CasaSugar

Brad Pitt's Got Architectural Digest Covered

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:00:27 -0800

Brad Pitt's been spotted on many a magazine cover for his latest movies and tabloid-famous family, but now the star graces the cover of the January issue of Architectural Digest. The star with a passion for architecture who's contributed eco designs for Dubai and worked with Global Green on affordable housing is making the leap to the shelter magazine world. Pitt shares the cover with one of the 150 eco-friendly homes in New Orleans that he is helping to sponsor and build through his Make It Right Foundation.

To find out more about Make It Right, as well as to see images of some of the homes that have been constructed, read more.

86 of 150 affordable environmentally sound houses have been sponsored and/or built since last December, and the rest of the homes will be finished over the next year. Pitt pledged to match $5 million in contributions to the project, as did Steve Bing, the philanthropist, and nine architecture firms have donated their services to the cause.

The houses are being built using Cradle to Cradle Certification, which means that every building material and component in the house can either be biodegraded or recycled. Some products used in the homes include EcoWorx Performance Broadloom carpet, which, unlike most carpet, can be collected and recycled. Homes also use TimberSIL wood treatment, which replaces the hazardous copper, chromium, and arsenic-based preservatives, as well as Earthtex fabric, which is a no-VOC product that is 100-percent recyclable.

In the Architectural Digest article Pitt is quoted as saying, "You have no idea what a high it is for me to see the delight on people's faces when they see how these homes work . . . This project is not mine anymore. It's so beyond me."

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Roundup: Pret-a-Paisley

CasaSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:00:54 -0800

Why so sad, Eli Stone? You look so handsome on your paisley throw. So good, in fact, you reminded me of how much I love the droplet-shaped veggie motif. It's not only Yours Truly who has a thing for the comma-esque shape: paisley is one of the most recognized patterns in the world, and has been for some time. Paisley originated in Persia and India in the 17th century and is still widely popular in Iran and South and Central Asia today.

I decided to see if any of my home decor haunts had come up with some crave worthy paisley designs, and the voyage was a success! There are dozens of gorgeous paisley designs around these days, including pillows, throws, bedding, and even trays! If I can't transport myself to the sofa beside Eli, I guess this is the next best thing. To see my finds, read more.

Ria Sheet Sets - $99.95	Cosmina Quilt - $498.00
Judy Ross Pais Pillow- Multi - $235.00	Etro Kerecha Square Tray - $275.00
Oriana - Queen Comforter Set - $499.00	Green Collapsible Canvas Storage Solutions - $7.99
Paisley Matelasse Standard Sham - $39.50	Printed Paisley Quilt & Shams - $198.00
Wellesley Paisley Stripe Sheet Set - $198.00	Laura Paisley Sheet Sets - $139.00
Parisian Paisley Pillowcases - $26.00	Serena Paisley Bed Linens - $29.95
Ikat Paisley Duvet Cover + Shams - $19.00	Cornwall Paisley Pillowcases - $26.00
Millbrook Paisley Duvet Cover - $179.99	Paisley Ginger Jar and Tray - $95.00
Tracy Porter - $45.00	Anita Paisley Dishtowel - $5.95
Wool Jacquard Pillow Cover - Black - $39.00	Leaf Applique Lumbar Pillow Cover - $39.00
Citron Pillows - $250.00	Verona Boudoir Pillow Cover - $29.00
Wool Jacquard Pillow Cover - Red - $39.00	Kerala Floor Pillow - $128.00
Fiona Pillow - $29.95	Etro Aralia Square Pillow - $250.00
Tiburon Spice Pillow - $250.00	Paisley Hooked Pillows - $49.95
Paisley Pillow Cover - $29.00	Paisley Needlepoint Pillow - $85.00
Etro Bukhari Throw - $450.00	Etro Bati Stitch Throw - $650.00
Parisian Paisley Throw - $235.00	Etro Couder Throw - $500.00
Etro Maidstone Throw - $650.00	Etro Ralston Fringed Throw - $550.00
Paisley Cotton Throw - $49.99

The Authentic Look of HBO's True Blood

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:30:42 -0800

Although True Blood has had an uneven first season (the finale was last night), I'll still be tuning in next year. I have to find out what happens with my favorite characters, and I can't wait to see how the plot develops. One element of the show that I really enjoy is its authentic look, which is crafted by the nimble art and set direction of Bill Law and Catherine Smith. Filmed in Los Angeles and Shreveport, LA, the show's set design embraces small-town Southern style that is imbued with a creepy dread. Source

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Christina Aguilera Takes Her Price Tag Down a Note

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:44:35 -0800

Back in April, I let you know that Christina Aguilera and husband Jordan Bratman were preparing to ditch their Steve Hermann-designed Hollywood Hills digs, if a doting buyer were willing to part with a cool $8 million. Well, according to Real Estalker, the couple has flown the coop, but are still sitting on the unsold property. While they've moved into the Osbournes' former abode, their Hermann-designed home, like many houses around the country, remains unsold. So, the couple has decided to chop a little over one million smackers off the asking price, bringing it down to $6.9 million. Ouch, right? Well, actually Aguilera paid $5 million for the property back in '03, so she'll still be making a nice couple mil. on the property — if it sells at this price. And the price was likely inflated to begin with, considering its couture Steve Hermann label. Check out more details and lots of photos of the digs in my previous post.
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A Hollywood Actor's Opulent Home

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:00:31 -0800

A talented Oscar nominee shows that big style isn't relegated to the silver screen. This photo from Architectural Digest shows the actor's Manhattan living room, which is dominated by a 19th-century Italian daybed.

