged through the catalog and envied the interior shots. Here are some ideas for recreating that home style in your casa. Source

Home Library: Domino: The Book of Decorating

casasugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:15:18 -0700

Domino is one of my favorite shelter magazines simply because it offers so much to so many people. From approachable DIY ideas to luxurious furniture options, the magazine manages to mix styles and budgets while always looking effortlessly chic. Continuing in that tradition, the magazine's new book, Domino: The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy ($32) offers something for everyone. Impressively, the decorating guide accomplishes this while never seeming over-generalized or out of touch. Whether I was reading about lighting arrangements for a kitchen or choosing the best bed frame, everything felt relevant.

To see some sneak peeks of the inside pages,

Cool Idea: Lighten Up Dark Furniture Without Paint

casasugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:45:28 -0700

Recently, I've been really impressed by More Ways to Waste Time's inspiring dining room re-vamp. There was one seemingly small change to an heirloom piece of furniture that really caught my attention. Since the oak sideboard in the living room is a family heirloom, she couldn't paint it, but she did want to make the sideboard feel less imposing.

How did she lighten the sideboard? First, she covered the back of the shelves with Orla Kiely's Blossom wallpaper (which she taped to the sideboard, to avoid damage). Then with a collection of light-colored ceramics and light prints, she nicely updates and modernizes this antique piece.

Source

Casa Verde: A Handmade Home Gets Some TLC

casasugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:15:18 -0700

Last year, I told you about my brother's handmade home, which he built in an eco fashion for a surprisingly small amount of money. However, nothing much had been done with the home's interior. This year, he and his wife made a lot of interior changes in the home to spruce it up. To see what this previously unfinished home looks like now, check out the slideshow.

Before and After: An Inviting Attic

casasugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:30:15 -0700

An underused attic space was recently given new life as a cheerful, teen-friendly hangout space. Beforehand, its beige walls and brown carpeting were definitely less than inspiring.

To see the results,

Do You Have Musical Instruments in Your House?

casasugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:00:14 -0700

Growing up, I diligently practiced Mozart on a spinet piano, which was compact enough to fit snugly in a corner in the living room. My mother-in-law practices Rachmaninoff on a gorgeous grand piano by a picture window that overlooks downtown Seattle. While we don't have a piano in our home, I'd love to get one. I settle for playing Tchaikovsky on an open-holed flute instead. Do you have musical instruments in your home? If so, are they a part of your interior design scheme? Source

Do You Have Musical Instruments in Your House?

Yes, and they're an essential part of the look of my home.

Yes, but they aren't used as part of a decorating scheme.

No, I don't have any need for them.

No, but I'd like to.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Su Casa: Bright and Beautiful in Washington DC

casasugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:30:55 -0700

Su Casa member Katiepwise recently moved to Washington DC, where she's done a fabulous job of making her apartment simultaneously vibrant and cozy. Describing her style, she says, "I love bright colors and am not afraid to use them. I mix Ikea furniture with hand-me-down pieces from family. I attempted a 'salon-style' art wall over my couch and I live to color out just about anything! If I could paint my walls, I would, but since it's a rental, all the walls are beige. My dream is to have an eggplant-colored library and hot pink Moroccan themed sun deck." Check out her cool apartment in the slideshow!

DIY: Collage Blocks

casasugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:45:15 -0700

While this project was identified by Martha: The Martha Stewart Show as a DIY for baby blocks, I think they'd make a cool addition to a very grown up bookshelf or fireplace mantel. You can coordinate the images and paper you select for the greatest decorative impact.

What You'll Need

3 1/4-inch square wood block
Sandpaper
Scissors
Acrylic paint
Mod Podge
Paintbrush
Decorative paper
Emery board
Letters, numbers, and embellishments
Sponge

To find out how to make it, according to Martha,

Nice and New: Joel Dewberry's Ginseng Collection

casasugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:30:16 -0700

Designer Joel Dewberry, whose eclectic modern textiles bring retro flair to the home, has a new collection of fabrics out. This collection is described by Joel as achieving the following:

"Ginseng captures the delicate beauty of the orchid while complementing it with a variety of sophisticated and elegant floral prints. With a subtle Asian influence, the Ginseng collection delivers a clean and memorable palette of designs and color that promise to bring beauty to your home."

