CasaSugar

Before and After: A Country Kitchen Lightens Up

CasaSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:00:37 -0700

I spotted the makeover of this small kitchen in an 1895 house in Dutchess County, NY, in Country Living and felt really inspired. When your room is plagued with dated features like these knotty pine cabinets, sometimes it's hard to see the potential in a space - even more so when you've got only 180 square feet to work with.

Home owner Jennifer Vreeland saw beyond this dreary space, and chose to remove the cramped, wall-to-wall cabinetry in favor of two open upper storage units and a hanging pot rack. The change immediately opened up the space, making it feel airier and less claustrophobic. Top that with fresh coats of white and baby blue, and the space looked instantly lighter and more spacious. See the after photo and hear about her other changes when you read more.

Vreeland kept the country vibe with a slim antique farmhouse table and iron draftsman stools. She made the smart choice to go with a modern, streamlined sink and an oven in powerful sunny yellow, giving the room a touch of modernity and keeping it fresh. I love it! Do you?Source

Cool Idea: Galvanized Steel Instead of Shower Tile

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Country Living has an inspiring article about how one of its contributing editors (also a carpenter) transformed his dated, minuscule bathroom into a seriously glamorous one for only $1,000. The photos definitely wowed me, but I have a soft spot for clean, white rooms, especially those with feminine accents. What really impressed me was his innovative use of sheets of corrugated, galvanized metal as a tub surround instead of traditional shower tile. The sheets totaled only $21, and the only other supplies he needed to install it were an enamel finish, roofing screws, and caulk, for about $10.
The juxtaposition of the frilly, ruffled shower curtain and crystal chandelier with the galvanized sheets and bucket keeps it all from looking too industrial, and fittingly, gives it a country vibe.
Source

In the News: Country Living Forges Ahead

CasaSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:00:32 -0700

While the shelter magazine category is having a hard time across the board, Country Living seems to be toughing it out best. When O at Home folded, its former editor, Sarah Gray Miller, took charge of Country Living and put its spine tagline of "Come home to comfort" on the cover, shining a spotlight on the relevancy of its crafting and home entertaining focus in this economy.

The magazine also got a boost from a contemporary face-lift, including new fonts, more product information, and the reappearance of the personal essay. As for numbers, its ad sales are only down eight percent, and its single copy sales are up 10 percent from last year. It's interesting to see which magazines stay afloat and which flounder. As we saw with Domino, despite its huge following, in the end, meager ad sales were the cause of its demise. Do you read Country Living?

Before and After: Thrifted Headboards Get Glam Update

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:30:44 -0800

When Country Living editors Larry Bilotti and Robin Long Mayer discovered twin headboards at a garage sale, they grabbed them for $10 total, with the idea of transforming them into something new. Taking a cue from the indented panel in the headboard's design, they brainstormed ways to highlight this feature.

To see what they did, read more.
They turned the headboards into a daybed! The editors hired a woodworker to construct the frame, and then added fabric panels, patterned pillows, and a cool checked fabric to the bed. I love the transformation, and the daybed looks perfect in this attic space!

Get all of the steps to make your own daybed at Country Living.

Source

Coveted Crib: An Aspen Cabin Goes For the Old

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:00:51 -0800

When Aspen, CO, residents Cynthia and Frank Goldsmith decided their dream home should look like a 110-year-old Colorado homestead, they went to work, hiring an architect to recreate that iconic look. At the same time, the couple traveled to flea markets, antique stores, and salvage yards to find turn-of-the-century hardware, lighting, beams, doorknobs, and even hinges! The only items in this home that are new are the appliances, plumbing, and windows. Take a tour of this home, which was featured in Country Living, to step back in time. Source

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This Just In: O at Home Folds

CasaSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:00:30 -0800

Oprah Winfrey's shelter magazine, O at Home has folded, according to a Hearst press release. The publication's content will be consolidated back into its flagship, The Oprah Magazine, under Editor in Chief Susan Reed. The last issue, Winter 2008, will hit newsstands Nov. 25. Former editor in chief of O at Home, Sarah Gray Miller, has been named the editor in chief of Country Living magazine. Sadly, another shelter magazine bites the dust. Clearly, Wall Street isn't the only one suffering these days.
Source

Coveted Crib: Country Living's 2008 Home of the Year

CasaSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:00:25 -0700

Contributing editor Danny Seo isn't the only thing about Country Living magazine that I'm enamored with. Check out the slideshow to see a coveted and classic home from Country Living's senior decorating editor Robin Mayer. I'm in love. Source

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Study Rates Norway Best Place to Live

CasaSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:00:02 -0700

According to an annual report by the United Nations, Norway is the most desirable country in the world in which to live, followed by Australia and Iceland. The United States ranks 13th in the study, while the UK ranks 21st. The worst places in the world to live are Niger, Afghanistan, and Sierra Leone.

The study based its findings on criteria including literacy rates, school enrollment, country economies, and life expectancy. Norway's high rank is thanks in part to the discovery of offshore oil and gas deposits in the late 1960s.

What country do you live in? Do you think that your country is a great place to live? What makes it that way? If you live in the United States, what's so great about your state or city? I have to say that the efficient public transit, moderate climate, and sense of community really makes the Bay Area a great place to live, while the high property tax rates, rental rates, and overall cost of living make it less affordable, and desirable, than some other cities.

Tell me: what makes your country, state, or city, a great place to live?

Source: Flickr User photojenni

Coveted Crib: A Not-So-Traditional California Beauty

CasaSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:00:57 -0700

When Jeffers Design Group redesigned this wine country getaway, the firm used a mix of traditional and modern elements to shape the space. Playful and classic textiles blend beautifully in living and bedrooms, while Moroccan lanterns add an unexpected element to a high-ceilinged room. Throughout the home, a mix of custom and antique furnishings keeps the feel of the space modern and welcoming.

Take a complete tour when you read more.

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Su Casa: Contemporary Meets French Country

CasaSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 07:30:21 -0700

I'm inspired by the colors and masculine-meets-feminine style in this photo that Rothchild posted in the Su Casa group. (Want to share your photos? Here's how to join Su Casa.) According to Rothchild, "I decorated this room about four years ago and I was really into French Country then. However, I am now leaning more towards contemporary design and would like to incorporate cleaner lines into my room."

I think she's well on her way with the contrast between the leather couch and the delicate green bookcases. If you've got ideas to share, leave them in the comments below.