If you've got a friend with a membership to the MoMA, who lists Jeff Koons and Andy Warhol in her Top Five, lives in a West Elm showroom, and despises Impressionism, get out of Manhattan. No, just kidding. If you have a friend like that, the perfect gift for him or her this holiday season is some contemporary wall art. Everyone's got space on the wall to fill up, especially those Modernists that favor minimalism. So, I've collected a few modern wall art pieces for your dearest friend. I'm sure you'll see something that makes you think, "That's so her." In my case, it's the Tim Groen Osmosis ($500) mixed media collage at left (hint hint).
For more gifts ideas, holiday home decorating tips and more, check out HolidaySugar, and to see my finds, read more

When it comes to decorating my own home, I've always found that I tend to focus on big furniture pieces and rugs first, and fill in the lighting and accessories almost as an afterthought. But it's important to think about how your lighting choices will affect not only the brightness of a room, but also the feel of it. House to Home has a helpful article about home lighting with a handful of style ideas that I thought I'd summarize for you.

• Make a focal point out of your lamp by choosing a bold shade and simple base. Make sure to tie in the shade's color scheme with the rest of the room.
• In your home office, use bright task lighting that directly spotlights your work area. Try clamp lights, which don't take up counter space and can be easily moved around.
• Add drama to your dining room with a large, low-hanging chandelier. But, keep it flexible by attaching a hook to the ceiling which can adjust the height of the chandelier.
• Light artwork and photographs with a picture light on the wall above them to give them direct light.

For more tips on home lighting, check out House to Home.
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Add any cool additions to your house lately? Maybe a porch? Maybe just a new throw pillow? Whatever you're doing, I want to see it!

Show off all of your home views, both interior and exterior, in my 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 a loved one's home 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 feature 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, read more

In my recent post on how to transform a small space, I showed you how shop owner Trey Russell repurposed oil and vinegar bottles to display and store body oils in his bathroom. I myself have done the same trick, using an oil bottle to hold dish soap at my kitchen sink. So, it's no news to me. Regardless of what they're used for, I couldn't help but swoon over Russell's double-walled oil and vinegar bottles. So, I did some detective work and found out where I can snatch up some of my own. To learn where, read more

The former New York State estate of Brooke Astor, a beloved American philanthropist and socialite who passed away last year, is on the market for a whopping $12.9 million, according to Real Estalker. The sprawling 1927 stone mansion, designed by architect William Adams Delano, measures in at 10,000 square feet, with 13 bedrooms and 9 full and two half bathrooms. The property description reads:

At the heart of this bucolic 64.60 acre haven, the 1927 stone manor designed by prominent architect William Delano embodies the quiet elegance of a classic English country house. There are 6 marble fireplace and 13 bedrooms, including staff quarters...Indoor and outdoor pools are featured along with extensive dependencies including a greenhouse, 4-bedroom gardener's cottage, carriage house and barn.

You can read about another historic Astor family home in my recent Before and After. To see more photos of Briarcliff Manor, read more