The fabrics in the collection are making me anxious to finish my birds project and head down to my local sewing store to snap up a few of the new designs. All of the fabrics are available in cotton sateen in home-decorating weight, so they'd be perfect for placemats, curtains, or any other fabric-related home reno project. Do you like them, too?

Source

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.
Source

How-To: Decorate With Summer Flowers

casasugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:15:42 -0700

Interior stylist Paul Lowe makes beautiful vignettes with food, flowers, and home interiors. These outdoor entertaining shots provide inspiration for simple decorating ideas, many of which you can do with little or no cash output, especially if you have a small flower garden. You can also steal these tips for decorating with flowers at a summer wedding. To see some lovely decorating ideas, which would be perfect for an outdoor garden party or destination summer wedding, check out the slideshow. Photos by Frances Janisch

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

Coveted Cribs: Abigail Edwards' Stylish Eye

casasugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:30:16 -0700

Interior stylist Abigail Edwards has a gift for bringing out a sense of symmetry and balance in the homes she shoots for magazines like House & Garden and Inspired Living, as well as clients such as Bemz. Take a look at the slideshow to check out her inspired interiors. Source

Su Casa: Renovating With Color

casasugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:15:22 -0800

Su Casa member FactCheckinCuz recently made some amazing changes in her Toronto apartment — a lot of which were due to her expert use of color. Check out the slideshow to see some of the dramatic before and after photos.

Share Photos of Su Casa and More!

casasugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 08:48:05 -0800

Whether you're into decorative painting, collecting junk, or growing orchids, you probably take lots of pride in — and photos of — your home-related pursuits. Since decorating is all about ideas, I want to see the great ones you've come up with in your own homes. So I've got a group on TeamSugar called Su Casa, where readers can share snapshots and stories related to home decorating, crafts, organizing, and gardening.

A Su Casa post could be anything from a photo of your favorite room to a tiny nook you're tickled by. Think of it as a Look Book for home style. If I see something I like in Su Casa, I might end up featuring it on CasaSugar, so don't be surprised if you get an email from me!

To learn how to join and post in the group,

Cool Idea: Easels Outside of the Studio

casasugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 08:00:05 -0800

House Beautiful recently suggested using easels at home, saying they're not just for the artistes but "they're turning up in living rooms holding a photograph, an oversize book, even a flat-screen TV."

How would you use an easel in your living room?

Source

Dad Pad: Trailer Getaway

casasugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:00:20 -0800

Men love their getaways. My fiancé dreams about his future man cave, my grandfather had his carpentry shop, and my brother has his cabin in the woods. And then there's my father, who spends much of his free time in an aluminum midcentury trailer in the middle of the forest. The trailer — which he's named Old Roy — is a classic Airstream knockoff, and he's done a great job of renovating it in smart ways. He's retiled the floor with stone tiles and built retractable sleeping and sitting areas with sustainably harvested wood. However, he's also stubbornly clung to the idea that taxidermied fish and Hudson Bay blankets can complete the look of this place. He's definitely outfitted the trailer to reflect his needs; there are fly rods that hang from the ceiling and a designated space to store extra linens in case he has visitors. While I love the sentiment behind some of the quirky touches — the felted bee lights reflect his beekeeping hobby — there's just not a lot of continuity going on here.

To see what I mean, just

Steal of the Day: Ikat Napkins & Placemats

casasugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:45:19 -0700

It kind of cracks me up that Ballard Designs refers to their discounted inventory as part of an "Estate Sale." I'm sure their "estate" is a steel-walled warehouse in Ohio somewhere. But, since they're selling steals like these Ikat Napkins ($25) and Placemats ($40), I couldn't care less where they've been storing their goods. I love the grosgrain ribbon details and the blue and raspberry color schemes. They're also are totally scratching my ikat itch.

