Elka Karl
CasaSugar Editor, (2007-2012)
Elka Karl

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Style Guide

Ethereal Beauty: Fedor van der Valk Discusses His String Gardens

You may not know Fedor van der Valk by name, but chances are you know his work.
String Garden Photos

You may not know Fedor van der Valk by name, but chances are you know his work. Fedor's string gardens have graced the pages of books and the posts of numerous websites over the past few years. When I was in Holland, I saw his works displayed in several shop windows. His string gardens capture the imagination with their suspended, unexpected beauty. Recently, Fedor sat down to answer some of my questions about his work. Even though he warned me: "My English vocabulary is not that rich. It's a bit simple," I think you'll agree his responses and work are anything but. If you've never seen his string gardens before, prepare to have your breath taken away. If you're already familiar with his work, well, prepare to have your breath taken away yet again.

Inspiration

60 DIYs to Add Personality and Style to Your Wedding

Not every bride is especially crafty, but with an abundance of easy-to-follow tutorials that yield impressive results, every bride can be!

Not every bride is especially crafty, but with an abundance of easy-to-follow tutorials that yield impressive results, every bride can be! Whether you're looking for creative solutions for table numbers or still need a breathtaking backdrop for exchanging vows, we've pulled together some stylish options you won't want to miss. With difficulty levels ranging from simple day-of assemblage to slightly more laborious projects, you're destined to find something that suits your DIY capabilities.


— Additional reporting by Emily Bibb

Bedrooms

10 Ways to Transform a Dresser

If you've ever purchased an old wooden dresser from Craigslist for the express purpose of turning it into something fabulous, you're not alone.

If you've ever purchased an old wooden dresser from Craigslist for the express purpose of turning it into something fabulous, you're not alone. With a little DIY ingenuity, even the most unattractive dressers can become the focal point of a room. Keep reading for 10 solutions for tricking out dated dressers, and let us know which one inspires you the most!

Mother's Day

See How These Design Moms Are Inspired by Their Kids

We are constantly inspired by the work of creative women working within the field of home design, and when those design professionals are also moms, we are floored by their dedication to both their work and their children.

We are constantly inspired by the work of creative women working within the field of home design, and when those design professionals are also moms, we are floored by their dedication to both their work and their children. To celebrate Mother's Day this year, we asked some of our favorite design industry professionals to tell us how being mothers has also inspired their work. Keep reading to see how moms like Kathryn Ireland, India Hicks, Cat Seto, Tamara Kaye-Honey, and many more find balance, inspiration, and humor in their lives as designing moms.

homes

Celebrate Earth Day With Gorgeous Green Homes From Around the World

Sustainable design has many facets.

Sustainable design has many facets. Whether it's incorporating unique architecture that maximizes light exposure, furnishing with reclaimed materials, or reducing carbon emissions with green power, these houses showcase the best in innovative eco practices and stunning design. Many of them are also fittingly located in breathtaking environments, where farmlands, seashores, and jungles complement the sleek architectural frames of these modern homes. If you're looking to incorporate eco elements into your own home through a remodel or are simply curious about the diversity of sustainable design, you'll definitely want to peruse this impressive collection of homes!

DIY

Weekend DIYs

Spring is almost officially upon us!

Spring is almost officially upon us! To celebrate, I've rounded up colorful, fresh, and fun Spring projects that will add some freshness to your home. Whether you want to DIY some Spring green napkins for Passover or Easter, or you're intent on adding a twist to your floral arrangements, I've got you covered. Find these projects and many more in this week's DIY roundup.

DIY

Quick! DIY Your Sweetie a Valentine's Day Card Today!

Instead of scanning the aisles for a last-minute Valentine's Day card, why not infuse a bit of creativity into your delivery by crafting your own?

Instead of scanning the aisles for a last-minute Valentine's Day card, why not infuse a bit of creativity into your delivery by crafting your own? Regardless of what's in the card, you'll score serious points for extra effort. Whether it's clever origami folding, light scissor cutting, or easy printing, these Valentine's Day cards are sure to win hearts!

house tour

Downton Abbey Is Back and as Beautiful as Ever!

