CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Guess What This Chair Is Made Of?

casasugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:15:02 -0800

The seat and back of this chair are made entirely from a certain recycled tech gadget that every little boy (and plenty of grown ones) loves. Can you tell me what it is?

Love It or Hate It? Crate & Barrel Azure Chair

casasugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:30:21 -0800

I like the wrap-around, bucket-like shape of the Crate & Barrel Azure Chair ($1,099), and its eco-friendly construction. But, I'm not sold on the tufting; it looks a little odd to me.

Love It or Hate It? Crate & Barrel Azure Chair

Love it

Hate it

Undecided

Do You Have a Patterned Sofa?

casasugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:15:10 -0800

Patterned sofas had their heyday in the '60s and '70s, and now retailers like Anthropologie are championing them again. Here in the apartment of actress Krysten Ritter, shot by photographer Todd Selby, a vintage sofa mixed with mid-century furnishings and artwork looks of the moment, not dated. But, there's a certain practicality that comes with solid colored sofas, especially considering the prices of reupholstery.Source

Do You Have a Patterned Sofa?

Yes, I have a patterned sofa.

I have both patterned and solid.

My sofa has a subtle pattern.

I have a solid colored sofa.

Guess What This Chair Is Made Of?

casasugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:15:43 -0800

This beautiful chair, which is an eclectic take on traditional farmhouse style, is also made of an unusual material. Can you tell me what it's made of?

Nice and New: 50th Anniversary Swan Chair

casasugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:00:45 -0800

You've no doubt seen it in a trendy design store, a hotel lobby, or a wealthy friend's living room. The Swan Chair, designed by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen in 1958 for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, is one of the design world's most famous chairs, thanks to its welcoming and comfortable curves and lack of straight lines. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Fritz Hansen, the original manufacturer, released 1,958 limited-edition Swan Chairs on Saturday, each in swan-white, semianiline leather with a pearl-white base, each with a sterling silver pendant around its base, engraved with a unique number. The chairs will be available in selected stores around the globe, including Suite New York. For more information, go to Fritz Hansen's site.

Source

Before and After: Slipper Chair From Blah to Ta-da!

casasugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:00:57 -0800

The folks at Better Homes and Gardens took this modern microsuede slipper chair and reupholstered it in an icy blue fabric with lots of dressmaker details like pleating and tufting. You're probably thinking, "Cool story, Hansel." Right? Well, actually, they tackled the reupholstery themselves, and chronicled the project so we could all have detailed instructions for doing it on our own as well. I'm really impressed with the makeover. Beforehand the chair was simply uninteresting, and now it's sophisticated and detailed. To see the after photo, and hear how you can reupholster a slipper chair on your own,

Less or More: Bentwood Stools

casasugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:00:35 -0700

For the next installment of this game, take a look at each of these bentwood stools and see if you can answer my questions about them.

Nice and New: Home Decorators Tamara Sofa

casasugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:00:53 -0700

I've always loved the feminine shape of French settee sofas, but they rarely look comfortable. So, I was delighted to come across the Home Decorators Tamara Sofa ($1049), which features a plush white cushion seat and two back pillows, in addition to stylish curves. While the white upholstery may frighten some of you, it can always be reupholstered in a darker fabric, tossed with a throw, or even printed to make it more stain-concealing. At $1,049, the sofa is really a steal for what it is, and if you purchase it before Nov. 10, you can take advantage of Home Decorator's Customer Reward Days, which will land you a $10 reward for every $50 you spend (i.e. $209).

Guess What's Inside Here?

casasugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 07:00:30 -0700

An AT:SF reader got creative and decided to store some rather boring but necessary items in this storage ottoman, moving them from their more obvious abode. Can you guess what she stores in here?

