CasaSugar

Desire/Acquire: Warm Wool Throws

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Nothing's cozier on a Winter evening than cuddling up under a cozy throw on your sofa. I love this Gump's Sweater Knit Throw ($325), which resembles your boyfriend's oversized sweater, and whose handknit cables give it an extra touch of authenticity. It's a great color and looks silky, but it's an acrylic/wool/poly blend, which is not my favorite cuddling fabric combination. And that price tag is a bit of a turn off.

To see something that I think is even prettier, and way more affordable, read more.

Available in a soothing feather gray or oatmeal heater hues, the Lutz & Patmos Cable Throw ($89) is about the same size as the Sweater Knit Throw, but a fraction of the price. Available through West Elm and designed by luxury sweater and knitwear designers Tina Lutz and Marcia Patmos, this textural cable knit is pretty, cozy, and a much more sophisticated home accent than the higher-priced throw. While it's still a blend of acrylic and wool fibers, I'm willing to overlook that fabric faux pas, given the throw's great price and dashing good looks.

Love It or Hate It? The Empress Desk

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:00:05 -0700

The Empress Desk ($7,500) has me dreaming of writing long, romantic letters in a perfectly slanting script. Unfortunately, no one can read my cursive, so these dreams might be all for naught.

Crave Worthy: Tansu Shelves

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:00:21 -0800

Tansu are traditional Japanese chests, handcrafted of woods such as cypress, keyaki, Japanese cedar, and koa. The shelves are distinguished by the beautiful ornament in the metal fittings and inventive techniques employed to offer storage space. Tansu are considered the most prolific and important element of the highly-regarded Japanese interior-design styles. The tansu known as Kaidan-dansu, or step-chests were often designed in several modular pieces. These Gump's Tansu Shelves ($1250) are a modern re-creation of this crave-worthy traditional design. The Gump's shelves are a two-piece, 19-drawer, seven-step cabinet, handcrafted of hardwood solids, and composites with antiqued-brass hardware and a dark-walnut finish.

Leafy Autumn Accents

CasaSugar — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:22:34 -0700

In case you haven't noticed, I get really excited about the arrival of autumn. There's something about the crisp, cool air that makes me want to hang a festive but unfussy wreath and make spiced cider.

Of course, there's nothing more classically autumnal than images of falling leaves, so I've been scouting out some pretty fall accents with a leafy look. The best part about most of my picks is that while they look autumnal, they don't scream fall, so you can also use them year round. Check out my choices below and tell me what you think.

Crave Worthy: Gump's Cerulean Display Case

CasaSugar — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 11:50:00 -0700

Thank goodness Jackieos bookmarked this Gump's Cerulean Display Case ($3,950), or otherwise, I would have never known to start saving money to buy it as soon as humanly possible. In case you couldn't tell, I absolutely love this shelving unit, which would be perfect for displaying china or another collection.

I like that it looks somewhat traditional but mixes things up by juxtaposing the bright aqua back wall with the dark lacquered wood. Do you crave it as much as I do?

Good, Better, Best: Classical Computer Armoires

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:30:33 -0700

Not all of us have the luxury of a separate home office. And for anyone who works in a multi-purpose room - such as a living room or guest room - a computer armoire is a great buy.

These workstations are large enough to contain all of your tech needs, and the elegant doors let you hide your clutter when the desk isn't in use. So for this Good, Better, Best, I've rounded up some classically styled computer armoires at three different price points.

Good: When the doors are shut, this Hampton Computer Armoire in White ($500) just looks like a cabinet. But inside are thoughtful touches like a keyboard tray, corkboard, and a dry-erase board.

Two even better classical computer armoires, so read more

Better: The grass-green finish and shuttered doors give this Pottery Barn Seymour Home Office Armoire ($1,999, via Outblush) a touch a hipness. It's designed to hold a computer or a TV.

Best: I love the old-world Japanese elegance of this Gump's Shinto Office Armoire ($3,400). It's made from solid walnut and joined without a single nail, and details include sliding doors in the back to help manage your wires.

Trend Alert: Mirror, Mirror Off the Wall

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 05:56:26 -0700

Until recently, mirrored-front furniture always made me think of the '80s. But lately, I've noticed a spate of off-the-wall mirror pieces - including end tables and dressers - that evoke everything from geometric art deco design to delicate, feminine boudoirs.

I never thought I'd find myself drawn to mirrored furniture, but now I'm appreciating even the more '80s-leaning items, like this pair of Gump's Mirrored Stacking Tables ($295). Check out some of my other finds below by clicking on the photos and let me know what you think.

Sale Alert: Serious Summer Sale at Gump's

CasaSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:18:16 -0700

San Francisco's very own Gump's is a divine place to find unique artwork, exotic furnishings, and all sorts of other luxurious things.

But luxurious also means pricey, so I'm all over this big summer sale going on now. Online only, Gump's is offering up to 75 percent off on hundreds of great items. Check out my picks below!

Sale Alert: Gump's Halloween Décor Sale

CasaSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:00:34 -0700

Before you head to Party City to stock up on decorations for next week's spooky evening, check out Gump's, which is currently offering up to 60 percent off of its Halloween décor. Whether you're the type of gal who lays down a festive doormat and some fancy Halloween limoges boxes or just picks up some spidery cocktail napkins, Gump's has you covered. I'm loving the SF-based retailer's festive fall wreaths, which will stay en vogue long after Oct. 31; I may just have to pick one up myself. Here's a cauldron of other treats for you.

Source

Crave Worthy: Gump's Lacquered Side Table

CasaSugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:15:24 -0800

Layers of hand-applied lacquer give the robin egg-blue color of the Gump's Lacquered Side Table ($825) incredible depth; read more here.
This Gump's exclusive is handcrafted from solid wood with a single dovetailed drawer, trimmed in green and polished by hand. If you can afford it, this console table will make quite the first impression in your front hall. For me, it was passionate love at first sight. I love its Parsons-like clean lines and soft color duo; it just sits there whispering, "I'm pretty." If you can't drop 800 smackers on it, you can try the Duck Egg/Sand Pencil Box ($55), which looks suspiciously similar. What do you think? Do you find it as dreamy as I do?

Fall Leaves Doormat - $34.00	Halloween Limoges Boxes - $265.00
Harvest Berry Wreath - $95.00	"The Witch Is In" Box - $195.00
Witch Silhouette - $65.00	Spiderweb Platter and Plates - $35.00
Skeleton Pillow - $98.00	Flocked Chandelier - $98.00
Haunted House Tea Light Holders - $45.00	Spiderweb Napkins - $16.00
Pamela Dalton's "Halloween Parade" - $265.00