CasaSugar

Do You Roll Your Towels?

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:00:18 -0700

I've told you that rolling towels is a great option for pretty, open towel storage in the bathroom. Do you try this technique at your home?

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Casa Quickie: Choose Your Bottles

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:30:00 -0800

I love a good knick-knack shelf, but open bathroom storage can be a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it makes it difficult to hide your more embarrassing toiletries, but on the positive side, you can create pretty vignettes with your most well-designed bottles.

Products from brands such as Bumble and Bumble and CO Bigelow look chic next to simple candles, single flowers, and even old-school blue bottles of calamine lotion. To see the whole shelf, read more.

Do You Have Open Bathroom Storage?

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:00:54 -0700

Having open bathroom storage demands that you keep things neat, or are comfortable with mess, and have no embarrassing prescriptions out in the open - that is, if you're expecting guests. In many ways it's just easier to keep things behind closed doors. But open shelving, such as these glass shelves, can make the room seem bigger and also create an elegant display. What's your storage like?
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Do You Have Cabinets Under Your Bathroom Sink?

CasaSugar — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:25:07 -0700

I spotted this bathroom in the portfolio of interiors photographer Monica Bach, and it got me thinking about under-cabinet storage. I've found that having too much storage can quickly lead to collecting unnecessary junk - and that's certainly not fun come time for Spring cleaning. The legs and façade of this sink unit are really stunning, and having just a simple basket below for a few odds and ends lets them shine. What's your storage sitch?
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Coveted Crib: A Paper-Perfect Studio Loft

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:00:50 -0800

If I had my druthers, I probably wouldn't choose to live in a studio. But if I had to, I cannot imagine a more perfect space than this studio loft in Lägenhet, Stockholm (which is for sale). With tall ceilings, a bed and extra storage are tucked up high, making for a true living room. The apartment's bright white walls and beautiful natural light expand the space, while a select few gorgeously wallpapered walls give it depth and serious style. The kitchen has streamlined modern white cabinetry and one of my favorite elements: concrete countertops. The bathroom is complete with a towel warmer (woot!), a washer/dryer, and a sharp zebrawood sink basin. And better yet, it boasts what every girl dreams of: a walk-in closet. Take the full tour when you read more.

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Casa Quickie: Roll With It

CasaSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:00:47 -0700

There's only so much we can do to make our storage look pretty without calling in California Closets for a pricey custom mahogany masterpiece - like Debi Mazar's shoe paradise. But just because you gotta work with what you got doesn't mean you're at a loss. When it comes to storing towels, roll them and stack them instead of folding them. This is not only the tightest way to store them, but the prettiest. And if, like me, you care about things like wrinkles, you'll be happy to know that "rolling with it" prevents those pesky creases and folds.

Source: Flickr User the_amanda

How-To: Get Rid of Fabric-Eating Moths

CasaSugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:00:34 -0700

If you've opened your closet and realized that your favorite cashmere sweater has holes all over it, you've probably got a moth problem. It's unlikely that the moths are attracted to just that one cardi, so there are a few steps you should take to ensure your whole wardrobe doesn't suffer the same fate. That is, unless we're talking about all those reindeer Christmas sweaters from grandma.

To learn how to kick those buggers to the curb, read more.

Clothes moths feed on wool, feathers, fur, hair, lint, paper, and even cotton, linen, silk, and some synthetic fibers. But in general, they especially crave fabrics that have been stained or soiled with food, beverages, perspiration, sweat, oil, and urine. In many cases, you can't even tell that your apparel has been stained, so you should always clean your garments before you store them.
If you've already discovered you have a moth problem, you should wash all of your clothes in the infested area in hot water and detergent or dry clean them.
When it comes time to store your out-of-season clothes, you should keep them in airtight containers such as plastic boxes and bags, metal containers, or wooden (cedar is ideal) chests.
Moths tend to develop under humidity. So, if your closet or storage space is near a bathroom or humidifier, you should ventilate the area by opening windows or using a fan.
Clothes moths also prefer darkness. So if you have an alternative place to store your apparel that is bright, consider moving your clothes. You might also leave on low-energy lightbulbs such as CFLs or LEDs to light your closet.
To capture the male clothes moths in order to stop the breeding process, use a pheromone trap in your closet.
You should also vacuum your closet thoroughly in all cracks and crevices, as well as carpeting. Use a flashlight to identify lint and hair at the baseboards, in air ducts, and corners of the room that you might not see otherwise. If you have upholstered furniture in your closet (lucky lady), make sure to vacuum it thoroughly as well.
As for moth repellants, mothballs are tried and true, but they can also be harmful to your health, and leave a strong odor on your clothes. So, you can make a sachet with these herbal mothball alternatives. Cedar chips tend to lose their effect after the wood has dried, but cedar chests, which are airtight, are often effective.

How-To: Go Green in the Kitchen Without Spending Money

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:00:38 -0700

So, you've learned how to go green in the bathroom without spending any money. But you shouldn't stop there! There's still more eco-friendly business to be done around the house. The kitchen is a hog when it comes to energy use and water consumption, so you should be particularly careful there. To learn some tips for going green in the kitchen without spending a penny, read more.

