CasaSugar

Roundup: Middle Eastern-Inspired Interior Goods

CasaSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:00:00 -0800

I love the bold and unexpected design on this new West Elm Hamsah Hand Rug ($99-$499). The hamsa hand is usually seen on an amulet, and is said to offer magical protection from the evil eye that works even in the homes of nonbelievers. Hamsa means "five," and refers to the digits on the hand. After falling for this fab rug, I thought I'd peruse some other interior decor finds to see what else was under a Middle Eastern influence. To see some finds that were inspired by Middle Eastern architecture, nature, and traditional textile techniques, read more.

Su Casa: Well-Read, Well-Traveled

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 09:00:46 -0700

Today's Su Casa comes to us all the way from India, where user Madhurdutta has created a casual yet elegant reading section in his bedroom, where he likes to read while having tea or coffee. I think the natural palette is perfectly peaceful, while the splashes of crimson keep the simple look interesting.

Want to share your photos? Here's how to post in the Su Casa group.

Get the Look: India Hicks's Bahamas-Style Workspace

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:00:12 -0700

I recently featured India Hicks's Harbor Island rental property, so when I came across an image of Ms. Hicks at her home in the Bahamas, I had to share its gorgeous Summer style with CasaSugar readers.

This workspace really works due to its mix of feminine and masculine elements. I love how the muscular campaign desk in Hicks's workspace anchors the room, while the wall, collaged with postcards, inspirational art clippings, and a curio box full of ocean souvenirs, adds a tropical femininity to the space.

To get the look, start with the biggest piece of furniture: the campaign desk. The desk will be the centerpiece of the room, so don't be afraid to splurge. I love this Rosewood and Leather Danish Campaign Desk ($3,200) from the early 1960s. For a contemporary option, try the Crate and Barrel Campaign Desk ($1,000).

For the rest of the look, read more.

Save special cards, postcards, or pages from art magazines to create a collage effect on the wall above your desk. While I'm not necessarily a fan of the curio box, I do love the way that India modernizes the box by sticking to one simple, organic element (shells) instead of creating a fussy knick knack collection. You can get a knick knack box through The Ancient Craftsman for $35.

Follow India's lead and use one object in repetition in the box. Think nature-inspired finds, such as rocks, shells, seed pods, or agates. Add some Summer blooms in a casual vase, and your look is nearly complete. For other ideas, check out my finds below.

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Nice and New: India Rose Fabric Lanterns

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:00:26 -0700

Don't get me wrong: white paper lanterns will never lose their cool in my book. But that doesn't mean I don't crave a little color and pattern every now and then, too. Today I have a soft spot for the new India Rose Fabric Lanterns ($35-43), which are made of 100 percent cotton with a batik polka dot pattern in brown, green, and sky blue. I love this view of them hanging from the trees, but they'd also look très casual chic used indoors. Have you checked out India Rose before? It's my go-to place for feminine textiles, and actually where I got my shower curtain!

Summer Style: India Hicks's Cricket Pavilion

CasaSugar — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:00:42 -0700

I recently caught a story about India Hicks in Coastal Living, and fell immediately in love with her beautiful island home. The laid-back, Bahamas lifestyle seems a perfect way to spend time with your family on a Summer vacation. Luckily, for those of us with the cash, we can rent out one of Ms. Hicks's properties on historic Harbour Island, Bahamas, which is lined with pink sand beaches and surrounded by tropical, turquoise waters.

One of the properties available for rent (for a cool $4,900 a week) is the Cricket Pavilion. This 2,000-square-foot, studio-style house boasts classical English architecture and a long, broad terrace, set back from the beach. Take a private path to reach the beach, where you can fish, scuba or snorkel, and take a dip in the gorgeous tropical waters. Around the house, you can relax in a hammock or in one of the thatched cabanas.

See more pictures of the house, and read about its interior when you click here

Interview: India Hicks on Top Design

CasaSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:00:59 -0700

In anticipation of Top Design's second season, I recently had the chance to participate in a conference call with the new host, celebrated fashion model and design aficionado India Hicks, as well as world-renowned designer Todd Oldham, who has a moved over to a new role as the contestants' mentor. And, I shared with you Todd's thoughts on everything from the judges to design no-no's. Now, I'm back to you with more from the interview, this time sharing the highlights of what India Hicks had to say. For those of you not familiar with India, she is daughter of famed interior decorator David Hicks and Lady Pamela Hicks, and is the author of several interior design books. Here are some of the highlights:

On the show's new look:

The main difference is going to be that we are really designing outside of the box. [In] Season One they were designing inside these white boxes, and this time we’ve taken our kids out into real places and real settings. You have real professionals designing in real places.

