CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: Spring-ify Your Firewood

CasaSugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 05:30:35 -0700

Even though we're well on our way to Summer beach days, that doesn't mean your fireplace is hibernating for the season. Indeed, chilly Spring and Summer nights are perfect for a romantic fire-lit evening. One way to update your fireplace is by replacing a Winter-themed wood carrier with something lighter on the eye, such as this woven basket. The switch instantly updates the fireplace, and adds an unexpected texture to the room.

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Do You Have a Picnic Basket?

CasaSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:00:22 -0700

One of the true pleasures of warm weather is eating outside. I love picnicking on a blanket with a bottle of wine and some delicious picnic goodies. My old picnic basket had seen better days, so I was happy to pick up this lovely Vermont-made picnic basket at a flea market over the weekend. Do you have a picnic basket at your home?

May Must Haves

CasaSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 09:00:59 -0700

Happy May Day! This month, get into the full swing of Spring with fun interior design events, cool hotel openings, and new ways to have fun in your casa. Stay tuned this May for great ideas for celebrating at home. Want to throw a craft party? Start a movie night for friends? Check back for my suggestions for making the most of entertaining at home. In the meantime, see what other great events, products, and openings are happening around the country.

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Before and After: Kimpossible's Spring Linens

CasaSugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:00:48 -0700

One easy way to update your home this Spring is by changing out the bedding. Su Casa member Kimpossible did just that. She writes, "I've been looking for new bedding for our bed for a few weeks now. While I loved the old set, it's much too heavy for Spring and Summer. I finally found something I really liked today at Target."

To see what type of bedding Kimpossible found, read more.

What a lovely change! I love the updated color palette in this bedroom. The greens and yellows are super Spring fresh, and it seems that Kimpossible and I have similar tastes: I couldn't resist the Vintage Greenhouse Pillow ($34.99) either!

Kimpossible goes on to explain how little the update cost her (one of the great things about Target). She writes, "The quilt was $70 for the King size, and the small floral throw pillow was $35. I splurged on it since I picked this quilt over the first one I saw, which was $110 for the King size. I figured since I saved money on the quilt I could get a nice throw pillow, too. The two gold pillows as you can see are from the Fall/Winter bedding. The bed skirt and shams are ones I've had for years and were hiding in my linen closet. The picture above the bed we purchased several months ago, just after the last before picture of the bed had been taken."

I love this Spring change. Have you made any changes in your home lately? Share them with the Su Casa group.

Win an Organic blanQuette From Yumi & Laurie!

CasaSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:24:39 -0700

To celebrate Earth Day, I've teamed up with the lovely company Yumi & Laurie to give away one of the company's gorgeous blanQuettes. These big, beautiful throws are made from all-natural eco materials, and are available in a variety of colors and patterns. Each blanQuette sells for $195 to $235.

To qualify for this contest, which runs through Wednesday, April 29, 2009, just log in and take the quiz! You can find the official rules here.

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How-To: Decorate With Parasols

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:00:28 -0700

Whether you're planning on updating your home with a fresh Spring look or planning a wedding or outdoor party, parasols can really add a festive element to your decorating scheme. And since they're quite inexpensive, you can afford to go big with your parasol party props. To get some ideas, check out the slideshow.
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Earth Day Quiz!

CasaSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:00:11 -0700

How well-informed and friendly are you when it comes to our dear Earth? Take this quiz to find out!

Question 1 of 5

Which Charlie's Angel wrote the foreword of a book about living an environmental lifestyle and starred in Sundance's Iconoclasts series, where she headed to New Orleans to talk about the environmental impact of Hurricane Katrina?

Sale Alert: 2Jane Spring Cleaning Sale

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:00:15 -0700

Purveyor of stylish, modern, British imports 2Jane is holding a Spring cleaning sale with prices that will knock your socks off. Pillows, tea towels, porcelain and china tableware, dishware, candelabras, and drink mixers can be yours for only five, 10, or 30 dollars. The problem is that you won't know when to stop! I'm loving this faceted ceramic Asteroid Vase ($10). I'd love to arrange a few with a single blossom in each. Check it out: there's something for everyone at this sale!

Inspired: Vibrant Stripes

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:00:48 -0700

I've been a fan of Jill Scott's music for years, and now I'm happy to see her every week playing detective Precious Ramotswe on HBO's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. While I love watching Jill onscreen, I'm also equally enamored with the beauty of Botswana's wildlife and savannas. Interspersed with shots of the natural landscape are the vibrant colors of the Kgale Hill Shopping Center, Gabarone, and its residents. One of my favorite examples of this mix of color is this shot of a striped wall, which is contrasted with Precious's patterned dress.

Inspired, I decided to look for some equally vibrant striped home goods that could add an oomph of color and pattern to your Spring home. I love these felted wool plant cozies ($54) from Papaver Vert. Want to see my other favorite vibrant stripes? Then read more.

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Casa Verde: New Soap, Old Bottle

CasaSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:00:32 -0700

We've seen some pretty innovative repurposing of plastic bottles lately, like that self-watering vase and Michelle Brand's ethereal lights, room dividers, and light shades made from the bottoms of soda bottles. But, what's so wrong with reusing them for their original purpose - storing liquids? Absolutely nothing. New Soap, Old Bottle, which sells new liquid soap packaged in old plastic soda bottles, plastic water bottles and glass beer bottles, is onto this. They buy name-brand liquid soaps and cleaners by the barrel, too, like 409 and Windex, so not only do they cut costs, but you know what to expect from the product (though it would be even cooler if they used eco soaps and products in the bottles). This business strategy helps clean up the environment in more ways than one - if only they would wash my dishes for me. Oh, and don't worry, each bottle is cleaned, sanitized, and processed before reuse. I also like that each bottle isn't slapped with a company's logo; it makes me feel like less of a sheep being herded by commerce.
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Plum Tonal Stripe Tufted Loop Rug - $299.00	Painterly Stripe Lamp Base + Shade - $89.00
Magis - striped outdoor seating system by ronan & erwan bouroullec for magis of italy - $120.00	Emma Gardner - eclipse rugs by emma gardner - $2,400.00
Terai Folding Chair, Floral Stripe - $198.00	Rwanda "Sweet Slice" Large Bowl, 16" - $80.00
Fauna Balsa Wall Hangings - Scrubjay 2 - $175.00	Balanced Design - Flannel/Felt Morris Pillow - $60.00
Striped Quilted Hammock - $259.00	Cabo Stripe Rug - $29.95
Art Insert, Multicolored Stripe - $19.00	Modern Basics Racer pillows - $72.00