CasaSugar

Inspired: Morning Glorious Colors

CasaSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0700

The graceful unfurling of the morning glory flower happens every dawn, while its sister flower, the moon flower, remains closed in a tight spiral all day long, and then opens at night. I was inspired by the subtle blue-to-lavender shading in this particular morning glory, as well as its pretty shape, and set out on a quest to find some home accessories and furniture items that reflect its beauty.

To see what I found, read more.

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Before and After: CaraWilkerson's Living Room

Casa Community — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0800

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member CaraWilkerson from the Su Casa group:

The before shot. Note the green carpet, lack of overhead lighting, and of course, the lovely wall mural lingering in the background.

See a series of before, during, and after shots when you read more.

First we focused our efforts on removing wallpaper and painting the walls. With a built-in drop cloth of green carpeting, painting was a breeze. Removing the wallpaper on the other hand . . .

Once the rooms were painted, it was time to bring back the hardwood floors. All that glory buried for so many years. Just heavenly.

Finally, adding much needed light to the space with recessed lighting pulled everything together . . .

Which leads us to . . .

Of course there are a lot of bare spots where wall art needs to be hung and little to-do’s are still haunting our dreams, but I’d like to think our living room has certainly improved over the past four weeks.

For more info and photos of this project and others, visit us at Live the Home Life! - Cara

Have you been doing any redecorating of your own lately? Be sure to post photos and tales in the Su Casa group!

Nice and New: Papier-Mâché Animal Busts

CasaSugar — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:30:00 -0800

Hunters bask in their shooting glory by mounting their prized prey on their walls, and some people can even fill a dining room wall with antlers galore. But I found another type of taxidermy to take pride in - a papier-mâché Savannah Story Bust ($68). These jungle-friendly animal heads are made by Haitians to honor their African heritage. Crafted from recycled cement bags and old French books, these perfectly captured pieces of art are eco-conscious, magical, a lesson in the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), and perhaps best of all, no animals were harmed in their making. What do you think of these critters?

Inspired: Marchesa NY 2010 Fall Fashion Week

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:00:28 -0800

Glory, glory to the world! New York Fashion Week is here again! Marchesa's 2010 Fall collection has transported me to a faraway fairytale dressup land filled with rich electric hues, oceanic ruffles, pleated tulle of little girl's dreams, black bows galore, and embroidered paisley motifs finally, finally done right. I thought I'd try to capture this collection in a room, so I can wake up to this dream daily! See how I've translated these pretty party dresses into interiors when you read more.

Before and After: Wall Mirror

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:03 -0800

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member carawilkerson from the Su Casa group:

This pretty little mirror made its way to the garage-a sort of limbo for upcoming rehab contenders-via a family member. She sure was pretty but was not in the best of shape. I actually liked how she looked before, but her coat was constantly chipping off. She needed a good solid coat of paint to hold her in place . . .

After a few unexpected hurdles, our new mirror in all of her splendid glory . . .

Coveted Crib: Hip in the Hollywood Hills

CasaSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:56:00 -0700

Interior designer Peter Dunham, whose signature style is marked by casual sophistication, was the perfect person to bring this 1920s Hollywood Spanish house back to its former glory. Working with an architecture firm, the designer collaborated on finishes, architectural details, and room layouts. Emerging from this collaboration is a home that exuberantly mixes luxurious and playful elements. From a Nanna Ditzel hanging egg chair to a fireplace in the spa-like bathroom, this home is all about easy, beautiful living. Want to take the full tour? Then read more.

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Do You Have Fancy Lighting in Your Closet?

CasaSugar — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:30:46 -0700

My walk-in closet is not a priority on my list when it comes to buying spendy lighting. But a girl can dream, right? I'd love to hang an elegant modern pendant there such as this one or, better yet, a glitzy chandelier. Sadly, my closet bears a standard CFL bulb, naked in all its glory. How about you?

Open House: How Do You Decorate for Fourth of July?

CasaSugar — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:30:29 -0700

For some of you, using a blueberry and raspberry tart as a centerpiece is the extent of your patriotic décor. Others may hanf red, white, and blue bunting and American flags galore all over your property - in addition to the requisite Old Glory toothpicks in every mini appetizer you serve. I usually go with some festive table linens and a few flags. But I have an aunt who one year bought out Lillian Vernon's entire stock of patriotic décor. Tell me, how do you decorate for Fourth of July? What accessories and linens do you use? Are you reserved or is your patriotism visible to every neighbor on your street?
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Home Away From Home: The Maidstone in East Hampton

CasaSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:33 -0700

If you live in the New York metro area, you know very well of the Hamptons' reputation as THE place to be in the summertime. If not, you've probably caught a glimpse of the glory of the Long Island townships in movies like Something's Gotta Give and Grey Gardens. Unless you're a lucky dog who owns a home in the popular seaside locale, most visitors rent a Summer share or score a bed with a friend, as hotels in the area tend to be overpriced and lacking in looks (and personal BBQ grills). But room and maid service does have its perks, so if you are looking to stay in a Hamptons hotel, might I offer one that gets my seal of approval? The iconic Maidstone hotel was reinvented by Swedish hotelier Jenny Ljungberg who has mixed the free-spirited design of her native Scandinavia with the timeless sophistication of the Hamptons, and thrown in some arresting artwork and photography - all with a bit of a bohemian twist. One of the guest rooms is furnished with pieces designed or inspired by seminal designer Josef Frank (a favorite of mine), and features white oak flooring typical of midcentury Scandinavia, as well as modern wallpaper by up-and-coming Swedish designer Hanna Werning. Another, the Kurbits Cottage, takes a note from traditional Sweden with a wooden Jantze Brogård Asshoff table, hand-painted wall motifs, a wood-burning fireplace, and water-lily light fixtures, as well wooden clogs as décor. Hear about the hotel's eco-friendly features and see plenty of photos when you read more.

Beyond its refreshing design philosophy, the hotel has also taken every conceivable step to be the Hamptons' most eco-friendly hotel, with a goal of becoming carbon neutral. Some of its eco-friendly features include an on-site Natura water filtration system in place of bottled water; high-efficiency furnaces; state-of-the-art central a/c units; Low-E double-paned windows with insulating argon gas; organic cotton linens; water-based paints; and low-flush toilets. They also use refillable toileterie containers, recyclable carry-out containers, organic produce, organic cleaning products, and compost all of their restaurant's organic waste and donate it to local farmers. And, guests are encouraged to use their collection of Kronan bicycles as green transport free of charge.

If you arrive in a car, you'll be happy to note that each room comes with a much-coveted beach parking permit. Pets are also welcome, and WiFi throughout the hotel is free. And after a tiring afternoon at the beach, you can cozy up with a book from the library stocked with volumes about art, design, photography and the Hamptons' history, or watch a DVD from their large collection, also free. Summer rates range from $450-$995.
To see interior photos, read more.

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Steal of the Day: Americana Cube

CasaSugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:00:12 -0700

I love stars and stripes just as much as the next Yankee, especially around the Fourth of July. But, if I'm going to invest in patriotic furnishings to use year-round, I'd prefer to make a more subtle tribute.
The Pottery Barn Americana Cube ($499, reduced from $699) has all the right ingredients. The small trunk incorporates Old Glory imagery with muted distressed fabric stripes in dusty red and blue on its sides, and hand-stitched stars on its table surface. Nothing about it says barbecue, fireworks, or hot July day, but it certainly says "America."