Source

Love It or Hate It? Monokuro Boo Pump

casasugar — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 07:55:32 -0700

I try not to be partial with these polls, but I love these Monokuro Boo Pumps ($10)! How cute are they? According to the product details, "In Europe the pig is a symbol of happiness, and is also considered an animal that brings good fortune to us." Nice to know. They don't quite go with my bathroom décor but they'd be adorable on the kitchen sink. What do you think? Source

Love It or Hate It? Monokuro Boo Pump

Love It

Hate It

Undecided

Love It or Hate It? Jake Phipps Hat Pendant Lights

casasugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:27:28 -0700

The Jake Phipps Jeeves & Wooster series of pendant lights was designed as a playful take on lighting with a real sense of cultural identity. The bowler and top hat are classic British cultural icons reflecting a bygone era of imperialism, class divide, and eccentricity. Phipps has reinvented the felt head coverings for the retail market in a era when dapper modern design is becoming more accessible to all social spheres, but these hat pendant lights are still beyond my reach. Jeeves's bowler hat ($429) is lined with a refined gold interior, whilst Wooster's top hat ($480) has a distinguished silver lining. I can see these witty pendants hanging in a men's hotel sitting room, or an entrance foyer near a standing coat rack. They won't work with all décor, but matched with the right furnishings and accents, these luminaries could be brilliant. What do you think?Source

Love It or Hate It? Jake Phipps Hat Pendant Lights

Love It

Hate It

Undecided

Get the Look: Miranda Hobbes' Slick Upper West Side Home Part II

casasugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 05:59:33 -0700

If you read my first post on Miranda Hobbes' home, you're probably aching for more of that successful lawyer style. I'll show you how to get the look of the accents and lighting in her pad, when you

Get the Look: Miranda Hobbes' Slick Upper West Side Home Part I

casasugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:56:51 -0700

In honor of all of the recent Sex and The City buzz, I'm going to show you how to get the Miranda Hobbes' look in your city or country dwelling. Miranda was never my favorite Sex and the City character, but I did always appreciate her pretty slick pad. It was very sophisticated and appropriate for a successful New York woman, especially for a partner in a law firm. It was tough like her exterior front, but surprisingly soft and feminine like her maternal side.

To learn how to get the Miranda Hobbes Home look,

New and Noteworthy: Graham & Brown Eco-Chic Wallpaper

casasugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:33:59 -0700

Graham & Brown, the 60-year-old company well-known for its magnificent wallpapers, has taken sustainability to the next level with their range of eco-chic wallpapers made using sustainable materials and production processes. They've asked 22 students from Central St. Martins University in London to submit design briefs for sustainable wallpapers, five of whom were chosen to have their designs produced and displayed at this year's 100% Design in London. The company stayed green by using materials from sustainable forests in Finland and omitting tape and plastic from packaging. They even recycle heat given off by furnaces, reduce drainage to prevent local flooding problems, and use vegetable oil within tractor hydraulics to keep forest floors clean.

via Inhabitat

Nice and New: Anthropologie Society Candlesticks

casasugar — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 05:52:38 -0700

If you read home design magazines, I'm sure you've seen those pricey crystal ball lamps that are so trendy these days, and maybe you're lucky enough to own one. I personally have not made the splurge, although I've come close several times. So, when I found these Society Candlesticks ($32) amongst Anthropologie's new inventory, I knew I'd found an economical alternative to the beauties I'd been pining for. According to Anthro, these "sparkling stacks of faceted crystal are the life of the party." What could be better?

Source

Crave Worthy: Paint-by-Numbers Wallpaper

casasugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 07:31:30 -0700

Anyone born after 1950 has no doubt enjoyed the tingling thrill of painting-by-numbers at one point or another. I still cherish the days of my youth spent filling in small puddles of color to create my very own pièce de résistance. So, having stumbled upon these Jenny Wilkinson Paint-by-Numbers Wall Strips ($1 and Original Wallpaper-By-Numbers ($95), I find myself tickled pink with the prospect of experiencing that do-it-yourself pride and joy once again. I also thought it would be a perfect topic for Dress Your Walls month.