Our patience has finally paid off; season three of Downton Abbey premieres Jan.

Our patience has finally paid off; season three of Downton Abbey premieres Jan. 6 at 9 p.m. EST, and we could not be more thrilled. We have missed the Crawley family and the staff! This season, the incomparable Shirley MacLaine joins the cast as Martha Levinson, the mother of Lady Grantham. We can't imagine a better match for the Dowager — showdown at Downton Abbey! If those aren't the type of fireworks you are interested in, then get excited by the weddings of both Lady Edith and Lady Mary.

In case you have just returned from space, Downton Abbey meticulously traces the lifestyle of an aristocratic English family just before and during World War I, as well as the family's staff of servants, all of whom are harnessed to Downton Abbey, the regal home they inhabit.

It may sound like a dull period piece, but that could not be further from the truth. Drama! Intrigue! Dinner parties!

Downton Abbey itself is actually Highclere Castle, a 1,000-acre estate in Hampshire, England, that was designed in 1842 by Sir Charles Barry. Highclere is massive, with 11 bedrooms on the first floor and 40-50 on the upper floors. Several of the bedrooms are used in the filming of Downton Abbey, and the majority of the series is actually filmed on site at the castle.

While the Edwardian era officially ended in 1910, the style is broadly noted to extend through 1919. The show, which is set in 1912, reflects much of the era's look in terms of decor and colors. The onset of World War I delayed the influence of the art-deco style, which was the next era in fashion, art, and decor to follow the Edwardian era — though you can definitely see some hints of art deco in the Downton Abbey sets, as well. Keep reading to see photos from the upcoming season and to find out more about the unique decor from the series.

Photos courtesy of ITV

decorating tips

Choose a Single Color For a Stunning, Modern Fall Bouquet

While I was touring the Sunset Smart Home, I was captivated by this lovely bouquet.

While I was touring the Sunset Smart Home, I was captivated by this lovely bouquet. If you're looking for an easy yet striking bouquet for your Fall or Thanksgiving table, this is a great example of how working with less can often produce major results. By sticking with a single color, this bouquet is a knockout. And for more of an autumnal punch, use a hue associated with Fall, such as orange, burgundy, or brown for your flowers.

Love the look of this single-hued Fall bouquet? Rely on unusual choices such as protea, rose hips, and pyracantha to create a similar bouquet. Other orange favorites include tiger lilies, gerbera daisies, orange roses, and birds of paradise. For a burgundy bouquet, look to dahlias, helianthus, ranunculus, and coxcomb. For a brown bouquet, mix eucalyptus pods with monkey paw, curly willow, and brown calla lilies and chocolate sunflowers.

Intrigued by these unusual choices? Check out our post on unusual flowers for Fall nuptials for even more ideas.

Inspiration

Black Houses Beyond Halloween

While black houses may seem a bit macabre, there's no reason that this dark color isn't a legitimate paint choice for any house.

While black houses may seem a bit macabre, there's no reason that this dark color isn't a legitimate paint choice for any house. Granted, a black home will likely stick out in a neighborhood, but if you like being the center of attention, consider this hue. To get you inspired, check out these darkly painted houses from around the globe.

Bedrooms

A Chic, Hip Bedroom Retreat For Busy and Stylish Parents

Erin, who blogs at Skoots and Cuddles and whose bedroom we featured earlier this week, is one of those moms who seems to do it all.

Erin, who blogs at Skoots and Cuddles and whose bedroom we featured earlier this week, is one of those moms who seems to do it all. When she isn't parenting three kids and working as a graphic designer, she's updating her blog on her latest home decorating and improvement projects. She's been decorating her master bedroom, and though she notes that she's not quite finished, she was happy to share photos of the cool space with CasaSugar readers. Check out some of Erin's thoughts about decorating her master bedroom!

Where she finds inspiration: "I love interior design and am an avid magazine and blog reader. I find inspiration for decorating my house in anything I find beautiful . . . a piece of art, a chandelier, a rug or even an paint color. Every room in my house starts with a single item that I love, then I build the room from there."

