CasaSugar

Midday Muse: Freestanding Kitchen Cabinets

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:00:57 -0800

In Europe, it's very common to use freestanding cabinets in the kitchen and armoires in the bedroom, but in the United States, built-in cabinetry and closets are the norm. In fact, a trend of open shelving is only just beginning to happen here. I definitely see the appeal of freestanding units, though. If your style happens to change, or your cabinets aren't in such great shape, it's much easier to replace a single piece of furniture than renovate your entire kitchen. There's also more of a feeling of openness with freestanding unites. Built-ins offer counter space, though, which is a plus.
If you went with an armoire or hutch, you'd naturally also have to purchase a table or island to do your cutting. Does your house have built-in or freestanding cabinets? If you had the opportunity and the funds to renovate, would you opt for freestanding furniture? Tell me by commenting below!
Source

Ask Casa: Decorating Around a Freestanding Fireplace

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:30:28 -0700

Hey Casa,

I recently had a freestanding cast iron fireplace installed in my lounge. It's a Saey 92 woodburning stove - 30 inches high, 28 inches wide, and 23 inches deep, plus the heat output is very high. It's been put in the middle of a wall that's 18 feet across and the flue has been taken out the back so there's nothing above the stove.

Now, I was wondering how I can decorate around it, considering that there's so much heat when it's being used. The guy who installed it for me recommends that there be at least 24 inches between the stove and any piece of furniture I might want to put around it. And, obviously, hanging an oil painting above it would be disastrous.

I was thinking of putting two low freestanding shelf units on either side of the stove (for books, odds and ends, my iPod speakers, photo frames, etc.) and then arranging my paintings and pictures on the wall above them. But now I'm stuck with this 24-inch space all around the fireplace and I feel like it would look odd/empty.

Is there anything I can put in that space that wouldn't be damaged? Would wicker baskets for the firewood possibly withstand the heat? And how can I decorate the wall above the stove - are there certain kinds of frames that won't melt (haha), or a mirror perhaps?

Any advice would be appreciated!
Sundaygreen

To see my advice, read more.

Hi Sundaygreen,

The measurements that you gave me definitely seem workable. I would suggest following your installer's advice and maintaining the recommended berth between the stove and valuable furniture or paintings. However, I do think that willow baskets would be perfect for holding kindling near your new stove, and wouldn't suffer from the heat output. I also think that your idea of using mirrors close to the stove in lieu of art is brilliant. I would also suggest using metal wall hangings, heavy ceramics, and simple wood accessories (such as this Roost Kiri Display Box) closest to the stove. Outside of this two-foot circle though, feel free to place more artwork, photographs, and plush furniture. I grew up with a Jotul woodburning stove in our family living room, which has a similar heat output to your stove. While we also made sure to keep a couple feet between the stove and precious objects, one of my father's favorite oil paintings was hung four feet away from the stove, and never suffered any permanent damage from the stove.

I hope this helps!

Stay cozy,
Casa

Source

On the Market: Frank Lloyd Wright's Palmer House

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:45:16 -0700

The Palmer House - a 2,000-square-foot, one-story home in Ann Arbor, MI, designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright - is on the market for the first time since it was commissioned in 1950. The asking price is $1.5 million. The three-bedroom, two-bath Usonian-style home sits on 1.5 wooded acres, close to the University of Michigan, where its former owner worked. The house includes many free-standing pieces of Wright furniture, including tables, chairs ("Origami" chairs), and ottomans, which are "as much a part of the house as the house is of the landscape," says Brian Reis, assistant curator for the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust in Chicago. It also includes a collection of Wright documents, and a lovely teahouse is tucked neatly behind the house. It's certainly a very rare opportunity to own a piece of architectural history, and at a relatively affordable price. I'm sure there will be a lot of interest in the home, particularly from those with an interest in interior design and architecture. And, preservationists should be pleased: The deed to the house "requires any changes to be approved by the nonprofit Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy." Check out this gallery for a tour of the property and the listing for more information.

There's more to see, so read more.

View 26 Photos ›

Source

Midday Muse: The Secret's in the Sculpture

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:00:44 -0700

I spend so much time looking at furniture and accessories that sometimes I forget that what really builds a sophisticated home is having unique, original artwork. In this dining-room photograph by David Giles, I'm loving the free-standing botanical sculptures that resemble children's drawings made to scale, a bit like Yeondoo Jung's photographs. The room is otherwise very minimal, painted entirely bright white, furnished with a simple white table, and accessorized with fruits and flowers. Although the lace-backed chairs are unusual, they really bring nothing to the table; it's the plant-like sculptures that cultivate the room's captivating style.
Source