CasaSugar

DIY a Radiant Cocktail Station

Julia Walsh — Tue, 10 May 2011 12:31:25 PDT

If you read my five ideas for creating a bar at home and you're still stumped as to where to set up a cocktail station in your own digs, look no further than your radiator! Gap's director of concept, Jane Herman, got creative in her home, which was featured on Refinery29, and turned an unsightly radiator into a pretty tabletop and minibar by setting a basic - or homemade - console table over it. (She can't take all the credit though; Jane says she learned this trick in Domino magazine.)

Whether you have an old iron radiator like this one or an electric one, the trick works the same - assuming it's about hip height. I'd just be careful to make sure your tabletop is thick enough; you wouldn't want your precious liquor bottles overheating. Then accessorize as you see fit, with a tray, a lamp, a family photograph, etc!

Have any of you ever created a bar at home?

Thirsty? Try These 5 Ideas For Creating a Bar at Home

Julia Walsh — Fri, 06 May 2011 05:00:00 PDT

While I'm sure you'd be happy to have one, you don't need to dedicate an entire room to drinking to be able to enjoy a cocktail at home. You can make a bar from any sort of tabletop surface and still create a stylish space where the good times are flowing. Over the years, I've culled a lot of ideas and inspiration for home bar design from around the web and from friends' houses. Come knock one back with me.

Guess the Calorie Count of These Popular Bar Snacks

Heather Dale — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 03:05:22 PDT

Fancy hotels have the best lobby bars: big comfy seats, a bartender that's dressed for success, a creative cocktail list, and best of all - the snacks! The nicer the hotel, the better the snacks, so for every drink I down, I'm liable to eat an entire bowl of nuts, pretzels, olives, or trail mix. But how dangerous are those delicious snacks that taste scrumptious with our mojito? If a Long Island iced tea has about 780 calories and you enjoy some snacks with your drink, things can quickly turn from happy hour to calorie hour! Take this quiz to see how well you know the calorie count of these popular bar snacks.

Source: Flickr User Sarah_Ackerman

Take the Quiz

Design Ideas to Steal From the Messe Frankfurt Press Center

Julia Walsh — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 06:00:00 PST

Last month, I attended the Ambiente consumer goods fair at Messe Frankfurt, the world's third-largest trade fair, in Frankfurt. While the primary point of my trip was to check out the trade show, discover trends, and see the new collections from international decor brands, I couldn't help but find design inspiration along the way. As a journalist there, I had access to Messe Frankfurt's Press Center, which was designed by Italian architect and designer Matteo Thun. The space is a much-needed escape from the push-and-shove of the fair's busy exhibition halls, and I couldn't help but notice that the center's thoughtful, modern design played a major part in putting me at ease after a long day - that and the daily happy hours for press!

Come along and tour the Press Center, and take a few of my tips for re-creating this relaxing vibe in your home!

Before and After: My Tarnished Silver Tray

Julia Walsh — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 04:00:46 PST

I discovered this silver tray of mine in the back of my kitchen cabinet, hiding behind some cookie sheets I never use. I'd totally forgotten I owned it. Not only was it frighteningly tarnished when I discovered it, but it was also dirty and had dozens of ring marks on it. I'd used it in the past to stash mail and keys in my foyer, and after one wild party it wound up completely trashed. I was worried I might have to send it to a professional but tried polishing it myself first. After spending a good 30 minutes scrubbing away at the thing with nearly half a jar of Gorham Anti-Tarnish Silver Polish, it shined like the top of the Chrysler building!

Since it's in such fine form now, I decided to put it on display and use it to create a little bar area in my kitchen. To see my shiny tray and new bar, continue reading!

Fashionistas Like to Drink: Bar Design Ideas From The Coveted

Julia Walsh — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:15:00 PST

The fashion world is buzzing about the launch of The Coveted, a new The Selby-esque website that takes us into the closets of the fashion-elite with photographs by up-and-comer Jake Rosenberg. Cruising through the homes of fashion editors and creative directors, I couldn't help but notice that the sartorial-obsessed had paid as much attention to the arrangement of their designer shoe collection as to their martini glasses and bottles of whisky. So, I've weaned a few bar design ideas from these fashionistas, who evidently know their way around a bar!

Before and After: A Bar in the Bedroom?

Casa Community — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:00:00 PST

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member h2urHome from the Su Casa group:

Well not anymore but there was! When we first moved into our house one of the first things on our to do list was to get rid of the bar in the bedroom. I mean . . . I like a good cocktail and all, but the bar made our room look like an extended-stay hotel! This is what the bar looked like when we removed it.

We replaced it with this . . .

Lovely Little Vignettes: A New Apartment Arrangement

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:00:00 PDT

CasaSugar Community member 2ndfloorliving recently posted this photo in the Lovely Little Vignettes group writing, "I haven't painted the walls yet, but here is a vignette of my in-progress living room." I'm absolutely in love with this - doesn't it look straight out of Domino? I think the bust collection is adorable. The wide black striped tablecloth brings it all together too; it's classic yet modern and fits in well with the mix of vintage and new items.

Honestly, I think the white paint looks fabulous, especially with those gorgeous moldings! If it were me, I wouldn't paint it. But I could see a soft green, blue, or yellow in this space. What color would you paint it? And what's your favorite element in this vignette? Tell me by commenting below!

Be sure to post your own arrangements in the Lovely Little Vignettes group!

Love It or Hate It? Stainless Steel Countertops

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 07:00:00 PDT

On Sunday, I asked you whether you loved or hated stainless steel backsplashes, and with 57 percent of you loving the look, you seemed pretty torn. In the comments, a few of you said that you like the look but hate would hate cleaning it. So now I'm wondering what you think of stainless steel countertops? I came across this photo of a bar in a $7.8 million mansion in San Francisco, and I love the industrial-meets-vintage aesthetic here. Paired with the handpainted walls, glass shelves, and a mustard yellow window frame, the stainless steel countertops look much less harsh and sterile. What are your thoughts?

Behind the Bar: How to Make an Irish Car Bomb

PopSugar LivingTV — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:18:49 PDT

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, YumTV correspondent Rachel goes behind the bar to find out from the Irish experts at Finn McCool's how to make the popular Irish Car Bomb. Try the "breakfast of Irish warriors" the next time you want to get whisked away by Irish whiskey.