CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Do You Have an Outdoor Shower?

casasugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:00:27 -0700

For those of you living in warmer climes, an outdoor shower is an excellent luxury, and often a requirement for oceanside dwellers. Do you have one? Source

Do You Have an Outdoor Shower?

Yes, I do, and it's divine!

I used to have one, but not anymore.

No, the weather in my region doesn't justify such an expense.

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

Garden Therapy: Leaf Relief

casasugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:30:59 -0700

If you're not raking up leaves in your neck of the woods yet, you will be very soon, so I have a few tips to help make the job easier. Once you've raked the leaves into big fluffy piles, consolidate them by raking them onto a large tarp. Then, drag your leaves to their final resting place, whether it be a backyard compost pile or in the green bin. Another trick? Run a lawnmower over your leaf piles, which will cut them down to size and speed up backyard composting time. Source

Steal of the Day: CB2's Buena Park Chair

casasugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:45:25 -0700

Major steal alert: The CB2 Buena Park Chair has been massively marked down. Originally $169, this adorably modern version of a Luxembourg gardens chair is now only $39.95. I don't know how it can be this cheap, but I'm not about to start arguing about it. Instead, I'm going to order a couple of these posthaste, before you Casa readers snap up the rest of the stock. The Buena Park Chair comes with a weather-resistant polyester cushion, and its powder-coated black metal frame is rustproof. Perfect for your endless Summer reading, or for watching the leaves turn on Fall days.

Do You Sleep Outside?

casasugar — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

When I was little, my whole family would sleep out on the deck on hot Summer nights. Not only was it fun, but it also kept us from overheating inside the house. As an adult, I've tried to recreate this family tradition by camping out in the backyard, and even spending a night or two in the hammock. Do you ever sleep outside on hot Summer nights? Source

Do You Sleep Outside?

Absolutely!

I've tried it once or twice.

Nope, never done it.

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

Summer Style: Decorating For Kerry Washington's Crib

casasugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:15:28 -0700

One of my favorite eco designers, Danny Seo, is redesigning actress Kerry Washington's LA apartment. Recently, he shared some of his inspirations for the planned redesign of the narrow outdoor spaces at her home. Where did he find these inspirations? On the 15th floor terrace of the Hudson Hotel in New York, where the high-rise outdoor space seems surprisingly private. Source

Sale Alert: Restoration Hardware Outdoor Sale

casasugar — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:03:07 -0700

If you're in the market for some classically-designed, well-made outdoor furniture, check out Restoration Hardware, whose outdoor sale is only making these pieces more tempting.

There's a variety of items to choose from, including barbecue accessories, gorgeous outdoor pillows, and sectional outdoor furniture. To sweeten the deal, any purchases over $750 will be interest- and payment-free for a year. Take a look at the widget for some of my favorite finds.

Source

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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Where Do You Spend Time in the Summer?

casasugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:00:37 -0700

It's hard to keep me inside the house in the Summer. I'd rather throw a blanket on the grass in the backyard or host dinner on the deck. Where do you spend time around your home in the Summer? Source

Home Library: Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways

casasugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:15:04 -0700

If you've ever dreamed about building a backyard escape, then Debra Prinzing's book Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways is a must-read. The book highlights 28 crave-worthy backyard or backwoods spaces across the US. Whether it's a modest suburban shed that's been turned into a writing space or an elegant gallery created from a renovated boathouse, this book offers much in the way of inspiration to its readers.

To see some gorgeous photos from the book, and to hear more about it,

Steal of the Day: Painted Adirondack Chairs

casasugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:15:20 -0700

I love Adirondack chairs for their distinctive and comfortable shape, and I love them even more when they're found at a ridiculously reasonable price. This Painted Adirondack Chair ($99, regularly $169) from Smith and Hawken is a fabulous steal, though plenty of other folks have realized that as well: while the chair was available in sage, white, and red, only the red color is still available. Crafted from durable, weather-resistant acacia and rubberwood, the chairs also feature galvanized hardware and are painted with a matte acrylic. These would be perfect on a porch, deck, or lawn, and would definitely enhance any outdoor entertaining you do.

Gardening Gifts For Dad

casasugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:00:01 -0700

Father's Day is just around the corner, and I know that I've been thinking about what to send my dad. That's him (with my brother) in the photo above, tilling his garden and planting potatoes. My dad's always been an amazing gardener, but he likes to kick it next to the garden as well, after he gets his planting or weeding finished. With him in mind, I rounded up a bunch of gifts to satisfy any backyard- or garden-oriented dad out there. Whether your pop likes to plant perennials, oil the cedar deck, hack away at the foliage, or just settle in a lawn chair with a cold one, I've got him covered. Check out the ShopStyle Living spread below to see if anything strikes you as a good Father's Day gift for your dad.