Crave Worthy: Bespoke Silk Scarf Chair

casasugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:30:50 -0700

I've never been a fan of branding (logos, monograms, etc.), and in fact I pretty much detest it. It kind of makes me feel like I'm in a herd of cattle. That being said, even though the Suzan Fellman Bespoke Silk Scarf Chair ($6,400) may feature a prominently placed Chanel logo, I still totally heart it. Upholstered with vintage silk scarves, it transforms your basic slipper chair into a statement piece that's a little bit Art Deco and a bit mod. Its sleek, transparent Lucite legs are a non-competing counterpart to the bold patterns, and they contribute a bit of a 1930s vibe. Love it?

Weird Furniture: Chainsaw Rocker

casasugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:30:25 -0700

Artist Christopher Chiappa's Chainsaw Rocker is a to-scale reproduction of a junkyard-find Honda Accord car seat that was chiseled to form by a chainsaw sculptor. Currently on view at Moss in Los Angeles, it's lowbrow artwork for the design elite. While its brass plated legs make it a delightfully functioning rocker, it's the chair's texture that really gets me. The wood was so expertly carved, with such realistic curves, that its toughness is almost disguised. It's funny: you wouldn't normally associate the harsh cuts of a chainsaw with the upholstery of a car seat.
Source

Love It or Hate It? Umbra U+ Collection Balloona Stool

casasugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:00:26 -0700

The Umbra U+ Collection Balloona Stool ($200) might be a clown's dream furniture, but just because you can wrap a stool in deflated balloons, doesn't mean you should. On the other hand, it's got that contemporary art thing going, and has a very unexpected look. What do you think?

Love It or Hate It? Umbra U+ Collection Balloona Stool

Love It

Hate It

Undecided

Crave Worthy: Thonet Bentwood Settee

casasugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:00:33 -0700

I can't resist bentwood furniture, a style pioneered by German manufacturer Michael Thonet in the 1800s, even in its more modern interpretations. Try as I might, I never cease to be surprised swept off my feet by the timeless creations. Bentwood café chairs seem to be ubiquitous these days, and I never tire of them, but it is refreshing to see bentwood in another shape, such as the Thonet Bentwood Settee ($1494). The design is a licensed reproduction of an original Thonet, and is built by hand at one of the original Thonet factories located in Eastern Europe. With a cane seat and a slender, curved, walnut or
beechwood frame, it's simply sophisticated, without a stitch of trend appeal. What more could you ask for?

Midday Muse: Cushioned Louis Ghost Chairs on Gossip Girl

casasugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:00:38 -0700

Tuning into "The Dark Night" episode of Gossip Girl, I couldn't help but notice that the set of Philipe Starck Louis Ghost Chairs in Blair Waldorf's dining room weren't naked as usual. The polycarbonate chairs had been dressed up with silk shantung chair pads, giving them less of a transparent look. Personally, I think the chair pads detract from Starck's vision for the chair: a modern reinterpretation of the Louis XIV chair, which is upholstered. But, from a purely aesthetic perspective, they don't look half bad here in Blair's home. And, seeing as the gossip girl lives in a quite traditional abode (unlike Chuck Bass's bachelor pad), I think the chair pads make the very modern chairs more appropriate for the setting. What do you think? Oh also: did anyone notice how there's only wallpaper on one half of the room? Weird!

Good, Better, Best: Folding Dining Chairs

casasugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Whether you live in a small studio or a house with an occasional surplus of dinner guests, folding dining chairs are a smart thing to have around. Just tuck them in the back of a closet, or send them to your attic or basement, and you'll have spare seating ready and waiting — not clogging up your floor plan. Don't get me wrong: I don't advocate picking up a set of those beige metal folding chairs you see at P.T.A. meetings across the country. There are plenty of handsome options for you, at varying price points. Here are three to get you folding.

Good: The Crate & Barrel Set of Four Folding Chairs ($89) has a basic yet elegant form with its slatted, solid wood seat and rich espresso stain. It may not be the most comfortable chair, but it's certainly handsome and practical. If you need to, you can toss on a cushion to make it easier on your seat. Oh, and did I mention you get four for 90 bucks?! Pretty rad.