Her focal point and inspiration for the master bedroom: "In the case of my master bedroom, I created the room around the artwork above my bed from Focus Line Art's Etsy shop. I loved the contemporary color combinations paired with the rustic tree rings. After purchasing the artwork, I gradually picked out paint colors, furniture, curtains, and bedding."

Keep reading for more tips from Erin!

decorating tips

Now This Is How to Make an Entrance: 50 Ways to Wow With Your Front Door

We were recently inspired by the amazing custom brass door pulls that DwellStudio installed at its soon-to-open SoHo shop (see top left).

We were recently inspired by the amazing custom brass door pulls that DwellStudio installed at its soon-to-open SoHo shop (see top left). The door pulls got us thinking: what are some easy ways to improve your curb appeal and welcome guests with pizzazz? Well, shut the front door, because we've discovered some gorgeous solutions. Prepare to get majorly inspired by these ideas for adding gorgeous pops of design and color to your home's front entrance!

decorating tips

How-To: Hang Anything That Requires 2 or More Set Fasteners

Are you a bit befuddled by how to go about correctly spacing the screws for a mirror, coat hook, or frame with set fastener holes?
How to Hang Home Decor Items With Set Screw Holes

Are you a bit befuddled by how to go about correctly spacing the screws for a mirror, coat hook, or frame with set fastener holes? I've got a super easy solution that involves no tape measures, rulers, or other annoying equipment. Check out my quick and easy technique, which I used this weekend to hang up Anthropologie's View From Here Hooks in my son's room.

home renovation

Before and After: Kyle Schuneman Transforms a Tiny Apartment

Designer Kyle Schuneman is experiencing some well-deserved media attention at the moment — he appeared in the June issue of Dwell, just released a new book, and also recently made over three apartments in collaboration with HauteLook.

Designer Kyle Schuneman is experiencing some well-deserved media attention at the moment — he appeared in the June issue of Dwell, just released a new book, and also recently made over three apartments in collaboration with HauteLook. Today, we're lucky enough to feature two of the apartments, both of which were tiny, cramped spaces that desperately needed an injection of style.

Keep clicking to see how Kyle transformed the flats into fantastic sanctuaries for their residents. If you love what you see in the apartments, you can also shop the products at HauteLook.

decorating inspiration

Tour a Beverly Hills Estate From Frank Lloyd Wright's Lead Architect

This gorgeous Beverly Hills mansion may just be your dream house.

This gorgeous Beverly Hills mansion may just be your dream house. Designed by renowned architect William Stephenson, the 5,000-square-foot home features floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows that overlook the pool and back grounds. There are too many amenities to list here, so keep reading to find out more about this incredible property, which hit the market at just a hair under $4 million.

Source: The Agency

Inspiration

3 Puerto Rican Properties Perfect For a Private Vacation

While we've explored the Caribbean in some detail this Summer, until now we've left out the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

While we've explored the Caribbean in some detail this Summer, until now we've left out the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. This unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, may only be 100 miles long, but it's rich in tropical beauty and charming vacation spots. Today, we're taking a look at three luxurious spots we'd love to travel to. Keep reading to find a favorite!

Trends

Discover Top Fall Trends With The First Apartment Book

We're so excited for the release of interior designer Kyle Schuneman's new book The First Apartment Book: Cool Design for Small Spaces, out Aug.

We're so excited for the release of interior designer Kyle Schuneman's new book The First Apartment Book: Cool Design for Small Spaces, out Aug. 28 through Clarkson-Potter. Today, Kyle and his coauthor Heather Summerville are sharing their picks for some of the trends featured in the book. Find out what trends are hot for decorating right now, and see if you favor Kyle or Heather's pick for each trend category.

Marketplace

9 Gold-Toned Wallpapers For Metallic Design Fans

When we spotted this adorable photo of designer and blogger Joy D.

When we spotted this adorable photo of designer and blogger Joy D. Cho in Anthropologie's magazine, it served as a timely reminder Cho's fabulous gold wallpaper design (seen in the background here). We've been eying up gold wallpapers for a while, and we're bringing you nine of our current favorites — including Cho's, of course!