CasaSugar

Name This Flower

CasaSugar — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:30:56 -0700

This beautiful flower can be cultivated in gardens, but is more often seen on rural roadways during the late Summer. Can you tell me what it's called?

Inspired: Lizzie Fortunato Jewels's Campy-Chic Style

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:00:25 -0700

I'm jonesing for Lizzie Fortunato Jewels's chic arts-and-crafty necklaces lately, which are made from a mix of new, vintage and found materials, including hand-sewn leather and fabric, precious stones, beads, and antique chains. The craftsmanship of the collection, dreamed up by a New York sister act, is unbelievable. I'm craving this Exile to Mexico II Necklace in particular. I love its nostalgic Summer-camp vibe and its balance of rustic and fine . . . it looks like something a grown-up Troop Beverly Hills girl would wear. I thought I'd use this necklace to inspire a living-room design, with a palette of natural tones, gold, turquoise, and deep orange, and materials like marble, wool, and wood. The Cavern Home Navajo Wallpaper ($155) shares the necklace's hues and that campy, outdoorsy vibe. To see other inspired products, read more.

Casa Quickie: Use an Oar as a Curtain Road

CasaSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:15:04 -0700

In an effort to stay within budget, and to cut back on consumerism, sometimes you gotta work with what your momma gave ya . . . or what you already own. When stars align, sometimes the furnishing that's a hand-me-down, a street find, or the like, is the perfect one for your digs. The owners of this beach shack on the Isle of Wight in the UK, recently featured on AT:NY, made the most of an old oar by using it as a curtain rod. In most homes, a paddling device used to hold up curtain panels would look out of place to say the least. But here, it's charming and a bit kitschy, and it has the worn-in, well-loved style that every beachside home should have. Have you used any unusual items as a curtain rod in your home?

Inspired: Let's Go Camping (With Style)

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:00:21 -0700

I love looking at vintage images of camping from days-gone-by. It wasn't all about internal frame backpacks and super-efficient filtering pumps in those days. Instead, it looked like more of a glamorous party, staged in the woods! I'm completely down with that scenario.

Luckily, not everyone has gone gearhead when it comes to tenting it. Take, for example, Cath Kidston's amazing Box Floral Teepee (about $200).

There are plenty more inspiring, stylish finds that will give your home or cabin a Summer camping vibe. To see them, read more.

Source

Su Casa: Kimpossible's Pergola

CasaSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:00:42 -0700

Do you remember when Su Casa member Kimpossible wrote in asking for suggestions for a rug for her patio? Well, since then her outdoor space has seen some major changes. Not only did she choose a Mad Mats Recycled Rug for the space, but she also installed a pergola! "The pergola is lovely," she says, and "it provides a good amount of shade and respite from the hot desert sun." What's next on the horizon? She'll be putting grass in that section of the yard. If you look closely you can see that she's also added a blue garden stool and planter to bring in a little color.
I love it! Sometimes once you start, you just can't stop. Get a better peek at the patio when you read more.

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Roundup: Sunny, Summer Tablecloths

CasaSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:30:00 -0700

Earlier this week, I asked if you accessorized with tablecloths at your home. If you haven't yet, but you're inspired to try one on for size, good news: I've rounded up some great summery tablecloths for your home. Start out with this handwoven Striped Tablecloth ($39). This pink-and-green cotton tablecloth would look perfect for a Summer brunch, or laid out on a grassy lawn for an impromptu picnic.

For my other finds, read more.

9 Ways to Enjoy Your Home's Outdoor Space This Summer

CasaSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:00:15 -0700

Tired of the standard barbecue party? Check out my ideas for putting a spin on things and keeping your outdoor gatherings fresh all Summer long!
Source

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Inspired: Sail Away

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:00:34 -0700

What better way to while away a sunny Summer day than on a sailboat? In this photo, the French schooner Etoile is a picture-perfect example of that very concept. While I didn't live on the Atlantic growing up, I loved taking our small sailboat onto the choppy waves of Lake Superior during the dog days of July and August. But if you can't hop a boat and sail away into the sunset, you can at least get the look of it at home.

