oakland

Sometimes inspiration for the next design project or blog post can be found right outside the door. So we at CasaSugar decided to challenge ourselves by kicking off a new recurring feature that focuses on just that. With iPhones in hand, we'll be Instagram-ing our way through different San Francisco Bay Area neighborhoods, snapping photos, tweeting our finds, and posting our favorite shots in our new series, Design Field Trip. Keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook pages to see which San Francisco neighborhood we'll hit up next, or follow us on Instagram to check out all of our field-trip finds under the hashtag #designfieldtrip.

Last week, Elka and I traveled across the Bay to explore Old Oakland's popuphood. The brainchild of Sarah Filley and Alfonso Dominguez, popuphood launched in September 2011, using the historically rich but under populated neighborhood of Old Oakland as its guinea pig. Offering small businesses six months of free rent with the goal of having them sign long-term leases, popuphood is slowly filling up vacant storefronts, transforming this sleepy nook into a happening retail destination. Equipped with our iPhones, we knocked off two popuphood stores on our list and even had time to taste some of the neighborhood's culinary delights. Keep reading to see what we discovered during part one of our design field trip in Old Oakland!

CasaSugar Community member CourtneyOutLoud has created some of my favorite Lovely Little Vignettes in the community group. When I first saw some of his designs, I thought, I have to learn more about this man! So, ever the snoop that I am, I did some poking around and discovered his wonderful blog, Living Life Out Loud.

It turns out that Courtney is pursuing a career in design and event planning and lives in a very charmingly decorated modern condo in Oakland, CA. It wasn't hard to convince him to let us take a tour of his house, and after seeing it, I am convinced that he has very bright career ahead of him. Come along and take a look!

Photos courtesy of Philipp Striebe

Last weekend we were unable to attend Oakland's Eat Real Festival; however, MandyWH went and shared her experience in the Savory Sights group.

Have you checked out a food event? Share the photos with us in the YumSugar Community.

Yesterday, we toured Victoria's fabulous entry, living room, and studio space. Victoria, a jeweler living by "the jewel of Oakland," Lake Merritt, is the lucky inhabitant of a Deco-era apartment that features much of the original detailing, including several stunning chandeliers (such as the one shown here). To continue the tour with a turn around her study, check out the slideshow.

It only makes sense that Oakland, CA, artist Victoria Skirpa makes stunning sculptures and covetable jewelry from her one-bedroom apartment overlooking Lake Merritt. After all, the lake is known as "the jewel of Oakland," and Victoria's apartment, location, and beautiful jewelry (she's having a special invite-only sale this upcoming weekend) are all equally treasurable. When I visited her home, I was literally drooling over her crazy views, as well as her very cool vintage furniture finds, original artwork, and unbelievable closet space (I am incredibly envious of this last item). Since there's so much good stuff to see, we'll take this tour in bite-size pieces, starting with her entry and studio/living room.