CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: Chicken Wire For Open Shelving

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:15:00 -0700

Vintage china cabinets may be beautiful, but their glass doors are too precious for some homes. So if you have an all-wooden armoire or glass china cabinet, you can replace the wooden or glass door façades with chicken coop wire to bring an inherited piece of furniture into the 21st century. Chicken wire offers the visual lightness of glass, but it's less formal - ideal for those of you with eclectic or shabby chic homes. And yes, you could just remove the doors, but this effect is more unique. I love how the collection of beautiful dishes looks stacked in this cabinet. Why hide them?
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Before and After: Van Gogh Armoire

CasaSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:00:59 -0800

TeamSugar member Citygal, who gave her TV cabinet a makeover in July, is at it again. This time, she's made over an armoire she bought off of Craigslist for $100 with a can of paint and some chic door handles. First, she removed the original knobs. Then, she primed the armoire and painted on two coats of Scheuder-Holland 2070 Van Gogh Yellow. Finally, she replaced the original hardware with a pair of Anthropologie Rock Candy Handles ($18). To a see a photo of the finished product, read more.

I think her armoire looks exponentially better! I love the color she chose; it's an ideal partner for the primary colors in her painting. And the period antique brass and glass handles add a touch of nostalgia that conquers the big box retailer look of the original armoire. Wonderful, right? Have you made over any furniture lately? If so, be sure to add your photos to our Su Casa group!

Crave Worthy: Piero Fornasetti Libri Cabinet

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:00:38 -0700

At the Jekyll & Hyde Pub in Greenwich Village, a spooky, English Gothic themed restaurant, the bathroom door is a trompe l'oeil bookcase, and always scared the be-jesus out of me when I visited as a kid. The Piero Fornasetti Libri Cabinet ($14,962) scares me too, but only because of its price. The hand-painted beaut features a design by artist Piero Fornasetti on an African mahogany frame. Though its two doors may not open to reveal a mysterious Goth powder room, they do conceal ample storage for an encyclopedia collection and your French horn. And, how can you argue with that? If you like what you see, be sure to check out the Fornasetti Rug Collection as well.

Crave Worthy: Sans Parapluie Cabinets

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:00:30 -0700

Lucas Risé, an Argentinean artist who spent most of his childhood painting street signs in Buenos Aires, now makes a living by creating wonderfully colored cabinets inspired by carnival, circus, and park imagery. His experiences on trips to Europe, the U.S., South Africa, and Brazil have influenced the style of these cabinets, known as Sans Parapluie ("without an umbrella"), the edges and borders of which he says, "disappear to become an open space where different cultures come together and which reflection is life itself." The names of the cabinets (painted with enamel on wood) are as whimsical as the bright and busy designs themselves, such as "Carousel," "Circus," "African Breeze," "Violin," and "Flower Park." Inquire for price.

Love It or Hate It? Tord Boontje Fig Leaf Wardrobe

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:00:24 -0700

The Tord Boontje Fig Leaf Wardrobe for Meta has doors comprised of 616 hand-painted, enameled copper leaves in 10 shapes and many colors. It opens up to a cast, patinated, bronze coat tree and interior walls lined with hand-dyed and woven silk.It's certainly not as "ready-to-wear" as the other Tord Boontje designs I've written about, but that doesn't make it any less mystical. Very Adam and Eve, right?
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Definition: Armoire

CasaSugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:20:20 -0700

Though the name is derived from its original purpose - storing arms, as in weapons - an armoire is a large cabinet designed to hold clothing, linens, dining ware, or media and computer equipment. Clothing armoires are probably the most common: The two-doored wardrobes are often used in place of closets and feature drawers, shelves, and a clothes-hanging bar.

Over the years, armoire design has expanded to include other types of storage. Especially popular are computer armoires and cabinets that can conceal TVs and stereo equipment.

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Good, Better, Best: Contemporary Computer Armoires

CasaSugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:09:45 -0700

Yesterday, I showed you three classical computer armoires that let you set up a home office anywhere. But for those of you with edgier tastes, I decided to round up three more office armoires with a more modern vibe.

Good: Though the Ikea Cyril Computer Cabinet ($199) isn't as roomy as some others I've found, I love the smart design and minimalist look.

Two even better contemporary computer armoires, so read more

Better: Simple yet elegant, the Room & Board Calvin Armoire ($2,399) has a drop-down desk and chic, subdued hardware. It's available in a dark wood stain (shown), as well as a medium stain and a natural look.

Best: Pinch Design makes three armoire collections that can be customized in countless ways. I am particularly fond of the two-door Marlow Armoire with the office interior (from $5,570).

Good, Better, Best: Classical Computer Armoires

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:30:33 -0700

Not all of us have the luxury of a separate home office. And for anyone who works in a multi-purpose room - such as a living room or guest room - a computer armoire is a great buy.

These workstations are large enough to contain all of your tech needs, and the elegant doors let you hide your clutter when the desk isn't in use. So for this Good, Better, Best, I've rounded up some classically styled computer armoires at three different price points.

Good: When the doors are shut, this Hampton Computer Armoire in White ($500) just looks like a cabinet. But inside are thoughtful touches like a keyboard tray, corkboard, and a dry-erase board.

Two even better classical computer armoires, so read more

Better: The grass-green finish and shuttered doors give this Pottery Barn Seymour Home Office Armoire ($1,999, via Outblush) a touch a hipness. It's designed to hold a computer or a TV.

Best: I love the old-world Japanese elegance of this Gump's Shinto Office Armoire ($3,400). It's made from solid walnut and joined without a single nail, and details include sliding doors in the back to help manage your wires.

How-To: Decorate a Dual-Purpose Space

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:00:55 -0700

Having lived in a studio in the past, I've experienced first-hand the trials and tribulations of trying to make one room play two roles. I have many friends living tiny apartments who try to cram the furniture meant for both a living room and a bedroom into the same room, and let me tell you, none have succeeded. It's not only studio dwellers that encounter these issues, though. Sometimes a home office needs to double as a living room, or a bedroom as a workout room. If you're in the same boat, I have a few tips for you.

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:00:40 -0700

Add some yellow accents to your kitchen. - AT:SF
Check out these backyard projects to your weekend. - Charles and Hudson
DIY an aviary from an armoire. - Craft
See how her garden grows. - Making It Lovely
Find out how you can recycle those old electronics. - Re-Nest
Look who's in People magazine this week! - Danny Seo
I want to read Extreme Architecture. - Shelterrific