Start with Jennifer Davis's graphite and acyrlic painting Smooth Water ($450). But don't stop there! I have plenty of other great Summer sailing-inspired finds when you read more.

Would You Let a Dog Swim in Your Swimming Pool?

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:00:41 -0700

Some friends of mine grew up with two giant Newfoundlands, whose favorite activity was swimming in the family swimming pool. It was pretty darn cute to see the hairy dogs splashing around in the pool, but as you can imagine, the family had to clean the pool a lot! Would you let a dog swim in your pool?
Source

How-To: Save Money and Energy With Your Pool

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:30:25 -0700

Do you love your pool, but hate your water and power bills? By increasing your pool's energy efficiency, you can lower your costs, while still enjoying your pool all Summer long. A recent LA Times article offered helpful advice for Southern Californians with pools, but the advice is equally relevant to those of you living in other regions of the country and world.

Check out four tips for saving money and energy with your pool when you read more.

Resurface your pool, especially if it is an older plaster pool, which degrades over time. Try a darker finish, which will help to heat the pool faster.
Upgrade your pool lighting to LEDs. Although LEDs cost $300 to $400 more than traditional lighting, they can last up to 10,000 hours.
Change the pump on your pool to a variable speed pump. Features such as on-demand use for the pump mean you'll save lots of money and energy - up to 75 percent on power bills, according to the article.
Try a pool cover. Pool covers will reduce water loss caused by evaporation, and will also help to keep your pool warm while it's not being used.

Cavern Home Navajo Wallpaper - $155.00	Steele Sofa - $1,699.00
Orange Nadu Wool Rug or Runner - $149.00	Gold Ceramic Stool - $250.00
Genova Table - $998.00	Tunis Chair - $798.00
Book Boxes - Turquoise Two-Stack - $44.00	Fluted-Glass Table Lamp - $149.00
Cape Cod Lantern - $425.00	Lacquer Bunching Table - $695.00
Umbra U+ Collection Triplo Side Table - $180.00

Amenity Trail Table Runner - Cream & Cocoa - $99.00	My Camp Cahoot Stationery Set & Journal - $8.95
Normann Copenhagen Camping Chair - $3,500.00	Campsite on Canvas - $52.00
Pine Tree Tea Towel - $19.00	Normann Copenhagen Camping Stool - $2,600.00
Pendleton® Merino Wool Throw - $159.00	"Dock" - $89.00
Brunklaus Amsterdam Shady Tree Pendant 110 - $1,481.60	Campfire Pot - $48.00
Campfire Espresso Cup - $12.00	Tommy's Fish Sheet Set - $145.00
Fatwood Kindling - $16.00	Lantern Fire Pit - $399.00
Bunkhouse Bed Linens - $100.00	Vitra vegetal chair - $555.00

Pear Jacquard Tablecloth, Blue - $160.00	Tentmakers Tablecloth - $88.00
Mediterranean Tablecloths - $49.00	English Foral Tablecloth, Blue - $89.00
Scarlet Pimpernel Tablecloth - $78.00	Lemon Jacquard Tablecloths, Lemon - $79.00
Flora & Fauna Tablecloth - $58.00	Seasonal Provence Tablecloths, Blue & White - $36.00
Mina Tablecloth, Round - $58.00	Unison Porter Linen/Organic Cotton Table Linens - Midnight - $40.00
Amalfi Dream Tablecloth & Napkins - $29.00	Quilting Circle Tablecloth - $6.00

Ship Shadowbox - Night Sky - $219.00	Montis windy easy chair - $1,769.00
Little Harbor Sheet Sets by Tommy Bahama®, 100% Cotton, 400 Thread Count - $99.99	Nautical Signal Flag Accent Pillow - Teal Cross on Burlap - $69.00
Getaway Dishtowel - $18.00	Nautical Round Wood Mirrors - $149.00
Nautical Stripe Rug - $160.00	Port O'Call Table Lamp - $159.00
Porthole Mirror - $199.00	Fabric Marine Flags, String of 11 - $29.00
Embroidered Anchor Chain Pillow - $98.00	Silk Twill Painted Sailboat Pillow - $118.00
Sailcloth Bag Collection - $129.00	Coolaroo® 9' 10" Party Sail - $29.99