There are two more folding chairs to strike your fancy, so

Crave Worthy: Sunflower Zebra Chair

casasugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:30:16 -0700

While I do think the zebra trend is pretty played out at this point, and I'm certainly not keen on animal hide rugs, I find myself pleasantly surprised by the Horchow Sunflower Zebra Chair ($2,199). Not only does the winged accent chair look super comfortable and have great lines, but it's incredibly cheerful in its sunny zebra pattern. And you know how I love nailhead trim. Despite the bold pattern, the chair integrates well with more traditional pieces, such as the Persian rug shown here. But, it would also really be the center of attention in a minimal, modern interior. You like?

Before and After: A Vintage Chair Makeover

casasugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700

TeamSugar member Sgdish had a plain vanilla, and stained, vintage armchair with a great frame that was just begging for a makeover. She decided to "be bold and choose two different coordinating fabrics" for reupholstery, but used the same fabric for the chair's trim as on its backside. The results are truly impressive and inspiring. To see the transformation,

Crave Worthy: Antique Ebonized and Turquoise Silk Chairs

casasugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:00:01 -0700

I love a good plush seat, but sometimes I can't help but sacrifice comfort for good looks. And, that time is now. The Antique Ebonized and Turquoise Silk Chairs ($1,300 for pair) from Paris Hotel Boutique don't look one bit comfortable, but they're just so ravishing. I think it's the juxtaposition of the contemporary turquoise Dupioni silk with the 1900s ebonized and gilt design. I imagine the chairs were originally upholstered in a fussy floral, but the lack of pattern here really lets the chairs' beautiful shape shine. I'd set them at the heads of a dining table, paired with some basic black Louis XV chairs, or station one in a quiet hallway to provide a pop of color.

Love It or Hate It? Felicitous Fish Chair

casasugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:00:19 -0700

Known for its colorful, busy, hand-painted designs, MacKenzie-Childs isn't what I would call my personal style. However, I can endure it in small measure, such as one of the company's small ceramic plates. But I find the Felicitous Fish Chair ($1,850) — which is upholstered in striped silk, embellished with a grosgrain ribbon button and copper leaf, stain, and hand-painted accents, and uses two polka-dot fish as its backrest — a little over the top. What do you think?

Love It or Hate It? Felicitous Fish Chair

Love It

Hate It

Undecided

Found It! Matthew Williamson's Chair

casasugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:30:46 -0700

In the latest issue of Domino, readers got a tour of British designer Matthew Williamson's vibrant and enchanted Hampstead, London, cottage. Williamson didn't execute one stitch of reservation when it came to designing his digs, filling his home top to bottom with finds from all ages and places, and infusing it with a surplus of color. One of my favorite furnishings of his is a high back, woven rattan leaf chair sitting in the corner of his dining room. Williamson admitted that he wasn't sure if the chair was Mexican or Indian, but loved it enough not to care. Turns out, it's neither!
To see where I found this wacky and wonderful chair,

Cool Idea: Play in Public

casasugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:00:07 -0700

We may not remember rocking away in bouncy seats as infants, but I'm sure we all remember playing on swing sets as kids. In either case, was it ever not fun? I think not. So, why are Trix just for kids? And why should play be relegated just to playgrounds and backyards? I think adults should get a piece of the fun and games, and play should be accepted in public, and apparently so does British industrial design student Bruno Taylor.The renegade playground builder has decided that it's about time we bring play back into public space. He has created a project which incorporates incidental play in the public realm, including a public bench that bounces, for all to use, and the installation of swings into existing bus stops. Is that rad or what? To see a video of Taylor's swing being installed guerrilla-style into a bus stop,

If Money Weren't an Issue . . .

casasugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:00:17 -0700

. . . would you set this pair of Mongolian shaggy lamb x-based stools ($9,500), designed by influential interior decorator Dorothy Draper, in your living room?

If Money Weren't an Issue . . .

Absolutely — they're fantastic and a wonderful example of her work!

Maybe — if I were going with a furry, neo-baroque theme.

