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Midday Muse: A Foolproof Summer Decorating Ritual

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

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

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

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

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

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

casasugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:30:19 -0800

Before launching her career as an interior designer, Kathryn Ireland worked as an actress, a women's clothing designer, ran a public relations firm, and produced music videos with her husband. A bit of a nomad professionally and residentially, Ireland has called London, Scotland, Toulouse, and LA home. Her Ojai Spanish-style farmhouse is a reflection of her travels with furnishings sourced from retailers all over the map and bold textiles with an ethnic vibe.

To find out about her design style and see images of her home,

Decorating Makeovers Part IV

casasugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:00:40 -0800

In my final ode to House Beautiful's 101 Decorating Makeovers, from the February issue, here are some more of my favorite tips for renewing your home with small changes. To see them, just

Decorating Makeovers Part III

casasugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:20:46 -0800

In continuation of Decorating Makeovers Parts I and II, here are some more of my favorite tips from House Beautiful's 101 Decorating Makeovers in the February issue. If I haven't drilled it into your head enough already, it's Renewal month, so get at it when you

Decorating Makeovers Part II

casasugar — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:00:20 -0800

As the sequel to Decorating Makeovers Part I, here's a handful of my favorite tips from House Beautiful's 101 Decorating Makeovers, in the February issue. I'm sure you can make way for one of these changes in your home, and you'll see that they have a big impact on renewing your home. Go for it when you

Decorating Makeovers Part I

casasugar — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:00:23 -0800

The February issue of House Beautiful has a list of 101 decorating makeovers that they're calling "small changes that make a big difference." Considering that it's Renewal month, I figured I'd share a few of my favorites with you, which may serve as inspiration for reinventing some part of your own homes. I encourage you all to try at least one, and let me know how it goes! To get clued in on some of the small changes, just

Coveted Crib: Farmhouse Fantastic

casasugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:00:02 -0800

The interior of this Vermont farmhouse, recently featured in House Beautiful, comes courtesy of the talents of designer Susan Tully. The look exudes comfort and simplicity, thanks to the muted color palette and restrained use of patterns.

This sense of restraint and tranquility was inspired by the Shaker tradition of this area of Vermont, and details like the cherrywood pencil-post bed and millwork reflect this heritage. More American traditional accents are found in the rooms' upholstery fabrics, antiques, and rugs. I love (and covet) the Aga range in the kitchen, along with this room's 300-year-old floor beams, which were rescued from an old barn and whitewashed.

For more details and photos,