CasaSugar

Link Time: Famous Movie Kitchens and an Ikea Seduction Song

Elka Karl — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:30:20 PDT

Can you guess what movie kitchen is shown above? - House Beautiful
Learn about why the crossbuck door is a great design choice. - Houzz
Take one of these weekender bags to your b&b this weekend. - Real Simple
See this stunning apartment transformation! - Stylelist Home
See who made the 2012 A-List. - Elle Decor
Are Ikea product names seductive? This video may convince you. - Curbed

See How We Gave This Ikea Lampshade a Nautical Twist!

Angela Swinderman Elias — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:49:44 PDT

As part of our Styled by You $500 Giveaway with IKEA, Elka Karl and I have been thinking of ways to punch up basic Ikea products. You may have seen how I added block-printed ikat polka dots to this Asele lampshade ($15). Well, now I'm revisiting the same shade with an entirely different approach. Armed with some thin manila rope, a glue gun, and a Bran table lamp base ($20), I set out to create a nautical-inspired lamp with a modern twist.

Keep reading to discover how easy it was to create my rope lampshade!

See How We Restyled This IKEA Stool WIth Some Glossy Paint

Elka Karl — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:00:29 PDT

As part of our Styled by You $500 Giveaway with IKEA, Angela and I have been applying simple techniques to reenvision some of our favorite IKEA products. Today, I'm sharing another of my projects.

This BEKVAM stool ($15) from IKEA is made from solid wood and is very sturdy. However, it could definitely use a little personalization.

I thought it would be fun to add some glossy color to the stool. See what I did to refresh the look of this sturdy BEKVAM stool.

Enter to Win $500 to IKEA in Our Styled by You Giveaway

CasaSugar — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:37:49 PDT

We love reinventing furniture and creating our own DIY projects by using IKEA products as the basis for our new designs. Now, we want to see how you would personalize your IKEA products and style your space. We're hosting a Pinterest contest giving you a chance to show us what IKEA products you would customize and what inspiration you would use to style it -think colorblocking, fabric swatches, metallics, wallpapers . . . the sky's the limit!

See the instructions below on how to build out a Pinterest board and show us how you would complete your project and style a new space in the place you call home. Our editors will then select their favorite board and give out a $500 gift card to IKEA to make those projects happen.

To Enter:
1. Follow CasaSugar on Pinterest
2. Create a Pinterest Board titled "Styled By" and build out your inspiration board
3. Make sure you pin one or more products from IKEA and design materials from CasaSugar that will help complete your project (minimum 20 pins, please)
4. Hashtag each of your pins with #styledby
5. Share the URL link to your "Styled By" board in the comments below

Be sure to enter by May 22. We're excited to see what inspires your project! Check out the official rules here.

If you don't have a Pinterest account yet, get an invitation here.

See How These Pillows Were Personalized For Summer Lounging

Elka Karl — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:30:59 PDT

As part of our Styled by You $500 Giveaway with IKEA, Angela and I have been applying simple techniques to reenvision some of our favorite IKEA products. Today, I'm sharing another of my projects.

These URSULA Cushion Covers ($13 each) are made from a rough-woven ramie fabric and feature a cute gray striped lining. They seem like a perfect option for adding floor seating for a Summer picnic or outdoor patio space. However, to really add pop to a Summer patio or picnic, they need a little personalization.

I haven't done any blockprinting since my high school art class, but I decided to try it for this project. I used a linoleum block that I picked up at an art supply store, and drew a simple design on the block. With a carving tool, I cut out the pattern.
Keep reading to see how it looks on fabric

See How We Added Bohemian Flair to These Ikea Curtains

Angela Swinderman Elias — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00:53 PDT

As part of our Styled by You $500 Giveaway with Ikea, Elka and I have been applying simple techniques to reenvision some of our favorite IKEA products. Today, I'm sharing my second hack project, which was made with IKEA's AINA Curtains in natural ($50 for a pair).

I was inspired by Michael Penney's fabulous dip-dye curtains, but thought that adding an ombré twist would be a great way to tie in the indigo and teal hues from my room. All it took was a couple of buckets, some fabric dye, and a sunny Saturday afternoon to achieve my own boho-inspired curtains. Keep reading to see the big reveal and get the steps to pull it off yourself!

See How We Transformed an Ikea Lampshade With a Potato

Angela Swinderman Elias — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:30:36 PDT

As part of our Styled by You $500 Giveaway with Ikea, Elka and I have been re-envisioning some Ikea products, thinking beyond the flatpack. Today, I'm sharing my first project, which was made with an ÅSELE lamp shade ($15) and a BRÅN Clear Glass Table Lamp Base ($20).

I was inspired by an Uzbeki ikat polka-dot fabric and was determined to re-create the look on my own. I decided to take a block-printing approach to replicate the pattern but needed some inspiration for an easy way to create a stamp. Enter the potato. Keep reading to see how this common household vegetable became the key to unlocking my coveted Uzbeki pattern!

See How We Re-Styled This $5 Hanging Planter From IKEA

Elka Karl — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:52:04 PDT

As part of our Styled by You $500 Giveaway with Ikea, Angela and I have been rethinking and restyling some IKEA products, thinking beyond the flatpack. Today, I'm sharing my first project, which was made from the SKURAR Hanging Planter. ($5).

I love this product's design and lacy detailing and have long admired the easy switcheroo that turns this planter into a hanging lamp. At least, it seemed easy when I read about it. But would this project prove to be harder than it looked?

Keep reading to see how my project with the SKURAR Hanging Planter turned out.

16 Fun Finds For Modern Kids at Ikea

LilSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:17:21 PDT

For modern design at an incredibly affordable price point, no one does it quite like Ikea. The Swedish megastore is known for its kid-friendly practices, from supervised play areas to shopping strollers, baby care areas to healthy, hearty children's meals at in-store bistros and restaurants. Here are 16 of our favorite Ikea finds for little ones - from kids room essentials to fun, affordable playthings.

Two Ikea Outdoor Chairs I'm Longing For - but They're Not Available in the United States!

Elka Karl — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:44:28 PST

Two new outdoor chairs have made their ways to Ikeas around the world, but they haven't landed in US stores yet. While I'm not contemplating a trip across the northern border into Canada quite yet, I am eager to see these chairs stocked in the US. And at least one will be, since it's already listed on the website (just without availability at this time).
While the Hogsten may not have the most graceful name, this gorgeous chair is a total looker. Made from woven plastic rattan, it has an organic look, but its plastic exterior means it is very, very low maintenance and quite durable - an absolute must for outdoor furniture. You can also purchase the matching footstool, which is equally cute. The Hogsten is currently available at a few Canadian Ikea stores, according to the website.

Keep clicking to check out my other favorite outdoor chair from Ikea.