No way! Those are absolutely ridiculous.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Casa Verde: Droog Rag Chair

casasugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:00:08 -0700

The next time you find yourself in the need of new furniture, you can refrain from opening your mailbox in search of a shelter catalog or from typing a URL into your browser. That's right, you might already have the materials needed for "new" furniture sitting in your home . . . or your hamper. That is, according to Droog. The Droog Rag Chair ($5,500) is made from layers of 15 bags of unique, upcycled rags. And, if you like, they can be your own rags; you have the option of recycling your own rags to be included in the design. Now you have a use for that free Capital One T-shirt you got when you signed up for a credit card at a festival booth . . .

Etsy Find: Ottoman Empire

casasugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Etsy seller Spruce Home, a design studio based in Austin, TX, has upholstered this ornate, wooden-based ottoman in Amy Butler's Nigella Primrose fabric, giving it a vibrant, modern update. The Ottoman Empire ($425) stands 14 inches high with a 30-inch diameter, the perfect size to use as a round coffee table, or set with a tray or some shelter books on top. Not only do I adore the aqua and cool green fabric used, but it looks like it'd be super comfortable used as a stool, foot rest, or even a dog bed! If this ottoman isn't for you, Spruce has a handful of other beautifully upholstered pieces available in their shop. Need a cane back chair? A striped sofa? A set of modular Herman Miller chairs? See what else they've got in store when you

Weird Furniture: Mint Stool

casasugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:00:31 -0700

I detest halitosis as much as the next person, but since when does that mean I should have to sit on my breath freshener of choice? Just because you can turn any round product into the seat of a stool doesn't mean you should. I think I have to go separate ways with "art engineer" Lee J. Rowland and his Sweet Seats Mint Stool (inquire for price) on this one. That is, unless I were trying to furnish the corporate offices of Breathsavers. I'm sorry . . . am I being harsh? Tell me what you think of this mint-inspired stool.

Steal of the Day: Anthropologie Spindle Wingback Chair

casasugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:30:02 -0700

I've had the Anthropologie Spindle Wingback Chair ($1,300, reduced from $2,500) burned into my mind ever since it first made its debut. Actually, I'd come across the spindle/turned wood print in Ilse Crawford's portfolio and emailed her personally to find out where I could get my hands on the fabric. In case you're not familiar, Ilse is the founding editor of Elle Decoration and also a very talented interior designer.

It turns out that she herself designed the print for Christopher Farr Cloth. Anthropologie snatched it up to upholster this classic Queen Anne Chair, which looks scrumptiously comfortable: the ultimate reading chair. The price of the chair has been reduced $1,200 since I
first fell for it. But, although it still makes my heart go pitter-patter, it's probably more economical to reupholster a thrifted wingback chair in the fabric myself. Sigh.

Less or More: Modern Leather Chairs

casasugar — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 05:00:32 -0700

For the next installment of this game, take a look at each of these modern leather chairs and see if you can answer my questions about them.

Crave Worthy: Cherner Armchair

casasugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:00:31 -0700

Designed in 1958 by Norman Cherner, the Cherner Armchair ($949) has a dramatic and elegant sloping shape, achieved by molding plywood, that sweeps me off my feet, literally and figuratively. Made of solid beech, it's built to last. This particular chair is a reproduction of the 1958 design, manufactured to the exact original specs by Cherner Chair, a company run by Norman Cherner's sons. Some of you purists might demand the 1958 original, if you're to shell out nearly a grand on a chair, but to me it's of no consequence . . . so long as I can share a lifetime with one of my many true loves. Everlasting love. Sigh.

Nice and New: VivaTerra Suzani Bench

casasugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:15:11 -0700

The suzani trend has been going on for probably a year now, and somehow I've yet to tire of it. VivaTerra has just introduced a Suzani Bench ($395-895) that is truly stunning and also eco-friendly. Made from 100 percent organic cotton and sustainable sheesham wood, and colored with eco-friendly dyes, it's one addition to your home that won't incite remorse. Available in two sizes, the elegant embroidered benches can serve as seating or a coffee table, used with a tray. At this point, I've seen the suzani trend played out in all sorts of products, often mimicking the textile's pattern rather than the embroidery itself, so it's refreshing to see such well-executed needlework.