Wilkinson's designs are a fresh idea in interactive wallpapers. They have already been hailed a design classic and even acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. A simple set of paints, colored pencils or felt tip pens does wonders to these graphics, and they're easy to apply with just water. Some of the prints have bright, pre-colored backgrounds, ensuring that they look great even on their own. The wallstrips are ideal for kids as they depict fantastical creatures and settings, but the wallpaper-by-numbers are inspired by traditional wallpaper prints, appealing to both the kid and grown-up in you.

Source and Source

Trend Alert: Pears

casasugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:30:03 -0700

Maybe it's just because pears are in season here in sunny California, or because I'm still drooling over YumSugar's bubbly pear cupcakes, but I can't seem to get pears off my mind lately. They seem to be everywhere I look these days, and I'm loving it.

Did you know that there are 30 different species of pears in the world? Well, there are, and there are even more home décor items related to the crisp fruit out there right now. From trays and casseroles to handmade pillows, sophisticated pear interpretations are popping up in every category of the shelter market. I'm not talking about Art 101 style still-life paintings of apples and pears organized nicely in a bowl, but updated, modern silhouettes of the fruit as well shabby-chic renditions.

I've trend-spotted more pear finds than would be sane to buy, so click the images below and let me know which is your fruit-bearing fave.

Source, Source, Source and Source

Steal of the Day: Eclipse Pendant Lamp

casasugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 08:28:44 -0700

Thanks to a suggestion from alltherage, we've decided to begin a new feature called Steal of the Day. While our Crave Worthy products do have us salivating at the mouth, we understand that they often inhabit a price range very distant from what we can afford to pay. So, we wanted to alert you to some products that you won't only covet, but can actually own without breaking the bank.

I'm super excited about our first Steal of the Day, and I think you will be too. I spotted these Eclipse Pendant Lamps from CB2 for only $19.95. They shine in both the glossy white and silver finishes, and resemble the Tom Dixon Copper Shade Pendants ($450) we posted about in August. Their spherical shape also parallels the pink one ($241) in our Midday Muse last week. Regardless of who or what they mimic, they're understated and versatile, and would look fabulous in any home. Plus—20 bucks for a lamp is practically unheard of!

Sale Alert: JC Penney Rug Sale

casasugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:59:02 -0700

Those of you who had success with the JC Penney Home Sale we posted about recently might be interested to hear that the retailer is back with its Biggest Rug Sale, offering 30-50% savings on its already low-priced rugs.

I've never been much of a believer in JC Penney, but I have to admit that they've recently been stocking some stylish finds, and all at affordable prices. Their website is also super easy to navigate, saving you from the woes of picking through their department store racks. I'm also psyched to see that the wool shag rug I've been eyeing at other, more expensive retailers is on sale. To see a few of my Penney picks, just click the images below.

Pet Beds For Modern Interiors

casasugar — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:28:35 -0700

For the past few years I've scoured catalogs, flea markets, and boutiques to find the coolest and loveliest decor that matches my personality and home. But you know what was in the corner, next to my Danish modern teak table? A sheepskin-and-plaid-flannel dog bed.

If, like me, you're looking for something a little more compatible with your home's interior design, check out these awesome cat and dog beds. And since we recently had to retire my dog's fashion-backyard bed after a visiting puppy took chewing liberties with it (thank you puppy!), I might have to order one of these as well.

Enter the Apartment Therapy & CB2 Fall Colors Contest

casasugar — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 06:00:56 -0700

Got an eye for color? Play your hand in the Apartment Therapy & CB2 Fall Colors Contest and show your true decorating colors, for a chance to win up to $2500 in CB2 shop cards! Apartment Therapy & CB2 are on a quest for "the boldest, most beautiful, most colorful home in the world". There will be four prizes of up to $1000 in CB2 shop cards given to the entrants in each of four US regions (Northeast, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Southwest) who best used color in their homes, for a total of 16 winners. Four of the 16 regional winners will win national prizes in addition to their regional prizes, with a top prize of a CB2 shop card worth $1500.

It's easy to enter by answering a few questions and submitting photos of your home, so go here for complete entry and contest details. Get to it--the first sixty entrants will win a copy of the book Apartment Therapy: The Eight Step Home Cure. We'd love for a CasaSugar reader to win. Even if you don't enter, starting October 1st, registered Apartment Therapy readers will be able to vote on and assess each entry.

