CasaSugar

Shop Minted's Amazing Custom Kids' Prints For a Cause!

Kate Stahl — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:27:02 PDT

Minted has been one of our favorite stops for party invitations and holiday cards for some time, but the company's new collection of limited-edition and customizable kids' art has us really flipping out. Minted sources the prints from artists around the world, and all are available in multiple colorways and sizes. Not only are they totally incredible and affordable (most start at $15 to $20), but also, if buy one before the end of May, then 50 percent of your purchase price will go to support for Every Mother Counts, Christy Turlington's advocacy group that promotes global maternal health. Keep clicking to see 10 of our favorite Minted prints, but if they don't inspire you, then there are literally more than a hundred other options to choose from!

Have You Had a Custom Portrait Painted?

Elka Karl — Mon, 21 May 2012 08:00:02 PDT

Two of our favorite Northern California artists, Clare and Kai recently tied the knot (you can tour their charming home here). Clare is familiar with celebrating wedded bliss: she regularly paints custom wedding portraits for her clients. This Custom Wedding Portrait ($450 for each custom painted portrait) from Clare's shop captures a sweet moment between a newly wedded couple.

Have you had a custom portrait painted before? Did you have it done to mark the occasion of a wedding, child's birth, or other special event? Tell us all about it in the comments!

Moonstruck: 18 Lunar Pieces For Your Home, Starting at Just $12

Elka Karl — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:01:15 PDT

Tomorrow night, the northern hemisphere will experience both the brightest and the highest-riding full moon of the year. According to NASA, midnight is the best time to view it to experience its brightness. While we're definitely going to head outside tomorrow night to check it out in person, we're also major fans of lunar-themed decor. From trompe l'oeil antique paintings to the most modern and subtle of accents, the moon is a lovely inspiration for your home decor. Keep clicking to see 18 of our favorite on-the-market pieces.

5 Things You Didn't Know About "The Scream"

Tara Block — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:30:15 PDT

Yesterday Edvard Munch's "The Scream" broke records when it sold for a whopping $119.9 million at a Sotheby's auction in NYC. Created in 1895 by the Norwegian expressionist painter, "The Scream" is one of the most famous and recognizable artworks in the world. But while you may be familiar with the haunting face in the iconic painting, what else do you really know about its history? Find out five strange tidbits about the record-breaking painting now.

There are actually four versions of "The Scream," and the pastel-on-board one that sold is the brightest and most colorful of the bunch.
Two different versions of "The Scream" have been stolen during high-profile art thefts. One was in 1994 and another in 2004.
The iconic Ghostface mask featured in the Scream horror movies is based on the painting.
Some have speculated that the main figure in the painting could have been inspired by a Peruvian mummy that was on display in Paris prior to its inception. The mummy was in a fetal position with its hands on its face. There's also a mummy at a museum in Florence the figure could be replicating.
M&M's may have had a hand in retrieving the stolen painting in 2006. The candy company used "The Scream" in its ads at the time and offered a reward of two million M&M's candies for the return of the painting. Shortly after the offer, the painting was recovered.

What to Buy Now: 50 on Trend Spring Decor Pieces Under $50

Angela Swinderman Elias — Wed, 02 May 2012 06:00:09 PDT

If you're looking to experiment with Spring trends but don't want to invest much, consider accessorizing with decor pieces that cap off at $50. You'd be surprised how a colorful indoor/outdoor chair, strategically placed lamp, or a whimsical piece of art can change the feel of a room. With a mix of fleeting sale items and inexpensive Spring staples, this guide of our favorite on trend decor pieces under $50 is definitely worth a look!

Artistic Twists on Disney Princesses (and Other Heroines)

Tara Block — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:32:00 PDT

As it's National Princess Week and the week leading up to Will and Kate's royal wedding anniversary, we've got princesses on the brain. Sometimes that little girl inside us refuses to grow up, like when it comes to our endless fascination with all things Disney-princess-related. While our adult selves may cringe at princess culture and the outdated stereotypes that come along with it, there's just something special about the Disney princesses we grew up with like Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Aurora, and Ariel. And they aren't all damsels in distress; the newer crop of the crowned ladies (including Princess Sofia the First and Brave's Princess Merida) have attempted to be better role models for little girls. But whether these Disney princesses - or, for the purists, animated heroines - are classics or newbies, they've inspired many creative artists who've transformed them into thought-provoking modern art. So while we wait for The Real Housewives of Disney to become a actual show, satiate your obsession with some of our favorite artistic renditions of Disney princesses!

Cool Idea: Decorate With Ixxi's Transformative Wall System

Angela Swinderman Elias — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:00:48 PDT

We had to do a double take when we first laid eyes on a room decorated with ixxi tiles. Though the somewhat pixelated accent creates a striking focal point in any room, we had to read on to fully understand what exactly we were looking at. Is it art? Is it a wall structure? Turns out, it's both.

Leave it to the Dutch to design an easy system for creating customizable art. By connecting a series of squares, you can hang a piece of art, cover a wall, or create a room divider. Upload your own photos or choose from an existing collection of styles to manipulate the size of a single image, create a collage, or a pixelated abstract. The possibilities are endless, and the result is unlike any other wall art we've seen.

Still confused? This short video breaks it all down. Tell us, would you use the ixxi wall system in your home?

Chalking It Out: Wedding Tips and Trends From a Master Chalk Artist

Angela Swinderman Elias — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 03:00:35 PDT

CJ Hughes, a graphic designer hailing from Spring Hill, TN, creates gorgeous chalkboard designs perfect for nuptial celebrations. Following in the artistic footsteps of a grandfather who illustrated magazine covers in the '30s and a father with a penchant for oil painting, it seems CJ was destined to pick up the craft. His online shop is full of beautifully painted chalkboard pieces, many of which relate specifically to weddings.

With a meticulous method that involves three to four hours of prepping, sketching, and actually painting chalkboards to achieve the final product, couples are sure to have an impressive piece of artwork that will last long after the big day. Keep reading to find out CJ's favorite ways to decorate with chalkboard art for weddings and beyond!

Touring a Painter's Artistically Inspired, Vintage Furnished Berkeley Flat

Elka Karl — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:05:31 PDT

For a house to be a home, it should reflect the values of its inhabitants, and that's certainly true of artist Terri Saul's lovely Berkeley apartment. Terri, along with her boyfriend, Josh Michels, Terri's 16-year-old daughter, Lydia Warren, and their two cats, Pepper and Quixote, have resided in their historic Berkeley apartment building for the past three years. Full of thoughtful details, original artwork, and cool decorating vignettes, the home is utterly charming and relaxing - I found myself lingering over cups of tea and chatting with Terri and Josh about everything from furniture to drama classes when I photographed their home.

Come along for a thorough tour of their spacious, lovingly decorated apartment, and see what Terri and Josh have to say about their home.

12 Hunger Games-Inspired Art Prints and Paper Goods That Will Put the Odds in Your Decorating Favor

Elka Karl — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:30:40 PDT

Are you eager to add a memento of your Hunger Games enthusiasm to your home? Granted, there's a lot of not-so-appealing Hunger Games-related fan products on the market at the moment. Luckily for all of you stylish Casa readers, these selections - a mix of cards, paper goods, and artwork - are decidedly design forward. To celebrate Katniss and Peeta's district, District 12, I've found 12 decor-related pieces that will be an asset to your home far past the movie's premiere date.