Get the Look: Jennifer Carpenter's Tipi

casasugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:30:35 -0700

In the current issue of O at Home, actress Jennifer Carpenter shares photos of her Laurel Canyon home, which was redecorated by Jennifer's friend Ariel Ashe, an interior designer with the firm Ashe + Leandro.

While I loved the entire home design, my eyes kept coming back to this cool tipi in Jennifer's backyard. In the article, Jennifer admits, "That was my idea. I always wanted a yurt."

When I was growing up, my family used a traditional tipi as an alternative structure for camping on our land, and I can vouch for their comfort. Although a traditional tipi would look too hippie in Jennifer's colorful, modern space, the updated tipi, which uses the Hable Construction Big Beads outdoor fabric in Java, is absolutely perfect.

To hear Ariel's tips for relaxed, easy living,

Before and After: Haze's Highly Covetable Patio

casasugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 07:00:49 -0700

Su Casa member Haze, who's proven herself again and again to be a most creative and talented lady, has wowed me yet again with the patio that she and her husband DC renovated. This photo shows what they started with. To see the fabulous results, read more!

Midday Muse: Light in the Garden

casasugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:00:34 -0700

While I can't condone open-candle use in trees, I have to admit that I'm completely in love with this idea conceptually. Just add a few LED candles to replace the open-flame variety, and you're set.

Are you a fan of this idea? How would you interpret it in your backyard?
Source

Midday Muse: Inspired Outdoor Spaces

casasugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:12:52 -0700

I love the idea of creating a small room in the great outdoors.

I can just imagine how magical this stand of trees is going to feel when the sun goes down over the savanna. Can't you?
Source

Before and After: A Little Paint Transforms These Lawn Chairs

casasugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 07:45:39 -0700

Su Casa member NdChristine sanded, primed, and painted her three 1950s-era lawn chairs. Here's what she started out with:

To see the chairs after she worked her magic,

In the News: An Inspiring Outdoor Space

casasugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:15:28 -0700

Since Summer is soon on its way, it's natural to think about creating functional, beautiful outdoor spaces where you can entertain and relax. In a recent LA Times article by Debra Prinzing, a family does just this, using repurposed, recycled, and found objects. Greta and Mike Jarvis, along with their daughter Annika, were tired of the awkward, unused backyard at their Manhattan Beach home, so Greta, an adept flea marketer, decided to transform their 30-x-40-foot backyard into something more family friendly. They started by getting rid of a small, underused grassy area, as well as their unused hot tub. By expanding the doors that led to the backyard, they also made the space more accessible.

To see what materials they used,

Steal of the Day: Deluxe Potting Bench

casasugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:15:11 -0700

I have been coveting a real potting bench for years now, but have never gotten around to investing in one. Instead, I make do by swaddling our teak deck table with a layer of newspapers. Even when I'm at my most diligent, though, this method always makes a huge mess. What I'd really love is this Deluxe Potting Bench ($399, regularly $499). It would keep me organized and keep our deck from suffering under its semipermanent residue of potting soil. With places for everything from your seeds to your gloves to your potting soil and starter pots, as well a removable potting tray that can easily be washed, you'll be the picture of organizational perfection with this potting bench. It's also crafted from sustainably-harvested white cedar, and since it has two wheeled feet, you can cart this bench wherever it needs to go. Hmm . . . I might just have to add this to my wedding registry.

Crave Worthy: Rustic Teak Double Chaise

casasugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:15:50 -0700

I don't know what I'm craving more: this Bali Rustic Teak Double Chaise ($1,54, or the idea of lounging on it with my honey in a tropical location. I love the generous size of this chaise; it would be perfect for reading to your nieces or nephews poolside, or for cuddling up with your true love and some cocktails. The dark-stained teak is extremely weather resistant, and the water-repellant, fade-resistant cushions will hold up over many seasons of outdoor recreation.

Crave Worthy: Chesapeake Hanging Lounger

casasugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:00:18 -0700

Since I'm excited about getting outdoors and into the garden this month, it's pretty understandable that I'm craving this Chesapeake Hanging Lounger ($1129) from Pottery Barn. It combines two of my favorite areas for lounging — a hammock and a bed — into one brilliant piece. This lounger is built for the outdoors, too, with a kiln-dried solid hardwood frame, stainless-steel hooks, and a water-repellent, canvas-covered mattress. I'm envisioning it under the deck, next to the calla lilies. Hm . . . I think I have to go take some measurements and see if it'll fit.

Midday Muse: Terraced Luxury

casasugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:15:05 -0700

I don't imagine I'll ever have an outdoor living area as luxe as the Gramercy Park Hotel's. However, the roof club and garden, recently reimagined by artist Julian Schnabel, offers some great lessons in creating a space that looks great both day and night.

via Stylehive

What Type of Outdoor Living Area Do You Have?

casasugar — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:20:16 -0700

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