First of all, I shouldn't have to tell you this, but recycle! Learn what not to recycle and which plastics are recyclable.
Don't use anything disposable if you have a reusable alternative. That means, use microfiber towels instead of paper towels; porcelain or china dishware and utensils instead of paper or plastic; cloth napkins instead of paper napkins, etc.
Use your city's curbside compost.
Use your microwave instead of your stove top or oven whenever possible. It's more energy efficient. But, don't use plastics in your microwave, which can potentially leach chemicals into your food.
Do some Spring cleaning and organize your kitchen storage containers so that you're more likely to use it for leftovers. Cooking at home cuts down on wasteful packaging.
Use household supplies to make homemade and eco-friendly cleaning solutions.
Prevent phantom energy loads by plugging your kitchen appliances into a power strip.
Run your dishwasher on a full load, but not overloaded.
Use a tote bag you already own for grocery shopping instead of plastic bags.
Arrange grocery runs with neighbors or friends. It will make your errands more fun while cutting down on gas expenses. You may also be able to split bulk items with a friend, which will help you to save money. But obviously, don't shop unless you have to!

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Midday Muse: Bathtub Envy

CasaSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:00:25 -0700

There's a lot I love about my bathroom, from its vintage blue-and-white floor tiles to its ample storage. However, one thing I'm not so in love with is our bathtub. It's deeper than most tubs, but it's still nothing as luxurious as this silver-leaf freestanding tub. Everything about this room is so darn alluring, which isn't something I can say for most bathrooms. I've got serious bathtub envy going on right now.

What would you change about your bathroom?

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Secrets for Moving In: The List

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:30:00 -0700

You all gave me loads of great advice for the latest Open House, Secrets for Moving In, to pass along to my closest confidant. There was a lot to work with here, so I took the liberty of paraphrasing a bit, and adding some tips of my own. I've divided your thoughts into several different categories: pre-moving, cleaning, moving, painting, decorating, befriending neighbors, and studio-related tips.

Pre-move:

Stay organized during your packing phase. Mark your boxes well, and label them with what room they're going in ahead of time. - Queen Lizzy
Check out your new place thoroughly. Look for bad paint jobs, missing items, scuffs and other marks. Take an extra look at the kitchen and bathroom, and other high traffic places. Make sure all your light fixtures and appliances work properly.- sweetpeabrina

For more tips, read more

Cleaning

If you can afford it, hire a cleaning company. It will save you a lot of time and effort. - QueenLizzy
If your wood floors are trashed from previous tenants, get them to sparkle with a straight razor, a bowl of water, and some elbow grease. - lemonfizz
Clean BEFORE you unpack, not after you move your precious items in. - JessNess
Install some air freshener plugs (try Method) when you first get in, so it'll start smelling like home, not someone's else musty pad. - sweetpeabrina
Check out all of Method's products. They have something for everything and will make your place smell fresh, clean, and green. - littlemiss

Moving:

Put your boxes where they belong and where they'll be unpacked (i.e. glasses and dishes in kitchen). - sweetpeabrina
If you have a pet, unpack he/she first! Get their litterbox and/or food and water bowls in place, and give him/her the house tour. - sweetpeabrina
Set up your bed and important bathroom accessories first. That way, if you get sick of unpacking, you'll at least be able to shower and sleep. - sweetpeabrina
Make sure that everything has a place before you start putting it away. If you need a certain type of storage container, buy it before your temporary storage spot becomes long-term. - ella1978

Painting:

Give your new place some time before picking colors and painting. Live with the rooms for a bit, and see how you are using them, what the lighting is like at different times of the day, and what the room temperatures are like. Let the paint colors come to you naturally. - QueenLizzy, JaimeLeah526
Make your bathroom feel like a spa by choosing calming colors, and nothing too bright. Get crisp linens, oversized bath towels, and great baskets for storage. - ella1978
Hit the hardware store. Have palettes in mind and pick up all the color cards you can get away with. Cut apart your favorite colors and make a board of compatible colors. Make sure the colors in each room goes with those of the other rooms. - ella1978
Choose an underlying set of colors that you want to carry through all rooms (i.e. in trim, details, décor, etc.). - ella1978

Decorating:

Take photos and measurements of every room from every angle. - kdupps, tdamji
Look at your existing home furnishings and decide if they will be moved to the same room in your new place (bedside lamp to bedroom or living room?). - kdupps
Don't buy everything at once. Live with the space for a while and see what you might actually need. - tdamji
Bring your photos shopping with you and try to visualize the new items in your home. - tdamji
Decorate and clean one room at a time so at least you have one room to retreat to while you are working on the others. - tdamji
If you live in a small space, you have to be organized. Make sure you have good storage containers with doors, so your clutter isn't visible. - sweetpeabrina
If you have friends or family that sew, paint, or craft, ask them to make something for your new place. - sweetpeabrina
If you have a lot of things in your closets that don't go on hangers, add a second shelf to make room for more folded clothing, boxes, etc. - ella1978

Befriending Neighbors:

Give a gift to your neighbors as a way to get acquainted. - The City Girl
Everyone loves baked goods. If it's the holidays, make sure they are kosher.
If you're a talented crafter, make your neighbors a one-of-a-kind gift. Don't make anything that appeals to only certain tastes. - The City Girl

Studio-related Tips:

If your kitchen has minimal counter space, buy a kitchen island on wheels to store your kitchen essentials and use as an additional surface. - JessNess
Get a pull-out couch or armchair. It will be a life-saver when you have guests. - JessNess
Get a partition, or folding screen to separate your living from your sleeping area. - JessNess
The number one appliance to buy initially is a toaster/convection oven. You can cook a surprising amount of meals in such a small appliance. - tdamji

If you've got anything to add, feel free to comment below!

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