Weird Furniture: 1960s Female Form Fiberglass Chair

casasugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0700

What is it with men and designing female-shaped furniture? At first, I thought it was kind of funny. But really, the sex-centric furniture is just everywhere these days; it's getting kind of ridiculous. Exhibit A is the 1960s Female Form Fiberglass Chair ($10,500), a chair that proliferates the animal-hide trend, and takes the classic Louis XV chair to a "sensual" level — kind of like a dirty version of Philippe Starck's Louis Ghost Chair. I must say I'm a little confused by the back of this chair though; this lady looks to be double-jointed. What do you think? Funny or misogynistic?

Steal of the Day: Pottery Barn Emerson Chair

casasugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

If you ever fell in lust with Hans Wegner's Wishbone Chair ($599) — a beloved design from 1949 that never ceases to be stylish — but couldn't afford its high price tag, your time is now. Pottery Barn has created a successful knock-off (sans a wishbone-shaped backrest) and lucky for you, it's on sale! The Pottery Barn Emerson Chair ($169-$199, reduced from $249-$289) claims to be inspired by "the look of classic Chippendale style," which is a big load of b.s. Even if Wegner's chair was "inspired by classical portraits of Danish merchants sitting in Ming chairs," I think Pottery Barn should own up and pay Wegner credit where credit is due — right? Still, this slight sequestering of information won't keep me from loving Pottery Barn's version; I'm a sucker for its slender, curved form, natural-fiber seat, and washed gray tone.

Steal of the Day: Champagne Wire Cage Stool

casasugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:00:29 -0700

I like bubbly. I like bubbly pear cupcakes. I like a lot of things that have to do with champagne . . . even the Napa Style Champagne Wire Cage Stool ($98, reduced from $288). A stool shaped like a champagne cap? Yes, it's a little kitschy, but it works. I wouldn't go so far as to pick up the coordinating bright orange faux cork stool (yuck!), but I think the wire cage stool is attractive on its own. The stool's design origins aren't completely obvious at first glance either, which is a plus. In other words, you needn't live in Napa Valley to own it. What do you think? Am I totally off-base?

Steal of the Day: Titanium Garden Seat

casasugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:00:38 -0700

Garden stools have been trendy for a couple years now, but I never understood why they were priced so high for what is basically a ceramic drum — see here and here. They're cute though, and versatile, as they can serve as seating or a small side table. If you feel the same, and haven't yet made the splurge, maybe the Ballard Designs Titanium Garden Seat ($89, reduced from $149) will appeal to you. I like its bead detailing
and Chinoiserie-style cutouts. Its price tag also won't break the bank, and its polished titanium finish doesn't have the tiresome cutesy kitsch of some of its brightly colored counterparts. Yay for sale items!

Good, Better, Best: Slipper Chairs

casasugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:15:02 -0700

If you're on the hunt for an accent chair to provide occasional additional seating, a slipper chair — a low-slung chair with a high back — is a great option. The classically clean lines of a traditional slipper chair design — basically two rectangles for the seat and back with no arms — make it versatile, complementing many interiors. Its low height and slightly sloped back give it more comfort than other accent chairs, and an intimate, relaxed look. I've come up with three slipper chair options, for those of you in the market for one.

Good: The Bed Bath & Beyond Trento Slipper Chair ($149.99) has nice, clean lines, and would work well as spare seating for guests. But its faux leather PVC upholstery is less than desirable, and its cushion doesn't seem to be the most comfortable.

