CasaSugar

Cool Idea: Everything in One Hue

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:00:42 -0700

Melanie, of the fabulous Etsy shop Plum Cushion, lives in a seriously stylish 1941 Cape Cod in Seattle. The bones of her home are nice, but it's her cool palette and ability to modernize vintage pieces that really make it hip. One of my favorite elements was how she painted her Rococo sconces and mirror and her Chinoiserie console table to match the blue of her walls. Obviously, each piece has an ornate shape that could really stand out if painted in a contrasting color. But they're all so shapely, it would be too busy and competitive if that were the case. Painted to match the walls, her accessories pop and make you give the quaint corner a second look.

Would You Use Alphabet Blocks as Drawer Pulls?

CasaSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:15:51 -0800

I spotted this photo on AT:SF, and I think it's such a clever, cute idea. AT:SF recommends using alphabet blocks as drawer pulls in a child's room, though I think it would be fun to spell out a cheeky word or phrase on an adult's dresser, too.
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Casa Verde: Got Junk Mail?

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:00:37 -0700

One of the clever editors at AT:SF recently decided to turn her junk mail into something much more lovely. She started out with some of the papers that were cluttering up her mailbox.

To see what she created and learn how to turn your junk mail into something gorgeous, read more.

She turned it into some lovely and sophisticated wall art. To get directions, check out the entire post on AT:SF.

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Love It or Hate It? Pets in Shelter Photos

CasaSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:00:08 -0700

I've been inspired by a lot of the Apartment Therapy Fall Colors 2008 Contest entries, and it seems like my favorites involve homes with pets in the photos. Of course, this is a reflection of my pet love in general. However, I really do believe that a cute pup or kitty in a photo makes an appealing home look 10 times better. Are you with me, or do animals in shelter shots leave you cold?

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Midday Muse: Bright Hues, Big Plants

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:00:52 -0700

Recently, I spotted this picture of Dwell editor in chief Sam Grawe's apartment on AT:SF. I love the bold, punchy colors and gigantic houseplants in his living room, which are nicely balanced by the white Saarinen-esque tables and bright-white walls. It looks both stylish and easy to live in - my perfect combination for home spaces.
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Cool Idea: Shoe Closet Bulletin Board

CasaSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:00:33 -0700

Apartment Therapy Small Cool 2008 contestant Stephanie lined the back of her shoe closet shelves with cork to make use of the space as a bulletin board in her small Chicago apartment. Not only is this an efficient use of her space, but it makes the daily rush to get dressed just a bit more interesting, and can be used as a reminder to get certain activities done that day, like go to the post office, pick up dry cleaning, etc. It also keeps the sort of papers, business cards, and souvenirs that you want to keep, but not necessarily display, private and out of your guests' eyes. Otherwise, a bulletin board in the kitchen or at your desk might look cluttered, or reveal unpaid bills, etc. that you don't quite want to share with the world. Are there any nooks in your home where you can recreate this idea?
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Before and After: A Mirrored Makeover

CasaSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 04:27:32 -0700

Apartment Therapy co-founder, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, recently wrote about a new addition to his dining room that really impressed me with its simplicity. He had a Room & Board Infinity Mirror custom ordered a bit larger than the width of his dining room table. He hung the mirror beside the table and below it, a handsome clock, a little off-kilter. Since it's Small Changes month, I wanted to highlight this simple but effective update, and encourage you to consider it for your home. He wrote that mirrors, "add sparkle, liveliness and a sense of enlarged space in as much time as it takes to hang a photograph," and I whole-heartedly agree. If you didn't catch it, I recently wrote a How-To on opening up a space with mirrors, which gives some tips on this topic, as well as some product suggestions if you'd like to pick up a mirror for yourself. To see what Maxwell's wall room looks like after this small change, read more.

Impressive, right? I'm a little disappointed because I was hoping to see those beautiful blossom branches reflected in the new mirror, but the small lamp does look fabulous. I love how the sparkle of the rectangular mirror works with his country cottage style chairs and round table. And how 'bout that wine rack, huh? Be sure to check out his post for some tips on achieving this mirror DIY in your home.
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Found It! Zebra Kilim Stool

CasaSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:00:24 -0700

Flipping through my blog feed, the apartment of a contestant in AT:LA's Small Cool 2008 contest caught my eye. Yes, it was small, and cool, but that's not why it grabbed my attention. I recognized the zebra print stools in the contestant's living room from a previous Steal of the Day of mine. It's called the Zebra Kilim Stool from World Market. Since the time I wrote that Steal, I got a chance to check it out in person at my local World Market. It's definitely a good-looking piece, but the canvas fabric made it look like a Steal. But, I must admit, it looks much better actually staged in an apartment, and in a pair. If you follow the link to World Market, it no longer seems to be available online, but you can try your local store. What do you think of it? Do you think they work used here like a coffee table?

Casa Link: Decorating Harmony in an Old Home

CasaSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:46:52 -0800

Do you live in an old house? Maybe a Victorian? If so, you know that between the wainscoting, molding, and built-ins, it's often hard to arrange photos and art. Check out this post from AT:SF for some hints on making everything fit.

Casa Link: Make Your Own Headboard

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 09:00:28 -0800

Apartment Therapy shows you how to make a cool headboard out of a wooden door. This is such a brilliantly simple idea. Read the whole story here to find out how to give your bedroom a little refined elegance, DIY-style.

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