CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: TP For Your Tech

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:00:16 -0800

I just spied this inventive idea on Real Simple and couldn't help but pass it along, considering that my gadget cords all look like a messy ball of yarn. If you're anything like me, and you've got cords for your camera, iPod, computer, BlackBerry, blow-dryer, speakers, television, DVD player, etc. clogging up your outlets, God bless you. No really, if that's the case, then here's a trick for you. When you've finished a roll of toilet paper, just slide it over a collection of your cords to keep them contained and untangled. Or, you can use it to keep a single cord from coming unwound once you've folded it up for storage. This is particularly a great idea to keep in mind come Dec. 26 when you've got tree lights to store!
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Cool Idea: Lamp Kit Hanging Light

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:29 -0800

I spotted this photo in the portfolio of interior stylist and designer Sibella Court, and was wowed by the hanging light fixture. To me it looks like a lampshade was simply attached to a basic Lamp Cord Kit ($12), and then dangled from the molding. The shade would probably need to have a bulb clip top fitter, too. I love the juxtaposition of the lowbrow lamp cord with that debonair black bell-shaped shade.

I'd love to try this at home. I'm thinking of making my own with a shapely lampshade frame and a reproduction Edison bulb. What do you think?

Casa Quickie: Keeping Track of Cords

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:15:42 -0800

Have you ever gone to unplug your laptop and accidentally turned off your DVR, right in the middle of recording the latest episode of Project Runway? If so, you're not alone. Given the amount of electronic equipment we all have in our homes, it's not a surprise.

If you get confused by which cord in your power strip leads to what piece of electrical equipment, then try labeling each cord. Just take a printer label and write the name of the appliance or electronic equipment on the label, and then wrap it around the end of the cord. That way, you'll never miss hearing Heidi say, "Auf Wiedersehen!" again!

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Casa Quickie: Vacuuming Quicker

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:00:07 -0700

If you're anything like me, no matter how awesome your vacuum is, it frustrates you to have to repeatedly unplug and replug your vacuum as you clean your whole house. Even if you live in a small studio (trust me, I have), you're bound to have to do so at least once to reach every nook and cranny. The answer to this is to attach a long extension cord (at very least 20 feet) to your vacuum, and plug it in whichever room sits in the center of your house. You may need to replug if your house has more than one floor. But regardless, this will speed up your cleaning time significantly. Just remember to wrap the cord in a neat coil when you finish, otherwise you'll have to deal with untangling it — and that's certainly not a time-saver.
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Decorating With Rotary Phones

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:12 -0700

Confession: I got rid of my land line two years ago. I'm tempted to reconnect it though, if I could forgo the cordless phone and add a spiral-corded rotary phone to my kitchen wall. Are you tempted to decorate with rotary phones to add some vintage style to your 21st-century home?

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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.

Get the Look: Clustered Lampshades at Mr. West

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Tired of boring old chandeliers? Take a cue from New York nightclub Mr. West and turn a tabletop accent into something glamorous. The custom-built fixture in this photo is made from oversize lampshades that are dripping with LED lights. Clustered together, they remind me of bell-like delphinium blossoms. So gorgeous, and also so eco, thanks to the LEDs!Want to see where else a similar look was featured? Find out when you read more.

A more casual interpretation was seen at the Milan International Furniture Fair. To get the look, choose lampshades that you love, and then suspend them from a grid, from which they can be hung. You can try eco-oriented light sources, such as chains of LEDs, or simply use cord sets if you're unwilling to hardwire this project.
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Get the Look: Spring Fresh Living Room

CasaSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:00:08 -0700

This room just shouts Spring, don't you think? From the lemony yellow wall to that uplifting lime green in the sofa pillows, it's just gorgeously seasonal. Even with a woodstove and cord wood in the corner, there's absolutely no Winter in this photo.
Since I'd love to re-create this Spring look, I went on a search for these same furniture and accents. To see how to get this look, read more.

Start by scouring vintage stores and online sites for a Danish modern teak sofa. This Danish Modern Sofa ($2,450) could be easily replicated from the one in the photo by sewing a yellow chiffon cover for the cushions. To get the same yellow shade on an accent wall, try Benjamin Moore Citron.

You'll want to also add a similarly striking branch table. Pacific Northwest artist Brent Comber makes the Alder Cubes (starting at $1,220), which are a close match to the branch table in the photo. You'll also want to add a beautiful wood stove - I'm partial to Jøtul stoves myself. To replicate the bookcase in the photograph, install two white Ikea Billy bookshelves on a corner wall. Then, mount a black, swivel-neck table lamp from the side of the shelf for reading. For a simple and stunning floral arrangement, add tall branches of eucalyptus to a simple clear carafe. You'll also want to add some potted plants near an open window, to replicate this room's organic look.

I've rounded up most of the other elements. Check them out below!

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DIY: Recycled Aluminum Can Ornaments

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:45:34 -0800

I love upcycling items, but since I'm also a bit of a design snob, I want those upcycled items to look beautiful as well. Luckily, I've stumbled across an awesome tutorial that shows you how to make beautiful holiday ornaments out of the humble aluminum can. You'd never believe this pretty leaf started out life as an aluminum can to look at it, would you?
What You'll Need

Empty aluminum cans
Scissors
Sandpaper or sanding block
Pen or pencil
Ribbon or cord for hanging

To find out how to make it, read more.

Here's how to make it, from Little House in the Suburbs:

Cut off the top and bottom of the can with scissors. (Wear gloves and glasses to be extra safe.) A knife is good to make the first cut so you can get your scissors in there. Cut down the side - if you haven't done so already to get the top and bottom off - and flatten it out.
Trace your object. Use a drawing or just freehand it. Bear down with your pencil or ballpoint or other pointy thing so you make a cutting line.
Cut along the lines. Be careful. Cut aluminum is sharp.
With your pointy thing and using your object as a reference, whether it is a leaf like mine or what-have-you, emboss your cut-out with veins, other details, etc. Take a nail and make a hole for hanging the ornament.
Sand the piece to remove any burrs and other hazards and to give it a nice pewtery surface. A sanding block or its equivalent is handy for this. I sanded the front and back. If you prefer, you can sand the color off entirely, but I left it for a distressed look. The veins or other details are emphasized by the sanding so you want to make sure you emboss before you sand for this effect.
Add a ribbon, cord, or a length of raffia to hang it up.

To see the complete directions, including incredibly helpful photos, read the whole tutorial here.

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Love It or Hate It? Martin the Mule Secretary Desk

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:00:12 -0800

French company Ibride recently gave a sneak preview of this new design, Martin, a contemporary mule-shaped secretary, at the Maison & Objet trade show in Paris. Not only does Martin's body serve as convenient storage for books and papers, but it incorporates lighting and Ethernet cords into the design, using them as a "reins" for the mule. I find it hilarious and whimsical, but obviously it's not for everyone, or every home.
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