There are two more great choices, so

Weird Furniture: Paperback Chair

casasugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 06:15:59 -0700

When you were deciding what you were wanting for your reading nook, you probably hadn't considered a chair made of paperback books. Myopic Books, a neighborhood bookstore in Providence, RI, did though. On display in their shop is this wacky chair made by artist David Karoff. With the exception of the wheels, all of the materials used to build the chair were recycled, including scrap metal and books from the discard bins at the local library. To keep the books in place, Karoff drilled holes through them, and slipped them onto the chair's (hidden) metal frame. I kind of love it, especially for a bookstore, but don't think it would work in my home. Would it work in yours?
Source

Love It or Hate It? Wal-Mart Bamboo Chair and Ottoman

casasugar — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:00:52 -0700

This Wal-Mart Eco-Friendly Tre Bamboo Chair and Ottoman Set ($299) is made from bamboo — a sustainable material — using a bentwood technique, and is styled after Eames designs. I think it's pretty good looking, but then again, it is from Wal-Mart, which many of you may find controversial. What do you think? Would you buy it?

Love It or Hate It? Wal-Mart Bamboo Chair and Ottoman

Love It

Hate It

Undecided

Do You Have a Slipcover?

casasugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:00:56 -0700

Slipcovers are a pretty great invention for klutzes like myself, who often eat, and frequently spill, on the sofa. They can be balled up and machine washed like a coffee-stained white blouse. But they don't look as polished as an upholstered sofa, and unless you have one specially made, the fabric selection is minimal. Do you have one?Source

Do You Have a Slipcover?

Yep, call me slipcovered.

I used to, but no longer.

I don't, but I'd like one.

Nope, I'm slipcover-less.

Less or More: Fainting Sofas

casasugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0700

I've actually taken a look at tufted velvet fainting sofas before, but I'm back for more to truly stump you. For the next installment of this game, take a look at each of these apple green fainting sofas and see if you can answer my questions about them.

Crave Worthy: Jayson Vintage Chair and Ottoman

casasugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I've never met a French furnishing I didn't like. The French are relentless purveyors of style, and they win me over again and again, be it with a Chanel frock or a Philippe Starck chair. The Jayson Home & Garden Vintage Chair and Ottoman ($2,995), seating from mid-20th century France reupholstered in dark gray linen, is no exception either. I love how this glamorous gilded Louis XV is juxtaposed with the masculine tone of the fabric. No, it's probably not the most comfortable chair and ottoman
on the block, but it would look darn good in my living room.

Love It or Hate It? Button Bench

casasugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:15:46 -0700

The Jellio Button Bench ($1,400) is made to resemble a classic candy store treat with its colorful rubber dots. It certainly gives me a retro flashback of accidentally swallowing paper — not to mention a good laugh. What do you think?

Love It or Hate It? Button Bench

Love It

Hate It

Undecided

Nice and New: Lou Lou Ghost Chair

casasugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:15:39 -0700

Building on the success of the now famous Louis Ghost chair, released in 2002, Philippe Starck has come up with a child-size version of the chair for Kartell. A worthy heir, Lou Lou Ghost incorporates the features of its big sister, with a Louis XVI silhouette that is resolutely modern and features a polycarbonate body, a resistance to scratches, and perfect ergonomics. All you design-fiend parents out there can turn your kids on to good design from an early age with the Lou Lou. Available in a variety of candy-colored transparent pastel colors (fluorescent orange and green, sugar pink, blue, sky blue, purple, lilac, and pale green) and three opaque colors (red, white, black), you're bound to find one that suits your little darling. And for those of you without kids' rooms to furnish, I honestly think it'd be pretty cute used to stack books beside your favorite reading chair. It should be available in Kartell shops for about $116 in Europe this Summer, and hopefully in the US soon there after.

Weird Furniture: Mommy's Chairs

casasugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:00:23 -0700

You'd better sit down for this. What you're looking at is not a child's drawing of a dinner table. On the contrary, Lucy Merchant's Mommy's Chairs are in fact real chairs, made of powder-coated recycled steel. According to Merchant, the sculpture-like seating is meant to "represent the spontaneity of a rough sketch." It's interesting to see that a design inspired by a doodle, a type of drawing that's inherently unpolished, can be so flawless; the visually trickery of this furniture is astounding. And, if the spindly shape of the chairs wasn't enough to confound expectations, the Crayola-box colors of the designs further demonstrate their inspiration. In this case the cliché couldn't be more true: things are not always as they seem.