Think you know whose big style is behind this home? See if you're right when you read more.

This Manhattan home belongs to Mickey Rourke. Want to see more of this luxurious apartment? Check out the entire slideshow at Architectural Digest.

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Coveted Crib: Malibu Minimalist

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:00:22 -0700

Hollywood interior designer Michelle Workman has designed spaces for celebs including John Travolta and Jennifer Lopez, but in my opinion, this Malibu pad deserves a starring role as well.

Michelle explains,

I was brought onto this job during the construction phase, and I wanted to bring the organic feel of Malibu into the home. My main focus was on the surfaces: flooring, countertops, tile and lighting. We ended up with a home that feels as if you are out of doors at all times; even the kitchen countertops look like swirling tidal pools. In an effort to mirror the many banks of windows that constitute the front of the house, Lucite chairs, occasional tables, and hardware were used in the kitchen. Everywhere you look organic is juxtaposed with steel or man-made materials.

Take a full tour of this wonderful space when you read more.
Like Michelle's style? Check out the three-day Champagne Sale this weekend at Michelle's retail store, The Red House Interiors, in LA. From Thursday through Saturday, enjoy extended sale hours and markdowns between 20 and 50 percent off at the store.

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Gossip Girl Producer Sells in Los Feliz

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:00:56 -0700

Josh Schwartz, who's best known for producing and writing shows such as Gossip Girl, The OC, and Chuck, has sold his Los Feliz, CA, home for $2.15 million.

The beautiful 1928 home was originally listed in April for $2.4 million. Given that other celebs have been forced to lower their prices by close to half a million, this price drop doesn't seem particularly harsh, especially given the real estate market's current woes.

The house itself is absolutely lovely, with great bones and much of its original Spanish detailing. Updates like tropically landscaped outdoors areas, a koi pond, heated pool, and a grotto spa perfectly accent the charming house's Spanish-style edifice. Inside the 3,468-square-foot home, the new owner (who's the former creative director for 7 For All Mankind), can enjoy such features as vaulted ceilings, a downstairs screening room, Saltillo tile floors, five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, and numerous fireplaces. I also love that this home's library has a sliding bookshelf that opens to the wine cellar. Overall, this is one of the more charming celebrity homes I've seen in a good while.

Want to take the full tour? See lots and lots of photos when you read more.

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Match the Celeb With the Home

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:00:10 -0800

As part of my long process of saying goodbye to Domino, I've spent many hours leafing through the magazine's awesome house tours. To give you a taste of some of the great style inherent in these tours, I thought I'd see if you could match the celeb with his or her home. See how well you do!
All photos courtesy of Domino

Question 1 of 10

This awesome office is owned by a quirky actress in a new movie.

This Just In: Hayden Panettiere Buys a House to Cheer About

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Hayden Panettiere, better known as Claire Bennet the cheerleader who cannot die on NBC's Heroes, has taken time out from saving the whales to drop $2.635 million on a house in Los Angeles, according to Real Estalker.

The teenage Panettiere, who'll turn 20 next year, has room to grow in the 3,120-square-foot, three-bedroom, thee-bath house, which was constructed in 1962. The house, which is definitely modern in look and feel, features floor-to-ceiling windows, an open, loft-style layout, a newly renovated kitchen, a swimming pool, a stone fireplace, and a large deck, perfect for entertaining (or throwing huge parties).

To see interior photos of the house, read more.

I think that this house is a nice choice, and while it's bigger than most noncelebs' homes, it's less than half the size of many celeb mansions, such as Tori Spelling's new pad. I think this could be a really stunning house if Panettiere gets the right designer in there. Perhaps Top Design's Preston Lee is available?

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Found It! Nicky Hilton's Pendant Lights

CasaSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:00:36 -0700

Flipping through my vast magazine collection, I recently reread the March issue of InStyle. This issue featured the home of celeb socialite Nicky Hilton, and while I did find it quite chic (though fussy at times) for a 20-something, it wasn't the sophisticated interior design style that struck me. In the master bedroom, which she calls, "classic but naughty [ . . . with] a cabaret feel" (note: patent leather upholstered headboard), the pendant lights framing her bed glared at me. Where had I seen them? To find out, read more.

Nicky's pendants are the Sugarlite Pendants ($625) from Neiman Marcus (also available for $590 from Cottage & Bungalow). I featured the pendant in my Black and White Elegance Trend Alert about a year ago. If you take a look at the rest of Nicky's apartment you can see she's certainly a proponent of "black and white elegance." Perhaps she was inspired by my post?
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