On designing on a budget:

My father, who was a very great designer in the '60s and '70s, had a very famous quote that he said which was, "Good taste and design are by no means dependent upon money." We see it more than ever with the group of contestants we have. I think the producers were very canny about keeping the budgets down low because that really does show who has the good eye and the good talent. If you can make something wonderful from a very small budget, you really do have talent.

To hear more of what India had to say during the call, read more.

On common design mistakes that people fall into:

Now there is this huge trend to have your plasma screen TV right out there in the room. Of course, I was very much brought up hiding the television. The television was an obscure, terrible object that needed to be hidden under a table or inside a cupboard. And indeed, I still live like that. We have televisions hidden in different places throughout the house. Trends change and obviously as times change, we adapt. Of course, my children have a plasma screen TV that they want out and they want to show off that they have this plasma screen TV. I find it’s the height of vulgarity. So, you know, it is a very sensitive question depending on who you’re talking to.

On whether she's ever done set decoration:

Well, I’m constantly being accused that my house is one big set decorated. But I take pride in that and I think that if you care, then you’re constantly reshaping and reformatting the way your house looks.

On the importance of your interiors these days:

I think there’s nothing nicer than having a home that is inviting and tastefully decorated. I think it’s good that we do care and I think this show is going to be very relevant because I think we are seeing a trend in the general public of people beginning to care.

I think also with the economic downturn that we’re going to be seeing, people are going to be spending much more time in their homes. They’re going to be cutting back on the restaurants, holidays and nights out, and I think we want those places to be stylish, warm, and inviting. And they’ve got to be a reflection of who we are as an individual.

I think Top Design is going to be very pertinent right now because of that economic down trend. We are going to be at home watching TV and this is a show that’s going to be showing you how to make your home that stylish, warm, and inviting place.

On Todd's role

Todd is very, very compassionate and I think it fills that role incredibly well, and these kids really relate to him. And I would go in and have to wag my horrible finger, and Todd got the nice bit of being nice and giving them a pat on the back.

On keeping a nicely interior designed house with kids:

My whole life is about kids. But having said that, I’m also very aware that they need to have their area and I need to have mine. And I think I’m blessed with living with space around me so we do have the space, that they’ve got a big playroom where they can be kids. I think even if you live in an apartment in New York, it is very important to keep that compromise. We do need to have room for ourselves to live in an adult environment with usefully styled tables and for the kids to have their space.

On what each contestant brings to the show:

What’s interesting about the contestants that we have on this show is that there’s such a wide variation and background. We have some very, very highly trained professionals which obviously brings a very different edge to the show. There’s a set designer from the Sex in the City. There’s a style editor from Martha Stewart. But we also have some very fresh, new blood on the scene. It’s interesting to see that the collaboration really stimulates the imagination in this instance and that you’ve got the 20-year-old who’s just come out of school, really fresh new look at the world, and then you’ve got the very experienced set designer who’s been on the game for some time.

On designing for your own home:

I think it really is nice to have a home that is a reflection of who we are as an individual. I find that in New York I could have a very minimalistic apartment but I live with a family on an island and so I design in the vernacular. I’m very aware of maintaining the integrity of where I live. When we build here we build in the old style of pitched roofs made of cedar shingles. But there has to be a unique and original twist to it as well. I like to also keep a sense of humor in the designing.

On working with the judges:

I hadn’t met any of them before. Margaret was known to me because my brother and sister-in-law are very much in the design world and they had said, you know, she’s going to be wonderful. Margaret is extremely authoritative with reason. She has a great deal of knowledge. Jonathan, obviously his work I knew because he was heavily influenced by my father, David Hicks, and referenced my father continuously which I respected enormously, as did Kelly. Jonathan is out there in the field, as is Kelly, and so they know and they have both worked their way up to the position they’re in now, so they know what it takes, so that they are in a position to be able to sit there and criticize may be too strong a word, but certainly give their point of view. These are real professionals judging and I think that makes a big difference.

On the guest judges:

Hold onto your seats, guys, because there are a couple of comments coming up from our guest judges that will make you sit up!

On American architecture:

I am a traditionalist, certainly. So naturally, I gravitate towards a tradition style in architecture as well. But, you know, America is a melting pot of so many different nationalities of people and design. From a European point of view or an English point of view, you know, Los Angeles is startling but that’s also what makes it quite special and unique, is the fact that you do have your Disney world of craziness going on there.