Nice and New: West Elm Convertible Sofa

casasugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:00:39 -0700

For those of you wondering how to decorate a studio, or just living in a small space, I've always emphasized that dual-purpose furniture is key. A pull-out sofa will accommodate overnight guests and serve as seating during the day. At 66" wide, the West Elm Convertible Sofa ($799) is a great size for a studio. It will fit two people comfortably in front of a coffee table (or storage ottomans!) and unfolds to be used as a bed when needed. It's only available in two colors — light camel or pumice —. But, I think the colors are pretty versatile, especially if you personalize the sofa with your own accent pillows and a throw.

Ask Casa: A Peculiar Armchair Question

casasugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:15:38 -0700

Hey Casa,
I'm wondering if you can help me with a peculiar armchair question. I've been looking for a picture or the name of a certain French/ Parisian upholstered armchair that is quite iconic. It is quite similar in design to this chair shown here (at least, the arm rests are). I've always seen the chair upholstered in white with black detailing. It's very elegant, and I'm pretty sure it's originally French. I hope my description isn't too obscure! Thank you!
SundayGreen

To see my response,

Love It or Hate It? Calculator Stools

casasugar — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:30:30 -0700

These Calculator Stools (inquire for price) are quite possibly the geekiest furniture I've ever seen — or at least equally as geeky as the Mac II Couch. They look like something Napoleon Dynamite might own. Do you like them?

Love It or Hate It? Calculator Stools

Love It

Hate It

Undecided

Steal of the Day: CB2 Rex Chair

casasugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:00:13 -0700

With the Fourth of July fast approaching, Summer is in full effect. What that often translates to in my world are impromptu outdoor parties. You know when you have a couple friends over for some poolside baking and all of the sudden it looks like a Mardi Gras parade in your backyard? Then, someone gets the grill going, and everyone needs somewhere to sit while they chow down on their burgers and buns. The CB2 Rex Chair (on sale for $49.95) rises to that occasion, as its woven plastic piping and polished aluminum will stand up to the elements, and it can also be stacked for storage when it's just you at home in your bikini. Now only if you had a constant supply of Coronas to serve your unexpected guests . . .

Less or More: Louis-Style Emeco Chairs

casasugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:00:18 -0700

For the next installment of this game, take a look at each of these Louis-style Emeco chairs and see if you can answer my questions about them.

Weird Furniture: RD4 Chair LE*

casasugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:15:51 -0700

I'm all for one-of-a-kind furnishings, and anything eco chic, but despite those truths, I could never bring myself to put the RD4 (Roughly Drawn) Chair LE* ($1,548), a limited-edition piece hand woven from 100-percent recycled plastic waste material, with no two exactly alike in my living room. The chair certainly makes a striking visual statement, and is modern in an interesting way, but it's too overwhelming for my home. I'd love to see it in the Manhattan Beach home with the green staircase that I recently wrote about, but can't think of another home it would work in. This chair claims to be "a tour de force piece heralding the future of sustainable design." Do you agree? Or do you think that eco-chic furnishings should be limited to those sustainable designs that appeal to a wider public?

Crave Worthy: Hudson English Reading Chair

casasugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:00:38 -0700

For those of you hoping to get the look of a modern rustic kitchen, the Hudson English Reading Chair ($2,850) couldn't be more appropriate. The vintage leather chair from England with a blue and brown plaid wool cushion and nailhead trim is a perfect stand-in for the handsomely worn leather chair tossed with a velvet pillow in that kitchen. But the Hudson chair is also a Pandora's box of sorts: its arms open to expose a pen tray on one side and a writing table on the other! I'd argue that this is absolutely the best chair for reading the morning paper while your eggs are cooking — after all, you can grab a pen from the arm if you need to fill in the New York Times crossword. What's not to love?

Less or More: Canopy Chairs

casasugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:00:22 -0700

For the next installment of this game, take a look at each of these canopy chairs and see if you can answer my questions about them.