Dorothy Draper Designs Going Up for Auction

casasugar — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 09:46:52 -0700

A few weeks ago, I told you about an adorable little book called Decorating Is Fun!, written by famed American hostess and interior designer Dorothy Draper. She's probably best known for decorating the Greenbriar Resort in West Virginia in 1948, and I just read on Shelterrific that hundreds of furniture items, home accents, and artwork from Draper's Greenbriar are going up for auction starting Sept. 29.

You can already view the catalog of items online, and most of the estimated prices are surprisingly low, particularly when you consider that you'd be buying a vintage piece from a legendary hotel and a legendary designer.

I love the way Draper paired summery white woods with deep forest green, and for some reason, I just think this backgammon table is the cutest. What do you guys think of this look?

"Design Star" Finale: This Sunday!

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

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

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

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

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

To see some of these designers' work, just

Enter the Domino Decorating Contest

casasugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:01:05 -0700

So many of you are such fabulous decorators that I can't allow you to overlook the Domino Decorating Contest going on right now. It's really easy to enter, and the prize is quite hefty. Just go here to submit a photo of the best room in your house, and if yours is chosen, you could win a $10,000 Mastercard gift card. Also, just for submitting, you're eligible to win a $3,000 spa vacation.

Each week, Domino is selecting its favorite photos so far and posting a slideshow of rooms, so even if you don't win, your photo might be featured. Starting Oct. 23, users will also be able to vote on the room they think should win.

How Much Do You Change Your Home Decor With the Seasons?

casasugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 05:15:23 -0700

I've given you a few suggestions for how to prepare your home for fall, and I'm eyeing some rather autumnal must-haves for September. How much do you change your home decor with the seasons? Source

How Much Do You Change Your Home Decor With the Seasons?

A lot. I change the curtains, bring out the blankets, and switch out some artwork.

Slightly. I make changes in accessories, centerpieces, and other little things.

Hardly at all. I decorate for holidays and that's about it.

Not at all.

Other (Tell me below)

Simple Style: Gift Wrap Your Door

casasugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:30:00 -0700

I'm always tempted by those single sheets of wrapping paper you often find in fancy paper stores, but I don't really wrap enough gifts to justify buying all the paper I crave. That's why I love this project I spotted on Design Sponge: Blogger Grace livened up her closet door by filling the panels with some leftover gift wrap. This would be a fun way to get rid of scraps — or a great excuse to buy some of those papers I've been eyeing.

Primer: Choosing the Right Paint Color

casasugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:06:53 -0700

You guys are definitely not shy about adorning your walls with lots of color, but choosing the right shade can be nerve-wracking to say the least. So I've put together a Primer to help you ponder all those paint chips.

First, make sure your room is ready. A paint color can really set the mood for a room, but to get it just right, you should have the rest of your decorating scheme set, including upholstery patterns, window treatments, rugs and bold accents.
Pick a palette. Before heading to the store, determine a family of colors you want to work with, based on the look of the room and your personal tastes. Particularly with bolder looks, a paint shade doesn't have to match your decor perfectly. Lowe's suggests looking in your closet for a reminder of the colors you gravitate toward.

For lots of other handy pointers,

Do You Sew Things for Your Home Decor?

casasugar — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 05:00:40 -0700

Though I've made some makeshift curtains in the past, I'm not as handy with the sewing machine as I'd like to be. Do you sew curtains and other accessories for your house?Source

Do You Sew Things for Your Home Decor?

Yes. I love to sew — curtains, crafts, you name it.

Sometimes, though I'm hardly a pro.

Very rarely.

Never.

Home Library: Decorating Is Fun!

casasugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:00:54 -0700

When I'm out junk-shopping, I love flipping through old home decorating books, both to get ideas and to scope out the timeless advice. So I can't resist this recently re-released interior-design guide Decorating Is Fun! How to Be Your Own Decorator ($23.10). Originally published way back in 1939, the book is precisely what it sounds like: a delightful celebration of decorating as a hobby, by famed hostess and designer Dorothy Draper.