On environmental responsibility:

I am a great believer in zoning and in following the guidelines of the area that you live in. I’m very, very, very aware that, you know, island life is very precious and I live in an environment that is - you know, needs to be tended and loved. It is very important that we are very careful with our environment. I live a very responsible life. I do not live a fanatically green life, but I live a responsible life. I want my children to be brought up understanding how fragile our world is.

On the design styles of the wealthy:

Especially in England, you know, you have these wonderful estates that are done in impeccable taste. And then you have these new Russians living in London who can afford things that we couldn’t possibly begin to imagine and design in a very different way. I probably would tend towards the old, slightly dustier way of designing. I was brought up very much with the notion that it was terribly non-you to have actually bought your furniture. You were obviously meant to inherit it.

Stay tuned for more coverage of Top Design in the future!
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This Just In: India Hicks to Host Top Design

CasaSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:00:07 -0700

I just heard from BuzzSugar, that "Top Design will return in the Fall with new host India Hicks," and Todd Oldham will stick around to mentor the designers, as well as all the judges from the first season, including Kelly Wearstler, Jonathan Adler, and editor in chief of Elle Decor, Margaret Russell. If you're not familiar with India Hicks, she is the daughter of "famed interior decorator, David Hicks, and Lady Pamela Hicks," as well as the god-daughter of Prince Charles. But, Hicks is not without a keen eye for design and notable skillset herself, she is a celebrated fashion model and design aficionado, and has published interior design books on island living. Possibly not coincidental, India Hicks' breezy Bahamas home was just featured in Domino. For more details, go here.
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Designer Spotlight: India Mahdavi

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:30:15 -0700

Interior designer, architect, and furniture designer India Mahdavi apparently does it all. She's designed homes, hotels, commercial spaces, and even airplane interiors. Raised by a Persian father and Egyptian and English mother, this globe-trotting designer spent her childhood living in 11 different countries, and her eclectic, colorful interiors reflect her myriad influences and inspirations. Mahdavi attended the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris for architecture, after which she worked in an architecture firm. However, interior and furniture design proved to be her true passion, and her talent for these mediums is self-evident. Last year, she was included in Time's Design 100. In an interview with Index magazine, she said, "Style is just being clever with space, clever with color, clever with ambiance. Style can create a very good feel." Indeed, Mahdavi's projects seem to create just that.

View 21 Photos ›

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Desire/Acquire: Oversize Ruffle Laundry Bag

CasaSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:00:02 -0700

Looking to add some girly flounce to your laundry routine? Then check out India Rose's White Devil Bag ($56). It's super cute, and who can resist heading to the laundromat when she's carrying her dirty duds in this fabulous canvas ruffled bag? Still, at over 50 smackers, it's a little hard to justify all that cuteness.

Good news: There's an exact match for less than half the price. Find out all about this great steal when you read more.

The Ruffled Laundry Bag from eco retailer Acacia is only $22.97. Made of the same sturdy cotton canvas, and boasting four tiers of ruffles, this bag is an exact match for the White Devil Bag, at a much lower price.

Steal of the Day: Amara Bathmat

CasaSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:30:00 -0700

My beloved, fresh, and always-lovely India Rose just became a bit more accessible. The lush, plush, and oh-so-adorable India Rose Amara Bathmat ($40, reduced from $50) is on sale at Burke Decor (and normally $58 at India Rose). Considering that your basic hardware store variety of bathmat goes for $20, I think this is a great deal. The mat's raised polka dots and twisted hook fringe are downright precious, too. It's made from 100 percent cotton and measures 23 by 25 inches. Clearly, it's a bit feminine and youthful, so it's not for every bathroom. But, for those who can make it work, go for it!

Chowpatty Print - $179.00	Leaf Napkin Ring, Set of 4 - $69.00
Darjeeling Dining Table - $899.00	Atherton Crewel Duvet Cover & Shams - $138.00
Banjara Fretwork Pillow - $195.00	Bombay Storage Trunk - $299.99
CLOSEOUT! Calvin Klein Home "Jalli" Bedding - $37.50	Batik Leaf Runner, Placemats or Napkin Sets of 4 - $24.99
Natori "Tree of Life" Bedding Collection - $135.00	Gold Champa Leaf - $49.00
Anika Runner - $49.95	Hamsah Hand Rug - $499.00