Draper, who is known for her grandiose work at the Greenbriar Resort in West Virginia and the The Arrowhead Springs Resort in Southern California, popularized countless classic looks that still work wonderfully in modern homes, including black-and-white checkerboard floors and brightly colored front doors.

Do You Decorate With Personal Photos?

casasugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:20:15 -0700

Some people love decorating with framed photos of family and friends, while other people think it's declassé. What's your take?Source

Do You Decorate With Personal Photos?

Yes! The more personal photos, the better.

Yes, though I like to space them out.

I use them only very sparingly.

I don't decorate with personal photos at all.

Do You Decorate With Fresh Flowers?

casasugar — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 05:00:28 -0700

Source

Do You Decorate With Fresh Flowers?

Yes! I always have fresh flowers in my house.

Sometimes, but not all the time.

Rarely, though I do buy them for special occasions.

I never buy fresh flowers.

Other (Tell me below)

Are You More Interested in Design or Decorating?

casasugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:28:28 -0700

Some of you seem like major furniture- and product-design junkies, following the latest high-design finds. Others just love decorating and don't keep up as much with big-name designers. Which topic interests you more?Source

Are You More Interested in Design or Decorating?

Furniture and product design

Home decorating

I can't choose; I love them both!

Home Library: Living Large in Small Spaces

casasugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 10:45:42 -0700

Ironically, this book by Marisa Bartolucci and Radek Kurzaj about making do in small homes is astonishingly big: nearly 400 pages, to be exact. Living Large in Small Spaces: Expressing Personal Style in 100 to 1,000 Square Feet ($23.10) takes it name quite literally. Each chapter showcases a different living space, starting with a 100-square-foot dorm room and moving up in 50- or 100-foot increments until 1000 square feet never looked roomier.

The book is a must-have for anyone making creative use of limited space, but the homes contained within are so beautifully decorated, they could provide inspiration to anyone. You'll tour a tiny shotgun house in Houston, a 300-square-foot Manhattan apartment that manages to look classy despite being drenched in reddish orange, and designer Lotta Jansdotter's Victorian one-bedroom in San Francisco.

There are also countless ideas I've never seen before, and some I'll probably never see again, like a wet bar turned into a diaper-changing station and an old-timey boudoir with a bathroom sink. The trade-style paperback is also beautifully laid out and a joy to flip through.

Congrats to the Show Off Your Casa Winners!

casasugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:12:20 -0700

Inspired by my Casa Craving challenge to find great dorm room digs, TeamSugar last week hosted the Show off Your Casa Challenge, where TeamSugar users submitted photos and videos of their post-dorm digs. Team announced the winners today, and I have to say, I'm very impressed! Check out these great home galleries:

Winning Casa #1 by Sugar Substitute.

Winning Casa #2 by TylerMarcum

Su Casa: A Soft Touch of Nature

casasugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 05:30:08 -0700

Today's Su Casa comes from a lovely gallery that Vina recently added to the Su Casa group. (Want to share your photos? Here's how to join Su Casa.) Note how the very simple combination of an ethereal lamp with a delicate branch and moss-colored fabric gives off an enchanted forest vibe. Also, check out the cool-looking clock on the far right of the photo.

Breaking the Decorating Rules

casasugar — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 07:38:28 -0700

We've been talking a lot about decorating don'ts, but that doesn't mean that some decorating rules aren't made to be broken. The key is breaking them in style.

For inspiration, check out this feature in House & Garden called Master Class: Break the Rules. The magazine asked a panel of prominent decorating names to share their favorite flagrant violations throughout design history. The list includes such triumphs as mixing 17th-century-style chandeliers with country checkered fabrics, bringing inside furniture outdoors and vice versa, and using industrial garage doors as walls. To see a gallery of the "don't" hall of fame,

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,

Do You Keep a Decorating Idea File?

casasugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:20:58 -0700

For years, I've stored my design ideas in a folder full of magazine pages, sketches, notes, and photos, so I can easily access them next time I want to redecorate. Do you keep a file or diary with your inspirations? Source

Do You Keep a Decorating Idea File?

Yes.

I used to, but not anymore.

No, but I should start one.

No, I have no interest.

Other (Tell me below)